“Move it you mares, hustle!” I could never really get over the fact that when the drill sergeant said ‘hustle’ it sounded as if he was putting extra emphasis on the last syllable. At first I believed it was a way to just annoy me, but a brief encounter with my unit leader put that idea to rest. My sympathy towards him remained the same regardless. I’m not being totally heartless now. In fact, I felt sorry that he had such a bad speech impediment. I could only imagine it was his days in secondary education that drove him to be the stallion he is today. I’m not one to right out say that your past has a bearing on your future, though I do believe that one’s past has something to do with how they represent themselves in the present. That probably didn’t make sense. Guess you can mark off philosopher from the list of titles I’ve drawn up for myself. Who would believe a colt like me to be anything more than a simple soldier though? I had smarts, but I didn’t pursue the unequivocal life of a teacher mainly because I had been one since my colthood. I had a different calling. If you haven’t already guessed, I’m involved in the sort of work that imaginative young colts spend their entire afternoons fantasizing about. Sure I wasn’t anything special, but it didn’t matter to me. The fact that I was part of the Canterlot Royal Guard was enough evidence of my self-worth. My family thought so anyway, so I figured I had to believe the same thing.
My birth wasn’t extraordinary. I came into the world as the first born to two unicorns and subsequently gained my cutie mark during my coronation into the Guard. I’m the eldest of two and arguably the best sibling ever. My days in the Guard have since reduced that time allotted for family matters, but I still manage to keep in touch. Family was important, but so was my duty. I would hastily deny ever saying such a thing, but I was never really one to escape unscathed from my lies. I have my younger sister to blame for that.
Another harsh excess of unintelligible speech spilled out of the drill sergeant’s mouth. The veins in his neck occasionally bulged in reaction to his profane insults and petty threats. The stallion was just over exerting himself. The sweat rolling off of his forehead was practically as thick as mine, and this guy wasn’t even galloping. It was the heat, I concluded after a while. I figured giving him the benefit of the doubt would make me less of a horrible pony than some of the other stallions galloping alongside of me.
“Hey Rookie, lost in thought?” My mind was caught wandering, but I wouldn’t give this green-maned trouble maker the satisfaction of knowing that. Instead, I kicked up a little dust and chuckled.
“Just thinking about the heat is all,” I said.
“All that thinking is going to hurt you Rookie, this is field exercise, not map nav-training,” this stallion responded back. I had to admire Saddlebuck for his wit. Even during navigational classes, or anything aside from field work, he would argue that too much thinking was bad for the brain. I often wondered if maybe it was because he never used his. He galloped ahead of me and whipped my face with his tail. I decided not to accept his challenge. It would be better if my white coat not get as dirty as his. Because of the olive tint of Saddlebuck’s coat, it was difficult to tell if he truly was soiled. A lot of the other stallions sought witticism in this, but I found it oddly convenient. That may just be because I’ve always had to live with my ‘pristine blanket of pure white snow’ as one mare had so delicately put it a while back. I never did agree with my mother on that.
“Rookie, move your blue ass!” The C.O. shouted from across the field.
“With all due respect sir, I believe we’re all stallions,” the pony ahead of me chortled back. “Not to mention, it’s his tail that’s blue, not his flank.”
“What are you doing Saddlebuck? Everyone will have your hide if we get another ten laps,” I said. I didn’t need this guy to answer for me, or at all for that matter. But his crazy self always wanted to cause grief for the higher ups.
“Don’t be such a mare, or I’ll have to slap you again,” he said meeting me at my pace. We both peered over at the oblivious C.O.
“He didn’t hear you, thank Celestia,” I sighed.
“And what if he did? You can’t tell me that you’re exhausted already.” My face read of irritancy, but Saddle didn’t care. That was because he knew I never really cared. Saddlebuck could poke at me and I wouldn’t mind. He was the closest thing I had to a friend here. I wouldn’t even go so far as to admit that, but the accurate terminology escaped me at the moment.
“Unicorns don’t have the physical stamina an Earth steed possess, so yes I can tell you that I’m exhausted,” I admitted painfully. Saddlebuck laughed. I was sure the C.O. heard that one.
“Saddle! You and Rookie, ten more laps! Every other mare, bring it in,” the drill sergeant ordered after whistling for everpony to halt. I crashed into that idiot Saddlebuck but he simply laughed in response and collided with me in retaliation.
“Looks like we get that race after all Rookie,” he wheezed out smiling like the idiot he was.
“Stop calling me Rookie, we’re in the same unit and we’re the same rank,” I voiced out. This must have been my thousandth time bringing this up to him, but he refused to concede. That term had stuck to me like honey. Even those who held the ‘rookie’ status were granted their names back after a few weeks. I saw this form of harassment as one of two things. I was either so fresh that nopony would give me the time of day, or I met their expectations too quickly and now the entire Guard is in denial.
“You’ll stay a noob with that sort of speed,” Saddlebuck shouted ahead of me. The bastard took off without warning, though it didn’t surprise me much. I was not amused, but rather than let these next ten laps waste my time, I decided to show this jerk who he was dealing with. I only ever knew of one pony to use my actual name in all of the Guard, and when he did it was always the final part, and not the former. Had I known he was watching me that afternoon, I might not have decided to trip up Saddlebuck on the eighth lap. That was a stupid move Shining Armor…
*****
“Hey Rookie, I saved you a seat,” somepony said after I had tried to sneak out of the mess hall.
“Let him alone, you know he’s got a date right now,” another said whipping his friend over the head. I was just as intrigued as the stallions staring at this pony’s sudden bruise.
“Yeah, how’s Ria? I bet she delivers real well.” Ah, that’s what they were talking about. It would have come to me eventually I’m sure.
“You’d better believe it, I’ve been over her twice,” a crimson pony bragged. The entire table roused with laughter.
“I didn’t know you could read Wallos,” Saddlebuck interjected directly across from him.
“How do you think I made it in here Saddle?” his response was more defensive than my cutie mark.
“My bad, I guess I assumed too much. After all, if your literacy was your ticket inside I can see why you suck so badly at combat training.” I didn’t think Wallos could turn any redder. The colts around him nudged the flustered pony, but he beat them off with a macho look and a quick swipe. I took my seat, despite their mocking towards my latest read. I was planning on finishing a chapter or two during dinner, but my already delicate status was at stake. I figured it could wait, since it would be my fourth time going through it.
