Chapter 6- Reassignment

Chapter 6- Reassignment

Celestia's holy ovaries, it's bucking cold.

Flash Sentry's teeth chattered rabidly, the noise echoed through the evening air. It was quiet, the wind had died down (Thank Celestia for that) but the snow still fell relentlessly. Visibility was minimal, Flash found himself questioning what was the use of guarding the wall if he couldn't see a centimetre in front of his muzzle.

Flash sighed, it had been two years since the Battle of Canterlot. After the city had been secured and order restored, the Princess and her commanders had looked to their borders, particularly the north and east borders, and sought to strengthen security and power in those areas. Thus Flash, being only a measly Trooper at the time-Although now he was proud to boast the rank of Cavalrycolt-was assigned to Fort Snowhawk near the northern border that separated Equestria from the city state of Stalliongrad.

The Pegasus ruffled his wings and shook the thin layer of snow off his back, the Snowhawks- Guards appointed to Fort Snowhawk -didn't wear the traditional golden plated armour of the Canterlot Royal Guard, instead Flash was wrapped in fur-lined leather wrappings and a warm blue cloak in which the insignia of Fort Snowhawk was inscribed, the likeness of a hawk flying upwards to pierce a snowflake with its beak.

The past year or so had been less guarding the fort than it had been training to guard the fort. Commander White Blizzard was a tough leader, he was grizzled, bearded and sorted many scars that he claimed came from Gryphon soldiers. The Commander insisted on unorthodox training methods, sending out teams of three to five to survive in the worst of blizzards to learn how to survive, advanced spear and weapon tactics were taught daily as to keep the Snowhawks on par with both enemies and other forts ( Commander Blizzard believed in showing up the other forts on Equestria 'Especially those blasted Phoenix's in the south' he would say.)

Twilight had written of course, weekly at first but had deviated and fell into a much more reasonable bi-weekly pattern. Unfortunately mail only came once a month to Fort Snowhawk, due to the harsh weather that made hard flying for Pegasi, still, Flash read the bundle of letters that had come at the end of every month and written back every time, the day became something to look forward to in an otherwise cold and harsh lifestyle.

"CAVALRYCOLT FLASH SENTRY!" Commander White Blizzard's gruff voice echoed through the silent snowfall "FRONT AND CENTRE." The voice had come from behind Flash, in the courtyard that was used for drills and parades, Flash flared his wings and glided down from the wall and onto the ground, just barely he could see the form of the Commander through the snow. He trotted up and saluted.

"Sir!" Flash said respectively, White Blizzard saluted back, his ice-blue mane cut to military length and his sky blue coat covered in his semi-ornate Commander's uniform.

"Come inside out of the cold lad, we have things to discuss." He said and lead Flash the short distance to Snowhawk Keep proper, they walked through the heavy iron door and into the humble keep. Inside was a simple foyer and several halls and doors leading to other rooms (Barracks, kitchen, war room, and the like) a set of stairs lead upwards to the Commanders office, they climbed them.

White Blizzard's office was adorned with metals, awards, and trophies galore. The Snowhawk banner was pinned to the wall just behind White Blizzard's cluttered desk, the Commander trotted behind said desk and rummaged through the drawers for a moment or two before producing a sealed letter.

"This came for 'ya, your eyes only." He said, passing the letter over to Flash who accepted it with a confused look.

"Sir? Mail day isn't for another three weeks," he said.

"I know that soldier, thus came via military courier," the Commander replied.

Flash raised an eyebrow, his curiosity good and peaked now. He broke the seal on the letter- The Equestrian Military standard -and read:

To Cavalarycolt Flash Sentry of Fort Snowhawk,

After reviewing your performance during the Battle of Canterlot and other positive reports, I have decided that, effective immediately, you will be reassigned. You new posting will be as the personal protector of the newly coronated Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Report to Canterlot Palace A.S.A.P, there is a chariot in Vanhoover waiting your arrival.

Captain Shining Armour, commander of the Equestrian Royal Guard.

The shock must have been evident on Flash's face because the Commander looked a bit worried "is something wrong lad?" He asked.

