Chapters The day started like any other in Cloudsdale for White Knight. Waking up before dawn, showering, shaking out his bleach blond made and putting contact lenses on his blue eyes. Nothing special, just blue. He’d preen his wings quickly, grab a microwaveable bowl of mac & cheese and fly as fast as he could to the Cloudsdale Weather Factory. He worked the day shift for one of the most dangerous jobs there, testing the storm clouds to ensure they didn’t have too much lightning bottle up inside by bucking them.
Needless to say he was durable. He took a few shocks and put those clouds into the “rebottle” section to be looked over again or just kick out the excess lighting. He was told to leave those for the night shift to deal with and he mostly did if one came up just before his shift was over. He glided into the factory, flashed his ID to the security guard and jogged to the employee locker room. It was coed for some odd reason but since there wasn’t anything to really see, it didn’t bother him too much. Besides, they were only putting on white lab coats.
He had just opened his locker when the night shift pony walked in. A bat pony known as Hestaria. He wouldn’t have admitted it out loud, but he considered her a friend. She was usually sarcastic and liked playing jokes on him once in a while. At one point she had put confetti in one of the clouds. They didn’t talk much other than the few minutes they had in the locker room before she went home for the day. When she walked in he looked up from his locker and smiled at her.
“I left you the biggest one I could find.” the mare said jokingly.
White Knight chuckled. “Thanks Hestaria. I’ll be sure to leave you the most volatile for reassessment tonight.”
Hestaria giggled a bit and tossed her white lab coat into her locker. “Whatever Whitey, I’ll see you tonight.”
“See ya tonight.” he said as she trotted out of the locker room.
She wasn’t lying about the cloud either. White Knight knew it was the rainy season and all, but did they really make a cloud as big as the Storm District’s work floor or had Hestaria just shoved as many clouds together as possible. It didn’t matter, the application date was fast approaching and he just had to save up a few more bits to make the transition easier. His father had told him that if you’re happy doing what you’re doing then keep doing it. Well, he hated his job. White Knight had always felt like he had to do something more.
And when his cutie mark came in, he knew what it had to be. He was meant to be in the Guard. The light gray shield with two spears crossing behind it was more than enough to convince him that he was meant to be something more. Back in flight school, kids use to bully around anypony that couldn’t fly, wasn’t near average speed or that they just didn’t like. Knight went to his coach and started something of a hall monitor club that only Knight could let ponies into. When he denied one of the bullies entry, he went to his buddies and tried to take him down by force.
They told him either he disbanded the Sky Patrol, as it was known, or face being beaten. White Knight stood strong against them and told them either they stopped being bullies or he would personally take all four of them on. Needless to say he didn’t win the physical fight that day, but he won the war within that defeat. The coach took full notice of the problem and had them kicked from the school. After the fight, his cutie mark came in. His mother told him that it was a symbol of his unwavering morals and his will to fight for them. As a kid he accepted that and just rolled with it to this day.
Two weeks later Hestaria didn’t show up for work. White Knight figured she was just sick and gladly too her shift for her. But when she didn’t show up the day after that, their boss, Lightning Dust, had him go and check on her. Knight didn’t know her that well, but if she was sick she would have come in anyway. She had to either be going through something bad or she was dead. He hoped for the ladder.
White Knight stopped by the market on his way to see her after working her shift again that day and bought a case of her favorite beer. He knew that only because he saw an empty bottle of it in her locker once so he really only had that to go on. Like him, she lived on the ground. He landed in front of her mail box with the case of beer in his teeth and was about to walk up to the door when he noticed a white envelope laying in the dirt road. He took the letter in his hoof and saw the red letters stamped on it saying “return to sender”.
He opened the letter and read it to himself. It was an application with her photo paper clipped to it. Hestaria tried getting into the Cloudsdale Freedom Fliers. It’s not like the Cloudsdale military to just return a application… unless she had applied more than once. White Knight put the note back into the envelope and put it into her mailbox. White Knight walked up to her door and put the case down. Knight hesitated for a moment and then knocked on her door.
It took a minute before Hestaria shouted from the other side of the door. “Go away.”
‘Did she really just get up to say that?’ “It’s White Knight.”
“Don’t give a fuck.”
“I brought mango flavored beer.”
The door swung open quickly and Hestaria stood there wide eyed and her ears perked up. “You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” White Knight said holding up the six pack of fruit flavored beer.
Hestaria downed the first one with gusto and held back on the second. The alcohol wasn’t too strong, but it helped her calm down a bit.
“So,” Knight started. “The boss sent me to find out why you haven’t shown up for work.”
“I quit, that’s why.” Hestaria replied taking a swig of the mango flavored beer.
“Why? Because some letter told you that you’re not qualified to serve?”
Hestaria knit her brow. “How’d you know that?”
“Wind and rain don’t always wash away things lying in the street.”
“Whatever, I don’t care anymore.”
“Last I checked, what somepony said to you didn’t matter to you.”
“It’s because I’m not normal. I know it is.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you see the wings on my back just like everybody else. They require a photo and a full physical. I’m the most fit pony in that factory and they don’t think I’m physically inept to fly with Cloudsdale’s Air Force. It’s all because I’m not normal. They want somepony who looks like you, not some bat winged freak.”
“You’re not a freak. And there are still other things you can do.”
“Weather Patrol already denied me; Celestia knows the Wonder Bolts wouldn’t take me and more over I doubt that even the Celestian Guard would take me.”
“Look, I don’t like what they did any more than you do, but apply for something else. I’ve worked with you for four years now and I know you know you don’t give up.”
“Hope can only get you but so far Whitey.”
“Listen, I’m going to be trying out for the guard next month, they do the physicals there and train you. If you don’t meet expectations, they kick you. Full proof.”
“And if they say I’m not what they’re looking for?”
“Then you have my permission to quit. Come one this’ll be fun! If not physically painful.”
“You really have a way of being positive about the situation don’t you Whitey?”
“How about you come to work tonight and avoid getting fired?”
“Fine, only if you bring me a case of beer before I leave every week.”
