"Why would you need my blessing?"

After Zephyr took an authorized power nap to recover from staying up all night, he had requested an audience with Princess Celestia before going into his next shift. The reason being was so he could ask for her blessing in particular to date Rainbow Dash.

"It's because Rainbow is the Element of Loyalty and an important figure in Equestria. I love her dearly, but a part of me is concerned that my presence as her boyfriend would cause her to become detached from the Elements of Harmony."

Despite the serious answer, Celestia couldn't help but laugh. "Maybe if she was part of a theoretical Elements of Purity, but Loyalty extends to more than just friendship. If anything, you'll help her become more connected to her element, especially if your loyalty to her is equally strong."

Zephyr had a surprised face before switching to a smile. "I'm glad I won't be a burden on her in that way, now." Those were comforting words, but hearing them from Princess Celestia herself amplified the feeling. "Thank you, your highness. I swear on my entire being to make her happy."

"You don't need to swear it to me... unless you're having your own wedding soon!" That got a blush from Zephyr and a mirthful giggle from Celestia.

Taking his leave, Zephyr heads off to his next post when a pink pony wandered from around the corner. "Huh... I felt a particularly strong pulse of love from over here-- Oh pardon me!"

"Ah-- Good afternoon, my lady!" When Zephyr realized she was an Alicorn, he made sure to salute to her.

"At ease, I'm not a full princess like my auntie yet." Her horn lights up a soft blue glow before she widens her eyes. "I feel a lot of familial and romantic love coming from you!"

"How can you--" Zephyr suddenly remembered Shining Armor talking about his then-girlfriend being the Alicorn of Love. "Forgive my rudeness, but you are Princess Mi Amore Cadenza correct?"

"Please, call me Cadance! I suppose you heard all about me from Shiny. You are sir Zephyr Windstorm?"

Zephyr was surprised she bothered to remember his name. "I'm honored you know about me, Princess Cadance. However... I'm wondering why Shining Armor told you about me? I've yet to do anything of significance for the nation."

Cadance raises an eyebrow at that. "Maybe not significant for Equestria as a whole, but is putting your life on the line to save a mother not worthy of praise? Besides, you're friends with Twilight Sparkle and he deeply appreciates that you're friends with her. I do as well because I babysat that mare when she was a wee filly!"

Zephyr wanted to comment further, but realized he spent too much time dawdling. "Apologies, my lady, but I need to get going. Good luck with your wedding plans!" With that, he quickly rushes off to his post.

"He really does carry a lot of love in his heart. It's a shame there's still bits of self-doubt here and there. Maybe auntie could tell me a bit more about him?"

"A shame you'll miss the Dragon Migration because you're stuck here."

Zephyr was on break with another rookie guardspony named Flash Sentry, an overeager orange Pegasus. The two got along just fine, but Zephyr was unsure how to handle his high energy. "Could you explain to me what that's about? Maybe I'll see it next time it happens."

Flash thought about it before nodding. "Usually Dragons are more solitary owing to how greedy they can be. Because of that, seeing so many dragons at once is a feast for the eyes. Though measures have to be taken if you don't want to get scorched by errant flame breaths."

"Huh..." Because he saw Spike every once in a while, despite him being a young Dragon, Zephyr didn't really think too hard about it. "I'll think about it, but for now I'm not interested enough."

"That aside, I'm amazed to see a Pegasus with two sets of wings!" Seeing Zephyr's curious look Flash clarifies, "it just feels like you're the next step in Pegasus evolution."

"One step forward, two steps back, more like. Sure I have an extra pair of wings for wing power, but I cancel out Unicorn magic and get 'drained' by Earth Ponies. Not exactly great for a species that wants to be as harmonious as possible with other races."

Hearing that, Flash scrunches his mouth in a mix of 'hoof-in-mouth syndrome' and contemplation. "When you put it that way, yeah. I still like the look at least!" Zephyr got a chuckle from that.

"Hey, rookies! we need you at the castle wall perimeter!" A senior guard suddenly appeared in a rush. "I know you're still on break, but there's a disturbance at the west wall and with how thinly we are spread, we need all hooves on deck!"

"Yes sir!"

When the two rookies got to the wall, they saw a massive green bird kicking up a fuss with screeching and crying. Zephyr recognized the species. "What's a Garuda doing here? They live in the Crystal Mountains unless--"

"My baby! Where's my baby?!"

