A guards Life: The Lunar Core

Chapters

Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III

Chapter I

"Atten-tion!" Boomed an instructor as the cadets snapped to attention, standing by twos in front of their double decker bunks.

"Alright you little tet suckin' fillies, Pay attention for I will only be saying this once!" His voice echoed as the tower of muscle walked down the isle of motionless ponies, two smaller instructors fallowed at his sides. The row of living statues forced their ears forward while the instructor continued his colorful speech, "Today, You sorry sacks of manure are graduating from tenderized foals to wannabe hopefuls for my beloved guard!" He pause looking at the blank expressions on each cadet's face, every pair of eyes he met maintained a well trained distant stare.

The few months under his command had sharpened this batch of trainees into hardened cadets. Yet, he still doubted that any of these kids would make it pass week one of tests. However, he would keep that thought to himself. "That is right children, You are going to be assigned a station to guard a princess based on your scoring here."

He paused in step, levitating a clip board before him, the hoofful of papers clipped together contained names, unit designations, and the princess they would be assigned to guard. "Before I read off your fates, let me be the first to congratulate you cherry chasers for surviving this far and maybe there will be a future for any of you ponies yet in the guard." He eyed an earth pony who noticeably flinched at his gaze but maintained posture. "Sadly, this does apply to all of you."

"SO, with that sad, sappy bullshit out of the way, lets get this over with!" He brought the clip board closer to his face, and maintained his slow pace as he started reading off names, their new units and their princess. Eventually, he stopped and eyed the blue coated, grey socked earth pony again. "Cadet Midnight Star," His voice paused, his eyes bore into the pony for a moment before turning to the clip board.

"Guard unit twenty four, company A, platoon four; Princess Luna. Congrats Cadet Night Owl, you've got your dream job." He walked on, spouted off another set of names before two notable names came up, "Cadet Pedal Blow, guard unit twenty four, company A, platoon four; Princess Luna. Have fun with the big boys Cadet Flowers." He continued, "Cadet Loveless!" He turned to a changeling a few ponies down from Midnight, "Oh I mean, Cadet Jeraal, guard unit twenty four, company A, platoon four; Princess Luna. Good luck out there Romeo." He chuckled as he turned to name off a couple other ponies.

The deliverance of fates to the rest of the cadets took an hour. Midnight Star wanted to cheer on the spot, but he didn't want to get smoked and be doing push ups while instructor Emerald Hearthammerproceeded to take his time with small talk with random cadets and read their fate to them casually. Like any pony else, Midnight wanted this to end so they could get to the train and be off to their new station.

Emerald turned around and stopped to read the last of the names on the list, and by the end of it, three more changelings made it into Luna's night guard. "Though I am not sorry to see you mash maggots go, I would be sorry to see you fillies fail out there. Any pony brave enough to take the oath of service to Equestria, is a pony worth having in the guard." He stopped and turned to face the long row of thirty-so cadets.

"For what it is worth, I would like to see you all become the finest to lay their lives in protecting our beloved Princess'. I have a track record of providing the finest meat for the grinder." He stood at attention, "Do NOT disappoint me Cadets." He paused taking in a breath,

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?" he boomed

"SIR, YES SIR!" All cadet's voices replied in unison.

"Out bucking standing." Emerald Hearthammer then gave his last command; "Your rides to freedom are organized by the princess you've been assigned to." He started, "Cadets being sent to Princess Celestia, Your first, Princess Luna, Your next. Cadence, You'll follow thereafter, and finally, Princess Twilight..." He paused he lowered his head, his wide brimmed campaign hat covered the grimace or cracking smile, that grew briefly on his face, "Your last."

He cleared his throat, "All of you, get your gear, your new armor will be waiting on the trains. You all have five minuets to get the buck to em." He saluted, his cadets returned the gesture. "CADETS." He shouted after lowering his hoof.

"DIS-MISSED!"

"I can't believe it!" beamed a Pegasus cadet as she haphazardly crammed her few belongings into her rucksack saddle bags. "I'll be guarding Princess Celestia!" she sounded as if she would of squeed in excitement.

"Don't get to excited, " a unicorn cadet chimed in, "Its not all what you think."

"Yeah," A third pony joined in, "I hear you can get put outside on guard posts under the sun; cooking in your armor." she chuckled as she tied her saddle bags on. "Well, look at you Miss crystal guard pony." A fourth, her bunk mate, added, "You'll be freezing your flank off guarding the royal couple."

"Oh come off it guys, you all know as well, our armor will be enchanted to accommodate for the weather elements we'll be working in." A voice interrupted. the chatty group turned to see the earth pony that Emerald had death glared earlier. "How would you know Night Owl?" One of them pointed at him, "Working the night shift wouldn't be freezing or hot, just, Just dark." Midnight rolled his eyes, "No, its because I actually read the buckin' manuals on the royal guard armor and their corresponding enchantments." He corrected, "I wasn't called Night owl for nothin'" he smiled before trotting off, his rucksack saddle bag already clipped on. "And besides," he said over his shoulder, "At least i'm not guarding Twilight sparkle."

