Spellbound for the Royal Guard

Spellbound For The Royal Guard

Written By: Luminous Daze

Chapter One: Training Kicking In

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I have no idea how this came to be. First I find myself wanting to join the royal guard to make something of myself. I'm not built like the other cadets so I'm never taken all that seriously. I'm just a simple powder blue Pegasi with a short gray mane. I may look frail, but somehow I have more magical ability than an average Pegasi, with an heart of titanium. My cutiemark that of a scroll with a red ribbon tied around the rolled up parchment. Most ponies were either too stupid or were unwilling to notice the growing dangers in the world. A thousand years and it had been peaceful world wide. Sure... sometimes a dragon came in now and then, but that was nothing compared to when Nightmaremoon returned. Nightmaremoon seemed to be the breaking point in the flood gates. Sure, she was defeated and was returned to the kindhearted Luna, but that just seemed to lead to many other disasters. There were so many, that it just seemed to throw red flags up in my mind. After Discord broke free, that was when I had enough. I was going to lay down my services to fight for my country and my goddesses, even if it meant my life. I suppose that was how it all started anyway.

It was the night Shining Armor was married. Everypony figured that a new head of the guard would need to be chosen after the wedding, seeing as the captain would be a prince and a general of Equestria. I never thought that position would be given to a shrimp like myself. Heck, I wasn't even one of the lead groups. I was one of the cadets prepping for a position in one of the scouting teams that patrolled the castle.

I'm not usually one to talk much about myself, I'm not even one that usually talks, period. I like to keep to myself, and my closest friends. However, if you are willing to listen, just this once, I would like to tell you my story. It all started when a threat was directed toward the Royal wedding...

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“Prophet! Pssst! You're going to get in trouble!” A dark grey bat pony whispered, trying to get my attention.

Snapping my eyes over to Cylinder Wind, I notice the instructor just beyond him. He had his back turned, but as he went to turn, I returned my gaze about face as his voice made everypony want to flinch at its mere volume, “I am your new Drill Sergent, and you will all address me as such, do you understand?!”

“YES DRILL SERGENT!” We all yelled out at once out of compliance. None of us had yet to be informed why we were suddenly under a new instructor, nor the fact why we were all from different factions. To my right was Cylinder wings, he was a bat pony that I met during our after hours in a local pub. I wasn't much for friends, but I wasn't going to say no to a pony being friendly or nice to me. Which it soon turned into a one sided friendship with him dragging me around to different places he considered fun, while I just tagged along. I can't say it was all bad, I did have fun even though I would argue otherwise if anypony brought it up.

“A threat has currently been issued against Canterlot, the Princesses, and the Royal wedding! This is where you pathetic whelps come in! It is all hooves on deck, and this is where you maggots get a fleeting chance of being on the front lines even though you are still in poop stained diapers!” The Drill Sargent paused long enough to glance across the cadets, before continuing, “Do as I say, and maybe you fools can stay alive if there is an attack! Is that understood?”

“YES, DRILL SARGENT!”

I may not be a unicorn, but I practiced many bodily magics with a mare named Zacora. I figured long ago that if there was any means to fighting my weak stature, it would be with knowledge. I was a literate at heart, but for some reason, I felt like I wanted.., no... I needed to protect my country. Like if I wouldn't be there, the whole of creation would fall to the sinister monsters that lurched in the dark. I can still remember my teachers words, “Sometime the heart is our guide, and we must abide. For our instinct is sometimes from the world beyond.”

Sure that last part didn't rhyme, but nonetheless it told true. It was like I was being told when and where to be. Then again it could be my long lineage of royal guard pegasi, and my heritage telling me I should follow in my families hoof steps despite my physique.

“Are you paying attention, SOLDIER?!” The Drill Sargent bellowed, stepping right in front of me.

“Sir, yes sir!” I yelled out, determining how close his face was to mine that he was most definitely talking to me.

“By no means will I go easy on you cadet! Drop and give me fifty!” He stated, turning away.

Oh... did I forget to mention this pompous idiot was my father? It was probably what he meant by saying he wouldn't go easy on me. Which he was definitely making it easy to believe. “F-fifty?” I managed to stutter, “But in training we haven't gotten past twenty...” I absentmindedly retorted.

