Spellbound for the Royal Guard

Spellbound for the Royal Guard

Written by: Luminous Daze

Chapter Two: Dark Aura

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\Present/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Can't say it was my proudest moment getting caught in a bar fight by the head of the Guard himself, but I'm glad it happened. To be honest, if Cylinder hadn't dragged me to that bar that day, I would most likely still be in cadet training, and it would have been possibly years before actually making the official Royal Guard. Myself as well as most likely the entire Royal Guard has seen Shining Armor's authority, and how serious he can be. He can be strong, endearing, but sometimes he can be downright menacing. However, when you get to know him... he is kind, and understanding. Honestly, come to think of it, when he truly cares, he can be a total softy.

Anyway, after being caught, that was when I started seeing the signs....

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\Past/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

For the longest time we just walked alongside one another. I was sure he was taking me to Celestia herself, or maybe even my father. However, the direction that we were heading in, said it was the former. We were headed straight for the castle, but as soon as we got their, we took a right toward the Canterlot gardens. I flinched when the rather impressive looking Shining finally broke the silence, “I've heard about you, and your family, but I was positive the Legacy family would end with your father.”

“E-excuse me?” I pause, realizing what he meant after I had spoken my first thought.

He only chuckled, which only slightly defused the tension. I was unsure if he was laughing at my clear clueless expression, or the fact that I had taken down a Royal Guard and he was simply impressed, “Your family has served the crown since the banishment of Nightmaremoon. Honestly, I thought for awhile that maybe your families power had something to do with her. Since after Nightmaremoon returned to Luna, the Legacy family just seemed to end. I'm happy to see that you follow in their hoofsteps.”

Normally I wasn't one to be rude, but at the moment my heart was racing a mile a minute. I stopped, which made Shining pause and look my way. I hesitantly glanced up to him, most likely showing the fear on my muzzle, “Sir, am I in trouble?”

This was what confused me; his face suddenly softened into a contented half grin. I froze as he turned and slowly stepped toward me, sitting down right in front of me. I sat down as well, and with us both sitting, he was at least five or so inches taller than me. I couldn't have been much younger than him, but he almost towered over me. Our eyes met before he chuckled, “On the contrary.”

I expected him to continue, but he simply got up and motioned me to follow. Sprinting to catch up, I joined him by his side as we stepped through the garden. He kept his gaze forward as he slowly spoke, “As you probably know, A threat has been issued against Canterlot. Also, my marriage to Cadence is nearing. With just about all my strength going toward keeping the shield up around Canterlot, I am vulnerable if alone. You have your families skill, and you could protect me.”

Pausing once more, I stopped in front of a pony statue that looked an awful lot like Starswirl the Bearded. I must have gave Shining Armor an 'you must be kidding' glare, because he looked back to me with worry on his face. He seemed to predict my next question as he took the liberty to answer before I could ask, “Your father is in no place for a full frontal attack. Just as the Earth pony you just fought against; Randelhoof. Your father fought against Nightmaremoon and took extensive damage. He can barely fly anymore, and can only train new recruits. The crown has trusted your family for a thousand years, and with seeing you fight with my own eyes, I must say I share in that trust.”

“T-thank you sir!” I stutter in disbelief, “But... there has to be ponies that are far more well trained than I am. I'm just a cadet, should you really trust in somepony that hasn't gone through the full training of the Royal Guard?”

This was where he just simply smiled at me, once more sitting in front of me, “I happen to hear that you've taken the entire course at least three times, thanks to your father, am I correct?”

My ears fold back, and I frown, “Well, technically... my dad repeatedly put me through it to try and bulk me up, but my body just stays frail. I've always passed the advanced classes, but due to my stature I was put in the Royal Guard patrol cadet section.”

“Size isn't everything.” Shining smiled, before glancing over to a statue, “Look, this here was one of our greatest Guards; Valor. He was one of your ancestors come to think about it.”

Glancing over to the statue, I notice that he too was a Pegasi. I thought for sure every pony in my family line would have some sort of weapon by his side, but Valor simply had a book. I kept my eyes glued to the pony as I felt a hoof on my shoulder, “Valor was just as small as you, and he managed just fine. He aided Princess Celestia when Luna turned into Nightmaremoon. He happened to die in that prized fight, but without him, Celestia wouldn't have made it to the Elements of Harmony.”

“Why haven't I heard about this?” I look to him in disbelief, raising an eyebrow as if he was lying.

“Ponies want to believe that the Princess can save them from anything, even from another Princess. Even against Celestia's direct order, the historians wrote Valor out of the books. Celestia wished they hadn't, it shows a valuable lesson that the Princesses wont live forever, and that we have to one day fight to keep what we hold dear.”

