The Soldier And The Princess Of The Night

Chapter 3

Sentinel waited for Spike and Shadow Knight to be out of the room before he used his magic to close the doors. 'I'm going to have to find a way to make it up to the little guy for upsetting him so much' Sentinel thought to himself. He sighed heavily and turned to face the group before him. "The princesses have been attacked."

   Everyone in the room was dead silent with looks shock and horror on their faces. Sentinel took a moment to calm his nerves before he continued with the painful memory. He took a deep breath and sighed heavily before he continued "*sigh*... Earlier this morning, just before noon, I heard one of the guards yelling that the princesses have been attacked and that princess Luna was missing. Upon hearing this I ran as fast as I could to the princesses bedrooms and I saw that princess Luna’s bedroom doors were open and a bunch of doctors were rushing in there..."

   Sentinel was cut off by Princess Twilight. "Where is Celestia is she okay!? Can we see her!? Who attacked them and took Luna!?" Twilight asked in rapid secession and deep concern for her fellow princesses and her former mentor.

"Celestia is in the hospital right now and probably still in surgery." Sentinel said.

"Take us there, you can explain everything later." Twilight said as she turned her head to the kitchen. “Spike, Shadow Knight, come out here please!” She called out.

Spike and Shadow emerged from the kitchen. “What is it Twilight?” Spike asked.

“We need you two to come with us, we’re going to the hospital to see Celestia. Since we don’t have any pony to watch you while we’re gone, you’re coming with us.” Twilight informed.

“Is aunt Celestia ok?” Shadow Knight asked.

“Were going to find out. Come on.” Twilight informed. She then took the lead and headed out to the hospital.

Upon arriving, the Tygert hospital was in chaos. Doctors and nurses were running all over the place trying get to get supplies and medication for Celestia and Discord.

Sentinel stopped one of the doctors that was rushing around. "What's going on, is there anything you can tell us yet?" Sentinel asked.

   The doctor shook his head. "I’m sorry but no, they're both still in surgery. Go sit in the waiting room and we will have someone come get you as soon as either of them are out of surgery."

   When they got to the waiting room, Shining Armor spoke up. "Okay Sentinel now that were settled in, can you please continue and explain to us what happened?"

   Sentinel nodded. "Ok, as I said before, earlier this morning just before noon, I heard one of the guards yelling that the princesses have been attacked and that princess Luna was missing. Upon hearing this I ran as fast as I could to the princesses bedrooms and I saw that princess Luna's bedroom doors were open and a bunch of doctors were rushing in there. When I entered, I saw Celestia on the floor unconscious and she looked like she was badly beaten. Her guards were torn to pieces, and there was blood and broken furniture all over the place. When I asked what happened, Discord said that dragons were the ones responsible. When I turned to look at him, he was badly beaten and covered in his own blood, he did everything in his power to try and save the princesses, but the dragons overpowered him. They told Discord to relay a message .They said if we don't want them to kill Luna, then things need to go back to the way they were before the Dragon pony wars and before the treaty was signed." Sentinel turned away beginning to feel the rage build up inside him. He leaned a forhoof Against the wall he was standing near "I should've been there, I could've done something!" Sentinel yelled angrily as he breathed heavily through his nose.

   Cadence approached sentinel an placed a comforting hoof on his shoulder. "Sentinel, there was no way you could've possibly known that this was going to happen, please don't blame yourself." She said soothingly in hopes to calm him down.

   Sentinel glanced at her, then faced forward again. "Luna invited me to have breakfast with her but I told her that I had paperwork I needed to catch up on..." Sentinels main and tail began to turn into fire and his fur began to look like it was charred and flakes of it were drifting off from the heat of the fire. His eyes turned Crimson red. Cadence removed her hoof and backed away from Sentinel "…and now because of me, who knows what those dragons are doing to hurt her right now! Because of me it is possible that we will lose her forever!" Sentinel yelled with so much rage and intensity in his voice, it caused everyone in the room to take a step back. Sentinel slammed his hoof against the wall he was leaning on and punched a hole in it.

   Sentinel snapped out of it when he felt a hoof on his shoulder again, he turned to see Princess Cadence standing there again with a look of concern. Out of everyone in the room, she had known him the longest for she used to date his youngest brother before he died in the war. "Sentinel, you need to keep calm and be strong for Luna right now." Princess Cadence said as sentinel began to turn back to his normal self. With her being the princess of love she could tell how strong his feelings were for Princess Luna.

   Sentinel let out a heavy sorrowful sigh "*sigh* You're right…. thank you Cadence I needed that." Sentinel said as he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He looked to her with a smile. Cadence smiled back, glad to see him calm again. Sentinel turned to face the others. "Twilight, were you ever told about the secret guard?"

   Twilight shook her head "No, who are they?"