“Heard you two were cutting up out in the field today,” somepony said down the line to me and Saddlebuck.
“Heard you were snooping around again,” he jeered back.
“Saddlebuck wanted proof of gravity’s hold on him,” I replied back shooting him a playful glance. His mouth curled upwards in response.
“You used your damn magic against me Rookie, so don’t even act all high and mighty,” he said with a mouth full of hay. A few stallions gave me disapproving reviews and honored Saddlebuck for his integrity in the race. I didn’t feel it necessary to mention that I activated my magic in retaliation to his little dust cloud. Instead, I grinned and enjoyed the slop set before me.
“Guess what I’ve been hearing,” a grey hued stallion whispered next to me.
“Something about your sister?” another teased back.
“Not cool Free Fall,” I said quickly reprimanding the Pegasus. I didn’t tolerate those kinds of jokes, at least not in front of or around me.
“Thanks Rook, anyway, I hear Orre is getting some top secret mission from the head herself,” the pony continued.
“So what’s new?” Saddlebuck asked apatheticly.
“Something big man, the Princess has been meetin’ with Orre personally for three days now!”
“Sure it isn’t a fling?” Wallos chuckled out finishing his drink.
“I can’t believe you even suggested that,” I yelled out. “Captain Val Orre wouldn’t do something like that, and I’m sure as hay the princess wouldn’t swoon over someone like him.”
“Beep, beep, beep, brownnoser.” Had these colts just invited me over to pick fun at me? Boy I was the foal in this setup.
“Why the hay would Orre have an affair with Celestia? He can do better than that,” Saddlebuck commented. That caught me off guard. This conversation was quickly escalating beyond rumor and breeding into accusations and theories. Remaining silent was the best course action for this engagement. There were things said that would be enough to warrant a court martial at this point. I could not for the life of me listen anymore to the speculations of the soldiers sitting at this table. We were all young, maybe that’s why we flocked together so easily, but our naivety knew no bounds. This is what the older, more esteemed and valued of the Royal Guard thought of us. In mentioning valued and respectable ponies, one did cross my eye as I diverted my gaze from the pearl sheen of our mess table into the sea of faces. He was sitting alone again. Captain Orre seemed to do that a lot.
Upon first witnessing someone of his caliber and prestige, I had my goal set as soon as I was able to begin my training. I often spoke highly of this stallion to my sister beforehand, but all of those stories were exactly those; they were just stories. Val Orre was singlehoofedly the best depiction of an Earth pony in all of Equestria. His fame was renown even to lands outside of Equestria. He was formal, and prompt. I failed to recall a time where he was late or without his royal Canterlot armor. His gaze constantly shifted back and forth from his tray to the glass stained window next to him. I wondered what sort of things a pony like that often sat around and thought about. Captain of the whole Guard. Princess Celestia’s guard. Hoof chosen by the ruler herself. Val Orre brushed back his coarse brown mane and began stroking the bushes of hair around his lips and under his face.
I found it odd that a Unicorn envy anything of an Earth pony. I found it even stranger that at times I would compare myself to him in both physical prowess and personality. Needless to say, this stallion was inspiring. My letters to my beloved sister and my parents often recant the tales of his feats, personally clarified and peer reviewed by members of his elite class. I made sure of that. Often times I would misquote his bravery, or incorrectly display his loyalty to Canterlot. I always had trouble illustrating his commendable leadership and unwavering tenacity. Above all, his call of duty was the highest I’ve ever witnessed of any mare or colt. Protecting Canterlot and the princess was just part of the greater picture he always held in his mind. This pony exhibited an extreme pride in his work. His call was so important to him that he had to cut ties with his previous wife and their two children. When left to decide, it really boiled down to the safety of Canterlot over hers. I could see how the notion of having an affair with Celestia could be brought up then, but I knew something like that was far beneath Val Orre. His triumphant achievements and his notable eminence suffocated any other ideas one would have for such a stallion.
He didn’t speak much, but when he did I dare say nopony objected. He kept to himself mostly outside of briefings and announcements despite his regal position over Canterlot. Still, Captain Orre was not one to shy away from the opportunity to socialize with his soldiers. In fact, he made it a point to get to know each of his stallions personally. I know Saddlebuck has a keen interest in inheriting Orre’s role as Captain of the Royal Guard one day, but I don’t see how a hot head such as him could ever make it past a Lieutenant. As for me, my respects are given not only because this stallion is my Captain, but because he’s the only one who refers to me as Armor. Other than a first name bases, I couldn’t say that I personally knew the stallion though. I followed his orders and I followed his example. To the very end I vowed to follow them.
“…and then he just knocks them all dead with the broken jawbone of a tribal donkey,” Bramble finished. I came in at the wrong time, as I normally do, and my countenance yielded a few snickers and chuckles.
“That is an inaccurate depiction of the Battle of Assyria,” I said quickly working off of the last fragment of the sentence I was introduced with. I figured this way it wouldn’t appear as if I had been spacing out.
“Don’t fret Rookie, Bramble was talking about something else,” Saddlebuck said calling my bluff. He was grinning at my embarrassment. Bramble, damn him for even bringing everything up in the first place. That pony could not keep his mouth shut for any reason. I was declined the opportunity to super glue his mouth shut when several other stallions told me how it just made his talking ‘even messier’. Still, the grey colored colt made up for his annoyance in his repertoire of works. He was an excellent navigator and field survivalist. I was often top of the class in many of the courses during my days in the Royal Academy, but this Unicorn outweighed even me in academia of practical use. He continued his rambling about some missing constellation from over a thousand years ago and I drowned him out in my thoughts once more. My eyes searched for the lone Captain once more, but the hunt was fruitless. Val Orre had vanished, right on time.
“Rookie…Rookie!!!” the voice echoed throughout the entire mess hall shushing a few of the other tables. My hooves clattered about recklessly and my posture shot erect at this turn of events. I glanced over at Saddlebuck who subtly shook his head. The least he could do was tell me that Soren was coming. I felt the breath of another individual glide down my neck and unbearably fought the urge to remove the snout pressing against my cheek.