“Deal.”
The two friends bumped hoofs and laughed, the first time she had laughed in a few days.
A month and four cases of beer later, Hestaria and White Knight were on their way to the Canterlot Military Academy for orientation. The air ship was filled with pegasi from Cloudsdale and some of the surrounding villages. Most were light gray and or white with blue manes with the acceptation of White Knight’s bleached blond mane. “It doesn’t look like much from up here.” Hestaria said White Knight looking out of the airship window.
“We’ll have to see. I heard that the drill sergeant that most ponies get is a total hard ass.” White Knight said leaning over to the window.
“I hope they have a bar on base.”
“I highly doubt it.”
“Fuck me flying.”
The air ship landed softly near the entrance of the Academy. The back side of the wall had a massive metal plate with the name of the instillation and the saying “May Celestia guide thee to greatness”.
“She knows I’ll need it.” Hestaria said to herself before being herded into rows of five with White Knight.
A dark red unicorn with a fiery yellow mane, dressed in full Celestian Guard Armor stepped out from the front the air ship and stood in front of the recruits.
“Alright you lazy good-for-nothings, ten-hut!” he shouted.
Everypony clicked their hoofs together and straightened their backs.
“I am Master Sergeant Firebrand.” He began as he paced in front of them. “I am here to make your life a living hell. This isn’t a field trip you misguided coat hanger ninjas, this is a training facility!” Firebrand glared directly at Hestaria. “Let me guess.” He said getting in her face. “You’re here to protect and serve Princess Luna, right?”
“No sir. I’m-”
“I’m sorry, what!?”
“No Sir!” Hestaria shouted.
“Good, because that’s not where you’re at right now! You are here for one reason and one reason alone, to be broken. And WHEN you reach your breaking point, we will rebuild you into the soldier of Celestia that you are meant to be. If you wanna’ quit now, it’s a long flight back.”
The air ship took off right behind them and left them there alone with Sergeant Firebrand.
“Now, since there are no questions, I’ll have First Sergeant Wave get you into orientation then you’ll be off to lunch. Sergeant!”
“Yes Sir! Company, right face!” everypony turned on their heels and faced to their right. “Forward, march!” White Knight marched with the rest of the pegasi, all the while keeping an eye on his bat winged friend.
After the classes, the twenty of them were handed a bag with four hundred bits. Almost everypony, including White Knight, were elated as they were lead to the exchange with a list in hand. Upon entering, they were told to find everything on that list and pay for it upfront. Armor & boots, compass, lantern, back up lantern, two canteens a saddle bag, a larger bag, six uniforms, two maps, jacket, book of the rules of the Academy and a pen; total cost, four hundred and ten bits. Great, now they owed the academy more than two months of servitude.
The campus was nice at least. The bright green grass was odd for the time of year but it wasn’t all that off putting, probably enchanted by some unicorn to always look like this. The tall stone buildings with towering columns were breathtaking. Nothing less for Celestia’s soldiers. The only simple building on campus was the gym. The sign on it said the Luna building but it was the gym. It made no sense to White Knight. They had been told that before going to combat, regardless if you liked it or not, you were to say ‘May Celestia guide me and Luna give me strength.’
The next six weeks went as follows: up at 0400 everyday, breakfast at 0405, classes from 0410 to 1100, lunch at 1101, formation training form 1105 to 1600, hoof to hoof combat 1601 to 1900, dinner at 1901, lights out at 2100, repeat. They gave them two hours to themselves but Hestaria, despite preferring to stay up at night, spent that two hours sleeping.
Suddenly, something strange happened, Sergeant Fire wasn’t in that morning for his usual wake up call. Instead, a new stallion was heading the operation. His armor wasn’t like anything she had seen before. The navy blue chest piece spread back to his shoulders like bat wings and his helm looked like it had the dorsal fin of a fish standing where the top of the mane usually was. That wasn’t even the strangest part; he had a horn, and silver wings. A dark blue unicorn stallion with silver wings and odd armor was suddenly in charge. Okay, I guess?
He introduced himself as simply The Captain. He was now head of the Academy and would be over seeing every little thing going on. After introducing himself in the lecture hall, he took off to the front gate. A few minutes later the sound of his voice echoed across the campus asking somepony named Ephialtes if he could hear him. It was like Princess Luna’s legendary Royal Canterlot Voice but coming from his mouth.
The next day the final test took place, a siege on castle walls. In the middle of an open field, a team of infantry were to assault and take the flag hidden behind a massive wall. Her team, the Bomb Brigade, were told to drop as many paint bombs behind the wall and clear the way for the ground troops. The unicorns were to provide long range support and the earth ponies held wooden lances and carried grappling hooks to scale the walls. The walls were lined with unicorns using stun spells to knock pegasi out of the air and earth ponies getting close to the wall. Earth ponies inside the wall used crossbows with paintball tipped arrows to mark a target that had been hit.
White Knight kept a close eye on Hestaria as they took flight towards the castle walls. His formation sat behind hers as they went into their holding pattern waiting to attack the walls. He saw Hestaria arguing with her flight lead. Then her armor plating fell away and she dove out of the formation. Not wanting to lose what he had earned, he didn’t follow her. He kept formation and watched her sweep the front line of troops and then soar towards the wall.
She only became a speak in the air as her paint bombs exploded along the wall. White Knight felt his heart race watching Hestaria. As they approached, he saw her going Brave Hoof with a wooden staff.
“Bring the rain!” the flight lead shouted.
“But Private Hestaria’s down there!” White Knight shouted back.
“I said bring the rain! Either you drop your load or I’ll have you court marshaled.”
White Knight watched as Hestaria continued to fight waves of soldiers. He reached for the safety on his bomblet dispenser, and hesitated. White Knight didn’t care what happened to him after this. He took his hoof away from the safety and banked right, out of the formation. White Knight landed at the very edge of the forest on the other side of the wall and watched as Hestaria battled the soldiers.
“Enjoying the show?” a stallion asked coming up from behind White Knight.
“Captain!” White Knight said quickly standing at attention.