   "Here, let me introduce you." Sentinel said before he turned to the stallions that were in the room. "MEN, TEN HUT!" Sentinel commanded. All the stallions in the room then lined up in front of Twilight. "I WANT YOUR NAME RANK AND SPECIALTY/DUTIES ON THIS TEAM!" Sentinel commanded before taking his place in the line and standing at attention. One by one they each stepped forward saluted and proceeded to tell Twilight their names, ranks, and duties, then stepped back in line at attention from lowest to highest.

   "FLASH SENTRY, LIEUTENANT COLONEL, EYE IN THE SKY!"

   "BIG MACINTOSH, COLONEL,  DEMOLITIONS!"

   "THUNDERLANE, ONE STAR BRIGADIER GENERAL, SCOUT, SNIPER!"

   "SILVER SPARK, ONE STAR BRIGADIER GENERAL, TACTICAL SPECIALIST!"

   "NIGHT WING, TWO STAR MAJOR GENERAL, CLOSE QUARTERS HOOF TO HOOF SPECIALIST!"

   “SOARIN, THREE STAR LIEUTENANT GENERAL, MID RANGE COMBAT SPECIALIST!"

   "PRINCE SHINING ARMOR, FOUR STAR GENERAL, OFFENSES MAGIC SPECIALIST!"

   "NIGHTSHADE, FOUR STAR GENERAL, SECOND IN COMMAND!"

   “SENTINEL, FIVE-STAR GENERAL, TEAM LEADER!"

   Then they all spoke in unison "WE ARE  THE SECRET GUARD! TOGETHER WE FORM THE DEATH SQUAD. WE GLADLY WILL LAY DOWN OUR LIVES SO OTHERS MAY LIVE! WE WILL NEVER LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE ON THE BATTLEFIELD! WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, WE DO NOT! WE ARE THE ELITE OF THAT ELITE, THE ALPHAS OF THE ALPHAS! WITH THIS, WE PLEDGE OUR LIVES, OUR STRENGTHS, AND OUR WILL AS SOLDIERS TO THE GOOD WILL OF EQUESTRIA!"

Twilight stared in shock for a moment. Spike and Shadow Knight looked on in silence. Twilight finally found her voice. “Wait, secret guard? Nightshade, you’re a part of some secret guard? Why didn’t you tell me about this!” She exclaimed.

Nightshade stepped out of line and up to Twilight. “Twilight, please try to understand, I couldn’t tell you.”

She glared at him. “Couldn’t tell me? COULDN’T TELL ME!? I’m your WIFE for Celestia’s sake! How could you not tell me you were part of some secret guard that could put you in danger!?” She closed in on him.

“It was for your own protection Twilight, yours and our family.” Nightshade stated raising his voice a little.

Twilight turned to Cadence. “Did you know about this Cadence, did you know Shining Armor was a part of this guard too?”

Cadence looked at Twilight with worry as Shining took her side. “I did Twilight, but I was…..”

Twilight cut her off. “How come you knew about Shining being in this guard but I didn’t know about my brother or my husband being in this?!”

Shining tried to speak with her. “Twilight, calm down. It was for your own good. Cadence knew because she was a princess at the time.”

Nightshade spoke to get Twilight’s attention. “Twilight, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I wanted to, believe me, but I was under orders not to say anything. Only those involved in the secret guard and princesses had a right to know. If any pony knew about me being in this guard, they could use you, Spike, or even Shadow Knight, against me for revenge. You understand, don’t you? I kept this a secret for yours, Spike’s, and Shadow’s protection. Please forgive me.”

Twilight’s look softened. She looked to the side in thought. “I…..I need some time to think about this.” Was all she said.

Nightshade sighed. “*Sigh*….I understand. And again, I am sorry for not telling you.”

After Twilight and Nightshade were done with their argument, Sentinel spoke up "Princess Twilight, Princess Cadence, I will assign guards to both of you as well as Shadow Knight and Spike for your own protection. We have no idea what these dragons have in store and it is best that we all be on our best guard. The other reason I brought you here is because with Celestia hurt and Luna being held captive by the dragons, there is no one else to raise the sun and moon, my power is strong enough to handle one of them but not both, so I will take care of raising the moon and it will take both of you to raise the sun. I will teach you the spell it takes to raise the sun. It will only be temporary until Celestia is strong enough to take over. We must do this to prevent panic and alarm to ripple throughout Equestria. Speaking of that, it's about time to raise the moon. You two come with me and I will show you the spell that is required to raise the sun and moon. Nightshade, I want you to take the guys to the briefing room over by the intelligence department and tell them that I will be there shortly, I want them to have all the information they have gathered so far."

“Yes sir.” Nightshade went up to Spike and Shadow Knight. “Shadow Knight, you need to stick with mom for now. I’ll see you again soon. You be good now ok?”

Shadow Knight looked up at his dad. “Dad, are you and mommy angry with each other?” He asked sadly.