“Why am I not surprised?” The lips of my Lieutenant danced upon my cheeks roughly. Soren Sky remained perpendicular to my stance and finally removed his face from mine when I concluded he had finished his taste test. “You may have been first in your class at the Academy Rookie, but here you might as well be the very stool I sit over every morning, and I’m not talking about a chair Colt,” Soren said spitefully. After this was over I would have to remind him that he was only four years ahead of me in age, so to call me ‘colt’ was about as hazardous as gathering honey from a hornets’ nest. His defacing of me lost the interest of everpony in the hall considering we repeat this routine almost regularly. I would chalk it up to habit, but I think I have to be the one with the problem to consider it a habit of mine. Soren’s eyes did not leave my face. He opened his right wing and pulled my head in his direction forcing me to look upon my assailer.
I locked eyes with the fiery red irises of the steel-blue Pegasus. He still had his armor on, appearing a little bigger than me in stature. He was also spreading his wings out to intimidate me. If this stallion wasn’t my commanding officer, he’d already be gone. Scratch that, if there weren’t so many other commanding officers here, he would be gone. My eyes escaped his gaze and noticed the glossy resin layering his coat. I hadn’t ever taken Soren as a fashion colt. Then again, my description of Soren provokes two thoughts that I dare not even utter in my mind. Fashionable is in one of them.
It was almost as if Soren was destined to be the hard ass that he was since he was conceived. I don’t know much about his youth, but Soren was an upper level student at the Academy. His fame throughout the establishment as Raging Star’s only son was what secured him the position he now holds. I was always tempted to bring this up to someone, but everypony would most likely shy away from the idea to mar Raging Star’s legacy. Soren glided through his years on his father’s success as an officer in the Equestrian Air Force. We’re not talking about these Wonderbolt wonders from Cloudsdale, though Star did get his start there, I’m referring to the elite fleet of Pegasai who guard all of Equestria first and perform pretty tricks never. I could only assume the level of ultramasculinity circulating throughout Soren’s household during dinner or when Star would host his military parties. My initial thoughts upon discovering that Soren Sky would be my Squad Leader were honestly reverent, and I had hoped to make a good impression on the lineage of the great Raging Star.
One thing my younger sister always told me was that she didn’t feel the need to mingle with other ponies and make friends because they weren’t important. Earlier attempts of me explaining our relationship as “friendship” ended in denial and every situation I placed her in would result in me chasing after that strange filly. My first mistake as a Royal Guard was not heeding her advice. Soren quickly reestablished the broken link in our vision and I couldn’t help but feel that he was just picking on me now. “Sir, I apologize Lt. Sky sir.” That would suffice. It was simple and by the book. I wasn’t going to waste my breath on this…oh wait, promised not to say that…
“I don’t want your apology Rookie, I want your submission. I’d be damned to Tartarus if I allow even one pony in my squad to display the disrespect you’ve just given me,” Soren bit back. Thus, the reasoning behind choosing such a low-key apology.
“Sir, forgive me sir, but you have my…submissiveness sir. And frankly sir I’m tired of having to prove myself to you sir!” I was waiting for a response. A consequence would have been a better word to use in that thought actually. This stallion really got under my skin, and while I had to exhibit some form of respect to this jerk, I at the same time would often provoke him and end up physically disputing against Lt. Sky. Soren had this idea that we operated like Equestrian military. That notion couldn’t be any further from the truth. Let me rephrase again; It’s undisputed fact that Celestia and Luna organized the Canterlot Royal Guard similar to the military structure of Equestria, but the fact remains that we were all technically under one command. Two if you counted Celestia herself. The notion of separate ranks was a system forged between a few guards who had been inactive duty officers in the Equestrian army. This tiny council decided that the system would operate more effectively if there existed a pseudo chain-of-command. It was more along the lines of a span-of-control if you ask me however.
“You’re sick? You’re sick Rookie?” Soren’s voice hinted a little pride. I expected he believed I owed him something. I owed him a lot of beatings, that was for sure. “I’m repulsed by the sight before me. Next time I walk in, address me with more respect and acknowledge your commanding officer,” Soren snarled out.
“You’re not any more prestigious than us sir,” Saddlebuck said objectively. That idiot. Soren flew onto the table then and crushed the Earth pony’s meal under his hooves.
“You want to stick up for Rook, Saddlebuck? Then do it when somepony cares,” Soren said wiping the remaining slop off of his horseshoe and back onto Saddlebuck’s tray. Soren leapt off of his perch and took his position at the head of the table. His eyes still bled with cruelty and he held the table at attention for a long while before allowing us to sit. Everypony grumbled softly, criticizing me for my lack of attentiveness and Saddlebuck for being Saddlebuck. I looked over to him, but he had turned his attention to the wall opposite of Soren, staring blankly at the regal tapestry and uplifting wallpaper of the room. Never had I perceived such contrasting moods together in one place. Jackass suddenly cleared his throat.
“I’ve got some important news for this squad,” Soren announced excitedly. He immediately hopped onto the table again.
“I don’t care how good he is, he isn’t getting a single bit,” Saddlebuck whispered across the table. I leant him a small chuckle and was glad that I wasn’t the only one. Soren continued on, failing to even notice the crowd tittering down the table.
“I have just been informed that sometime tomorrow Captain Val Orre will be looking at Sky Squad and searching for potential recruits.” It has been a while since our platoon was this quiet. I almost wished that it would remain like this.
“What kind of recruits, sir?”
“I’m not sure Teeter, all I know is that I’d better see some damn good work out of you lot when this does happen. I’ll be accompanying this small team as its C.O. and we will be led by the Captain himself. Now I was interested. My attention for Soren had long been tossed out, but this new installment caused me to re-gather my thoughts. I peered over to Bramble whose expression was clearly full of wonder. I questioned whether or not it was from his speculations being right or from the news of the event itself. For me, the latter was the catalyst. I had a feeling these recruits were going to be selected for some purpose, but the thought of embarking on a mission with Captain Orre was more than some purpose. Saddlebuck’s face matched mine. Already a secret pact had been formed. I could almost hear the words already,
”Payback, we’ll both try to impress Val Orre and the one chosen for this mission is the permanent winner of all other challenges…” Saddle’s quick glance in my direction guaranteed that thought.
“Alright, our shift is almost here. I want everypony suited up and ready to go in five. We’re going to relieve Yemen’s Squad and show Val Orre that Sky has the means to scale upward,” Soren said confidently. His arrogant and ludicrous catch phrase resulted in a group cry, one of the many in which I refused to participate in. Rather, I mouthed the words, “watermelon,” and raised my hoof into the air when appropriate.
