A guards charge

"Shadow Strike isn't that the name of the pony who recently joined the ranks?" Shining Armor asked Celestia.

"Yes but he's moved through the ranks rather quickly why do you think that is?" Celestia asked.

"He has a good word in with some of the other guards? Or maybe you two know of him personally?" Shining Armor asked confused.

"You could say I've had a few chats with him, but as for the mission you're in charge of planning. You might want to look at the files and see if he fits your needs, take any means you want to see if you want him for the mission. After all you said you wanted some of the best." Celestia said handing over the file.

"When I said one of the best I didn't want some new guy, with all respect your highness there must be some that are better. He's just a regular castle patrol guard, he has very little combat training as it is." Shining argued.

"Look at the file you'll be surprised, as for now Captain you are dismissed." Celestia said.

Shining Armor bowed and took his leave to a special area of the castle, most ponies are not allowed here or even know of it. It was rumored that it was a torture area from back in the day, but in reality it was mostly a study for combat and a study in general.

'Why is this new guy the one they suggested?' Shining thought opening the file. He scanned it over noticing some areas were blacked out, this made him wonder more. He kept reading until he singled a guard to go and fetch Shadow Strike.

"Sir don't you think it's crazy to just fight a random pony of the guard out of nowhere, I mean after all he is pretty new." The guard asked.

"While this method is a bit unorthodox I need to be sure, now go and grab him." Shining Armor commanded.

It was just another normal day minding my business I wasn't expecting anything bizarre to happen while walking the hallways, the thing is things don't go as you want always. But I mean hey I guess a bit of change is nice, after all being a somewhat new guard members doesn't have to many perks. Don't get me wrong the life of an Equestrian guard is pretty good, the pay is nice and it's a pretty nice job especially when you're just on regular castle duty. It means you can go back to your house and sleep in your own bed, plus the scenery is also very nice, it was a normal day just patrolling the hallways until I was called out by another guard.

"Shadow Strike!" The pony called out.

"Yes what is it?" I asked.

"Captain Shining Armor wishes to speak with you, quickly follow me." The pony said.

"Are you sure this isn't a prank the new guy thing....again..." I sighed.

"No not this time now quickly follow me, we have very little time to chit chat." He stated, before he turned around and booked it.

He was running at full speed dodging other ponies, I was right behind him having less luck of dodging. They almost seemed to always get in my way after dodging him, I almost slammed face first into the flank of a rather plump maid. We finally reached the room, out of breath he looked back at me knocked on the solid white door. The door was opened by Shining Armor who let me in.

"Ah there he is the colt of the hour, Shadow Strike." Shining Armor said.

He motioned for me to sit down, as I did I noticed the lights dim down a bit. I looked at him before he spoke.

"You know Equestria is often a safe place, why is that Sargent?" Captain Shining Armor asked.

"Because of the guard sir." I said looking at him.

"I know you know more than that, your file shows it hear. You used to be an ex Equestrian Special-Ops member, so why is it you came here?" Shining Armor asked, before he threw down the files.

"It was boring sir, not enough action after the changeling problems." I said with a grin.

"So you joined the guard over four months ago, this is of course after the incident. You say because you wanted more action, Sargent do you know why you are being called to meet with me here today?" Shining Armor asked this time more serious, he was starting to grab my attention.

"No Captain I can't say why I was called here." I stumbled out confused.

"I've studied your files, you've moved through the ranks rather quick. If your files are everything they say they are then, I need to put you to the test first stand up Sargent." Shining Armor commanded.

I looked around the dark room the lights were dimly lit. I slowly stood up and noticed the Captain had his spear at the ready. I reacted by backing up a bit, knowing the Captain had a different type of spear. His was lighter and when he struck it was said magic came with the strike.

"Wait Captain where are we?" I asked.

"My special training grounds, now Sargent where is your weapon?" Shining Armor asked.

"Wait what is going on here?" I asked a bit confused.

"Don't play dumb, you know I'm challenging you to a fight." He stated clenching his spear.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"I'll ask again where is your weapon?" He asked with a much bolder tone.

"You'll see when the time is right." I said with a smirk.

We both gave each other a bow before we began, I knew I had to keep my wits about me after all he is the Captain. I noticed his hoof stance he was ready to strike. I watched as he jumped in for the attack I dodged it easily, it was strange really dodging an attack from somepony of his rank, then I noticed the problem I was open to the side. Which is where any other pony would have probably been killed from this mistake.

'This is going to hurt, protect me Celestia.' I thought raising a hoof and slapping the weapon away, he saw this and quickly dealt a punch to my stomach. I fell to the ground before I used my magic to teleport.