"Her... baby is missing, then?"

Flash noted that Zephyr had an idea. "You think you know what's going on?"

"Yeah, but I'll have to be absent from my post to fix it. Please inform the higher-ups about what's going on here." With that, Zephyr flies to the agitated Garuda much to Flash's shock and worry. "What's wrong?"

The Garuda looked at Zephyr and reacted with a mix of surprise and recognition. "Oh, wait... you look like that small pony chick I saved from falling all those years ago when I had barely become an adult."

"You... recognize me?" He takes his helmet off and the Garuda let's out a cry of confirmation. "Then you... you're the one who saved me so long ago..."

The guards stationed at the wall, including Flash Sentry, were shocked at how well Zephyr was handling the Garuda. The birds, while mostly known for their familial bonds, were still aggressive predators. A sufficiently motivated Garuda could fight off a Manticore, widely considered one of the apex predators of Equestria.

"Wait, never mind reminiscing! Your baby is missing?!" After a bit of coaxing, Zephyr was able to get that bit of information out of the mother Garuda. "Can you tell me when the last time you saw her was?"

"Is... Private Windstorm actually talking to the Garuda?" Flash Sentry looked confused at the situation. He has heard horror stories of ponies ending up on the wrong side of a Garuda's talons, especially when they wander too close to nests. Yet here was Zephyr conversing with one like another pony.

Shining Armor arrived just in time to see Zephyr fly off with the Garuda. "Private Sentry, report!"

"Sir, Private Windstorm was... somehow conversing with that Garuda! Something about a missing baby?"

That surprised Shining Armor, though he recovered when he remembered a key detail. "My younger sister had told me in passing that one of her friends shared a special connection with birds. Perhaps Private Windstorm was who she was referring to?"

"What are your orders, sir?"

"Hmm... we can't afford to send any ponies after him, even if we exclude any risk of the Garuda attacking us. While he's breaking protocol, if he can ensure we don't get attacked by an anxious mother then I'll see about lessening his punishment."

Upon reaching the rather large nest, Zephyr could see immediate signs of a scuffle. Garuda chicks, unlike most other bird species, were more capable of defending themselves at an early age. However, it was clear that whatever took the chick did so in an ambush.

Zephyr grabbed a bit of down, presumably from the chick in question. "Not too damaged. Whatever took your chick did so without much of a fight. We'll have to assume they can induce sleep or something similar."

The mother landed with a sad look. "To make matters worse, insects that look like ponies have been increasing in numbers around this forest..."

The forest was situated at the base of the Foal Mountains, with the nest on the Canterlot side. The fact that there's an unnatural increase in activity on this side worried Zephyr. Perhaps Shining Armor wasn't just being paranoid about his wedding...

There was another screech as a second Garuda landed at the nest. "Who is this intruder?! Is this pony the one who--

"This pony is not responsible for our baby going missing! If anything, he's here to help!"

Zephyr could tell this was the father as he leered at the intruding pony. "Look, I know I'm not exactly a creature you're willing to trust right now, but I'm willing to help you find your chick!"

Realizing it might be his only chance, the father calmed down and told Zephyr what he could. "I did manage to find our baby, but insect ponies kept moving her! Every attempt at reclaiming her ended in failure!"

The description confused the Pegasus. "Insect ponies? While your mate mentioned them, I've never heard of such a thing until today. Regardless, if you came back that must mean you couldn't keep a lock on them."

"I failed my family. I am unworthy as a father..." The father bowed his head in disgrace.

"My love, please don't give up! This pony will help, I'm certain!"

Zephyr shook his head. "You did all you could. Lead me to where you last saw them and we'll take it from there!" While I am weaponless, the objective is to help secure the Garuda chick. Anything else is secondary.

After a short time flying, they saw the aforementioned insectoid ponies. The moment Zephyr saw them, he was overcome with a feeling of aggression towards towards them for daring to steal a young life from her parents. Sneaking close, he managed to ambush the closest one to him causing the rest to hiss before retreating into the underbrush.

Zephyr quickly pursued, with his speed allowing him to overtake the creatures one at a time before he found where they were keeping the Garuda chick. When the creatures realized they couldn't handle this armored, hyper-aggressive pony, they abandoned their quarry and retreated. The cheeping of the Garuda chick managed to calm Zephyr down from his mania as he stood by and guarded her.