“As you were. Private Hestaria is showing great combat prowess.”
“Y-yes sir.”
“Why are you not in the skies with your squadron?”
Several explosions rang out as paint bombs went off with Hestaria still in the middle of the battle fighting her heart out. She turned towards the sounds of the explosions and took flight towards the flag as fast as she could. White Knights heart raced once more as Hestaria stole the flag in her teeth and flew off with the Pegasi.
“Yeah! Go Stari!” White Knight shouted happily before regaining his composure next to his Commander.
“I’m waiting Private.” The Captain said.
“I-I was told to drop munitions on one of my comrades Sir.”
“And you refused? That’s grounds for a court marshal. See me in my office at sun set.”
“Y-Yes Sir, Captain.”
“Don’t be late.” the Captain said spreading his mechanical wings and took off back towards the academy.
Just as the sun set, White Knight entered the main building of the Canterlot Military Academy. His Sergeant told him that The Captain’s office was the last door at the end of the hall on the right after he climbs the stairs. On his way up, he heard a familiar voice shouting. As he walked down the hall he heard the mare’s voice again.
“I! GIVE! UP!”
‘Hestaria?’
The door at the end of the hall flew open as a very distraught looking Hestaria sprinting down the hall. She didn’t even bother moving to avoid White Knight. She plowed head long into him, knocking him over in the process.
“Stari, wait up!”
“Private Knight!” The Captain shouted at him.
White Knight turned to see The Captain putting on his hat. “I want you outside my office when I get back or you’re out of here!”
The Captain didn’t waste any time with sending an intimidating glare his way for good measure on his way out. White Knight wasn’t sure if he should follow that order. True, he was completely and utterly terrified of The Captain, bet he knew what happened to ponies that were called to their CO’s office. The boot. White Knight thought that if he was getting booted, he might as well go without The Captain saying a word. He spent half an hour thinking about it; long enough for The Captain to return. He had a slash across his chest and a glint of metal beneath his shirt caught Knight’s eye.
“Come with me.” He said entering his office.
White Knight took a deep breath and marched into The Captain’s office. He was silent as The Captain made his way behind his desk and slid a file out from under another with his horn.
“Private Knight has shown a dedication to his training as well as a willingness to help anypony that needs it. He’s exactly what we’re looking for.” The Captain read. “That’s what your file says. Now from what I saw today I don’t think that’s quite accurate.”
“Captain, my flight lead told me to drop munitions on a comrade. No matter what I couldn’t let that happen.”
“And why’s that Private?”
“Because she’s been through enough. I didn’t want her to feel like her only friend here would put her life on the line just for the sake of orders, Sir.”
“I know the feeling Private. But that does not excuse going AWOL in the middle of a mission.”
“Yes, Captain, but I wasn’t going to fire on my friend under any circumstances, Sir.” White Knight said sternly waiting for the words he did not want to hear.
“Well then, in that case Corporal, you and I are going to have a long few weeks ahead of us.”
“Wait, what?”
“I want to see you in the Lunar Building at 0300 tomorrow. Get some sleep and ready.”
White Knight was stunned at what he had just heard. Was he being held back and forced to go through training all over again? He’d heard about that happening rarely but was disobeying an order really worth repeating another two months of basic? And had he just called him Corporal?
“Corporal Knight.” The Captain said waving his hoof in his face.
“Y-yes, Sir?”
“Are you okay?”
“F-fine, Sir. Um, did you call me corporal?”
“Yes. Now if that’s the only question you have that involves a yes or no answer I would suggest you head back to the barracks before curfew. As you were.”
White Knight left The Captain’s office and walked out of the main building with a stunned look on his face. He didn’t speak to his roommate when he arrived back at the barracks, he went straight to bed still wearing his armor.
Author's Note
Nexus: When did you condone half assness? Aren't we the same person?
0300 was the worst time to get up after lights out being at 2100. White Knight was hardly able to trudge into the Lunar building just before 0300. The building on the interior was only a gym, but since no pony used the gym this early in the morning it made sense that The Captain would hold a meeting here. Four long tables lined up in two rows with three packs set on them. White Knight sat with nine other ponies in the dim lighting of the gym. He sat in the front right of the room and waited for The Captain to begin.
Looking at the other ponies in the room, he saw three Earth ponies, three unicorns and two other Pegasi. All dark colored accept for White Knight. He noticed Hestaria sitting in the center and smiled before looking back at The Captain hoping he would start soon. It was 0303 when a blood red unicorn with black stripes entered the room. White Knight had never seen anything like him before. And considering one of his closest friends was Hestaria, that’s saying a lot.
“Nice of you to finally join us Private. Please, take a seat.” The Captain said motioning towards the desks.
With great hesitation, the dark red striped pony approached the tables and sat down at the far right corner.
“Now we can begin.” The Captain began. “I would like to be the first to welcome all of you to the first day of training for the Evening Guard. I am Commander Nexus, and will address me as such. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Sir Commander Nexus, Sir!” all but the striped pony shouted.
“Good. Now this isn’t going to be anything like what they told you in orientation. In fact, forget everything that the teachers have told you. From this day on, you all will be trained to counter anything that is thrown at you. Form every counter spell you can learn to how to work your equipment. Unlike the Celestian Guard, we have weapons, ranging from the Lightning Lance, to the standard issue Iron Icarus Mk. III that are sitting in front of you.
“For all but three of you, this will be your main piece of equipment. You will learn how to take every little component out of that pack and put it back together backwards. And that is after a ten mile run. For the unicorns here, I will be teaching you spells you’ve never even heard of; spells that no soldier will be able to counter. You will learn to bring out a ponies greatest fears and have hoofs as deadly as your horn. And that last part goes for all of you. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Sir, Commander Nexus Sir!”
“Good. You will all report here at the same time every day for the next two months. In the top flap of the Iron Icarus, there is a schematic of it. You will learn it and will also be ready to use it by the time. Now, line up five by five at the doors and wait for my go. Ten miles is a long run!”
“Yes Sir, Commander Nexus, Sir!”
