Ch. 1: Change in Security
"Captain? Wake up, sir. Captain Blazing Shield?!"
Blaze woke from his nap, aggrivated at the pestering voice. "Kid, why must you always be the one who wakes me from my rest?"
Storm Breaker stood, perfectly, at attention. You could still tell that it hadn't been long since he had joined the ranks of the Royal Guard. Blaze knew he shouldn't really be giving the kid a hard time. After all, the kid did a really good job at whatever you asked him to do. Scored top of his graduating class. When Storm arrived at the Crystal Palace, Blaze was given the task of being his mentor. With Blaze's teachings, the kid quickly adapted to being his apprentice
"Sorry sir. Prince Shining Armor has requested your presence as soon as possible. Princess Cadence will also be attending, sir. I don't know what it's for." Storm Breaker saluted Blazing Shield, who only laughed at the formality.
"Relax, kid. We've been working together too long. You know you don't have to do that for me when it's just the two of us," Blaze chuckled. The kid really did try hard at everything he did. "So, both the Prince and the Princess want to talk with me. I wonder what this could be about. Come on, kid. Let's not keep them waiting," Blaze said as he lifted himself off the ground.
Blazing Shield's build was smaller than most of the Royal Guard. Not by much, but still a noticable height difference. Even Storm Breaker stood taller that Blaze. But, in the twelve years that he had been a guard, everypony knew not to let his size fool them. When Blaze had still been a guard at Canterlot Castle, a Hydra had been sighted heading towards Ponyville. Princess Celestia instantly sent a squad of guards to stop it from reaching the town, Blaze being one of the chosen. In the heat of battle, Blaze had flown high up into the sky before diving straight towards the Hydra below. With his massive Claymore, Blaze sliced straight through the Hydra's body, splitting it in half.Whenever other guards saw that massive blade, they knew the stallion it belonged to.
Storm, following close behind Blaze, felt eyes follow them as they walked down the hall. "Sir, it feels like we are being watched."
"We are, kid. Something tells me that whatever this meeting is about has earned us some unwanted attention. We're here. Now would be a good time to use formalities, kid." Blaze looked at the two guards who protected the door to the throne room. Both saluted before opening the large doors and letting the two walk in.
Two rows of Canterlot guards made a path leading to the thrones where Cadence and Shining Armor sat with smiles on their faces. Blaze and Storm made their way between the two rows of guards. "To what great honor is it that you request us here, your highnesses?" Blaze asked as he bowed, Storm doing the same.
Both Cadence and Shining Armor chuckled. "There's no need to bow before us, teacher." Shining Armor replied, walking to his former mentor.
When Shining Armor had first joined the Royal Guard, Blazing Shield had been the sergeant in charge of his platoon. Looking back, Blaze wasn't surprised how Shining had become captain of the Royal Guard. Shining Armor far succeeded Blaze's expectations during training, exercising and studying every day and night, taking care of all his commrades, even graduating at the top of his class. It brought a smile to Blaze's face seeing his former student now lead the entire guard as Prince of the Crystal Empire.
"It's good to see you again, Shining. You've gone far since the time you were my student," Blaze playfully punched Shining in the shoulder. "But always remember who trained you."
Shining Armor chuckled at his teacher's gesture, returning the punch. "You'll always be my teacher. I see the years haven't changed you one bit."
"Just a few scars here and there, nothing major," Blaze chuckled, looking to Princess Cadence as she walked towards them. "You sure know how to pick them, Princess. If he ever gives you problems, let me know and I'll be sure to give him a swift kick in the rear."
Cadence laughed at the thought. "I'll keep that in mind. Guess that means you should behave, Shining," Cadenced giggled.
"Be careful, Storm Breaker. Blaze can be a bit on the crazy side at times," Shining joked, pointing and Storm's mentor.
Storm began to stand at attention before Blaze placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Relax, kid. You're practically family, so you can just talk."
Storm took in a deep breath, releasing all the stress as he exhaled. "I'll keep the advice in mind, your highness."
Shining smiled at Storm, "Please, since we both trained under this stallion, you can refer to me as Shining".
Cadence also smiled at Storm, "And you may call me Cadence. Blazing Shield has always been like family to us. So it would only feel right to address you as family as well".