“What did I tell you colts, I was right!” Bramble bragged as we exited the mess hall and back into the now setting sun.
“Congratulations Bramble, I’d give you something but you’d probably drop it,” Saddlebuck said shoving him humorously. Bramble went on to explain how he wouldn’t and described for us the secrets of his ‘master grip’ through stories of his colthood. I felt sorry for the sucker paired with him tonight, though that would assure that neither would sleep through their shifts. My eyes gazed wearily at the setting sun. I hated night shifts, and Saddlebuck’s stupid mouth drained me of any energy left to stay awake.
“You’re with me tonight, eh?” Saddlebuck said nudging me from my thoughts yet again.
“I guess so,” I said.
“I told you to stop thinking already. How do you plan on getting picked for that special assignment if you keep your head lodged in your brain?”
“That doesn’t even make any sense,” I replied back removing his arm from around me. I watched as the final rays of sunlight hid behind the horizon clearing the sky of the citrusy colored orange and yellow that the evening sun bathed in. I never really stopped to consider how beautiful the sunset was. I was always too busy taking charge of the house or putting my Canterlotian duties before me to just sit and admire nature. My mind freely wandered as the sky darkened allowing the stars to shine over the world. The moon would be up in the sky soon. And then our shift would start. Already it was rising from the opposite end of the horizon. I felt strange that night, almost as if my spirit fell along with the sun, yet something was born anew with the caress of the cool night air against my coat. As a Unicorn, magic and empathy came naturally to me, however I failed to discern this feeling as anything extraordinary. I instead attributed it to the settling slop in my stomach. Saddlebuck pulled me away from the scene and shoved me into the barracks.
“C’mon Rookie, you know I’m afraid of the dark,” he jested tossing me my helmet.
“Introduce your team to me Soren,” Captain Orre commanded of the disgruntled Pegasus. While Soren grudgingly obeyed, starting from the left and moving down the line, I confided in myself the bitter-sweetness of laughter that irony had so graciously allowed me to taste. I supposed the colt had a right to be upset. After all, the stallions whom he had suggested to Captain Orre were hurriedly deemed incapable of completing this mission. I didn’t need my magic empathy to tell me that Soren was beyond pissed. His initial irate attitude towards Captain Orre’s earlier criticism was pushed even further when he facetiously suggested our service to the Captain. Needless to say, I was going to enjoy this task much more than I should have.
“This is Saddlebuck sir, an Earth pony with a physique fit enough to tackle a mule, I’ve tried breaking through his thick hide more than once, and interestingly enough his head is just as thick.” Soren was probably planning on belittling us as he continued down the line. It wasn’t a mystery as to why the Captain was troubling Soren like this. I could see in the stalwart gaze of the great pony his admiration for each of us. He was looking for Soren to have that same gleam in his eyes, but I was adamant about him ever discovering such a virtue. “Bramble excels well with navigation and field survival, as his results have so clearly indicated. And…” Soren stopped when he came to me.
“You already know who I am sir, Sh-“
“That is Rookie. He’s smart,” was all that Soren said, cutting me off. I could have sworn the word ’mouthed’ was uttered under his breath after smart, but I wouldn’t get at him right now. Val Orre marched down the line and examined each of us personally. I felt a little intimidated by it. His stance loomed over each of us powerfully and his eyes cut through our souls as proficiently as a scalpel in the hands of a doctor. Saddlebuck glanced over to me when he received the chance. I tried to concentrate on something other than his impishly devious smile poking fun at my rigidity and accidently locked eyes with Soren. If contempt could be described in one gesture, it was the fuming stare he chucked in my direction. Rather than submit to my commanding officer, I acknowledged his attention on me and straightened my posture further.
“Yes My Princess, I do believe I have my team assembled,” Val Orre said bowing to Celestia. We all guided our vision over to an immaculate throne planted firmly over a velvet sea of gold linings and hoof-stitched design. It was a short ascension, but every step would escort you closer and closer to the beauty who rested upon it. Her very presence was enough to silence even the robust of ponies and her ever flowing ethereal mane could captivate you faster than the thorns of an Everfree tree. In this very instant, I would without a doubt fully approve of any pony displaying a snow white coat if they could radiate such an intoxicating gleam as elegantly and holy as Celestia did. Her eyes gently floated over to Val Orre and as if he felt her gaze pressing upon his back, he arose to stare into her passionately peaceful irises.
Celestia abandoned her throne descending upon us as if to be considered equal, but nopony would ever admit that they could be as worthy as she was. My particular thoughts on the princess were not too far from admiration. I admitted she was beautiful and divinely empowered, but my respect and loyalty to her came from the notion that she is my princess and it is my duty to protect her because I fight to protect what she protects. Bramble would voice otherwise. The love stricken stallion had thought it safe to admit to me his loyalty and respect come from a different motive. Bramble’s infatuation for his princess drove this pony to excel at what he does, and I had a good feeling he was enjoying this moment a little too much. Saddlebuck once more vied for my attention while Celestia conversed with Bramble for a bit. Soren quickly fell into line as well, and cleared the room of any other voices aside from Celestia’s and Bramble’s.
“Keep it up you two, I’ll make sure the next assignment you both receive is a few hundred hours of guard duty at the Starswirl the Bearded section,” Soren threatened viciously.
“Ah, Shining Armor. I know you well,” Celestia said to me suddenly. I pulled my face away from Soren’s and stared intently at the magical mare standing before me. I had seen the princess before, but I could not brag about seeing anything past an announcement or ceremonial appearance. I must have come across flustered because the next words out of my mouth were,
“Stunning eyes. Oh, I mean, th-thank you My Lady.” The last thing I needed was for somepony to misinterpret this little interaction.
“Your parents speak highly of you, as does your little sister,” Celestia said. Her voice delicately tickled my ears, and it was indeed pleasing to be so close to her at this moment, but I had to focus.
“You know my parents, and Twily?” I asked especially interested in that last part. Celestia’s response was a simple smile and a light giggle.
“Of course. Your sister is a very intriguing filly. I must say I never quite met anypony quite like her.”
“Oh no, what did she do Your Highness?” I asked wondering what shenanigans my sister could have conjured up for the princess to witness. Celestia laughed whimsically and shook her head.