The Commander wasn’t kidding either, the run took until dawn to complete the ten mile journey. When they returned, the pegasus were given a break while the unicorns and earth ponies were sent back to the gym to start work on their Iron Icarus’. After about an hour, the group was split into two groups, pegasus went to learn basic fighting with the Lightning Lance. White Knight had fooled around with bow staffs from his grandfather’s attic once but he had never used a lance.
The tip of the lance was similar to a regular spear, but at the base of the tip, the metal was forged into a crescent moon curved up towards the tip. The edges of the moon were razor sharp and arching with electricity. They weren’t as heavy as White Knight would have thought. They handled very well in his hoofs and were some of the easiest physical training he had had here at Canterlot Military Academy.
After an hour of training she was taken with the rest of the Pegasus to show them how to use the Lunar Guard’s bomblet dispensers. That lesson only lasted a few minutes and then they took a break for lunch. The Lunar Guard got their own tables. After grabbing his gruel he sat and waited for Hestaria. She sat down next to the striped unicorn.
“Hey.” She said to the unicorn. “I’m Hestaria.”
He looked up from his tray with a tired look in his eyes.
“Ephialtes. Just call me Ephi.” he said with a low voice.
“He doesn’t talk much.” White Knight said. “So what was with that little escaped you had the other night?”
“The Commander booted me from the Royal Guard and then before he could recruit me for the Evening Guard, I flew off the handle and then, well, flew off.”
“Well, that’s a short ass story. What about the Commander though. His legs.”
“I heard he’s from the future.” a bright red unicorn said.
“You’re an idiot. What do you think Ephi?”
Hestaria rolled her eyes and looked over to Ephialtes. “Hey, Ephi.” White Knight said, elbowing Ephialtes in the ribs. “You hear me?”
“Hu? Oh, no I was just thinking about something.” Ephialtes replied.
“How do you think The Commander ended up like he did?”
“I’d rather hear what you guys think.”
“Okay, I think he’s the son of the C.E.O. of Lunarus Industries and that he was run over by a train.” Hestaria said leaning in like it was some big secret.
“That’s stupid Hestaria. I heard he had a heart attack so strong it caused his legs to explode.” the black earth pony said.
“And you say I’m stupid?” Hestaria said shaking her head.
“I agree Hestaria’s theory, but I think he was kidnapped by marauders and held for ransom. As punishment for not delivering on time, they chopped off his legs and mailed them to his father everyday he was late.” White knight unicorn said.
“What about you Ephi?”
“I don’t know. I’ve only been here for three days and only talked to him twice.”
“Maybe he just thought they looked cool.” Commander Nexus said standing right behind the black earth pony.
He suddenly went ridged as Commander Nexus went to the head of the table.
“How’d he do that?” Hestaria whispered to Ephialtes.
“Quiet Private Hestaria!” Nexus shouted. “Now I don’t want to hear any more of these conspiracy theories, or all of you will go hungry tonight. Saddle up, time for combat training.”
“Yes Sir, Commander Nexus Sir!” everypony, including Ephialtes said getting up from the table.
Author's Note
Me: Happy Holidays everyone! Not sure if this'll go up before then but they're happy none the less.
The Winter's White Moon Festeval
Once again, lined in two by two, they trot into the forest. Commander Nexus was silent and forced them to keep their eyes forward under threat of going hungry. After nearly an hours trot, White Knight looked over her shoulder and saw Commander Nexus was nowhere in sight
“You want to know how I did what I did back in the chow hall?” Commander Nexus asked from the right side of the trail. “How a pony with metal strapped to fifty percent of his body could be so stealthy?” he asked from the left side this time.
The entire squad began looking around for him as his voice continued to emanate from all around them.
“It’s called The Art of the Shadow. Pioneered by zebras in the time before the Great Twilight War and was first used in combat against Celestia by the Evening Armada during the war. It was very effective against the forces of Celestia. If you want to be one of us, you have to master this art. And I suggest that you don‘t…blink.”
Suddenly Commander Nexus was standing amongst them with a smirk on his face. As soon as Ephialtes saw him, he swung himself around and tried to hit Nexus with a wide swinging kick. Nexus was quick and blocked the fast moving strike from Ephialtes. Nexus deflected the kick and pulled Ephialtes into another headlock. Ephialtes looked up and slid his head out of Nexus’ grasp. As he dropped down, he swiped Nexus’ legs out from under him and attempted to take hold of his left foreleg. Before Nexus even hit the ground, he had maneuvered himself away from Ephialtes. He rolled out of the formation and stood with his wings extended.
“I see somepony’s studied The Art of the Shadow before.” Nexus said glaring at Ephialtes. “We start with hoof-to-hoof combat then we move onto combat maneuvers. Sergeants!”
From behind the rest of the group, a black Pegasus mare and a gray earth pony stallion emerged from the bushes surrounding the path.
“Sergeant Midnight and Lumen here will be assisting in flight maneuvers for the Pegasi and combat maneuvers for the rest of you. The unicorns will be with me for Macabre Magic 101. You will listen to them as well as you listen to me or you’ll be working tomorrow night.”
“Commander Nexus, permission to speak freely, Sir?” Hestaria asked.
“Granted.”
“What’s tomorrow, Sir?”
“Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. As with the Summer Solstice, those under the employ of Luna are given the day off unless otherwise told by the Captain of the Guard. So, unless you want to be cleaning barracks all day tomorrow, I suggest you do as I say. We’ll start with hoof-to-hoof combat then I’ll split you off into your separate groups. Form up, forward, march!”
They did as they were told with a Yes Sir, Commander Nexus, Sir!. It was another ten minute trot until they reached the fighting arena. It was a large stone smoothened down into a table with no legs. In white chalk, a circle running the entire circumference of the stone table and a white line splitting it down the middle. The top was smooth though still had some dips in the stone where others before them must have been slammed down repeatedly.
“This will be your training ground. We’ll be starting with holds and how to break them. Sergeant Midnight, if you would be so kind as to join me in the arena.”
