A Guard's Duty

        “They say our world started as a dream. The great Alicorn dreamt of a world of love and happiness. It is said that on rising from that dream she began to sing our world into being. Other lesser spirits joined her in her song and soon our world was made. The Singer watched over us and loved us, but soon she found herself weakened and withdrew from the world. The night sky and all it holds are said to hang in the wings she wrapped us with keeping us safe in her eternal slumber.

Her withdrawal was the beginning of the Age of Myths. Once the Dreamer left them the ponies were thrust into Chaos. During this strife came the rule Meagan the Lonely. This strange creature was unlike anything else in our world today. Though she was the only one of her kind she cared and loved the ponies of her kingdom with all her heart. Her rule is said to have last centuries until the Great Darkness threatened to overtake her world. Using her steal, and spell she ascended to the heavens lighting the world to keep the darkness at bay.

As the generations of the Dreamer's absence drew on our world started to fade. It was then that one of the lesser spirits stepped forward. This spirit drawn into the world took the form of an Alicorn, the first our Age would see. The Rose Alicorn took up the song weaving a world of harmony and love again. She drew us back into the light and reshaped our world. From her the original three tribes sprung. It was during her song that the Discord first presented itself to the world. This being of disharmony and change rose up from her own song tainting the melody only slightly. The Rose Spirit simply smiled in her song and made him a part of the world. He would be the spirit of change making sure her world never stagnated as the Dreamer's sadly had. Her song complete she found herself tired from both the work and the other spirits own off shots from her song.

She stayed watching us grow and struggle with our own natures until we had discovered ourselves and our harmony. It is said her touch kept the hatred from tainting Clover the Clever and her friends leading to our Principality’s founding. She smiled seeing that her own hand was unneeded and drew forth the last of her strength to sing into being the sisters Luna and Celestia.

Luna and Celestia were born to the sounds of their mother’s last words. She bade them watch over the ponies, to guide them and rule them, but above all to be one of them. The young sisters took on the job of watching over our world. Sadly in the moments of the Rose Spirits death and the Princesses birth The Discord had struck taking Equestria for his own. The Princesses rose against his rule soon after having learned what they could and found the Elements of Harmony left by the Dreamer. Throwing down The Discord they claimed the throne of Equestria to the fanfare and adoration of all the ponies.

All was right with our world until the Crystal Rebellion. The Corrupted one took over his empire spreading fear and hatred over all of Equestria. But he fell to the Sun and Moon’s combined might. As the armies clashed on the Ice Fields the Princesses stormed his fortress with their royal guard. In his throne room they cast down the tyrant. Sadly even in his death his spite knew no bounds, he cast out his magic and as he was sealed so was his Empire. Those on the Ice Fields could only watch in horror as one of the once great pinnacles of Ponydom simply vanished from the face of our world.” The elder thestral finished his recounting and smirked at the silver unicorn filly in front of him. “Or shall I continue with the march home and our heavy hearts?” He asks her drawing the covers slowly over her.

“No Papa…” The silver filly mutters as she looks up at him with her golden eyes heavy with sleep.

“Why did you want our history tonight?” He asks her gently rubbing her back as she drifts off.

“Because you always make it sound like some sort of epic. My tutor makes it all so dry…” She answers opening her eyes more. “D-”

“Yes, you have to keep going to her. Princess Luna herself granted you this Tutor. Don’t believe that is a gift she gives many. Learn from old Grimfeathers. She was a Royal Historian before I was born.” He says cutting her off quickly.

 “I know Papa, I just wish I had more time with you." The little filly said wrapping her forelegs around one of her father's

"Oh, dearest you are my whole world. I would face the wrath of Ursa itself to make you smile. I live for our time together, but you need to rest and your tutor is only awake during the day. Besides, when you sleep at night you get to have the Princess keep your dreams safe" He tells her smiling and nuzzling her head.

"I know. I love you Papa” She replies to him closing her eyes and letting her little mind wander off towards dreamland slowly.

