‘Twas a bright and sunny day in the Crystal Empire as the crystal ponies strut about doing their business. It was bit windier than usual but sunny and warm none the less. A loud whistle could be heard as the train pulled into the station right on time.
“Princess!” called a stallion with his highlighted blue mane. He gleefully trotted over to a young purple alicorn mare that had her wings wide open for a wonderful hug.
“Shining Armor, just because I’m a princess now, doesn’t mean you, of all ponies, have to give me special treatment. You’re my big brother, don’t you forget that”, spoke the purple alicorn to Shining Armor, releasing from their warm embrace.
“Hahaha! Yeah, yeah I know. But you’re my little sister and it just makes me so proud to call you that”, he retorted walking with the mare. “pffch-…Princess Twilie!” he snickered at the goofy name as he pat her head. His sister laughed and gave a genuine smile and a quick role of the eyes as they walked down the shining corridors of Crystal Kingdom. “ Haha, very funny. Pff- Prince Shining Armor” said the pony.
“So anyway, what did you need me for?” Twilight asked as they stepped into the throne room where a beautiful pink Alicorn flown down to them. Shining turned to his sister as his wife approached them, “It’s nothing incredibly serious, Cadence wanted to show you something…” said the stallion. He grinned and rolled his eyes as the two began to do their ‘Lady-bugs-Awake!’ cheer. They were cute.
“Alright, I’ll let you girls do what you need to do, I’m going to help with the rest of the preparations for the Equestrian Games. Call me if you need me”, called the stallion to the two Alicorns as he trotted off.
~
Outside by the game fields, Shining Armor and other crystal pony volunteers, along with some guards, were mounting up obstacles and others were tying off different ropes for decorations. The games were going to start within the week, so the Prince had the grand opportunity to foresee the preparations of the Equestrian Games, since his kingdom was hosting them. One of the Pegasus guards came up to the stallion prince and raised his hoof to his golden helmet, a blue star across his breast glittered in the sun.
“Sir, the track preparations are complete! Not a pebble in sight of that track, your majesty!” said the orange Pegasus.
The Prince whinnied in excitement, “Excellent! I’d like to test it out! Care to race me?” he asked the younger stallion. Clearly hesitant, Is that okay? Can I do that? The guard was bit taken back at the sudden request but eventually smiled happily to enjoy a bit of friendly competition with his commanding officer. Both stallions lined up at the starting line. “Flash, you don’t have to race with your helmet on, and don’t hold back!” said the Prince. The orange Pegasus took his helmet off at the suggestion, acting as if it was a command.
A glittering yellow unicorn approached with a checkered flag floating behind her. As both stallions steadied themselves, she raised the flag up and began the starting rant.
“Get Ready. On your marks! Get set…” Both stallions raised their rumps up at the words, the young Pegasus flapped his wings only slightly.
Suddenly the flag waved down and the yellow unicorn yelled. “GO!” And both colts bolted out of the starting line!
The Pegasus, thinking that he had the freedom to let loose, flapped his wings faster and faster as he flew low to the ground. The finish line was surely in his golden covered hooves! …Until he turned to look over his right shoulder. There was Shining Armor, pounding heavy hooves against the warm track ground! At first they were neck and neck, but then the harder Flash Sentry pushed to fly faster, the faster Shining Armor seemed to run! With a last mad dash, Shining Armor galloped across the finish line, leaving Sentry in the dust. Flying over the finish line, he nearly crashed as he tried to slow down. Flash Sentry tiredly flopped on his rump. Both breathed heavily as the Prince chuckled through steady breathing. Flash bowed a little with a smile. “Well…that’s why, you’re the Prince…you’re Highness…” complimented the Pegasus as he panted in between. “Oh, Hah… At Ease soldier, Power and skill aren’t the only things that make me the colt I am today. I’m still a pony, just like everypony here…” Shining Armor approached the tired soldier and raised his head with his hoof. “That was a great race! You actually gave me a run for my money! It was hard keeping up with you”, he said pleasantly. Nodding, the young soldier knew not to take any ill will in losing to the other stallion. Then the Prince turned around to retrieve the stallion’s helmet and place a top of his head. With a grateful ‘thank you’ and ‘keep up the good work’, Shining Armor returned to his duties of overseeing the rest of the preparations, but was stopped by Flash Sentry once again.
