The Story of a Royal Guard: A Shield Contingency [OUTDATED/CANCELLED]

The rest of my day was spent making plans with Summer for our visit to the Crystal Empire, and it definitely took a while to figure it all out, but eventually we had everything settled. We’d take a tour of the castle, city, hike into the northern mountains and explore some of the crystal caves that lie within, and lastly explore the Empire’s huge library. Maybe even attend some social event if something like that comes up. Quite a lot to do in only two and a half days, but I believed it would go perfectly.

On my way back to Ponyville I repeated the plans in my head until I had them completely memorized. Every step was accounted for. I had a quick dinner and went to bed, continuing to repeat the plans. I knew the trip wouldn’t be for a week and that I had work to do until then, but I couldn’t help myself. A week felt too close. I couldn’t forget.

*

It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, there was a gentle breeze and everything was as it should be. It had been an aggravating week, and tomorrow was the big day. I felt like I had been waiting forever for it. I stood at the wall overlooking Equestria, Royal Guards on either side and three meters apart. There was nothing particularly interesting happening today, so it had been going rather slow. I’d been throwing my sword off the wall and teleporting it back over and over to keep myself entertained, being careful not to let it fall too far, else I wouldn’t be able to teleport it back. The guards around me stood resolute, though I could tell they were slightly concerned of my repetitive actions.

“Sir, we’re not supposed to be tossing weapons off the walls,” one said.

I teleported the sword back again and dropped it to my side with a sigh. “You’re right, good form,” I said. “I’m just a bit anxious. Big day tomorrow, and... agh! What the-?!”

I jumped back and my sword fell on its side. It had suddenly heated up and nearly melted my coat off. I approached it and slowly gave it a poke, but I couldn't feel anything.

“What happened, Sir?”

“I’m not sure,” I said, picking up my sword. I touched the crystals, and they were warm. “The enchantment might have been acting up, so I’m gonna go put this away. Keep watch for me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

I left the wall and weaved my way through some tight alleys, but round one corner I had to stop. The undeniable shape of Discord was blocking the way.

“Again? What do you want?” I asked.

Discord turned around and raised his arms. “Well, if it isn't my favorite Lieutenant! I just happened to be in the neighborhood and heard you had a bit of trouble with that sword of yours again.” He floated over my head and pointed at my sword. “Mind if I take a look? Perhaps I might be able to tell you what happened.”

I levitated the sword up to him. “Fine, knock yourself out.”

He took it into his paw and stroked the surface with a claw.

“You haven’t been dusting this, have you? Shame on you, Sword Shield. Hmm. This is strange, enchantments aren’t supposed to do that.”

“Do what? What is it doing?”

Discord spun the sword on the tip of his claw. “I’m not sure, I may need to study it a while longer. Say, I also heard earlier that you were going on a date with that mare-friend of yours. I could hold onto this and figure out what’s wrong while you’re away, and I can promise no harm will come to it!”

“Do you think there might be a problem if I take it?”

“There’s no way to tell for sure, but you can never be too safe with enchantment magic. You do know most unicorns no longer use it because of the instability it can have in the wrong crystals, and these are very, very old crystals. You wouldn’t want to risk your mare-friend getting hurt, would you?”

I sighed. “Fine, as long as you also make sure it doesn't hurt anyone else with it.”

Discord scoffed and snapped his fingers, making the sword disappear. “Just who do you think I am? Why, I won't let it hurt a fly.”

And with that he vanished. I hoped I hadn’t just made a huge mistake.

The rest of the day passed very slowly, like a mule. I circled the walls over and over, scanning Canterlot for any sign of trouble, but there was nothing. I was bored out of my mind and had nothing to keep me busy.

“Where’s Pinkie Pie when you need her?” I mumbled.

Though no matter what I asked or wished into existence, nothing happened. The day ended with me taking the train home and collapsing on my bed.

*

Morning came around and I sat up groggily. Today was the dreaded day. I’d go to work, finish filing some paperwork, eat a good lunch, and be off to the Crystal Empire in the afternoon. No sword, no armor, just me and Summer with whatever we take with us. What a strange thought. Perhaps that was all just a dream.

A knock on the front door brought me back to reality, and I remembered it was no dream. I climbed out of bed and walked into the living room to answer the door. No idea who it could’ve been. I opened the door, and saw it was my cousin, Katana, looking fairly distressed. Strange for her.

“Swordulan, thank Celestia you’re home. Are you busy at all today?” she asked.

I’d never heard her use my full first name before. This had to be serious.

“Sort of,” I said. “But, uh, what’s up? Is something wrong?”

She nodded. “I think I found my brother, or at least found out where he is, but he’s in trouble and I need your help.”

I gaped at her. “Stonehenge? You found him? How in Equestria did you… where? How?!”

This had to be impossible, and right now of all times! Stone Shield, or rather Stonehenge as I called him, used to be a Royal Guard like me, but he was kicked out. I don’t remember exactly why, but afterwards he seemed to just disappear and nobody ever saw him again.

“He’s hiding somewhere in the Crystal Empire. I don’t really know all the details, all I know is he fell into a bad crowd then managed to tick them off, so now there’s some group after him. I need your help to find him. I have to know he’s safe. Can you come with me?”

I clenched my teeth. “Well… Sweet Celestia, why did this have to happen today? I can’t help just yet. I need to finish up my work for today, and I’ve also got a… date later.”

She looked at me with disbelief. “You have a date? Seriously, that’s the best lie you can come with? Why can’t you just tell me you don’t want to help? Which I thought you would, Stone is family after all. I thought you’d understand.”

“I do understand, I do want to help, and I am serious! I’ve got a date with somepony to go to the Crystal Empire for the next couple days. If you want I can bring you along so you can search for your brother. I bet Shining Armor and his guards can help too.”

