The Slumbering Servant.

1,500 years before the current MLP timeline,humans and ponies lived together in harmony.In those days,the two races truly cared for one another and helped each other.The ponies provided the humans with hard work and resources,and we gave them protection.For longer than anyone(or anypony)could remember,there was peace between the two.No ill will,no prejudice or resentment.

When it came to us humans,we were their protectors.Their sword and shield.Back then,no pony had to fear war or battle for we chose to make that sacrifice.Not like we needed much encouragement.We were the army,the guard and the police.

There was even a select group of human warriors who protected the royal family.They were called the Black Shields.

Though not a fully accurate title(seeing as how some members didn't use shields at all),they were still decked out in all black armor.Only the best human warriors were allowed this honor,and their loyalty was unquestionable.This story starts with one such guard, who's usual routine is about to be put on the sidelines when someone betrays the royal family by killing the King and Queen.

In front of the door to the throne room stood two Black Shield guards.The one on the right was named Zakari,and the one on the left was Fel. Zakari was new to the Black Shields, having joined only four days ago.At first, he was nervous about being the new guy, but got over that when he made an instant friend in Fel. Fel showed him the ropes and what to do if something happens. Zakari was still a little cautious, but his nervousness had since passed.

Though all members of the Black Shield Royal Guard had to wear the traditional all black armor,they were allowed the freedom to choose their own weapons. Zakari chose a katana with a silver guard and gold/yellow handle. Yellow was his favorite color,so that choice was fairly easy.Yellow always reminded him of sunshine and warmth.Much like one of the princesses.

Like many warriors,he even gave his sword a name.He called it Dragon's Day.

Said sword was currently sheathed and resting at his hip.He would often grab the handle for no reason but boredum.Don't get him wrong, he loved his new position, but guarding a door all day was...not very  entertaining.

Fortunately,he had Fel to keep him company.

Fel turned to Zakari.

"So..." he said.

"So...what?"replied Zakari.

"So,I heard that Sarkey got thrown in jail...again."

"Again?What for this time?"

"Steeling someone's sweet role."

"That's it?Seems a bit much to throw him in jail for that."

"Well, it's not just that.When he got caught, he punched a guy in the face." He let out a chuckle.

"Ugh,damn it Sarkey!First he gets arrested for lollygagging, then he gets caught picking pockets, and now for steeling someone's sweet role.What the fus rho dah is that guy's problem!?One of these days he's going to realize that his position as a guard won't keep him safe forever." There was a short pause before Fel replied.

"Actually, the guard is already thinking of firing him.From what I've heard, if he doesn't change soon,the'll get rid of him by next Friday."

"Good! He's a terrible guard!Always bitching about how his cousin is out fighting dragons yet he gets stuck with guard duty.I swear, it's all he cares about...well that and now apparently sweet roles."

They both laughed,but it was a little hard to hear because of the helmets.While Black Shield helmets were the best protection you could get,they tended to muffle not only outside noise but your own voice as well.They covered the entire face and it was tough to speak sometimes.The pair was about to switch to a new topic when they saw someone coming down the hall.It was a Black Shield member like them.The newcomer stopped in front of them and removed his helmet.It was captain markus,their superior.He smiled at them.

"Gentlemen."He said."I need to speak to the King and Queen, I you don't mind.It's urgent."Zakari and Fel both nodded in agreement and opened the door for him.

"Thank you."He complimented,then walked inside.When he was through, they closed the door behind him.

Zakari turned to Fel."What do you think they talk about in there?"

"Ok, rule number six.We don't need to know what they talk about.If they want to tell us ...then the'll tell us.Until then, we keep to ourselves.Remember, we are warrior servants to the royal family.We do what they tell us to.We don't think about it,we just do it."

Zakari thought about this for a moment and then said"Well,if we just do what they tell us,doesn't that mean that they could get us to do something...dishonorable?"

"In most cases I would worry about that.But this is the Alicorn Royal family.When have you ever seen them do something bad?"

"Never."