“Your Majesty?” he called out. “If this isn’t too informal, I was curious about something?” asked Flash. Shining Armor huffed a bit a tilted his head with an interested grin. “Oh yeah? About what?” he responded. Flash suddenly found himself talking casually in front of the Prince.
“Well. About the Power and Skill thing you mentioned, well I was wondering. I-…Is there some kind of story behind that? And I don’t wish to sound rude, Your Highness, I-I’m just curious..” stuttered Flash Sentry. A few of the other crystal ponies listened in for what Shining would have to say.
Taken back a bit from the question, a small sympathetic smile fell over the young Prince’s muzzle. “Well, my ideals and morals were all inspired by my favorite uncle, which is why I wear his crest. But I have to say that I had a bit of help from my mentor…” Shining Armor started and all the other crystal ponies around the area, gathered behind the Orange soldier, who looked most excited to hear the story of how Shining Armor came to be the captain of the Canterlot Guard.
It was about ten years ago (or the equivalent of 10 years in Equastrian years) and Princess Celestia was still the lone ruler upon Equastria. She would always rule existentially, rarely having the time to sleep and take care of herself and after almost a thousand years, the wear and tear were finally beginning to show. She was not alone in the kingdom however. Raising the sun and the moon and ruling over the kingdom with all her being, made it difficult for her to protect her kingdom on her own. Throughout the years, she has had her loyal royal guards with her. Their cutie marks are usually in shapes of shields or stars to commemorate the destinies to protect and serve Equastria. Over time the only thing that has changed about them is their coats of armor. They used to be heavier and required stronger ponies to wear them before some pony thought it wise to wear lighter armor. It was a great honor to serve in the Canterlot force. And only the best had titles. The two most legendary pair of heroic ponies was Elite Sergeant Thanatos and his commanding officer, Captain Avery of the Equastrian Guard. Both worked well together and were experienced individuals with their own battle scars, but some of those scars showed more than others.
Sergeant Thanatos was a proud, masculine white stallion with dark hooves and deep green eyes. He was strong and tall with powerful legs and had an elegant white coat with a golden mane and a tail to match. He had created his signature move called “The Thunder Kick”. The strong stallion could kick anything with such powerful force, one could swear they heard Thunder from it. However, the grand stallion did have a softer side for his elite partner. They were not a couple, but they worked well together. He would always be at Captain Avry’s or Celestia’s side at a stomp of a hoof. His strength and determination had granted him such an honorable title.
Then there’s the Captain Avery of the Equastrian Guard. She was an elite strategist, with a quick brain and marvelous compassion to go along with it. Both ponies had been with Princess Celestia through the best and the worst of times, but Captain Avery had the scars that were most visible between the two. A long time ago, there was a great battle that divided the kingdom and Celestia called her most loyal to apprehend the situation. In the end, Captain Avery had lost her eyesight due to a battle injury.
She too was very tall with a long slender, crimson, body and empty aqua eyes. Her wings had a ten foot wingspan and were the longest next to the Princesses. Ever since she had lost her eyesight, she kept her wings open to feel her way around the land. At first, Thanatos had to always be by her side, but as the years went on, she eventually got used to being blind. Both her mane and tail were short and red, matching her coat. Some questioned Celestia’s choices as to why she would let a blind pony remain captain? It seemed to everyone that Captain Avery could no longer perform her duties as Captain. Then, all the civilians witnessed her continue to protect and serve and soon, they too eventually accepted the fact that she was blind now. The Captain was still a captain, and there was only one who could replace her.
Thanatos and Avery approached a resting Princess Celestia in the dead of night. She had a dream that her faithful student would one day use the elements of harmony against the terrifying being of Nightmare Moon once again. This being said, it was clear to them, that soon, Nightmare Moon would return to try to and cover Equastria in eternal night once again. The Princess had ordered the two to not notify any other pony for the next five years until the time drew nearer. Over that time, the two had substantially increased the number of soldiers in Canterlot’s military.