Storm's heart felt very light, taking in the heavy words. He would never have thought this would ever happen. Storm felt his legs start to shake under his weight
"Don't pass out on me, kid. I know it's a lot for you to take in, but it'll be okay," Blaze said, regaining his composure for the question at hand. "So, what was it you needed us for?"
Shining Armor cleared his throat, "As you know, we have recently crowned a new princess".
Blaze thought back, "Ah, Princess Twilight Sparkle. If I remember correctly, she's your sister and she was also foalsat, as a child, by Cadence".
Shining chuckled at his friends knowledge. "I can see you've gathered your information quite well. Yes, this is all true. Though she is a princess, my sister refuses to have her own group of guards with her in Ponyville. But, we have gotten her to agree to having two guards."
"And that would be us?" Blaze looked questionably at his former stuent. "Something's happened that's got the two of you worried. Am I wrong?"
"You are not wrong," Cadence stepped forward. "But it's not just us. Princesses Luna and Celestia also believe the security is needed. Not only for Twilight, but for the other Elements as well."
"I won't question the worry the both of you have for your family, but I must ask two questions. Why us and who is it we are protecting her from?" Blaze wanted to know what it was they were facing before jumping blindly into this mission.
"That's the problem, we don't know what force we are facing. For the past few nights, Luna has seen horrible visions from an evil entity. From what she's seen, this force plans to kill Twilight and steal her magic," Cadence shuddered at the thought.
Blaze understood why they would be so worried. When Princess Luna has visions, they're usually always right. "Okay, I understand why you would request guards to watch over Twilight. But, the question still stands. Why us?"
"Celestia requested it be you two. The combat record you two hold is quite impressive. And the Princesses still remember you from when you were stationed in Canterlot," Shining Armor nodded towards two nearby guards who stepped forward, wielding both Storm's and Blaze's equipment. The armor was different though?
"What happened to our original set of armor?" Storm questioned.
"The two of you will no longer wear Crystal Empire armor. To better improve your performance, we have specially modified the Equestrian Guard armor with a lighter metal that is both tougher and more flexible," Shining levatated the two sets of armor to their new owners.
They both slid the new armor on, testing how it felt. "Wow! It feels weightless!" Storm said excitedly, jumping around.
"Yes, it does. And my wings don't feel restricted anymore," Blaze explained, waving his wings happily.
Both Shining Armor and Cadence smiled. "We're glad you like them," Shining levitated their weapons in front of them.
Blaze threw his claymore on his back, feeling only the weight of the claymore.
Storm hooked his sword to his armor, brushing the dust off it's golden guard.
Blaze looked back to Shining and Cadence, "When do we head for Ponyville?"
"My sister should be here any second now," Shining Armor explained, hearing the doors open. "Ah there she is."
Before Blaze knew it, a purple haired mare had darted past him and had tackled Shining Armor in a barrage of laughter.
Storm looked puzzled. "So this is the new Princess?"
Blaze gave a little chuckle, "It would seem so. Storm, meet your new princess: Princess Twilight Sparkle."
Shining Armor laughed exuberantly as Twilight locked him in a warm embrace. "It's nice to see you too, Twily. Still as energetic as always."
Twilight relased Shining with a big smile, tail swishing back and forth in excitement. "Well, I missed seeing both you and Cadence. And you haven't sent me a letter in, at least, three weeks. I know you can't be too busy to write, at least, one letter to your sister every now and then."
Shining gave a soft chuckle, knowing his sister would press this issue until she got an answer. "Before I tell you about what's been going on, why don't you and Cadence go have a walk through the garden. I'll be there once I finish some things."
Twilight narrowed her eyes, thinking of what her brother was up to. "Alright... But, I will get answers before this day is over." Twilight ran over to Cadence, wrapping her in a warm hug.
Twilight and Cadence performed their special hoofshake before bursting into laughter as they made their way out of the room. Once the doors closed, Shining Armor took a deep breath as a look of worry washed over his face. "Blaze, Storm.... I need to you watch over my sister and make sure noting happens to her. It was a big risk just bringing her here. Can I trust the both of you?"
Blaze gave Shining a reassuring look of confidence. "You have my word that we will do whatever it takes to protect the new Princess."
With that being said, Shining Armor felt a ton of stress lift off of his shoulders. "Thank you. Come, let's not keep them waiting. Last thing I need is Twilight thinking I'm trying to avoid her."