Nightshade gave a comforting smile to his son. “Don’t worry son, we just had a little argument. It happens sometimes, you don’t need to worry.”

Shadow Knight smiled back. “Ok dad.”

Nightshade then turned to Spike. “Spike, I’m counting on you to look after your big sis and little nephew.”

Spike gave a salute. “Yes sir.”

Shining hugged Cadence. “I’ll see you soon Cadence. You take care now.”

Cadence hugged back. “I’ll be fine. You watch out for yourself and be careful.”

The two shared a kiss. “See you soon.” Shining said to Cadence.

Nightshade then turned to lead the team to the briefing room and wait for sentinel to get there. Then Sentinel, Twilight, and Cadence all went to one of the castles balconies so Sentinel could raise the moon and show the princesses the spell that is required. When they got to the balcony Sentinel turned to Twilight and Cadence. "First, I am going to show you how to perform the spell, then I will use my magic to transfer my knowledge of the spell to you so that way, you two will be able to raise the sun in the morning." Sentinel said, then he lit up his horn, spread his wings, took to the skies and rose with the moon. Once the moon was started on its path for the night, sentinel landed back down on the balcony and turned back to the princesses. "Are you ready?" He asked. They both nodded.

   "Yes Sentinel, were ready." Princess Cadence said.

   Sentinel then lit up his horn and touched it to the foreheads of each princess to transfer his knowledge of this spell required to raise the moon and sun. After a couple minutes, he finished and the princesses now had the knowledge necessary to bring forth the sun.

   “I’d better get Spike and Shadow Knight ready for bed.” Twilight said. “Come along you two, it’s bed time.” She said as she ushered them forth and made her way out the room.

“I’ll come with you Twilight and help you get them in bed.” Cadence offered.

Twilight smiled at Cadence. “Thank you Cadence.”

   "I will send two guards to watch them. Then send some to the hospital to watch you and Cadence as well. I assume that's where you two will be?" Sentinel asked after them.

   "Yes, we will be in the waiting room waiting to hear any news about Celestia, and if we hear anything, we will send word to you." Cadence said with a warm smile.

   Sentinel bowed before he turned to go talk to the captain of the guards to get guards assigned to the princesses, Shadow Knight and Spike. He found the captain in the castle courtyard ordering guards to their stations as he arrived. "Captain." Sentinel said as he approached.

   The captain turned around to the sound of sentinels voice. "General!" The pony said as he saluted Sentinel.

   "At ease." Sentinel said dismissing the captain from his salute. "I want the best guards that you can spare to be assigned to guard the Princesses and also Princess Twilight’s little brother Spike and her son Prince Shadow Knight. The Princesses will be in the hospital waiting room once they put Twilight’s son and Spike to bed"

   "Yes sir." The captain said as he saluted Sentinel again. The captain then turned to a group of guards that were standing near them. “I want you guys to go guard the princesses and prince Shadow Knight and Wait until your permanent replacements arrive. After that, I want you all to report back here for more orders." They all saluted and turned to go inside the castle.

   Sentinel turned to go inside the castle but stopped when he heard the captain speak up. "Um..Sir, can I ask you a favor?"

   Sentinel turned around with a raised eyebrow. "Yes Captain?" Sentinel asked, now looking at the captain who had a solemn look on his face.

   "I assume that you will probably be leading the team that will go rescue Princess Luna, am I correct? Can you make sure the dragons that killed those guards are torn apart like the guards were?" The captain asked with a stern but sad look in his eyes.

   "Why do you ask for such a request?" Sentinel asked in a curious but stern tone.

   "Because one of the guards was my twin brother. He was supposed to get married next week and I was going to be his best stallion. Now, I don't know what I'm going to tell our parents or his fiancé, and she's pregnant." The captain said with his head lowered and his ears open but back.

   Sentinel just looked at the captain as he remembered the pain he went through when his brothers died. Sentinel then walked up to him and placed hoof on the captain’s shoulder. "If it helps, I would like to be there with you when the news is given to your parents and your brother’s fiancé. I know how it feels to lose a brother, in my case, two of them, to dragons. You were just lucky you weren't there to see any of it happen or see anything far worse."

   The captain looked up at Sentinel and gave him a sad smile "Thank you General Sentinel, I would really appreciate that."

   "Are you going to be okay or do you want me to find someone to relieve you so you can go be with your family right now?" Sentinel asked.

   "No, I'm fine, being here will actually help keep me calm." The captain said.

   "Good, because we could really use your help right now, but especially with what all has happened. Now I have to get to the intelligence department and see what they have found out so I can get to work on trying to saving Princess Luna." Sentinel said as he gave the captain a salute. The captain returned the salute and Sentinel turned around to head back into the castle toward the intelligence department where his team was waiting for him to discuss what they were going to do.