Thanatos was training a group of young stallions, weeding out between the soldiers and the other civilian ponies. Colts were among them too, trying to earn their cutie marks. Helping Thanatos with keeping things organized, the new upcoming Private, whoever than Shining Armor himself. Thanatos had taking a liking to him and Thanatos had sort of started cradling him up through the ranks. Shining, however, was talented and had earned his way through most of the difficult training. The Captain was looking for new recruits to strengthen the empire when to keep it strong for when she passed on her duty to Thanatos. The whole kingdom was able to see the transition coming so it wasn’t too much of a surprise. Shining Armor and the Sergeant were overseeing some weight-lifting practices when the Captain herself came by to check in on things.
“Ah, Captain”, called Thanatos. Shining Armor saluted her as she approached.
“At ease, soldiers”, she stated in an accent that calmed the soul and melted even the coldest of hearts. She had an accent to her that seemed rather exotic and foreign. But the accent was very clear and precise. Probably from Trottingham (assuming Trottingham Is the equivalent of Britain). She cleared her throat, “The Princess would like to see you, Thanatos. Practice can end for the day… It’s time for Shining Armor, and I, to make our daily rounds about the castle…” she spoke approaching them. Thanatos gave a quick nod and trotted off to the castle.
“Come along, Shining Armor. We’ve got work to do”, she spoke and walked down a path. Shining Armor quickly followed behind.
The walk was rather quiet and nothing really happened out of the ordinary. At first, the Captain sort of wanted it that way so that way Shining Armor could focus and catch anything out of the ordinary, since she couldn’t see. After a while, however, she felt it necessary to break the silence.
“So, I hear you’ve got a young mare that you fancy”, she spoke, never averting her forward gaze. The stallion whipped his head to his superior, “Uh…Yes mam!” he shrunk down at his own loud reply. What a forward and personal question! Why would the captain be interested in something as trivial as a small relationship? The Captain laughed quietly, “Relax. If you think the statement invades your privacy, then you truly don’t have to reply. Just trying to get to know my soldiers, for that is how we become United. Strong. A grand force as one!” she admitted, ending the claim with pride.
Shining Armor was compliant with a grateful little grin on his muzzle. “Well yes sir- I mean, mam! Her name is Cadence and … well she’s so loving and wonderful but I’m worried I’m probably not for her… You see, she just became a young Princess and-“, Shining Armor choked in only the slightest hint of regret for an unknown cause until the Captain interjected. “And you think you’re not good enough for a Princess? Is that it?” She asked. Shining Armor nodded as the two were passing a few small shops along the path. “If I’m not mistaken, I believe you’re talking about the newly inaugurated princess. Princess Mea More Candenza, yes?” she asked. “The Princess of Love?” she added. Shining Armor couldn’t help but glance at the ground and smirk in defeat, a little. “Eh heh,..Yes mam. But it’s not just that I feel unworthy of her love… well… I’m a Canterlot guard now, and I’m worried that I might not be there for her as often as I’d like to be”, he lowered his ears slightly along with his voice saddening with a quiet sigh. He glanced up and suddenly his head rapidly. “Forgive me, Captain, this must be boring you. And it’s not that I’m not happy to be a soldier. Believe me, I’ve dreamt my whole life of being up here with you and Sergeant, reliving what my Uncle must’ve gone through…It’s just…-“ he sighed again.
“Dear friend. You couldn’t be boring me in the slightest. Not every colt is in love with a princess” she smiled. “But relationships such as those are hefty things… instead of thinking it, however, like you’re burdening her for following your desires; imagine it more like, a partnership. Something mutual for the two of you… Allow the Princess to make her decisions and be the best princess she could be, thus making you proud of her. And you…” She paused, “ …be proud to know that you make her proud when you protect her and all of these fine ponies in this kingdom”, spoke the captain as she gave a glance in his direction, however unable to make eye contact with him. Shining Armor couldn’t help but smile to himself.
