In the Royal Guard

Chapters

Chapter 2 - The Life
Chapter 3 - The Chase
Chapter 4 - End of the day
Chapter 6 - Battle of Canterlot part 2
Chapter 7 - Battle of Canterlot Part 3
Chapter 8 - Battle of Canterlot Pt. 4
Chapter 9 - Battle of Canterlot Pt. 5
Chapter 10 - Battle of Canterlot Part 6
Chapter 11 - Battle of Canterlot Part 7
Chapter 12 - Battle of Canterlot Part 8 - Conclusion
Chapter 13 - You got a job
Chapter 14 - Special Delivery
Chapter 16 - Small Riot
Chapter 17 - Hot water
Chapter 18 - Clean out
Chapter 19 - Put the day to end
Chapter 20 - You aint off yet
Chapter 21 - Got her
Chapter 22 - Done for
Chapter 23 - Training
Chapter 24 - Unconventional
Chapter 25 - Revelations to Relations
Chapter 26 - Final Exam
Chapter 27 - The calm before
Chapter 28 - The storm
Chapter 29 - Unraveling
Chapter 30 - Turning
Chapter 31 - Taken
Chapter 32 - Got ya
Chapter 33 - Arming up
Chapter 34 - The Tide
Chapter 35 - Heating up
Chapter 36 - Strange Defeat
Chapter 37 - The Crescendo
Chapter 38 - The ending
Bonus chapter 1
Bonus chapter 2
Bonus chapter 3
Bonus chapter 4
Bonus chapter 5
Guarding a Fyre pt.1
Guarding a Fyre pt. 2
Lost Chapter 1
Lost Chapter 2
Chapter 1 - Report for Duty
Chapter 5 - Battle of Canterlot pt. 1
Chapter 15 - Trouble
What the?

Chapter 2 - The Life

"How was I supposed to know this is what we'd do all day?" asked Crescent

"Shut it! I'm not talking to you for the rest of the day!" hissed Charger

"I'm sorry man! I'll make it up to you!"

"I can't believe I listened to you! "Go to Canterlot!" you said! "It will be fun!" you said "It's a honor!" you said! Yeah! A Honorable pain in my rump! I can't even feel my legs!" groaned the Earth Pony

"Look sharp! Some ones coming!"

Walking down the hall was a dark grey Pegasus with red eyes that could pierce your very soul. Her armor didn't help much either, nor did her wings. Dark, purple, fear inducing: The Armor of a Luna Guard. Each step of her shoes sent cold shivers down the manes and spines of the two Guards standing at the doors. She stopped in front of them and glared at them. Her hair, brushed off to one side, made it appear as though one all seeing eye was starring them down like a hawk, ready to kill at the slightest sign of weakness. She took in a breath and screamed.

"Lieutenant!"

It was shrill, piercing, commanding, yet somehow retained the voice of a lady. Regardless the two new Guards were terrified upon hearing it and didn't move a muscle. A few moments had passed and the Luna Guard was clearly annoyed at how long whoever she called for was taking so long. One Guard passed by and gave a wide berth out of fear and respect. Even Pegasus pony flight that passed over raised their altitude around her. Crescent and Charger wondered who in there right mind would take so long to get to her. They looked at each other in fear praying to Celestia silently that she didn't turn her anger out on them, for whatever reason. Just then a crash was heard. the two glanced with their eyes to see a galloping Earth Pony Royal Guard running up scared for his life.

"Reporting f-f-for duty m'am!" he said nervously saluting

"Just who are these two?" she asked

"I, I, I don't know!" said the Lieutenant, "I've never seen them before!"

"Really? Who are you!" she shouted at them, "Names and ranks!"

"Gold Charger! Private!"

"Charming Crescent! Private!"

"Never heard of you! You have five seconds to explain your presence!"

"We volunteered to serve here-" tried Crescent

"No one "volunteers" to serve in Canterlot!" yelled the Pegasus

Charger and Crescent felt their chances dash. She continued to boil in anger until a voice stopped her.

"Regardless of your premonitions, they did volunteer!"

Walking up was Sergeant David looking bored as ever. While all others seemed to shudder at the Luna Pony's very
presence, he didn't seem to care.

"They actually volunteered to be sent here?"

"Yes. They reported to me as ordered, I set them up here because Lieutenant Spirit here is short on Guards in this sector."

"Why wasn't I informed?"

"You're being informed now." he said

She glared at him, but he didn't seem to be affected. She snorted and turned around, trailed by her terrified Lieutenant. She walked off down the hall, scarring the daylights out of one random Pony who was walking by.

"That there is Raven Shadow......... lovely name. Captain of the Luna Corps."

"Luna's branch of the Royal Guards." said Charger

"Yeah. Got it after Spectre stepped down. I swear, the names before the reintegration! Anyway, she's also got command of this section of Canterlot, something to do with the integration. She's strict, firm, loyal, and intimidating to all around her save the Princesses."

"How do you?" asked Crescent

"Heh heh heh. She can be scary as Discord at times, but what's she going to do to me? Were understaffed here as it is........ she needs me more than she needs my fear of her. So..... anyone get through while I was gone?"

"Uh, no sir." said Charger

"Good, keep it that way. Be back in two hours. I got someone to relieve you!"

He walked off, his faint laughing could be heard as he did, then all went silent save for the occasional Guard patrol. Crescent himself was starting to drift off to sleep when a small pink blob appeared out of the corner of his eye. He looked down to see a innocent looking pink Unicorn Filly standing before them.

"Hi there!" she said to him

"Uh, hello."

"Bye bye!" she said happily before skipping off into the room behind Crescent and Charger

A few moments passed before it hit Crescent.

"Charge, did you just see a little pink Filly walk into the room behind us?"

"Uh huh." said Charger

the two were inside the door before anyone could look.

Chapter 3 - The Chase

The two burst open the door and looked around frantically. The room was just another hall leading to another set of doors nearly a quarter of a mile down. Pillars held it up as the light danced of vibrant colors through the stained glass windows. There was no way the Filly that got in could have gotten far, and the two Guards began to look around.

"How'd she even get this far in!?" asked Crescent in near panic

"Who cares! Just find her!" yelled Charger

The two heard a stumble far off to their left. They both looked at each other and smiled.

"Come out little Filly!" said Charger

"We wont hurt you...." said Crescent

The two crept up where they heard the noise and saw a pillar holding up a vase. Charger motioned for Crescent to go left and they surrounded the pillar. Crescent nodded and they silently agreed to go on three.

"Three!" both yelled

The jumped around the pillar, Crescent wings out and ready to fly, Charger ready to buck anything.

"Stop right there-mouse....... you're a mouse." said Charger

"How the?" asked a confused Crescent

"Over heeeeere!" came a small Childs voice

The two looked behind them to see the small pink filly skipping around in a circle happily.

"Get her!" yelled Charger

He galloped down the Filly, but she easily jumped over him and pranced out the door. Charger himself crashed into the wall, and was forced to helped out by Crescent. Charger thanked him and as he stood up, both looked to each other in fear.

"She's getting away!" they yelled in unison

They burst through the doors only to hear the giggling little Filly going down the stairs. They gave chase, but the mysterious little pony seemed to always be one step ahead of them. They zoomed past Sergeant David who noticed as the wake ripped the paper from his hands and knocked his helmet off and onto the ground. He looked on amazed and confused at the sight until he realized what was going on. he chuckled to himself, bent over and repositioned his helmet and grabbed his paper.

"They always give chase." he laughed to himself, "Have fun you three!"

The two Guards gave chase, Charger living up to his namesake by galloping ahead of Crescent and bursting through a door and over a balcony. He screamed as he fell a few feet before Crescent managed to catch him with his hoof and lifted him back up and over the balcony.

"Thanks man!"

"No problem." said Crescent

He walked over and looked down to see a twelve story drop straight onto a road.

"She fall?" asked Charger

"I hope not." said a worried Crescent

As the two had a sinking feeling growing in their stomachs they heard a "yoo hoo!" from up above them. Both looked up
and to their surprise there was the little pink Filly waving at them.

"How the?" asked a bewildered Charger

"Who cares! Get her!" yelled Crescent

The two took off again, chasing her all over the castle and Canterlot is seemed. Just when it seemed that they had the little Unicorn cornered, she popped out somewhere else calling for them in a playful manner. Up the stairs? Nope she's sliding down the railing. In a closet? nope she's skipping merrily behind them both. The floor above? No, she was in Charger's helmet, which even she admitted the impossibility of how she got there. After what seemed like hours the two Guards were out of breath and sweating to the point their armor was soaked. With tongs hanging out and panting, they fell over defeated.

"All.... those(pant, pant) weeks training!" tried Charger

"We were..... defeated.....by-"

The little pink Filly appeared over them both looking at them confused.

"YOU!" yelled Crescent loudly

The little Unicorn smiled and began to happily jump around them giggling all the way.

"You guys are funny!" she said merrily

Charger tried to catch her, but only managed in spinning her at high speed.

"WEEEEEEEE!" she yelled in joy

"What is this?" asked a tired out Crescent, "...... a game!?"

"Precisely Guards." came a shrill voice from in front of them.

Both Guards looked to See Captain Shadow walking up to them both, a look of unamusement and general disdain on her face. They tried their hardest to stand at attention, managing to stand up weakly and shaking all over. Behind them both the little Unicorn hid and shuddered in fear.

"How long have you been chasing her?"

"(pant) Going on two hours..... I think." wheezed Charger

"I lost track after she hid in the clock tower." said a weak Crescent who had resorted to hold both him and Charger with wings,

"Hmmm...... two hours? Really? Filly! Is this true!?"

The little Unicorn, who had been hiding behind Charger's leg stepped forth. She looked up long and big eyed at Shadow
before speaking.

"Yes Ma'am......."

"What have I told you about playing with the Guards whilst they're on duty!" she asked angrily

"That they have jobs to do and that I should let them do thewr jobs."

"Uh-huh. What happens when you don't let them when they don't do their jobs?"

The little Unicorn said nothing.

"Answer me!"

"It becomes vulwewable to attack....."

"Exactly! Now! To your room and think about what you did!" she said sternly

"Yes Ma'am......" said the Filly

With that, the little girl walked away solemnly.

"Per-per-permission to speak, captain." said a out of breath Charger

"Granted." said Shadow

"That your kid?" he asked

"No. No one knows who her parents are. She's the unofficial adopted daughter ever since we found her."

"We?" asked Crescent

Shadow snorted at the question and a angry look grew across her face.

"Sergeant David. Now return to your posts Guards. Seeing how you broke the Unit record at two hours, I wont punish you."

"Really?" asked Charger

"You best hurry before I change my mind!"

The two Guards found a reboot of their energy and galloped off before Shadow had even turned around.

Chapter 4 - End of the day

The two were back at their posts, the events of earlier still burned in their heads and still burning in their muscles. By nightfall, the two had their situation only growing worse as extreme boredom and fatigue of staying awake and vigilant all day set in. Finally, just as Charger was starting to hallucinate, salvation came in the form of two Earth ponies who said that they were taking over. However their relief was dashed when they were told to report to Sergeant David.

"That guy again?" complained Charger

"Let's just get this over with." said Crescent

They walked down he stairway and through the halls until they cam upon the Sergeants desk once again.

"Heard you two broke the Guards record! Two hours is quite a feat against little Filly." he said as they walk up

"You know her?" asked Charger as the two moved around to the front of his desk.

"Yeah hold on."

He brought out a book and held a pen in his mouth.

"Aside (th)e inthident with fiwlly, anthythwing tho report?"

"Uh, no Sergeant." said Charger

"No one came in or out." said Crescent

"Good!" he said writing it down

As he finished he spit the pen out with the expert precision of a unicorns magic to land it straight on the desk.

"Now then, what do you want to know about dear little Filly?"

"What's her name?" asked Charger

"No one knows." said David

"Who's her parents?" asked Crescent

"No one knows." said David

"What do you mean no ones knows!?" both asked

"Captain Shadow and I found her a few months back in the sewers of Canterlot." said David

"We patrol down there?" asked Charger

"Nope."

"Then why in the wide world of Equestria were you two down there? There something going on between you can the captain?" asked Crescent in a mocking tone

Both the Guards started laughing at this until a dark glare from the Sergeant stopped them both.

"It was the Summer Sun Celebration." said David darkly, "And Captain Shadow is a member of the Luna Corps...... formerly known as the-"

"New Lunar Republic!" said a astonished Charger

"Yeah. We weren't on patrol together, we were trying to kill each other!"

The two guards were silent at this. David looked up to the sky glaring at the moon before his face shifted to more of a satisfied smile.

"No one knew why the Princess had all the Guard on double duty that day. The rumor was she was concerned about the Old Pony's tale "the Mare in the Moon" but we didn't think twice on it. As far as we were concerned it was for ceremonial issues or something."

He began walking off and charger and Crescent followed him.

"When the time came for the Princess to raise the sun, we were all ready to watch the spectacle. Only, the sun didn't
come up, and the moon stayed in the sky. and that is where everything went south."

The two Guards looked at him as his voice deepened and his eyes darkened.

"I was on watch that night with the Guard you know as Lieutenant Spirit. I had just gotten my Sergeant rank when it all happened."

David flashed back as he told the story to the two new guards.

Chapter 6 - Battle of Canterlot part 2

We didn't even see it coming. We were all looking toward the sun when they struck from the moon. Even today long after the integration we don't know the exact numbers the Royal Guard lost when they first struck. All that comforts me today is that we did the same to their numbers.
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Spirit dove out of the way as David spread his wings ready to face them. Just as he was about to take off Spirit grabbed him and pulled him down. He dragged the Pegasus into the room with Idas's corpse and hid in the shadows.

"You'll be killed! Wait!"

As the Lunar forces swarmed the city, two Pagasi dropped off two Unicorns at the balcony that the two Royal guards were just on. The Unicorns walked in nodded.

"With Captain Idas dead. We will win this battle."

"For princess Luna, and her Lunar Republic."

The sharp sound of David's wings unfolding caught their attention before David slammed into the first Unicorn, breaking the Unicorns neck in the process. The second Unicorn moved to impale the Pegasus but was kicked in the head and impaled on he wall. The Lunar Unicorns last image was that of Lieutenant Spirit.

"Captain Idas." said David

The two looked over the body with sullen hearts. There was nothing they could do, he had been dead the moment that blast had hit him. The two tried their hardest, but neither could hold back tears at the loss of the great commander. Quickly, however, shock and pain turned to anger and fury.

"Sergeant, we have a job to do." said Spirit

"Defend Canterlot at all costs." said David

"As our oath states! No cost is too great!"

"We lay down our lives so that peace may reign!"

"Let's show these New Lunar Republic idiots who they are dealing with." said Spirit in a dark tone

"One pony at a time!" said David in a sadistic smile

Outside the city, the fires of war were already spreading across Canterlot. The castle was under siege and the Captain of the Guard officially assassinated. From her winged Chariot before the moon itself, the Earth Pony commander of the Lunar Guard. Poised and confidant, she looked on and smiled. A young Pegasus flew over to her and saluted.

"Ah! Lieutenant Shadow!" Report!" said the commander

"General Seline, Ma'am! We caught them off Guard but their numbers are more than expected."

"Impossible! We were under the assumption that every pony believed out glorious leader to be a old Ponies tale!"

"Yes, but the false Princess doesn't and must've knew!"

Seline nodded in acknowledgement.

"No matter! The tyrant Celestia has been captured by Luna. It is only a matter of time before the rest of the Guard falls."

"And the Army Ma'am?"

"By the time the Army realizes what's going on, we will have Canterlot in our hands, and they will think twice with their leader and their capital in our hands."

"Yes Ma'am"

"Now, anything on the confirmation of the Captain?"

"No Ma'am. No word."

"Take two Pegasi down their and investigate. I want to know he's been removed from the battle."

Shadow nodded and went to gather her troops.

As the Lieutenant flew off Seline muttered to herself: "By the light of the moon, we shall win this battle!"

Two explosions ripped apart the roof and knocked over a pillar. David and Spirit took cover next to two other Pegasus Guards and a Unicorn Guard behind a fallen staircase.

"Where's Captain Idas! We were moving to secure him when we were ambushed!" yelled the 1st Pegasi guard

As the Unicorn Guard broke cover to fire he was hit by two arrows in the head and fell over.

"Captains dead!" yelled David, "Killed before the attack! We saw it!"

"WHAT?" yelled the Pegasi, "How did it happen?"

"We don't know! However, we need to keep fighting! They are attacking the city and castle in full force! We lose here, Equestria is lost! Who are you!" yelled Spirit

"Corporal Howling Hutch!" said the 1st Pegasus

"Private Red Cyclone!" said the second

"And this guy is dead!" said David checking the Unicorn

"Lieutenant Wayward Spirit!" said Spirit pointing at himself, "Sergeant David. We need to link up with any reinforcements! First priority or else we will be divided and conquered. Clear?"

"Yes sir!" said the three Pegasi

"Move out on three!"

"Wow! Hostiles!" yelled Hutch

Two Lunar Earth ponies made their way to confront the Guard, and were quickly taken out. David made a beeline and met a Lunar Pegasus midair and off Guard, slamming her into the wall. David and his adversary looked each other in the eyes, his blue to her red. Anger and fury filled the void in between as they struggled to fight.

"Lieutenant Shadow!" came a yell

Two other Pegasi tried to come to her aid but her stopped by a mix of Spirits brawn to knock a stone at him, and Hutch and Red. David knocked the Pegasus upside the head, causing her helmet to fall off. The seemingly dead Pegasus fell to the ground and the four moved on.

Chapter 7 - Battle of Canterlot Part 3

We've swapped stories with the Luna Corps and I've read reports from both sides. Both were determined to win the fight, and both were going to fight to the end to get it. While the Lunar Republic may have caught us off Guard, we had them under pressure the whole time with out strength and numbers. When we managed to get our weapons, well, that was a whole new story

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"Give me that sword!"

"Sergeant help me fit this crossbow on my back!"

"I got three rifles, fifteen bullets to every man!"

"Unicorns! Use those spells just like in Practice!"

Pegasi use your wing blades to your advantage!"

"Earth Ponies! You have the strength of ten of them!"

David, Spirit, Hutch, and Red had managed to escape the hall and made it to a Guard Armory and were prepping with the others for a counter offensive to capture the main castle gate. Leading was a younger Captain who had a map out and was giving orders.

"Earth ponies will commence the main attack as we need their strength to break through! Lieutenant Spirit! Is your unit ready?"

"We have seventeen Guards ready!"

"Unicorns lead by Master Sergeant I want on support role. Use spells to cover the main attack! Spirit?"

"You will have it!" said the Master Sergeant

"Sergeant David! Seeing that most Pegasi Officers in the castle were wiped out in the initial attack, your in charge of the Pegasi! They are the spearhead! I want those damn Luna Republic rebels aiming for your trails instead of the Earth Ponies!"

"You can count on us! They wont even see us!"

"We move out in three! Pegasi two! GO!"

Three minutes seemed like a eternity for the Guards. As the Earth ponies got into position and the Unicorns prepped their magic, the sight of five Pegasus Guards flying over signaled one minute. In the main hall the Lunar Guards didn't know what hit them. In a instant six Guards had been sliced or decapitated. The Officer in charge, a Unicorn, tried to rally the others, but was slammed into a wall and impaled on a spike. Before the rest knew what was going on, the rest of the Guard charged in, the Lunar Guard stood no chance. They fought on valiantly, delivering some of their own casualties upon the Royal Guard; until the Pegasi above swooped in a second attack. With Pegasi above making dive attacks, Unicorns sniping them from afar, and earth Pony Guards overwhelming them at every blow, the Lunar Guard broke ranks. The few who managed to escape out the front door were picked off by the Unicorn guards in the back, leaving only two terrified Earth pony Guards scrambling to get away. The whole fight was over in moments. The moment of victory was short lived.

"With Captain Idas dead, it's only a matter of time until the Guard loses out!" said the Captain

"What do we do?" said Another

"Hold out as long as we can! The Army will be here once word gets out!" said Spirit

"We've already lost most of the Castle, and Canterlot is in flames! there's not much to hold on to!" said a Unicorn

"How about we even the odds." said David

They all looked to see the Pegasus looking to the sky. Spirit, the Captain, and a few others looked up to see a chariot floating in the sky surrounded by several Guards.

"Stay in the Sun....... Aim for the moon." said Spirit

Chapter 8 - Battle of Canterlot Pt. 4

The amount of fighting that took place in Canterlot, we were prepared to turn that place into the next Everfree forest! You go to some of the less traveled and dark places of Canterlot where only Guards on patrol go, you can see some of the disharmony it caused. it as worth every bit of it, because we weren't giving up without a fight.

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"Even if we could muster all of the Pegasus not already in the fight, their commander is bound to be heavily defended!" said the Captain

"Sir, it's the only chance we got!" said Spirit, "And David here is the only psycho willing to do it."

"Psycho, that's new."

"Alright...... Lieutenant Bell! I want every Ballista, Cannon, catapult, you name it! I want it pointed at the moon. Sergeant, you're going to need to shed those wing blades."

"Sir?" asked David

"Speed is necessary! Who ever is in charge will most likely be defended by Guards at all times, regardless of what we fire up here, and if it's a unicorn, we are in serious trouble."

"Well, then sir, I have a idea." said David

A wounded Lieutenant Shadow flew up to general Seline.

"Lieutenant! are you alright!"

"I was ambushed. The Guard Captain wasn't alone, and some had moved to secure him!"

"Did you at least tell if he was dead?"

"We managed to swing around and see. He was taken out Ma'am."

"What about the two Unicorns I sent in?"

"Taken out as well."

"Damn. However, the battle seems to be going according to plan, although there seems to be a slight problem as the Guards retook the main gate to the castle. I want you to organize a strike force and retake the gate."

"Yes Ma'am." said Shadow

As Shadow was about to fly off, a scared and wounded Pegasus Guard flew up half scared.

"General! Your position has been made! the guard is moving in to attack!"

"HA! They have little chance of hitting me. Let them fire! Lieutenant! Want to watch?"

Spirit and the Captain looked on as David climbed into the large cannon. the rest of the Guard they could muster was aiming their weapons high and prepared to fire on order.

"Sergeant! Are you sure you can do this!?" yelled the Captain

"Yeah! I'm sure!"

"This is textbook insane!" said Spirit

"So's my cousin! Light this thing!"

"FIRE!" yelled the Captain

The sight of several arrows, rocks, and even a few cannon balls was quite a sight. It was painful to watch as a few Pegasi got caught in he blast, but they could mourn their losses once victory had been achieved in their sacrifice. Shadow watched as most fell a few feet short but then she saw it, a flash of light near the entrance. She watched it as a blue trail flew up and hit where the General was. Shadow caught a glimpse of a Royal Guard Pegasus gab the General and fly straight down. General Seline didn't know what hit her until she looked and saw the Golden Armor of the Royal Guard.

"A Earth Pony, oh this is going to be fun!" he said

Seline felt their speed increasing as the went into a straight dive faster and faster. The sky was growing farther and farther until the Guard spread his wings and let her go. She kept falling and falling, the last image she ever witnessed was of the Moon before everything went dark.

Chapter 9 - Battle of Canterlot Pt. 5

I'm infamous within Luna Corps for the death of their commander. of course they killed mine, so, eye for an eye..... but a few despise me for it. I think the only reason Captain Shadow talks to me is to give me orders. With both Commanders dead, both sides were now evenly matched, and it was just a matter of time.

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The brown Pegasus Guard looked over the crater where the former commander lay motionless. Contempt with his action, but noting he had to watch his speed next time. As he turned to head back he saw the flash of the dark armor and barely had time to dodge when the Lunar Guard dove straight past him, taking a few feathers off his wing before he was off as fast as his wings could carry him through towards the city. The Lunar Guard was right behind him, dead set on killing for his act. Behind him, Shadow flew her hardest to try and catch the Guard pony, but he was faster than her, but she was more cunning. Every move he made to dodge her she met with the exact move to follow. Even flying through a fight between Royal and Luna Guard Unicorns wasn't enough, a blast of friendly fire at himself actually made him lose some time. He looked back to see her gaining on him, her red eyes hell bent on flying him down and probably killing him in t he worst way physically, or if she found some of her friends, magically possible. As he turned back forward, all he saw was the wall of the Canterlot castle flying straight for him.

"WHOA!" he screamed

He dove straight down , not three inches away from the wall itself, the the frill on his helmet scraping the side of the castle as he flew. He knew that guard was still behind him, and probably knew the whole city as maps of Canterlot weren't exactly illegal. In fact he knew the were given out free on brochures. Then it hit him! He knew a area that wasn't given out free, and was mapped only once a hundred years ago! Yes, that's how he'd lose her, because if there was one thing he had gotten more than boring Guard Duty at the Royal toilet, was sewer patrol. Banking left, he dared the Luna Guard to follow him. She did. Shadow almost had him as he dived down and straightened out, using a move her old mentor had taught him, gaining altitude and closing in, but he suddenly changed course. She knew this city like the back of her hand, for she had been raised here and knew every inch of it when she would sneak out of her ritzy parents estate up here. Around her, she remembered the sights and stores that she used to fly amongst. They were now torn, burning, or used as defenses for the battle around them. A fellow Luna Guard Unicorn threw a mess of boards against some Royal Guard Earth ponies, taking two down before a third managed to buck a piece of wall at him. Five Royal Guard Pegasus swooped in not far off, two taken down by a magical attack. A Royal Guard Earth Pony bucked a Luna Unicorn in the air. Shadow watched before feeling a intense pain in her head. Wood splintered around and fell to the floor, her ears ringing from the impact. When she came to, she barely had time to block the strike from the Pegasus she had been chasing. Still in shock from the surprise attack, she couldn't aim her own attacks to well and he was off again, infuriating him even more. He zigzaged through the streets, even doubled back once in a attempt to lose her before darting up into the sky. She followed him up and met him high above the city.

"I am going to enjoy killing you!" she growled at him

He just smiled smugly: "That's the plan."

With that he dived back down to Canterlot. Raging, she chased after him, using her old mentors method, before he surprised her once more, by diving into the sewers. He probably thought he was being smart escaping into the Sewers, but little to his knowledge, that was how she got around in her younger years, and went right in after him, smiling the whole way.

Chapter 10 - Battle of Canterlot Part 6

I wont lie to you, combat is a horrific experience no pony should ever get into. The fact we were fighting a war 1000 years in the making made it all the more surreal. Most pony's wont talk about it, fewer more will even want to accept it exist. Wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world.

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Shadow knew he wouldn't be able to lose her in the sewers. He tried every move, and nothing he could do could come close to losing her. Around her, the walls of the sewer shook with the fighting up above. dust that sat there for centuries even fell off and to the floor as foundations rattled with the stress. Shadow kept her eyes on her target, but he seemed to know the sewers as well as she did. No matter, there was one thing she had over him: The element of darkness which he so sorely lacked. Using her knowledge of the sewers, she veered off to the left in a effort to outflank him. Her plan was simple: Draw him into the false sense that he had lost her, and then kill him when he tried to get back. Easy and simple. David looked back and saw that the Pegasus chasing him was no longer behind him. He smiled at the knowledge he had lost her, but something in him struck: it was too easy. The fear that she may actually know the sewers swept over him. Knowing stopping would be his death, he made his way for the newer section of the sewers not far off.

Up above, Spirit managed to duck behind a stone wall as part of it erupted outwards as magically thrown chunks of stone from the rubble around them was sent through it. He was alone after the Guard attempted to retake the city square, with disastrous results. The Lunar Guard were ready and waiting for them, trapping them in he square creating a kill zone. he was fortunate enough to be caught on the other side of the rubble when the exits were blocked and was working his way around to try and help his Guard brethren. He readied a crossbow in his hooves and moved quick to aim. He saw a Lunar Unicorn in his sights and fired. The bolt went straight for the Unicorns head, but the Unicorn saw this and caught it midair. She smiled evilly as she turned it around and sent it back at the Earth Pony. Spirit barely had time to jump out of the way, the bolt scraping past his flank armor. He fell to the floor and went to reload. He could hear the Unicorn galloping over to finish him off, and he decided to show her just how strong Earth Pony's are compared to the magically gifted Unicorns. He saw the magic aura materialize around the wall he was behind and when his gut told him, he bucked the wall hard, shattering it and the magic around it. The Unicorn was caught off guard as Spirit aimed his crossbow and fired right into her head.

He didn't even have time before a trio of Lunar Pegasi swooped in at him. Remembering his academy training, he bucked one right out of the air. The other two tried to come to their fallen comrades aide, but Royal Guard Pegasi stopped that motion. Reloading his crossbow, he fired it at the Pegasi he had grounded, only managing to shoot a hole through the wing. Grounded, the Pegasi charged his opponent, but Spirit was stronger and met the Pegasi head on, head butting with enough force to crack his own golden armor. His Crossbow useless in this situation, he tried to grapple with the Pegasi, but was bitten on the leg bit him. Elbowing the Lunar Guard in the head. This didn't phaze the Pegasi one bit, who promptly head butted him in he stomach and onto the ground, shattering three of Spirits ribs in the process. Wind knocked out of him, and hurt all over, Spirit couldn't move a muscle. He looked on as the Pegasi lifted up a blade in his mouth, ready to slice his exposed through out. Before he could though, five blasts of purple hit the Pegasi in the side and the Lunar Guard went flying. Spirit looked over to his relief as three Unicorn Guards ran over to help him. As the Unicorns went to help him out, he could only fear what had become if his own Pegasi friend.

Chapter 11 - Battle of Canterlot Part 7

And then, it happened! A bright light in the distance. I was in the damn sewers when I heard it so I didn't see much. Spirit will tell you, it was the most beautiful sunrise ever. We in the Guard were so proud that we had won, the Lunar Guard shattered and surrendering, and then as we were beginning to tally up the dead, lick our wounds, and warden off the prisoners, they appeared, and it was no longer we and they.

__________________________________________________________________

David was severely regretting going in the sewers! This Pegasi knew every inch of them and was using it to her advantage. Even the new section where he had a slight advantage, they were modeled after the old ones and were easily navigable if one knew what they were doing. To make matters worse for him: She knew what she was doing! try as he might, he couldn't shake her off his tail, literally! With no other option, he swallowed every bit of fear that was in his hooves and charged forward to get some distance between her and him for the ambush. Shadow watched him pull away faster than she could fly, she must've had him on his last leg and this was all he could muter from his wings. Confidant in that she had him, she backed off a little to let him think he was gaining on him-

David came out of nowhere and smacked her hard on the face with his Hoof. The Lunar Pegasi flew into the wall hard and cracked it. Still, she would not be taken down so easily and recovered fast to miss a second punch thrown by him as well as a buck attack which left two distinct craters in the wall. The tides had turned, with Shadow doing everything in her power to dodge his attacks, knowing one more blow like that would take her out. For Pegasi, he struck like a Earth Pony, which meant she could use this to her advantage. David missed blow after blow until he swung out in he open where another sewer pipe lead to somewhere off. The Lunar Guard counter attacked, trying to land her own punches, but he dodged each one on his own until one kick to the stomach caught him. As he went down, he head butted her and into the water. David grappled for her throat, but the Lunar Pegasi exposed her wings and flapped them down hard. Confused, he looked up to see a torrent of water rushing past him, and he knew she used the Pegasus ability to control the weather to control the water flow in the sewers. He grabbed her and held her up before the water as a shield. When it was over, both had been washed up against the side of the wall, gasping for breath. David spat out some water and looked to the Lunar Pegasi and laughed. Before her mane was tightly tucked under her helmet. Now it was hanging out the side over half her face.

"That's a good look for you." he laughed

"I will enjoy killing you."

"You haven't so far."

They met head on, trying to outdo each other in a test of strength. David's own power was easily matched by Shadows skill in combat and the two were locked in a epic stalemate until they felt the ground rumbling around them, worse so then earlier when the combat was going on up above. They both stopped and looked around as the sewers seemed to be coming down on top of them.

Up above, Spirit was out of the fight. His entire body was wrapped tightly in bandaged and he could only wear his cracked helmet for protection. The Unicorns had sent him to a triage center for wounded. It was set up in a market place and was not only taking in Royal Guard, but a few wounded Lunar Guard as well. He was the first to see it, a bright light in the distance that lit up the eternal night sky followed by a visible rainbow. The sight was breathtaking to behold, and it swept over the land and through the city. It shook the castle, rattled the buildings, and knocked a few pony's over. Spirit struggled to stand through the ordeal and despite his shattered ribs, Spirit felt no pain as he watched on. When it subsided, there was something else that had followed it, a light in the distance: The sun. They had won. He looked on as the Royal Guard cheered when he saw a wounded Lunar Guard Earth Pony stumble into the courtyard before him. Spirit walked over slowly and looked at the defeated Guard. His leg was broken, several scars were on his flank, his eyes were bleeding, and his armor cracked all over. The Pony looked up and waited for Spirit to deliver the finishing blow when Spirit lifted him up, even with his shattered ribs and carried him over to the center. For some reason he felt no ill will toward his former opponent, no ill will at all.