Listening to his words, all of it spoke to me, but for some reason, anger was boiling inside me. He was basing my skills on my family legacy, not by my own merit. I snap my gaze over to him, “Yes, that may be true, but I'm not my family! I am my own pony and I've trained hard to be as good as I am. You can't just trust me because my entire family is trust worthy!”

“So are you saying you are untrustworthy?” for some reason Shining had a knowing sly smirk on his muzzle.

My expression softened, and I took a step back, “N-no, but... trust has to be earned... it shouldn't just be given...”

It was Shining's turn to look shocked. He gazed to me in bafflement, but that didn't last long as he suddenly smiled, “Okay then! Let's earn some trust!”

Suddenly without warning, I'm being pulled by my forehoof with a light blue aura. My hind hooves dragged across the ground, before he let go and glanced back to me with a chuckle, “Don't make me give you a direct order, soldier.”

“Y-yes sir...” I manage to say, frowning as I follow, 'I don't have a good feeling about this...'

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

At first I hesitated before entering the castle, but Shining just gave me a glance and motioned me forward. For awhile I wasn't sure where we were headed, but we seemed to be headed straight to the main dining hall where the Princesses ate their meals. Glancing up these two large brown doors, I stopped in my tracks and looked to Shining, “Am I even allowed in there?”

That earned a chuckle from him, but he just calmly smiled as he placed a hoof on the door, “You're my guest for the evening, and I'm marrying a Princess. It'll be alright, I promise!”

Letting out a small sigh, I just nodded to him. My heart racing and hoping the three princesses wouldn't be there. As the doors opened, aided by two guard ponies at either side of the door, we were met by a slightly bright light due to the setting sun glistening through the windows. Unlike most of the castle, this particular room had regular windows. I suppose the princesses liked to see outside with their meals. My heart skipped a beat as I hear none other than Celestia herself, “Afternoon, Shining Armor! It is wonderful you could finish with your duties in time to join us.”

A chill ran down my back, and despite the comfortable cool of the room, sweat formed on my brow as Celestia's eyes fixated on me. I could tell she probably knew exactly who I was due to my family status, but that didn't stop her from asking, “And who is this, a friend of yours?”

Glancing over to Shining, he had a nervous grin on his face. I suppose he still wasn't used to addressing the Princess so formally, especially due to his status as the head of the Royal Guard, “Yeah, you could say that. He is the son of Drill Sergeant, from the Legacy family.”

Celestia knowingly nodded as she glanced from Shining back to me. She calmly smiled, as if she approved of me being there with them, “It is a pleasure, young Prophet.”

“Hehe...” I grin nervously, immediately noticing that we had yet to tell her my name. She apparently knew who I was all along, but I let it slip by. I hurriedly bowed in respect, hoping not to offend, “Likewise, Princess.”

Motioning for a nearby mare in a black apron that was loosely tied around her midsection, Celestia softly nodded to her, “Please set another spot for our guest.”

“Yes your highness!” The mare confirmed before rushing to the kitchen, most likely for another plate and silverware.

“This way.” Shining whispered to me.

I instantly obeyed, following the white stallion. I was about to sit down two seats away from Cadence, but was soon guided over to the next. I glanced over to Shining curiously, but it suddenly hit me, 'The factions... he's prepping me like a faction leader would. He wants me to get closer to Cadence to build trust, isn't he?'

Deciding not to be rude, I just nervously nod and take my seat. My eyes slowly glance over to Cadence, but quickly dart my eyes away, only getting a glimpse of her. Then my curiosity took over and I hesitantly stole another look. The pink princess currently had her face in her hoof, and her elbow on the table. I couldn't help but think, 'I-is she bored? You would think she'd be happier her fiance was here...'

I barely even noticed the mare from earlier return with that plate and a set of silverware wrapped in a napkin. The mare hastily set the spot in front of Shining since I was currently sitting in his usual spot. Then I quickly gazed over as Shining broke the brief silence, “So hun, I was thinking that Prophet could be our private guard, what do you think about that?”

This seemed to snap Cadence out of her boredom, and her brows turned down in frustration, “And what makes you think we need a guard? I'm an Alicorn princess and you are the head of the Royal Guard. Not to mention, what makes him so special? He doesn't seem all that powerful, just look at his size!”

For a moment I felt a pit fall to my stomach, letting my eyes fall to the empty plate on the table before me. Shining's face turned to shock, astonished that his lovely mare had suddenly snapped. Looking up, I saw Cadence's eyes shift from her fiance, over to the other princesses, and her expression softened and a rosy blush filled her cheeks, “Sorry, I just... don't want to trust somepony that doesn't have a history. Drill Sergeant was said to be the last of the Legacy family, wasn't he?”