********************************************
Bright and vibrant colors decorated the gardens perimeter. Around the center of the garden, a large fountain spouted pure, clear water. As Celestia's beautiful sun cast it's rays upon the water, birds of many shapes and sizes crowded around so as to share the fountain's calming water.
"Twilight, I don't mean to pry on such a horrible topic,but, are you sure you don't want better security? Maybe a safer place to stay until we can resolve the issue?" Cadence asked, resting a hoof oh Twilight's shoulder. Twilight smiled as she shook her head. "It's best that I don't, Cadence," Twilight ran her hoof through the fountain's cool water. Looking up, Twilight saw the symbol of the Royal Sisters, a crescent moon bordering a blazing sun. "You can't deny that, after the threat was noticed, you don't see Luna or Celestia out as much, if at all. The amount of security required at all times has near tripled since then. But, the only way I got my brother to agree to letting me have only two guards was by using simple tactical knowledge. Increase my amount of security and the chances of an inside job can increase along with it. Move me to a secure location, makes it easier for a trap to be set if the location is known by too many. That only leave the best option to be a false-innocence trap, go about life treating the threat as immature babble, lure the threat into a false sense of insecurity, then strike when it makes a mistake."
Cadence looked in awe as Twilight explained the situation. "You are your brother's sister. Did you perhaps read your brothers old military field manuals?" Twilight gave a slight chuckle. "I might have read them once or twice," The two mare's giggled merrily as they walked along the path back to the castle atrium.
A flash of light erupted from some nearby brush, turning into ash as a large blast of fire raged towards Twilight and Cadence. Cadence stood ready to deflect the spell before Twilight tackled her to the ground, ducking beneath the blasts reach as it incinerated the surrounding foliage. "Twilight, are you crazy!? I could have deflected that spell with ease!" Cadence shouted as Twilight stood ready for another attack. "Cadence, that was high level magic used to burn through defenses during the war against the Griffins. No spell lower than a grade five absorbing spell would have even wavered it's destructive power."
With a blast of energy, Twilight sent a typhoon of wind crashing against the brush, shredding every bit of foliage to pieces. A shaded mass bolted at Twilight, impacting with devastating force. Twilight skid against the ground, hitting the crystal wall with a loud *thud*.
Twilight quickly launched towards the sky hoping to get more distance between her and her attacker. A flash of magic erupted above her as her attack dived down towards her. They can fly too?! Twilight braced for impact before feeling the ground beneath her as Cadence teleported her to safety.
Chunks of dirt and crystal shot into the air as the attacker made a hard impact with the ground. "Twilight Sparkle, it's not fun when you cheat," maniacal laughter emerged from the crater as a stallion with a short, dark red mane emerged from its depths. Thin, cracked glasses perched on his nose, bobbing with each laugh. His fur seemed to be just a shade lighter than his mane and thinned into white where scars could be seen.
Those aren't scars from fighting..., Twilight thought. No, they're too precise and straight. Almost like... surgical cuts? Twilight opened her mouth to speak before glass shattered above them and Blazing Shield landed between them, wielding the large claymore in his mouth. "Princess Cadence, Princess Twilight, are the two of you alright?" Blazing shield said, talking out the side of his mouth. "We're fine. But this maniac attacked us out of nowhere!" Cadence pointed her hoof at their attacker.
"You know, for an assassin, you make a lot of noise." Blaze mocked, crouching down and spreading his wings. "Well, I never liked to hide in the crowd. I like to be the center of the party." The attacker declared, chuckling with the same dark laughter. Blaze cracked a smile. "Then let's party!" Blaze thrusted his wings back, throwing himself forward with devastating momentum. Shocked at the sheer speed, the attacker ducked just in time as the blade cut his mane on impact. Turning to face Blaze, the attacker only saw a cloud of dust. He looked up just as his ears popped under the air pressure of Blaze diving towards him.
Blaze opened his wings as reached just a few feet above the attacker. The air grew still and silent before the attackers ear drums ruptured and a blade-like shockwave hit him dead on. The laughter stopped, and it wasn't heard again.
The spot where the assassin had been standing was empty now, except for the small chunks of meat and the large pool of blood. Twilight stared at the scene in grotesque horror. "You didn't even hit him..." Twilight said in confusion.
"Just because you didn't see me hit him," Blaze slashed his claymore to the side, blood sliding off with ease, "doesn't mean I didn't."