Chapter 12 - Battle of Canterlot Part 8 - Conclusion

I wont lie to you, seeing that sunrise on that morning after all that fighting was the most glorious thing any Royal Guard had ever seen. yet, we couldn't cheer, we couldn't rejoice. When the sight of both Princesses walking down the tattered remains of the Capital city, we almost felt ashamed of what we had done despite being our respective duties. No one dared keep their head's level with our royal leaders. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the Royal Guard bowed to Luna and the Lunar Guard to Celestia. As far as we were concerned, there was no victory, no defeat, it was just over

__________________________________________________________________

Down below, David lay in a corner, dazed from the blast, which seemed to have been magnified through the sewers. He looked up to see a manhole covering, and saw it, four holes, each one shining bright. As he looked on, Shadow appeared, ready to kill him, but David didn't care at that point. He was tired, wore out, and slightly wounded. Shadow saw that he wasn't looking at her and turned around to see just what. Her heart sank lower than ever upon seeing the light, and she dropped to her knees and covered her face with her hooves, shedding a tear in despair. David stood up and looked at his defeated opponent. He couldn't tell whether to buck her to oblivion, or try and comfort her. He then heard a distinct scraping not far off, like someone was trying to dig themselves out of something. He limped over to where the sound was to a collapsed section of the sewers that had fell in the blast. He looked down into a hole and saw a pair of scarred green eyes starring back at him. Red flags in his mind instantly went up and he had to get whomever this was out. He removed a few rocks, but the main ones were too big even for him to move without bucking, and that might kill whomever was inside! He looked around for anything when he saw the Lunar Pegasus sitting their in despair.

"Hey! Can you give me a hoof with this! Some ones stuck under here!"

Shadow looked up and over the the Royal Guard trying to remove the rocks. He gave her a face of "come on!", but she could barely move. It was all lost, her princess had lost, it was all over. Finding the strength to move, if these were going to be her last moments on Earth at least trying to help. Limping over, she helped her enemy remove the large rocks from whomever was under them when at last they removed it. In a instant, a little unicorn filly was clinging at her leg and not letting go. She was scared beyond belief and shaking in fear. Shadow herself knelt down and comforted the little Filly to the best of her ability. The Filly was cold and weak, and soaked to the bone. The Filly started to calm down with shadows help, but was still terrified. David looked on, again not sure what to do since he was expecting a Filly to be under there. He sat down and looked on at the two and smiled the best he could considering the situation.
"She your's?" he asked

"She look like mine?" snapped Shadow

"Got me there."

The little Unicorn looked up to the two wide eyed and scared.

"Hey Filly. How'd you get down here."

The young Unicorn tried to shrink back into Shadow before closing her eyes, tired and exhausted and fell asleep.

"We're going to be here awhile." said Shadow

__________________________________________________________________

"So that's it. Got the whole back story and everything." said David as they walked through the halls

"Kind of long winded." said Charger

"Someone was entertained." said David flatly, "So, worth it."

They arrived at a less than grand area of the palace where two doors lay.

"Officers." said David leaning pointing to the left, "NCO's and Enlisted."

With that, he turned around and walked back to where his desk was.

"Going to bed early Sergeant?" asked Crescent

"I'm on Blue shift! I'm on Guard until tomorrow evening! Get some sleep you two!"

"Uh, thanks Sergeant!" said Charger

"No, it's easy to fall asleep on duty. Get any and all you can!"

He walked away content with himself when Crescent stirred up the courage to ask:

"Does the captain still hate you!?"

David stopped and looked down contemplating his answer.

"She hasn't changed her hair back since I complimented her on it!"

With that, he disappeared into the darkness

Chapter 13 - You got a job

The two Guards walked over to their sign in posts, Charger once again unhappy where he had put. Same as usual, no one was in the hall, and Sergeant David sat his desk reading the Equestrian Daily paper; completely uninterested in anything around him.

"Two weeks! It's been two weeks straight and we're still guarding the same door!" groaned Charger

"Hey! Just think- I got nothing. This is boring." Crescent

"Maybe so, but someone's got to do it!" said David, "The fact you haven't requested transfer by now is a testament of how much fortitude you guys have."

"We can transfer?" asked Charger with a sudden burst of emotion

"Yeah but I wont let you!" laughed David, "Anypony who chases Filly around for two hours is staying! We need ponies like you here in the Canterlot Corps."

Charger lost all his sudden upbeat attitude when another Pony walked up trailed by one of Luna's Guard. David lowered his paper and snapped his head back and smirked a little. A Royal Guard Earth Pony walked up with a Unicorn Luna Guard in tow. Crescent and Charger went at attention as David just saluted.

"Spirit! What brings you down here to my humble little post?"

"Hey David. Got a job for your two door guards here. Also, it involves this Lunar Guard here."

"Corporal Lonely Flower." said the Lunar Guard

David didn't even try and resist the urge to laugh and fell to the floor.

"Yeah, I get that allot." said Flower

"Anyway. You two and Flower here are going to go the Canterlot air docks. We got a shipment of new Armor coming in since most of us are still using armor since the battle. It should already be signed for. You need four crates of the stuff. Just pick it up, get it back, and if the Sergeant ever stops laughing everything should be in order."

David grabbed hold of his desk with his hooves and lifted himself up, recovering from his laughing episode.

"Ah, finally. Get some bright new armor. Why does it involve *snicker* flower here?

"New orders from top. They want more inter-working amongst the Guard corps to give ponies a sense that A) we are working together, and B) Lunar Guard are not to be feared."

"Good luck with those." grunted David

"Yes David, it's only amongst the new recruits. They're sparring us Veterans and older Guard. Besides, new armor. I heard they're designed to be more comfortable!"

"I still ain't wearing the shoes."

"It's regulation David come on!"

"It throws off my flight pattern and you know it!"

"The only reason you don't wear them is because the Captain hasn't decided to argue with you over it. Show some pride man. This is why you never gain rank!"

"I like being a Sergeant, I like my job, I like my position! I don't want to gain rank!"

"There's no arguing with you is there?"

"Never has been buddy."

Spirit was at his wits end with David, who himself just smiled and raised up his paper.

"You three, go do your assignment. I need a drink." said a angered Spirit

As the three left, David handed Spirit a glass of water.

Chapter 14 - Special Delivery

"Any of us know where we are going?" asked Charger

"I think I have an idea." said Flower in a flat tone, "Lieutenant Spirit gave me some instructions. I think that is the reason so your Sergeant would let me go with you."

"I think he would have let you go regardless." said Charger

"So sure are you?" asked Flower

"Have you ever met Sgt. David?"

"I've heard stories." said Flower, "None of them very good stories, but most seem to respect him."

"Well, until you meet the guy you don't know him." said Crescent

They continued through the twisting and turning streets of Canterlot past high class ponies looking important, and average class worker ponies doing their jobs. They passed a duo of Guards on patrol and saluted as they passed.

"Soo, Flower, what's your story?" asked Crescent as they walked through the city towards the air docks

"What much is there?"

"Well it's better than walking quietly now isn't it?" said Charger

"I'm from Fillydelphia. Born in the common housing, raised the oldest of 9, joined the Guard to help pay for the family."

"So why are you in Luna's Guard?"

"These eyes of mine aren't fake." he said

The two Guards looked to see his cat-like eyes and that explained it all.

"So then, I told my story, what's your two's story?"

"We're both from Los Pegasus" said Charger

"Which is a "fun little city" and crazy as ever." said Crescent

"And I had the brilliant idea to let him talk me into the Guard and go to Canterlot!" said a annoyed Charger

"Really?" asked Flower

"Really." said Charger, "I'm bored here! Bored as I can ever be!"

"Well it is a great honor." said Flower

"That's what I said!" said Crescent

They soon came to the docks where a trailer stood and two Pegasi hovered around it. One was a wall eyed grey pony with blonde hair, the second a jasmine coated pony with blue hair.

"here to pick up Armor shipment!"

"Right here!" said the Grey one, "All packed up and ready to go!"

Her attitude was cheerful and happy, and quite pleasant to the Guards who just came from the strict tone(and in two of their cases, sardonic demeanor) of the Palace.

The jasmine Pegasi opened up the trailer and took out three boxes and placed them on the ground next to them.

"Uh there should be four." said Crescent

"Oh, I know silly! She's got them."

The Pegasus pony pushed with all her might to get the last crate out the door when it tipped over the edge and went falling to the ground far far below. All five looked over the edge and down to see the crate land in some trees before splashing into a river.

"Oops."

"Not again!" said the Gray haired one

"Alright, why did I know this would happen." said Crescent

"Sorry. She's still new to this." said the gray one

"*sigh* come one Crescent. Get me down there I can lift it up with magic."

"Alright." said Crescent grabbing hold of him.

"Hey! What about me?" asked Charger

"Guard the other boxes! We'll be back in a minute or so!" said Flower as the two went down

Chapter 16 - Small Riot

David and Spirit laughed away over two cups of cider that David had brought in remembering times of the past. Being it was the only break they had all day, they tried not to waste it and enjoyed themselves.

"No, no, no!" laughed David, "Remember that time we secretly filled Blueblood's "Private drink" with that hot sauce my cousin gave me?"

"Holy crap I thought his facial was going to melt off!" laughed Spirit

"And who says the Guard doesn't have fun?" asked David taking a drink of cider

"You wont if things turn out the way they're going." said a shrill voice that made Spirit jump

"Ah, Captain Shadow! So nice of you to join us. Want a cup of cider? Straight from Sweet Apple Acres!"

"No drinking on duty Sergeant." said Shadow coldly

"I ain't on duty." said David smartly

"David," said a nervous Spirit through his teeth, "Remember what I told you about mouthing back to superiors!"

David gave his friend a annoyed look.

"Well Sergeant, at this rate you wont ever be on duty again."

Upon hearing this David spit out all his cider onto Spirit: "Sorry buddy. Say what now!?!?"

"I just got word from near the air docks."

"Oh sweet Celestia please let it not be-" pleaded David

"Your door Guards and one of my Guards." said Shadow

"They went to get armor how in Celestia's name can they screw this up."

"They've gotten into a scuffle with some Ponies near the docks. As your commanding officer that means you will be held-"

She wasn't even able to finish her sentence by the time he was out the door and flying at top speed with his blue hair leaving a trail behind him. Shadow looked on as a cup of cider was placed next to her.

"Lieutenant! What is the meaning of this?"

"With all due respect Ma'am, he pours a third one every day! I always thought it was for Filly, but she has her own little cup I saw her come in with. I think he pours it for you, you're the only other Pony in this palace who has break at the same time we do."

Shadow eyed him coldly, to which Spirit saluted and quickly left.

Charger met the other Colt head on in a test of strength, and despite his armor and training, this colt was gaining ground. Flower whipped up a blast of magic and fired it at the other two Mare's striking one and just missing the other. The "other" was also a Unicorn and picked up some stones and flung them at Flower, but they bounced harmlessly off his armor. Up above Crescent had it a bit easier, until one of the Colts flew at him and nearly knocked him from the sky. With nothing but his own armor to protect them, they began to hold their own until one of the Unicorn mares slammed into Charger's side, sending him careening into Flower. The Lunar Unicorn Guard had barely recovered when four of them ran in for the attack, but he was quicker, he always had been to survive in Fillydelphia! He spied several small pebbles on the ground, and using his magic picked each one up and flung them at them.

The attack caught them off guard and Flower swirled them around like a swarm of bugs. Charger stood up and took off toward the lead Colt, knocking him out of the pebble swarm and went to buck him into the ground, but missed. The Colt rolled over and used his own magic to pick up a rock and chuck it at Charger, who took the full force. Meanwhile, One of the Unicorn mares managed to concentrate enough effort to fire off a blast at Flower, who recoiled in pain and sent the pebble swarm up straight toward Crescent. The pebbles tore through his feathers and he fell to the ground, followed by the two Pegasi he was fighting. He landed on the ground and created a small impact crater and couldn't get up. Charger saw his friend down and out and rushed to help him out, only to be blasted by three magic blasts to the side. He fell right next to Crescent as Flower ran over to help. Wounded, the three Guards stood there outnumbered and wounded with the six others ready to deliver their final blows.

"The murder of three Royal Guards is enough to get all of you sent to Tartarus!" came a voice recognized by the Guards.

The six turned around to see a single Brown coated Guard Pegasus standing there, his blue eyes on the verge of rage.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me! Stand down, last warning."

"And what if we don't?" asked the lead Colt

David went silent for a split second before the second Colt disappeared in a blur of Brown, Blue and gold. He landed on the ground a few feet away from the other three. The rest looked on in fear before the Pegasus Mare was taken out, followed by the two Unicorn Mares and the Earth Pony mare. All that was left was the lead Colt who looked around in fear before turning around to face Flower, Charger, and Crescent; who all shrugged. He turned back around to see the angered David, who raised one hoof, and knocked the colt a few dozen feet and into a building. All were defeated and out, leaving only the Guard standing.

"Sergeant, how did you!?" asked Charger before being cut off

"Armor! Palace! NOW!" ordered David

Chapter 17 - Hot water

The three Guards stood in the center of a courtyard in the palace as Captain Shadow paced angrily back and forth, trying control her anger and not flat out kill them all in one shot. Every now and then she'd eye one with her red eyes, sending chills down their spines to the point Crescent nearly fell over. In the back resting his forward left hoof on a pole was Sgt. David munching on a sandwich he had made and enjoying the show.

"What were you thinking?" finally yelled Shadow

The three didn't know what to say, but Crescent and Flower both turned their eyes to Charger. Shadow noticed this and walked over to him.

"You seem to be the leader! You could've started a full blown riot! Last thing we need is another embarrassment since the Gala!"

"With respect Ma'am; but a riot?"

"The tension between the worker ponies and the snooty upper class ponies is already tense enough. Three Guards randomly starting a fight with 6 other ponies is grounds for it!"

"They were bullying a Unicorn into tears!" defended Charger

"I didn't hear word of a 7th one. Sergeant! Did you see one?"

"No Ma'am." called out David between a bite

"Of course he's of no help." grunted Flower

"What was that?" asked a angered Shadow

"Nothing Ma'am!" said a frightened Flower

"I really expected better from one of my own personal Guards! I authorized you to go along with them in hopes your more professional and experienced demeanor would be able to keep these two new recruits in line!"

"Sorry Ma'am." said Flower, now heavily embarrassed

"You are all lucky we are undermanned or I would have you stripped of your armor and sent to Tartarus!"

The threat was only brought on by her rage but it was enough to have each pony in fear as she turned to stare them down. Words were never going to be able to able to express the sheer amount of unfiltered rage in her eyes as she stared them down. Each one feared that their training instructors back in training were here yelling at them instead of her, and wanted to melt away into the world and never be seen again.

"Get out of my sight before I actually do!" she finally said before walking off, "Dismissed for all I care!"

She skulked off, the anger fuming off her with every step. The three started to walk away, their heads low when Flower spoke.

"I don't blame you Charger. It was a good thing you did. Even if we have to pay for it."

"Thanks Flower."

They walked past Sgt. David, who had given his sandwich to a happy Filly who was holding it in all four of her hooves and eating.

"You three really screwed up here didn't you?" he asked with a laugh

"Yeah, don't remind us." said Crescent

"Going into a fight without backup or support, outnumbered, and it seems outmaneuvered as well! This is rich! What do they teach you weanlings in training? It ain't fighting! What, just stand pretty?"

The three said no answer to his mocking advice and were about to walk inside when they heard him call out again.

"And where in the wide world of our beloved Equestria where Guards are whooped by street gangs are you going?"

He walked up right in front of them and stood in their way. Filly bounced her happy little self inside, bringing a warm smile to David's face before it turned into a more sadistic one as he turned to the other two.

"To the barracks." said Flower

"Oh ho no. You think you're getting off that easy? Nearly tear Canterlot a good one and embarrass the Guard, and have me forced to go out and save you? No, just getting chewed out worse than having to be Celestia's attendant during her time of the month is not the end of it. I have a job for you! Follow me, that's an order."

With no other choice, they followed him through the halls. Word had spread and other Ponies and Guards were looking at them with contempt. While David wasn't actively telling anyone around them, he seemed to be taking a long route to further their suffering. At long last they came to a door that was un guarded like the rest.

"Don't ask, he hates having Guards at the door. Trust me I've tried." said a deflated David as they stepped in

Inside was a mix of a space observatory complete with equipment, a large telescope, and several smaller hand held ones. The other parts included a sleeping quarters, several bookshelves, and a small kitchen. A desk in the center with a large astrology globe seemed to complete the room. What was wrong with it was simple: The place was so much a mess once couldn't see the door. Charger, Crescent, and Flower stood there mouth's gaping as David smiled and looked on.

"This is the lab of our Grand Cities astrologer Dr. Khan. He recently discovered a new constellation and spent a week nonstop confirming it, and boy did he confirm it alright. I think it was 200-some times when i asked. Anyway, he's been at a meeting with other astrologers in Manehatten to present his new findings and name it. As you can see, he worked very hard."

As he said it, as if on cue, a few books fell from atop the large telescope and onto the floor.

"Yeesh, did he really have to check the lens?" asked David, more to himself

"And you want us to clean it?"

"Eeeyup!" said David, "Alphabetical order with the books, papers in neat trim stacks, and since I'm on a role here return the telescope to it's rest position. Should take a few hours, but you are only allowed to do it Earth Pony style. No flying, no magic. That's your two's punishment."

"What about me?" asked Charger, wishing he didn't

"Listen to them whine about it. Have fun you three! I know they teach you how to clean in training."

"As they started to walk in and ponder to even where to begin, the heavy door started to close behind them.

"What about you Sergeant?" asked Flower

"Look, as much as I'd love to stand around and watch you three fail, in fact by regulation I should, I got more important things to do!"

With that he walked out and closed the door.

Chapter 18 - Clean out

"I'm sorry Charger, but how do you Earth Ponies get by like this?" asked Flower as he fumbled with a book in his Hooves

"Ehscoose meh?" asked Charger with a broom in his mouth

"No magic." said Flower

"No flight." said Crescent as he struggled up a ladder with some books in his hands

Charger rolled his eyes and continued to sweep up the papers into a pile: "Ah leesh we're mahkin prohgresh!"

"Spit that thing out if your going to talk!"

"*PTOO!* Fine! I said at least we're making progress."

While there was some truth in the subject, they had only managed to clean through the bottom floor. The second level, as well as the telescope, which ended with Flower's head stuck in the main controls for a few minutes.

"Well, at least we helped that one Unicorn." said Charger
"Yeah I guess." said Flower before catching himself, "Charger, why did you decide to help her?"

"Yeah Charge, he has a point." said Crescent trying to climb again

"We're Guards! Protecting people is what they always told us to do!"

"Yes, but even then it was not like you to go headlong into a fight like that. Normally you try and talk your way out if it!"

"Despite the nobility of it, look what it got us into!" said Flower

The moment he finished Crescent fell off the ladder and to the floor. Several books and the ladder landed on him moments later.

"Ow."

"See." said Flower

"I, uh, may have overreacted." said Charger

"I know you did! Why?" asked Flower

"I'm in pain here guys!" called out Crescent

"Just get back to work! We got a long way to go." said Charger gruffly

He turned around to see a pair of bright green eyes starring at him happily.

"AH!" said Charger falling backwards.

He landed in the papers he had been pushing which flew up in the air and all over the place. He sat up and moved some of the papers from his face to see Filly standing on a stack of books with a small bag over her shoulder.

"Filly? How'd you get in here?" asked Charger

"The door was unlocked!" said Filly happily

"I can't move!" said Crescent

"Okay, why are you in here?" asked Flower walking up

"I saw what Ma'am was doing to you out there and felt bad. Sarge told me you were in here, so I bwought you these!"

Using her magic, she gave each one a cookie. Charger took it with his hoof, Flower with his magic, and the still trapped Crescent took it in his mouth and began to eat it.

"*Sniff, Sniff* Filly, what's in these?"

"They're chocolate chip! I made them myself!" she said cheerily

"MMM! They're good!" said Crescent through a bite.

Charger eyes his and noticed the distinct squares the "chips" were in.

"Filly, these don't look like chocolate chips." he said

"Oh, the pantwy was out of chips, but I found some more in the red cross cabinet!"

Charger and Flower went wide eyed as Crescent was totally oblivious to the situation. Flower himself was about to take his first bite when he heard and stopped cold, his teeth just sitting on the edge of the cookie.

"Filly, what was the name of those chips?" asked Charger

"There wasn't that many in the box so I used one per cookie. Choco-lax! Funny name?"

The two stood there in fear as they heard Crescent finish the last of his. Charger and Flower slowly put their cookies down and smiled nervously. Filly saw this, tears welling up in her eyes and her mouth quivering.

"You not like them? I worked weally hard!"

"Uh, Filly, it's not that we don't like them." said Charger

"it's just-"

"SWEET CELESTIA OUT OF MY WAY!" screamed Crescent

He burst out of the ladder and book pile he was in and tore off down the hall like a wonderbolt at a show. He rounded the corner, the sound of him crashing into something before his screams of pain followed as he took off again.

"Those weren't normal chocolate chips." finished Flower

"They weren't?" asked the shocked Filly, "But the box said-"

"Filly, those chocolate chips make you go potty." said Charger trying to make it as simple as possible, "Allot."

"Oh." said Filly realizing what she just did, "Sowy."

"We don't blame you." said Flower reassuring her, "Just, don't take food from the medicine cabinet anymore okay?"

The sound of screams from other ponies down the hall made it clear that Crescent had no clue where the bathrooms were. Filly looked on ashamed as Charger patted her on the back.

"You can still help us out though?"

"I can!?" she asked springing back to life

"Well, Crescent at least. Use your magic to pick up all the books and put them back in alphabetical order." smiled Charger

"Okay! I do this for Uncle Khan all the time!" she said bouncing away to start her clean-up.

Flower looked on as he walked over to Charger and whispered in his ear: "I though Sgt, David said no magic!"

"He said you couldn't! He never said anything about Filly!"

"Oh. Well played." said Flower

Chapter 19 - Put the day to end

"How many books does this guy have? I lost count!" said Charger as he stacked books up for Filly to put away, "How to clean telescope lenses, how to make sure you cleaned the telescope lens! Really?"

"This might answer your question." said Flower tossing him a seemingly random book

"How to have a book for every occasion. The studious Ponies guide to having a answer for everything by Twilight Sparkle."

"Yeah. I think that answers your question."

"Now answer mine, who are you and what are you doing in my observatory!" came a voice only Filly recognized
They turned a brown and tan striped Earth Pony standing there wearing a distinct black lab coat and holding a bag with several papers over his shoulder. He walked in and looked around and saw that the place was cleaner then how he left it. he looked at the two Guards and then to Filly.

"Did you three get in trouble and sent here for punishment?" he asked

"They did!" said Filly jumping down, "They almost started a Wiot!"

"A RIOT!?" said the alarmed Pony

"Uh, it's not what you think." said Charger

"It isn't now?" came a voice all of them recognized with only Filly excited

David walked up as smug as ever and looked over the scene.

"Troops, meet Wild Khan, our astrologer."

"Doctor! Doctor Wild Khan."

"I'm not on professional terms with you." said David

"Then what are you on sir?" asked Flower

"Friendly." said Khan with a little disgust

"Friendly?" asked Charger

"We've known each other since we were little Colts." said Khan in a deadpan tone, "He popped my ball."

"On accident!" defended David

"19 times."

"Okay number 17 was on purpose but the rest were accident!"

"Say that to my pop gun." said Khan flatly

Even Filly was starring at David in amazement.

"Doc," said David changing the subject fast, "meet Gold Charger, Royal Guard, and Lonely Flower, Lunar Guard. There should be a third one, but we, uh, I'll let him be."

"Who?" asked Khan
"Name's Charming Crescent. He's in the bathroom."

Filly looked down and started to kick her forward right hoof back and forth at what she had caused. David walked up to her and placed her on his back.

"It was a accident, just let me know next time you're planning on using Uncle Spirits stuff!"

"So, are you here to get us sir?" asked Flower

"Right you are! With him back, I don't feel guilty about leaving this place in a dump, so let's go! He'll have his cleaning crew come later." smiled David

"Cleaning crew!" shouted Charger

"Deal with it Private. You screwed up royally! All three of you, though I think Crescent is facing the worst of it."

True enough, he was. Several nurse ponies were standing outside the bathroom door where Crescent was in with a gurney ready and several pain killers. Charger and Flower looked on with remorse for their friend as he grunted in pain while David at least tried to hold in a laugh, but gave up without much of a fight.

"Those must of been some cookies." he chuckled

Filly covered her eyes in shame, but was comforted by David. They made their way to the barracks where David opened the door for them. Inside, other Guards were already asleep, but a few were up playing cards. David walked off still carrying Filly heading towards the officers barracks.

"Where you going to Sergeant?" asked Flower

"It's Shadow's night for Filly! besides! I still got important things to do." he called back

"You staying here?" asked Charger

"Captain Shadow assigned me here. I have no choice."

The two walked in and were noted by the other Guards. They tried to sit in the back and hide away, but the others would have none of that. Fortunately, they weren't like David and invited them to their card table.

"We don't hold it against ya. Happened to all of us." said One Guard

"Really?" asked Charger

"No. Helps though." said the same Guard

"I remember the time when my own Major sent me to watch over the market place. What I thought was a robbery was really some poor Mare trying to get food to her sick grandmother. Oh, I still haven't heard the end of it." said a Unicorn Guard

"I once sent the city on high alert because a rat got in thinking it was a full scale assassination attempt!" said a Pegasus pony

"It's the Gala that has the Officers on edge. It all runs down hill for us here. The stuck-ups and their high horse cash berate the Officers for not satisfying their "needs" and then the Officers go at us for not following orders." said a elder Earth Pony Guard

"Amen to that." said a Pegasus Guard

"What's worse you got under Captain Shadow's command." said the Unicorn

"She was the first to respond at the Gala, for she was attending it! She restored order, and got the full frontal blast of everyponies ire. She's been in a temper ever since. Worse than before."

"And Sergeant David? He may be the spawn of Discord, but once he's on your side, there's no chance of him leaving!" said the elder Pony

"So, pull up some chairs, we'll deal you next hand."

A low groan came from behind them. Everypony turned to see Crescent stumbling in, his rear end in bandages and armor removed.

"I don't think your friend wants to be dealed in." said one Guard as Crescent crashed on a bed and didn't move.

Chapter 20 - You aint off yet

While the incident had blown over, the three were still feeling the effects at least amongst their superiors and for the first time in three days were on break. In hopes to get away from any "eyes" they managed to get to a balcony looking over the city and enjoying their break.

"Alright, three Fillycheesesteak sandwiches, or a tomato pie?" asked Charger

"Ah, that's a tough one." said Crescent, "Flower, you?"

"What the hell is a tomato pie?"

"It's like pizza." said Crescent

"But cheese less and extra oregano. Delicious!" said Crescent

"Why would one eat that?" asked Flower

"Why one would even think that three Fillycheesesteak's equal one Tomato pie is crazy?" came a voice that made them all jump

They looked over the edge to see Sgt. David resting his hooves on the edge, his wings flapping to keep him aloft. Truth be told, they weren't to happy to see him, and he could see it on their faces. didn't change his expression.

"I know you hate me. I don't care. Point is I ain't here to hang out. Got a real treat for you today. A mission I know you wont screw up because the Officer you're going with is in to make sure of it."

"Let me guess." asked Charger, "Lieutenant Spirit?"

"Ha! Don't make me laugh! My old buddy isn't one for patrols. No, seeing how being pent up in the Palace tends to drive one mad, Captain Shadow has requested for you to accompany me on a grand tour of the Discord blessed wonderful sewers of Canterlot."

"You're kidding?" asked Flower

"Hey, I need your horn there flower power for the light it can give off."

He got up and brushed off his legs and cracked his neck and adjusted his helmet: "besides, you ain't off yet! Not even close! Sewer entrance is near the back, just follow the signs. 10 minutes to get there, be late, and well, the Captains going to find out as she's watching you guys."

He looked up to another balcony and waved. The three looked up to see Captain Shadow looking over them. Upon looking at her, she slowly moved away and out of sight.

"And hey!" said David, "With your guy's luck we may actually find something down there!"

With that, he flew back down to a lower level, leaving the three in a sour mood.

"Great, a whole patrol in the sewers with Sgt. David. What fun we're going to have." said Crescent sarcastically

"Well, All we can do is hope for the best." said Flower

He tried to keep him composure for a awhile, be eventually gave up and held his head low.

"This is going to suck I just know it."

"It's okay Corporal. We'll be with you." said Crescent

"Besides, if he goes too far, we can always, you know, get rid of him?" said Charger hinting at his dark plan

"Really?" asked Flower, "He whooped all those ponies without breaking a sweat when we couldn't?"

"Well, we could jump him when he's not looking!" said Charger

"Great!" said Flower, "And he doesn't come back but we do?"

"I see you're point. Come on! We got to get to the entrance before he does." said Crescent

"Why?" asked Charger

"So he doesn't give us any crap about being late!" called back Crescent

Charger looked to Flower for any advice, but he just shrugged and the two followed. Even as they neared the entrance to the sewer, they could smell it. It wasn't really all that awful, but it was a distinct odor that was different from the clean and near sterile air that was the Royal Palace. As such, they plugged their noses as they weren't really used to it. They got there where two Unicorn Guards stood entrance with a sign that said SEWERS, knowing they had made it.

"How do you guys stand the smell?" asked Charger plugging his nose

"You get used to it." said one of the Guards

"Why is there even a entrance to the Sewers in the Palace?"

"It was regionally a escape route when the Unicorns built it." said the second Guard, "Their is a route that leads out to the country side. You'll find stuff like this in allot of old castles across Equestria. When Canterlot began to grow and became a city instead of just a castle, the route became obsolete and was turned into sewers to save time and work instead of burrowing in the city; it grew from here basically."

"Thanks for the info." said Charger

"It's what we do." said the first Guard

"And what they're doing is going down!" said Sgt. David as he walked up,"Since it's a direct link to the palace, we have to patrol in just in case!"

He looked at the three in confusion, but eventually just smiled and walked on.

"Nice of you three to show up early! I was expecting you to show up late. It's what I would do."

He opened the sewer doors to reveal a old elevator and he stepped on. Charger, Crescent, and Flower stepped on afterward and David flipped a lever, starting a descent down below.

"Down we go." said Charger

Chapter 21 - Got her

Even with the dim light of the torches, the bright magical light from the Lunar Guards horn lit up the area as the four Gauds walked through the sewers. Water dripped in the distance into the running sludge that was the canterlot sewers.

"Eyes forward Corporal, well, horn forward."

"Yessir!" said Flower

"I'm a Sergeant Corporal. Don't call me sir!"

"Uh, yes sir-Sarge! Sorry Sarge."

That's better." said David

"Ugh, how can you handle these smells! They're conflicting!" said Crescent as they passed a pile of discarded perfume mixed in with some, "other" piles.

"I grew up on a farm. You get used to it." said David

"What good is a pegasus on a farm?" asked Crescent

"Weather control!" said David proudly, "We were the only farm with crops in the dead middle of winter! Made quite the living!"

"So what, were you adopted?" asked Charger

"Learn pony genetics. explains everything! Especially since my mother was a Unicorn and my Father a Earth pony."

"Oh." said Charger, "Explains allot."

"No it doesn't." said Crescent

"It's a figure of speech!"

"A hour in and the arguments start. I'm impressed!" said David before stopping abruptly

"Sarge?" asked Crescent

"Nothing. We've been in a hour. Flower, lead us back."

His demeanor had changed. From laid back and not giving a care, he suddenly was alert and focused. He kept a trained eye in a area of the darkness, but nothing could be seen.

"Corporal! You want out of this sewer or not? Let's go!" he said, "Light bright! I need to see our way back!"

Flower was rushed back to the opposite of where he was and shined his light brighter than usual. As he took a few steps, a pair of hooves grabbed his head. David was right behind him, flying above face red with anger and concentration. Charger and Crescent tried to get to their friends aide when he spun Flower around and shined his light to where he was looking earlier.

"THERE!" he yelled

Charger and Crescent looked to see a Unicorn mare trying to sneak away, but caught like a deer in headlights. Furthermore, they recognized her as the same Unicorn mare they had tried to protect all those days ago!

"That's her! That's the one!"

"I know!" yelled David, "Don't move! We need to speak to you!"

She didn't listen and galloped off at full speed into the sewers.

"After her! Crescent, with me! Charger, Flower, that route loops back around down there! Try and cut her off! Go!"

The Guards took off in their respected paths as David zeroed in on the Unicorn. However, before he could catch her, she ducked into a hidden path nearly causing the Guard to overshoot. Crescent caught up a moment later as David went through his mind the layout of the sewers. Crescent, however, had other things on his mind.

"Sir, how did you know that she'd be down here?"

"I've been tracking that mare ever since the incident."

"You believed us?"

"You had no real reason to lie did you?" asked David

"No. We were telling the truth."

"I figured that. I've been tracking her down ever since, and managed to corral her in the sewers. Now we just have to catch her." said David

"So what are we waiting for?"

"This route leads to the same place we're going, it's just twist and turns though. Come on!"

The two flew off down the sewers to cut her off. As they did, Flower and Charger were heading down their own path hell bent on finding her at any costs aside their own personal safety. The two galloped down the pathway with Flower's light guiding them. After rounding several corners, they found her.

"Freeze!" yelled Charger getting in attack position

She didn't freeze but charged the magic on her horn and fired several bolts at the two Guards. One glanced off Chargers armor as Flower dragged him back into cover. He himself fired off two of his bolts to cover them as the Unicorn took off once again.
"She's dead!" said Charger

"Easy Private. We're not getting into any more trouble." said Flower

"Why not? She got us in a fight with some punks, chewed out by the Captain, and assaulted us!"

"Don't hurt her!" ordered Flower

"Well then you best hope you get to her before I!" he said before taking off after her

Flower followed, keeping his light just barely on her flank as they ran after her. Every now and then she'd turn in fear and fire a bolt or two, forcing them into cove and giving her a extra few feet of ground. This continued down the sewers for sometime until Flower was hit. Struck in the knee by a bolt, he tripped to the ground and skidded a distance until he fell in some water. Charger was at his side and pulled him out.

"You okay Corporal?" he asked in fear

"I'm fine! Go get her! I'll catch up!" said Flower as he held his wounded knee

"Are you sure? Sgt. David and Crescent should be close by now!"