“So you think I should just trust the way things are and hope they’ll turn out alright?” he asked her. She gave nod and a smile, “Mhm.. and stay loyal to her of course..” she finished as they continued walking. Shining Armor had to trot a bit in order to keep up with the captain since her leg-span was wider between steps. Then a question rolled into his mind.
“I would never want to hurt Cadence. But aren’t Trust and Loyalty the same thing?” he asked. Shining Armor managed to walk ahead of the Captain only because she had stopped walking. Looking off into the distance,“By Celestia! Ha!” she laughed, “Do you mean to tell me that you are a part of one of the strongest , greatest, trustworthy, most reliable, and the most loyal army in all of a Equastria, and you don’t know the difference between loyalty and trust?” the Captain gave and sort of a scoff after her very prideful question. Shining Armor shrank a bit as she asked him, feeling a bit embarrassed. The captain laughed some more and then walked over to a small chair in front of an open café and sat down. With a small smile and her eyes closed, Avery gestured him over to sit (or kind of in his direction) with her hoof.
I forget that Thanatos isn’t very good with definitions, thought the Captain to herself. Princess Celestia was raising the moon over the kingdom and lamp posts slowly became dimly lit beacons throughout a dark and empty cobblestone path.
“Look, I’ll explain it simply,” she spoke on a more serious note. “For us, Loyalty, is the committed bonds we make to our loved ones, the kingdom, to the Princess, and to each other”, Shining Armor listened intently as she continued to explain, “While Trust is allowing yourself to accept those bonds others make. For example, I trust you with my life, or that the Princess trusts all of her soldiers to protect her and her kingdom”, she finished.
With that explained, Shining armor took those words to heart and nodded. But before he could respond, a glass cup flew through the air towards the two. Shining armor flinched and closed his eyes, expecting the worst pain to befall his cranium. But, when no pain came to pass, he opened his eyes to see a large feathery red wing covering him. The glass cup had hit the wing and fell to the ground, breaking on impact. Astonished at the sudden reflex of his captain, Shining Armor asked what was wrong. Avery retracted her wing and stood up and faced the direction in which the glass came from. It was just a couple with their new foul. Apparently the new couple wasn’t paying attention and the foul threw the cup outside. No actual harm done. The two soldiers gave a kind warning to the couple to watch their foul and continued on their patrol.
“Captain?”, Shining spoke.
“Yes?”, Avery replied.
“How did you hear that cup?”, he asked.
“Ah, simple really. When you lose one sense, the others become heightened. It’s pretty interesting, I’ve grown quite accustomed to it.” She answered.
Eventually as they continued walking, smiling along the way, there in the distance was another pony coming down the path. “Who’s there?” the Captain cried out.
“Ah. Captain. I’ve come to report that the East and South side of the kingdom are so far secure and there are no disturbances…” called out a masculine voice.
“Ah, Thanatos. I thought it was you. Good work. I was just chatting with your underling here. He’s coming along quite nicely”. Stated the captain with a high head. Thanatos gave and low nod and grin and march next to the two.
“I’m glad to hear I trained him well…” he stated. He glanced at Shining Armor who was still saluting. “At ease, soldier..” he stated, making Shining relax. “Captain, I’ve come to switch shifts with you. You need to rest” he stated. Shining Armor looked at him and wondered if he could actually talk to the captain like that. But then again, he didn’t really understand their mutual relationship. The sergeant then spoke with a sincere smile that the Captain couldn’t see. “.. Please”.
Smiling, Avery opened her wings and shaking her head. “Oh alright… I’ll leave the rest to then” she nodded and then began flapping her wings. Great gusts of wind pushed against the stallions as the captain took off into the night sky.
The stallions smiled and waved her off. Shining Armor glanced to his superior who was now quiet and focused on the task at hand.
“Sergeant?” he asked.
“Yes?”, he replied.
“Do you think the Captain, will actually get any rest?” he asked.
“Probably not. Now quit your flim-flammery and focus! You’ve got a job to do as a soldier. And that’s Sergeant Thanatos, to you, Private!” he spoke sternly but harshly. Shining Armor stood up straight and marched strategically behind his officer. “Y-Yes Sir!” he saluted. The two officers seemed so different. How do they work so well with each other?