Not long after, the father Garuda found the two and managed to pick up his chick for safe transport home. Following them back, Zephyr was caught off guard by both the father and mother rubbing their heads against the Pegasus' head in thanks. "Don't worry about it. Just keep your chick safe and make sure she grows up happy and healthy! I'm also grateful I was able to repay my debt to the one who saved me so long ago."

Bidding the family farewell, Zephyr began making his way back to the Canterlot Castle, prepared for a dressing-down from his superiors for being absent.

Hmm, so the Changelings are still alive after all these millennia. Interesting... whatever they're up to, I get the feeling they'll be... helpful...

That distraction didn't work very well, but it did buy me time to get my plan started. I just need to play it a bit safer until I feel ready for the next phase...

After debriefing with Shining Armor, including the warning about the 'insect ponies', Zephyr was awaiting judgement for abandoning his post. While the Captain was grateful the situation was resolved in short order, the green Pegasus broke protocol while doing so. "While it is good you did what you did, I cannot overlook you skipping the chain of command and doing your own thing. Doing that was not only dangerous to you, but it also left a gap in our guard and it cannot be ignored."

"I understand, sir. I knew what the consequences would be and chose to do it anyways."

"Do not misunderstand. I am glad you fixed that problem, but I must still dock you some pay for abandoning your post. Thankfully my Lieutenants agreed that, since you managed to prevent an altercation with a dangerous creature, that's the most we should do." Shining Armor sighed. He always hated doling out punishment, especially to more well-meaning guards and soldiers.

Zephyr just saluted. As much as it somewhat frustrates him that he got punished, he also could see Shining Armor was doing his best to be lenient while maintaining his authority. It's things like this that make me doubtful I'll ever be a leader.

"That is all. Return to your post and await further orders. Dismissed!"

As Zephyr went back to the post he was supposed to be at after his break, he saw Princess Luna returning to her room after getting some water. "Ah, sir Windstorm. Seeing you here is unexpected."

"A pleasure to see you, Princess Luna. I was asked to cover for a sick guard, though it seems I'm not as capable at the job as others thought..."

"I overheard you with the Captain. Verily tis' frustrating, but a degree of order must be maintained in the Royal Guards and Soldiers. Even if well-meaning, anypony doing their own thing will cause unnecessary chaos in the ranks. Don't take it to heart. What matters is you did what you could with what you had."

Zephyr smiles at the Lunar Princess. "Thank you for the encouragement, your highness. Permit me to return to my station that I may continue my vigil."

"Ah, before you do there's something I want to confirm." Zephyr gives Luna a curious look. "You've officially come out as the singer for the band Three Night's Grace, yet one thing still bothers me. That... message during the interlude of your song 'I am Machine'... was that..?"

Remembering what she was referring to, Zephyr sighed. "'If friendship is magic, then I am powerless' is the one you're thinking of, correct? I sang that song at the height of my depression at the time, back when I severed my relationships with my friends beforehoof. It was... over something stupid, quite frankly, and when I learned I was in the wrong, all it had become was a downward spiral of self-loathing."

Luna looks to the side in shame. "I... can relate to that. Becoming Nightmare Moon and attempting to cast all of Equestria into eternal night over petty jealousy... was such a foolish choice. When I was 'redeemed' by the Elements of Harmony, I was overcome with guilt at what I had done. Because of that, when I heard you sing that at the Manehatten Concert... I felt like I was understood in a way.

"Your highness, please do not think you're alone. I'm certain there are many subjects that love you as dearly as they do Princess Celestia... perhaps even more so. Even further than that, your sister also loves you dearly. Besides, just like what I sang:

Here's to being Equine
Taking it for granted
The highs and lows of living
To getting second chances

"I got my second chance to make amends and finally have not only friendship, but to reunite with my biological family and find love. Never think you don't deserve that second chance as well, Princess Luna. If a cretin like myself deserved one, you most certainly do." After a salute, Zephyr heads off.

Princess Luna held a hoof to her chest with a soft smile. Though I still feel I've not gotten enough punishment for my actions... those words ease my heart.