"Come on Shadow Strike let me see why you were such a refined soldier, unless you're a coward." Shining Armor taunted.

"Sir but we are using real weapons here, what if you get hurt?" I asked.

"Real combat situations always bring out the most in a pony." He chuckled.

'I see he has no intention of making this easy.' I thought before I teleported behind him. I saw him swing his spear which was still slower than some other weapon choices.

'I know that Celestia allows ex Special-Ops members to carry there weapon and armor still, if they choose to fight in her guard but what weapon does he use?' Shining Armor thought, as he fired a blast of magic, at what he thought was me. His recent reading of files helped build up a bit of knowledge.

"You fell for it." I chuckled before I grabbed his spear.

"I believe you fell for it." Shining Armor said, as his horn lit up to fire another blast of magic. This was followed by the butt of his spear striking me in the chest. I went sliding a few inches.

"Nice save I see you're skilled at using magic in combat, in fact a decoy spell is a nice combat spell." Shining Armor said.

"I can see why you're the Captain most magic does not even touch that barrier." I told him feeling the bit of scrapes on my cheek.

"Now stop playing and let me see your weapon." Shining Armor said.

"I thought the reports would have had something in it." I said.

"Not a single detail." Shining Armor said.

"I see well then I guess it would be rather rude, let me show you why I changed my name to Shadow Strike." I said.

'Did he just say change his name?' Shining Armor thought. He looked around and noticed it went pitch black, he scanned his surroundings.

"Behind you." I whispered. I watched as he swung, this time much faster in fact the tip grazed my cheek. I stopped for a second before thinking to attack him, but I noticed he was not holding back.

"Well then I guess the strings are no longer in place Captain." I said firing a few blast of weak magic.

"There were strings? Well I was not aware." Shining Armor said.

They were very weak but they had speed which made them more of a scare tactic. I turned the lights back on only for a moment so he could see my weapon. He swung again this time I caught on, and parried it with my blade. He was quick to react and began to thrust putting me back on the defensive.

'Are my eyes deceiving me is that a dagger, so how then how will he fend off against longer attacks?' Shining Armor thought.

"You better get your head back into the fight captain." I said giving him a punch in the chest before, giving a slice at the armor. This stuff was pretty hard as it did not budge at all. While the scrape mark was visible. I noticed he had a slight smirk as he threw his spear, I watched as his horn lit up to give it an extra thrust speed. I jumped out of the way only to be struck by his magic. The spears middle section struck at me I was fortunate that he did not send it tip side first. Instead he used it more of a defensive attack, this time he used a magic attack on the spear sending me flying.

'Let's see if we can finish this.' Shining Armor thought wiping a bit of sweat from his brow, as he used magic to retract his spear.

'What is he planning?' I thought standing back up, brushing myself off.

I watched him teleport behind me, and raise his spear up to my neck. He didn't pay attention to the decoy spell, and I had my dagger up to his throat. I noticed him smirk before I noticed what he was looking at, it was his own little sister. I noticed him having his spear at the ready.

'What is he doing?' I thought, as I watched him throw the spear. I quickly teleported in front of Princess Twilight, taking the spear hit in the armor cracking it a bit.

"What were you thinking trying to kill your own sister, you could be placed under treason!" I shouted.

"You passed I know for sure you're ready." Shining Armor said with a grin.

"Passed how I lost?" I asked.

"The fight was not about winning or losing, it was a test to your combat skills and if you would put your life on the line. To protect a princess while some say they would, let's just say I'd like to say a good chunk would run away." Shining Armor said, as he helped me up.

"So wait let me guess that was a decoy too....." I sighed. Shining Armor gave a slight nod.

I picked up my dagger and sheathed it, before I stood up all the way. I looked around the room again, this time the lights were in full bloom, I was finally able to see the entire room. I noticed the magic bolts that missed and burned the walls a bit, the room had two tables and pure white walls and tile floors. I noticed Shining Armor heading towards the different table, the papers on the table from earlier before were picked up.

"So between us we both know that Equestria is still having outburst of evil ponies, and things we always try to keep the deaths of those evil ponies and things in the dark. After all somepony has to do all the dirty work here, other wise we could have another war with gryphons again or a war in general. While we don't like to result to stab first ask questions later, it's going to be different when you're doing your job." Shining Armor stopped before we were interrupted, there was a knock at the door which we both stood up to answer.

We walked slowly as this was a secure place, to be interrupted in here was different. I told my Captain to stay back after noticing him ready his weapon, this was strange to see him so alert in Canterlot Castle. I opened it to see another guard bowing before us, and I noticed a bit of a lavender color behind him.

"Sorry to interrupt sir but your sister wished to stop by." The guard said, before Shining Armor dismissed him.

"Twily!" Shining Armor shouted running to his sister.

"B.B.B.F.F!" Twilight shouted.

"I thought we discussed not calling me that in front of the other guards, I don't need them thinking I'm a softy." Shining Armor chuckled.

"Sorry to speak up sir but you kinda are, and besides I think it's nice you have a good relation with your family." I chuckled the first part before softening up.

"See Shining some of the other guards all ready think you're a softy." Twilight giggled.

Shining Armor blushed a bit before motioning for me to sit back down, I was surprised to see Twilight following us I let her take my seat and I stood to watch.

"Oh what's this about?" Twilight asked looking at my file. We both quickly tried to close it, but magic is much faster so Twilight won the draw.

I saw her looking at me then the file, this went on for a few more minutes. I looked at Shining Armor he was quickly looking of a way to explain this, I could tell Twilight was going to have a lot of questions. After all she has only been princess for about two months, while she might be Celestia's prize student from what I've been told is Cadence doesn't even know about our Spec-Ops team. We watched as she set down the file and stood up.

"I can explain..." Shining Armor said. Twilight turned to him and gave him a silence motion.

"That won't be needed brother, I think I have all my answers right here." Twilight said looking at me.

"Me....." I gulped.

"So Equestria has a Special-Operations team, why haven't I know about this?" She asked me I tried to look away, but her stare was attractive..wait ignore that part it's not professional of me.

"It's kept secret ma'am we don't want to let the ponies of Equestria thinking we have mass murders in the ranks, I mean clearly you can understand that part. I mean how do you think this country is almost always at peace, somepony has to do the dirty work and keep it in the dark." I said.

"So why was my brother looking at your file?" Twilight asked. I could only shrug before Shining Armor spoke up.

"For your protection." Shining Armor said. I slowly stepped back seeing this would turn into a sibling argument.

"Wait stay here guard, that's an order." Twilight commanded, I slowly moved back in.

'Oh great it's either get a bad rep with my commanding officer, or I get on the bad side of princess, sorry Shining I'm gonna take the latter option.' I thought.

"Excuse me was it Shadow Strike?" Twilight asked, I nodded.

"Can you please tell my brother I don't need protection, I'm perfectly fine as is." Twilight said.

'Oh Celestia I think this one will earn a point for commanding officer.' I thought.

"I'm sorry princess but I think protection of royal guard, ...might be a bit necessary." I mumbled out.

"Ugh all you guards are just the same!" Twilight said.

"I..." I couldn't say anything else.

"You were what going to say you're sorry, fine my brother wants you to my personal body guard let's go." Twilight said. I looked back at Shining Armor before he did nothing, I quickly followed Twilight behind.

I was going to make small talk but I figured it best to shut my mouth, I looked at her then back at the floor. I noticed we were going into one of the emptier wings of the castle, I looked outside and noticed it was dark.

"She sure does know how to make beautiful nights, I could look at those stars forever if I could." I chuckled keeping my voice low.

"So you like star gazing?" Twilight asked perking up.

'Well she sure cheered up quickly might want to take advantage of this.' I thought.

"Yes ma'am it's one of my favorite hobbies." I said.

"Please you don't have to call me ma'am, just call me Twilight." Twilight said.

"Sorry Twilight for earlier, I just don't want you getting hurt." I said.

'Oh Celestia that just made me sound like, well like I like her or something.' I thought.

"It's understandable you were just doing your job." Twilight said.

I noticed we were going outside but it was on low ground, it wasn't the best spot but I wasn't going to complain. I watched as she laid down on the ground, I stood there just looking around the area.

"You can lay down and watch the stars as well, I have one thing to ask of you." Twilight said.

I laid down close to her looking into her eyes.

"What is it Twilight?" I asked.

"Don't treat me any different then a regular pony, please I don't want you to treat me different. I'm sick of all this special treatment, I....I just want to be treated normal. I never asked for these stupid wings, I never asked for any of this. I want things to be back to normal." She cried, her tears running down her face.

'How could I refuse her, I feel bad for her.' I thought.

"I promise." I said sitting up.

I was shocked at her next move, as she quickly hugged me. I didn't know how to respond besides returning the hug.

"Thank you." She whispered before standing up.

"Where to Twilight?" I asked.

"Still here silly, I just had to stretch." Twilight giggled.

I laid back down and stared at the stars, it seemed like Luna made them look prettier than usual.

"I just noticed something if you're a guard where's your weapon?" Twilight asked.

I pulled it out and showed her it, I watched as she grabbed it with her magic. She spun it around staring at it, until she gave it back to me.