Reassigned? What? How? And Twilight? Since when was she a Princess? That's kinda something you write about... Unless it happened within a month.... WHO BECOMES A PRINCESS IN A MONTH?!

"I... Uh... I'm being resigned," Flash said "I need to head to Canterlot immediately." Flash looked up at the Commander who looked both relieved and understanding.

"Well, best you be on your way soldier." White Blizzard said.

"Yes, sir!" Flash chanted, saluting again "I'll send the cape and armour back as soon as possible!"

"Don't bother," White Blizzard said "your a official Snowhawk, wear the colours proudly wherever 'ya go."

"Yes, sir! It's an honour sir!" Flash said, pride swelling his chest, he galloped out of the keep and flew into the snowfall.

Time to go home.

                                                                        ~~*~~

Twilight looked herself in the mirror, her mane shined with care and was styled perfectly. Her fur and feathers and been cleaned and preened respectively to a glossy sheen. Her crown had been placed absolutely centred atop her head.

Ooooh, I look terrible, she fussed.

Twiloght patted her mane absentmindedly, staring at her crown, the Element of Harmony. She was still reeling from recent events, it felt like she had become a Princess overnight-mostly because she quite literally had-and the weight of the responsibility was still settling on her naive little shoulders.

That was the purpose of this tour, immediately after the shock and awe of her new wings had dissipated. Celestia had come to Twilight and had suggested a country-wide tour, to make appearances in every major city across Equestria, to show that she cared, and to familiarize her with they many different local cultures, traditions, and attitude as to better serve the citizenry.

Absentmindedly Twilight poked the necklace around her neck, it was gold, with a single ruby in the centre of the pendant. A gift from her mother on her coronation day, apparently it held an enchantment to make spells less taxing on a Unicorns magical reserves.

Twilight liked the idea of the tour, it made sense. But that didn't mean she was any less nervous about the whole thing.

What if they don't like me? Most of the Ponies have never heard of me and now I just show up and tell them I'm their new Princess, what if they reject me?! Run me out if town!? Riot?! Declare independence?! Start a civil war that will tear Equestria apart and eventually overthrow Celestia?!? What if....?!?

"Princess Twilight? Your presence is requested in the main hall."

Twilight turned from the mirror, a Royal Guard had his head poked through the slightly ajar door. The sight of the golden plate armour made Twilight's heart ache slightly for a certain Guard of her own, over the past two years she had kept up contact with Flash Sentry but strangely she found herself longing to see him in person... In a completely platonic way, she assured herself.

Regaining her composure Twilight looked at the guard again, who was staring at her in question.

"I shall be right down, thank you," Twilight said as professionally as she could, the guard nodded and disappeared. Twilight looked herself over one more time on the mirror before trotting out the door and towards the main hall.

Celestia was waiting there, seemingly doing nothing but that. She turned towards Twilight as she entered the hall, Twilight trotted up to the Princess and nuzzled her which Celestia returned.

"Nervous?" Celestia asked.

"A little bit," Twilight understated.

"Don't be," Celestia assured "I'm sure everyone will love you."

"I know but I just wish I didn't have to do this alone."

Celestia smirked slightly "well... As a matter of fact, you won't be."

Twilights ears perked up "I won't?"

Celestia shook her head "your brother is assigning you a personal guard who will accompany you everywhere you go."

Twilight's ears drooped back down "oh," she said "so some stone-faced guard huh?"

Celestia openly laughed, which set Twilight's cheeks ablaze.

"Not that I mind!" Twilight quickly said "I appreciate the idea! Really!"

Celestia smothered her giggles as best she could "don't worry Twilight," she said "Shining Armour has arranged for someone a bit more familiar."

"Familiar?" Twilight said "Who?"

                                                                    ~~*~~

Flash Sentry adjusted his plumed helmet, he hadn't worn one in two years after all. When he had arrived in Vanhoover he had switched out his warm leather armour for the more traditional golden plate armour of the Royal Guard. The Snowhawk cape was still fastened to his neck and it fluttered in the wind as the chariot made it's decent.

The sight of Canterlot set Flash's chest a flutter, he had missed the city he realized. It was his home despite how cruelly it had treated him, he was eager to walk the marble-paved streets again. The chariot dipped again and flew directly towards the Royal Palace, they landed in the courtyard, the wheels rattling against the stone ground.