"Go! I have a knack for quick healing!"

Charger looked down the sewer chamber to see her standing there, as if she was mocking them for some odd reason by watching Flowers pain. Getting into a stance, he readied himself for his namesake. The Unicorn looked on at Flower until she spotted Charger galloping toward her. She tried to fire magic bolts at him, but they glanced off his helmet until he struck her in the chest, sending her flying across the tunnel and into the wall. She was starting to recover when Charger was at it again. With whatever energy she and left, she ran for it. Charger was not going to let her get away and was closing in fast. He felt a onrush of air swoop past him and looked to see Sgt. David and Crescent at his sides back in the chase.

"Where's Flower?" asked Crescent

"Took a hit back there! He's wounded!"

David motioned and Crescent fell back. Charger looked up to his Sergeant, who nodded before making a large flap with his wings and zoomed ahead of the Unicorn, cutting her off. Trapped between the Pegasus Guard and the Earth Pony Guard behind her, the Unicorn mare came to a screeching halt and shuddered in fear. Charger slowed down to a halt, snorting in anger as David walked up to her and looked down at her. His eyes were eerily reminiscent of those of Captain Shadows, only blue.

"You're under arrest." was all he said

Chapter 22 - Done for

The Unicorn mare sat alone in a room, up above through a one-way mirror sat her captors as they looked on confused.

"Who is she?" asked Crescent

"How would we know?" asked Charger

"I'll know in ten seconds." said David

The other three looked at him as he sat there with his smug expression for the said few seconds before the doors burst open and in walked Spirit and Captain Shadow.

"Her name is Starlight Shimmer, a vagabond who worked from place to place before disappearing a few months ago after the Battle." said Spirit

"Told you." said David, much to the others bewilderment as he followed up with: "You ponies have such odd names! it's like they come from a machine!"

His final comment was disregarded as they looked down at her as Shadow snorted.

"I owe you three a slight apology. Apparently you did have good reason to get into that fight."

"Uh, thanks captain?" said Charger nervously

"Yes." said Shadow coldly, "Well then, I'm going to have a chat with her."

"This ought to be good." said David

His smart comment tensed up the others, bur Shadow walked out as if she didn't care and closed the door behind her. David kicked back holding his head up with his wings and waited for the show to start as his reaction.

"Sarge, you know that'll get you in trouble." said Flower

"Meh, I don't care right now. I wont be going anywhere anytime soon on both ends of the spectrum at this rate. I like it here." he said

"David, buddy, stop pushing it! You know one day she'll snap on you! Keep this up and soon she will!"

"I complimented her for Celestia's sake!" argued David, besides, I know full well how far I can push what I do. Now hush it! She's going in!"

Down below Starlight heard the door open. She had been scared by the Guards thinking they had been some other ponies and ran, not bothering to hear what one of the Pegasus ponies had said. The light was dim and she was in too much of a panic to turn and look at who her pursuers were. It was only when the brown and Blue Pegasus pony cut her off did she realize she not only ran from the Royal Guard, but attacked them too! Now standing in the doorway was a frightening looking Lunar Guard Pegasus complete with the bat wings walking in. Her red eyes tore at her fiercely and Starlight shuddered at their sight.

"Assaulting, no, attacking a member of the Royal Guard." the Guard started off, her voice commanding and shrill, "resisting arrest, trespassing in the Canterlot sewers, and according to what I have, engaged in a scuffle between the Guard and some other ponies a few days back. You miss have just made my hate list."

That was the last thing Starlight wanted to hear and nearly broke down upon hearing this.

"I just have one question to ask: What were you doing in the sewers anyways?"

"I live down there." said Starlight

"What do you mean you live down there?" asked a shocked Shadow

"I don't have a home! I couldn't pay my landlord, I didn't have any bits to rent another place, and I lost my job at the train station three months ago!"

"Well, sad sappy story aside, why did you run and then assault my Guards."

"I didn't know they were Guards."

"Oh, their armor didn't give them away?"

"One just screamed "THERE" and I panicked! Pleas you have to understand, I don't exactly have allot of friends and allot of enemies."

"I know." said Shadow, "I'm one of them!"

The Captain kept silent for a moment for effect, which took hold on the scared Unicorn.

"It was a misunderstanding I swear!"

"Then you attacked them with magic?" said Shadow, "That's a offense worth of a year in tartarus!"

Starlight froze as her stomach and heart fell into a pit upon hearing those words. She'd rather die than go there.

"Then there is that scuffle you had where three of my Guards, the very same you were chased after and then you decided to attack, saw you. I have reason to believe they stood up for you!"

Starlight hit a epiphany at that moment. She knew she recognized a few of them! The sheer utter reality of the situation flooded her mind.

"I, I, I, I, I." she stammered unable to make more than the word I

"Why did you leave in that scuffle? You know not only did you embarrass the Guard you had them all reprimanded and punished!?" yelled Shadow at the top of her lungs

Starlight broke down and well off the chair, tears pouring out of her eyes. Shadow smiled, knowing her job was almost over.

"Law dictates I have two options." she said walking to the door, "One is to banish you to Tartarus. Hopefully if you were to stay there you will learn something."

Starlight's mood didn't change but she held her head up trying to speak through her sobs and tears.

"Option two is conscription into the Guard."

"Yes! That! Anything but Tartarus!" said Starlight in a burst of energy that negated her tears momentarily, "I'll join the Guard! Please don't send me there!"

"There's always the moon." chuckled Shadow

"No! Please! I'm, I'm, I'm begg-gg-ing-ing you!" said Starlight through her tears, "I'll sign up for the Royal Guard! Please!"

"Done." said Shadow, "Report to Sgt. David, the Pegasus who brought you in tomorrow morning at 0500 hours in the Canterlot Palace's southern courtyard. He'll give you a crash course on guard training."

A faint "OH COME ON!" could be heard from somewhere above which brought another rare smile to Shadow's face as she walked out and began to close the door on Starlight.

"There is a bed and a bathroom over there and you shall spend your nights here until Sgt. David sees fit. I will be watching your progress Starlight Shimmer. Don't disappoint me."

With that she closed the door.

Up above David was beating his head against the wall knowing that he'd have to train the Unicorn tomorrow morning.

"Why (SMACK) do I (SMACK) never (SMACK) shut up! (SMACK)" he grunted

He repeated what he was saying while smacking his head against the wall.

"Well, that was a cold move on Shadows part." said Crescent, "Forcing her into the Guard like that."

"No it's brilliant!" said Spirit

"Care to elaborate sir?" asked Flower

"Not only does she now have a home, a job, meal, she's got the potential to make friends to help her against her enemies! Not only that, we just got a new Guard!"

"And (SMACK) I (SMACK) have (SMACK) to (SMACK) train (SMACK) her! (SMACK)!" grunted David

"Well, you should stop mouthing back sir." said Charger

"(SMACK) NO! (SMACK)"

Chapter 23 - Training

Starlight stood in the foggy courtyard in full Guard recruit armor. It lacked the crests of normal Guard, and it also lacked any real ornate design. It had been long past 0500, and Charger and Lieutenant Spirit looked down during a break and saw her still standing there.

"I thought Sarge was supposed to train her." said Charger

"I have faith in my old friend Private." said Spirit, "I'm sure he has his reasons."

"Yes. It was to get a sandwich." said David

"What!?" said Spirit

The two Guards turned around to see David walking up holding a sandwich in his wing a few bites already taken out of it.

"What is the meaning of this!?" said Spirit, "Sergeant! You were supposed to-"

David cut him off laughing and took another biet: "I'm just screwin with ya."

"Then what are you doing then Sergeant."

"Half the time we stand around for no good reason. I was out here at 0500 and told her to stand at attention."

"Oh. I get it." said Spirit

"Well, why'd you just leave her?"

"We stand at attention on Guard for hours straight. You know full well Private." said Spirit, "If she can stand at attention for this long, she can pass on to further training."

"Oh." said Charger, "Yeah, I remember that part of training now."

"In truth, I forgot she was down there for like a hour and remembered when I was making this. I might want to go get her." said David as he finished his sandwich and flew off toward her.

Charger and Spirit watched on as he landed behind her and she turned her head to see who it was.

"Why'd you look?"

"Sorry sir." said Starlight snapping back

"I don't care if your sorry! Why'd you look!?"

"I was curious as to who it was!?"

"Oh you were curious!?"

"Yes sir!" said Starlight weakly

"Despite the fact you were ordered by a superior to stand at attention!?" yelled David

"Yes!" she said on the brink of collapse

"Good. You're alert. Most Guards now would be on the verge of sleeping. Shows you're alert."

"Excuse me sir!?" said Starlight now annoyed, "Then why did I-"

"DON'T. CALL. Me. sir!" said David cutting her off and going right in her face, "I am a Sergeant in the Royal Guard and you WILL address me as Sergeant or Sergeant David. Are we clear?"

"Yes sir, I mean Sergeant! I mean Sergeant David, I mean-"

"Alright enough before you pass out. Sheesh!" said David

He walked around her eyeing her armor looking for the slightest issue in it. Much to his dismay he couldn't find any off hoof but he wasn't done.

"Alright then. Captain Shadow has informed me that she expects allot from you. Since I'm training you means if you fail her expectations I fail, well then, Recruit you've also made my hate list."

Starlight gulped at that. Just another enemy she could add to her large list. David then walked off to the side and grabbed a old saddlebag and lifted it with his hoofs and flew over.

"This.....is......200 pounds of weight!" he said with a struggle

He flew over and dropped it on her back. Starlight, already struggling a little under the weight of her armor, nearly fell over at it, but managed to hold herself up.

"That right there is the average weight of a Guard Pony. Armor and all. Now, Seeing you haven't fallen over means you can carry it. Can you?"

"I think so sir, I mean Sergeant!"

"Good. Follow me!"

He trotted off toward the door and Starlight took one step and nearly fell over, but she took her first step.

"That's it! Put one hoof in front of the other!" sang David Mockingly, "And soon you'll be walking across the floor!"

She did just that and walked over to him as he opened the door. He walked in and through the palace struggling just to stand, let alone walk. The halls were quiet and she at least had the rest that no one would see her struggles. David opened up another set of doors into a second courtyard and stopped.

"Now then, you can carry one. Being you're a Unicorn, how strong is your magic?"

Starlight didn't have the energy to answer.

"Well? You going to answer? You best or else I'm really going to give you hell!"

"Strong Sergeant!" she bleated out

"Good. Now, I'm going to walk the entire way back, you are going to use your freaky magic to carry the weight, and yourself back to the previous courtyard!"

"WHAT!?" asked Starlight

"I didn't ask for your comment Recruit! Get to it! In a fight and your legs are broken or wounded, you can use your telekinesis to carry you, and a wounded comrade back to friendly lines! Get to telkenetting!"

Starlight snorted at the made up word and began to charge up her magic. She centered it around her whole self and began to rise. not a moment later it was too much and she collapsed, magic and all.

"Poor performance! That is basic entry level for the Guard and you couldn't even preform that!"

"I never thought about joining the Guard!" said Starlight

"Recruit, let me tell you something!" said David walking up next to her, "It's not about what you think anymore. It doesn't even matter what I think. All that matters is what the Captain thinks! If she doesn't think you're worth it to be in the Royal guard you will be sent to tartarus.....or the moon. Which ever comes first! Now get on your feet and move it!"

Starlight struggled to her feet and used her magic once again to lift herself up, and failed pathetically.

"It's going to be a long day." said David, "If I can can make a Guard out of you it will be too soon!"

Chapter 24 - Unconventional

Starlight blew some of her hair out of her face that had escaped the helmet and just laid there. Again she had tried to carry the weight on her back using her magic, and again she had failed. This had been the fifteenth time this hour she had failed, David still not letting up. He stood off to the side, looking at her part displeased, part amused, and part disappointed.

"Alright. Up." said David

Starlight stood up to the best of her ability.

"Down." said David

Starlight took the advice and collapsed.

"Up." said David, "we're gonna keep doin this. Up."

She went up.

"Down."

She went down.

Each time it was more painful and tiring than the last, but he continued on and on as tears began rolling down her face.

"UP!"

"I CAN'T!" she cried in pain

"Okay. Up."

"I can't!"

"I don't care. UP!"

Starlight opened her eyes to look at the brown pegasus standing above her expecting her to stand up. She looked back to the weight on her back. Images of tartatus flashed in her mind. Such evils and other monsters locked up in there, all guarded by a demonic three headed dog sent the adrenalin through her veins and she stood up screaming in pain.

"Really?" asked David

"I(pant, pant)did(pant)it." she said

"Yes, yes you did." said David unimpressed, "Alright, new plan. No magic, not yet."

Starlight had a shimmer of hope flash through her heart, but a smile that crept across his face gave her dread and fear.

"Not yet." he said

"Well, a whole day without Sergeant David!" said Crescent

He and Flower were walking along a wall of the palace and enjoying their patrol Spirit had sent them on. The Pegasi had brought out the midday sun had removed all the fog and it had turned the day into quite a good one.

"How is that different from any other day?" asked Flower

"I see your point." said Crescent, "Guess he isn't that bad."

"Really there "Flower Power"?"

"Okay yes he is a world class dick. But, he went looking for that Starlight Unicorn when no one else believed us."

"Who?" asked Crescent

"Starlight Shimmer. that's the Unicorn's name."

"Oh. I forgot her name. Still kinda angry with her, "Wouldn't mind if she was kicked out of this thing the Captain has her on."

"Really?" asked a shocked Flower

"Yes! We try and save her and we got chewed out and forced to clean that astrologers telescope house! She attacks us and she gets to joint he Guard on a conscription notice? Why, she could fall off the side of the palace for all I care, I wouldn't do anything."

The sound of Starlight shimmer screaming as she fell past the two and towards the ground caught their attention and the two looked in terror as she fell closer and closer to the Earth.

"QUICK! use your magic Flower!" yelled Crescent

"I'm on it! I'm on it!" said Flower as he aimed for the shot

"Negative Corporal!" said David as he swooped in beside them and looked down, "You better use that magic of yours to stop the fall there Recruit!"

"How'd she get up that high?" asked Crescent

"I can fly the weight of two Guard ponies a good distance. Remember, I grew up on a farm!"

The sound of a thick thud alerted them and they looked down. A small crater filled the area around Starlight as she lay there.

"Ah good she survived! Well, see you later!" said David

In a instant he was flying down at the Recruits side. Crescent and Flower looked on not knowing what to say.

"So, how was life growing up in Fillydelphia?" asked Flower as the two walked on trying to forget their encounter.

David flew next to the down and out Starlight and stomped his hoof in admiration.

"Good job! You managed to stop yourself despite a two mile fall!"

"I could have been killed!" said Starlight

"Well that was my whole point!" said David

"WHAT!?" yelled Starlight

"How else was I supposed to get you motivated?" he asked as if he had done nothing wrong

Starlight was up in a instant charging David with her horn. He smiled and easily dodged it. She struck towards him again and again and each time he managed to avoid each attack, all the while smiling in what seemed to be his pride of missing them. Starlight charged her magic and fired bolt upon bolt at him in a attempt to hit him, but he flew around them egging her on to get him.

"Come on!" he mocked, "I can do this all day!"

She attacked him with all her strength, getting closer and closer each time. Even as he was flying she was gaining on him, bent on giving him more pain than he has caused her. Feeling a surge of energy she galloped toward him at speeds she didn't even know she had, her horn ready to impale him upon impact. He stood there, smiling in his smug way mocking her. Just as she was about to impale him and end her torment, he flew up and Starlights horn was embedded into the wall.

"Well then, it seems your little escapade has come to a end." said David as he landed next to her

She snorted in anger as she tried to remove herself from the wall, but to no avail. her horn was stuck in there good and it wasn't coming out without any help. David went to do just that but she snapped at him.

"Easy Recruit, I'm just trying to help here." he said with a voice that actually sounded concerned

"I think you've helped enough!" she said in spite

"You have no idea!" said David happily

"Back off!" she yelled

He looked at her eyes half closed as if he knew something she didn't that was plainly obvious.

"Recruit, look at your back."

Starlight tried again to remove her horn and nothing before looking back. On her was the saddlebags full of weight and she didn't even feel it.

"Not only did you attack a opponent with the weight of a full blown Guard on your back, you managed to carry it across the palace as if it was nothing."

"Wow."

"Sorry for my unconventional tactic there Starlight." he said pulling her out with all his strength, "But I had to get to you somehow."

Starlight rubbed her horn and David removed the saddlebags.

"I think you've had enough of me for the day. Report tomorrow same place, same time and we'll continue. Good job Recruit, when the call for you is needed, you go beyond it. By the way what is your calling anyway? There was dirt, mud and grime over where your cutie mark was. What is it?"

"Oh, um,...." stammered Starlight, "It's, ah, I...."

A curious David lifted the armor to see to his surprise a blank flank. Starlight herself was caught off Guard by this and quickly shoved her armor back on. she went red with embarrassment as David shook his head in disbelief.

"What in Discords name!? You're blank!"

Starlight hung her head in shame.

Chapter 25 - Revelations to Relations

David didn't really know what else to say upon discovering this. he knew sometimes cutie marks were late in showing up, but this was ridiculous! This Unicorn was at least near her 20's, and she still didn't have it. he looked at her in shock mouth open near the ground. Starlight was expecting him to laugh like all the others did, make fun of her, or just kick her out for having what she didn't on her flank. As he began to speak, she prepared for the worst.

"Well then. I'd keep the armor on there Starlight. Less of a embarrassment. Just say I said so."

"Wait, you're not going to say anything about it? No joke, mess with me, mock me in front of everyone?"

"Why would I do that?" asked David as if Starlight had grown three new heads, "I may not be the nicest guy you'd ever meet, but I'd have to be some kind of evil to make fun of something like that at this age. You'll get yours soon Starlight. Who knows, the Guard may be just what you need."

Starlight still hung her head in shame. Many had said that to her in one form or another, each time they were wrong. Before she knew it, she was being helped up by two wings and a hoof. She looked to see David giving her a reassuring smile as she got to her feet.

"If not, well, the armor does a good job of hiding it."

Starlight smiled at this herself, no one had ever told her that and for once she felt welcome.

"What's your's?" she asked

"Pitchfork and a sword. My name is David! I'm not all that impressive! Anyway, You're room is still your cell, but Captain Shadow had it upgraded somewhat. More comfortable I guess."

With that he walked away whistling some catchy tune to himself. Starlight covered her blank flank the best she could with her armor, and headed to where her cell and room were. As she stepped inside the other Guards stood there and when they noticed who she was snickered a little. Starlight hung her head once again and tried to hurry along. Both Guards looked at each other confused and went back to guarding. She walked as fast as she could towards her cell trying to toe the line between getting there as inconspicuous as possible, and as fast as possible. Turning a corner she could see it, the door to her room. She picked up speed to get in there but just as she was about to enter, she was stopped as a magic barrier surrounded her. She tried her hardest to break it, but even her own magic failed to break it. The barrier carried her back through the halls until she was upside down and face to face to Charger, Crescent, and Flower.

"Hello." she said nervously

"Hi." said Crescent

"Uh, can you put me down please?" asked Starlight meekly

"You going to run away?" asked Charger

"......Yes." she said

"Then I'm not letting you down." said Flower

Charger walked around her looking her over at her armor and snorted.

"I had to pass a rigorous physical entry exam to get in." he said

"Same here." said Crescent

"Even me." said Flower, "not to mention weeks of training."

"And yet, some random Unicorn off the street gets a free pass in on conscription?" asked Crescent

"Not to mention the only reason she got that is because she embarrassed the Guard and got three of them in major trouble." said Flower

"That three being us!"

"It looked like you had things pretty well handled! I didn't want to make the scene any larger than it was."

The three looked at her unimpressed as Starlight smiled nervously as she hung upside down.

"We got in so much trouble because of you!" said Charger looking her in the eyes

"Alright what's going on!" came a voice from afar

"Lieutenant Spirit, sir!" said Charger

The three Guards went to attention, Flower lowering the barrier around Starlight, who fell to the floor with a plop.

"Sorry." said Flower

"Alright, enough of this business. You three did not get into that punishment because of her, you got in trouble because you acted in rash and probably scared her away! I say you got off easy!"

"Yes sir." said the three

They didn't think of it that way. Starting the fight was what got them in trouble, not protecting her. Spirit snorted in their direction and turned to Starlight who was covering her eyes trying to hide.

"And you Recruit! Running away and hiding from your problems wont solve them! trust me, I know." said Spirit, "Now to your posts! Dismissed!"

He walked off and the four went their separate ways. Starlight returned to her room and closed the door as the three Guards headed to their post. Spirit looked on and laughed.

"I love my job." said Spirit

"LIEUTENANT!" came the shrill yell of Captain Shadow

Ice shot down Spirits spine as he turned around and galloped toward the Captain wondering why he even had this job.

Chapter 26 - Final Exam

Two weeks had passed between Starlights conscription into the Guards and Starlight had graduated from carrying heavy saddlebags around to standing in front of a door to test her mental will. This was nothing like the first day that Sgt. David had put her through. She was hungry, cold, tired, and had to go to the bathroom oh so badly. Yet, if she moved a muscle, somehow David would know as he always seemed to be watching. She tried to calm herself in it being paranoia and that he got lucky a few times when she took a large breath, but it was nagging at her like a bad insect. In truth, he was. Standing in a darkened corridor watching her with a sadistic smile across his face. He had something special planned for her today that would decide her fate if she would make it in the Guard or be hauled off to Tartarus. All he had to do now was wait until he heard a voice from behind.

"Sergeant! What is going on here?" said Shadow as she walked up

"Oh, hey Cap!" saluted David, "Just waiting."

"For what?" asked Shadow looking down the hall, "Is that Starlight Shimmer?"

"Eeyup." said David, "Wont be long now."

"What won't be long? How long as she been standing there?"

"It's not her that's coming. It's who." said David in Glee

"Just what are you talking about Sergeant? Who is com-you're not!" she said finally realizing what's going on

"Oh yeah." said David

"Sergeant, er, David! You can't use her as a final exam to judge her on how good of a Guard she will be!"

"Oh come on! It's what you do!" defended David

"Well, yes, but i do it-"

"Unofficially." said David, "Yeah, yeah Shadow. Spare me the formality code. Besides, this could be fun!"

"Fun?" asked a confused Shadow

"Please to your almighty night Princess Luna you know what fun means!?" asked a exasperated David

"I know what fun means!"

"Really?" asked David not believing her, "Do I have to sing you the FUN song we both have to sing with Filly?"

"Fun is taking part in Enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure. I don't need to sing the song." said Shadow with some uneasiness

"What'd you do? Pull that from the Royal Canterlot Dictionary?" asked David, "OOH! It's starting!"

"What!? No!" said Shadow as she looked on

Before she could intervene David stopped her, and much to his surprise she didn't resist, but this was soon replaced for his eagerness to watch the show.

Starlight was on the verge of collapse when out of nowhere a little Pink Filly Unicorn bounced out of nowhere.

"Hewwo miss." said the little Filly

"Uh, hello young Filly. What are you doing here?"

"I wanna pway!" said the Filly

"Well sorry. I'm on duty." said Starlight

"Eveybody is aways on duty." said Filly before perking up, "Are you Guarding this door?"

"Yes I am. Please let me do my job!" said Starlight

"Ok! Bye bye!" said Filly

"Bye." said Starlight

She went back to standing firm when the door behind her opened and shut. It took her a second to realize what was going on and quickly turned around and burst through the door. Off not far away Sgt. David could barely contain his enjoyment at the subject as a big smile was bore across his face. He looked to Shadow and saw a small smile and decided to take advantage of the situation.

"Come on Cap! Time for some fun!"

"No, Sergeant wait! DAVID!"

Her cries fell on deaf ears as David dragged her up and away.

Starlight dashed through the room, desperately trying to find the little Filly that got in.

"Come on Filly." she said looking under a table, "I really can't deal with this right now!"

She looked behind two statues before hearing a small giggle from across the room.

"My final exam for the Guard is today and I screw this up my Sergeant is going to fail me!"

"I don't think so." said Filly behind her

"Oh really?" asked Starlight

She tried to catch her, but Filly jumped up and took off laughing.

"COME BACK HERE!" she called after her

Filly ran out the door trialed by Starlight. Starlight galloped down the hall looking for the little Filly, but a "Yoo hoo!" from behind her stopped the Guard Recruit dea din her tracks. Looking back she saw the pink filly standing there waving her little hoof at her.

"How did you?" asked Starlight before charging after her

As Filly took off, Starlight charged up her magic and aimed it right for Filly and fired a bolt. It was a spell she learned long ago, and it wasn't to harm the little Filly, but encase her in a magical sphere similar to what Flower had used on her. She fired and the magic spell flew right for Filly and encased her. Filly herself found it hilarious and laughed as Starlight brought her close.

"Gotcha." said Starlight

"Wee! This is fun!" said Filly

"Now how are you going to get out?" asked Starlight

"Like this!" said Filly

Before Starlight's eyes the little Filly's horn glowed and she took control of the orb and started to fly away. Starlight looked on mouth wide open.

A few halls down, Charger and Crescent stood before the door they had grown so used to guarding Crescent was convinced the door was open a tad bit more than usual.

"See! Look at this golden flower here! It's casting a shadow on the third notch in my armor!" whispered Crescent

"Who cares!?" hoarsely whispered back Charger

"If inspection comes here we're screwed!"

"Captain Shadow, maybe! Lieutenant Spirit, I'm sure he wont notice, some random officer wont notice. Sergeant David, he'll laugh at you!"

"I'm just saying!" whispered Crescent

"I doubt we'll lose our positions because of one lonely Flower!"

"Some one call my name?" asked Flower as he walked up

"Oh hey Corporal."

"What's up?" he asked

"Crescent here is freaking out over a flower." said Charger

"What!?" asked a confused and interested Flower

Before anything was said Filly floated by in her little magical bubble. She waved to them all, and they waved back at a loss for words. As the three Guards watched her float off down the corridor.

"You guys saw that right?" asked Crescent

"Sarge and the Captains kid float off down the hall?" asked Charger

"Well really they never officially adopted her, just no one ever claimed her-" started Flower

"LOOK OUT!" came the voice of Starlight

The three looked to see the Unicorn Recruit trying to stop but crashing into all three of them. The sound of grunts and metal armor crashing into each other echoed across the hall.

"Alright Recruit, what's going on?" asked Flower as he pulled himself out from Charger's rear

"I was Guarding and that little Filly-"

"Came out of nowhere." said Charger

"And went in to where you were Guarding?" asked Crescent

"Are you in on this?" asked Starlight out of breath

"No. This happened to all of us." said Flower, "Just let her go, everypony will understand."

"But that ball I put her in! It times out and if she's that high up!" said Starlight in panic

"She'll be in serious pain!" said Charger

"Move it! Move it! Move it!" said Crescent as all three took off after Filly

Starlight lead the charge to catch Filly as she happily floated through the halls of the palace completely unaware of the danger she was in. Every time Flower or Starlight tried to capture the ball Filly was in, she seemed to notice this and maneuvered herself out of the way and block their shots. Crescent was next and flew up, but Filly was too fast and more maneuverable than Crescent and he himself crashed into a pillar supporting the ceiling. The only one not attempting to do anything just run along was Charger, since being a Earth Pony he was just plain useless but didn't want to be reprimanded for not doing anything. They saw Filly fly into a room and the door closed behind her.

"Of course!" said Charger as he barreled forward.

The doors burst open as Charger rammed his head through it and looked around.

"OH COME ON!" he yelled

The hallway forked off into two separate directions. they couldn't tell which way she went but since the windows were stained glass and couldn't open she couldn't have gotten outside by any means.

"Okay, Charger, Crescent, go left. Starlight and I will go right!"

"Why?" asked Starlight

"These two hold the record for chasing her the longest. They're good together!"

"Damn straight!" said Charger, "Come on Crescent!"

The two galloped off down the hall as Flower and Starlight moved down the next. She caught up next to Flower as he looked around for Filly.

"What did you mean they held the record?"

"Filly is a, well, she's kind of adopted by Captain Shadow and Sergeant David!" said Flower, "They found her a few months back and she literally likes to play with new Guards!"

"I bet Sergeant David set me up for this!" said Starlight

"I would bet good bits on it!" said Flower

The two galloped down the hall, Starlight's anger building up inside her as she came to realize that David had set her up once again! They didn't see Filly but they heard her laughing to their left. They looked to see Charger and Crescent chasing after her still in the orb that Starlight had put her in. Filly again darted in and out of sight so the two Unicorns couldn't get a clear shot and was too fast for Crescent. Gaining all her strength, she saw her one opening and leaped into the air. She centered her magic around her feet and it seemed to carry her even further. Filly didn't notice her when Starlight used her magic to break the barrier and grabbed Filly.

"WEEE!" screamed the Filly in joy as Starlight fell to the floor still holding Filly

"Caught you!" she said out of breath

"Yes you did!" said Filly happily

"I'm impressed." came a voice

Starlight looked up to see Sgt. David walking up as Filly got up and happily skipped around him.

"Not bad their Recruit. You are the first pony in awhile to actually catch Filly."

"You did that on purpose didn't you!"

"Yeah. You passed beyond anyones expectations. You didn't beat the record, but you impressed the Top."

"Top?" asked Starlight

"Me." said Shadow

Everyone but David and Filly saluted in her presence. Filly herself trotted over and gave her a hug, which was returned with a warm smile from Shadow herself.

"As I said a moment ago, I am impressed. I think you're training is complete. By tomorrow morning, you will have joined the Guard as a Private. Report to Sergeant David for your posting. All of you dismissed!"

Starlight was a little annoyed at the last part but was overjoyed by it all. She trotted off happily back to her cell as the other three returned to their post happy for her as well.

"Ma'am?" asked Filly, "Am I dismissed to?"

"I think it's your lunch time Filly." she said happily, "Go to the lunch room and I'll make you a sandwich."

"Yay!" said Filly as she ran off

Shadow smiled, something rare for her when she caught sight of David walking off whistling to himself, happy with what he had done.

"Sergeant!" she called to him

"Yes Captain?" he said turning around to face her

"Thanks, for the, the chase today. I had........fun."

"Really?" asked David, "You're welcome Cap. See you tomorrow!"

David then walked off whistling again as Shadow kicked at the ground silently.

Chapter 27 - The calm before

"So this is it? All that propaganda about supporting the Guard and all I've done for five days is stand before a bunch of stained glass windows."

"Face it, for you it was a dang prison sentence regardless." said Charger

"You get used to it." said Crescent

"No you don't." said Charger

The three stood Guard before a hallway, Spirit figuring that three to Guard a door was too much, and David suggesting a hallway instead. It was a bit more traveled than the door, so at least they could see some random high class Pony, another Guard patrol, or whomever decided to pass through to entertain them, even if it was just following them with their eyes.

"Why'd you join here?" asked Starlight

"Flyboy here talked me into it." said Charger

"I thought we were over this!" said Crescent

"I'm still angry about it!" said Charger sharply

"Whatever." said Starlight as she straightened up for a passing Pony, "Well i guess it isn't that bad."

"Pardon?" asked Crescent

"I was homeless, shunned, and for awhile a wanted criminal! Now look! I'm serving in the Royal Guard in Canterlot, even further the palace!"

"Life can work like that!" said Charger

"If my Mother could see me now." she said

"What happened to her?" asked Crescent

"I don't know. I came home from school one day and she was gone. I tried to get help, but after a few months nothing came up and I was forced to go on my own."

"No other family?" asked Charger

"Sadly no. *sigh* I really wish I knew what happened to her."

Crescent and Charger looked to each other feeling for a little bit. They wanted to comfort her in anyway they could, but didn't exactly know what to say and kept silence. Starlight remembered back to the few images she had of her mom before noticing the ground.

"Hey, is lt getting darker?"

The three looked behind them to see dark clouds rolling in. While this was nothing new to them, there were no Pegasus leading it.

"What the?" asked Charger

Elsewhere in the palace, Flower signed out his name with Sergeant David as Spirit walked up just as the clouds blocked out the sun.

"I don't remember the Pegasus having a rainstorm for this week." said Spirit

"I know. Neither did I!"

"It rolled out of Everfree and was hidden behind some mountains before it jumped on Canterlot. Some lazy Pegasus decided it was better to use this to their advantage and skip a medium shower next week." said David, not taking his eyes off the paper

"And how do you know Sergeant?" asked Spirit

"I'm a Pegasus!" said David, "Besides, it says so here in the paper."

He lowered the newspaper and showed them the article. Sure enough it was true, and had caused a stir amongst the other ponies of Canterlot.

"Pony's told to shut their windows and prepare for the worst." said Flower reading the paper

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna urge people to stay calm in case of the worst." said Spirit

"Which is exactly why we're pulling double duty tonight!" came a voice that made Spirit and Flower Jump.

"What?" asked a shocked David

"You heard me Sergeant. All Guards are to be on alert and ready until the storm passes. We clear?" asked Shadow

"Yes Ma'am!" said the three

"When Guards come to sign out for their duties, tell them to head straight back. If they don't like it, report them."

"Can do!" said David

As Shadow walked away David opened a drawer in his desk and used his wing to slap some papers on it. Flower put down the pen and walked back to his post his head hung low out of not wanting to do this.

"What's all this got to do with the storm anyway?" asked Spirit

"It got to do with we don't know where this is going to go, we're just going to go with the flow."

"You mean the storm?" asked Spirit

"Yeah but then I couldn't use the saying." said David

"Well then, I'm going to go inform the rest. See you later David

"A-dee-os Spirit."