The next morning, Zephyr was informed that it would be the last day of his time as a Royal Guard. The one he's covering for had gotten better and showed a willingness to return to work as soon as he can. Zephyr was silently thankful, wondering what ponies saw in him for this line of work outside of what his grandpa did.

As he patrolled the outer walls of the Castle, Zephyr noticed some of his fellow guards looking curiously at something. When he got there to look, what did he see but the Garuda father he helped yesterday, keeping his own vigil over the area. "Has he been aggressive at all?"

"Not to us, no. He seems to be on the look out for somepony or something." Zephyr bit his lip. As much as he wanted to ask the Garuda himself, he needed to stick to protocol since the next time he does it, the consequences could be more severe.

Thankfully the Garuda spotted Zephyr and flew up to the wall, much to the shock of his fellow guardsponies. "Ah, savior of my chick! I wished to inform you that my mate has moved our nest to a more difficult place to reach. We will not disturb your kin any further.

"Ah, thank you. I hope the troubles you've been having were merely outliers to an otherwise normal living environment."

The Garuda takes off and Zephyr relays what the father said to his fellow guards. One looked astounded. "I know ponies with talents in animal care can communicate more easily with animals, but this is something else! Perhaps Garudas are more than vicious, mindless beasts but the language barrier prevents us from seeing past it..."

Zephyr shook his head. "Regardless of that, we need to keep an eye out for those 'insect ponies', whatever they are. They're too coordinated to be individuals, yet I couldn't tell what they were capable of. The ones I ran down yesterday chose to flee rather than fight or defend themselves."

"That is, indeed, worrying. Most creatures and even sapient ones would at least try to fight back if threatened."

"Perhaps that's why the Captain got a premonition that something will happen on his wedding. While not always accurate to anything specific, he always had an instinct for sensing danger."

"He probably proposed before he got said 'premonition' as well and can't go back on it without making a fool of himself or the Royal Guard." Zephyr cleared his throat. "Today is my final day until the one I'm covering for comes back. Even if I'm not an official member, I hope you'll all keep vigilance over Canterlot until the wedding is over."

Both guards salute as Zephyr continues on his patrol, keeping a close eye on the wilds outside of Canterlot's walls. As the day went by, he saw no signs of suspicious activity from the 'insect ponies' or otherwise. I never thought it before, but... despite the 'prestige' of being one, the job of a Royal Guard is actually kind of dull...

As night fell a night guard took over for Zephyr, informing him that Captain Shining Armor wanted to see him. Entering the Captain's Quarters, Shining Armor looked at the green Pegasus and smiled. "Thank you for your hard work. I know being a Royal Guard isn't the most exciting job, but it's still an important one."

"... Captain, are you a mind reader? How did you know I was thinking that?"

That got a chuckle out of Shining Armor. "It's more on your face than anything." Cue the shocked look from Zephyr who was wondering how thin he was. "I'm not mocking you for it. In a way, I envy how you can wear your emotions on your sleeve."

"Right... that makes me wonder why you and Princess Celestia thought I would be a good guard. All I really had going for me is my grandpa's influence and my brief stint as a soldier. I even ended up breaking protocol and--"

"Truthfully, every guard does that at least once in their career. Even I am guilty of it!" Zephyr looks at Shining Armor in surprise at the revelation. "I know I know, the Captain himself admitting as much? Back when he was still serving, Captain Spearwing, while doling out the same punishment to me as I did you, told me something interesting.

"He said "the quicker a new guard breaks protocol the first time to do the right thing, the more likely that guard will be one who wishes to do the right thing all the time". He was always an observant pony and, more often than not, he's pretty accurate. You may not be related to him biologically, but it's clear a part of him still dwells within you. That's why we trust you with jobs like this and not because his influence made us want to."

Zephyr wasn't expecting that long answer as he stood there with his mouth open. Eventually he recovered to clear his throat. "T-thank you for that, Captain. If you choose to have me on in the future, I'll do my best not to further disappoint. Anyways, outside of a minor disturbance from the father Garuda, who only came by to thank me, there's nothing to report!"

"Hmm... that gives me mixed feelings, but we'll have to take the good where we can. Thank you, Private Windstorm. You're free to sleep tonight in the barracks before you head home tomorrow. I'll make sure you get your pay on the way out!"

Author's Note

This one might be a more awkward chapter, but I couldn't think of how to write for the episode "Dragon Quest" and make it more interesting.