Flash immediately hopped off the chariot, giving a quick thanks and salute to his drivers, he knew how uncomfortable the job could be. He trotted quickly up to the grand entrance, Flash noticed that he was getting a few stares from the usually stoic Palace Guard, probably due to his Snowhawk cape he surmised.

Flash entered the Palace and immediately spotted Captain Shining Armour waiting, he saluted and Shining saluted back before offering his hoof to Flash.

"I trust your doing well, soldier? I hear horror stories about Fort Snowhawk." Shining Armour said.

Flash shook the Captain's hoof, still intimidated by the officer "Oh it's harsh sir but you learn a lot."

Shining nodded, dropping Flash's hoof "I understand, Snowhawk blue looks good on you though. I was trained in Fort Phoenix myself." Shining noticed the look on Flash's face "does that bother you?"

Flash smiled awkwardly "sorry sir, Commander White Blizzard insists on training us to hate Phoenix's"

Captain Armour chuckled "trust me, I understand, you should hear some of the things they say about Snowhawk's in the south," Shining shook his head at the memory "but anyway, you must be wondering why your here."

Flash nodded "your letter said I was being reassigned to... Princess Twilight Sparkle... I'm still a bit confused on the whole matter."

"Yes, I suppose you deserve an explanation," Shining Armour said "two weeks ago, due to a spell and other subsequent events, my sister, Twilight Sparkle, was transformed into an Alicorn and subsequently was crowned a Princess of Equestria."

Flash blinked "that's it?"

"I know, I don't know much about what happened either, you'll have to ask Twilight."

"Twilight?" Flash visibly brightened "she's here?"

At the Captains look, Flash tried to hide his elation "uh... Sir?"

Shining grunted "yes, she's here, and she is your charge. Over the next few weeks Twilight will be travelling across Equestria to each major city in turn, making appearances, attending dinners and parties, your mission is to protect her with every inch of your being, with your life. Not a scratch is to befall my sister, AM I UNDERSTOOD SOLDIER!" Shining bellowed.

"YES, SIR!" Flash yelled back, pounding his chest.

"Good," Shining said "now, let's go meet Twilight and get her on her way."

Captain Armour turned around and led Flash towards the main hall, up the wide stairs they went, every step Flash's anticipation was growing. Until....

Twilight turned just as Flash crested the top of the stairs, and she broke out in a smile.

"Flash!" Twilight exclaimed, trotting up to the stallion and giving him a warm hug "it's so good to see you!"

Flash returned the hug-lightly and reserved as both Princess Celestia and Captain Armour were watching closely-before breaking away.

"It's great to see you too," Flash said back, a smile breaking on his face "you look great," he said. Flash stared a bit uncomfortably at Twilight's new wings... They were beautiful.

Twilight giggled a bit, ruffling her feathers slightly "yeah, this must all be a bit overwhelming."

Flash nodded "a bit," he said "I hope I can get an explanation later on?"

Twilight nodded with a smile "you'll get the full story," she turned to Celestia "but I think we need to get going?"

The Princess nodded "the train is awaiting your arrival, Trottingham shall be your first stop, then you'll proceed to Fillydelphia, Manehatten, Baltimare, Las Pegasus, Vanhoover, and finish with Cloudsdale."

Flash whistled "This is one long trip," he said.

"Indeed," Celestia confirmed "which is why you should both be on your way."

"Of course!" Twilight said "come on Flash! We have a train to catch!" Twilight set off at a gallop and left Flash stumbling to catch up.

"Do you think she can handle this?" Shining Armour asked.

"I have faith in her," Celestia said back "in both of them."

                                                                   ~~*~~

The stallion blended well with the dirty wall of the alleyway, due to his brown leather armour padding and his like-coloured cloak. Unlike his companion who practically glowed in his bright white cloak, suit, and golden fur.

"So I get this necklace for you, and I'm in?" The one in brown said.

"Yes," the one in white said back "be quiet and be discreet, nopony should know you were there."

"Simple." Brown said.

"You seem confident." White said back.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Brown responded, smiling under his deep hood "I'm the best at what I do."