"Adios!" corrected the Lieutenant as he walked off

As David flipped through the paper to search for another article to read, a set of evil white eyes stared down at him from above ready to attack as the storm outside worsened

Chapter 28 - The storm

"I'll I'm saying is that Old Man Jenkins had it coming!" argued Charger as he walked through the halls

"No he didn't! He was just a innocent old man!" said Crescent

"I still don't see why you had to grow a tree in the middle of his house." said Starlight flatly

"Meh, before our friend Garter ran off he was quite the Unicorn!" said Charger

"I'm going to get a goods night sleep after this." said Crescent as he walked up to Sgt. David table

The other two stopped and looked at him scared and worried.

"What?" asked Crescent, "I was up at the crack of dawn and who knows what time it is now!"

"Uh, Crescent, look." said Charger

"What?" said Crescent looking at the desk, "GYAAAA!"
The desk was torn apart, papers strewn about about the ground. The newspaper David was holding was ripped to shreds with one piece stuck through one of the table legs. In a lightning flash from outside, they saw a bright red color and their hearts dropped. Starlight quickly shined a light on it and their fears confirmed: blood. They searched around in a panic, but to their horror the body of the Sergeant wasn't found anywhere.

"He's gone!" said Charger

"How could he have gone?" asked Crescent, "Aside the obvious."

"What do you mean?" asked Starlight, "whomever killed him took him?"

"Why would they hide the body but leave this mess?" asked Crescent

The question was puzzling, but as they looked at the pool of blood forming on the floor they hung their heads in sorrow.

"He may have been a bastard, and I hated him so, but....." said Charger

"He believed us when no one else did." said Crescent

"I can't believe he's dead." said Starlight

"Dead?" asked a little voice that sent shivers down their spines

From behind came little Filly walking up and saw David's torn desk and screamed in horror as she ran up to it and looked around in hope of finding him. The three Guards looked on knowing there was nothing they could do. Filly looked in every desk drawer, under David's former seat, and even under scraps of paper, each moment her little heart spiraling faster and faster into despair.

"What is going on here!?" came Shadows voice as she flew up, "Oh my god!"

She landed and looked at the scene and was silent in shock. The three Guards looked at her hoping for a answer, but nothing came. Filly walked up holding David's nameplate in her mouth. It was cracked and part of the wood holding had fallen off. Filly's eyes watered up in tears as she ran to Shadow, who comforted the little Filly.

"Wh-where's Sarge Ma'am?" she asked

"He's in a better place Filly." said Shadow

"Is he coming back?" asked Filly looking up at her

Shadow could barely look Filly in the eyes as a tear formed in her's as well. She looked to the scene and bent down and held Filly.

"No Filly, he's not coming back." she said on the brink of collapse

Filly did though, and buried her head in Shadow's arms and cried her heart out. The rest had to look away, not being able to bear the scene. Everypony knew David was Filly's equivalent to a father, and the sight was too much to bear. Yet, as they did, their eyes met and they knew what they had to do. They turned to Shadow, who looked at them, her red eyes afire with intense feeling and they were all thinking the same thing. Crescent, Charger, and Starlight charged off to search and alert the rest of the palace, if not the whole capital city! They rounded a corner and met Flower on patrol with a few Guards who were surprised to see them.

"Whoa, what's going on?" asked one of the Guards

"Sergeant David is dead." said Charger

"What!?" said the other Guard

"What happened?" asked Flower

"We don't know, but his desk is smashed and there is blood." said Crescent, "We need to search for his killer now!"

"Agreed! You two! Fan out and tell others!" ordered Flower

"Yes sir!" said the guards before galloping off."

"Orders Corporal?" asked Crescent

"Does Captain Shadow know?" he asked

"She's comforting Filly. She stumbled upon the wreck." said Charger

"Lieutenant Spirit isn't far from here. We'll go alert him and hill give us the orders. Follow me!"

A fire burned in their hearts and whomever did this was going to pay for this in the worst way possible. Yet, above in the rafters of the palace, two beings watched below as the Guards moved out.

"Everything is going to plan!" said one with a nasally and raspy voice

"Yes, yes! Soon we will have the riches!" cried the second in estatic in a similar voice

"The desk Guard has been disposed of?" asked the first

"Don't know. Never was reported in."

"Odd. Well, they say he's dead, so he must be dead."

"Shall we move on with the next plan?"

"Next part you fool! Lord Red wishes to talk with the scalys first before moving on."

"Awe, why do we have to work with scalys?"

"because Lord Red said so! Now move!"

Chapter 29 - Unraveling

"Guard!" said Spirit, 'Good thing I found you!" said Spirit

Flower, Crescent, Charger, and Starlight stood before Spirit and Khan out of breath and looking at him wanting to make words, but unable to.

"Khan here said he saw a creature move through the palace! We need to get a alert out!"

"We (PANT) (PANT) know sir." said Charger out of breath

"Why are you all tired as, well, could be?" asked Khan

"David's dead." said Flower bluntly

"WHAT!?" said the two others in unison

"His desk is destroyed, papers tore up, and there was blood." said Crescent before gasping for air

"He's (PANT) nowhere to be found." said Starlight

"By Celestia no!" said Spirit

"May Luna grace his soul." said Khan

"Does the Captain know?" asked Spirit

"She's with Filly." said Starlight

"No, she didn't stumble upon the-" started Khan

The Guards reluctantly nodded their heads as Khan sat down to take it all in: "Well he went out like he always wanted to. Reading the paper if what you say is correct."

"We don't (PANT) know who did it," said Flower, "But if it's what Khan saw, it's them."

"He said it may have been a Griffon." Spirit explained

"A griffon!?" said a shocked Flower, "I thought we made peace with those guys!"

"So did I!" said Spirit, "Look, you search where you can! I'll alert Captain Armor about the situation! The death of one of own is not taken lightly! Keep on your guard, uh, Guards. David may have come off as a lazy slacker, but he was a expert fighter and wouldn't have gone down easily! Khan You up to find his killer?"

"You have no idea!" said Khan

"Alright, Charger, Crescent, no one can comb the palace like you can! Get all you can in the search and don't stop until even a mouse is stopped! Starlight, Flower, Khan, do the same but outside! Your magic should help you spot anything suspicious in the rain and Khan, you have the best eyes in the palace! Move!"

The Guards and the astrologer moved out fast. Spirit galloped for the door leading the Officers quarters and Captain Shining Armors private room. It was only a few hallways away and up a flight of stairs. Just as he was about to reach the staircase, the doors in front of him slammed shut and he saw a monstrous figure with bright yellow eyes blocking his path. He tired to turn around and head back when a similar figure blocked his path as well. Trapped he looked both ways and around trying to find escape when two odd figures and a larger one dropped before him.

"Stand down or you will give me no choice!" said Spirit

"Sorry, but we can't let you alert the whole palace!" said a raspy and sinister voice

"I'm warning you!" said Spirit

The three just laughed when one pulled out a glowing green orb. Spirit knew whatever it was couldn't be good. He kicked off the wall and charged forward, staring straight into the green glowing orb at full speed.

Charger and Crescent kicked in a door, a thunderclap sounding right after it as they did. Two Pegasus Guards stood there and looked at them funny

"There's been a murder." said Charger

"Sgt. David!"

The Guards looked at each other in shock and then back at Charger and Crescent.

"How can we help?" one asked

"Search the castle for anypony who shouldn't be." said Crescent

"And alert any you can. Lieutenant Spirit is alerting Captain Armor as we speak. Who ever did this isn't going to get away easily."

The Pegasus guards nodded their heads and flew off to start the search. Charger and Crescent took off down another hall looking through lightning flashes for anything out of the ordinary. When one flashed, they saw a figure standing in the distance. The outline was definitely of a pony, but they couldn't exactly tell for the pony was in a already darkened area.

"Hey stop!" yelled Charger

A thunderclap boomed through the city and the pony burst open the door with a swift buck from the hind legs and headed through. The other two took off in the chase as the mysterious pony jumped through another set of doors.

"HALT!" yelled Charger as thunder struck again

"You know, if you would actually yell for him where there is no thunder, that pony would here us!"

Charger paid little attention to it and kept at it and saw the pony turn their head to face them before the figure galloped off even harder

"Oh they can here us!" said Charger

He gave it all his go and chased after his target as the door in front of him closed. He lowered his head and bashed it open, his ears ringing from the impact, but he recovered fast and looked around. It was dark and he couldn't see anything, but that pony couldn't have gotten far. Out of nowhere two pairs of legs bucked him right in the face and he fell over. Crescent came in next to see Charger on the ground and went to his friends side before being bucked in the head as well. As Crescent went down lightning flashed but he failed to see his assailant. As he blacked out he could have sworn he heard a voice say: "Oops."

Chapter 30 - Turning

I can't see a thing in this rain!" said Khan as he used his trained eyes to look out over the palace

Even with Starlight and Flower using their magic to create a makeshift magical umbrella, he could hardly see two feet before his face. He held his hoof to cover his eyes so he could see a little farther, but nothing out of the ordinary. The only time he ever got a true good look was when the lightning flashed, but since pegasi weren't commanding it, the flashes were quick, random, and most were too dim to really help.

"I still can't believe he's dead." said Starlight

"Let's not focus on that." said Khan, "Let us focus on the task at hand and find out who did it!"

"How'd they even get in?" asked Flower

"Probably the same way you guys found me." said Starlight

"The sewers!" said Khan

The epiphany hit them all hard and they realized that a assassin could in and get out in such a storm through the sewers, and were galloping toward the sewer entrance. The burst through one of the palace doors to encounter two Unicorn Guards and a Earth Pony Guard also on the search.

"You find David's killer?" asked the earth Pony

"No, but we think we know where they got in!" said Flower

"Where?" asked the Unicorn

"The sewers!" said Khan, "Come on!"

The group took off toward the sewer entrance to the palace at full gallop.

"Has Captain Shining Armor been alerted?" asked Flower

"We don't know. We were alerted by two Pegasus already on the search."

"Lieutenant Spirit said he was going to alert him!" said Khan, "He should have done so by now."

"The storm may be interfering with it for all we know." said the other Unicorn Guard

They made it to the sewer entrance, and sure enough the guards who were supposed to be standing before it were knocked out and down. As the other Flower and the other Guards checked their fallen comrades, Khan and Starlight looked into the sewer entrance. It had been forced open and due to the storm cooling down the ground steam was pouring out of it like it was the maw to some dark and mysterious creature. Starlight backed away as Khan walked up to it as if challenging it to bring forth it's dark forces from within when the other Guards around him spoke up.

"They're getting up!" said one

"Easy buddy." said Flower, what happened.

The two Unicorn guards who had been knocked out stood up and shook their heads before looking at their comrades.

"Guards what happened?" asked the Earth Pony

No answer was given, the two just attacked. Each one had a spear and swung and stabbed it at their "comrades" sending the rest reeling back in horror.

"Stand down Guards! Stand down!" said a Unicorn

He was stabbed in the side, and doubled over in pain. The spear seemed to glow green before his attacker pulled it out.

"Stoic, you okay?" said the Earth Pony walking up to his friend

Khan watched the wounded Guard as a flash of lightning revealed something to his horror. The wound had healed up in a instant before the formerly wounded Guard attacked the Earth Pony, sending him to the ground.

"Stoic!? What in Discords name are you-AHH!"

He was stabbed by the other turned Guards and began to turn as well, his wounds healing up and the Earth Pony standing up and looking at the rest in anger and spite.

"I think we should get out of here." said Flower

"I second that." said the Unicorn Guard

The Unicorns fired off a few bolts of magic before beating a hasty retreat with Khan. They were quickly followed, forced to return fire as well as they galloped through the halls, flashes of lightning lighting their way and betraying their position to their attackers.

"I know that power!" said Khan

"What?" yelled Starlight as she opened a door

"it's a old potion made back when Discord was in power! He created it himself to terrorize the ponyfolk even further when their combined power started to overdo his!"

"Are you saying Discord is behind this!?" said the Unicorn Guard in fear

"Impossible! he was defeated by the Mane 6! Whomever is doing this has access to some very old books."

"How do you know?" asked Flower

"I have access to some very old books." said Khan

"Well, maybe we can-GYAAAH!"

He looked to see a spear embedded in his flank right under his armor.

"Oh Luna no!" said Flower before looking at his comrades, "GO! GO NOW!"

"But!" said Starlight

"NO! GO!" he said with a struggle, "I can feel it working on me-RRRRAAAH!"

He swung at Khan before the rest made off fast. Starlight looked behind to see Flower join their pursuit in fear as the Khan took the lead.

"Quickly! I have the book in my lab!"

Chapter 31 - Taken

"Oh my head!" said Crescent

"Owe my head." said Charger rubbing his head

"Well, that's what happens when you use your head all the time."

"I thought that was a good thing?" said Charger standing up

"That means to think! Not literally!" said Crescent

"Why didn't anypony ever tell me!?" asked Charger

"Because nopony thought you'd take it seriously!" said Crescent

Charger rubbed his head and cracked his jaw: "Man, whoever that was could buck!"

"I think my helmet is dented!" said Crescent, "Well, whoever that was, they're lost and long gone now. Who knows how long we've been out."

"Storm is still raging." said Charger as lightning flashed, "Couldn't have been that long."

"Well who knows how big that storm is. Come on, let's go report in to the first patrol we can find."

The two stood up and walked through the eerily silent halls. They figured by now the whole palace would be on alert and searching for the killer of their Sergeant, but maybe they had moved on from the palace. Either way, there would still be a patrol or two they would run into at least a duo of Guards around. As they passed corridor after corridor, nothing. Yet, even with this, they couldn't shake the feeling something wasn't right. Something was off, and their nerves were on edge as each door they passed creaked open only to reveal nothing where they could swear there was something there waiting for them. It was then they heard what sounded like a howling behind them betting closer and closer. They froze for a split second as it got closer and closer before their training took over and they readied for the attack.

"You feel that?" asked Charger

"I taste that!" said Crescent

The howling got closer and closer before they screwed their instincts and took off running.

"Khan!" yelled the Unicorn Guard, "Where is that antidote! I can't hold this door much longer!"

"How do you think I feel?" asked Starlight

Both were using their magic to hold in a brace on the door to Khan's astrology lab and keep the door shut as Khan worked at his chemistry set. He went back and forth between the book and the test tubes as he lit a burner to boil it.

"Sorry! It's been a while since I made this!"

"Well hurry up!" said Starlight! I can't hold this much longer!"

"Sorry! I got to boil this for three minutes! Just a little longer!" said Khan

"Awe no! They're getting in!"

The doors cracked under the pressure before bursting open and the turned Guards walked in, holding their spears up ready to turn them as well.

"Doctor!" said the Unicorn

"INCOMING!" yelled Charger

They burst through the door, toppling the turned Guards as well before a small dragon burst in as well.

"A dragon!? what is going on?" yelled Khan

The dragon wasn't that old, adolescence if anything, but still imposing. It thrashed around a bit before Crescent took one of the dropped spears and stabbed it into its nostril. it screamed in pain before running off crying.

"That's a dragon for ya." said Charger, "Kick it off its high horse and it's a big cry baby. Nice shot there Crescent."

"Thanks!" said Crescent, "so what's going on?"

Four Unicorn Guards and Corporal Flower eyed them with the intent to kill as the fourth one took a spear out of its thigh, the wound healing right up as it did.

"Uh, Flower, what's going on here?" asked Charger

"No time to explain!" said Khan as he dropped next to them, "Here, drink this!"

They didn't have time to respond as Khan forced the green liquid down their throats.

"Blech, what was that?" asked Charger

"I know it tastes bad but come on! We got to move!"

Starlight was right behind him before she was stabbed in the flank as well. She screamed in horror and looked as the spear was removed and her wound healed up.

"What is going on here!?" yelled Crescent

Starlight shivered in fear, but nothing happened. The turned Guards looked on confused as Khan cheered.

"HAHA! I did it! I knew I could still do it!" he cried, "Oh dear!"

He ducked his head as the spear was driven into the wall beside him. The potion may have negated the mind control of the spears, but a stab to the head would most likely kill him.

"RUN!" yelled Starlight

The four took off down the halls with the turned Guard chasing after them.

"Okay! Explain! Right now!" said Charger

"Whoever is attacking the palace is using some weird old world potion to control the minds of the Guard!"

"You mean that dragon?" asked Crescent

"No, but that dragon must be working with them." said Khan

"How'd he even get in the palace?" asked Charger

"The sewer entrance was taken out! They must've used the storm to sneak in and moved in that way!" said Khan

"Doctor Khan, sir," said Starlight, "How'd you know the potion would work?"

"Not the first time I made it after I discovered what that potion could do! David and I drunk it a few years back before he was even in the Guard!"

"That explains why David was killed!" said Charger

"What?" asked Crescent

"He couldn't be hypnotized, so they killed him outright to keep their cover!"

"We need to alert the rest! Quick! before it's too late!" said Khan

They rounded a corner to see Captain Shadow standing their with two Lunar guard pegasi looking at them.

"Captain Shadow!" said Charger, "Are we sure glad we found you!"

"The Guard are being mind controlled by somepony or something!" said Starlight

"I managed to concoct a potion that can break the spell.Myself and these Guards have taken it, but we need to act fast." said Khan

"Also," said Crescent, "There is a dragon loose in the Palace if that's any news."

The Lunar Guard didn't move, but Shadow drew in a breath.

"I know." she said in a monotone that was unlike her

"Perfect!" said Khan, "Wait, how?"

"Lieutenant!" yelled Shadow

Behind them Lieutenant Spirit, Flower, and the four turned Unicorn Guards walked up with newly acquired spears, and crossbows.

"Right, you guys were caught. Just great!" said Charger, "Yep! I give up. We surrender!"

"Since when?" asked Crescent

"Since I'm usually the leader, and I outrank Starlight."

"Ahem?" asked Khan

"You're a civilian." said Charger

"Hard to argue with that logic." said Starlight

"Send them to the dungeon until Lord Rex can figure out what to do." said Shadow

"Yes Ma'am." said Spirit as if in a trance

The four were lead off to wait out for their fate as Shadow and her group walked off to capture as many Guards as they could.

Chapter 32 - Got ya

Chained at the legs, bodies, and necks, Khan, Starlight, and Crescent laid in the dungeon. while Charger hung. The storm outside still raged more furious as ever and they sat defeated. Khan kicked a small pebble across the room not regretting a thing but never planning to go out like this. He looked up at the storm and knew that behind it were thousands of stars just waiting to be discovered, but knew that he had mapped many more. If he was going to be stuck down here indefinitely, at least he would have a nice view of the stars at least. Starlight wondered if she maybe should have skipped the potion and just joined the turned Guard until a lightning flash shined on her gold armor and she took it back. She tried her best for being only a little while in the Guard, especially knowing her background. This small glimmer of light that flickered on her armor for just a split second brought a small smile to her face. However, even this was eclipsed by Charger and Crescent as Charger thought back on what he'd done over his life and looked to his friend and sighed.

"Well, I wanted action in the Guard." said Charger, "Guess I got it."

"Sorry man." said Crescent

"I don't blame you." said Charger, "I've lead you all around al your life, I guess it was time to let you lead for once."

"Thanks." said Crescent

"Of course, knowing the first time I let you lead wound us up chained for eternity-"

"Let's not get into that." said Crescent

Just then, footsteps could be heard outside, one was distinctly of a ponies, but the others were of something else, and the halls were too small for a dragon. The door opened and in walked Spirit still in his mind controlled state. he bowed his head and in walked two hulking beastly figures and a smaller skinnier one that made them think about what he was.

"Diamond dogs!?" said Khan, "How did these guys get in here?"

"Quiet Pony!" said Spirit

"You're a pony too Lieutenant." said Charger

He was poked by one of the small dog creatures halberd, which hurt.

"Listen up ponies!" said the small one, "My name is Lord Rex and you bow to me now!"

"What are you doing here in Equestria!?"

"Me struck up a deal with two scaly dragons! Me keeps the most precious gems in all of the land for myself, and they feast on the jewels of Canterlot!"

"Precious jewels?" asked Crescent

"Yes!" exclaimed Rex in joy, "With gems we control all of Equestria and force ponies to dig up gems for us! With special ancient potion, we control Royal Guard to capture Princesses and Dragons help also!"

"Why would you care!?" asked Khan, "You have all the gems you would ever need back where ever you freaks come from!"
Khan was smacked hard with a halberd as Rex laughed.

"Too long prissy ponies control world! Too long we other species have to suck up to you, and scrounge around looking for precious while you steal them all! Now we in control now! We keeps gemsies all to ourselves! Precious, precious gems!"

He walked off howling in laughter before stopping.

"Lou pony! Watch them! Make sure they don't escape!"

"Yes sir Lord Rex!" said Spirit as he closed the door inside

He stood there in the corner in his trance. he didn't flinch or move a muscle. Charger decided to test a theory and moved a little. Spirit didn't budge. He coughed, nothing.

"Lieutenant!? Hello, Lieutenant?" he called out

Spirit didn't budge.

"He's literally here to make sure we don't escape." said Charger, "Nothing else!"

"So, does that mean we plan a escape?" asked Crescent

"I don't know." said Charger

"Planning would implement we try and escape, so no." said Khan

"How are Diamond dogs in all of this?" asked Starlight, "I thought they were just a bunch of second rate idiotic thugs!"

"They can be dangerous when need be." said Khan, "Besides, as their name implies, they're dogs. There are dozen's of packs all over Equestria in the outskirts where gems still persist. There was bound to be one like this somewhere or another. "Lord Rex" probably got luck with the dragons to use as muscle to take on the Princesses."

"Do you think the Princesses can handle it?"

"With most of the Guard now seemingly under their control, and the storm blocking out the moon and the sun, they may just succeed!" said Khan in a worry, "by the time anypony else has time to react, it will be too late."

"So, we lost?" asked Charger

"So it seems." said Crescent, "I wonder what they are going to do to us?"

Just then, a knock came at the door.

"Open up!" came a nasally raspy voice from behind it

"Who's there?" asked Spirit

"Special gift from Lord Rex!" came the voice

"I think we're about to find out!" said Starlight, her voice shivering from fear.

Spirit opened the door and before he knew it a cannon was shoved in his face.

"Hi there!" said David

He pulled the cord of the cannon, firing a blast point blank into Spirits face, sending him back and into the wall, leaving a outline where his body hit.

"Untie them!" ordered David

Two Pegasus flew in and began to undo the chains.

"What the!? Sergeant?" said a shocked Crescent as his chains were undone

"Howdy!" said David, "getting yourselves caught, I thought they trained you better."

"We thought you were dead!" said Starlight

"It's gonna take allot more than a Diamond Dog to take me out! Seriously! How do you think I got my rank?"

"But, your desk, the shredded paper, the mess, the blood!" said starlight

"Dog tried to slash my paper, I kicked him hard in the shin, He tried to smash me at my desk, a grabbed a pencil and stabbed him. Tried to hypnotize me with some weird thing, but I can't be hypnotized, then stabbed me with some enchanted blade of sorts, I took a potion against it. We scuffled a little, and well, Diamond Dogs can't fight to save their lives and ran for it. Come on! Would I really die like that!?"

"But, that pony we saw!" said Charger

"Yeah, sorry about that. I ended up chasing that damn dog all over the palace, and well, I thought you guys were others. I tried to get help but-"

"You were attacked by the other Guards?" asked Khan

"Yeah! I found these two perfectly fine. Saw you guys get captured, and went after ya. Took a cannon for good measure."

"Sergeant! The Lieutenant is waking up!"

They all looked over to Spirit as he shook his head and sat up.

"Guard! The castle is under attack by Diamond Dogs and Dragons! We need to act fast!" he said

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy there old buddy." said David walking up

"David! Thank Celestia you're alive! We feared the worst!"

"Come on man!" said David helping his friend up, "I'm too good for that! What happened?"

"They cornered me, I went to attack and this one pulled out this green orb and I blacked out. Next thing I know I'm in this dungeon."

"You were hypnotized sir!" said one of the Pegasus Guards, "They are doing it to the whole Guard!"

"How'd I get out?" asked Spirit

"I shot you point blank with a cannon." smiled David

"Really?" asked a flat toned Spirit

David nodded his head happily.

"Well, we need to alert whomever hasn't been hypnotized or whatever and mount a counter attack! We need to stop them, and I don't think they'll agree to be shot at point blank with a cannon."

"I have a better idea!" said Khan

"What is it?" asked Spirit

"I managed to make some antidote to the mind control in my lab! If we load it up in the cannon, we can return the Guards back to normal!"

"You got any spare on you?" asked David

Khan took some out of his pocket: "I couldn't use it earlier, I was outnumbered!"

"Load these two up with it! I don't want them turning midway through a fight."

"Okay!" said Spirit, "David, take these two pegasi and get two more cannons! The rest of us will return to his lab to get more of that antidote! I hope this works!"

Chapter 33 - Arming up

"Sssh! Keep quiet!" said David

Both he, two pegasi, and Starlight moved towards the armor thought he corridors. Avoiding turned Guard patrols and everything, the storm betraying their position during lightning strikes.

"Never did I think I'll end up fighting my own combat brethren!" said a Pegasus

"Were you here when Discord was trying to take back the throne?" asked David

"No. I was still in training."

"Ended up fighting statues of Guards past, Guard effigies, and well, statues. Unicorns and the princesses did they best to shield the city, but Discord doesn't play by the rules." explained David

"What's all that mean?" asked Starlight

"I've been through stranger." said David, "Look, there it is!"
Just beyond them was the room where the Guard stored all their weaponry. Two Unicorn Guards stood before it. David held his hoof out to signal a halt as he moved in. He moved his left wing in various signals which were alien to Starlight but the Pegasus understood it all. He walked up to them as lightning flashed before him. The Guards didn't eye him or anything, just stood there.

"Name, rank, favorite Cereal!"

"Private, Steel- wait a second!"

"You encounter anypony else along this corridor guards?"

"Negative Sarge. Been quiet all night. Any particular reason?"

"Ah the castle is going under attack, the Guard is being turned into mind controlled zombies, all lead by dragons and some nut job diamond dog. You know, Discord has blessed the night."

"What do we do?"

"Open the door." said David before signaling with his wing.

The Pegasus and Starlight moved their hiding space as the Unicorns opened the door to the armory. As they walked in and started to grab weapons, Starlight walked up to David.

"Favorite Cereal?" she asked

"This potion makes them follow commands to the letter. You saw it with Spirit, he was there to make sure you didn't escape and nothing else. They would have said their favorite cereal and well, the other Pegasi would have attacked. Simple as that."

"Oh." said Starlight

"Pegasi, cannons. Unicorns, with me!" ordered David

The pegasi grabbed two cannons and tied rope around them to move them. David meanwhile moved to several large set's of heavy armor.

"Guards, meet the Draft Model Heavy Guard Armor. Covers all part of the body save for small slits in the eyes that can't be pierced by most blades. Used in heavy combat back in the day, and now reserved for when, well, times like this."

"Why don't we wear this all the time?" asked Starlight

"Are you kidding!?" asked a Unicorn Guard

"Standing in that armor in the sun all day! It's basically a oven!" said the other

"Also, Pegasi can't fly too well in it. So we use these lighter models." said David, "Less intimidating also."

"Oh." said Starlight

"Alright, gather around!" said David as he grabbed a map of the Palace and unfolded it on the floor, "As far as we know, most of the Guard is unaware of what's going on, and any who are are probably turned. Our objective is to get the cannons to Wild Khan's lab. He's making a antidote to cure the mind control along with Lieutenant Spirit and two other Guards. Anypony we encounter we are to shout halt. If they do not stop, we attack."

"Sir, what about the dragons?" asked a Pegasi

"Load the cannons with scale-piercing rounds. Their lives are of no concern to us, but the Guards are! I want non-lethal fighting styles but be alert! They want us dead but it's not vice-versa. That being said, there is also a pack of Diamond Dogs in the palace so Pegasi! Wing blades! We load the cannons and some extra armor on a cart to be pulled by the Unicorns! Starlight, your on point with the cart. the Pegasi and I will provide cover. We clear?"

"Sir yes sir!"

"I'm a Sergeant not a Officer. Let's try that again."

"Sarge....yes....Sergeant?" said the Guard

"Better. But for future reference, this is not the Royal Pony Marine Corps, just the Guard. It's "Yes Sarge!" Lets move!"

"Three drops of Pegasus feather!" said Khan

"Uh. What?" asked Crescent

"Just put three of your feathers in there!" said Khan

"Oh okay!"

"Doc, better speed things up! Some turned patrol is going to show up soon!" said Spirit

Spirit and Charger watched the door to the lab for any signs of movement. The slightest vibration of the windows from the storm caught their attention as they watched. The observatory itself was darkened save for a small fire lighting the antidote where Khan and Crescent worked on it.

"I'm sorry! But this takes time! It's chemistry! Not mathematics!"

"Technically you can't rush that either." said Crescent

"Not the time there buddy!" yelled Charger

"We got movement!" said Spirit

"Please tell me it's David and his team!" said Khan

"No, it's not! Douse the light!" said Charger

All went quiet as they patrol passed. Their zombie like stares gave way to their purpose of finding anything out of the ordinary and dealing with it accordingly. Fortunately, they failed to see the observatory doors opened ever so slightly and moved on.

"They gone?" asked Crescent

"Yeah, yeah I think so!" said Charger as he looked again

A mindless eye met him through the crack and Charger shut it instantly followed by Spirit helping him.

"No! No they're not gone!" yelled Charger

"Hurry it up with that!" yelled Spirit

Chapter 34 - The Tide

"Crescent! Pour half a cup of the elixir into the main brew!"

"What!?" asked Crescent

"Pour the pink thing into the green thing!" yelled Khan

"Oh." said Crescent doing his allotted task

"Doc!" yelled Spirit, "Hurry up with that potion!"

"I'm a Doctor Lieutenant! Not a Witch doctor!" yelled Khan

"I thought you were a astro-"

"Not now Crescent!" yelled Charger

Down below, Charger and Crescent used all their strength to keep their attackers at bay. The doors themselves buckled under the stress of being bucked repeatedly, only ot be held shut from the inside One began to crack under the stress while the others hinges began to bend. This served only to increase the resistance and power both sides were giving. Then, out of nowhere the doors glowed with magic and began to open despite the twos best efforts.

"We're going to have incoming!" said Charger

"We need to hold them off as long as we can until Khan can make some more!" said Spirit

"Are you sure we can do that!?" he asked

"No, but we have no choice! Remember your training Guard! Here they come!"

With one heave the door opened and in charged the turned Guard, a mix of Lunar and Royal, all bearing down on them with weapons ready for the piercing. Spirit turned around and bucked two back while Charger barreled through a line of them before head butting one out into the hallway out the doors. Spirit ducked as one swiped a sword at him before being stabbed in the flank by a spear. He watched as the Lunar Guard stepped back with a evil smile on his face as the wound healed. Nothing. Spirit smiled and bucked the confused turned Lunar away and into the telescope where he fell. Charger turned around and bucked two in the head as Pegasus flew over toward Khan and his antidote. Crescent flew up and met them head on, locking both down to the ground before diving in after them. he stomped on the ground, but the Pegasus moved out of the way and tackled him to the ground and held him there until Charger knocked them both off with his head.

"I used my head!" said Charger

"Again, literally!" said Crescent

"I say we give them the ol' double take!" said Charger

Crescent nodded and stood behind his friend. A fresh troop of turned Guard entered and Spirit was forced to hiding behind a a barricade of tables and chairs with the other Pegasus Pony flinging books at them. The Guards were too distracted on the Lieutenant to do anything else Charger got down low and looked to the area where his cutie mark was and then to his friend.

"Let's do this!" he said

Crescent nodded.

Before them lay a dozen Guards too distracted to do anything about what was about to happen. Charger took off at full speed, pouring out every ounce of strength he had in his body, knocking several Guards into the air. Those quick enough to step out of his way were quickly clottheslined by Crescent who had his wings out and running right behind his friend. Khan got in the act as well, having created enough of the antidote where he could fill the mouths of several turned Guards. The Returned Guards awoke and looked on to see the chaos ensuing and didn't know what to do.

"Okay, see the Lieutenant, the Pegasus he's with, and the Pegasus and Earth Pony bulldozing around?" asked Khan to them

"Uh huh." they said

"Don't fight them. The rest, they have all been taken over by a magical old potion that has brainwashed them into attacking us. Subdue the rest so I can make them drink this and cure them of their mind control. You catch all that?"

"Uh....no." said a Guard

"Go do it anyway."

The Guards did their best to understand their orders. They grabbed any Guard they could find and threw them at Khan, who promptly fed them the antidote and added more to the Guard ranks. As he did, he was tapped on the shoulder.

"Corporal Flower! Glad to have you back!" said Khan

"What happened? Last thing I remembered was being stabbed and-I was taken over wasn't I."

"Yes yes you were." said Khan, "But i fed you the Antidote and it seems to have worked on you."

"Thanks?"

"Yes, thanks indeed! Now then! Capture as many of these Guards as you can! We got a fight to win!"

Spirit kicked a guard with the full force of his hoof, and as the Turned Guard fell back was hit with the full force of Chargers head and slammed into the wall. Out cold, the turned Guard was bucked over to Khan who fed him the antidote. Crescent joined him, and they bucked three Guards at once into the wall before four more were upon them. The two Guards stood there ready for the worst when each one was lifted up and flung into the wall and piles of books fell upon them. They looked to see Flower standing there with two other Unicorn Guards triumphant and smiling. The fighting continued, but with the Turned unable to add more to their ranks, and the Returned Guard growing larger by the knockout, the tide had turned. Soon, only three turned Guards were left, held down by the returned comrades and were force fed the antidote, returning them to normal.

"Alright." said a Happy Lieutenant Spirit, "We got a Platoon size force of Guards here. Any Officers above 1st Lieutenant?"

None raised their hands.