“Yes, Commander.” Midnight replied stepping into the center of the stone table with Commander Nexus.
“Basic hold Sergeant Midnight.”
“Yes Commander.”
The Pegasus approached Commander Nexus and proceeded to force him to his hindlegs and put his right hoof behind his back from over his shoulder. Not only did this look extremely painful, but the fact that Sergeant Midnight didn’t restrain from pulling Nexus’ foreleg back and Nexus not budging was amazing. Did Nexus even feel it was the pain question. He didn’t show any pain on his face. Or was that part of the training too?
“From this hold, the easiest thing to do is to use their leverage against them. From this position you can do one of two things; you can toss them over your shoulders, or…”
Nexus bent his knees slightly, then, using Sergeant Midnight as a counter weight, vaulted himself over the Sergeant and touched down behind her with the Sergeant’s hoof still holding his.
“You could reverse the hold and turn the tables. Any questions?”
No pony spoke up as Nexus held the Sergeant in the same hold he had once been trapped in. While watching this display, Ephialtes noticed that the Sergeant wasn’t showing any pain either.
“Now, when you’re putting someone in this hold, you can force them to the ground by knocking their legs out from under them, or you can force them to their knees. It’s all dependent on preference. I like shoving their face into ground.”
He showed his preference by kicking the Sergeant’s legs out from under her and planting the side of her face firmly into the stone.
“Any Questions so far?” Commander Nexus asked once again. And when no one answered, “Good. Pair up and get to work. Start by throwing the other over your shoulder. I know there are eleven of you, so Sergeant Lumen will pair with the straggler. Sergeant Midnight, keep an eye on them. I need to report in with the Princess. I’ll be back in ten minutes max.”
“Yes Sir, Commander Nexus, Sir!” Sergeant Midnight said.
Without another word, Commander Nexus spread his wings and took off from the clearing. Hestaria was paired with Ephialtes and White Knight ended up with some yellow earth pony. The hold hurt, a lot but the being thrown of the shoulder hurt more. Ephialtes and Hestaria repeated the move a hundred times over before Commander Nexus returned around an hour later and split them up by race. He and Hestaria were taken to learn how to push their limits when it came to her flying. The next day it felt like he couldn’t move. That didn’t stop Nexus from putting him, Hestaria and Ephialtes on guard duty during the Winter’s White Moon Festival in Canterlot.
In comparison to the Summer Sun Celebration, the turnout was very small. But those that didn’t come to see the raising of the winter moon, were missing one of the most beautiful sights in all of Equestria. Aura’s spread across the sky and giving way to oceans of stars, all lead by the full moon. The Captain was one hell of a stickler, but he recommended the strangest thing before dismissing them.
“Try the Neon Moon on base. They’ve got some of that Mango Flavored Beer.” he said before going with Luna to mingle in the festival’s attendees.
Hestaria jumped at the words of her favorite beverage and rushed back to the Academy for the beer she so desperately missed. White Knight wasn’t too far behind her. The smoky atmosphere wasn’t unlike any other bar, but only dark colored ponies mingled and partied. The bar had a live rock band playing a lot of great songs from Bon Hoovie and Van Manelen. (Good god those hurt my head.). The other amenities that the bar held included various poker tables. The bar was already raging in the best possible way when White Knight came in. Everypony was drinking and/or dancing in front of the band or at the bar. Hestaria talked White Knight into a poker game with her and to pay for her first Mango Beer.
About an hour of playing cards and half a Mango Beer later, Hestaria noticed Ephialtes enter the bar. She stopped mid-chug and let out a belch before shouting to her friend. “Ephi! You zebra son of a bitch! Get over here!” Hestaria shouted over the music.
Ephialtes sighed seemingly annoyed and took the seat next to Hestaria.
“Wanna’ sip?” she said tipping the neck of her mango flavored beer towards him.
“Nah, I-I don’t drink.” the blood red zebra/pony hybrid said pushing the bottle away from him.
“You don’t drink? Sweet, Luna you’re as stuck up as The Commander!” White Knight said taking a pull from his Apple Whisky.
“I just don’t okay.”
“Whatever, deal ‘im in Ace.” Hestaria said looking over to the black earth pony with an Ace of Spades cutie mark at the end of the table.
“Wait, I don’t have any money!” Ephialtes tried to argue.
“Here,” She said sliding him five poker chips over to him. “Twenty five bits. More than enough to get you started. Each chip is five bits, starting pot at five bits.”
“Okay. Fine.” Ephialtes said as Ace slid him five cards.
“That’s the spirit!” White Knight said reaching accrues the table to punch him in the shoulder.
The other player at the table took his chips in his teeth and left the table as Ephialtes tossed his chip into the center of the table. He levitated the cards up to his eyes and looked them over for a moment before folding. Ephialtes cleaned out White Knight as he started coming back out of his shell. He talked told White Knight what he told about his home back in Haystead but didn’t go much further than that. They played for another two hours before one of Hestaria’s favorite songs came on.
“Oh my gosh I love this song! Let’s dance!”
“I don’t dance.” Ephialtes said over the music.
“Live a little Ephi.” Hestaria replied grabbing him by the neck and pulled him to the dance floor.
White Knight smiled and followed his friends onto the dance floor as the bass of the song resonated under their hoofs. After another song, Ephi had his forelegs around his and Hestaria’s neck banging their heads to the song. Then a soldier shouted something that almost killed the party.
“Commander!”
Nexus looked around the bar for a moment before grinning. “What are you lookin’ at? Blow Me Away!” he shouted to the band.
The lead smiled and the drummer tapped out the first three beats before the guitar started playing Blow Me Away. Nexus smiled and banged his head to the beat of the song as the first words started flowing. Everypony in the bar went back to partying except for Ephialtes, Hestaria and White Knight. Nexus noticed they weren’t rocking out and motioned them over to the bar. Nexus was the first to sit; Ephialtes sat to his right with Hestaria next to him and White Knight on Nexus’ left.
“What’s wrong with you guys tonight? We’ve got the night off!” Nexus said still rocking out to the band as he spoke.
