The moon brightened the room as a Royal Guard got out of bed. He trotted over to gaze at the moon, admiring the work that Luna had put into it. This was his past time since there was nothing to do.
“Longsword! It’s your shift!” A voice yelled as a knocking could be heard, making the guard Longsword turn to the door and open it up. He was greeted by a glare of another guard, who seemed to be very irate at the time.
“Right, sorry.” Longsword said as he donned his helmet using his horn. Longsword was born a unicorn and was raised for military greatness, yet it was gone to waste. The helmet used to be so heavy when he was first recruited however, it was as if putting a simple hat on.
“Don’t apologize soldier! Get to your post!” The guard ordered as he disappeared into the hall.
It was always so hard to catch a break, it wasn’t as if Longsword did anything to be honest. The Guards one single job was stand and make sure to fool everypony into thinking that you were protecting and serving. The only serving you’d be having would be your next lunch.
Longsword closed the door as he got his spear, gripping it with his left hoof. He got to his solitary post as he stood, looking like a statue. It was his job to just stand there. Frankly, it was boring as watching paint dry, this wasn’t what Longsword had in mind of serving his princesses.
He sighed before hours passed when he was off his shift. After that, the guards changed posts and for our Longsword, he’d be in bed. A dream kept haunting him, a one full of fire and warfare, him at the head of it. He woke up to find him panting as it was cut short from his psyche not handling it.
Longsword continued to dream of his childhood where he grew up in the cold city of Stalliongrad. He learned the comradeship and the nationalism his father once preached. The city was open to individualistic ideas and the best soldiers came from Stalliongrad. It wasn’t a perfect life, but Longsword was grateful for having a home. He remembered when his little sister would always steal his blanket because of the cold. He used to scold her before but now, he thanks her due to him being immune to freezing to death.
He remembered when his mother taught him about rationalizing food because they had little of it. Longsword would always share it with his little sister, he’d rather starve than watch her suffer, fasting for her next meal. Longsword grew up in a rotten place, but he made the best out of it and to see that this was the life of a Royal Guard, frustrated him inside. A pony that barely lived from the hardships saw that the dream he had dreamt was nothing but an illusion. Longsword opened his eyes as he looked at the time. He rolled over and put a pillow on his head as the light was beginning to interfere with memory lane.
Later on that day, a meeting was held as a couple of higher up Royal Guards were discussing a “battle plan” or just practically social hour. Longsword began to yearn for something to do other than just being useless. He wanted to do something for his country not just to be a fake guard doing a shallow job of standing.
He left for his room and sat in his bed, thinking and wondering. What was his best option and how it’d be carried out would be very important. Finally, it clicked, the brain became a machine as it produced the product of what Longsword wanted. He wanted to serve his country and not only himself, but the ponies who’d fight and die for their country. The nationalism was key to Longsword and it shall be a factor to the Royal Guard’s rise to greatness.
Longsword went to the war room, which while seeming new was an unused war room. There was no war in Equestria, the elements are the proof however, and there are always envious enemies all around Equestria. Longsword needed ponies and surely, he wasn’t the only one. Unfortunately, he needed approval by the princesses to advertise such mustering of troops. Longsword thought of asking the Princess of the Sun, but hesitated. He could already see the rhetorical answer that Celestia would give. The denial of the Sun made him turn to the potential Luna.
Longsword pondered Luna, while Celestia would say no, maybe Luna would say yes? It was worth a shot but not now, he’d have to wait. He had planning to do and he’d have to visit Luna sometime in the week. Maybe then he'd ask Luna about his dreams before. But priorities came first, Longsword would have to persuade the Princess of the Night to accept.
The Royal Guard returned to his room and looked out to see the moon once again, shining brightly. He hoped that Luna would accept and he’d muster troops. While Longsword may not have been doing anything, he was high enough rank that he’d be able to lead ponies but have little say in anything. His position was ideal for starting a mustering of troops. He needed ponies and he’d lead them to a better life than the one they were currently living in.
“It’s always been the elements of harmony being the ones to save us. I think it’s time for us to return the favor. I, Longsword of Stalliongrad, shall be the pony to strive for the success of the Royal Guard. Even if it kills me, I’d rather take death than never being able to say I served my country.” He thought in his head as he rested his head on the bed. Longsword didn’t dream of the same thing he’d dream last time. Instead, it was replaced with him leading a grand army of Royal Guard ponies, who were battle hardened. The mere sight gave pleasure to Longsword as he saw a glimpse the end result. He was glad, Equestria need a military.
Then, he could say that the Guards served the Princesses. He could say that the Royal Guards heroically held off invaders into Canterlot. He could say that there was a time where there was no more standing around idly. Longsword could say that he demonstrated how much Equestria needed a military. Longsword making a key for the locked door of greatness, he simply needed more time.
