Hidden away within the labyrinthine hallways of Canterlot castle, locked away behind iron-clad doors, the Princess of the night and her soon to be personal bodyguard toiled over smithing the Captain's new Nocturn guard armour. The final pieces were coming together, being placed on a display manikin once they were cooled and enchanted by the Alicorn princess. As I removed the final plate for the arm bracers, the Princess levitated it over to her station while it was still hot, refining my own shaping and adding her own enchantments and treating. The metal faded from its hot red down to a jet black, matching the other pieces as it was placed and sown onto the remaining bracer. "Finished, thou has some skill in smithing, but we would recommend thou stay within your current profession." Luna joked.

"True, I'm better with my fists and weapons than I am a hammer and anvil. You said that there was one piece missing though? " I asked, remembering her instructions on building the set of covert armour, meant to be worn and hidden underneath clothing.

The set was comprised of thin overlapping armoured plates and mesh that created a set of armour that rivalled heavy armour in it's protection against Equis' weapons, even if they were only blades and magic. The armour set was accompanied by a set of badges to be placed on my uniform, the badges depicted a Lunar Crest, Luna's cutiemark and symbol of her power. The idea of cutiemarks was explained to me by Luna, who told me of how a pony would achieve it when they found their calling in life, much like her sister and she earned theirs from raising the sun and moon.

"Yes, but that piece will be a secret for now, you shall earn it in due time." She stated, dousing the magical furnace and levitating the armour off the manikin and into a bag. "Put this on and meet me in the throne room for your first shift, I expect you to wear something black, place one of your badges over your heart and one on your right shoulder, underneath your countries flag I presume" she said, handing me the sack and badges separately.

"You would assume correctly Ma'am, I'll wear my black gear, glad I packed it now." I chuckled, remembering the set of heavy clothing I had stored in my Bergen for public and night ops. "Not sure how I feel about being a bodyguard though, it's not exactly my forte Ma'am"

"That shan't be a problem Captain, we're sure you'll do fine, there shouldn't be any massive revolutions against the crown or assassination attempts tonight. We aren't even sure most normal ponies know of my return, only the nobles and a few citizens know of me, including the guard of course." she moved to leave."I expect you outside our room within the hour, is that understood?"she asked leaving the room as I followed.

"Yes Ma'am, see you in less than an hour." I said as we parted ways, I was headed straight for the guard wing, my room specifically.

Once I arrived I set about unpacking my Bergen and getting changed into my black kit, infamous from it's appearance in the Iranian embassy siege and popular culture depicting my regiment's activities. This gear was bolstered with fire protection and biochem seals, these all created a set of heavy clothing and, along with the armour, ammunition and equipment, created a suit that weighed enough to almost double my own body weight. The full set of gear made me look rather intimidating, I forwent the gas mask and balaclava for my helmet and social skills, I didn't want to go around in a mask anyway, it gave off the wrong message.

Once I had affixed the Lunar crests and stored my Bergen, I pulled out my rifles from the locker across from my bed, I placed them upon the table under my room's window and began to check and clean them. The largest of the two was my Accuracy International Artic Warfare Magnum L115a3 or more simply known as the AWM. The rifle is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum and has an effective range of 1,500 metres. It was my signature rifle, I could be so far away from my target, that they'll be dead before they hear the shot, I could silence all with but a squeeze of a trigger.

The other rifle was an L85a2, part of the SA80 family and created by BAE systems and improved by Heckler and Koch, the rifle was the work horse of the British army, standard issue for almost every infantry soldier, the rifle was both accurate and reliable. The rifle has an effective range of 800 metres and fires the 5.56 NATO round, the rifle was fitted with a bi-grip and laser light module. The rifle also had a set of two sights, a thermal sight and a lightweight day sight.

I slung both my rifles over my back and unholstered my sidearm, an old browning hi-power pistol, handed down to me as a gift from my father, who had served in the regiment before me. My pistol was both reliable and sturdy, with a solid metal build and simple design. The grips were steel and were engraved with the flames and downwards Excalibur of the SAS. I owed this pistol my life many times over, having used it in defense countless times over, I replaced the pistol in it's holster and closed the locker.

I then lifted my trouser leg, unholstering my Walther PPK, given to SAS members during plain clothed and high risk operations as a holdout weapon. With a swift unload and reload I checked the weapon for any damage or faults before reholstering it on my thigh and covering it with my trousers and their twisters.

Before I left I checked my pouches to ensure I had all my ammo and grenades with me, the extra equipment being placed in my utility pouches and smock. The final thing I checked was my knives, one was a fairburn Sykes knife while the other was a bayonet for my SA80, in its scabbard and attached to the shoulder strap of my webbing. I ensured everything was secured with one final check and set off towards the Royal towers wing.

As I walked down the hallways I garnered many stares, some from awestruck guards, some from fearful servants and others from insulted nobles. The stares persisted from every pony I passed on the way towards Luna's room, I ignored them, continuing on my path until a particularly ballsy pony decided to try and stop me.

"You there, tall creature! Stop!" I turned to face the owner of the voice.

"What?" I asked, slightly annoyed at the interference of this blond haired pony.

"I require your assistance, servant" he stated, ok, now he was beginning to piss me off.

"I am no servant blondy" I mocked.

"B-blondy!? I am Prince Blueblood! Y-you freak!" He raged, beginning to go red in the face.

"It seems someone needs a lesson in anger management, Blueballs." I quipped, walking past the apparent 'prince' " now if you mind, I have more important things to attend to."

"How dare you!" He screamed, stomping his forehoof on the ground. I ignored him and carried on towards my target.

A few minutes later and I arrived at the ornate doors of Luna's quarters, saluting back to the guards stationed at her doors. "The Princess is waiting for you inside." One of the guards stated. I acknowledged the guard with a nod as I entered the darkened room.

"Ma'am, I'm here" I called out.

"So you are Captain, well timed, we were to leave in a moment." Luna explained, leading me back out of the room and towards the throne room. "Tonight you shall be by my side as I run Night court, in this time I shall be listening to my citizens and hearing what they have to say and what they request of me"

I nodded " understood Ma'am, I'll stay out of the way until I'm needed, anything else ma'am?" I asked.

"Nay, just refrain from killing the nobles, no matter how annoying they may be" she said.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, sadly"

Author's Note

What will happen next?

Maybe later...