“But you’re the Commanding Officer of the entire Lunar Guard. Shouldn’t you still be working, Commander Nexus, Sir?” Hestaria asked.
“Fuck that. I need to cut lose once in a blue moon too ya know. Bar keep! Beer me!”
With no delay, a closed bottle of beer slid down the table and to Nexus’ fabric cover metal hoof. Not waiting for the bottle opener, Nexus pried open the top with his teeth and spit the cap into the trash at the other end of the bar.
“So, what’ve ya’ll been doin’ since the raising of the moon?”
“Just rocking out here Commander Nexus, Sir.” Ephialtes said avoiding eye contact.
“Please, when I’m not in uniform, call me Nexus.” Nexus responded taking a sip of his beer.
“O-Okay, Nexus, what are you doin’ here?” White Knight said taking a hesitant sip of his Apple Whisky.
“Like I said, even I need to kick back once in a blue moon.” Nexus said taking another swig from his beer.
“Yeah… I guess.” Ephialtes said looking back to the band.
“You okay Ephi? You don’t seem happy.” The Commander said leaning forward.
“I’m fine, Commander. I need some air.” Ephialtes replied getting up from the bar.
Nexus shrugged and went back to his beer as Ephialtes left the bar alone.
“Maybe I should go with him.” Hestaria said about to get up.
“Let him go Private. He just needs some time to himself.” Nexus said taking another sip of his beer.
Hestaria looked to the band and then back to White Knight and saw that Nexus was already gone.
“How does he do that?” she said taking a sip from her fruit flavored beer.
“Hell if I know.”
Author's Note
Nexus: Why am I such a bad ass?
About thirty minutes later, Hestaria left the bar to go look for Ephialtes and Captain Nexus. White Knight stayed at the bar and enjoyed his beer until everypony stopped. He looked back to the front door to the bar expecting to see The Commander standing there. But instead he saw everypony bowing and Princess Luna.
“Please, rise, all of you. Is this not a celebration!?” Princess Luna said happily as the band picked up again.
Everypony started jamming hard to the music as Princess Luna made her way to the bar and sat next to White Knight. He didn’t know what to say. He stared blankly at the wall behind the bar until Luna spoke.
“What is you trouble? Is this not fun?” she asked.
“I-It is your highness. But I just didn’t expect to be sitting next to one of the rulers of Equestria tonight is all.” Knight replied taking a swig of his beer as soon as he stopped talking.
“Well, fear not. I am only here to see what everypony is doing. Waiter? A glass of red wine please.”
The bar keep nodded and reached under the bar for the bottle.
“You drink?”
“Only on special occasions. I don’t drink normally or in exes. Ah thank you.”
The bar keep nodded with a smile as Luna picked the wine up in a telekinetic field and swirled the dark red liquid around in the glass. Before she could take a sip, Hestaria’s panicked voice rang out across the bar.
“Help, Captain Nexus is being attacked!” Hestaria shouted.
Luna stopped and her eyes went wide as though she had never heard those words spoken before. “Lunarus? You heard her, to arms!” Luna commanded.
White Knight dropped his beer and followed everypony to the armory.
The panic was real. No pony spoke as they all stood guard at the academy. From the forest, shockwaves erupted along with flashes of light. The trees would bend back with each one. Then came a bright ball of purple light that enveloped the forest over a mile in. White Knight held back the extreme urge to spread his wings and take flight towards the explosion. It was about an hour later that Commander Nexus came limping out of the forest, leaning on Princess Luna; his back left leg more or less gone and his left eye dripping blood.
"Captain! What's going on? Are you okay?" White Knight said running up next to Nexus.
"It's over now Private. Meet me after my check up. I have something I need to tell you."
"Um, yes sir." White Knight said as Ephilates and Hestaria walked by in front of a half platoon of guard trainees.
White Knight sat nervously in the waiting room of the medical building. The whole place was on shut down on orders of The Captain. Only one pony had gone down the hall to the captain's room. He was a ebony black pegasus with a matching mane with the exception of a single yellow lock on the right side. He had a massive bag strapped to his back and a large tool back in his teeth.
It was around five hours later that The Captain had called for him. White Knight was lead down a hall by a light pink mare with a red cross cutie mark. She only lead him to the room and left him there on his own. Knight was tempted to just walk in but knowing The Commander, he wouldn't take to kindly to that. He knocked.
"It's open Private." The Commander called from inside.
White Knight held his breath and opened the door. On the other side, the sterile white room was bare other then the bed, some medical equipment and its two occupants. Nexus lay on his stomach as a new set of mechanical wings were being affixed to him. Nexus rolled his head over to see White Knight. His left eye was covered in gauze. For some reason they weren't as bloody as Knight had expected.
"Please, take a seat so Spangle doesn’t have to give me a mechanical neck too." Nexus yelped out and jolted as a spark came from his back where the pony White Knight assumed was Spangle. "Speaking of. You mind being a bit more gentle. I can feel that now."
"Shut it soldier boy. I'm doing what I can." Spangle replied.
"I know but still. Anyways. White Knight, you're still standing. My neck hurts."
"Oh, yes sir." White Knight said sitting right next to Nexus' head.
Nexus set his head down on the pillow and sighed with relief. "Now then, I have a few things I need of you."
"What is it Captain." 'Oh Celestia, what's he going to tell me.'
"Now, I've read over the reports of your performance over the past couple of days. Average across the board, strong in both body and seemingly in mind. Overall a standard soldier."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir."
"Again, I'm not in uniform so cut the sir bull shit."
"Okay, Nexus."
"Good. Now you are above average compared to most of Celestia's soldiers but average by my standards. I have one question to ask you."
"What is it Nexus?"
"If it came to it, and the sisters became divided once more, and regardless of what guard you were in, where were would your loyalties lie?"
"Um, sir?"
"Everyone would have a side. This is only if it were to come to that. It's something everyone can answer."
White Knight thought for a few moments. He wasn't sure if his answer would affect his future to the point of exile. Considering his connections he could probably have that done. "I-I would fight for whomever's ideals fitted my own."