Katana stomped her hoof. “To Tartarus with the guards! Most of them are idiots! I need your help, not theirs. I don’t trust anyone else.”

I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “I’m sorry, but I really have to get ready for work and everything. Maybe I’ll see you in the Crystal Empire later. Good luck with finding him.”

I turned around and closed the door on her. There was too much I was already dealing with, I couldn’t handle anything more. I'm sorry, Katana.

“Well fine!” she said, muffled by the door. “I guess you don’t care about helping your own family. I’ll find my brother myself! Good luck with your super-important date.”

I looked out the window and saw her fly off. I don’t know what just happened, or why I didn’t do anything about it. I was disappointed with myself. I’d just heard my old friend and cousin was still alive somewhere and in trouble, and I wasn’t immediately going to drop everything to help? Maybe I still couldn’t believe it, or that I didn’t want to believe it.

No, I just wanted to be somewhere else and with someone else. I’d been planning this day all week, and nothing could go wrong. I couldn’t be distracted. Work and the date had to come first, so that’s what would come. Everything else is to be put on hold. I strapped on my armor and prepared a meal for the train ride.

A short while later I was in Canterlot and doing my paperwork for the weekend, but I kept being distracted by my thoughts. What would Katana be doing right now? What sort of trouble is Stonehenge in? Why is he in the Crystal Empire of all places? Maybe I should have canceled the date, but what would Summer think? She’d probably understand, family usually takes priority, but Stone has hardly been an active member of the family for some time now. She’d definitely be disappointed, and I don’t want to let her down. The date will go on. I’m sure Shining Armor can help.

“How’s that paperwork coming along, Lieutenant?” asked Captain Morningstar from behind.

I looked back from my desk. “It’s getting there.”

He peered over me. “Getting there? It doesn’t look like it’s even got going yet. You’re usually very quick with this. Is something wrong?”

I slouched back in my chair. “Maybe. I’ve been trying to get this done but my head isn’t in the right place.”

“Flying through the clouds, is it? The date weighing on your mind at all?”

I shrugged. “Yes and no. Some family issues came up earlier, and I’m worried both of my cousins might be in serious trouble over in the Crystal Empire.”

“Both? I thought you only had one.”

“There’s Katana and also Stonehenge, brother and sister. You probably heard about Stone at some point, he’s an ex-Guard.”

“Yes, I remember him. I never knew he was your cousin. What’s the matter with him now?”

I sighed. “I don’t know, that’s what worries me.”

“If you want, I can send Shining Armor a message to look out for them. I’m sure he could help.”

I shook my head and turned back to my desk. “No, I’ll talk to him myself when I get there. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, I’ll get this paperwork finished as soon as possible.”

“Alright. Good luck.”

*

What should’ve only taken me half an hour to finish took two, but at least it got done. After a few rounds on the walls I retired for the day and put away my armor. The feeling of butterflies was already beginning to mount. I’d be away for a couple days, so I needed to pack. What did I need? A decent amount of bits, for sure, but I’ve already got that. Maybe something warm to wear, but that would likely be provided at the Crystal Empire, so I don’t have to worry about that. No worry about food. I don’t have my sword, and that was probably going to suck.

I guess I was ready, but I wasn’t supposed to get Summer until 4PM, and that was an hour away. Lunch sounded pretty good though, so I found my way to the nearest fast-food place and got a few fried carrots, meanwhile repeating the plans in my head over and over again.

My tuxedo! Buck. And it was probably too late to go get it. Probably could have used that at some point. Oh well. Maybe if the time comes for something like that, I could borrow Shining Armor’s, heheh.

I patrolled around Canterlot for a little while longer. The clock struck four, and I swallowed my fear. I trotted down through Summer’s neighborhood and up to her house. I raised my hoof to knock, but the door opened before I struck. Almost accidentally hit Summer in the face.

“Whoa, hey, you’re right on time,” she said. “You ready to go?”

I nodded slowly then quickly. “As I’ll ever be. Anything you need me to carry?”

“Yeah, hold on.” She turned around and a moment later two suitcases came out, one large and one small. The large one was as big as I was.

“Yikes,” I said, picking up the large one in my magic. “What’s in here?”

“Just a few of my things,” said Summer. “Be careful with it. I’ll carry the other, it’s got my camera and writing equipment. You got it?”

“Y-y-yeeaah!” I said, putting the suitcase on my back and keeping it steady with magic. The thing weighed a ton. “Whoah-kay, let’s go.”

“Excellent! I’m so excited.”

“Meee too.”

Honestly though, I was terrified. Everything had to go as planned, and I had no idea what might go wrong, especially with Katana most likely waiting for me in the Empire. But whatever fears I had I swallowed, and we made our way to the train station. The schedule worked perfectly, as we were on a train in no time with little hassle. We sat together and looked out the window as the land zoomed by.

“Equestria is so beautiful, I wish I got out more to see it,” said Summer.

“Yeah, but it’s also pretty dangerous in some places,” I said. “I encountered a hostile dragon in the middle of Hollow Shade forest not too long ago.”

She looked at me with shock. “Really? How’d you get out alive?”

I shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure. I nearly thought I was done for. My sword was acting up at the time, so I threw it at the dragon. There was a bright flash of light and burst of energy, and then… well, no more dragon.”

“Sweet Celestia, that must have been intense. Well, I’m glad that you’ll be around in case something goes wrong. And hey, I noticed you don’t actually have your sword with you.”

“Yeah. Some reason it was acting up again earlier, and Discord popped by again, and offered to hold onto and study it for me while I was away, so I gave it to him.”

“And you trust him with it?”

I laughed. “No, but what’s he going to do with a magic sword? I doubt he’ll get into any trouble.”