Chapters A hooded white unicorn colt was running through a dark forest occasionally stopping to check if he was being followed. After looping around a few times to throw any pursuers he came to a rickety dock where another hooded colt was standing nervously glancing around his surroundings.
"May the sun rise," The colt by the dock spoke.
King Solar summoned him to the royal chambers and was told to tell no one of his summons. As captain of the guard he had free roam of the castle so being somewhere that was off limits to others was normal for him. Valor knocked on the door to the kings chambers and waited to be given permission to enter.
With his army of completely loyal subjects he began to attack kingdoms around him. He claimed them for his own sending refugees fleeing to the borderlands and coastal regions. Finally his army approached the ponies kingdom.
Valor carefully stood in the boat and removed his hood and cloak. Beneath the cloak he wore the golden armor of the royal guard. He undid the armor and placed in on the bow of the boat with a push the armor disappeared into the dark water. He tossed each of his golden shoes overboard not thinking about how long it took him to earn his rank and position. Finally he removed his helmet he looked at his reflection and ran is hoof over the crest of the guard and royal family. He decided he would at least keep one memento of his old life and if any one asked he could say he found it. It looked less obvious than a full set.
The sun was peeking of the horizon when Valor heard the motor of another boat coming up river toward him. Some followed the warlock voluntary Valor was hoping whoever was coming was friendly or at least against the warlock. A tug boat putted around the rivers bend. A small stream of steam was coming from the boat as it approached him. Valor eyed it carefully he could see a pony on deck at the bow staring up river toward him. The figure on deck disappeared into the cabin and reappeared with another figure along side them. Once he got closer he could see two ponies staring at him.
"Hello there!" An older colt yelled as he waved his hooves in the air. "Are you alright?"
Rusty and Valor emptied Valor's little boat and stored all the supplies in Rusty and Pearls tug. Pearl had taken over the care of the princesses Valor almost had their secret exposed when Pearl went to change Luna's diaper. Valor knew that when she unwrapped her from her blanket she would see that Luna was no mere unicorn but actually an alicron.
"Thank you Pearl but I can take care of it I have to learn some time," Valor said as he quickly took Luna from her.
After a few more hours Rusty called Valor's attention to a speck on the horizon. Once closer Valor could see how easy it would be to hide here. It was the only land in sight. The island didn't seem very large with the exception of a large mountain on one side.
Years passed as Valor and his "nieces" built a new life on the island that the residents named Refuge Bay. Valor volunteered to live on the side of the island that was furthest from the main town. It was one of the few areas that had farm able land. They didn't waste any space and built only what was necessary to farm.
"UUUUUNNNNNCCLLEEEE!" a cry got louder as it approached him.
Valor watched as Celestia flew into a nearby tree while Luna struggled to flap her wings attempting to reach her. That was another benefit to living away from the other inhabitants on the island it was easier to keep the disguise that they were normal unicorns. Whenever they went to town the girls knew to hide their wings and always wore clothing that kept them hidden. Some though it was odd they always wore something but just assumed Valor was spoiling his nieces with nice clothes.
Later that night Valor was cooking dinner while Celestia and Luna played.
After the girls were tucked in and Valor was alone in his room he pulled out his old guard helmet and held it up to inspect it. He buffed it slightly with a rag knowing that it was enchanted to never lose its shine. It was more out of habit than anything. He placed the helmet back into a trunk and laid down and quickly fell asleep.
The next few weeks were peaceful a typical time on the island. Valor continued to work his field weeding and tending to the crops. Celestia still had her nose in her book and Luna played with her toy guard she named Sir Hoofington.
"Uncle a group is coming," Celestia announced from her perch in a nearby tree.
Hours went by and the sun began to set and there had been no sign of the mayor or his group.
Valor stayed off the path as he headed toward Rusty's farm. Finally at the edge of the farm's field he could see what had happened. The farm house was smoldering as was the barn next to it. Valor carefully made his way through the field using the crops to hide in along the way.
The girls were snoozing when a knock at the door woke them up.
Valor and Talon approached the farm in time to see Rusty trying to bash down the door. Valor could hear the two girls inside scream.
Finally the warlock was pushed into his last bastion, a castle in the middle of a corrupted forest. Celestia and Luna led the charge with Valor by their side. During the attack Celestia and Luna found the source of warlocks magic. Beneath the castle the warlock had found an ancient tree that was filled with powerful magic. The girls severed the warlocks' tie with the tree and used it against him. The tree now purified by the princesses good intentions gifted them six elements to aid them in their fight.
With the warlock defeated and his army freed from his spell thousands were reunited with long lost family members. Celestia and Luna, not wanting to follow in the path of the warlock restored all of the kingdoms the he had conquered. The gryphons resettled in their mountains, the dogs returned to their mines, dragons to the lava fields, and some ponies founded a crystal city in the north. Celestia and Luna made their castle in the forest the warlock had corrupted and named the forest Everfree. Claiming that no other would have such a hold over the land again. Everything was at peace with kind leaders at the head of the various kingdoms the land prospered.
A Guard's Work Is Never Done
Celestia had just finished holding court with her subjects. As the last citizen left the throne room Celestia slouched in her throne and let out a sigh.
Below the castle in the castle vaults Valor found Luna studying the warlocks notes and books.
With each passing day Luna became more and more reclusive. Turning away any who attempted to interrupt her studying.
Valor awoke to the sun shining brightly through a nearby window. His head was bandaged along some bandages wrapped tight around his ribs. Valor painfully got out of bed and exited his room. A passing guard spotted him.
The damage done to the castle was too extensive to fix and part it held too many bad memories for Celestia. Valor convinced her to move the capital a fresh start he called it. A new capital was chosen, Canterlot. The capital was placed on a mountain. A bright shining beacon to give hope to all who could see it. Celestia adjusted to ruling the day and night. Valor continued to advise her when he could. Once again the land was at peace with Celestia guiding them.
Valor inspected the new guards from the academy. They stood in formation in the palace grounds awaiting his command. They awaited approval form the aging captain
Celestia was listing to an advisor read off the days schedule when a guard interrupted them.
Valor spent most of his days watching the new recruits practice and talking with those that visited the palace. After his one hundredth and twenty first birthday Valor suffered another fall and became bedridden. He was rarely seen around the castle but Celestia and others continued to keep him company.
"Good morning uncle," Celestia opened the curtains to let in the morning sun. "How are we feeling today?"
Many came from all around to pay their respects to the retired guard captain. Descendants of the island citizens, leaders from the surrounding kingdoms, guards that joined after hearing his heroic stories. Celestia waited well into the night until the moon shone more brightly than normal did she leave.
HERE LIES CAPTAIN VALOR. LOYAL SERVANT TO THE ROYAL FAMILY. PROTECTOR OF ALL THE REALM . LOVING UNCLE AND FAITHFUL FRIEND. MAY HE NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