"So you don't know?"
"Yes sir."
"What are your ideals?"
"Well sir. I see the ugliness that is the politics here. Celestia hasn't learned quite as much as I would have hoped. She says they're equals but Luna is still her subordinate. It might not 've been here fault the when Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, but she had the peoples interest in mind. It would all depend on what started the war. Whomever has the people of Equestria in mind and not their own gain is who I would fight for."
"Nobel. I have good news and bad news White Knight."
'Here it comes.' White Knight thought to himself.
"The bad news is you're going back to Celestia's Guard officially."
"And the bad news?"
"Off record, you still work for me."
"I-I'm sorry, Sir?"
"Yeah, come again?" Spangle asked just as confused as White Knight was.
"I want you to keep tabs on Celestia and her new Captain of the Guard. I can assure you that when your time comes, your loyalties won't lie with either of the Princess'. They will lie with me."
"I'm afraid I don't follow."
"A war is coming Private. One that Celestia and Luna will start one over its result. When it comes to it, can I count on you to remain loyal to me?"
"Y-Yes sir, Nexus sir."
"Good. Now I have one more mission for you before you leave."
"What's that sir?"
"Luna wants to take me for a little stroll through Canterlot tomorrow after I get out. I would like to have a guard detail following us. Your station is the base of the clock tower. All I need you to do is keep an eye on things and let me know if they go south on your end. Spangle, you have that new device with you?"
"Got it right here." Spangle said reaching into a side pocket of his tool back and pulling out a small ear plug.
Nexus' horn glowed a light blue and the device levitated into Knight's right ear. "Hang onto that. That is how you'll communicate with me during the mission."
"Is it safe?"
"The worse that could happen is it doesn't receive or transmit. Don't worry about it." Spangle said. "Could you move your left wing a bit for me Nex?"
"Sure." The left wing twitched and then extended fully. "Like I said, you'll be going back to Celestia's guard after tomorrow on an official transfer. Until then return to your barracks and prepare for tomorrow afternoon."
"Yes sir."
White Knight sat still for a moment. Not sure if he should leave. Spangle closed his bag and went to the other side of the bed where Nexus' other wing sat waiting to be reattached. Nexus watch Spangle for a second before looking back to White Knight still sitting in his place.
"You can go now." Nexus said with a chuckle.
"Oh. Right. Get well soon Nexus." White Knight said getting up and quickly leaving the room, hoping Nexus wouldn't correct him on his way out.
Author's Note
Nexus: Well it's better than the draft you showed me last month.
Baptism of Temptation.
The next day the first winter's snow covered the streets of Canterlot. White Knight wore the golden armor from Celestia's Guard as he sat under the clock tower alone with his lance lying on a few boxes under the stairs. He felt uneasy, like something was going to go wrong any second now. The air was thick but cold in the midday. That wasn't natural.
After an hour or so, White Knight heard voices coming closer; eventually coming to be outside the door. When the door swung open, two ponies stood on the other side. one wore a black cloak and the other wore a brown zut suit. The one in the zut suit had something slung across his back that White Knight hadn't seen before.
“Halt! Royal Guard!” shouted at the two.
“Continue to the top. I shall speak with him.” the one in the cloak said waving the one in the brown zut suit up the stairs.
White Knight ignored the disturbingly deep and resonate voice of the one in the cloak and tried running towards them but slammed into a light gray shield around himself. The one in the zut suit was silent as he climbed the stairs slowly.
“You are another one of them aren’t you?” the cloaked unicorn asked.
"What are you talking about?" White Knight asked.
"You are one of Lunarus' protégé's are you not?"
"Who?"
"You know him as Commander Nexus. You are another one his projects. Which one are you then? Strength? Courage?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. You're under arrest for-"
"You are in no position to arrest me." the unicorn pulled back the hood on his cloak and White Knight stopped cold.
"Ephi?"
The unicorn looked disturbingly close to Ephialtes. He was a red and black zebra/unicorn with a messy black mane. The only difference were the eyes. Ephi's were a purple-blue and serpent-like. This one had the serpent part right, but they were blood red with a green outline and a purple aura flowing from the sides.
"I was once. You're Ephialtes is safe in the castle, I am something much more terrifying."
"Y- Whatever you're planning, it won't work."
"Don't worry, once Lunarus is dead, I may take pity on you."
White Knight cringed at his antagonist and threw a punch at the shield. His hoof slammed into the gray shield and only caused a small ripple.
"Or you could ensure Lunarus doesn't hear a word of me being here."
"No way. Who are you!?"
"I am hate, I am fear and you, will obey me." Ephialtes' doppelganger said as his horn glowed black.
White Knight felt a splitting head ach roll in as the world around him slowly faded.
"You are noble. But everyone has their price. Yours is peace. I can give it to you." The doppelganger said in White Knight's head.
"Whatever you're doing, it won't work."
"I've broken stronger then you. You will not defy me."
The head ach started getting stronger and White Knight felt himself start to think that this might not be worth the fight. A wave hopelessness started to roll over him as the doppelganger continued trying, what White Knight assumed, to kill him.
"W-Who are you?"
"I am King Sombra, Lord of Fear and Hate. Anything you can muster I can make stronger. Hate is more powerful then you think."
"I-I-I don't care! I won't let Commander Nexus die at your hoof."
Fear started to take hold as more pain shot through, not only his head, but his enter body. "If hate is not what you have then fear is all that remains."
"Fear can be overcome, hate is pointless."
"Hate is strength, fear is a weapon."
"Corporal Knight, report." The Captain's voice chimed in over the wireless ear piece.
"Tell him nothing." Sombra said to him.
"I-In position Captain."
"Good." Nexus said.
"You've done well." the head ach stared getting worse, forcing White Knight to his knees. "You'll live, but remember what you did for me."
The head ach got stronger before he passed out. White Knight came to very quickly and shook out his head. Sombra wasn't near him anymore so he got back on the com's with Nexus.
"Commander, somepony's here. He called himself Sombra, he has an accomplice."
"Thanks Corporal. Hold position and wait for me."
"But-"
"You won't be able to beat him. Hold position."
Just as Nexus said that, several dark shapes started moving into the base of the clock tower. They were terrifying. They looked like creations from Doctor Frankenpony. They seemed to be insect-ponies. Their bodies looked like they were covered by an exoskeleton, a misshapen horn, insect wings and their eyes were a glazed blue. Their legs were the most disturbing feature was their legs. They looked like black Swiss Cheese!
"Come quickly." White Knight said a bit afraid.
The first creature jumped at him faster than he could imagine possible. Its mouth was wide and the last thing White Knight remembered clearly was a flash of white fangs. He took his helmet off and used it as an extremely small shield. He shoved the top of his helmet into the mouth of the creature and threw it to the side. Knight panicked; he didn't know what he could do now. He reached behind him where several boxes were sitting, hoping he would find something useful.
His hoof grabbed something wooden, long and rounded. Knight hoped he'd grabbed his lance but when he pulled his hoof around he found he was holding a broom.
"You've gotta be kidding me, Faust." White Knight groaned holding the makeshift weapon.
The next four creatures charged him on hoof. White Knight swung the broom down and planted the second to last one from the right into the cement floor. Using the force of the swing, he spread his wings and threw himself over the first creature. That was the extent of his plan. He had nowhere to run going up and these things surrounded him on all sides. I.E. they blocked his only exit.
Well may as well go down fighting right? White Knight put the broom at the bottom of his hoofs and swung his instrument of cleaning in a full circle to try and get some space. After completing two circles, he stopped and held his ground for a moment. One of the creatures behind him didn't wait for anything and jumped onto his back. With a quick snap of its neck, it pushed its fangs through the neck guard of the helmet and into White Knight's neck.
Knight yelped in pain and thrust his broom into the creature's face. The bastard let go and let White Knight stumble back. White Knight felt his blood start to soak his fur under the helmet and his vision start to blur. The creatures started to slowly move towards him; surrounding him fully. Another lunged at him. Any normal pony would have given up by now and let these things tear him apart, but White Knight learned a long time ago that no matter how much ponies beat you down, you never go down without making them work for it.
Knight swung the broom over his head again and watched the creature's head and watched the stick splinter. Just as it tried getting back up White Knight turned the broken end down and shoved it through the head of the creature on the ground. Just as he pulled it back up to start swinging again, several loud claps of thunder started rattling off from above him in the top of the clock tower. The creatures suddenly buzzed their wings and started up towards the top. White Knight stumbled back and fell to his haunches.
As fast as he could he tossed his helmet off and put pressure on the two small holes in his neck. His blood turned his paper white coat crimson as it continued to flow under his armor and down his leg. The commotion upstairs got louder as the thunder stopped shaking his ribs. His breathing started getting heavier and his vision started getting blurry.
From the door, Ephialtes, the real one this time, barged through the door and came to his side.
"Stay with me Whitey. You're going to be fine." Ephialtes said a bit panicked. His horn lit up a light purple and he felt the pain start to fade. "The changeling bite isn't too deep. I can stop the bleeding but you have to stay with me."
"O-Alright. I-I'll."
"Almost… Got it!" That's all White Knight heard before passing out.
Was Ephialtes too slow? He could hear a light grumble around him, like voices. they slowly start coming into focus. "Is he okay?" Nexus asks.
"I stopped the bleeding but I think he lost a lot more blood than I thought." Ephialtes told him.
"You're sure he's alive?"
"He should fine. Just passed out."
White Knight groaned as his eyes slowly opened. "Hey! Speak of the devil. Good to see you're still kickin' Corporal." Nexus said with a grin. He still looked odd with that eye patch over his right eye.
"C-Commander?"
"You alright there?"
"You get the number of that donkey cart?"
"He's okay." Ephialtes said with a chuckle.
"What were those things?"
"Changelings. Creatures that only exist to suck the love and emotion out of anypony they can find."
"Where's Sombra?"
"Get's right to the point don't he? He's gone. Don't worry about him."
"Captain. I-I'm sorry I didn't tell you he was there sooner."
"To said it when you could. I understand."
"But-"
"No buts Corporal. You did a great job. I hate that I have to transfer you."
"I'm not. Hell, I think my life expecancey'll go up."
Everyone laughed as White Knight got to his hoofs and looked around. Where the dead changeling was, a green stain was now in its place. Knight looked around his friends and spotted the pony in the zut suit. He didn't look older than nineteen. The light gray earth pony with his messy mint, green man stood behind Nexus with his head hung low.
"What about him?" White Knight asked.
"I'll deal with Thunder Clap. You get back to the academy and pack your things for the castle." Captain Nexus ordered.
"Yes sir. Um, is Hestaria out there? I'm not sure if I can keep in the air without going straight down the side of the mountain."
"Take the train." Nexus said levitating a train ticket out from his jacket pocket. "Ephialtes, get back to the castle and see what leads you can get on where Sombra went. Just make sure you have other ponies ask around for you. I can't have any of Brandy's troops get the wrong idea. And tell Orion to track the changelings that were here. I don't want them getting away again."
"On it." Ephialtes said leaving the clock tower some cloth over his muzzle.
"As for you Thunder, you're coming with me."
"Okay." the gray stallion said quietly. He sounded like a colt that knew he had just stolen a cookie from the jar when his parents said not to.
White Knight followed Captain Nexus out. The three of them walked to Main Street and went their separate ways. Nexus smiled and nodded to White Knight before he started towards the castle to the north and. White Knight nodded back as he started south towards the train station.
After being "transferred" to the Royal Guard, he went through the menial motions of the day. He only patrolled the castle grounds and took stock in the Royal Archives before being relieved by Hestaria at sun down. It was just like old times. Except he didn't feel at home. He was doing what he always wanted but he didn't feel right about it. He kept an eye on Commander Brand Fire as instructed for a month or so before anything interesting happened. And when it happened, White Knight's idea of his job would change forever.
To be continued.
Author's Note
Me: I'm done with it!