“Are you talking back, soldier?!” Drill Sargent scowled as he jerked around, with a harsh scowl on his face.

I knew my father well, and he took his job, as well as the safety of everypony, seriously. He wasn't harsh, or even an angry pony, he just didn't take his job lightly. I would have to say after mom died, he just kind of turned toward his work. Even though I can normally see past his poker face, like right now he doesn't want to be harsh on me, but work is work. However, when I told him that I wanted to join the royal guard, he was positively emotionless. I can't tell if he was proud I was following in the family hoofsteps, or if he was absolutely terrified that I was going to fail and die.

“Soldier!” Drill Sargent hissed once more, and I could tell he was holding back. Was he going easy on me, and the fifty push ups was just a show for the others?

Deciding not to find out, I dropped down and began counting, “One Drill Sargent... Two Drill Sargent...”

Glancing up I could see the relief on his face. I was sure it was just a show for the others, I would just need to obey his commands and he would go easy on me. At least I hope he would.

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I let out a sigh, my body barely reacting to my commands. My dad often trained me while I was young, but that was more on how to fight. I was rather talented at fighting, just as my ancestors before me, but no matter how hard I worked, my body just didn't seem to retain any muscle. I heard a chuckle, followed by hoofsteps catching up to me, “I thought for sure your dad would cut you a break, but I guess not...”

Groaning at Cylinder Wind, I shook my head, “No, he was... It was just to show the others so no pony would get jealous...”

At that, Cylinder just seemed to halt, a little baffled, “I would hate to see what he does to the others then...”

A short laugh escaped as I glanced over, “Look, my dad is a good guy, he just takes his job seriously, and this threat to the castle has him stressed out. Just do as he says, when he says it, and he will be fair with you.”

“Thanks for the heads up!” Cylinder chuckled, sticking out his tongue at me, “Hey! Want to hit the Royal Guards special bar?”

“W-what? Why?” I stuttered, glaring at the fool bat pony for even bringing it up.

“We aren't technically cadets. We have been drafted to the Royal Guard at least for the time being. We have passes to that bar, and I intend to get my free drink!” Cylinder took to the air, before flying up ahead of me and turning around, landing and blocking my path, “Come with me! Who knows, we might find some sexy mares to flirt with!”

Letting out an audible and over exaggerated sigh, I roll my eyes, “And why would any mare talk to us? We are just new recruits...”

“We have the armor, we just need to act the part! They don't have to know we are new!” Cylinder snickered, a sly grin on his muzzle.

Using my hoof, I pushed my friend out of the way and continue walking, “I come from a long family line of Royal Guards. I grew up around these ponies, and for one, I would be recognized by quite a few of them. Second, each unit spends their entire career together to build the perfect, synchronized trust so they don't need to question command and just rely on the leader. They are like family. Third and utmost, with them being a family, they usually go to the bar as a unit. With it just being the two of us, we would immediately stand out...”

“Hmm...” Cylinder fell quiet once more, but his cocky smile grew right back, “Let's go anyway!”

I froze in my tracks, shooting the fool stallion a hateful glare, “Really now? Did you not hear anything I just said?”

Cylinder giggled, which for a moment sounded awfully colt-like. He bounced into the air until he was once again blocking my path, “Come on! You just said they know you, so wouldn't you be welcome? Plus with your dad being the Drill Sargent, wouldn't it be a good idea to familiarize yourself with his work place, not to mention 'your' future work place?”

Gently laying my hoof over my muzzle, I let out yet another sigh, “Fine!” I snap, my hoof that lay across my muzzle quickly over to point to his chest, “But don't cause a ruckus okay?! You think fifty push ups are a lot, well some of the Earth ponies get up to a thousand push ups without breaking a sweat. You do NOT want to get on their bad side!”

“Fine fine!” Cylinder laughed, sitting on his haunches to wave both hooves idly through the air, “I'll behave myself!”

“Let's go...” I groan as I lead the way to the bar.

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As we pass through the doors, I'm instantly hit with the smell of whiskey, peanuts, and cinnamon. The floors were a dark oak color, most likely riddled and torn with years of stools and hooves scraping across it. A large jukebox sat in the corner playing some sort of western Earth pony music. Most likely due to the large Earth pony stallion currently dropping bit after bit into the large machine. Thankfully nopony seemed to care that we even existed as we approached the bar.

