The Celestial Guard

Swift Hooves departed from the throne room letting Flash Sentry lead him to the barracks. Flash Sentry had tons of questions brewing inside his mind.

"May I ask a question sir?"

"Yes you can."

"What gives you the right to address her without the title of Princess, sir?"

"Ah, I wondered when you were going to ask that. I and Celestia have been friends for some time and it never really bothered her, just like now."

"How close are you, sir?"

"I think your question has been spent", grinned Swift Hooves.

"Why don't you want to answer?"

"Because its non of your business soldier.", replied Swift Hooves coldly.

"Well if it puts her in danger it sure is, sir"

Swift Hooves chuckled at that. "If something could hurt Celestia, it would have done so already or I or some other pony would have killed it."

"So you two are close? Like close close, sir?"

"We're just good friends, that's all. Why are you so interested?"

"Uhhh..."

"Cadence asked you to ask me, didn't she?"

".....Yes..... sir"

"Ha, I shouldn't have expected less, she is one crafty mare."

"Well she is the Princess of Love after all, sir"

"So she can sense it?"

"Pretty well actually, sir"

"...Shit."

"What was that, sir?"

"Nothing, can you stop calling me sir, you can just call me Swift."

"Yes si-, I mean Swift."

"You'll get a hang of it eventually, I'm here to stay."

The two continued walking until they exited the castle and on the right of the main gate stood the barracks. It was two floors and the sound of training guards could be easily heard from where they stood.

"This is the old barracks."

"Quite nice for a Royal Guards barracks."

"What is that supposed to mean Swift?"

"Nothing."

The two entered the barracks and immediately received stares from the other guards. They obviously didn't like or trust him, not one bit. However, Swift Hooves had not noticed this, instead he was staring at one of the weapon and armour  lockers, all the lockers were gold plated, except the one which Swift Hooves was staring at. It was carved out of white marble and had several black streaks running through it.

"What are you staring at?"

Ignoring Flash Sentry, Swift Hooves trotted over to the locker and stared at it.

"Oh your looking at that locker."

"Who owns this locker?"

"Nopony actually, nopony can open it."

"Really? Because it looks familiar to me."

"Well, once myself any some other guards tried getting into it, but Princess Celestia threw a fit and almost kicked us out of the guard. Do you have any idea what could make her like that?"

"Well its obviously very important to her."

Swift Hooves reached out to touch the locker and Flash Sentry blocked his hoof with his own.

"Don't, you might get hospitalised if you do."

"Is that what happens?"

"Yeah, so just don't touch it."

"Nahhhhhhhhhhh.", Swift Hooves reached out and touched it anyway. He was not hurt, instead the locker began to glow and it slowly began to open with a loud creak. All the other guards went silent as the large doors opened. There was one set of pony armour, covered in dust, beside it was a sword also covered in dust.

"No way...", mumbled Swift Hooves. His horn glowed and the dust was blown away, causing Flash Sentry to cough. The armour glistened in the light. It was silvery grey and streamlined, there were was one large shoulder plate that looked like it was meant to block blows, the other side had no should plate, just more of the armour covering it. The helmet had a hole for a horn and snout. On the flanks of the armour was Swift Hooves' cutie mark, but underneath it was a picture of a phoenix, one that Flash Sentry could recognise, that Celestia damned bird that never gave him any rest. Swift Hooves picked up the armour with his magic and placed it on the table, laboriously checking the armour for rust or cracks.

"Umm.. is this your armour?"

"Yea, how did it get here? Wait. How did Celestia get it and my locker from the old capital to here?"

"Magic, she does raise the sun you know."

"Oh yea, forgot about that."

Swift Hooves continued to check his armour and then moved onto his sword. It's hilt was made of pure emerald and the blade was so sharp that its seemed to cut the light.

"What metal is your sword and armour made out of?"

"Royal Forge Steel, only the best."

"I've only heard myths about that stuff, it really exists?"

"Yea but as the old capital was lost, the metal cant be made anymore. That was the only place where steel like that could be made."

"It seems you are acquainted here now, I must got on patrol now."

"Ok see you, Flash Sentry."

"Swift, forget the formalities you can call me Flash."

"Sure Flash.", smiled Swift Hooves. He turned back to his equipment and continue his checks. Flash Sentry turned away and walked towards the exit. Suddenly a large male Royal Guard blocked his path.

"I see weakling Flashy is making some new friends! How adorable, but we all know that nopony likes you! Not even Princess Twilight does!", he sneered cruelly.

"Shut up and get lost Bright Eyes, I don't care about your problems."

"As your superior officer I expect you to address me as Sargent Bright Eyes, or would you like another beating? AM I RIGHT?"

Flash Sentry sighed, "I'm very sorry, Sargent B-"

His mouth was sealed shut by a green aura. Swift Hooves had taken notice of the conversation and was intervening.

"Stay out of this asshole. Your kind have no place here."

"I have more of a place here then you if you treat subordinate officers like this. Where is your respect?"

"He doesn't deserve any respect he's a weakling and loser."

"Are all Royal Guards like you or are you just some exception? I'm not very impressed."

"HA! Who are you to judge, you are the Captain of The Celestial Guard!"

"I was once, but they turned away from the Royal Family, unlike me."

"I seriously doubt that, you are all the same."

"Then you are as ignorant and stupid as I first guessed."

Bright Eyes went into a rage and charged at him, roaring. However, Swift Hooves had already seen this coming and with his agility, moved to his left and swung at him with his right hoof, smashing into the stallion's face with a dull thud. Bright Eyes tried to counter with a left hook, but he reacted too slow. Receiving another hit, he flew across the room. Bright Eyes only grew more angry and sent an offensive spell flying his way. Again Swift Hooves dodged this and sent a bolt of his own magic at him. It stuck him in the face and he screamed in pain, before he could get back to his senses, Swift Hooves as on him, brining his right hoof onto his face

THUD

Bright Eyes' eyes rolled back into his head as he was knocked out. His face was a bloody and swollen mess, slightly burned by the magic Swift Hooves had used against him.

                                                                             Swift Hooves spat on the pulp of a pony. He lifted up his equipment onto his back and headed out the door, back to his quarters. Every other pony stood still in shock, amazed at how quickly Bright Eyes had been despatched. Flash Sentry was also too shocked for words and had forgotten to thank Swift Hooves.