A Guard's Duty

by Bekdontraz

Rating: mature
Tags: Dark, Alternate Universe
Length: 3230

Follow the Captain of the Lunar Guard during the rise of Nightmare Moon.

Set 1000 years before the series proper, The Guard Captain Midnight Aegis has served his Princess faithfully for years. From a simple foot soldier to the Captain of her Guard. Will he be drawn in her fall or rise against the one to whom he is sworn?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-10-10 17:39:20 UTC

Prologue

        “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.

Chapter 1

        The Royal Sister walked slowly up the stairs to the outer wall of Everfree Castle. Her mythril shoes clacking angrily against the stone under her. She kept her eyes ahead but her body was stiff and unyielding.

“Just whom doth she thinks she is! Insulting us and our guards in such a fashion!”

“I think her Royal Highness was simply trying to jo…” Midnight trails off as Princess Luna rounds on him with a royal glare. Her blue eyes boring into him. Midnight’s own gaze dropped to the stone underhoof

“Watch thine words carefully Captain.” Her expression softening slightly as she noticed his discomfort. “Or shall we use our ROYAL CANTERLOT VOICE WITH THEE?” She asks her eyes twinkling slightly as the elder batpony stumbled back with the onslaught of her voice.

“I beg you no milady!” He says bowing to her.

“Rise, Rise Midnight Aegis we did not mean to snap at thee! You have been our loyal Captain far too long for us to treat you the way we have been. Come walk with us. We have much to discuss.”

Will I be required?

“I am at your whim milady” Midnight answers her. He glanced over his shoulder wondering why there thoughts came unbidden to him. He rubs the back of his head and looks to her once more.

“You will not like our orders. We are sending you to the north. A small outpost set up by our sister” He couldn’t help but notice the disdain slipping into her voice when speaking of the Older Diarch. “It has been out of contact for over half a year now. Celestia is unworried, but with the dangers gnawing at our nation We cannot sit idle”

“If I might mylady? Why are you sending me of all ponies there?” He asks once he was certain she was done speaking. “I am the Captain of your guard. This seems more like a mission for other guards”

“You are not the first we have sent.” She says looking up at the moon. “We are only sending you because We need answers. Nightmares chew at our subjects minds at night. We do our best to keep the wounds from the rebellion from festering but it is tiring. To have this weigh on Our mind as well.” She trails off turning to face him a flicker of fear in her eyes.

“The outpost is just gone?”  Midnight felt an old fear grip him and he bowed again before looking to his ruler “I..it isn’t Sombra is it milady?” He asks her nervously his ears flat to his head. His armor suddenly felt cold against his coat as old memories played through his mind.

“We do not know” She replies to him worried as well. Though her reasons were much different than his own. She knew that Sombra was safely locked away in the glaciers around his former capital. She worried because of the terror she’d felt from the dreams of the village before it vanished. Then to lose two more expeditions into that frozen waste. Why her sister had sent them she would never understand. The elements were infallible after all.

“Take four guards that you trust. That is all we can afford to send. Bring swift flyers only. If it is the worst We must have word.” She tells him her brow knitted in thought.

“At your will” He replies bowing again and taking wing. A few short flaps later had him landing in the main courtyard. His NightGuard were busy running drills. A group of Earthpony recruits cantered passed him, their Sergeant saluting as he passed taking them out the main gates on a run. “Private Burst!” The Captain calls out knowing the young stallion was near.

Isn’t he always?

The Lunar Diarch sighs watching her Captain fly off on her orders. She then turns looking out over the Everfree Forest. She sees the guards hidden amongst the trees watching for signs of monsters or other threats. She smirked seeing one of her thestrals hanging from a branch its shining eyes scanning the woods around it.

Midnight landed outside the armourer’s a few moments after relaying his orders to the young stallion. The small structure was already hot and glowing from the forges inside. He pushed open the door and step inside, before he could call out his greeting however...

“Oy get the buck back here ya damn foal!” A female voice shouted. The young colt she was yelling at skidded trying to stop but ending up smacked into the guards forelegs. The golden coated stallion shook dropping his pilfered dagger as his green eyes widened as the Night Guard before him. The yelling mare trotted into view and smirked winking at Midnight. “See that? Guards after ya already? What’re you going to do to him?” She asks trying not to grin where the colt could see.

“Well Miss Forge, He will spend several weeks in the dungeons until one of the Princesses get to his case and judge him. After which I believe we are hobbling thieves…” Midnight says glaring down at young stallion

“Ya can’t do that? I didn’t steal nuthin from moltenflank o’er there!” He shouts at the guard. Midnight raises an eyebrow causing the stallion’s burst of courage to fade as he realized he was yelling at a Guard Captain. “Please I just wanted to go try the dagger out! I wasn’t stealing anything” His courage gone now causing his voice to rise in pitch. Midnight had to smile internally, the colt had lasted longer than some recruits under his draconic gaze.

“Return it to Miss Forge and I will overlook this. Now go” Midnight orders as the foal quickly drops the dagger at Forge’s hooves. The mare was visibly laughing her thick blacksmith apron jumping as she walks over towards midnight

“What brought ya round here?” She asks him smirking slightly before leaning down and picking the dagger of the floor. She slips it into an apron pocket as the colt vanishes out the door.

        “Spears and armor. The usual long distance kit” Midnight answers unaware of her smirk

        “Oh so VioletBurst hasn’t offered you his spear?” She asks not missing a beat. She chuckles as Midnight winces. He looks to her and glares. She’d already been told about the upcoming expedition and had prepared amor and spears for a small group of guards.

        “Miss Forge!” Midnights says his voice going harsh as he glares at her with barely contained anger. “He is a guard under my command, half my age, and I am not one to ever take advantage of either!” He snaps at her. His eyes widen as he realize how harsh his outburst was.

He is eager though….

Forge walks over to Midnight nudging his shoulder. “Midnight? Your eyes just went a thousand strides away” She asks concerned. “I’m sorry about teasing you but momma would talk about the young you….say you were the one of your friends most likely to find yourself a bed mate...I just..you always seem so uptight..”

        “Just..don’t…” He whispers in response. “Will you have the kit ready by midnight?” He asks her. He slumped slightly his eyes boring a hole in the stone floor.

        “”Yes sir” She snaps a sloppy mock salute. The red earthpony lets out a sigh letting her green eyes wander over the Captain. “Midnight, come on something is up with you. I haven’t seen you this tense since last spring.” She says popping a smirk as she nudges his shoulder.

        “Troubled sleep, bad memories, and now the mission I’m being sent on. I don’t like leaving Princess Luna alone, it feels like I’m abandoning my post” He tells her looking up.

        “You and I both know you’re not abandoning anything. Is this because of Tome still?” She asks him putting a foreleg over him comfortingly. “Nothing about what happened was your fault! Dawn doesn't blame you, the Princesses don’t blame you…” She tells him, though she was having to bite back on the jokes that rose to her mind.

        “I know...but if I’d had alittle more control..” He starts to say only to be cut off by a hug from the blacksmith. “You know the armor keeps me from feeling those.”

        “I could squeeze harder? Make you a true knight of yore..” She grins kisssing his cheek “I’m here from you if you need me okay? Not like our Night Mother will let go of her best smith.” She slips off of him heading back towards her forge. “Don’t be a stranger. Also, if you’re heading out tonight leave a note for Dawn, I can keep an eye on her while you’re away.”

        “Thanks Forge, you’re truly your mother’s daughter” He says ruffling her mane with his wing before turning and leaving the small room.