"Crap." said Spirit, "Well then, Sergeant David should be here soon and we can retake the castle and return our comrades to the right side of this conflict."

"Oh, me wouldn't think so." said a raspy voice from afar

They all looked to see a Diamond dog before several Diamond Dog soldiers standing there ready to attack.

"Oh boy." said Khan

"Royal Guard!" yelled Spirit

The Guard drew into a attack stance and aimed for their adversaries.

"CHARGE!"

Spirit's lungs were dry as the Guard leapt into action. Their larger adversaries were quick to lasso them, but Guard training had prepared them for this and they used it to their advantage. When one was lassoed, they either flew up, took control, or used brute strength to knock them back. The Golden and Dark Blue tidal wave of ponies dove into the silver and brown, and didn't stop. Close in, the halberds did little against the sheer bucking force of a Guards kick, even more so when a few dropped ones were grabbed by Unicorns and thrown back at them. As the Diamond Dog soldiers started to beat a hasty retreat, they were stopped by a mass of scales standing before them.

"Oh yeah," said Khan, "We forgot about the dragons."

"Oh this is going to hurt." said Flower backing up

The dragons stood there laughing as they squared off with the Guards, occasionally snorting fire as they did. They eyed the pony Guards with glee and drew in a big breath before their backs exploded. The two dragons fell over, smoke pouring from their backs as David landed on top of them.

"What?" asked David, "Were you expecting some epic battle of Dragons and Ponies!? No! That's what we have cannons for!"

He pointed behind himself to show his team having arrived, the cannons still smoking from recently being fired. Two Pegasus floated above as the heavily armored Unicorns stood ready for a fight. The Diamond Dog soldiers dropped their weapons, if they still had them, and ran for it. Their pack leader tired to run as well but was grabbed by Charger as he passed at the tail and plopped in front of Spirit and David.

"Where in the wide world of Equestria do you think you're going?" asked David

"Um, to see Lord Rex?"

"And where would that be?" asked Spirit

"On the 8th floor balcony over looking the city-oops."

"Thank you for such a easy interrogation!" said a sarcastically happy David before knocking the dog out with his hoof, "Idiot."

"Alright Guards!" yelled Lieutenant, "We know where our target is! Suit up and prepare for the attack!"

The Guards loaded up with weapons and armor brought by David as the Sergeant walked to his friend.

"Spirit, I highly suggest you alert Captain Armor to this. We could really use the skill and pony power for this."

"Agreed. I'll lead a squad this time."

"Take mine. Charger, Crescent, Flower, Starlight!"

"Yes Sarge?" they all asked

"Go with Spirit! You have to alert Captain Armor!"

"You got it!" said Charger as he put on the heavy armor."

"Let's move out!" yelled Spirit

Before anypony could move, five Lunar Guards appeared in heavy Guard armor from behind ready to attack. Leading them was Captain Shadow, still turned.

"Right, we forgot her to." said Khan

"You guys go." said David, "I'll hold them off."

"Sergeant!" said a worried Spirit, "You sure!?"

"I fought her once I can do it again!" said David

There was a sense of fear in his voice, but he did his best to hide it under his cocky demeanor.

"Lieutenant Arrow!" yelled Spirit, "Lead the Guard to the destination! I'm going to alert Captain Armor and the rest of the Guard and will be back with reinforcements."

"Yes sir." said the Pegasus Lieutenant

"Sergeant!" said Spirit

David turned to him with a assured smile and nodded. As the Guards moved one of the heavy Luna Guards tried to attack, but was knocked over and out by David's wing. Spirit returned the smile to his friend and left with the squad. David turned back to the turned Guard and Captain Shadow and laughed a little.

"Oh I can't believe I'm doing this."

Chapter 35 - Heating up

A mass of armor and pony smashed into the side of the wall, joining others as David stood there and cracked his neck from his recent headbutt.

"185 bits a year for this. Maybe I should gain another rank." David said to himself as he straightened his armor, "Hey Captain! Can I request a bid for promotion to Staff Sergeant. I do believe my record speaks for me, as well as this work."

He pointed to the two dragons still out from his cannon blasts and the pile of defeated turned Lunar Guards. Shadow snorted and glared at him. He smiled at her knowing the entire request was going to be denied due to the current situation. Sure enough Shadow denied it all across his face with her hoof and slamming onto a wall. David was up and spread his wings to fly. His wing blades he had put on flashed in a lightning strike before each one was crushed under two heavy stone blocks Shadow kicked at him. David narrowed his eyes at her and set his sights at the center of her armor. If he could destroy the "eye" on it, the rest of the armor would fall off. Same went with the star on his, and she knew it. Getting into position, he took off at Shadow.

"Captain Armor should just be up the stairs!" said Spirit

The Officer and his squad galloped down the hall as the storm outside seemed to intensify with every thunder clap. At the end of the hallway, three diamond dog soldiers stood there blocking the path with their weapons lowered to skewer the pony guards.

"Starlight, Flower!" said Spirit

"Yes sir!" the two said

They aimed their horns and tore the halberds from the solders arms. As they jumped for them, he nodded towards Charger and the Earth Pony surged forward, knocking them all down like bowling pins. One tried to get up but was bucked hard by Crescent, leaving a hoof-shaped indent into the soldiers helmet.

"Top of the stairs!" said Spirit

The ponies moved up as Crescent flew and banged upon the door as hard as he could. As the rest joined him the door opened and Shining Armor stepped out, not exactly the happiest.

"What is it? The Princess is trying to-" he yelled in a shrill whisper

"Sir, we have a problem." said Spirit

Armor took one look at the Guards and saw how fatigued and wounded they looked. Their armor had dents in them, and Spirit himself looked like he had been hit by a cannon point blank. This was no joke and his demeanor changed instantly.

"What is it?"

"Diamond Dogs sir." said Spirit, They've infiltrated the castle and used a potion to turn the Guards to their side."

"You have proof?" asked Armor

"There's three Diamond Dog soldiers down there sir." said Charger

Armor stepped out and looked to see the three defeated solders and determination grew into his eyes.

"Are the princesses okay?"

"There hasn't been word sir. We've been too busy dealing with mind controlled Guards." said Spirit

"Gather as many Guard as you can! We must secure the Princesses before we move onto the rest."

"Sir, we can't even tell who's side who is on!" said Flower, "My own Corps Captain is fighting Sergeant David!"

"You mean Captain Shadow is fighting that sarcastic smart mouth Guard at the Central Staircase?"

"Yessir." said Spirit, "Yes he is."

"Oh that wont end well." said Armor thinking about it, "Alright! I'll get my armor on, but we need to secure the Princesses. I'm sure they will want to help!"

"Oh, you ponies wont be doing that!" said a voice from behind them

They looked to see a Diamond Dog armed to his teeth, literally, with weapons from swords, to crossbows, axes, and razors on his teeth. He looked like he could flay a pony in seconds and the blade he held in his hand seemed to have the ability to cut right through Guard armor, for just it resting on the balcony edge had it cutting through it easily. The Guards prepared for a fight as Armor stood tall and affirm.

"I can't let you past to find the princesses, and you wont be getting past me!"

Before anyone could react, the Diamond dog was blasted by a magical bolt that vaporized all but the creature himself and he fell to the ground out.

"That never get's old." said Shining Armor, "I'll be out in a minute guard. Stand ready for a fight."

David was slammed up against a wall so hard it cracked it, and part of his armor.

"Where'd she learn that move?" he asked in a daze before falling to the ground

He could hear the wind whistling past her wings as she dove for him, but he was ready, flipping himself over using a mix of his own strength and wings and kicked her with his hind legs to the ground and landed on top of her and started to punch her with all the strength he had. Bucking him off, the two flew around the room eyeing for the right time to attack, and Shadow moved first, catching David off guard. He met her blow for blow, unable to make a single throw of his own, but he was doing it on purpose. The age old battle of someone not trying to kill their opponent, and their opponent doing everything in their power to kill them, dating back even before the most famous fights of that between Nightmare Moon and Celestia. He knew he couldn't beat Shadow with those odds in that, and since banishing Shadow to the moon for a thousand years was out of the question, he'd have to tire her out. He just hoped he'd live that long as Shadow tried to impale his head with a rod. Three more times she tried to shove the metal pole she had in her hoofs through his skull, each one he dodged just barely until the last one cut through the frill on his helmet. David bucked her in the eye hoping to shatter the "eye" there, but he only succeeded in sending her back to the ground. he snapped the pole in two and flew towards her, only to be met head on with a massive headbutt.

"And I though I was hard headed." said David as he wobbled around from the impact

He was bucked in the stomach and all wind left his body. He gasped for breath as he flew through the air and Shadow dove in for the kill. With what little strength he lad left, he kicked her right in the head and watched her fall to the ground. He gathered his breath and as she rose up made a decision. They stared each other down as each moment David was more sure of what he was planning to do and he smiled sadistically before it. Between his skills as a fighter and her determination, there was one course of option to do: He ran for it. A blue trail from his tail followed in his wake as the mind controlled Shadow looked at the sight in bewilderment, before taking off after him. As David flew ahead, he had flashbacks to he and his Captains first fight in the sewers, but he was still trying to tire her out so he could destroy her armor. Upon doing that, he'd have the upper hand. He looked back to see if she was following, and she was right on his tail and closing. Fear swept through his veins as he made for a further flight, but it was futile.

Elsewhere in the castle, little Filly was walking back holding her blanket in her mouth. she had been thirsty and couldn't find a Guard anywhere to ask for help and walked all the way down to the mess hall to get a glass of water. As she walked back to the room Captain Shadow had put her in, she thought back to Sergeant David and still couldn't believe he was gone. Shadow said she would be right by her to help her, but she had left a few hours ago after hearing a disturbance outside and never came back. Shadow had specifically told her not to leave until she got back, but she had been so thirsty. She had hoped that they maybe had found Sergeant David and they were all better now and waiting for her to wake up. Thunder boomed outside and Filly jumped, but then remembered to what Shadow and David had told her about thunder and that it was noise and they used to make thunder all the time as Filly's just like her. she heard another boom, but this wasn't thunder. Looking up, lightning flashed and she saw Sergeant David! he was alive, but he had crashed into the wall and fell. he looked hurt, but Filly was so happy he was alive and he ran over to him to hug him, but out of nowhere Shadow flew in and tried to smash right where he was, a last minute movement from where he was had her miss.

In utter horror she watched as Shadow tried to kill Sergeant David, or was David trying to kill Captain Shadow? This was a nightmare, it had to be! As they flew off from sight she turned around crying her eyes out. She always knew there were some bad feelings between the two, but not like this! Why were they trying to kill each other? Was it her fault? Was it something little Filly did? crying she ran through the corridors until she was stopped by a large furry foot. Looking up she saw what looked like a monster of some kind grab her with his big claws as she screamed and tried to run away, but to no avail.

Chapter 36 - Strange Defeat

"Okay! This! Is! Getting! Ridiculous!" Said David

With each word Shadow jabbed at his head as he moved down a wall. he kept dodging until he realized something: he was getting tired. The fear of the fact that maybe sitting at his desk for the past few months and going out for PT only when actually required. Shadow, meanwhile, went on morning flights, midday runs, and did something at night that he didn't really care for because he was asleep at that time. As she put another hoof mark into the wall he took off again, slowly running out of energy as he kept going, Shadow right behind him right and ready for the kill. Turning sideways he started to run on the side of the wall in order to save his energy and started to pick up speed. As he looked back to see her still on his tail he looked back to see a window open up from the storm and he was moving too fast to move.

"Oh this is going to hurt." he said

he smashed through the window head first, his helmet taking most of the impact, but the glass shattered and he lost his balance mid flight and spiraled to the ground. He stood up barely able to stand and wobbled around for a moment. Suddenly he felt a a sharp unimaginable pain in his left wing and himself leaning to the side. He looked to see the purple hoof covering of the Shadow's hoof on his wing, and the fact it was broken. He stared wide eyed at his broken wing, a silent scream escaped his lips as he stared at it until Shadow got up and looked at him with a evil smile and David knew he was defeated.

"Owe." said David as he fell to the ground, "Well this is going to hurt."

As he said that, Shadow was flying up and flew in for the final blow that would take him out, David had one final kick in his hoof right into the side of her face. the force of it took off her helmet and threw her into the wall.

"YEEEEEEE-HA-OWE!"

David screamed at the top of his lungs as he landed on his broken wing with the weight of his armor and body crushing it even more. The echoing cries deafened the thunder outside and alerted the other ponies to his pain.

"Oh Celestia, Sergeant David!" said Spirit

"No!" said Starlight

"Have faith in the Sergeant. He's fully capable of handling these situations." said Shining Armor in assurance as he ran with them to join the fight, but even he was worried.

David meanwhile doubled over in pain and couldn't get up as tears of pain welled up in his eyes and he slammed his hoof down to try and remove some of the pain. Even more pain surged through his body as Shadow stepped on it and looked down at him.

"Sergeant? What is going on?" she asked

"YOU'RE STEPPING ON MY BROKEN WING THAT'S WHAT!" he screamed in anger and pain

He looked up to her, and her demeanor had changed. It was no longer a intent and determination to kill him, it was of general worry and emotion he had never seen her use before. Before he could get a better look she kicked him across the floor and he slid into a wall and a stature fell upon him, just barely missing his wing.

"What the? Stop it!" yelled David

"David I can't control my body."

"Oh that's just freaking fine and dan-you're still trying to attack me aren't you?"

"Yes!" said Shadow in fear

David broke free from the statue pile, and instantly crashed in pain a few feet in pain from his broken wing. Shadow still came after him and David took off running with one good wing and one bad. Shadow's half controlled body flew after him closing in.

"Explain to me while you're able to think outside mind control and yet you're still attacking!"

"Explain to me how you're still alive!" she said, "Swooping down on your left!"

David managed to dodge as she landed there with a force that cracked the ground. At least he had a warning system now when she was going to attack, though he didn't quite understand the process of it.

"Diamond dog didn't kill me! I went after him! Every Guard I found save two were mind controlled!"

"So that's why those Guards attacked-I'm trying to cut you off in front of you!"

She flew overhead and was about to just that when David took a hard left and galloped into another hallway. Shadow was right behind him and closing once again.

"I answered yours! Answer mine! Khan said you were under a potion made by Discord a long time ago!"

"Haven't you read about Discords potions!? They never made sense! However it would take a massive force or a sudden emotional burst to stop it!"

"Explains why the cannon on Spirit worked. That's allot of pain and fear in one blast."

"You shot Spirit!"

"He was mind controlled!"

"You right hind leg!" yelled Shadow

David leaped as she tried to knock out his legs, just barely missing as she did. As he landed, his wing took some of the vibration and he nearly fell over.

"I can't take much more of this!" he said starting to slow

"You have to David! Or else my body will kill you!"

"Oh no it wont!" said David

He slid to a stop and turned around to face her. Shadow didn't want to hurt him in any way, but she wasn't in control and slowly stepped toward him to finish him off once and for all. He snorted knowing full well was his only choice, and dropped to his knees.

"I surrender." said David

"What!?" she asked shocked

Her body came to a full stop before him and stood there. David stood there catching his breath as Shadow stood over him.

"I can't run, I can't fly, and I'm out of breath. I surrender. Take me to this Lord Rex guy and let's get this over with."

"Sergeant! You can still fight! I know you can!" pleaded Shadow, "You need to keep fighting!"

"Coming from the pony who's body is trying to kill me?" laughed a defeated David, "No, I'm out!"

"Sergeant I order you to keep fighting! The fate of the palace rests upon it! You can't stop!"

"Only time I'm going to disobey your orders Captain. Sorry."

She looked to him and would have shed tears if she could. With him defeated, she was technically defeated and her body kicked him up. He stood there with his head down as she lead the way to Lord Rex. As she did, David drew a classic evil smile. His new plan was working, but it gave him great pain that he had to keep Shadow out of the loop. Once he came face to face with Lord Rex, he knew exactly what to do.

"Your Majesties, the castle is under attack!" said Armor

They had finally made it to the Princesses, and picked up a good number of unturned Guards along the way. Most didn't know what was going on, but Armor had given them their orders and they were duty bound to prepare for whatever he ordered.

"Explain Captain!? Who is it?" asked Celestia

"A Diamond dog with a potion from Discord has managed to infect the Guard and turned them against us! These Guard here were from the fight!"

Some of the Guard, and even the Princesses themselves were suspicious. Diamond Dogs were hardly a threat to Equestria at any given time, and now one had suddenly infiltrated the Royal city of Canterlot, let alone the Royal Palace? However, Armor was not only the Captain of the Guard, but the older brother of Celestia's own pupil, and he would never lie. The look on his face only sealed the truth for the Princesses

"Does thou know where the Diamond Dog is?" asked Luna

"8th Floor balcony your majesty!" said Crescent

"We have Guard in there as we speak trying to stop him." said Armor

"Captain Armor, go there and grab as many Guard as you can along the way!" ordered Celestia, "Luna and I will remove the storm for a little surprise."

She smiled at Luna and they both knew what they were talking about, but none of the Guards did but Shining Armor had his orders. As they flew off, he turned to his comrades and cleared his throat.

"Alright Guard! Let's move it to the eight floor balcony and join the fight! We are about to face a enemy who has turned our fellow Guard against us with a Discorded potion from long ago! Do not underestimate him! This is not a drill, this is what we were trained for, the ultimate calling! Let's make our Princesses proud!"

As the Guard took off ready for the fight, Charger whispered to his Pegasus friend.

"We basically make them proud standing at attention so, what's the point of that last sentence?"

Crescent just rolled his eyes.

Chapter 37 - The Crescendo

"Khan! Thank Celestia you are alright! What happened?" said Spirit as they ran up

The scene spoke for itself. Guards lay around wounded and battered while others fired through a open doorway. Khan shook his head, the heavy Armor he was wearing had fallen off and the parts that were still on him were hanging just barely.

"We met a mix of Soldiers and turned Guards. It was hell Spirit."

"All these ponies are wounded from the fight?" asked Armor as he walked up

"All these Guard were freed of their mind control and are recovering. We won, but it was heavy fighting. I got a few out in the fight but those Diamond Dogs stole a few ballista's and a cannon and we can't get out there without getting hit."

"Tell me Doctor, why are you not a Guard?" asked Armor

Khan smiled at the comment as Armor looked out to asses the situation. As he did he saw a green barrier protecting several Diamond Dog solders from the Pony attacks as they fired their own crossbows and tried to aim their larger weapons. The barrier itself was being projected by a staff a small Diamond Dog was wielding.
"We got a magic staff protecting the Diamond Dogs, nothing much else. Keep on the attack, we need to keep them distracted for the Princesses." said Armor

"Princesses!? What are they doing?"

"I have no idea." said Armor

"Ponies! Came the voice of Lord Rex, "We accept will accept your terms of surrender!"

"What!?" came the union call from the Guard

"Cease fire, cease fire!" yelled Armor

"We will accept your surrender now and we want gemsies!"

"What are you talking about...er,-" tried Armor

"Lord Rex sir." said Spirit

"Lord Rex."

"We have two Guards hostage and are willing to accept your terms!"

They looked again to see Captain Shadow landing inside the shield with David, the latter of whose wing was clearly broken and he was defeated. As they landed, David made a break for Lord Rex, but was quickly restrained when a soldier lassoed his broken wing and he fell down.

"Owe!" yelled David

"Captain Shadow! What is the meaning of this!" yelled Armor

"I can't control myself Armor!" yelled Shadow

"It's true sir! She can't! She can talk just fine though!"

"How?" asked confused Flower

"Uh, long story!" yelled David

"Stupid Ponies!" laughed Rex, "It takes a massive force and emotion to break the spell! This pony is still under my control in body, and I will order her to kill this Sergeant and herself slowly."

"Emotion you say?" asked Armor, "Hmm....... Sergeant! can you hear me!?"

"Loud and clear sir!" yelled David

This was followed by a yelp of pain from David, who promptly kicked the Soldier who was holding his broken wing.

"Sergeant! I need you to say something to the Captain that will bring allot of emotion to her! It needs to be quick and fast or it may not work!"

"Uh, ok!" yelled David before turning to Shadow, "Captain Shadow, will you marry me?"

"What!?" asked Shadow

"What?" asked Rex

"WHAT!?" asked just about every Guard who was listening

"What?" asked David, "It was short notice! It work?"

Shadow tried to move her body, but it was met by a slap to David's face.

"It didn't work."

"Awe come on!" yelled David, "Now I gotta live with that!"

"Lord Rex sir!" came a raspy voice from behind

Rex, David, and Shadow turned to see the Diamond Dog that David and Spirit interrogated climb up over the edge holding a bag in his hands.

"Me have tiny baby Pony for food!"

"Let me see!" said Rex

The Diamond Dog removed the bag to show Filly, who had long since passed out from the fear she was going through, or the Dog knocked her out, or she was dead. Shadow and David looked on in fear and shock as Filly hung from her tail. As the Diamond Dogs laughed, Shadow felt her strength return to her as the emotion swept through and she regained control of her body.

"Unhand her!" she yelled

In a instant she smashed the Diamond Dog off the edge of the balcony and grabbed Filly. The scream of the Diamond Dog filled the air with it's piercing sound until it stopped with a low thud a few seconds later. As Shadow held Filly in her hooves David looked to see Rex starring in utter confusion and quickly bucked the staff out of his hands, breaking it.

"NOW!" he yelled

"Go go go!" yelled Armor

The Guards rushed the Diamond Dog soldiers, a few of the Guards taking a ballista shot and going down, three taking a cannon ball, but they pressed on, helping their wounded comrades back to cover while others poured in. Rex leaped back with his few remaining soldiers as the Pony Guards moved in, but Rex still had a ace up his sleeve. He pulled out a green orb and held it up and the Guard were mesmerized by it, even the ones who had taken the antidote. It was a regular emerald infused by the very potion itself, and the Guard were powerless to stop it. Shadow landed next to David holding Filly, but he was quick to shield her and Filly from its effects even as he himself was starting to come under it's control. Even Shining Armor bean to feel it's effects and slowly stopped what he was doing. Rex laughed as he held it up high as the storm seemed to clear. As the entire Guard started to come under his control he knew the Princesses wouldn't see this coming and his plan was going to work. He may have lost nearly his entire pack and the dragons, but he was going to rule all of Equestria!

Near the back of the Guard lines stood a skinny little female Guard Unicorn who was doing her hardest to avoid the effects of the gem. Starlight shook her head, nearly to the point of collapse at it's power. As other Guards started to fall to its effects, she fought it. All her energy seemed to be transferring to her horn and it glowed intensely. Almost none noticed until with a flash, she fired a bolt with all her power, sending a bolt of magic right toward the orb shattering it right out of Rex's hands. Starlight looked on as the Guard returned to normal. As he looked on in horror as the Guard moved into the kill, Flower coughed to clear his throat.

"Uh, look behind you." the Corporal said

Rex and his Soldiers looked behind him to see both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna starring him in the face. They appeared through a massive hole in the storm that itself seemed to bend to their combined power. The Guards lowered their heads partly out of respect, and partly out of fear at the wrath the Diamond Dogs had wrought upon themselves and looked down. Well, most were looking down.

"Hey look at that, the sun and the moon up at the same time." said David looking past the Royal Alicorns.

"Well dear sister," said Luna, "Plan 9?"

"Plan 9." agreed Celestia

Rex barely had time to scream before he and his solders were zapped from existence it seemed.

"What the?" asked a Guard, "You send them to the moon?"

"Why would we send them to our beloved moon?" asked Luna as they walked past

"Oh." said the same Guard

"I think it's best we don't know." said another

"Yes, now for the time being, I think we all need some rest." said Celestia looking over her Royal Guard, "You have served well Royal Guard. History will remember this for generations to come."

"Does that mean we can go back to bed know?" whispered Charger

"Yes Charger." whispered back a flatton Crescent, "We can go back to bed now."

Chapter 38 - The ending

The attack was over, and fresh Guards were brought in from around the city to clean up and patrol, as well as answer questions raised by the incident. The veteran Guards meanwhile returned to their barracks, all quiet. A few reporters had managed to break in to ask questions, but all met the same steely gaze of the Guard, but this one was different. None could put a hoof on it, but they seemed different from the normal Guard gaze they got, and no questions were answered. Just silent stares that gave them the respect of being called Royal Guard. Elsewhere however, two Guards were carrying a small filly to a back room and laid her down. As they did, the small filly awoke and saw the two.

"Hey Filly." said David sitting down next to her

"Sarge!" she said hugging him as hard as she could, "You'wre alive!"

"Hey." said David, "I would never leave my favorite Filly."

"I'm your only Filly, silly."

"Hmm..... there may be another."

Filly looked at him a little hurt, but David smiled and she new he was just tricking him and she hugged again as he laughed. However it stopped as she looked at him again scared.

"I had a howwible nightmare! You werwe in it, and the Ma'am was in it, and you werwe fighting each othwer! Then a monster grabbed me!

"We were Filly." said David, "The monster, it made Shadow do some bad things. Kind of like what Discord did."

"Is she all better?"

"Go ask her yourself."

Filly looked to see Shadow standing in the background and ran to her as well. She hugged Shadow so hard it left marks on her leg. Shadow broke down and hugged Filly, unable to hider her feelings this time after seeing her dangling there in the Diamond Dog's hand as if she was dead. David walked over and stood there and smiled.

"You know, It was Captain Shadow who saved you from the monster after the monster caused my wing to break."
Filly looked at David's wing and then back at Shadow.

"You saved me and Sarge from the monster!?" she asked

"Well, technically yes but-"

She was cut off as Filly hugged her yet again. After what seemed like forever for them, Shadow stood up.

"We have to go now Filly." she said

"Awe, why?" she asked

"We need to check for more monsters." said David, make sure they are all gone."

"Oh, okay." said Filly as she jumped back into her bed Shadow had made before all this happened, "Wait! Where is my bwankie!?"

"Right here." said Shadow handing it to her

"Good thing we found that." said David under his breath

Ssh!" hushed Shadow

Filly wrapped herself in her blanket and started to fall back asleep as the two Guards stepped out. David and Shadow looked on one last time as Filly slept in her bed.

"Well, Captain, Doc said to get some rest for the wing. I'm going to check my desk and then head off. See you later Cap!"

"Um, Sergeant, why did you ask that question?"

"Question, what question." he asked confused

"When I was under the potions spell. You asked me to marry you. Why?" asked a curious Shadow

"Everypony knows you hate me! It's no secret, figured me asking you that would be the worst possible thing I could ever say since disobeying your orders wouldn't work! Well, anyway!"

He saluted and began to walk off whistling to himself some old Guard tune as Shadow thought to herself. No matter what she did to him, he never seemed to let it get to him, no matter how bad he seemed to get, he always was there to back her up. No matter what she tried he would not go away, no matter what she did, she couldn't shake the feelings she had for him. She kicked her foot at the ground again silently and caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hair, covering her right eye had been styled like this ever since the Battle of Canterlot when he told her it was a good look for her, and even in the morning when her hair was a mess, she made it up so it looked like that. It was outside regulation and not acceptable, but no one ever came forth to comment on it. She looked back to David and decided it was now or never for she had waited long enough.

"David wait!" she called out to him

"Huh? What is it Cap-"

"Yes." she said

"Yes? Yes to what? Wait, wait, wait you mean-!"

He was cut off as Shadow met him in a full kiss on the mouth much to his surprise and shock. After what seemed like forever tot eh two of them, Shadow stopped and looked at the shocked Sergeant as he tried to find words to say.

"My answer is yes I will marry you."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What was that?" he asked

"You heard me Sergeant." said Shadow slightly embarrassed

"But I- But you were- I didn't mean!"

"You proposed to me in front of the Entire Royal Guard. I will not take that lightly." said Shadow

"But it was-I didn't mean, I was just-!"

He kept trying to make sentences to make words, but they never finished or were cut short. He stopped fully when she hugged him and wrapped her wings around him.

"Well, you did ask didn't you?" Contrary to your belief David, I don't hate you." she said, "I just, I don't know."

She separated and looked away from him slightly ashamed at her action when she felt a wing being draped around her. She looked to see David smiling at her like so many times before, but this one was different. He knew what she was trying to say, and he didn't need to say anything to show her he felt the same way about her.

"I need to go." said Shadow

"What are they going to do?" asked David

She stopped in her tracks, his wing still over her as he laughed a little.

"No ponies going to go up against you about keeping a professional relationship with your subordinates. Who cares!"

"I, I, I." she stammered

"Come on Raven, you've had a long day. Trust me, I was there."

David began to walk her back to the officers barracks when he looked back to the room Filly was sleeping in. Shadow looked as well and saw the sight. She was already sound asleep clutching her blanket tightly and it brought a smile to their faces. Neither of them had the strength or the ability to walk any further as they saw the Filly sleeping there peaceful and quiet.

"We are the closest thing she has to a Mother and Father." said David

"Look at her in there. She's so cute when she sleeps."

"I'm sure that desk will still be there tomorrow." said David

"There are plenty of other Officers making final checks tonight, all of them highly competent."

"Shall we?" asked David

Shadow answered the question by walking in and laying down next to Filly, stirring the little one as she looked to see shadow laying next to her and David coming up on the other side.

"What are you doing-"

"Sshh now. We're going to spend the night with you." said Shadow

"Reawwy?" she asked getting excited

"Of course! We're family ain't we?" asked David, "Now, get some sleep."

The young Unicorn couldn't contain her excitement at this, but her body was too tired to go any further and she laid back down with her doll. Filly nestled up next to David and Shadow as the two laid their heads down next to each other. As the storm outside gave out it's final breaths before going on the wane, it was peaceful inside the small room where the three slept, the small mismatched family that they were.

"Man that was brutal last night." said Charger

He, Crescent, Flower, and Starlight walked toward Sergeant's David's desk to sign in for their morning duty.

"Hey! At least we didn't end up like those Diamond Dogs." said Starlight with a shudder

"yeah, where did they go?" asked Charger, "No one seems to know."

"According to Khan, he found them sitting on some space rock frozen solid due to the cold, and the scary thing is, he thinks they are still alive.... well except that one Shadow killed." explained Flower, "But yeah Charger, that was brutal last night."

"You mean two last night's ago." said Crescent

"I heard Lieutenant Spirit is being promoted to Captain Spirit to serve under Captain Armor!" said Flower, "And that Wild Khan is being given a honorary Guard title!"

"How come we never get any medals. I want some medals!"

"We don't need any dang medals!" yelled David

He was back at his desk reading the paper just like always, save for a broken wing, trying desperately to find a article not on the recent fight that had happened. Everything else he was with was the same. The desk had been repaired, the chair was the same, his name tag was fixed up, they were sure the papers on his desk were the same from that night. Same Sardonic Sergeant David, same demeanor, same everything, nothing had changed about the guy, save for the fact rumor was spreading that he and Capitan Shadow were in a serious relationship now, but it was just rumor.

"Excuse me sir?" asked Charger

"Medal for what? Doing your job?" he asked

He put down his paper and looked at them wanting a answer, but none could give him one. After a few minuted, a breath was taken in.

"Uh, well, we did save the Palace from sheer-" started Crescent

"Which is exactly what we do in the Guard! We took a oath to serve and protect Equestria, it's people, and our Princesses!We don't need no dang medal or promotion to say we did our jobs. The very fact we did our jobs is honor enough and the fact you can say you partook in this incident is all the pride you need. It's more than any medal will ever give you. It's not what you get that makes you a Royal Guard. It's what you do! And you four have done more than any Guards have done in a long time, and that pride will never leave you."

His speech filled them with the very glory and pride it was meant to. Flower took in a big breath and let it out with pride.

"You're right sir. I don't need some medal! I served my country, my people, and my Princess."

"Same here." said Charger

"Yeah, me too." said Crescent

"Yeah, I'm proud to serve in the Guard." said Starlight

"Good." said David, "That's very good you feel that way. Award ceremony is at 1300 this afternoon. Be there on time, that's a order."

"Wait," said Charger, "So, we're getting medals regardless?"

"Yep." said David picking up his paper, "We may not need them, but we still get them."

"Same old Sergeant David." laughed Crescent as he signed in

"You sir, are a real pain." said Flower signing in

"Born and raised." said David as Charger signed in, "Now to your posts! You'll have plenty of time to sit later! Oh, and Private Starlight, a word with you."

As the rest left, Starlight walked over to him as he kicked up the rear end of her armor. She went to cover her blank flank until realizing what was on it. It was of several magical starlights over a shimmering sword. She looked on in glee as she had finally received her cutie mark.

"Congratulations Starlight." said David

Starlight skipped off happily before quickly returning to hug David and running off again. It wasn't long after that two Guards rushed past chasing a giggling Filly down the hall as Spirit trotted up laughing.

"Hey Cap." said David

"Still Lieutenant, Sergeant. Ah, good day, good day."

"Yeah happy ending and all. brings a big ol' tear to my eye." said David

"I can help if you want with that wing of yours." said Shadow passing by

"So are you two?" asked Spirit

"Another story there buddy." said David, "Another story."

FIN

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Hi there!

it'sa me, J8ck78, or J8ck on Deviant Art(see what i did there?) here to give all of you who decided to reead this far a message for, well, reading this far or this long since this is my first story.

So without further (insert that A french word here): Thanks for reading

Anyway, I wanted to write this last little thank you message to all who read and enjoyed this slightly little story of mine(38 chapters..... not so little) since it is my first story I ever wrote and put forth so much ever in, let alone the first read by over a thousand people I wanted to write it. as of this writing, I have a max views on one chapter at 132, and 1,788 views across the board. A decent feat for a story about a group of ponies who are normally reserved for Skyrim jokes and what not.

Well, that's it. I may or may not have another story in the thinking process that isn't a direct sequel to this story, it will have all these characters in it. I can't just leave them, especially every ones favorite Sergeant David. So, I'll see where life takes me until then. This is J8ck78 signing off for now! Adios!

PS: This story got no dislikes. Another impressive feat I might add thanks to Skyscraper123 reminding me. Hmm, might as well thank Mcyav for pointing out all the errors I failed to catch and Nerom_Fencer for telling me about a few major errors I made early on.

Bonus chapter 1

Hiya,

Well upon watching the new episode(s), I loved it. Music was awesome and catchy, Luna made a appearance(She my favorite princess) and the whole story had a very touching feel. The Guard meanwhile had quite the few appearances, and having one of the larger and apparently successful Guard stories out there, I was happy. Hell, there was a Earth Pony Guard! Earth Pony, I remember a debate over at Deviant Art that Earth Ponies are in the Guard. I figured with all the security around Canterlot, once the Changelings invaded, Guards gonna throw down! When the fighting started, I had a muffin and popcorn read. Well, Canterlot faced one heck of a fight, and the Guard was criminally under viewed in my opinion. Once the fight started and the Changelings invaded....... well, we got a funny shot of two Guards all gooed up but that's it! Come on, they were all over the place and then BOOM! they're gone! I mean, a few shots of the Guard fighting the Changeling's, or covering the Mane 6 as they tried to get to the Elements of Harmony. That would have made my day ten times over. Nope, we got nothing....... Well, I got a group of Guards in a moderately successful fanfic here time to right that! So then, I present to you the Bonus Chapters of In the Royal Guard. Don't know how long it's gonna go, but Imma gonna do it!

__________________________________________________________________

Filly skipped merrily around David's desk merrily singing "The wedding, the wedding! The wedding is today!"
David himself had been listening to that song for probably half a hour now and had long since gave up trying to get his adopted daughter to go away and just read the paper. Half the paper was about the stupid threat given to Canterlot from who knows where. Random threat, if the wedding wasn't today, they wouldn't be in this state of alert. Guards everywhere from the donut shop to the bathroom, much to everyponies dismay including the Guard sent to do that job. The biggest laugh he got out of this whole mess was the shield surrounding the city. Officials were saying that Captain Shining Armor was going to keep the shield up for as long as needed and that the Royal Palace and the Capitol of Canterlot was safe. He swore the shield was just a excuse to wear out the Captain when his powers could be used elsewhere and to keep the Guard from pointing every cannon, ballista, catapult, and spear up into the air. That alone would have been much more intimidating to a enemy to see a couple hundred dozen heavy weapons aimed to shoot then a giant pink bubble around the city. Still he had to give the Captain some credit. Keeping that shield as big as it was up for this long, he felt safe nonetheless being under Shining Armor's command no matter what.

The other half of the paper was all about the wedding. The cost, the style, the design, the fact the "Mane 6" the heroes who fought against Nightmare Moon and Discord with the Elements of harmony, and infamous in the Guard for crashing the Grand Galloping Gala, were arriving as honored guests and wedding planning staff. Others were interviews with people who were already on the staff who said they were so excited but the majority of the articles on the wedding were how Princess Cadenza was growing increasingly difficult and angry, losing her temper over every small detail and becoming more rude by the day. Most attributed it to Wedding day stress and anxiety. David just attributed to the fact she was Royalty! Upper class Canterlot! If Blueblood was any example, he was surprised about it to no end.

"What are you doing!?" came a loud yell from afar

David didn't move his head from the article he was reading until a bat like wing tore the paper from his hooves.

"Hello Captain." said David

"Are you reading the paper!?" asked Shadow, "I thought we agreed to not read the paper!"

"You agreed. I just listened." said David

The whole city is on high alert! You should be as well!" yelled Shadow

"We got enough guards pulled in from the surrounding cities to have one Guard per every three Ponies, and the Manehatten and Fillydelphiea Garrisons are on high alert and ready to move in at the slightest sign of the shield failing."

"David, regardless of your premonitions, you are going to pull your weight around here, especially with that new rank!"

David looked down to his armor and saw the new Staff Sergeant rank he now bore. It came with extra pay, but he forgot about about the added responsibility.

"Look, David, it's almost no different than what you normally do." said Shadow in a softer tone, "Just stand around and look busy. That's what you're good at!"

"Do I get to keep the paper?" asked David

Shadow gave him a dark look, to which David just laughed and stood up, pushing his chair in. He saluted to his wife to which she returned it and walked away.

"Come on Filly. Sarge needs to work now."

"Awe okay." said Filly, "Bye Sarge!"

"Bye Filly." said David

She bounced off in tow behind Shadow and David remained standing. Some time passed as David slowly got into the mindset they taught one in training on how to be a Guard. It was a set where time seemed to pass faster, but the senses were heightened to where just about everything could be seen, smelled, and heard, felt even to really experienced Guards. David soon saw movement in his right eye and saw two Guards heading toward him. He followed them out of the corner of his eye as Charger and Crescent walked up.

"Celestia be praised! Sergeant David is standing up!" laughed Charger

"That's Staff Sergeant, Private First Class Charger. Learn the new ranks we all got. I'd keep it quiet on you're end, that Guard in the latrine is ready to trade out his job."

Charger shut up and didn't say another word.

"So, the Wedding is in a hour?" asked Crescent, "Will we be able to see it?"

"No." said Spirit as he walked up

The PFC's and the Staff Sergeant saluted as Spirit walked up and saluted back.

"Why not?" asked Crescent

"The Wedding is a public event. Uniformed grey Guards will be present at the ceremony. The rest of the Guard will be elsewhere defending the rest of Canterlot. So, you have your orders and you have your posts. Get to them."

"That would be on the western Palace balcony with Flower and Starlight." said David reading his papers on his desk

The two Guards saluted and walked off to their posts. Spirit read over the papers on David's desk and saw all Guards had reported in. David raised a eyebrow and Spirit smiled.

"You got those balcony Guard seats?" asked David

"Oh yes." answered Spirit

"We'll be watching the wedding?"

"Oh most definitely!"

"Yes!" said David

A hour later, the two were standing in the balcony trying to blend in and look like Guards who did not pull strings to get good seats. David though managed to sneak in some popcorn and was secretly eating them with his wing.

"I'm getting serious deja-vu here." said Spirit

"Like the Summer sun celebration?" asked David

"Yeah. Both of us on a balcony watching the event with secret seats."

"Yeah but Captain Armor is down there and no chance of him coming up there! No surprise officer showing up this time!"

"I wouldn't bet on that David." said a voice both two knew all too well

Spirit tensed up as David lowered his head knowing full well Shadow was the cause they got these seats as she walked up and took some of David's popcorn.

"I thought you were down there Ma'am." said Spirit nervously

"With those stuck up Canterlot ponies?" asked Shadow, "No way!"

"You are really good at what you do!" said David as he ate some popcorn

"Ssh! It's starting!"

The trumpets sounded and Princess cadenza entered. The Flower Filly's bounded through as the Princess walked on as regal as a niece of Celestia could be.

"She singing?" whispered David

"I don't know." whispered back Spirit

"Ssh!" said Shadow as she watched

"What's wrong with the Captains eyes?" whispered David again

Spirit shrugged.

"Would you keep quiet!" hissed Shadow

"Mares and Gentlecolts." said Celestia as the organ played, "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining armor."

Celestia went through the whole vow speach as they all watched with anticipations.

"Princess Cadenza and Shining Armor." said Celestia

"Here it comes!" said Shadow

"Whoopie." said David as he munched on the popcorn

"It is my great pleasure to announce you-" started Celestia

"STOP!"

This caught everypony in the rooms attention as they turned to see twilight Sparkle enter the room. Princess Cadenza began to cry as Twilight stood there.

"Alright, wedding crasher." said David turning to Shadow, "Should I go in?"

Suddenly from afar: "Because, it is not your special day!"

"Wait a minute what?" asked David turning back to the wedding

"It's mine!" said a battered and bruised Princess Cadence as she walked in

Everypony gasped upon seeing the second princess enter. Spirit and David had their mouths hit the floor as Shadow took another bit of popcorn.

"This is getting good." she said

As the apparent real princess explained how she escaped the bridesmaids and leaving the rest of the wedding in sheer utter confusion, the battered Princess revealed herself to be the true one before dropping a bomb.

"Changeling!" said Spirit

"We're screwed!" said David

"On alert Guard!" ordered Shadow

Suddenly a ring of green fire surrounded the imposter Cadenza as the fake Princess transformed into a new form. Translucent blue wings, black skin, a twisted horn, holes just about everywhere on her body before she revealed herself to be the Queen of the Changelings and exposed her plan.

"Don't attack!" said Shadow, "She's too powerful for us! Let Shining Armor and the Princess deal with her."

"The captain looks pretty much out." said Spirit

Shining Armor hadn't moved form his spot, his eyes in a weird green look. It was when the Queen laughed at the protection spell did they return to her.

"Oh I doubt that. Isn't that right dear?"

Much to the Guards horror Shining Armor agreed. She explained that she had been feeding off Shining Armor's love for Cadence and that her subjects were chipping away at the shield. As Spirit and Shadow got into attack stance to make a move on the Queen, David stepped back. As the Queen laughed at how she had Shining Armor under her control and her plans to take Canterlot and all of Equestria Celestia stepped in.

"This is going to be good." said Spirit as he watched his Princess walk up to the Queen

After quick trade off of threats and words, the two began the duel. Celestia and all the power of the sun aimed for the Queen, who was starting to falter. Hopes filled the pony's hearts as Celestia nearly vanquished the Queen, until the tables turned. Celestia was hit in the horn and fell to the ground defeated in a brilliant green flash.

"What kind of bullcrap was that!?" yelled Spirit as he saw Celestia's limp body fall

"Come on Spirit! We need to get the Guard at once!"

The two looked for David, who was standing on the outside. They ran over to him as he store up into the sky.

"David! Celestia has fallen! We need to round up as many Guard as we can and stop the Queen." said Shadow

"Yeah, we have another problem?"

"Huh?" asked Spirit

"About a couple thousand problems." said David pointing up

They looked to see uncountable numbers of Changelings slamming into the shield. Without Shining Armor to recharge it, it cracked under the stress. Then all flew up and hit the shield at once, shattering it like glass.

Bonus chapter 2

The shield surrounding the city shattered causing the whole mountain to shake violently, alerting all over the city that something very wrong was about to happen. The Changelings above mocked the ponies below before diving in for the attack. The surrounded themselves with a green shield and increased their speed.

"INCOMING!" yelled Spirit as two nearly took him out

From the craters they left, the Changelings popped out unharmed and went for the attack. Spirit gave one a head butt knocking him out, before bucking the second. He turned around to see three other Changelings, who turned into exact replica's of himself. This unnerved him a bit but his training kicked in. These weren't himself, just replicas by some weird buggy pony parodies. He barreled through them, taking a fourth one on his head to the Changeling's chest before driving him into a crater where another Changeling had landed. He smashed both several times with his hooves before turning around and snorting his rage out at the replica's of himself. The Changelings reverted back to regular form and few out at high speeds. Spirit smirked and looked around for his comrades. Shadow and David were in the air fighting off a swarm of their own. Spirit looked around and saw other black masses flying thoughout the city and ran off to find reinforcements.

"Life in the Guard eh Captain?" asked David as he punched a Changeling

"I was so looking forward to the night off!" said Shadow bucking one in the rear

"Night off? What about the wedding after party!?" said David as he banged two Changelings heads together

"Not my thing. Same thing at our own!"

"Yeah I remember that." said David turning to Shadow

Behind Shadow was another Shadow fighting off three Changelings that looked like random Pegasus ponies.

"Right, Changelings. You're not Shadow."

The imposter Shadow went to punch him, only to be met with a head butt by David. The real Shadow meanwhile kicked the two Pegasus to the ground before grabbing the third. It morphed back to a frightened changeling as Shadow smiled a evil smile. Suddenly, David appeared before her flapping his wings.

"David, what are you doing?" she asked

Just as she finished a second David appeared and elbowed the first David in the head. The first David reverted to a Changeling and fell to the ground out cold.

"That wasn't me."

The looked around and were suddenly surrounded by mean looking Pegasi and Changelings. The got back to back and eyed their opponents.

"These Changelings are going make this fight difficult." said Shadow

"Meh, I get looks like these all the time." said David

"I should've know that." said Shadow, "So any ideas?"

"We're Pegasus right?" asked David

"Yeah." said Shadow

"Find a grey cloud." said David

As he finished they were swarmed by the Changelings.

"What is going on here?" yelled Starlight

She and Charger ran past a shattered shop as Unicorn Guards fired a few bolts to give them cover. They dove in behind a collapsed wall as a Changeling slammed into the ground behind them. Starlight stood up and quickly shot the Changeling down with a blast of magic.

"We're under attack! That's what!" yelled Charger, "Flower! That you?"

Flower and three Earth Pony Guards were taking cover inside the destroyed remains of a cart as they tried to hold off a Changeling wave.

"I think it's me! I just saw five of me run across the street!"

"Yeah that's you." said Charger, "Where the heck is everypony?"

"Most of the citizens ran for shelter when the shield broke!" yelled Flower, "However, we can't tell who is who out here! Dang Changelings!"

"Where's the Guard?" yelled Starlight

"Most were sent to the cities edge! We haven't heard word since!"

"What!?" yelled Charger, "Why were they all sent to the cities edge!?"

"Captain Shining Armor's orders! Gave out before the wedding started!"

"You think it has any reason why the shield failed?" asked Charger

"I have no idea!" yelled Flower as he blasted a Changeling

"Uh, Charger! You're on the attack!"

"What?" asked Charger, "No I'm no-uah-uah-uah-UAAAAH!"

A line of Golden Chargers without in full Guard Armor was stampeding toward their position. Starlight fired off her magic blasts as the real Charger kicked stone blocks at them. The line of imposters fell but more took their place. They assumed the forms of Guards, regular Ponies, or didn't bother to change.

"This is bad." said Charger

"INCOMING!" came a familiar yell

Out of nowhere, a trio of Pegasus Guards tackled the Changelings to the ground. Starlight and Charger jumped and joined the fight, taking the surprised Changelings off guard even further and causing them to flee.

"Oh no you don't!" said Starlight

She grabbed one with her magic and brought it close, with the Changeling receiving a buck to the face by Charger. A second tried to come to it's aid only to be knocked aside by a Pegasus Guard. Crescent and a second walked up triumphant.

"You got any more?" he asked

"Flower is over across the area with some other Guards." said Charger

He nodded and leaped into the air followed by the other two Pegasi.

"That's a imposter!" yelled a Pegasus from behind

Starlight looked at the trio to see a devious looking Pegasus Guard ready to strike Crescent down. She aimed and fired, bringing the Changeling to the ground.

"Close call." said Charger

"Come on!" yelled Starlight leaping over the broken wall

The other two Guards nodded and galloped on to help her. They arrived to a scene Discord himself would be drooling over with glee. Guard vs Guard, Guard vs pony, Guard vs Changeling, and the Guard was outnumbered. Flower shot at himself twice before being kicked in the face by a real Guard, who apologized. Crescent and the other Pegasus flew over head knocking any incoming Changelings out of the sky while Charger and Starlight joined the Earth Pony Guards around the cart fighting off what they could. Flower and Starlight began a frantic shoot first don't ask policy as they were surrounded as Charger and the Earth ponies were getting to the point that they were almost bucking each other to fend them off. As Crescent and the Pegasi were knocked to the ground themselves by Changelings, the feeling of defeat was imminent. They were doing their best, and almost a mountain of Changelings lay around them at their hoofs; it was simply a matter of being overrun. As the Changelings laughed at their predicament, each one was zapped by lightning bolts and fried where they stood. A sadistic laugh filled the air as they all looked up to see David slamming his hooves upon a grey cloud as he hit Changeling after Changeling.

"Fall back to Platinum Square! We're regrouping there!" he ordered

The rest followed his orders and fell back as David gave them covering fire

Bonus chapter 3

As the Guards entered Platinum Square, a Unicorn Guard scanned them all with his magic and ushered them in. Several other Guards fired back at the Changelings while others protected some regular ponies huddling into a semi damaged building. In the center around a statue of Princess Platinum sat Captain Shadow and a few other Officers.

"Captain Shadow!" said Flower as they walked up

She looked up and nodded in respect when a Changeling landed in front of them and laughed in their faces. It got into a attack stance when it was zapped with more electricity then needed and turned to ash on the floor. David landed, his storm cloud out of lightning and useful only for rain now. He smiled at the ash pile on the floor before joining the rest.

"Staff Sergeant, what did you get?" asked a Officer

"These ponies, a few more en route, and the whole city is a big old Discord festival. I can't tell who is who, what is what, but I do know we've lost control of the market sector, the park, and at least five housing squares."

"What about the populace?" asked the Officer

"Hiding, running, fighting. The Changelings seem to be having more fun terrorizing them then feeding."

"Hmm..." pondered Shadow, "We may be able to use that to our advantage."

"Captain?" asked Charger

"We got a message of another holdout near the Royal Canterlot bank." said Shadow A bunch of snooty ponies ran their to protect their bits. Foals."

"We're gathering up a convoy to move out there and try and bring them back." said a Officer

"There's at least one Royal Guard Squad of four, and the Bank's security." said the second Officer

"We get there, extract them, bring them here and fall back to the palace." said Shadow, "Canterlot is too big to defend with our current numbers. We'll hold out until reinforcements from the surrounding cities."

"Ma'am." said a Guard listening in, "That's where the Changeling Queen is located. Wont she be of a threat?"

"With the weapons we got inside that Palace." exclaimed David, "I don't care what, we'll avenge Celestia in a matter or minutes if she tries anything stupid."

"We move in three!" said Shadow "Unicorns, man the carts and provide covering fire, Earth ponies, pull the carts. Pegasus will provide cover! David, your squad is on point in the lead cart."

"Will do." said David, "My squad! Let's get saddled up!"

As they moved, Crescent flew close to David.

"Hey Sarge, anypony see Spirit?"

"Still in the palace last I heard. Hope my old buddy is okay."

"And Filly?" asked Crescent

"Knowing Filly, she's probably having fun with the dang Changelings for all I know!"

David was worried for his friend and adoptive daughter, put he put those thoughts aside. Worrying about them would not help them in anyway and he had a objective to complete. The convoy was made up of five horse drawn carts, each pulled by a single Earth Pony Guard. Two Unicorns sat in it to provide cover fire while Pegasus flew above each one to cover it from the air. A Pegasus below was to guide the convoy to the bank, and he saluted to David to show he was ready, and David returned it. The Staff Sergeant looked it over and turned back to the scene before him. They hadn't even started and already they were under attack. He pointed his hoof forward and quickly head butted a changeling before bucking a second. A third came at him before Crescent tackled it midair while two more trying to sneak up on him were blasted by Starlight and Flower. He looked to see what looked like a Pegasus being chased by two Changelings, but as the Pegasus drew near, he knew it was a fake and punched it to the ground, his suspicions true when it reverted back. As the other two attacked, he grabbed each one in a wing and pile drived them into the ground.

"Where did you learn that?" asked a Guard

"I took level three Advanced Guard fighting tactics!" said David

He leaped back up and rejoined the fight in the air.

Charger lead the convoy through the streets, using all his strength to keep it going. The Pegasus Guard kept a quick speed, but was smart enough to not fly too far ahead. Suddenly, outside Chargers right eye came a frantic Unicorn mare. Charger slid to a stop to try and help her when she punched him right in he face. He fell to the ground and looked up as Starlight and Flower blasted the Changeling with two rays of magic. He stepped back up and adjusted his jaw when David flew into his face.

"We stop for nopony! Got it!?"

Yes sir Staff Sergeant!" said Charger starting off again

The Convoy picked back up speed while the Changelings swarmed above. The Pegasus and the Unicorns kept them off as much as they could but a few still got through by sheer luck or sneaky tactics. Some disguised themselves as Guard and rode up next to the carts, only to attack their "comrades" before fleeing off. Others were more bold and attacked the Earth ponies driving them, but the Guards were smarter than that and trampled them when they tried. A few even jumped onto the carts themselves to try and attack the Unicorns inside. Charger himself felt one get on as he rode through the winding streets and turned to see it change from a Guard pony into a Changeling.

"Flower! Starlight! Look-"

He never finished as the Unicorns behind them zapped the Changeling from existence. He smiled and returned to his drive.

Up ahead was a small bridge that ran over the Canterlot canal. David signaled for the Pegasus to move up and cover the bridge as they started to cross it. As he did, he flew over the bridge itself just as the cart carrying his squad passed over before he was hit in the back. He saw for a split second the green fire fire of the Changeling comet before impacting through the bridge and into the water. Every Guard pony looked in through the hole. A bubbling came from below before David emerged and delivered a swift punch to the Changeling before climbing out of the water. His adversary floated to the bottom but he had bigger problems: His wings were covered in a thick, sticky green goo and he couldn't fly any more. He looked to see only his cart had made it over the canal and the rest had failed.

"Find another crossing and get to the bank! My Squad will continue this way!" he ordered

"Yes sir!" said the other Guards as they took off for another bridge route

Crescent flew down next to him as he rejoined his Squad at the cart

"You okay Sarge?" asked Crescent

"Yeah I'm fine." said David looking at his wings, "Won't be flying much though."

"Sarge, they got the cart." said Starlight

David looked to see a burning hole in the rear of the cart, making it useless now to carry anymore ponies.

"Flower, send a message to the Captain. Convoy lead damaged and cut off, rest of the convoy taking route B to the bank.

We'll continue on hoof. David out. Send it."

"Yes sir!" said Flower

He grabbed a discarded sheet of paper and a pen and wrote it down. He zapped it with his magic and the message disappeared, teleported directly to Shadow.

"Let's move Guard! We got a mile in between us and-LOOK OUT!"

Changelings dove in for the attack. Crescent and David flew into the air, with David crashing back to Earth. Shaking his head, he turned around and joined Charger in bucking any that got passed Crescent. Flower and Starlight fired at any they could see, but the Changelings were everywhere. One landed near David, who smashed it with his wings, covering the Changeling with the goo that was on his wings.

"Try and get out of that ya freak!"

The changeling stood up, the sticky goo slid down and off his body with ease.

"Of course." said David before grappling with it

Flower shot down two more Changelings before looking toward Starlight standing over two defeated ones. He went back to aim at another one when he was tackled to the ground. He looked up to see a dark smiling Starlight standing over him before that Starlight was blasted into a building. The real Starlight ran up and helped Flower to his feet.

"This is getting ridiculous!" said Flower

Crescent impacted next to them, knocked from the sky.

"Tell me about it." he said, his eyes rolling around

A Changeling landed before them but was instantly squished by Charger.

"This is fun." said Charger

Staff Sergeant David walked up breathing heavily before being bucked away by the apparent real Staff Sergeant. The phony one was thrown through a window and crashed to the floor.

"Nice move Sarge." said Charger

David smiled before he was hit in the head with a heavy brick. David suddenly reverted to a Changeling and fell to the floor. The real Sergeant David, the one who was knocked into the building, walked up.

"Keep on your hoofs Guard." he said, These things love to play mind games."

He finished as he grabbed one with his wing and smashed it to the ground before stomping it from existence.

"Let's move!"

He took off toward the bank with his Squad in tow.

"Sarge, have you fought these things before?" asked Flower

"Nope! Just using what I learned in training!"

"What's that mean? I don't remember Changelings in training!" yelled Charger

"Exactly! I have as much experience fighting these things as you do!" he said cheerfully

Bonus chapter 4

Two cornered Earth Pony mares huddled in fear as two Changelings walked up laughing at them. Their fear was multiplied as the Changelings transformed into them and closed in on them. Suddenly, a Earth Pony Guard broke through a wall and grabbed one and threw it back into the bakery where it landed in a oven and the oven door was closed by a Lunar Guard. The second tried to run but was grabbed by magic and tossed into the air before a Pegasus grabbed him. A brown coated Pegasus with green goop all over his wings ran out and ushered them to go inside.

"Come on! Get to cover!"

He saw one quickly flash a evil smile and he knew what was going on.

"AMBUSH!" yelled David

He punched both mares in the face, reverting them to Changelings and fell to the floor. From the sewers came a dozen of the evil creatures, but the Royal Guard was ready for them. Starlight and Flower aimed their horns at them and fired off as many bolts of magic as they could as Charger and David bucked them back into the hole. Crescent slammed the ponyhole covering down on top as Flower sealed it. Out of his eye, David spotted movement.

"Don't move!" he ordered

Standing there stood two Pegasus Lunar Royal Guard. They didn't expect to see him or his squad and looked on confused.

"Are you Royal Guard?" asked one

"Are you?" asked David

His tone was different from normal, and even frightened his squad. He stared them down with rage as the two Guards looked at each other and sweat from fear. Just then, a swarm of changelings flew up from afar and dove in. David took two out before leaping out of the way of a third. He grabbed the two Guards by the necks and shoved them to the ground.

WE'RE GUARD! WE SWEAR!" said one

"You better be or I'll make you wish you were dead!"

The Guard to left reverted to a Changeling before David hoof stomped it's neck. The real Lunar Guard looked on in fear and shock at his "comrade" before David helped him up.

"Alright, you're with me! We're moving to the bank. What's your name!?"

"Storm Catcher sir! Private!"

"Good, Join PFC Crescent and do your best to keep them out of the sky!"

"Yes Sir!" said the Guard

He joined the Staff Sergeant as his Squad battled through dozens of Changelings. Crescent and Chaser bucked any Changeling they could while Starlight and Flower used anything at their disposal from boards, bricks, stones, and their magic to keep a perimeter between them and the Changelings. Leading them was Charger and the grounded David as they pushed through the streets. They came to a corner as Changelings swarmed all around. David poked his head around a corner to see a distinct looking building a block away. He grabbed a Changeling as it tried to attack and pointed it's head toward the building.

"Tell me, does that look like the bank to you?" he asked the Changeling

The scared Changeling shook it's head yes.

"Perfect." said David, knocking the Changeling out cold with one hoof, "Come on Guard! It's literally right around the corner!"

Platinum Square was under massive attack. The Changelings, sensing the Guards holding up there swarmed in, nearly overrunning the Guards there. The Guards themselves managed to hold off the attacks, but every now and then there would be a breach. One Guard ran through covering fire and landed amongst his comrades. They scanned him just to be sure and let him in. He ran to the center of the square where the command post had been set up and saw the Officers standing around their posts.

"Captain Shadow! The convoy has been ambushed!" said a messenger running up

The Officers of platinum square turned to him before reverting to Changelings, causing the Guard to double over in fear. Suddenly, each one was knocked into the sky by the real Officers. A Changeling grabbed him from behind and the Guard suddenly began to feel weak. The Changeling was feeding off him before Shadow appeared out of nowhere and knocked it into oblivion.

"The a're on our own! We've lost all contact with our Strongholds in the market, the air docks, and the theater!" yelled Shadow

"What does that mean?"

"We're abandoning the square!" yelled Shadow, "Fall back to the palace! We can't hold!"

"Captain!" said a Pegasus Officer as he grappled and defeated a Changeling, "Get back to the Palace! We can handle ourselves here!"

"Are you sure?" yelled Shadow

"Roger that Captain! We can't let both Captains of the Guard taken out now can we!?"

Shadow was reluctant to abandon her post and Guard so quickly, but he was right. With Shining Armor out of the fight it seemed, her falling in battle would be a disaster. As the Officer bucked another Changeling and yelled at her to leave, she nodded her head. A Unicorn gave the signal and the Guard began to fall back. The messenger joined his fellow Guards and made headway for the castle. Shadow herself ducked and weaved through the Changelings with incredible speed as she landed in the castle, taking a Changeling who had been climbing on the walls with her. Pounding the Changeling into the floor, she attacked a second, who's form shifted stupidly into a pink unicorn, only to be decimated by Shadow in seconds. Seeing the pink color revert back to black, Shadow grew a pit in her stomach. Filly was still in the castle! She had to find her! Her maternal instincts kicked in and she made a bee line for her room where she had told Filly to stay until later. Changelings terrorized the Palace staff, but Shadow couldn't tell who was who in the staff as staff transformed back into Changelings to terrorize them even more. Several Guard ponies tried to hold off a store room as she flew past and gave her covering fire as she did. Diving down some stairs she headed down the corridor that lead to her quarters as Captain of the Lunar Guard, and it was flooded with Changelings. Shadow landed and stood in attack stance ready to take them all on if need be. Suddenly, from behind them came a bright white light. Then another, then another! The Changelings screams could be heard as they panicked and started to retreat. Shadow denied them this by jumping up and spread her wings.

As a Pegasus, she could control the weather, and with her training in the Guard, she had a higher than average control over it. With a swift flap of her wings, the Changelings were hit by a massive gust of wind and were scattered all over. Those lucky to escape never looked back as Changelings were smashed into every conceivable object. Pillars, stands, stair cases, windows, paintings. Changelings lay everywhere defeated and refusing to get back up. Aside from the sounds of fighting outside, it was all quiet in the halls. Shadow landed and looked around nervously seeing if she could see Filly in this mess. The bright light shone again and she could hear the sound of a Changeling scream. She ran down there only to have a Changeling run out before being blasted by what looked like several small beams of magic, coming from her quarters. She looked in to see Filly standing there barely breathing heavy. The look in her eyes made Shadow's heart drop. Such hatred and vengeance and when she saw her adoptive mother, it was all aimed at her. Yet, it was only for a moment before Fill recognized Shadow and ran to her. The two embraced as Shadow held her daughter tightly knowing she was safe. As she did, she looked around to see Changelings laying all over with magic blast marks on their hides.

"Filly? Did you do all this?" asked Shadow

"Uh huh! Sarge taught me it when he wread me a magic skiws book!"

"Most Filly's your age can hardly flip a book page and you're blasting Changelings!"

"Sarge said I could bwast magic because I was special!"

Shadow didn't know what to say until she looked back down at the big happy eyes of Filly and held her close again.

"I'm just happy you're safe."

Just then footsteps came up behind them. Shadow turned to defend her daughter when a Guard Unicorn scanned her with his magic.

"Lieutenant! They are real!" said the Guard

Spirit ran up and looked over the two with joy.

"Captain! Thank Celestia you're okay! When we heard the Changelings had breached this area we moved to rescue Filly."

He looked around to see the battle Filly had partaken in and his eyes went wide with amazement. Since Shadow was a Pegasus, and there was no other Unicorn around, the magic blast marks had to come from her. He knew David was giving her lessons, but he didn't know she went this far.

"Although I think she could handle herself."

Shadow lifted Filly onto her back and the little Unicorn held on. She walked up to Spirit who already knew what she was going to say.

"I'm headed for the main Palace armory. We're going to point every heavy weapon we got in here outside towards them and fire."

"That won't get all of them." said Shadow

"No, but it will get allot of them. Hopefully enough to hold the tide until reinforcements. Come on! Preparations are almost
complete!"

Bonus chapter 5

With one buck Charger knocked back three Changelings that looked like him as Crescent grabbed two and flew them up high before diving back to the ground. They knew what the Guard was doing and tried to change back to their regular forms so they could have wings to fly but it was too late and they impacted in the ground when Crescent let go. David punched one and bucked a second before turning to see eight of them before him ready to pounce before they were blasted by Magic from Starlight and Flower. David nodded and got back the fight, taking three Changelings with him as he did. As they moved on to other targets, their earth Pony comrade was left alone. Thus Charger became surrounded, and his back went up against something. He turned to face who it was, and saw Crescent. He felt assured he was in a better mess than before before a second Crescent flew out of the sky and tackled the first one. The two Crescents grappled on the ground while Charger bucked three Changelings before aiming his head toward the two ready to charge.

"Him! Him!" said the left one, "He's the fake!"

"No, no, no!" said the right one, "It's him!"

Charger didn't know who to pick and started to back down. David saw this and ran up and looked over the situation.

"One on the left is fake." he said

"How?"

"One on the right is right!" said David with a smile

"That doesn't make sense Sarge!" said the left one

"Right one's fake. That trick works every time!" said David before tackling a Changeling

Charger made a bee line for the fake Crescent as it tried to fly away. The real Crescent grabbed it's tail with his mouth and threw the Changeling back to earth as Charger hit it square on the flank. The force was strong enough to send the Changeling flying and Charger into a dizzy spell. He stumbled around until he was looking upon the Canterlot Palace. Crescent ran up to help his friend as Charger shook his head.

"Crescent, is it just me, or does the palace look more, dangerous?"

Crescent looked up to see that the Palace was indeed more dangerous. Catapult, ballista's, and cannons were in every window and on every balcony. It was bristling with weapons, and from what he could tell, each one was ready to fire.

"INCOMING!" yelled Crescent

"What?" yelled Flower

"The palace is gonna blow!" Yelled Charger as he covered his head

He and Starlight barely had time to look before all of Canterlot shook as the Palace weapons fired. Only David was left standing to watch the spectacle. Cannon balls, arrows, stone chunks, and flaming balls of fire tore through the air, taking out every Changeling in its wake. The barrage continued to fire and in result cleaned the sky of Changelings. Some were impaled by arrows, other hit with cannon balls. Many more were caught in the wake of the fire balls fired and dove to the ground to try and put it out. The rock chunks meanwhile were like huge shotguns and took out up to twenty at once. It was a glorious sight to behold and the morale fo the citties defenders soared. Guards looked on at the sight and cheered, David not the least among them. The sheer power of the entire Guard had been brought upon them, and the Changelings were suffering each blast. They went down in the dozens, hitting the ground never to get back up.

Then, as quickly as it happened, it all went quiet. Nothing moved, nothing sounded save the crackling of fires. Not a bird sounded, a wing flapped, a hoof stomped. Just as the citizens of Canterlot and their Guard defenders were about to cheer, a low buzz sounded. Pit's as deep as Tartarus formed in their guts as they looked on horrified. Hundreds of Changelings rose up from the streets, darkening the sky as the Palace attack had failed, miserably. They had managed to clear the skies, but the Changelings on the ground were still fight worthy.

"Oh dear Princess Celestia and Luna." said David

The Changelings let out a dark cackle as they looked upon the hopeless ponies of Canterlot and went in for round two. They swarmed the city and overran everything in their path.

"Okay!" ordered David, "Time to fall back!"

They broke for the bank and barely made it in as the Changelings swarmed around outside. Charger and Flower slammed the doors shut as two security Guards braced it. Yet, inside was no better; Changelings broke through the ceiling through the windows, knocking down Storm Catcher and Crescent in the process.

"Staff Sergeant, I do believe it is time we fall back to the vault." said Spears

"Oh I agree."

With a whistle the Guards further retreated into the bank vault, the one place the Changelings could not break through. Still, theat didn't prevent them from trying as they slammed into the side of it repeatedly. Flower, Starlight, and the other Unicorn Guards fired out with magic bolts to keep the Changelings at bay,createing a pile of the fallen creatures, but everypony knew it was only a matter of time.

"Sarge, I'm scared." said Charger

"I know Charger." replied David, "You have every right to be."

"Are you?"

David a reassuring smile look to his Earth Pony PFC. The Brown Pegasus Guard dug his hoof into the ground and folded in his wings.

"You have no idea."

Meanwhile In the palace, the swarm of Changelings destroyed the heavy weapons the Guard set up and moved in on the Guards themselves. The Guard fought off as many as they could, even Filly got in on the action blasting several back to cover two Guards as they ran in.

"This is bad!" yelled Spirit

"What was your first clue Lieutenant?" asked Shadow

Spirit bucked two Changelings and one disguised as a Changeling before a fourth was bucked away by Shadow.

"It's been a honor Captain!" said Spirit, "Albeit a scary one."

All over Canterlot the Changelings terrorized the citizens of the capital city and overran Guard positions. Even the great and mysterious Doctor Whooves was overwhelmed when one managed to knock his Sonic Screwdriver out of his mouth, forcing the great Doctor to run away and rethink his strategy. Just as everything seemed lost, Canterlot shook.

From the Royal Wedding hall spewed forth a orb of magical energy that expanded quickly all over the city, taking every swarming Changelings with it. Like a giant fly swatter the insectiod ponies were caught by it and flung away over the horizon, their Queen screaming in fear and defeat as she flew into the horizon and away. Again all was quiet again. Curious ponies and Guards stepped out from their cover and looked around. They were gone, all gone. A low sound overcame the city, and it steadily grew louder. Louder, and louder until it overtook the city as the ponies and Guard cheered.

"We did it!' I don't know how but we did it!" screamed Starlight

She hugged Flower, who blushed at that. Charger and Crescent brohoofed at their victory as David laughed cheerfully.

"Shining Armor, you never cease to amaze me! HA HA HAA! We won!"

In the palace the Guard cheered as they stood up and looked on to see a battered Canterlot, but a free and victorious Canterlot. Spirit danced with a female Unicorn Guard as Shadow hugged Filly.

"Did we win Mommy?"

"Yes, yes we did!" said Shadow as she held her daughter

The real Royal wedding was replanned and even better than ever. As Shining Armor and Princess Cadence said their vows, Spirit, David, Shadow, and Filly looked on happy knowing what kind of fight it had taken to make this wedding a reality.

At the wedding party, the wing cleaned David hugged his daughter and couldn't be happier.

"My little Filly took on all those Changelings! HA HA! You make me so proud!"

As the music started, Filly ran out and danced around with some other Filly's as David met his squad, who were enjoying themselves also. Shadow walked up and sat down, tired but happy.

"I think we earned this R&R Captain?" asked Flower who was dancing with Starlight

"Yes, yes you have."

"So, the other Guard units arrive?" asked David

"Yes, I'm going to go inspect them in a moment. I'd thought I'd just check up on everypony."

"Captain." said Charger, "You don't have to! All of the Canterlot Corps is on leave to take a break."

"Yeah Cap! Unwind a little!" said Crescent as he spun a mare around

"Partieesh aren't her thing." said a tipsy Spirit as he stumbled past

"Exactly. So, enjoy your time Guards."

Just then, a Pink pony started the music as DJ-Pon3 started to jam away. Twilight Sparkle was thrown a microphone and began to sing.

"Yeah, I'm out." said Shadow as she started to fly off

"Oh no you don't." said David grabbing her tail

"No, no wait! David!"

Her screams fell on deaf ears as he dragged her out to the dance floor.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Well, I did it. Wrote the fight against the Changelings and hopefully did some good to the Guard. So, once again I come to a end, but unlike last time, this is not the end of the story. Oh no, I got something planned for this which may be the end of it. You all are jsut going to have to wait and see.

Edit May 26th: Okay, in celebration of this Fanfic reaching over 4000 views, a feat I never thought I'd make, I went through this chapter and fixed it up a little. Hopefully I fixed up the right parts and now it's better than when I origionally posted it.

Guarding a Fyre pt.1

Hello once again

well it seems this story just wont go out quietly, not that I'm complaining. A few days ago BassTheBrony sent me a message asking if I could about my Guards fighting the fight that is appearing in his story "Sparking a Fyre" Who am I to deny that? He already put Shadow in a cameo in his, if you've read this story, jsut read chapter 4, she's in there. So, after reading his story again, and working it through, I present my ponies end of the fight written to my abilities. Hope you all enjoy!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
David, Starlight, Crescent, and Charger walked down the halls of the palace on patrol as a storm raged outside. while they were in Guard pose and looked on as if they were the stoic and alert Guards as ever, they rounded a corner and David spit into a vase holding a plant.

"I hate storms." groaned David as he walked along the palace corridors

"I thought you said you were looking forward to this." said Starlight

"I thought I'd be sleeping. Not on patrol!"

"With the power of it, you may get your wish Sarge." said Crescent looking outside

"It's a minor shower. it'll be out by midnight." said David, "I read the weather report."

"I don't know Sarge. Minor showers aren't that intense."

Crescent looked outside before he suddenly saw what looked like two Pegasi fly past the windows before lightning struck. In the few seconds he saw them, he knew they weren't Guard. No fills, no armor shining off the light inside, and their tails were too long to be regulation. Further more they held oddly shaped objects in their hands that he couldn't quite put his finger on. As they went out of view his Guard instincts kicked in.

"Did you guys see that!" said Crescent alarmed

"See what?" asked David

"Was it two cats riding a dragon while playing the polka to a hambone?" asked Charger

This got him a quizzical look from David. Even Starlight looked at him funny, but Crescent seemed as if this was normal for him. David shook his head and returned to looking forward but Starlight still looked at him puzzled.

"No it wasn't." claimed Crescent still looking

"Did you actually see that?" asked Starlight

"No." said Charger depressed, "I just was being random. Patrols are boring!"

"No it looked like two Pegasi, and they weren't Guards either!" said Crescent

He tried to fly up to get a better look, but was promptly pulled back down by David.

"Sarge I-!"

"Ah it's probably staff who got trapped outside." remarked David, "Those foals think that the work revolves around them."

He let go of Crescent and grumbled something and continued on until there was the sound of a commotion far off.

"Okay, did someone forget to shut a window?" asked Starlight

"If that's so they forgot to shut allot of windows." mentioned Charger listening in, "Actually sounds like they're panicking!"

"Listen to that!" said Crescent listening in as well, "What the, is one screaming or something?"

"Palace staff." laughed David walking on, "You could put a leaf in the middle of the floor and some would actually faint from shock."

He chuckled to himself as he walked on before a commanding voice made his entire patrol save himself jump in the air. He turned to see Captain Shadow standing there looking at him with several other Lunar Guards in tow, one of them Flower.

"Staff Sergeant!" yelled Shadow, "The palace is under attack!"

"Again?" said David coming to full alert, "What is it now!"

"Anti Armor-Cadence protesters.They have large numbers and already control parts of the palace." said Shadow

"What? I thought we dealt with those ponies!" said Charger

"Apparently not. Captain Fyre has ordered the Guard to defend the palace backside! I'm rounding up any Guard I can."

"Captain Fyre? Who's that?" asked Starlight

"Ah he's that conscript pony aide to Captain Armor who now outranking all of us!" complained Charger

"Hey!" snapped David, "That Guard knocked out Blueblood! Anypony who has the guts to do that is golden in my book. Show some respect for him you hear?"

The other Guards, even some of Shadows all nodded in answer. David snorted at their beliefs about Captain Fyre before turning back to Shadow.

"Air support?" asked David flexing his wings.

"They have full air superiority." said Shadow

"Not if I got anything to say about it." laughed David darkly, "Charger, Starlight, head out with the Captain! Crescent, with me. We'll get air power back."

Shadow nodded and took Starlight and Charger with her as David and Crescent ran toward the closest palace armory. As the two flew on, Crescent figured that the Pegasi he saw must have been the rioters and kept going. he remembered seeing something in their hands but couldn't tell what it was. As they flew through a door, two objects headed straight for them and both Guards barely had time to dodge it. The projectiles impacted into the wall and steamed from the heat they gave off. They looked at it and then back to where they had came from. Two disgruntled Earth Ponies stood there armed with another round of their choice of weaponry: Pies.

"Pies!?" yelled David, "You are using pies to overthrow the palace!?"

"Steaming hot apple pies!" sneered one of the ponies

Crescent looked at his Staff Sergeant and they were both thinking the same thing. Before the two Earth Ponies eyes the Guards doubled over in laughter and fell to the floor. The two ponies looked at each other, not taking it kindly that their weapons were being mocked in such a way and threw another round at the Guards. One hit the White Pegasus in the rump, and he flew into the air in pain at the hot pastry that now covered his butt. The other though was knocked back by the brown one and hit its original owner in the face.

"Between the NLR, Diamond Dogs, and the Changelings, this is going to be actually enjoyable." he said taking flight
Crescent landed next to him using his wings to fan the heat coming off his flank. he jumped around a bit hooting and hollering in pain until he took off again. David looked to him surprised.

"Although you may have something going there with the pies."

The Earth Pony smiled, but only for a second before David tackled him. The Earth pony was out cold as Crescent finally cooled his but down by dumping a plant vase full of water on it.

"Okay." said David as he looked over the PFC, "Beware the pies, but we have a job to do. Come on!"

"Right behind you Sir!"

"Pies! They're throwing pies at us!" yelled Charger

He and several other Guard had taken cover under some over turned tables near the back entrance as the rioters threw apple pies at them with no signs of giving up. while the entire sight was comical to behold, the Royal Guard pinned down by baked goods, or bads depending on the way you looked at it, they were not to be messed with. One Unicorn got up to fire before he was hit in the face with two pies and fell back in pain.

"Everything is going tasty!" cried the Guard as he fell down.

Medics rushed to his side to bring him out of the fight as the other Guard looked on.

"I'd be more inclined to help if it wasn't so....... odd."

This was met by universal favor by the other Guard. Shadow landed and looked around before bucking two pies back at the enemy.

"I don't care if they were throwing party balloons! Defend this palace at once!"

The Guards agreed and began to fire back however they could. Some Pegasus and Earth Ponies grabbed the remains of smashed pies on the ground and threw them back, while Unicorns grabbed pies mid flight and tossed them back. Other Unicorns fired magic bolts while a few skilled Guard bucked pies midflight back over. The crossfire of Pies and magic was as epic as it was hilarious. Some staff running for their lives up above on the second floor watched and didn't know weather to laugh or run for their lives. As one staff member was hit by a pie and fell to the floor out for the moment, the thought of running took over. Down below, Charger saw a incoming pie and took aim for it. ready to buck it back when it splattered all over his hooves. While the shoes he wore protected him from the majority of it, much of it landed on his underside as well. The searing pain of such a piping hot pie in particular areas of his hide sent him bucking around in pain. He leaped up only to be hit with three more pies. He fell to the ground slowly starting to fade out as Flower screamed for a medic. A Unicorn dragged Charger away as the rioting ponies moved in on the unpreparred Guard.

"Stand firm Guard!" ordered Shadow

"We're outnumbered!" cried a Guard, "And those pies hurt!"

Shadow dodged a pie thrown at her head and looked to the Guard: "Don't remind me."
She showed him her wing and he saw that it too had been hit by a pie, yet she was still fighting. Furthermore, she showed no pain whatsoever!

"I'll hold Ma'am."

A few Unicorns from the Guard fired a few magic bolts toward them, but the rioting ponies kept coming. Just as it seemed that they would be driven into hoof to hoof combat, a set of doors opened and revealed a cannon with several guard manning it.

"FIRE!" yelled Captain Spirit

The cannon ball, powered by both the powder that fired it and magic, screamed straight for the center of the rioters and impacted. The explosion knocked several back and away. Several Pegasus flew in from outside and rained pies down on the cannon. The only flaw in that plan was the pies were aimed for the cannon itself and not the crew. The pies slid harmlessly off the cannon as Spirit and his team aimed it up at them. The Pegasus barely had time to flee when the cannon exploded between them all, grounding several. The rest of the attacking ponies looked on in fear, not expecting to come up against such heavy artillery, and tried to make a break for it, but were cut off by Lunar Guard. Suddenly they were surrounded and forced to surrender. Shadow herself watched over as the ponies were magically tied together to prevent escape and flew over to Spirit.

"Lucky I found this thing." he said, "I didn't think we'd make it in time to help."

"You encounter any friendly air support?" asked Shadow

"Nah, those rioters have most of the Palace air space under their control. We had to get this cannon through a maintenance route just to avoid them."

"Alright. set the cannon up to defend the door in case they make a counter attack."

"Captain, I should inform you that the main ballroom is being used as a command post and staging area for them."

"Well, I can't allow that. Squad A! David's Squad! On me!"

The Guard formed around her save Charger who was still out from the pie impact.

"We have a Ballroom to retake! We'll pick up anymore Guard along the way! Move fast and move quickly."

"And watch out for pies." warned Spirit

Shadow nodded and took her strike force with her toward the main Ballroom.

Guarding a Fyre pt. 2

"I can't believe we're being pinned down by pies!" said David

As he finished his rant a pie broke through the painting they had set up for cover and impacted on the wall. David sighed as Crescent grabbed it and sent it back at them.

"Is there anything we can do?" asked a Earth Pony Guard who had joined him and Crescent

"Nope. Just sit and here and take the pie."

A projectile splattered on the wall they were looking at and Crescent walked up to it.

"Actually, this looks like cake." claimed Crescent

David just sighed in stress.

"Come on! You guys are Pegasus! Can't you do something!?" asked the Earth Pony

"No, we're Pegasus! We control the weather. You Earth Ponies control the ground, and Unicorns control magic! Never in the history of Equestria did the ancient pony powers figure who would control the powerful and mystical powers of PIE!" He finished punching a rioting Earth Pony who ran up to attack them

He sat there as the attacking Pony fell limp from the punch when David suddenly brightened.

"We control the weather!"

"What?" asked Crescent

"We control the weather Crescent! That's how we take back air superiority! We use the storm against them! Come on! Uh, you two Guard I'll need your brawn."

The Guard leaped from their positions and attacked the surprised rioters and overran their positions.

Elsewhere in the palace, the heavy doors of the palace ballroom shuddered with the fighting outside. This ballroom had, by accident, become the main staging area and as the Royal Guard fought back with more ferocity as intended, Ponies were making their way to it to regroup and rejoin the fight. Now, word had spread the the Captain of the Lunar Guard herself had whipped together a group of Guards and were just outside those heavy doors. The few Unicorns present tried to keep it closed, but they could hear the screams of their comrades outside getting closer and closer. Pegasi flew in, pies ready to fire as the doors continued to shake from their hinges. Earth Ponies stacked their pastry weapons high behind makeshift fortifications. Even the wounded prepared themselves for a fight. Their nerves held, all stubbornly holding onto their belief that the two regal Pony Sisters had the only right to rule, not Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. By that logic, Blueblood should be ruler too and that was just as bad as Discord ruling. Secretly, all thought they were in way over their head this time, the Royal Guard organized faster than they expected and already the rear gate to the palace had been secured, and they were cut off. All that was left for them was the fact they still controlled the skies.

It was then they heard something that shook them to their very cores. Pleading, begging, screaming. Their comrades outside desperately calling out for their fellow ponies to open the doors. It tore them apart as they knew the Guards would act upon this, taking the initiative to assault the ballroom when the doors were open. On the other hand, those were friends out there. They were in a panic, screaming the Guards were closing in, picking them off with Unicorn Guard one by one. They could hear it, the screams as pony after pony fell to the Guard's advance. Others in a terrified frenzy as they saw the Lunar Guard Captain just walking up the hall casually as if nothing was going on around her, her red eyes fixated on the door. Then, with one final petrified scream that echoed in their horrified minds, all went quiet. Not a word was heard, the only accompaning sound was the rain and thunder outside. One pony gulped in fear as others were too scared to move. Then the doors began to shake. The few Unicorns keeping it closed struggled with their magic to keep the doors that way, but the Guard was stronger and more numerous than they. They burst open in a cloud of magic and dust landing just before the rioters forward defenses.

"FIRE EVERYTHING!" came the order
Pie after pie was thrown. They couldn't see through the dust and threw as they grabbed. The steaming hot sugary projectiles sailed into the hall, splattering against something they hoped were their targets. Several Pegasus flew in to strike home and more accurately, but they never returned. As the rioters grabbed for another pie to throw, they were out. Every last pie, enough pie to feed a village for weeks, had been tossed into the hall. The creepy silence filled the ballroom again as they had their hopes they had stopped the Guards advance with their barrage of pies. it almost seemed like it, until they heard the sound of galloping hoofs, and the metal clanking of armored shoes to go along with it. From the dust sprang a line of Earth Pony Guard that met the first line of defense and broke through them with ease. With no pies left to defend themselves, the rioters broke and ran or tried to fight, only to be defeated all he same. Those that had managed to avoid the Guard assault soon came under fire from Unicorns who fired volley after volley against them. Pegasus dove in to cover their friends, but a sight above caught their eyes. At first it was a flight of feathers as Solar and Lunar Pegasus guards fought them in dog fights. A few more Pegasus flew in carrying a cart of pies and many quickly ran to it to get ammo, but were quickly set upon by guards, all lead by a Lunar Guard Corporal. They took aim and fired.

"Whoop, missed me!" said Flower actually enjoying the fight now, "Missed me again! Ooh! Eeh, Ooh! Ah ha ha! Can't get me!"

Starlight herself grabbed every pie thrown at her with her magic and tossed it back. They were colder than they should have been by now, but they still served their unintended purpose of striking the rioters down. As the cart was about to be overtaken, a large gruff Pegasi flew in, two pies in each hand. He laughed down at the seemingly helpless Guard before a golden and pale green blur took him down. He landed out cold as the Earth Pony bucked the two pies that he had dropped mid flight into two Pegasi flying by. He then bucked the cart over, spilling the rest of the pies and turned to bask in his accomplishment.

"Charger!?" yelled Flower

Charger lifted his leg to show the bandage on his groin, yet he seemed better than ever.

"Just about missed it." he laughed, "I couldn't leave you guys to all the glory now could I?"

They smiled and agreed with Charger before going after more rioters to fight. Amongst all this chaos strode in Captain Shadow, who looked on at the broken back of the riot and smiled. Her plan had worked perfectly just as she planned to. It was all based around terrorizing the rioters to the brink as she effortlessly used her Guard to scare the Ponies outside the ballroom into petrifying the ponies inside the ballroom until their hair stood on the edge. When the doors were to be opened, she had enough Unicorns to easily open the doors, but she chose to blow them open, and the rioting ponies played their parts flawlessly. In fear, they threw every pie that would have taken out many of her Guards were thrown harmlessly into the halls as the others took cover at the sides. Now nothing stood between them and taking this Ballroom. Despite this, and her terrifying persona, she ordered each one taken prisoner instead of outright killed, and the Guard followed her orders to the letter. Most were already huddled into groups and watched by the firm eyes of the Royal Guard as she walked onto the balcony.

Below her was the main entrance, under rioter control, not to mention the rest of the palace they had taken. Two pies landed next to her, spattering into the ground and she looked up to see Pegasus flying in to support the riot the best they could.

"Any time now David." she said

"Ma'am, ballroom secured." reported Flower as he walked up

"Good." she replied Alert the palace to this, hopefully this riot will end by tonight-what was that?"

She was mentioning to the sound of heavy winds behind the palace. She looked up and in a lightning strike could swear she saw the silhouette of a Pegasus flying in the clouds. Her mind was abuzz as to who in their right mind would even think about flying through a thunderstorm of this intensity outside a air show. Then it all made sense to her and she smiled.

Lightning stuck from the clouds striking the rioting Pegasus where they flew, knocking them out and turning their pies into harmless black crisps the crumbled upon the touch. One by one the Pegasus were struck by lightning and fell as Guard Pegasus, both Lunar and Solar, flew through the clouds waiting for one to cross their sights. When one did they would buck the cloud, sending lightning down upon them. several of the rioters flew up into the clouds, only to be met with the business end of several Guards hooves and fell to the ground out cold. Not far away was David watching with sheer amusement that his plan worked out. Once he had collected enough Pegasus they flew out of the palace and into the clouds, taking a few Pegasus with him. He himself had snagged a pie during so, and savored it's apple flavor as he took a bite. He turned to a second wave of Guard, each one holding a piece of the thunderstorm in their hooves and nodded.
Crescent was leading this charge, and he dove through the clouds until he could see all of Canterlot and the palace. His sights were on the front courtyard as he lead his flight, while others flew into the palace. A few pies flew up at him as the rioters tried to take him down, but Guard Pegasi went through this in training and it was virtually nothing to them. However, the sheer amount of pies being thrown up meant some were bound to hit, and they did, exploding the clouds the Pegasus were holding, or just hitting the Guards causing them to fall. Crescent dodged several as he looked around for a target of opportunity and saw it in a circle hedge near the front gate. Several ponies having taken cover and bucking pies into the air to try and defend themselves. He flew in low and fast, making a bee line right for them. They didn't even see them as he flew in and dropped the cloud he was holding with a signature "Bombs away!" call before he pulled up steep. He looked back to see the cloud impact and shock the ponies into unconsciousness and hoof pumped in victory.

Up above, David saw that the second phase of his plan had worked quite well. The bombing raid had scattered the rioters into a full scale retreat. Yet, nothing is ever perfect, and he saw several still holding on in the eastern Courtyard. Finishing his pie he used a old trick he learned working on the farm by accident and carved out a handle in the cloud next to him. Aiming the thundercloud itself down at them, he cranked the handle with his wing and lighting shot out and down upon them, destroying their defenses, burning their pies to a crisp, and scattering them as well. He finished just as the cloud handle he was spinning broke away and the cloud lost all it's static power when he saw a bright light coming from the tower. He looked over to see the two Royal Princesses, their horns glowing bright with their regal magic. Making a straw out of the cloud he had just used as a weapon, he made himself a drinkable cloud and watched as the Princesses light shined all over the castle, lighting it up with a brilliant display. The thunderstorm went away save for David's cloud he was drinking from, and the rioting ponies fell to the ground unconscious.

Once again, the Guard had proven themselves to be victorious in the face of total surprise, however, they were not without their own scars. Several Guard were severely wounded, disfigured, or worse from he pies that had attacked them. Worst off was Captain Fyre, who had taken a pie to the face and lost his eye in the process. He had came too not a few days later, and many were congratulating them on his service or had come to give him company. Many as well, including David, went to hear how he knocked Blueblood in the head right before the battle and enjoyed it so. He was not down in the dungeons filled with every other rioting pony who were waiting for their trial. Many, especially the Guard, wanted them all to be sent to Tartarus for endangering the lives of Canterlot, committing treason for assaulting the Palace, and other charges for the damages they caused. However, the Princess were much more understanding than the hot headed Guard, and were not so hasty to send them down that road, yet.

All in all, it was a grey day for ponies. The castle had been attacked by disgruntled ponies, but the Guard had stood firm and sent a clear message that Equestria was safe from all enemies no matter what, or who, they were. This celebration especially resonated in a few Guards in the Canterlot Palace. After all the fighting and duty they've seen, they were finally getting recognized for it, and they couldn't contain their jubilation and glee.

"I can't believe this!" cheered Charger, "We, some random Guards have been hoof picked to be part of the new Silver Guard!"

"Protecting Captain Armor and Princess Cadence!" said Crescent, "I can't believe this!"

"Our parents would be so proud of us right now." said Charger

"I think we're forgetting somepony here." butted in Flower

"Hmm?" asked Charger

"Starlight here!" Cried Flower, "Just a few months ago she was a homeless beggar living in the sewers. Now she is protecting the Princess!"

Starlight blushed a little at this and smiled as the others congratulated her.

"Not bad Guard. Not bad." said a voice they all recognized

They looked to see David walking up, a smile was strewn across his face that showed pride, but not for him, for them.

"You're to report to the central Courtyard where Spirit, Armor, Cadence, and Fyre will be overseeing your training. Enjoy it Guard, you all earned it more than anypony I've ever seen."

He walked on past them, whistling a old Guard tune. The others looked on puzzled before Starlight spoke up.

"Wont you be coming Sarge?"

David stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Starlight. He half smiled and walked up to her but looked at all of them.

"Not this time." he said in a somber tone, "No, I declined the position. I wont be joining you."

This hit them all like a train wreck.

"But, but, Sarge!" stammered Charger

"Don't give me that Charger. I make your lives miserable as is. You really want to spend the rest of your Guard careers with me?"

"Yes." said Starlight

Flower, Crescent, and Charger agreed.

"You really do care Sarge." said Starlight, "How could you turn that down?"

"This old Guard has his life all worked out for him. Someone has to man that desk in the hall. Besides, you'll still have Spirit."

"It's not the same without you Sarge." said Crescent

"I'm not going anywhere. You'll find me at the desk reading the paper. Go and make something of yourselves Guard, something that Shadow and I will be proud to say we served alongside you with."

One could almost see a tear in his eyes as he snapped up straight and firm and called out: "ATTENTION!"

The Guards snapped to attention as he looked upon them one last time as members of this Squad of Royal Guard as his squad. Heavy hearts filled their bodies as they looked upon their Sergeant for the last time as their Sergeant.

David let out a heavy sigh and smiled one last time at them: "Dismissed."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Howdy

Alright, this story is done! Done, done, done, complete, and done! I'm not going back to it, nothing else, it's over! I've got a thousand more views, still no dislikes, yippee, I'm done with this story for good. You've been dissmissed by David, that's my final call.

And for those of you who decided to read it this far: Thanks for reading and, becasue I have no dislikes, enjoying this story. I really appreciate it. All these Characters will appear in The Scrapper. They also may make appearences in BrassThe Brony's stories as that's where this crossover story came from.

So, I'm out!

Lost Chapter 1

Howdy Folks

I can't believe I'm doing this. I said I was done with this, that I wasn't going back to it, but when I finished the crossover chapters, I was at 2700 some views...... that was the 14th of May...... Now it's two months later and the 14th of July, and this story is up to over 5000 views, and still no dislikes....

Did I miss something? Was this featured somewhere and I never knew about it!? That's about a thousand views a month! What's more, this story has Zero, ZERO, dislikes! I, I, I,....... I promised myself I wasn't going to go back to this story, but that, that, that's a mighty feat, and well, I want to see what would happen if I uploaded another chapter, particularly a lost chapter I planned to put in, but never typed up because, well, I couldn't fit it in. In fact, this was the very story that spurred off this story Dating back all the way to the beginning of the second season with everyone's favorite Villain, the ever charismatic and charming Discord! We all know what happened to Twilight and her friends, and unfortunately Ponyville in the process, but what of Canterlot? Celestia managed to send those letters to Twilight, but Discord is smart! He's based off and played by Q for one! Those letters were his death knell, and he would've known Celestia would have sent something to aide her. What happened to Canterlot? I believe David made a passing to this somewhere in my works, and that was all I wrote on it. Ironically, it was that story that he, and everypony (hehehehe, everypony) else were even created! So, in the spirit of Discord, i'mma write this lost chapter In the Guard. Thank Discord's use of the rules for this one folks...... that's the only reason why I'm doing this.

Walking down the halls of Canterlot, their new silver armor shining bright, glinting off the sun, Charger and Crescent looked around to see the halls they once stood guard in. Two new Guards stood there, alert and attentive as ever, ready to defend the place at a moments notice. It brought back a lot of memories to them, some boring, others almost bringing tears to their faces. It was a nostalgic moment for them, and it was made all the better when they came down the stairs to a familiar desk with a familiar Pegasus standing there reading the paper. Smiling, the two walked over and stood before him. The Pegasus looked up at them with some disinterest, but that soon faded away and he nodded to them in respect. He continued to sit and read the paper as they smiled.

“Where's our salute Staff Sergeant?” asked Charger

“I don't have to salute you.” laughed David

“We are a elite unit.” chuckled Crescent, “Decorated as well! Even officers have to salute us!”

David scoffed at the notion and flipped a page on his paper.

“Come on Sarge! It's the least you could do for us. We've been away on Duty for Captain Armor while he and the Princess tour the Country!”

“I told you, I don't have to salute you.” answered David, “I don't even have to salute Captain Armor of my Wife for that matter. I just do that just out of respect.”

“You don't respect us?” came Crescent, a little hurt being this was his old CO

“No, no, no, no! I have a ton of respect for you two. I just respect them a whole lot more!”

Crescent laughed. That was his old Sergeant. Charger meanwhile, looked at him confused.

“What do you mean you don't have to salute the Captains of the Guards? Everyone has to salute them!”

“Save those who hold the Order of the Equidae. Those don't have to salute anypony but the Princesses.”

“Order of the Equidae!?” yelled Charger, “But, but, but, That's the highest award in the land! How did you?”

“I destroyed that statue.” came David

With his wing, he pointed toward a large marble statue of Commander Righteous Storm, the Alicorn founder of the modern day Royal Guard after he united the Pegasus, Earth Pony, and Unicorn Guards into one unit.

“They gave you a medal for smashing a Statue of the father of the Guard?” came Charger

“Hey!” came David defensively, “I never smashed the dang thing! The cannons shot it to pieces!”

“What?” came Crescent

David sighed: “You wanna know the story?”

“YES!” said both intensely

“Okay, but it involves Discord.... still wanna hear?”

“Even more so!” said Crescent

“*sigh* It all came after Discord was freed, oh say, three months before you two showed up for the Canterlot Corps.

*******
“All Guard on high alert! I repeat! We are on high alert, Code Alpha Red!” came the voice over the loud speakers.

“Code Aplha-whatta?” asked David as he ran next to Spirit, “Tell me that wasn't-”

“Red! Alpha-Red means that Equestria is in a crisis and in midst of collapse!”

“So the rumors are true! Knew the moment those flank-bucking Mane 6 showed up we'd have trouble!” cursed David

“We have no way of confirming if that's true!” said Sprit

“Firs the statue disappears, then the Mane 6 show up, then the Princesses and Armor raise the city shield, now we're on Alpha-Red! It's true! Discords back!”

There came a distinct laughter followed by a malevolent force moved past them. The few Guards and Palace workers looked around in fear as things began to change. Plants were suddenly having the vase they were in growing out of them, the floor tiles changed colors, and the stained glass windows became bubble gum. Spirit looked over the situation, and took command.

“All Non-Guard personnel report to the shelters immediately!”

They started to follow his orders, but as they began to open the doors to get into the shelters, they opened to others areas. One opened to Dodge Junction, Manehatten, Las Pegasus, Hoofington, Marechester. Spirit opened a door, and to his alarm, stood Luna in a shower. The two stared at each other for a few brief seconds as David poked his head over to see.

“Cool.” spoke David

Luna screamed and Spirit quickly shut the door.

“I'm so dead!” he said sweat pouring down his face

“That was a once in a lifetime shot! Nice choosing!” congratulated David

“Would you!” responded Spirit before stopping, “Hey......wasn't there a plotted plant there earlier?”

David turned to see the missing potted plant, or vase last he checked. Sure enough it was gone. Before anything else could be said, there came a scream from their left, and they looked to see a female Earth Pony being assaulted, by the PLANT! It's flowers had become legs somehow, and the Vase was the body. Two Unicorns fired magic bolts at it, destroying it in seconds.

“We have a problem.” said Spirit

“Ya think?” asked David

Spirit looked to him bemused when David was bucked across the sky and crashed into a window turned to bubblegum. He bounced off and into another one and somehow kept bouncing around. Spirit looked at the sight amazed, before he heard the sound of hooves behind him. He looked to see a angelic pony charging him down at high speed. Acting fast, he lowered down and put all his strength into standing, and met the pony head on. He expected to meet fur, mane, and flesh, instead he met hard marble, and the force knocked him down and over. The Lieutenant slid across the floor right next to a few Unicorn Guards who had come to investigate the commotion. Spirit looked up at them, and then at the pony. It was pure white, and had a crack in the middle of its forehead.

“Is that a statue?” asked the Guard

“Blast that thing!”

The two Unicorns lowered their charged horns and fired. The blasts struck the statue, cracking it more and more until it shattered into a million pieces. Spirit stood up, and a pit developed in his stomach.

“How many statues are in this Palace?” he asked one of the Guards

“Uh, there's about 30 different ones n the Garden.” said one Guard

“There's the entrance statues, about eleven.” said the second

“The hall of heroes!” said a stallion from behind

Spirit turned to see the scared Palace worker shivering there as Discords powers warped the palace.

“What?” asked Spirit

“The Hall of heroes!” said the stallion, “Statues of every famous person in Pony history!”

“Sweet Celestia.” said Spirit in horror

He held a blank stare as David finally got off the crazy ride and slammed into ground, sliding before Spirit.

“Ow.”

“David, we're screwed.” he said, his voice teetering on near panic

“What are you talking about?” asked David, “What was tha-AAAAAAAAAAAAT!”

another statue of a angelic pony bucked David into oblivion before setting it sights on Spirit and the Unicorns.

“Captain! What's going on!?” came a alarmed Guard

Shadow looked out over the Palace Garden, not knowing what to answer. Bunnies with long legs trampled over everything, a kangaroo and a rhino sipped tea at a table, vultures hung upside down on a tree, and a frog in a top hat and cane danced across the water signing rag time.

“I, I , I don't know.” she responded

“Is, is, is it Discord?” asked the Guard

Shadow was about to say something, when screams came from not too far away. Three Palace workers and a few Guards ran for their lives before slipping and sliding all over the ground. She looked on confused until eight buffalo danced past in tutu's and behind them followed by three Pegasus who had completely lost it.

“Get all the Palace workers to shelters immediately!” ordered Shadow

The Guard, albeit shakily, saluted and turned to go and try and round them up. Shadow turned around to head back inside. When she opened the door, it revealed I to be a winter wonderland. She looked on alarmed, closed the door, and opened it again. This time it was a jungle. A third time revealed the bottom of the sea. She slammed it shut and opened it again and this time, to her alarm, was Luna's bathroom. She was brushing her hair, and didn't notice her captain. With no choice, plus with the Royal back up, she jumped in.

“Princess! We have a problem.”

Luna turned shocked to see her Guard captain standing there, a door to the Garden behind her shower.

“How the?” she asked, speechless

“Discord. He's here!” answered Shadow

“Impossible!” came Luna, “Our sister and we have a shield defending the city! There is no way he could get in!”

“He didn't get in, his influence did.”

“Oh.” replied Luna realizing what was going on, “Come Captain! We must get to my sister!”

“The doors are useless your Majesty! They lead everywhere and nowhere.”

“We know. You are not the first time someone has come through that door. Earlier a white Guard and his brown Pegasus friend looked through at me in the shower.”

“Brown Pegasus? Was he a Guard and blue hair?”

“You know him?” asked Luna

“David.” cursed Shadow

“Hold still Captain. It will take a lot of our energy to teleport us both through Discords influence to Celestia!”

Shadow stood still and in a flash of light, they were in Celestia's room where Armor stood informing the Princess of the same situation.

“Luna!” said Celestia

“Captain.” said Armor

“I take it you noticed sister?” asked Luna

“We are powerless. All we can do now is hope that my letters got to Twilight Sparkle ebfore it's too-”

She was cut off by the chandelier above her bed shaking violently before a Pegasus fell through it and slammed into the ground. He was up in a instant, readied his wings and stared into the swinging ornament.

“Come on you little marble-”

Before he could finish a marble Guard Pegasus tore through the hole in the chandelier and tackled him. Flesh and stone grappled with each other until the Pegasus bucked the live statue out the door with all his strength. He gave chase as the door slammed shut behind him.

“Captain Armor,” came Celestia, “Who was that?”

“I don't know. Shadow?” he asked

“That was Sergeant David.” she sighed

“This is insane!” yelled Spirit

Ducked down behind a shattered door, he peeked up to see plants, statues, and interestingly enough, pink clouds of explosive chocolate milk , terrorizing the palace. He didn't want to admit it, but Discord was back, and this was just the beginning. He felt something grabbing at his tail before he was dragged out into the open by two Rose bushes and a Ficus, while two musician statues looked on with a evil grin. With all his strength, Spirit slammed the Ficus holding him and leaped into the air. The statues jumped for him as well, one a Unicorn using its magic to grab him. His armor gave some resistance to the magic, and he managed to smack it into the other one. Both fell right on top of the rose bushes, crushing them and shattering at the same time. He landed on the ground and looked around for anything else that might be attacking. As he turned around, a marble pot was shoved in his face. He looked up to see the statue from the fountain looking at him smiling. A tidal wave erupted from the pot, slamming Spirit across the ground and into a window. The gum there cushioned his fall, and he bounced off, taking the drapes of the window with him. Acting fast, he tossed the drapes of the assaulting statue before taking cover Ducking back down, he crawled over to where some Guards were holding, but only just. It was a command post that had been set up in what was the bathrooms. Wounded sat in a corner while a few who could still fight defended them.

“Who's in charge here?” asked Spirit

“I guess you are sir!” came a Guard, “The Captain........ well”

Spirit looked to see a Pegasus Guard, drained of all color tied up in the corner, babbling nonsense and twitching.

“We have comms with any one outside the Palace!”

“We have the Canterlot Hotel on line, but just barely. The toilets now acting as video phones of all things.”

Spirit couldn't believe it, but his attention was turned to a shouting of the other Guards at the door. The fountain pony was back, and it shot water at the Guards at the door, its footsteps closing in. Looking around, Spirit grabbed a plunger and tore for the door. The statue stepped in and aimed its pot right as Spirit plugged it. The statue looked down to its clogged weapon in horror as it shook violently. It looked up and gulped before exploding into a thousand pieces. Spirit smiled before he heard another scream outside the door. He looked to see what he believed to be Prince Blue blood running around, covered in mud, and showering everypony he came across with it. Spirit slammed the door and slid down it, his mind not able to take all this.

“Lieutenant!” yelled a frightened Guard, “ What do we do? We don't even know what's what out there!”

“We need to at least protect the citizens! What's the word from the rest of Canterlot?”

“Baby babble!” said another Guard

“What?” came Spirit

He moved over and looked into the toilet, not wanting to believe he was doing this, and looked through. He didn't last three seconds before he recoiled in horror. The Guards that were stationed there seemed to be drained of color, and were acting like little foals. He shut the lid as it washed over him.

“Now what?” asked the Guard

Spirit looked to him, eyes crazed and stunned, and in a instant, the color from him seemed to fade.

“We're doomed.” said Spirit

With one hoof stomp David slammed the head of the attacking Marble Guard statue, and snorted in anger. He looked around, several other statues looking at him, only this time out of fear. He smiled and turned around to go an try and find anypony out there he could help or get help from when he heard a slam from behind him. With a gulp and his heart jumping into his throat, he turned around and stared into the intense, glowing red eyes of a larger statue he recognized from early in Guard training. The great Alicorn Guard, Commander Righteous Storm. One of the greatest commanders and warriors of all Ponydom. Tales of his exploits range from him defeating the Legions of the Tirek Order with but a few loolsey organized Militias from the three Pony tribes, to single handily taking out a swarm of dragons that were threatening the fledgling nation of Equestria. Statues of him were erected in every major city and in every Guard base across Equestria. Now that same commander was starring down a simple Sergeant.

“Mommy!” squeaked David

Storm charged his horn, and in a instant, David found himself on fire and slammed into a tapestry, softened only be the bubble gum window behind him. He bounced off, and was rammed in the stomach and flown across the room at high speed and in great pain. He looked down to see the angry Storm bent of killing him. Using all his strength, he raised his hoof to smash the Commander in the head, but his hoof was grabbed by magic and struck himself instead. His other hoof was grabbed and struck him as well. He was punched three more times with his own hooves before he clenched his teeth, and headbutted the Discorded statue. They both fell to the ground, David landing in a soft bush while the commander thudded against the ground. His ears ringing from the strike, David went to rub his temple, when his hoof was grabbed again, this time by the plant he landed in. He looked to see his wings and hoofs grabbed by the thing, and held there while Storm flew above him and charged his horn. David watched in fear as the magical energy power up, and unleash onto him. He jerked to the left, and to his immense luck, the beam missed him entirely, striking the plant below.

He smiled in this one in a million chance as his captor turned to ash, but as he heard the flapping of wings above him, he knew he had zero chances. Storm was too powerful, only his loyalty to the Pony Sisters and their own combined strength kept him from over throwing the dual thrones. He was a simple Sergeant. There was no way he could hope to beat him. Storm landed before him, waiting for David's next move. David sighed, and he lowered his head, ready to surrender. Storm just laughed when David caught sight of his hair he that hung under his helmet. It had faded to gray, and he knew all to well what that meant, Discords influence. Knowing what was going to happen to him, he snorted in anger. He rose back up, his color with him and stared the false commander in the eyes.

“My move huh?” asked David

Lost Chapter 2

“Princess Celestia, most of the palace staff has made it to the shelters, and what's left of our Guard have fortified them off, using whatever they can to hold back Discords influence.” reported Shining armor

“What is taking them so long?” asked Celestia's

She looked out over Canterlot toward Ponyville, seeing the sheer chaos erupting all the way to the epicenter of it all.

“My sister knows what she is doing.” affirmed Shining Armor, “Have faith in her.”

“I have faith, but discord is cunning. If he managed to disrupt their friendship, just imagine what he's done to them.”

“They can overcome it.” said Armor

“Let's hope.” said Shadow, looking out over the city, “Because I think that's the bank.”

She pointed out to the building rising out of the ground upside down, a few ponies falling out of it.

“Wow.” said Luna, “That's impressive.”

Suddenly, the doors to the room opened and slammed shut. They looked back to see a shaken and beat up Sergeant David standing there, breathing heavily holding the door shut.

“Yep. Run for my life. That's my move.”

“Sergeant! We meet again.” spoke Celestia

“So it seems.” said Luna

“Huh?” asked David realizing where the door had opened to, “Oh you have to be kidding me!”

The sound of heavy hoof stomps could be heard outside getting closer and closer as he charged down the door. David dove out of the way before the door burst open revealing the statue of Commander Storm, snorting ready to attack all before him. David stood up and got one look at the things read eyes before he swiped to the side and smashed through the wall. The Pony leaders looked in fear at the amazing sight. The false commander looked to them and smiled. He charged up his horn and aimed it at them, and fired. The Princesses and Commanders fired back and met his beam in the center. Tragically, Storms own natural prowess and strength in magic, mixed with with Discords own influence over him, even if it was a marble statue of the former Commander, overpowered them all, and they flew back and slammed into the wall. They looked on as the statue laughed at their defeat. Underneath it, one could hear Discords own voice laughing as well.

“Impossible!” said Celestia

“Oh I always planned to have this Alicorn to turn against you.” said the statue

The two Princesses recognized the voice of Commander Storm, but along with it spoke Discord, the dracqouness in full control of this creation.

“Just the Alicorn died taking on the Dragon Migration.” said Storm/Discord with distaste

“He diverted it so it would never again harm Equestria again!” shouted Armor

“Really?” asked Storm/Discord

His horn charged up and Shining Armor was flung out the window and into the city. Storm/Discord almost rolled over laughing at the sight. With a flash of his horn, Armor was spared falling from such a height and landed next to everypony else.

“Oh this is soo much fun!” he cackled with glee, “It's a surprise I never cam back sooner! Now for the rest of you!”

The horn charged up again, Celestia and Luna looked on defiant while Shadow stood up before her leaders, ready to take the whole blast if needed.

“Very noble of you Captain Shadow.” giggled Storm/Discord

Right before it could unleash all of it's power, a loud crack took it off. The marble horn shattered on the floor a few feet away, and they looked to see David standing there before the hole he had been punched through. In his hooves rested a rifle, still smoking from where he fired it. His helmet was cracked and armor dented in from the blow he took from the statue, but he was still standing there. He cracked his neck and glared at the Discord controlled imposter.

“You're going to pay for that!” sneered Storm/Discord

David smirked and stood out of the hole he was standing before, revealing where he had been tossed into. Of every single room in the Palace, of the thousands of areas, he was tossed into a Armory. Eight cannon standing there, each one's rip cord connected to one larger one, and held by his wing. With a tug of his wing, each one fired at the creation. Storm/Discord looked at it with worry, holding up a sign that read “Ouch” before each one impacted him. The explosion could be felt throughout the city and the light seen for miles. As the blast subsided and the smoke cleared, all that was left of the the statue lay in shambles on the ground.

“Sergeant!” said Armor in amazement

“I want to retire.” groaned David

“Negative!” praised Armor, “We need Ponies like you in the Guard!”

“I can't anyway.” griped David as he sat down

“Why Sergeant?” asked Celestia standing up

“I'm sentenced to 70 years Royal Guard Service as per Judge Springfield's orders.” said David

They all looked at him in the awkward silence that came over, while Shadow just facehoofed. David tossed his rifle back into the armory when there came a distinct rumbling from the pile of what was the statue of Commander Storm. They looked on in shock as the pieces began to rise up off the ground and reform in midair. Soon, they began to form together into a familiar shape, but some parts were missing. Soon, a horrific and disturbing parody of Commander Storm stood before them, its eyes red in anger. It was hardly able to be looked at before Discord started laughing, his voice under a demonic version of the old Commanders.

“Such cute little toys will hardly stop me.” he chuckled before narrowing his vision on David, “Now prepare to get what's coming to you.”

David gulped in fear.

“Enough Discord!” demanded Celestia, “Stand down now and I will spare you!”

“Spare me what?” asked Discord

“The Elements!” answered Luna

“Ooh! I think I hear them coming!” said Discord, “I'll leave you here with the Commander. Be careful, he's not as forgiving as I am!”

“Copyright!” yelled David for no real reason

Discords presence seemed to dissipate, leaving the furious imposter Commander standing there. He looked to the Princesses before he was headbutted by David and flew through the door. The horrific statue tumbled off down the hall as David adjusted his helmet.

“Sergeant! Are you crazy!” yelled Armor, “That thing will kill you!”

“Not if I kill it first!” said David

“Sergeant! You know what thing is capable of!” said Celestia, “You can't beat it!”

“No, no I can't!” said David

His demeanor had changed, something was different about him.

“What happened to you Sergeant?” asked Luna

“I accepted I'm going to die.”

He was about to give chase before Shadow stopped him.

“David....good luck.”

He nodded and gave a salute before taking off down the hall. The fighting between the two could be heard as they grappled with each other through the Palace.

“If Twilight and her friends are making their way to Discord, they may have chance!” said Luna

“Her letters I sent got to her! Discords time is numbered!” said Celestia, “Captains! Rally whatever Guards you can! We just have to hold out as long as we can!”

“What about you?”

“We are going into the city and seeing if we can reestablish control.” said Luna spreading her wings

Celestia nodded before turning to the Captains, “Be careful Captains!”

“Yes your Highness's.” said the Captains before running and flying off respectively

“Shadow! I have an idea!” said Armor

Shadow flew in close next to him to listen.

“Where is the epicenter of Discords power?”

“Ponyville?”

“One would think that, but where did it all start?”

“The Royal Gardens!”

“Exactly! If we can put a spell there, we can stop Discords power long enough hopefully for my sister to defeat him!”

“Right behind you Captain!”

“Lieutenant! We have three plants and five statues coming this way!”

“Fire everything!” screamed Spirit in panic

The Unicorns fired every magic energy bolt they had in them, but the plants own makeup seemed to soak up the majority of it before the statues trampled them and pressed the assault. Thinking of nothing else to do, Spirit ordered them to buck the stone out of the statues. The Unicorns turned around and were joined by three Earth Ponies and bucked them as hard as they could. Some of the statues flew back into the wall and shattered, but three hit the bubble gum windows and bounced back. The were about to dive in for the attack when they were blasted aside by magic. The shattered on the wall as the Guards turned to see their savior.

“Corporal Lonely Flower reporting!” said the Lunar Unicorn Guard walking up

“Nice timing Corporal.” said Spirit, “Anyone else with you?”

“Just me.... well, there was this one Filly behind me...”

He pointed to show a small Unicorn Filly bouncing down the halls, happy as could be, oblivious to the entire situation. Behind her, Discorded Plants and Statues tumbled over themselves to try and catch her, each time failing.

“Celestia Above.” said Spirit, “She is defiantly taking after Shadow.”

“Who?” asked Flower, “Captain Shadow?”

“Never mind. Help us defend this bathroom!”

Flower nodded and turned around to face whatever other horrors were coming at them. Instead, the wall from behind them exploded as David flew through and skidded across the ground. Before Flower could answer, a demented looking statue jumped through, but was met head on by David. With one kick, the statue was sent down the hall, but recovered by unfolding its wings and flew at David. It smashed into the ground, but not before David managed to get out of the way. They looked on amazed as Flower whispered to Spirit.

“What was that?”

“That was a Pony fighting a horrific parody of a statue of Commander Righteous Storm.”

The statue turned to them, one could almost see it's breath as it looked at them ready to kill. It raised up and started to fly toward them.

“Shoot that thing!” ordered Spirit

The Unicorns opened fire, striking the thing a few times, knocking it off course. It careened through a door, followed quickly by David.

“Should we help him?” asked a Guard

“I think he has it under control.” said a voice from their left

They looked to see both Captain Armor and Captain Shadow heading their way, stopping before them. Behind them ran up several more Guards ranging from Solar, Lunar, and Night Guards.

“How many Guards to you have?” asked Shadow

“Eleven.” said Spirit, “What for?”

“We're taking back the gardens! Come with us!”

“Yes, er, sir and Ma'am! Wait, how are we getting there? The doors aren't leading to where they should.”

“Hmm..” pondered Armor

He looked to a door and worked his magic on it, literally. He opened it, and before them revealed the Royal Gardens. He threw his hoof forwards and the Guards ran out and attacked.

“I'll go get more!” Said Shadow, “I'm faster than you with my wings.”

“Noted. I'll establish a, well...”he said looking down realizing he was standing on beach, “Beachhead?”

Shadow shrugged and flew off into the Palace. Armor turned around and looked to see three bull statues charging him down. He smiled, and with one blast of magic took out all three.

“This may actually be fun!” he said walking into the ensuing battle

Shadow flew through the Palace, looking at the chaos ensuing. Any unfortunate to be caught in it were drained of color and acting weird to say the least. Dancing, singing, acting like animals. She didn't hang around long for fear that she too may fall prey to it. Turning a corner, she was quite shocked to see who was standing there.

“Princess Celestia? I thought you were-”

“Celestia” turned around to reveal the soulless eyes of one of the many statues of the Princess that had been erected around the castle. Like the statue of Commander Storm, it was corrupted by Discord and was about to attack. Unlike her Sergeant however, Shadow had always thought out how she would defeat Celestia. After all, she was once a member of the New Lunar Republic. Landing and looking at the fake Celestia, she could hardly contain her glee at the thought of finally getting a chance to do this! Spreading her wings, she took off at high speeds towards the statue, barrel rolling as the imposter Princess fired bolts of magic at her before Shadow impacted right where the heart should be. Smashing through the statue, Shadow knew she would never have a chance like that again and landed to look at her handiwork. She smiled as the statue crumbled before getting tapped on the shoulder by a small hoof. Confused, she looked down to see none other than little Filly standing there.

“Uh, Ma'am, why did you destwoy that statue of Celestwia?”

“It was evil Filly.” she explained to her adoptive daughter

“But you wooked like you were having fun doing it.”

“Uh....” stammered Shadow

“Are you a bad Pony?” asked little Filly

Shadow looked around nervously and tried her best to smile trying to find a way to change the subject: “What are you doing out here anyway?”

“Oh, Im pwaying with my fwiends!”

She pointed behind her revealing a line of broken up statues and damaged plants that had been following her across the palace. One plant, a violet, crawled toward Filly, tired as a plant could be. It reached for the little Unicorn, only to be smashed by Shadow's hoof.

“Awe, it doesn't want to play anymore.” said Shadow, hiding a smile

“Now what to I do?” asked Filly

Shadow looked to her little Filly, who's eyes were watering up out of sadness.

“I know!” smiled Shadow

With one kick, David sent the statue through a wall, it taking all his strength and even some of his reserves to do so. His armor was cracked all over, he was bleeding all over, and what was left of his his helmet was hanging on his head after it had been shattered by a punch from the thing. A bead of sweat slid down his mane in front of his eye. He couldn't keep this up. The statue was taking all he could throw at it, and just kept coming back for more. Looking around, he knew this hallway, there was a armory nearby, and this one had cannons as well. As the statue stood up, shaking, David tossed a rock it's way.

“Over here Commander.” he yelled

As the phony pony commander started to take off after him, David ducked under him and flew off towards the armory. He reached it in record time, when a realization hit him: What if the door to the armory didn't exactly lead to the armory? It's been happening everywhere else in this messed up Palace, why not stop here? Gulping and taking his chances, he opened the door praying that it lead to where he wanted it to lead to. Opening it, he breathed a sigh of relief that it was, in fact, the armory. That soon went away, when the cannons turned to him with a angry look on their barrels. David's heart skipped a beat as he saw their rip cords tighten and they fired.

“Sweet Discord!” he shouted, slamming the door

Slamming the door shut and took cover, he expected to hear a explosion and feel the door erupting behind him, but nothing happened. He opened his eye to see the horrific looking Storm running at him, a lance tucked under his wing and charging him down. Caught between a rock and a hard place, David did the only thing he could do: Open the armory door. Cannonballs ripped through the air catching the Commander off guard as it screamed in horror. The explosion cracked the floor and knocked a chandelier out of the air onto it, ending it's reign of terror and fight against David, for good. Far away, he could hear a explosion of some kind.... no, it wasn't an explosion, it was something else, something far more greater!

Outside in the gardens, Armor, Shadow, Spirit and, to a degree, Filly, the rest of their Guards were in the middle of a heated battle with the Discorded decorations when they heard it. Everything stopped as they looked to see the brilliant white light expanding over the horizon and approaching them at high speed.

“They did it!” cheered Armor, “My sister did it!”

The power of the Elements of Harmony washed over them, returning everything to normal, destroying whatever influence Discord had over the land once and for all.

*******
Charger and Crescent looked on in amazement as their Sergeant finished his story and took back up his paper.

“So, yeah. That's my end of it. Anything more you want to ask?” asked David

“When did you get the medal?” asked Charger

“Award ceremony afterwords. There was one for the Mane 6, one for the Guards, one for average Pony Citizens who helped defend their little towns across Equestria. Meh, it had good food.”

“Well, everything turned out good in the end.” said Crescent, “Nice story Sarge.”

“Most of it.” said David, “There is one thing I still don't like about it.”

“What?” asked Charger

“Shadow used my Daughter as a weapon!” shouted David

“Oh don't even start with that again!” screamed Shadow from afar

“What were you thinking!” David shouted back as Shadow flew up, “You give me enough grief over flying with her, and you use her as a weapon!”

“You fly at mach 2! That's way too fast!” argued Shadow

“Again: Weapon!” retorted David

“I think we should get out of here.” Charger whispered to Crescent

“Right behind you buddy.” whispered back Crescent

“You two have anything you wish to say?” asked the two angrily in unison

“Nope!” said Crescent alarmed

“Nice story Sarge! We'll, uh, dismiss ourselves.”

They saluted and left as the two commanders started arguing again.

Okay, this time I'm leaving this chapter open ended in case I want to come back to it again and wont feel guilty about it. Well, guilty for me anyway.................... stories over...... thanks for reading................ Adios!

Chapter 1 - Report for Duty

Chapter 1

The two Stallions walked up to the guard inside the large castle hiding what ever spit of of anxiety and fear that hadn't been ironed out in training seemed to show on their manes. Their golden armor shone bright in the sun, every bit the pride of a Royal Equestrian Guard. One was a Earth pony, green on his hide, red in the mane. A bit on the short side, and since working all his life, was quite large. The other a white Pegasus with black hair who was noticeably taller, but half his weight. The large ornate doors opened up to a gilded hall full of old statues of Guards, stained glass windows depicting battle of Equestrian past. The battle against Discords remnant forces after the Princesses defeated him, the taming of the dragons, the civil war all those years ago, the Pony-Griffin war, each one famous battle in times past. While such heavy combat was unheard of nowadays, the Guard was not about to forget their historic past. At the foot of the grand staircase sat a small oak table, hoof carved and very old. At the table was a brown Pegasus with a blue mane and spiked tail reading a paper. he was clad in Guard armor, but clearly cared less for the staunch emotionless pose that all other Guards had. In fact he had little to no care about what was around him. The two stood there for sometime as the Pegasus read his paper. He chuckled at a article he read then a minute or two later growled angrily at a second one he read. The other two Guards looked at each other not knowing what to do. Finally, the Earth pony cleared his throat when the paper reading Guard looked up. He saw the two, and returned to his paper.

"Uh, can I help you? Not know where your guard posts are?" he asked half uninterested, half annoyed, and half
concerned

"Uh, no we don't know. We uh, were told to report to a Sergeant David......." said the Earth pony

"May I ask why?" asked the Pegasus

"We were sent here per request. We need to find out where our stations are so we may guard the royal city!" said the Earth Pony

The reaction of the Pegasus made him nearly rip his paper in half and his eyes went went wide and small as bewilderment upon hearing this. His mouth gaped and he looked at them now sad and concerned.

"Who's request!?" asked the Pegasus in shock

"Uh, both of ours." said the Earth Pony, "We wanted to guard the Royal city of Canterlot.

The Pegasus eyes went wide eyed upon hearing this. His mouth quivered a little as the other two looked at each other wondering: "Is this pony okay." Before they got their answer: His hysterical laughter. His laugh echoed through out the halls up the stairs, and rattled the glass on the walls. he was laughing so hard he spread his wings because he couldn't control himself and fell over, the metallic thud hitting the floor. The other two looked on confused as ever as he tried to stand.

"Look, can you just point us to Sergeant David!"

The brown Pegasus finally managed to stand up and saluted to the two of them: "Sergeant David, he he, at your,....... *snicker* service. Who are you two?"

the other two looked at him confused. He gave them a dark look and slammed his hoof on the table shaking a nameplate revealing it to be true: Sergeant David.

"Parents weren't to fond of the names ever other pony get's out there. So yeah, my name is incredibly dull and plain. So, before I order you two to tell me, what's your names?"

"Gold Charger." said the Earth Pony, "Private!"

"Charming Crescent!" said the Pegasus, "Private!"

"You see that's exactly why I don't have names like everyone else! Come on Privates GC and CC..... I'll show you where your posts are."

He walked off slowly, head held high, shoulders straight, the air around him proud. His eyes halfclosed seemingly because he was in the Guards pose, but really, he was bored and wanted to get back to his paper. Charger and Crescent followed him to a large door that looked like it would need both a Pegasus and a Earth Pony to open up and he stopped.

"Private GC! Here!" he said pointing to the left of the door before walking to the right side of the door, "Private CC, here!"
The two walked to their respective sides and stood there.

"Stand tall, firm, and imposing! Just like in training Weanlings!"

"What else?"

"No talking. No one but Guards with proper authority in, both the Princesses, and no talking. whatsoever when people are around. Other than that..... enjoy the life in the Guards!"

He started to walk off chuckling to himself when Crescent spoke up: "How long do we have to do this!?"

David stopped and turned around: "Until someone relieves you! What in the name of Celestia were you thinking when you decided to join the Canterlot Corps?"

He walked off laughing, it's mocking sound echoing down the halls long after he disappeared from sight.

Charger glared over at Crescent who smiled nervously.

"I Blame you!" came the dark and cold voice of Charger

Chapter 5 - Battle of Canterlot pt. 1

We weren't expecting it, no one saw it coming. They used their element of darkness to catch the Guard off Guard. Irony of that was lost quickly though
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Sergeant report!"

The newly ranked Sergeant David looked behind him to see a Earth Pony walking up to him.

"Hey Lieutenant. Nothing. Sun's going up in five as far as I know."

"Good. Damn man you got the best seat in the castle!"

"Good thing you can pull strings Spirit. We'd never be able to see this."

"Damn straight. Wonder why we're all on duty."

"I stopped questioning orders the day I met you."

"But it's good to questions orders!" came a voice from behind

Both stunned guards looked to see a older gentlecolt walking up. two words exited their mouths as the Pony stepped into view: "Captain Idas! Sir!" Both saluted to him as he walked up and he returned it.

"At ease colts. I see you found out where the best seats are."

The leader of the Canterlot Guard stood between them old in his years and wise in his ways. Stories of him were a l egend amongst the Guard. These stories dated back 1,000 years thanks to him having drunk a special potion made by the princess herself to his fights with the Lunar Republic. He had been the serving Captain of the Guard all his life. He had seen things many ponies would only dare to have a nightmare over. However, the potion was starting to fail and he was getting older and more frail by the day. Even as he looked on non chalant and easy going, the other two tried to stand at firm attention despite shaking in his presence despite his telling them to be at ease.

"Eh heh heh..... seems that way sir." said Spirit, "I, uh, have a father who-"

"I know your father. he asked me personally. How else would you get up here?"

"He's got a point Spirit." said David

"Lieutenant Wayward Spirit. Joined in the Royal guard Academy to live past your name. Excellent scores, high pride in your empire, steadfast dedication to your job. A fine officer."

"Thank you sir." said Spirit

"Sergeant David." said Idas

"Oh boy." said David

"Joined the Guard on a court sentence. High scores is about all that's good about you. Low enthusiasm, lack of respect for superiors, insubordination, laziness."

"You nailed him right on the head sir."

"Yet a begrudging respect from every officer and superior in every unit you've served with as you somehow you manage to get every task done. As such, you've been granted the rank of Sergeant ahead of all others from your graduating unit."

"How did you?"

"I made it a point to know who exactly I am going to be watching the sunrise with."

"Well, ten seconds to the sunrise." said Spirit

As the two younger Guards looked on smiling, Idas grew a concerned look about his face. This was picked up by David as he looked.

"Sir?" asked David

Idas said nothing as Spirit hit one and looked on eagerly. Nothing. No sun, no bright light, just the moon. A feeling of fear swept over them both as Idas looked on knowing full well what was about to happen.

"Stay in the sun colts. With it at our backs we shall win this day."

Both David and Spirit looked at each other and then at Idas before he was hit by a magic blast that sent him careening into the room behind them. As Spirit looked on to see the burning remains of the Captain David looked out over the skies. He took a step back in fear. Hundreds, if not thousands of Lunar Pegasi flying in from the moon.

"INCOMING!" he yelled, his voice echoing across Canterlot as the battle began

Chapter 15 - Trouble

"Okay, I think I got them all!" said Flower

"You sure?" asked Crescent flying above the tree line trying to spy any more armor they may have missed.

"Trust me, I've literally torn apart trees and put them back together. I think I got them all."

"Well I can lift you, but you got to lift that box." said Crescent

"Can do." said Flower

Thus the two began the flight back up. By the time they returned to the docks, the trailer was gone and only Charger remained. He sat on a wagon holding the crates resting on it as he happily enjoyed a Muffin.

"Where'd the mail pony's go?" asked Flower

"Huh? Oh they had other things to deliver! Since it was already signed for, they could leave."

"And you got the Muffin from where?" asked Crescent

"Oh! The gray one! She's awesome! She gave you two some as well, they were....... uh, they were right here."

The other two looked at each other knowing full well where the other Muffins had probably gone.

"Sorry guys, they were right here!" he said looking around

"Come on Charger. I'll explain on the way." said Crescent

Hitching the wagon to Charger(the strongest being a Earth Pony) the three Guards made their way back to the palace. As the trio turned a corner they came across four teenage Mares and Two Colts of the same status laughing at a smaller Unicorn mare huddled in a corner. Her pink mane was stained with what looked like food thrown at her, and she was doing her best to hide away from the world.

"What is this?" asked Charger as he walked over to the group

"Charger wait! We don't need to cause a scene!"

"It's our job Crescent!" said Charger

"Does he always charge headlong into situations like this?" asked Flower

"Always? it's in his name!" said Crescent

The two rushed over to back their friend up.

"Alright, what's going on over here!" said Charger as he walked up

The formerly laughing Mares turned around to look at him, yet showed little fear in what he was.

"Nothing Guard. Just go away on your duty." scoffed the eldest Mare

"If it's nothing why does she look like she is having a breakdown."

"*Sigh* if you must know we found her walking in our territory."

"Territory? Canterlot is free to all pony's unless it is a private party!" said Flower

"You're not from around here." said one of the Colts

"Alright, leave her alone. Get out of here!" said Charger

"Or what are you going to do?" asked one of the Mares

"You'll see." said Charger getting into a attack stance.

What the?

"Invasion by Nightmare rarity, wait what?" said David as he read over the paper at his desk

All day it had been slow and easy going. With attention elsewhere thanks to all the events happening int he Kingdom, life had gotten relaxed and a sense of normality had returned, much like before Nightmare Moon had reappeared all those years ago. OF course, reading the daily paper meant David often got first hand accounts of those events he'd rather not have happen. Almost was driving him to not read the paper any more, but what was he to do? He continued to read through the article mumbling to himself over the instances as he slowly rose en eyebrow: "You mean that's who she was!? You got to be kidding me! Those Elements are causing more damage, ah forget it."

He changed the paper to another article, although it didn't help that much either.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle saves elements of Harmony and stops a evil Unicorn in a alternate dimension, what?"

Again he read the article when he heard someone approaching. He looked up to see the one Guard that was actually mentioned in this paper.

"Hey! Flash Sentry! You have any idea what this mirror reality business is? Your names in it?"

"No idea Sergeant."

"I mean, it's talking about demon things, an alternate version of this world, invasions or something!?"

"Again Sergeant I don't know. Sorry I can't help but I got to get to the throne room ASAP."

"Alright sir." responded David as Flash Sentry walked off

"Whole worlds going crazy, and Discord is a good guy-ish, person, now. I think. I actually should go read that article sometime. I wonder where it is."

As he flipped to the next page about a re-emergence of Queen Chrysalis he heard something like a crack in a rock or stone. At first he thought little of it, there was always something breaking in this old palace, especially in this wing, when he heard it again, and again, and again. Looking up, he could see several cracks in the floor, the walls, ceiling, and the air. Putting the paper down he stood up and walked over to one that was hanging in midair and looked it over. It was like someone had taken a knife and torn a hole in fabric.

"What the?"

Author's Note

let's see where this goes. Even I don't know and I'm writing the dang thing