“It’s alright Shining Armor, I assure you I was rather entertained at her attempt at magic. She really applies herself and is always swimming out of sorcery books,” Celestia recanted for me. I smiled and knew for certain Celestia was referring to Twilight. That silly filly, only a few years and already making impressions on royalty.
“In fact, this mission is in a way associated with those just like Ms. Sparkle,” Celestia revealed then. I don’t believe I had ever been more stunned in my life. Our mission would indirectly affect young fillies like Twilight? What was she implying there? I didn’t have a chance to think because Saddlebuck’s salute caught my attention first.
“My Lady, a pleasure to be graced with your presence,” Saddlebuck said as if he were any old royal guard. Not once had I seen him actually perform his job effectively. I was always pulling both of our yokes, picking up the slack for him whilst he fooled around, but this time was different. I almost came that much closer to misinterpreting his general lackadaisical demeanor.
“The formalities are welcomed, but not required young Saddlebuck,” Celestia said bowing her head in respect. Saddlebuck lowered his hoof and chuckled.
“I know,” he said to Celestia. I realized then that his gesture was performed to merely startle everyone and I was ashamed to have fallen for it. If his flippant smirk wasn’t telling me that itself, I would have simply thought he was just showing off, which Saddlebuck also tends to do.
“Your responsibility for your stallions is great Soren Sky, I trust you will lead them well,” Celestia commented to him charitably bestowing her charm upon the undeserving colt. Soren stood at attention and nodded. I didn’t think he had anything to say. Any response to come out of his mouth would be so much horse crap you could fertilize the entire Canterlot garden.
“My Lady,” Val Orre said firmly, “I have found some uniqueness in this set of ponies that I have not quite observed in a while.” A swell of bewilderment filled my eyes as I wondered about what he meant by that.
“Hmph!”
I ignored Soren's grunt of disapproval after the Captain had delivered his comment to Celestia, but the same could not be said about Saddlebuck.
"Saddlebuck, what the hay?!" Soren hissed out shoving the colt back after Saddlebuck had pressed against him. At times I wondered if Soren really was our commander or just another guard with that label strapped on.
"Tripped sir, this standing is getting to me," Saddlebuck confessed in deceit.
“I am sure you have found a most notable team,” Celestia answered to her Captain quietly giggling at our unrest. It was terrifyingly confusing as to how things were run here. I was always at the mercy of my commanding officers under different circumstances, yet standing before the supreme ruler of Equestria herself, I could almost relate it to sitting in my grandmare’s lap. I knew she could sense our shenanigans.
“Now listen, my valiant steeds,” Celestia announced. If she did know, she didn’t seem to care. “I am embarking on a diplomatic engagement within the Baad Lands of Equestria. As you have begun to already realize, this area borders dragon territory, as is such the audience which I will be meeting with.”
“Dragons? Real dragons!” Bramble nearly collapsed on the spot. The shock of meeting the love of his life and hearing about dragons was a little too much for the colt. Val Orre chuckled at his fervor.
“Careful there kid, we don’t want you passing out before the mission,” Orre said propping the young steed up.
“Yes Bramble, dragons. I am hoping to meet with an ambassador of a neighboring dragon country and perhaps gain an interesting item in the process,” Celestia explained.
“What do those dragons have that are so impressive, if I may ask?” Soren proded, quickly shifting his snippy tone at the last second.
“Eggs, young Soren. As I mentioned earlier, this quest will have a momentous impact on the young fillies enrolling into my schooling program. I have requested a small donation of unwanted dragon eggs and wish to integrate them into my curriculum,” Celestia said.
“How thoughtful. You’ll save innocent lives and better your academia at the same time,” I commented.
“There’s a civil unrest within dragon country at the moment your highness, are you sure that is so wise?” Saddlebuck asked inquisitively. I thought the outburst was a little off topic, and unusual coming from the pony that spoke it.
“I admire your legitimate concern,” Celestia said. Saddlebuck chuckled when she said ‘legitimate.’ “However,” she continued, “that is why the exchange will take place in the Baad Lands. It’s a rendezvous of equal distance for both of our countries.”
“So you see why this mission is of utmost importance, do you not?” the Captain asked of us.
“There is another development,” Celestia revealed. “Saddlebuck has done us the honor of revealing the civil war currently transpiring within the dragon country. My sources have led me to believe that our dragon ambassadors are being hunted by an extremist group bent on destroying the eggs and assassinating the dragon princess.”
“Dragon princess?” Bramble asked this time, enthralled with the prospect of meeting dragon royalty.
“Our intended audience is with Her Highness herself,” Celestia said to the awestruck pony.
“This is obviously a more regal engagement than you have let on. Why such a small group? Why not take a whole platoon?” Soren asked.
“I do not want to attract too much attention to ourselves, and I would like to minimize casualties as much as possible. This way, if need be, we can escape easily,” Celestia answered.
“You are…expecting casualties?” I asked grimly. I didn’t waver too badly, but at the same time, I didn’t expect such a statement from the Princess. I suppose I spoke out of turn there.
“I am expecting your very best, Shining Armor,” Celestia replied, soothing my uneasy soul.
“Your Highness, I vow with my very breath to protect you and all that we stand for on this mission, I shall not fail,” Val Orre said bowing once more to the princess. Celestia bowed as well.
“We will all do our best Princess,” Soren said then, forcing our heads down with his. “No stunts, no heroism, no disobedience, got that you three?” Soren whispered lowly.
“I can’t promise that sir,” Saddlebuck inserted.
“Don’t listen to him Soren, we’ll mind our P’s and Q’s,” I quickly responded trying to quell the inevitable argument that was to follow.
“If only you and I could agree on more Rookie,” Soren said chuckling.
“We depart by light of the first sun tomorrow,” Celestia said, prompting us to rise. Her eyes flitted about the room once more and she gave each of us a reassuring smile. “Rest well my ponies,” Celestia finished, ending our meeting.
*****
“The Princess’s secret train takes a hidden route under the mountain,” Bramble began to explain as we all chugged along the iron laid tracks. I stared at the colt’s giddy countenance, and wondered if his mouth ever got tired of moving. “It’ll link with the main rail system at Ponyville and then take us to Dodge Junction. We’ll be on foot from there,” Bramble finished.