A laugh filled the air and Shining threw his hooves up, “Oh I know, but you should have seen Prophet, just now! I was on my way to the Royal Guard bar, like I usually do to check on the stallions, and there I find Prophet taking on Randelhoof, single hoofed!”

“Impressive!” Celestia stated, the slight shock and impressed expression apparent, “Randelhoof is a mighty opponent. Surely held his own against, Nightmaremo--” Celestia blankly blinked, her gaze darting over to her sister. Luna hadn't seemed to notice, but Celestia's cheeks turned slightly red before clearing her throat, fumbling to change the subject, “H-how did you ever manage to beat him, Prophet?”

For the moment I wanted nothing more than to melt into my chair, and disappear from sight. My heart rate felt shallow, and I seemed to hover over my own body, “I uh... To be fair, I knew he took cranial damage in the fight with Nightmaremoon. There was a spell that was placed to help it heal, and it remained to prevent future problems. I merely dispelled it to make his body think it was bashed in once more. It really wasn't anything, and to be honest, if I was up against a true opponent, and a sober one, it may have been another story.”

When I was met with silence, I managed to look up between everypony to notice the shock on their faces. Luna was the first to collect herself, and her face shown clear confusion as she asked, “But you are a Pegasi, how is it you could dispel a unicorn spell?”

Lowering my nose, I kept my eyes on Luna. To be honest, I had yet to tell anypony about my training with Zacora, and it was no wonder why even Celestia had not heard. Zebras came from a far away land, and used elements from the land to do the jobs unicorns and pegasi normally done. All I had done, was learn their ways, “I uh... you see... all ponies have magic, it is just because the Unicorns horn that they can focus it into a malleable form. A mare named Zacora showed me how to focus my Pegasi magic, not through pushing clouds around, but through my hooves.”

“Zacora?” Celestia murmered, tapping her forehoof to her mouth, trying to recollect where she had heard that name.

“Remember dear sister? Zacora is a zebra that lives in the Everfree forest. She is friends with Twilight and the other Elements of Harmony.” Luna grinned, feeling a small bit of accomplishment at her knowledge, that apparently slipped her sisters mind.

“Hmm...” Celestia nodded, the information being confirmed in her own mind, “But how do you know of Zecora, lulu?”

Luna's nose pointed downward for a moment, and I could swear there was a faint reddened hue on the princesses cheeks. It was wondrous to see one of my dear goddesses in such an adorably vulnerable state. Luna glanced back to her sister, but was hesitant to keep eye contact, “When I visited Ponyville on nightmare night, Zacora was telling the little ones of the tale of Nightmaremoon.”

“Yeah, I saw how you turned the toy spiders into real ones. For a moment I thought I would have to face you to stop the spiders, but after a moment it was apparent that you were only desperate for ponies to like you.” The room became silent, and my mind blanked at my open admittance.

The red on Luna's cheeks intensified as her nose pointed down to her plate, but her eyes remained on me, “You... you saw that, huh?”

It was my turn to blush, but I managed to nod as an answer, “It's okay though, everypony liked you in the end, didn't they?”

“Y-yes... yes they did...” Luna let her gaze drop to her plate once more, but this time a small contented grin adorned her face, “Thanks to Twilight Sparkle.”

Suddenly I heard a sigh to my right, and as I glance over, Cadence grunted, “Where are the cooks with our food?! They seem to be taking longer than usual!”

Just as she spoke, the doors swung open and out came several ponies dressed in white with platters of food. Most of the ponies were unicorns and many of the platters hoovered in the air. My mouth began to drool as the delectables filled the air with their warm aroma. It was foods from possibly every corner of creation, all the way from fish from the griffons, to the very own home grown apple recipes from Sweet Apple Acres. By the time all the food was placed, Cadence didn't waste any time chowing down, her face riddled with filth of her food. To me, it just seemed a little discerning for a Princess to lack in the manner department.

Then I feel a slight nudge in my side, followed by Shining whispering in my ear, “Don't mind her, she's probably just starved from planning the wedding all day.”

I nodded, keeping my mouth closed to be polite, but I couldn't help to glance once more back to Cadence to think, 'something seems off with her...'

For what the rest didn't know, I could see auras, and with me being... well... me, I knew all three of the Princesses auras. This Cadence's aura was dark, cold, and black. I decided to let it slid for the moment as a spoonful of potatoes were splashed onto my plate, aided by Shining's magic.

“Thank you...” I muttered, but kept a close watch on Cadence through the corner of my eye.