"A dagger how could you even fight somepony, I mean if they had a sword a spear, or an axe, or even a mace?" Twilight asked.

"I'll show you." I said closing my eyes, I made a small cut in my hoof, before I used my magic to make a few decoys.

The only difference was these could fight back, and they fought like they were an actual pony.

"Normally without the blood they don't fight, but with a bit of blood they can fight back. Now picture a weapon for each of them to use Twilight." I said.

"She's always been curious, no matter what subject she loves to learn." Shining Armor chuckled.

"I think you made a smart choice of pairing them up, after all Shadow Strike reminds me of Twilight. He is shy, but if he warms up to her I think he could make a few friends." Celestia said.

"If you didn't show me the files I don't think I would have chose him." Shining stated.

"Well Sister I'll watch over our new companions while you rest." Luna said.

"It's been a while hasn't it Princess Luna." Shining Armor said.

"Indeed dear Shining Armor, I see you're cut I take it from training with that colt there, it's nice to see you care for your sister." Luna said.

"I just hope this works out, he could be the key." Shining Armor said.

"It's been almost one hundred years since the last war in Equestria." Luna said.

"H..how did you know that you were stuck on the moon?" Shining Armor asked.

"I wasn't blind up there, and maybe ever hear of these things called books, I know Twilight knows of books but seems like somepony doesn't." Luna said as she walked away, with a bit of sway to her hips and a smirk.

'That is one feisty Princess.' Shining Armor thought, as he retired to his room for the night.

'Let's see if he is using a dagger I don't want to make this easy for him. I got it!' Twilight thought.

"I'm ready whenever." I said still sitting down.

"You might want to open your eyes." Twilight giggled.

I slowly stood up and opened my eyes to see that the decoys were finally armed. All three of them had a weapon, all which were much longer then mine. One had a spear, while the other two wielded swords.

"One more thing Twilight how skilled would you like them to fight?" I asked knowing, I would regret this.

"How about the rank of a Lieutenant of the royal guard." Twilight said as she sat back.

I didn't like this idea one bit but I really can't go against her will, I sighed and took a step back before pulling up my mask to hide my face.

'Why does he fight with a mask?' Twilight thought.

I watched as the two with the swords flanked from behind, while the one with the spear rushed in. The strange thing was I easily side stepped the attack and able to make a slash on the back leg, but I wasn't paying attention and had to vault out of a good fighting stance. I noticed I was pretty much right next to Twilight and quickly teleported further away from her, I looked back to see the spear being thrown and ducked having the spear graze my cheek. I quickly teleported to the one with the spear and stood on his back, I gave a quick sigh as I stabbed my dagger into his neck and leaped off of his body as it vanished.

'That was to easy there is no way that Captain Shining Armor is that much better is there?' I thought, but I was wrong as the two with the swords finally began their assault. It put me on the defensive as they both struck with no remorse, I had to teleport away only to have them in front of my face again. I fired a few bolts of magic these ones pure black, they normally would freeze the targets body parts for a few moments. I noticed it hit one of their legs, I took advantage by stepping on the others back and sliding into the frozen leg which severed it. The other one came from behind and gave a cut on my armor, I looked up and bucked him away.

'How am I'm messing up on such basic attacks from these guys.' I thought.

'Wow he is incredible who would have thought, we had such ponies skilled in combat.' Twilight thought.

I slowly stood up and threw one of my throwing knifes at the pony, what you didn't think that I wouldn't have something up my sleeve? I was shocked to watch his buddy stand in front of  him and take the blow, the knife penetrated through his hoof. I quickly jumped towards the two using one of my throwing knifes as a blade, I sliced both of them in the stomach but it wasn't enough to make more then a few droplets hit the ground. They both rushed at me this time time one went behind me, while one went from the front. They both struck I parried the one from the front, I looked into his reflection and saw the blade from the back about to strike me. I quickly rolled out of the way watching as his sword slit his partners throat, he vanished as he fell to the ground.

That left the last one who was striking faster and faster, it never allowed me to get up until I ran out of ground to fight on. I used my magic to create a barrier before I jumped on top of it, I kept using this spell to make stairs until I jumped down. The decoy was quick and moved out of the way causing me to land on my hooves a few more hooves higher than I wanted, I laid there immobile watching as he moved in for the kill. I gave a smirk and the strange thing was I saw emotion from this decoy, I let him get close enough to easily hit him in the neck with a throwing knife or two. He disappeared right before he was about to strike, I could feel his breath before he disappeared.

Twilight came up to me and looked at me.

"Are you alright?" Twilight asked.

"Just peachy." I said shaking my hooves noticing I had feeling come back in them.

"Good then you can start training me to fight." Twilight said.