“Thank you for that information Bramble,” Soren said haughtily.
“So he’s said it a few times over, no need to be an ass about it Sir,” Saddlebuck said directly across from the grumbling Pegasus.
“He shows no respect to anyone, do you not realize that I am your commanding officer Saddlebuck?!” Soren snipped back tearing his gaze from the rapidly moving fields to the earthen rigidity of Saddlebuck’s face.
“Sir, you know Saddlebuck’s personality by now, I’m surprised you still let it bother you,” I said from the next seat over. I made sure to keep eye contact with him and a seething blue Pegasus rose to his hooves and trotted right over to me.
“I don’t know why Captain Orre had me choose you three. Frankly, after this little exchange I’ll make sure that it doesn’t matter. I’m seeing this moment as an opportunity to put you two in line,” Soren said, biting those last few words. If he could spit them at me he would have. I glanced over to the boxcar ahead of us, wondering what the Captain and Princess were discussing then. Anything would have been better than listening to Bramble and Soren. Saddlebuck’s lip wasn’t much of an alternative either.
“Look, Everfree Forest,” Saddlebuck said as the train took a turn around Ghastly Gorge. The tracks along this route seemed eerily placed. It was almost as if the forest had done so itself. My fascination with Everfree was nothing beyond pique, but I suppose that was mainly because I didn’t believe in any of the stories ponies said told about it.
“I don’t suppose we will be going through that?” Bramble asked.
“The tracks go around it, over the gorge. It’d be suicide to travel through the forest.” Soren’s voice remained full of spite when he said this.
“You believe in those silly stories Sir?” I asked quickly, hoping to fluster our C.O. further.
“You shouldn’t chalk up something as grave as Everfree as being simply silly Rookie. Many myths have truer origins than you’d think you know,” he said without taking his eyes off of the darkly tinted leaves of a passing oak tree. The only strange thing about it was the fact that numerous amounts of vegetation grew within it that normally shouldn’t be able to coexist with each other. That and it would always appear to be after sundown whenever one stepped into it.
“It’s ridiculous to have placed the tracks so far away from it. I’d rather get lost in there than plummet to my doom here,” Saddlebuck said peering below at the vast emptiness of the gorge we all crossed. I was glad somepony shared my skepticism about Everfree.
The scene gradually changed from the lush green that was Ponyville to the reddish clay of Apple Loosa. My eyes could not divert away from the local mares of this town. I don’t know what it was, but the thought of a mate that didn’t mind a little dirt on her hooves appealed to me more so than a prissy princess. That’s not to say royalty didn’t turn me on either, it was just more practical for a soldier like me to get along with a down-to-earth pony rather than a princess. Saddlebuck was not so subtle with his admiration, as I was forced to pull on his mane to get him to stop whinnying at the passing females.
“You know, I may have to agree with Soren on this one Saddlebuck, I’d rather not represent Canterlot like this,” I said after a few tugs. Saddlebuck smacked me on the back and laughed.
“So uptight Rookie, c’mon, I saw you eye-balling some of those mares, don’t be shy,” Saddlebuck teased pushing me against the window now. Soren flew into both of us, knocking Saddlebuck to the floor and on top of me,
“Now you two can have each other, and stop making me look bad,” he said angrily. I shoved the olive-colored colt off of me and brushed my coat off. I couldn’t believe I was still fretting over that. We were in the reddest, clay filled, dust settling town in Equestria and I was worried about my appearance. Bramble must have caught my obsessiveness and offered to help me dust off, an awkward favor of which I hastily declined. The train was beginning to stop as it lodged into Apple Loosa’s station. It would make a quick five minute stop before proceeding. We were then ordered to switch boxcars in order to rotate guarding shifts between the five of us since we were now in the hot-zone.
“Alright, Rookie and Bramble, you’ll be first. Captain Orre will still be accompanying you, so no fooling around, got it?” Bramble responded with a salute immediately in response to Soren’s order. I acknowledged as well and trotted alongside the grey colt into Celestia’s private boxcar.
“Almost like entering the castle,” Bramble commented in awe as he stepped onto the velvet carpeting. I quickly wiped my hooves off before entering, being sure to not even conceive the notion of scuffing the gold trimming along the edges of the wallpaper and floor. Once more I was taken aback by our princess’s regality. At times, she was the humblest of mares. And then there were occasions like this.
“You spare no expense Milady,” I said more as an out-loud thought than a completely coherent sentence. Celestia’s chuckle trapped me in my realization and I profusely apologized before she raised a hoof to stop me.
“It is alright, I know what you meant,” Celestia said kindly.
“We’re just about ready to leave, when we arrive at Dodge Junction, I want Soren and Saddlebuck in the front with me. Shining Armor, you and Bramble can cover the rear,” Val Orre said across from Celestia. I hadn’t even noticed him sitting there.
“Will Her Highness be walking as well?” Bramble asked.
“It won’t be a problem Bramble, I can hold my own. It will only be a couple of hours.” I wasn’t sure somepony like Celestia could even talk like that. I felt bad that I would allow my princess to walk alongside us, but I also knew better than to question her methods.
“It shall be done,” I said to Val Orre. He nodded. The train blew its whistle, signaling the end of our stop and the beginning of our leave. Val Orre rose and walked over to me then, giving me a peculiar stare.
“Am I making you uncomfortable Old Sport?” he asked smiling.
“Well, not really sir, it’s just that it looked like you were inspecting something of me, so I tensed up,” I said explaining my sudden snap into attention as he approached me.
“Don’t think too much of anything about it,” the Captain said to me. “I noticed you and Saddlebuck don’t give Soren the amount of respect you would give say, me or our Princess,” he said then, adding to the tension. Why ask that question now? In front of a squeal like Bramble and Princess Celestia? There was no avoiding it, so I simply stated,
“I apologize Sir, but Soren has our respect. We just have a very peculiar way of expressing it.” I uttered the response rather quickly, despite my nervousness. Val Orre nodded and returned to his seat.
“So, you are good enough friends to fool around like this?”
“No, Sir, not friends. Soren has a habit of not exhibiting…stature equal to his rank,” I began.
“So you give him the amount of respect he deserves?”
I did not answer Captain Orre’s question that time. He chuckled. “Not to worry son, I’m not trying to scold you or anything, just trying to figure you out,” he said to me light heartedly. I chuckled nervously however, and let my eyes sink to the floor. Sure, that’s what he said, but I didn’t think that was what he meant.