“PROPHET! I haven't seen you since you were neigh high!” A dark musty green mare called out from behind the bar, her hoof currently at work cleaning the inside of a glass.

I fight back a wince, and try to keep a poker face and a fake smile, “Hi Altamira, long time no see.”

“Finally old enough to swig with the big wigs I see! Even getting a chance to be in here. You're here for the threat aren't you, Prophet?” The green mare giggled.

Altamira was an old friend of the family, and I could clearly tell she had aged since the last I saw her. She apparently aged well it seemed, she had a few gray streaks through her hair, but otherwise seemed to be the same Altamira, “Sure thing. My dad is also here, but I assume he is out sorting through the rosters of new cadets.”

The green Earth pony mare glanced in between myself and Cylinder, before looking to me curiously, “Come to think of it, you were never one to like this joint. Why come here all of a sudden?”

Letting out a soft sigh, I grin as I point over to my bat pony friend, “Thank this jokester, his name is Cylinder Wind.”

“Nice to meet you miss, Altamira.” Cylinder bowed in respect.

That was definitely one thing about bat ponies. You don't normally see them around, and whenever you hear about them, everypony thinks they are dark, mean, and mysterious. They do have one thing right, they are mysterious. Cylinder was just like most bat ponies, they had a great deal of humor, as well as a great deal more of respect. They bow to everypony upon meeting them, and they wont hesitate to help anypony. They were probably the nicest specie of pony you could ever meet. It was a shame that a ponies first instinct is to judge by looking at them. It may just be a instinct to protect yourself, I assume. Judging somepony to see if they can be trusted, and if you need to watch your back, but it isn't exactly fair. It's like my motto, you need to be warily trusting. Trust them from the get go, but just keep an eye out to make sure they don't mean you harm. Keep them at arms length in other words.

“Well, in all of Faust's good name, you must be somepony special to get this wound up drift wood to spend time in a social scene; willingly I might add!” Altamira giggled as she slid two glasses across the table, amply filling them a third with whiskey, “Here, bottoms up for your free drink.”

Climbing up onto the stool, Cylinder smiled as he took the glass in his hoof, “Through the teeth, over the gums, watch out stomach, here it comes!” And just like that he turned the glass bottoms up, downing the dark liquid in one gulp. After slamming down the glass, he hissed and his nose scrunched up.

Hesitantly climbing up onto the stool, I pulled the glass toward me. Cylinder and Altamira both watched me, and I could tell they were waiting to see my reaction. I turned my gaze downward as I took a sniff. Jerking away, I coughed as to clear my air way. Altamira and Cylinder both laughed, but it was the green Earth bartender to speak, “First drink, hun?”

Gently nodding, I take the glass in my hoof. Taking a steady breath, I murmur, “Here goes nothing, I suppose...” And down it went. I swear I never tasted anything so vile in my entire life. It was like downing a bottle of dragons scroll fire essence. It was a magical potion that allowed a pony a single magical letter to be sent to a pony by choice. I've only done it once, but it only slightly compared to whiskey. Instantly I could feel my head slightly swirling, but barely managing to keep a straight head.

“Can't hold yer liquor, hun?” Altamira giggled as she brought out a can of regular sarsaparilla and slid it toward me, “Here, this should ease the burn.”

I didn't hesitate to down the bottle, and she was correct. The burn slowly subsided and I gasped in relief. Cylinder chuckled beside me, patting me on the back, “Maybe it will help you relax for once.”

Sticking out my tongue, I end in a short laugh, “You relax... I'm happy just the way I am.”

Suddenly, both Cylinder and myself winced as a glass shattered against the floor behind us. Swirling around on the stool, we could see a Pegasi stallion being pinned against the wall. The pony pinning him was a large Earth pony, and he seemed to be pissed about something, and also inebriated.

Altamira sighed as she circled around the bar, “Not in my bar, take it outside!”

“Shut it bartender! I wont break anything, well... except this colts face!” The Earth pony smirked, aiming his hoof to punch at the Pegasi.