"Exactly.We don't need to worry about that with them.They always steer us in the right direction."

There was another pause before Zakari spoke again.

"Say,can I ask you a personal question?And feel free not to answer if  you don't want to."

"Yeah,sure,I guess.What's the question?"

"Well,I've been wondering....does this armor make my ass look fat?"

Luckily,Fel didn't have to answer.A scream shook the halls.It came from the throne room.Instinct and training took over as both guards flung open the door and rushed inside.When they reached the throne room,the scene before them was worse than anything they could have thought of.

There,covered in the blood of both the King and Queen...was Captain markus.The bodies of the two royals, and a few other guards, were lying next to his feet.He turned his head in Zakari and Fel's direction and did the most disturbing thing...he smiled.He wasted no time.He pointed his bloody sword at them.

"Well?What are you waiting for?"

The two guards didn't hesitate.They drew their own weapons and charged at the murderer.He blocked Zakari's sword with his own and kicked Fel away.Before they launched their counter,Zakari had a thought.'There's no one else here! If he kills us, no one would even know till much later.And by then he'd be gone!'He turned to his comrade.

"Fel! Go get the others.I'll stall him."Fel looked to him.

"Are you sure?!"

"Yes, just go!Hurry!"Fel nodded and ran as fast as he could. Zakari turned back to the killer.He charged at him and brought his sword over head and then down .Markus blocked the strike and elbowed Zakari in retaliation.He was sent back few feet,holding his helmeted head.He shook it of and ran at Markus again.This give and take of blows lasted for a few more seconds before Markus was able to knock Zakari's helmet off his head.It rolled about a foot away and stopped.

Without the helmet,Markus could now see his opponent in entirety.Young, about twenty.Blue eyes with bags under them, probably from long nights of training.His hair was a very dark brown.It was long too. kept in a ponytail,it reached the middle of his back. And he was apparently snarling,showing his anger by scrunching his nose.

He also noticed how short Zakari was. Five feet and four inches did not make him an intimidating figure.

Their blades struck each other again and again.The sound of metal hitting metal reverberated throughout the room.This sound was soon drowned out as another sound came within their earshot.

Footsteps.

Help was coming.The killer,Captain Markus,took too long and now he was pretty much finished.A swarm of Black Shield guards invaded the room, forming a circle around him.They brandished every kind of weapon you could think of.Zakari pointed his blade at Markus.

"This, is the end.Surrender,or face your death."Markus looked at him, then turned around view the others.

"You think If I surrender,that I'll live?HA! that's bullshit!The first chance you get you'll have me hanged or beheaded.The thing you all haven't grasped yet is that I don't intend to live past today.Death here, or death later makes no difference to me!" He viewed Zakari out the corner of his eye.Yes, he was going to die, he accepted this.But at least his last thoughts will be happy ones,knowing that ponytailed piece of shit was going down too!

He charged the guards in front of him.They brought their weapons up and moved in, preparing for the attack.But to their surprise,he threw his sword backwards. Zakari didn't even see it coming.The sword made a deep cut on the side of his neck before landing right next to him.He fell to the floor,grasping his neck.At the same time the killer had several blades pushed into his chest.

To Zakari, everything after that was a blur.He heard people yelling for a medic and felt himself being moved somewhere, but everything else was just moving to fast.He felt like his head was spinning.

He still had his hand on his neck,but he knew he was still losing too much blood.There was no way to stop it.

This was the end....or so he thought.

While the guards huddled in a circle,trying to save his life,they noticed the approach of a unicorn.He walked into the room and looked at Zakari's slowly dying body.He then spoke in slow and calming tone.

"You cannot save him,not by yourselves.That wound is too deep,and death is certain.But..I can offer you another option."The unicorn waved his hoof and his horn glowed.There was a bright flash of light.When everyone could see again, they noticed that Zakari's body was no longer there.In the place of where his body had been,was a statue.A statue so small that it could fit in your hand.

And thus begins the prophecy of the Slumbering Servant.