*****
.
“I’m very pleased to meet you Princess Vynn,” Celestia said, bowing in the presence of the violet-scaled dragon before her. Each of us took a turn to exhibit the same amount of reverence that Celestia had shown the dragon princess. It was slightly awkward until Princess Vynn had done the same to our leader. To be honest, when I had heard about meeting with a dragon, I was expecting a large, fearful obsidian towering menacingly over us. I couldn’t even conceive the notion of a dragon being Princess Vynn’s height. She stood only a foot or two higher than Celestia. I had to question the elegant dress that this bi-pedal wingless dragon garbed herself in. It almost shouted out divinity and poise, and if we were trying to keep a low profile, I didn’t imagine we had done such a good job. Still, she was able to keep a secretive veil over her face, which was apparently good enough for her. While she did walk on her hind legs, I had noticed earlier when we had first encountered her party; she could and would tread on all fours like a regular dragon at times. I could not say the same for the seven foot garrison of guards that tailed her. These winged beasts still remained so tall on their hands and feet, I’d hate to tackle one standing on its hind legs. It seemed trivial to dress in such impressive armor when one’s hide could already withstand piercing blades and magic. I supposed though that dragons were the only thing that could harm dragons. These crimson, smoke breathing soldiers glared at us with contempt, despite the terms on which we all stood on at the moment. It was as if they were waiting to strike at us with their claws.
“I apologize for the tension,” Vynn said in a slithery voice. It chilled my very core to hear her speak. It was almost like poison down my spine.
“I would hate to see her crabby,” Saddlebuck whispered to me catching onto her reptilian voice as well. Soren eyed us both critically before returning his attention to the dragon Princess.
“It is quite alright Princess, I understand you are going through very troubling times,” Celestia responded in a more pleasing tone.
“Milady, the guards outside have noted some unusual sand clouds brewing outside of the tent,” one of the crimson dragons whispered to their Princess.
“Like I said, I apologize Princess Celestia, but my troops have been rather overly dramatic about this whole extremist group thing. I really do believe they are taking it too far,” Vynn said in a low hiss. “I have with me a collection of our young for your purposes. As you know, they are unwanted in our lands, and I would rather continue this donation of sorts than to leave them to fend for themselves in the wild.”
“I understand Your Highness,” Celestia said, staring at the crate of eggs beside the dragon princess.
“Do you think it’s wrong of me, to allow such a custom?” Vynn asked of our ruler then. I glanced at Celestia who didn’t even skip a beat as she responded.
“As a ruler, there are certain boundaries of sorts which we do not cross. Governing another’s land is not my place, so I must respectfully refrain from answering your question Milady,” Celestia said calmly. I was fidgeting in my cushion that the dragons had so graciously allowed us to sit in. I was expecting maybe an outburst or a sharp remark back from Vynn, but the scaly princess narrowed her eyes instead and cocked her head to the side.
“For centuries our country threw out unwanted eggs and allowed the strong to prevail and the weak to succumb. For this very reason I find the extremist group hunting me down. In order to lighten this tension, I thought it generous to donate the unwanted offspring rather than simply kill them. In you responding to my inquiry about wanting the eggs, I cannot help but feel you disagree with our ancient dragonian customs,” Vynn said suddenly.
“Are you accusing our Princess of something?” Val Orre asked then, gaining the sight of two sets of razor sharp teeth not but three feet away from him. Celestia calmed her man, as did Vynn.
“What benefit do you gain in knowing this Vynn?” Celestia asked, turning the tables now. Princess Vynn opened her mouth to respond, but did not right away. After a brief silence, she spoke.
“I would like an outside opinion, on my choice as a mother,” Vynn replied, staring at the crate of eggs. She stroked the box gently. “Is it wrong of me to not want my own egg Princess? Yet, I cannot just let it die. Funny, the things we think of as mothers.” She mulled over the thought for a while and exited the tent. Her guards followed, leaving us ponyfolk inside.
“Princess Celestia, we have our package. I suggest you close things up and allow us to depart,” Val Orre said motioning for us to exit the tent.
“I am not standing out there with those brutes towering over me,” Soren whispered as he motioned to the tent opening.
“What’s the matter? Scared Sir?” Saddlebuck asked as we stepped out into the dryness of the Baad Lands. The dust kicked up at our every step and the sun beat hard against our coats. This was perfect temperament for dragons, but not for me.
“I wouldn’t doubt it. Those guys could crunch us in a second,” I said removing my helmet and shaking my mane of excess sweat.
“Shut up you two,” Soren responded walking ahead of us. The small ravine that we decided to hide our meeting in could barely hold the two dragons accompanying Princess Vynn. The remained in flight while she stayed on the ground. From a distance, it appeared as if she was lost in complete thought, and for good reason. I couldn’t even imagine giving up something like my own child. The only thing I could relate it to would be losing my sister, and I wouldn’t be able to stand that.
“What about this extremist group? I’m beginning to think they’re not so bad after all,” Saddlebuck said to Soren. I was amazed they would even strike up casual conversation with each other.
“What do you mean by that? They plan on murdering Princess Vynn and destroying the eggs!” Bramble protested.
“Hear me out Bramble, maybe they’re not trying to destroy the eggs, but save them. After all, we can’t be too sure how honest Miss Scales was with us. For all we know, she could have taken those eggs from families,” Saddlebuck said in a low voice, watching the princess.
“She said herself her own egg was in that pile,” Soren replied back quickly. “That’s a ridiculous notion Saddlebuck, you’re speaking nonsense. This group was formed over her disposing of the eggs in their customary right, so they should be labeled as terrorist, not revolutionaries,” Soren said.
“What about you Rookie? What do you think?” Saddlebuck asked. I stared at him without saying a thing. That wasn’t very fair to put me on the spot like that. And who were we to judge this princess and her country.
“All I know is, she’s going through a lot right now. It’s unfair of us to attack her like we are. We’re just supposed to grab the eggs and go,” I responded examining the princess as well. She was staring deep into the bottom of the ravine, her dress flowing slightly with the wind. I thought I could see her spines twitch after I had made my statement, but I rested on the fact that my eyes were playing tricks on me.
“Unicorn empathy,” Saddlebuck said diverting my attention away from the troubled figure. “That’s why I asked you,” he finished with a chuckle.
“What about me?” Bramble asked pathetically from the side.
“Here comes Orre with the Princess,” Soren said before Saddlebuck could speak again. Celestia and Val Orre exited the tent and proceeded to speak with Vynn. We watched from a distance as they conversed about things mysterious to our ears. Saddlebuck grew annoyed by this.
“Rookie, hone in on them and let’s hear what they’re saying,” he said to me, nudging my side.
“Absolutely not,” Soren said, snapping at the Earth pony. “The nerve Saddlebuck,” Soren scolded.
“You know you want to hear too,” Saddlebuck said seductively. Soren socked him in the gut, causing the Earth pony to fall.
“Never get that close to me again,” Soren said without so much of a glance to the grumbling Earth pony. I helped Saddlebuck to his feet who quickly pushed me away and straightened himself out. I tried to warn him. I heard the dragon princess laugh then, and place her claw on Celestia’s shoulder. They were getting along fine it seemed, and while I did wish to respect the private conversation, I couldn’t help but feel a little tempted by Saddlebuck’s option. Without letting the others know, I activated a spell that enhanced my hearing in order to catch what they were saying.
“Again, thank you for the gift Your Highness,” Celestia said, bowing once more to the dragon. Vynn bowed as well.
“Thank you for hearing me out. I can lead my people with a clear conscious now, and I hope to not have to trouble Equestria with any unnecessary burdens because of my visit,” Vynn said back. I could only guess she was referring to her country’s problems at the moment. I had missed a good deal of the conversation, as they were now closing and decided to deactivate my spell until something caught my senses. Before I disengaged, I caught the sound of a faint beating, coming from above the ravine. My eyes quickly darted to the dragons floating above their princess, but their wing beats did not match the sound I was picking up. It was closing in fast.
“We’ve got trouble,” I said, alerting my team. Everypony looked at me and then above as well, expecting something to happen. Finally, Celestia caught on alerting the dragonian guards and Princess Vynn.
“They are here? Those fools, don’t they realize they may start a war?!” Vynn asked angrily darting to the tent. The crimson guards flew into the air to survey the scene. Soren did as well, jetting into the sky and scanning the area.
“What do you see?” Val Orre cried out coming to our position.
“A moving dust cloud, coming to our position from southeast. That’s opposite of Dodge Junction Sir,” Soren said returning to the ground.
“Bramble, Armor, I want you to form a shield around the area. Saddlebuck, Soren, secure the Princesses and make sure the eggs remain safe. We can’t leave until we deal with these dragons.” Val Orre gave us our orders as if we were prepared to handle such a thing. Under normal circumstances we were, but fighting against dragons was something else entirely.
“No, Captain, order your troops to stand down,” Vynn said emerging from the tent with Celestia.
“Your Highness,” Val Orre began, but was cut off.
“I do not wish to start a war between our lands. If word reaches that Ponykind and Dragons dueled on foreign grounds, my people would simply be divided even more. It would most certainly provoke a council of war hungry generals in my country,” Vynn said sincerely. Captain Orre perceived her distress, and cancelled our orders. Celestia trotted up to us then.
“Shining Armor, you and Saddlebuck will escort the eggs away from the ravine. I suggest you use some sort of cloaking spell. Meanwhile, Soren will guide the rest of us from air and we’ll split up and meet back together at Dodge Junction. I trust our dragonian friends will deal with their own problems?” Celestia looked at Vynn with speculative eyes, but the dragon held a resolute stance.
“These are my people, let me deal with them,” Vynn said.
“Princess, it’s an attack patrol,” one of the crimson guards reported flying down to meet us. “There are three of them, and they wear the separatist insignia.” Vynn nodded and turned to face us once more,
“Depart ponies, we shall handle this ourselves,” Vynn said smiling to us. Suddenly, her face shifted into a display of agony. Vynn’s mouth opened wide, a small gasp escaping her lungs. The suddenness caused me to jump back, and watch in horror as the crimson dragon had pierced through his Princess’s torso with his right claw. The blood ran swiftly down her scales and stained her dress red as the very dragon who had assailed her. She gasped for breath, but instead sputtered and choked out a few coughs full of blood. I didn’t get to see the expressions on my partners’ faces, but I didn’t think I needed to. We were all stunned.
“Yes, depart ponies, if you do not wish to die,” the guard said removing his arm from the princess. Her body fell to the floor, completely void of any glimmer of light.
“They were part of the extremist group all along,” Val Orre said through clenched teeth. Celestia had her wings flared open and her horn at the ready. She looked more prepared to fight than we did.
“Stick to the plan my ponies, leave the dragons to me,” Celestia said without taking her gaze off of the murderous dragon. The second one landed behind our group, boxing us in now.
“Hand over the eggs, they do not belong to you,” the first dragon spoke.
“I made a promise to your Princess, and I intend to keep it,” Celestia responded in a slightly raised voice.
“She is no Princess. She is a murdering tyrant, an uncaring beast who left us out to die in the wilderness. I intend to change that very way of life. And it begins by raising an army, so hand over those eggs,” the dragon said again, baring his teeth. The creature rose now, higher into the sky without even leaving the earth. He was now standing on his hind legs and too spread open his scaly wings.
“When I give the signal, take the crate and run,” Celestia said to Val Orre. The Captain did not look too pleased to leave his princess behind, but her quick glare in his direction shattered his initial doubts.
“She knows what she’s doing,” he said to himself and nodded in agreement.
“W-what’s the signal?” Bramble asked completely terrified. Celestia’s eyes flashed brightly, enveloping the area in a blinding light. A wave of white permeated through the area, warranting my cry in pain. Before I could think of anything else, I found myself swept off of my feet and moving fast. Opening my eyes, I could barely make out the impressive stallion galloping alongside me, dragging me along with him. My eyes wandered for a bit, and caught the sight of two more colts being pulled along. Soren was in the air.
“C’mon kid, move it!” Val Orre said, whipping my flank. I jerked awake, and regained my vision. I had been running without realizing it and looked back. Celestia was gone, but the two dragons remained, writhing in pain and grasping their eyes.
“Where is the Princess?” I asked, gaining full mobility. Val Orre did not respond. I caught his dangerous stare and quickly shut my trap. Now that I think about it, it was sort of a dumb question at the moment.