“Then you wont be able to drink here anymore, I'm sorry, but you are the Royal Guard. There is no reason for this, you know better!” Altamira scowled, nearing the pony built like a mountain.

“Screw the guard, I'm retiring soon anyway!” The stallion grinned and went to throw the punch.

I have no idea why I reacted the way I did. Maybe the whiskey, maybe all the training that I went through with my father as a colt, or maybe it was just from the motherly feeling I felt toward Altamira. Whatever it was, I absentmindedly lurched forward, grabbing hold of the large Earth Ponies arm, “Come on, all she is asking is to take it outside.”

“Puny ponies like you should hold their tongue!” The Earth pony hissed, breathing in my face and making me wince at the strong aroma of halitosis and whiskey.

“Come outside and make me? Or do you even know how to fight?” I grinned wickedly at the stallion.

The stallion chuckled as he released the Pegasi and didn't say a word as I was about to follow him outside. I could feel the whiskey in my system, but from what I've heard about alcohol, I was nowhere near being flat out drunk. Nonetheless, I was clear headed enough to evaluate my opponent, 'he has at least a foot and a half on me. Seeing his size, that is also most likely at least a hundred pounds over me. If needed I have the advantage of flight, but that could be considered unfair. I don't need my wings to beat him-'

My evaluation was cut short as a hoof grabbed me by the arm, “Don't do this Prophet, you have nothing to prove.”

“Altamira, you know for a fact my entire family never lets an unfair fight happen. He has the ability to snap that Pegasi's neck with ease.” Just as I said that, the Pegasi that lay in the floor gulped, rubbing his neck. I couldn't help my small smirk before turning back to Altamira, “Don't worry, I got this.”

“Come on! I don't have all day you pathetic Pegasi!” The Earth pony bellowed, holding the door opened while he waited.

About to head outside, I was halted once more, but this time by Cylinder, “Well, I'm with you on this one. If you need me at any point, just say so. I want to see that Prophet family power I've heard so much about!”

“Cylinder, you're such a goofy ignoramus...” I chuckled teasingly.

“Yeah, but just call this ignor-whats-it if you need him.” Cylinder gave a laugh of his own as he smiled at me.

“Ignoramus.” I smile at him as I led the way outside.

Once outside, the Earth pony pounded his hooves together as he laughed, “Okay, why don't you throw the first punch?”

“No thanks?” I grinned innocently, standing loosely, trying to relax all my muscles so I can use all of my agility.

“Why the hay not? Scared?” The Earth pony seemed to genuinely wonder why.

“Because it's only going to take one punch to take you down.” I keep up the grin, but it was mostly just to show my confidence. To be honest, I knew this fellow. Growing up I came to know all the guards, as well as their fighting records. Awhile back he was in the initial task for for fending off Nightmaremoon. During the fight to get to Celestia, this Earth pony fought and was rendered unconscious. His skull had been fractured, which was rendered a weak spot for rebreak if not for the spell that was in place. I wasn't going to bash in his skull, which I could if I wanted too, but with my training with Zacora taught me a way to expel magic with the touch of a hoof. All I need is to dispell that magic in his head, and it'll send him into shock, making his body assume that his skull was in fact bashed in.

“Awful sure of yourself kid... I'll fix that!” Without another word, the Earth pony lurched forward and I merely side jumped out of the way. It was simple enough dodging an overmuscled Earth pony, but this guy was deeply inebriated to boot.

He went careening into a nearby cart of hay and he started to fumble to his hooves. Closing my eyes, I saw this as my chance to channel my Pegasi magic into my right fore hoof. Just as I stated, I didn't use my wings, but as the Earth pony got to his hooves, his back was turned to me. I jumped up onto his back, my hoof swirling with a blue aura as I hit down into his head, dispelling the spell. The Earth pony let out a hefty grunt as his drunken body collapsed into the haystack.

Using my wings, I levitated off of the stallion and landed a few yards away. Hooves being slapped together, a sound of approval reached my ears. I turned to expect it was Cylinder or Altamira, but they were simply sitting there, gazing between me and somepony else. Clearly they had a look of fear as if I was in deep trouble. I almost dared not to even look, but my curiosity got the better of me and my eyes darted over. There stood head of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor.