“But Luna! Celestia! You two can’t be serious!” Nightfire says looking between his sisters. “I’m not leaving you two alone to deal with this!”
“You don’t have a choice here brother, this is our test and we either pass or fail on our own,” Luna says looking down at her hooves.
“But those Zebra are planning something bigger than any of us three combined, you know it as well as I do and if we don’t strike first then it’ll be the end of us,” Nightfire replies snapping his wings wide in agitation.
“We know brother. We’ve known for so long that they’re going to attack us with everything they have,” Celestia says looking at her hooves sadly. “We know that we’ll most likely die because of this but we’re willing to risk our lives to save those we’ve watched over for so many centuries.”
“But Celestia, Luna. You’re my little sisters; I promised mom and dad that I’d keep you safe. If you die… then I’ll-“ Nightfire started only for Luna to hush him with her hoof over his lips.
“Don’t make this any harder than it needs to be Nightfire,” Luna says softly before pulling her hoof away. “We love you so much, just go to the location that we chose for you and you’ll be safe there if everything does indeed go wrong.”
“All the files I need are on my PipBuck yes?” Nightfire asks looking down at his left foreleg at the Delta model locked firmly on his foreleg.
“Everything you’ll ever need is on that Nightfire, just be sure to remember us when you awaken,” Celestia says stepping forward to hug her brother close. “Don’t ever forget; no matter what happens to us or where you go, we’ll always be with you.”
“I’ll remember. But I just feel like I’m letting mom and dad down.”
“Don’t. You’ve done all you can aside from going into battle yourself. You’ve seen what the Zebra have done to even our best,” Luna says as Celestia releases Nightfire from her hug.
“I know Lulu, it’s just that; after what we’ve gone through in our lives, we deserve a couple centuries of peace.”
“Don’t worry about it Nightfire, we’ve done all we can. All we can do now is look forward and hope for the best.”
“I must be going now you two,” Nightfire says hugging Luna tightly and nuzzles her cheek. “I’ll miss you both, and once this is all over… I’ll come and find you.”
“Just stay safe, you understand me?” Luna asks as tears start leaking from her eyes and stain her older brother’s cheek.
“I promise,” Nightfire replies as his own tears stain her cheek fur.
“Are you taking anypony with you?” Celestia asks as Nightfire and Luna slowly break their final embrace.
“Only those willing to follow me, so only the Captain and a small group of those who are under him. Besides, that small Stable you had built for me can only at best hold maybe two dozen ponies.”
“Actually, that small Stable we had built for you can hold around thirty ponies, not including yourself,” Celestia says as her eyes start watering up. “I’m… I’m going to miss you brother,” Celestia says as she rushes forward and hugs him tightly while rubbing her cheek against his own, letting her tears flow freely.
Nightfire hugs her back tightly as his tears stain her cheeks. “I’ll fi-find you both, I pro-promise.”
“We know… now get going. If th-things go bad… you’ll be th-the sole Royal of Eq-Equestria,” Celestia says fearing the worst.
“I understand… goodbye,” Nightfire says and looks into their eyes one last time before the door to the balcony they were on is pushed open.
“Your Highness… I hate to speed this along but we have to get you to safety,” The Captain of Nightfire’s personal guard who was named High Velocity says bowing to his Prince.
“I know, let’s get going,” Nightfire says as he looks back at his sisters who were holding each other and crying softly. ‘This isn’t goodbye… I will find you two somehow, and if I can’t… then I failed as your brother.’
“Follow me Your Highness. We’ll be leaving with the few guards that’ll stay with us,” He says as he leads them through the castle and then stops at a large empty wall. “I’m sorry about what’s happening, this war with those Zebra bastards has torn many families apart. I never thought it’d tear yours apart.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Nightfire replies as he looks over his shoulder. “I’m just going to miss them so much.”
“I understand that Your Highness, they’re your sisters. If I were in your shoes I would to.”
“So who is going with us to the Stable meant to keep me safe?” Nightfire asks after walking in silence as they approach a balcony that Celestia and Luna would use for raising and setting the sun and moon, a heavy breeze blowing though Canterlot blowing Nightfire’s long mane behind his head and then uses his magic to brush his mane back into place, his long mane now framing his face with black and blue locks of hair.
“This is where the others will be meeting us, but for now we just wait. I just hope that they don’t take much longer.”
“Do you know where they are? I’d personally like to get out of here sooner rather than later.”
“They should be here now,” High Velocity says as he looks at the balcony door and sees a group of about twenty five or so guards each wearing their black armor, helmets on and faces worried. “Your Highness. They’re here.”
Nightfire slowly turns around and looks at the guards who then salute him, their front right hoof going to their foreheads. “At ease,” Nightfire says giving them all a nod and they assume the ‘at ease’ stance; their forelegs shoulder length apart. “I know you all would want to be home with your families, but I’m happy to see you here fulfilling your duty as Royal Guards. I know that things haven’t gone the way that either my sisters of myself have intended but ever since the incident with Luna’s School for Gifted Unicorns in Littlehorn, and all of the others that’ve happened. But I’m going to give you all this now; if you want to leave, then I won’t blame you. Go and be with your families because if things go wrong I’d rather you be with them than guarding me.”
The twenty-five guards look amongst each other before remaining in place. “I think you have your answer Sir,” High Velocity says shuffling his wings gently.
“Then let me go and speak with Rainbow Dash one last time before we leave, I want to pick her brain about this plan of hers.”
“I’m afraid if we do Your Highness; it’ll have to be brief, we are to have left Canterlot in one hour,” High Velocity replies and nods to the rest of the guards and walks away from Nightfire leaving him alone on the balcony.
“That’s all I’ll need,” Nightfire says loudly enough for the guards closest to him to hear then vanishes in a flash of blue light.
***Somewhere in Canterlot***
“Your Highness! I wasn’t expecting you here,” Rainbow Dash says bowing deeply to Nightfire after the light from his teleportation had died down.
“At ease Rainbow. I’m not here on any real official business, just to pick your brain for a moment or so before I leave.”
“What do you need to know Nightfire?” She asks softly lifting herself up from her bow and stared into his dark blue eyes with her magenta ones.
“I know that what happened with Cloudsdale and everything is really hurting you, but I want to know; why come back knowing you’d be branded a traitor for wanting to help the Unicorn’s and Earth ponies still down here?”
Rainbow Dash looks down at the boot of her suit and sighed sadly. “I… I guess... I just didn’t want Pegasi to be known only as cowards after something we all hold dear is taken from us. You know? I still want to help Equestria even though Fluttershy, Scootaloo and I are the very few remaining Pegasi still on the ground.”
“I understand what you mean Dash. Now I only want to ask you, about that project of yours?”
“You mean… that project?”
“Yes, will it be ready in case things don’t go as planned?” Nightfire asks looking around the building that they were in.
“It’s going better than I thought, though there’s still much work to do before it’s finished.”
“I understand, do you know if it’ll work?”
“That’s still undetermined, but I believe that it’ll work,” Dash replies and then looks at her hooves, her earlier attitude seeming to slither out of her body.
“You ok Rainbow Dash? I know that this war has put a lot of strain on your friendships lately but how bad can it really be?”
“Pinkie Pie and Twilight still aren’t talking to each other,” Rainbow mutters softly and the tail of her specially made flight suit for the Shadowbolts with the stinger covering her tail lies flatly against the ground.
“Still? I thought Twilight and Pinkie started talking again.”
“We wish that they’d talk but Pinkie’s dependence on Party-Time Mint-als has made that impossible,” Dash says with a near silent sigh as she looks down at her hooves.
“Don’t worry Dash, I’m sure everything will work out somehow in the end,” Nightfire says lifting her chin with a hoof and smiles a small smile at her.
“How can you be so sure Your Highness?” She asks smacking his hoof away with hers. “All of us used to be friends and now look at us; Applejack was target for an attack, I’ve nearly been killed! Everything’s gone to fucking hell! Your own sister stepped down from the throne!”
Softly Nightfire looks away and then speaks a few words so softly that Rainbow Dash had to strain her hearing to even barely hear it.
“What did you say?” She asks before then stepping closer.
“I said ‘Forgive those who wrong you, no matter how long it takes,’ I spoke that in Old Equestrian; but I guess things never go as planned. The last thing I want to tell you Rainbow Dash,” Nightfire says setting down his hoof gently on the floor of the Ministry of Awesome.
“Yes Nightfire?”
“The last thing I can tell you, is that I will tell your story; I know you very well thanks to Twilight’s old reports to my sisters and the others as well. If things go bad, I’ll make it known that you did everything you could. Also… I’ll make sure that everypony knows that Fluttershy, Scootaloo and yourself stood by Celestia and Luna till the very end.”
“Th-Thank you Your Highness. I-“ Rainbow Dash started only to feel Nightfire’s shoed hoof press against her lips.
“Don’t. Things never should’ve gotten this bad, nor should I have stayed in the shadows like my sisters wanted. Maybe if I had intervened then things wouldn’t be like they are now,” Nightfire says and then looks away out a window to the Ministry Walk. “I… I can only say that I’m sorry for the way things turned out. I hope you forgive me and my sisters,” Nightfire replies sadly as his wings droop and nearly brush the ground and as tears start leaking down his cheeks.
Rainbow Dash watches him weep for a moment before walking up to him and gives him a reassuring hug. “You did everything you could… I just wish things would’ve worked differently as well,” She says as some tears start leaking from her eyes.
“I… I must go Rainbow… I still have to sp-speak with the others… before I go to sleep,” Nightfire says as he embraces her and then pushes her away gently. “Be sm-smart and stay safe. May you live long.”
“May you li-live forever Nightfire… remember us how we used to be,” Dash says then bows her head to him one last time. “Goodbye.”
Nightfire nods his head to her politely and then turns to the door as he sees the chariot meant to take him to his stable pulls up in front of the Ministry. “Forgive me and my sisters… goodbye,” Nightfire says as he pushes open the door and closes it behind him not hearing what Rainbow Dash had muttered under her breath; ‘I forgive you.’
“Are you ready to leave Your Highness?” High Velocity asks as the other guards surround the chariot as if expecting an attack.
“Yes… now let’s go, the longer I’m here the more I want to go back to the castle and hold my sisters one last time,” Nightfire says looking up at the place he had called home for so many years; where he and Luna had pranked their sister, where he and Celestia had spent so much time reading together while watching over Luna as she slept.
“You heard Prince Nightfire! Move out!” High Velocity calls out to the guard and opens the door of it for Nightfire to step inside. “Your Highness?”
“Thank you…” Nightfire says looking back at the Ministry of Awesome one last time and then steps inside along with the Captain and a few other guards.
“This is for the rest of you…” High Velocity says pulling out a few blindfolds from under his seat. “For Prince Nightfire’s safety and for yours.”
“Understood Sir,” The other guards say as they apply their blindfolds to themselves while Nightfire remains free of his as well as the Captain.
“I’m going to rest… I need to take my mind off of this and maybe see my sisters again when we were happy,” Nightfire says lying down on his large seat and slowly closes his eyes and falls into slumber despite his worries.
***Hours of flight later***
Nightfire slowly opens his eyes only to see the inside of a large cave. “A-Are we there?”
“Yes Sir…we just arrived a few minutes ago, and none of us wanted to wake you,” High Velocity says as Nightfire stands up and stretches his body out.
“So… this is the place we’ll be for at the bare minimum of 200 years?” Nightfire asks looking into the cave to see the large steel Stable door with his mark in the center. “Celestia and Luna made sure nopony remembers this place yes?”
“Yes Sir. After the Stable was completed they wiped the minds of those who worked on it.” One of the other guards say also looking at the large door along with the others still inside the chariot.
“Let’s at least look around this place so you all can get comfortable,” Nightfire says using his magic to open the door allowing the cool cave air to slowly enter the chariot.
“Yes Sir,” High Velocity says nodding his head to Nightfire and slowly rises from his seat. “Make sure that the Stable is safe and then inform me.”
“Yes Sir!” The guards inside says giving them both a salute before filing out and start heading toward the Stable door.
“What are the odds that anypony or zebra knows of this place?” Nightfire asks watching as the large door slowly slides open with a loud squeal of metal against metal.
“The odds are very unlikely but you know as well as we do; the Zebra have come up with many different ways to gather information.”
“True, it’s just that I’d like to know how they did it. Not even my sisters or myself could’ve made anything like that.”
“Really? Even with all of your knowledge of the Zebra nation?”
“Not even then. I even managed to speak with Zecora about them, but unfortunately I only got the one chance before she was killed.”
“Was she able to give you any special advice?”
“To be honest, not really. She may still have had friends back home but it seems that they wouldn’t tell her anything more than what she remembered.”
“That’s unfortunate, but at least you talked with her. From what I heard she was a very interesting Zebra and one of the only ones on our side.”
“She was interesting… though it was unfortunate to hear about her death,” Nightfire says gently.
“Well… is there anything else you want to talk about Sir?”
Nightfire remains silent for a moment before sighing sadly. “At the moment no. But I do have something to tell you before I’m put into stasis.”
“Yes Sir… I assume that it’s a matter of secrecy?”
“You’d be wrong to assume that. For once all it is; one final order,” Nightfire says looking over at his Captain with a look that the Captain hadn’t seen from his charge before.
“A final order Sir?”
“I’ll tell you what it is before I’m to b-“ Nightfire started before being interrupted by one of the guards calling back to High Velocity.
“Sir! The Stable’s secure. No sign of anypony inside it other than ourselves.”
“Understood, bringing Prince Nightfire in now,” High Velocity says then looks at the door of the chariot. “Your Highness, it’s time.”
“I know, I just never thought that I’d ever have this happen.”
“I understand Sir. Now please follow me,” High Velocity says as they both start their short walk to the large Stable door.
“The first time I’ve seen this door; and I won’t see it again for at least two-hundred years,” Nightfire says softly and then looks at the control panel beside the large door. “Did you think that your final days on this world would be stuck inside a Stable?”
“Honestly Your Highness, I expected to die protecting you from an assassination attempt by the Zebra. But things never go as you hope,” He replies softly before shrugging gently. “Sir, ma-“ High Velocity says before being interrupted by Nightfire spreading a wing in front of his face.
“Please, call me Nightfire, this may be the last time I really ever see you or the others,” Nightfire says and then uses his magic to pull his mane into a tight ponytail and then pulls a small bit of blue ribbon from around the base of his wing and then ties it gently.
“Yes s-Nightfire, forgive me but I’m not used to calling you by name,” High Velocity says before they enter the Stable.
“Captain, I need you to go and check on my stasis pod, despite the fact that I’m sure that Luna and Celestia put all of their trust in the ponies that built this place,” Nightfire says as he turns to his Captain before hearing his stomach rumble loudly. “I’m going to get one more bite to eat before I go to sleep for the next 200 years.”
“Of course Your Highness,” He replies and then starts walking down the Stable’s small hallways to the room that his charge will be sleeping in for 200 years. 'I wonder what things will be like in 200 years? None of my generation will know but hopefully Prince Nightfire will help set things right if things do end with Megaspells.'
As High Velocity walks down the hallway he rounds a corner and sees two of the guards that he had personally charged with guarding the door. “Sir!” The two Guard ponies say as they salute their Captain quickly.
“At ease you two, I just need to check a couple things before our Prince can enter this room,” He says before stepping up to the door and then takes a deep breath as he steps into the room to begin his duty.
Meanwhile back in the dinner hall of the Stable, Nightfire enjoys a large apple with a large bottle of Sparkle Cola. “Twilight, these drinks where a good kind of propaganda for the war, but things will be different one way or another,” Nightfire says with a smile and then puts the bottle to his lips and starts drinking the bottle dry with large gulps. After a couple large gulps what was left of the cola and then sets the bottle down and lets out a loud burp. “Normally Tia would’ve slapped me upside the head for that but I guess that’ll be one thing I can do without worry. But… that doesn’t mean that I won’t miss my little sisters.”
“Sir? I am here to tell you that your room is ready for you,” A Unicorn Guard says softly bowing deeply to Prince Nightfire.
“I’ll be down there soon, just give me a couple more minutes,” Nightfire replies and then sighs softly.
“Of course Sir, should I have the rest of the Guard meet you down by the door?”
“Yes, I’d like to give one last speech to you all as well as one final order,” Nightfire replies then takes another large bite out of the apple resting on the plate before him. “I’ll be there soon, won’t be longer than six minutes.”
“Yes Sir!” The Guard replies snapping to attention and then salutes him before rushing off to perform his duty.
“I just need to do one last thing…“ Nightfire says as he lifts his left foreleg and starts looking down the list of items that he had in his Saddlebags. “This is it,” Nightfire says and then opens his saddlebags and pulls out a small picture of Celestia, Luna and himself standing in front of the throne back in Canterlot several years ago, during the war and before Celestia gave the throne to their youngest sister. “I’ll always remember you two, there isn’t anypony in the word who could take your place,” As the Alicorn Prince looks at the picture he sheds a few tears that dripped onto the picture. ‘It’s time for me to go, I hope that you two will be ok.’
Nightfire gets up from the seat and then starts walking through the halls of the Stable before looking up at a sign that told him that his room was down to the left and to the right was other rooms for the Guards. Nightfire rolls his eyes and then turns to the left and starts his short walk to his room. After a silent walk all of his own and then felt the magic of his other Guards waiting in front of his room. “Guards… I’m here and I’d like for your Captain to give a speech on my behalf since I honestly cannot think of anything more to say then what I told you back in Canterlot. Captain? If you please?”
“Of course Nightfire,” He says and then steps out from Nightfire’s room and then clears his throat. “Now I know you all know that I’m Nightfire’s youngest Captain, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t understand that this will be the place that we’ll see during our lifetimes. But we’re following our duties as Prince Nightfire’s Royal Guard and we’ll be remembered forever because our Prince will help bring the greatness that Equestria once had back to the world.”
Nightfire smiles with glee and then steps forward. “My final order for all of you and for your children and their children until I wake up from my long slumber; there is a room opposite of the room our PipBuck technicians. There is a terminal in that room that once I wake up I will expect to find several things; first is the parents of each foal that is born here and what they are like as they grow up. Secondly, I want any and all frequencies that we intercept recorded and if at all possible, you are to try and triangulate the location of each transmission that you find. Finally,” Nightfire pauses and then sighs. “Your weapon that you have now, that is going to be the weapon that you’ll pass down to your children when you believe they have reached an appropriate age, or you’re in an accident that leaves you unable to perform your duties. Now understand that I know I expect a lot out of you but I only ask this because I know that you are the very best in each of your chosen fields. You’re the ones that the Ministry Mares wouldn’t take into their Ministries but instead you were chosen to become members of the Darkfire Guard. Now please understand that no matter what happens now, your names will live on through myself and the legacy that we leave behind.”
“Sir! Yes Sir!” All of Nightfire’s guard say immediately snapping to attention and bring their right hoof to their foreheads to salute him.
“Now all but the Captain may go to your rooms. I need to speak with him privately.”
“Sir!” They all reply and start filing away and soon Nightfire and their Captain alone in front of the door.
“Sir? What is my final order?” High Velocity asks as he and Nightfire make their way into the room.
“Your final order is only one I want the Captain of my Guard to undertake. The order is I need you to use the terminal in your room to make notes of all activity in the Stable; I mean everything and anything. From something as small as simple interactions, to the death of any of the Guard.”
“Sir? I don’t mean to question your final order, but I need to know why you want everything recorded,” High Velocity replies as Nightfire walks over to the bed and run a lone hoof gently over the thick glass that’ll be keeping him safe along with the measures that his sister’s had gone to.
“You see, I… guess that I’m one for records. I got that from my mother but it seems that only I got that bad habit.”
“I see… but I think I can do that for you sir. I will do my best.”
“Thank you. Now remember one thing, this is the one bit of advice I want you to pass on to all of the Captains that follow after you; War never changes, but ponies do.”
“Yes my Prince,” High Velocity says with a grim smile. “Are you ready?”
“Yes. Now before you close the pod I want you to tell me one thing that you’ll tell your foal,” Nightfire says as he climbs into the pod and rolls onto his back, resting his head on the pillow and then spreads his wings out to let them rest comfortably against the soft material under his body. The Alicorn looks above his head and pulls down the oxygen mask and secures it to his muzzle and breathes in the fresh air as he looks over at High Velocity.
“I’ll tell that lucky foal of the wonders that Equestria held before the war and of how Princess Celestia and Luna lead us through hard times,” High Velocity says with a smile. “Your Highness… I salute you and your accomplishments, and will forever remember what you’ve done for my family after they died,” He finishes with a choked sob and then give him one final salute. “Thank you for letting me serve you on the Darkfire Guard.”
“You’re welcome my faithful Captain, I hope that your family when I wake up will be like you…” Nightfire says and then uses his magic to close the glass top of the pod. Slowly Nightfire’s eyes begin to shut as his memories start flooding his mind; everything from when he first saw his little sisters when they were born, when they defeated Discord for the first time, to when they lost their parents and finally the last time they had together. ‘Celestia… Luna… I promised I’d find you, and no matter what I will deep that promise,’ Nightfire thinks to himself and then closes his eyes as sleep finally consumes his mind.