“I love you too my little Dawn” The elder Guard whispers kissing her head before leaving her room.

In his own room next door her stops donning his silver armor as the sun began to sink below the horizon. He drew his helmet over his black mane with a heavy heart.  Dressed in the shining silver and purple of the Night Guard he stepped to the hall looking around before heading for Her Royal Highness’ chambers. The thestral let his mind drift for a moment to his daughter and her studies. He wished he could help the little filly with her magic but that was beyond him. He knew only history, warfare he was having a hard time readjusting to peace now that the Empire was silent.

“Captain Aegis! Captain Aegis!” A young voice broke his thoughts. The purple pegasus that was happily flapping up to him landed and smirked saluting. Midnight Aegis let him stand like that for a few moments before returning the salute.

“Yes Private?” He responds his tone cold and neutral. He wasn't truly annoyed by the Private just the fact he tripped over the young stallion every time he turned around.

“The Princess sent me to give you a message sir. She asked you to meet her on the wall. She said you would understand where she meant.” The young guard said happily. His eyes wandering briefly over the older guard pony in front of him.

“Private eyes front!” Midnight barks the order snapping the pegasus back to reality. “Dismissed private before your eyes get you sent to latrine duty” He says keeping his tone calm and warning. At least the young private had the sense to blush as he saluted and fled. Midnight sighed as he turned to walk towards the outer palace walls. The young pup would learn his place eventually. You couldn’t ogle your commanding officer’s like that. It was improper, perhaps if he was younger he could have bent the rules.

And him over your desk.

He shakes his head again clearing those thoughts away. He had too much to think about. His duty to the crowns and his daughter came before any sort of coupling ideas. Still it was nice to think he still looked good enough to turn heads. He stopped to look at himself in the mirrored surface of a nearby suit of armor. He stood slightly above average in height. His dark grey coat and black hair were typical for his breed. He sighed running a hoof over his scared neck, his blue eyes looked haunted to him. Shaking his head again and turning he continued on through the halls of Castle Everfree.

The rhythmic clop of his hooffalls were the only sounds that greeted his ears as he made his way through the darkened halls. He stopped and glanced behind himself and the forward. He should have passed several pairs of guards by now. His eyes glanced around and he spread his membranous wings to take flight. As he flew down the corridors his unease only grew. His guards were not at their posts. He landed hard throwing open the door to the courtyard and preparing to bellow out for a formation when he was meet by a smiling alabaster Alicorn. He dropped into a bow before the Solar Diarch and cursed mentally, of course it would be some form of prank.

“Thou hast lost me a bet young pony” The Solar Diarch says with a soft smile as she looks down at him.

“Your Highness?” His voice uncertain he remained bowing. He hazarded a glance up at the smiling Diarch. She grins as if beginning to speak when she was cut off.

“My Sister did not believe me that thou wouldst notice the reduced presence on your way here” Came the voice of his Princess from the side. “Rise Captain Aegis and walk with us." Her voice was deadpanned but still loud. He was simply glad she did not use the Royal Canterlot voice.  Goodnight fair sister.” Princess Luna adds sharply clearly displeased with the Solar Diarch’s joking.

“Yes Milady” Midnight responds rising and following the young Diarch having to trot to keep her pace. Neither noticed the look of Sadness that crossed the Elder Sister’s face as she took wing. She had only meant to joke with her sister's guard. Still she supposed it was in bad taste to mess with them so soon after a national crisis. She takes a glance back as she heads to her bedchambers at the retreating forms of her sister and her Captain. She missed the playful Luna she remembered from so long ago.

It was in that moment that the Solar Diarch made a decision, with a soft giggle to herself she turns heading down to the old organ that lay in the belly of her castle. As she walked through the halls Celestia found herself drawn back into the memories of another time. A time when she and her sister were as playful a fillies, a time before the centuries of rule had weighed them down. She missed so very much the rambunctiousness of her sister.