"Oh shit, that's right!" the unicorn pointed at one of the chattering cadets, "You got the newborn Alicorn!" he teased

"Shut up, don't remind me!" A voice groaned.

Midnight had long left the conversation as he hurried out of the barracks, He could hear a train whistle as he went for the station. He was only a speck among the crowd of Cadets that flooded towards the collection of trains. Steam from the funnels plumed into the blue sky as he hoofed his way through the large swath of bodies.

When he was close to the train station, he read the billboard for departures and arrivals. The first departures where for the cadets assigned to Princess Celestia, They where already boarding. Midnight scanned for Princess Luna's trains, but huffed with annoyance when the clerk on the ladder had slid a red "delayed" sign over the arrival slits of that particular set.

"Oh great, we're going to be here for Celestia knows how long!" one of the night guard cadets whined. Midnight sighed with a wry smile, "Hurry up and wait." "Hoo-ha." another voice agreed glumly , he looked over to see it was one of the cadets he had trained with. She was an earth pony like him, a cream like fur with a fiery red mane and tail, her cutie-mark was a black-n-red shield decorated with silver and red pedals. "Ouch that sucks." A crystal guard cadet murmured as he and a few others passed the gathering cadets. Pedal blow was looking at the billboard like the rest of the Luna bound cadets, "Hey Jerk face!" She called out to the train clerk as he was climbing down the ladder. "How long till those trains show up?"

When the clerk got down, he simply shrugged, "Who knows cadet, I simply change the signs and apparently, there has been a delay with Luna's trains."

One of the nearby cadets frowned,

"Buckers are probably sleeping on the job."\

"Oh, how ironic," Midnight hoofpalmed quietly, watching as Petal blow growled and stepped closer to the train operative,

"I know that dick, but do you have an ETA?" Because we should be on our trains right after the others leave!" She wasn't her instructor-given-nick-name sake at all, she was as fiery as the color of her short cropped mane. Mare cadets had their mane trimmed shorter while the colts had their manes buzzed. A handful of disdainful comments came from a few other cadets while Midnight simply looked at the nearest golden train as it tooted its final boarding call.

"Hey, if you got a problem with it kiddies, take it up with the conductor!" the clerk jabbed a hoof at the station house. He angrily took his ladder down with his levitation magic before weaving through the mess of cadets that crowded the station, almost hitting one of the changelings in Midnight's group.

"That son of a-" the head conductor emerged putting his pocket watch away, "Final call," He shouted, "Now boarding for Canterlot castle!" The remaining cadets exchanged hugs, hoof shakes and farewells before the Celestia bound cadets got on the trains.

The first train chuffed forward then slowly sped up as it went down the line, the next train pulled up, picked up the remaining passengers. "Good luck ya wittle Wuna guards, Don't get lost in the dark!" A sun guard cadet teased before getting on board.

In minuets, the trains where off and the station was less noisy, "Oh yeah? Make sure you don't get fried little goose!" was one reply sent after the leaving trains.

Next where the trains bound for the crystal empire.

"Hey catch a cold for me while your up there will ya?" A Twilight cadet cheered, "Don't freeze and mind your eyes gents!"

Midnight took his turn to call out to them, "Don't want to be KIA for gawking at the misses!" he then nodded, "Above all be safe and good luck!"

Lastly, where the trains bound for Ponyville. "Have fun barrel scrappers," Midnight heard from the shrinking group of cadets,

"Don't loose your sanity workin' for the newbie!" was among the few other colorful comments from the Luna cadets while the trains began their departure, the Twilight cadets only responded with a few weaker comebacks or flying the hoof at them; “May the power of friendship compel thee to not fail!” laughed a twilight guard before the doors slid closed.

Sure, it seemed harsh and childish to tease and joke to each other about their new positions; but, to be honest, the dark humor was a way of showing comrade. It was better to share a laugh and have mock wit battles with each other before parting ways, for everypony present knew, they wouldn't be seeing each other again for quite a while.

Soon, the station was quiet with only the dull hum of conversations from the remaining cadets, out of all the cadets only fourteen where assigned to Luna, adding to the probably eighty guards already assigned to the Princess of the night. Midnight took the time to meander about the station, this was their last day here in Guard Training, he wasn't going to spend it just sitting around bitching about the delay. Midnight mentally concluded that it could be just be delayed on purpose, it even became more probable if their Princess had suggested the delay. Yet, he didn't a give tartarus bound buck about it if it was either an accident or the lady of pranks tricking the new crop of night guards.

He was brought out of his musings by a commotion inside the station, he looked inside to see a handful of the cadets having a "civil" talk with the station manager, MPs were backing the manager. "Now, now, I'll try to telegram ahead and see why your trains have not arrived yet." The manager only put his hooves up in front of the cadets, trying to calm the situation.

"Stand back rookies." An MP nudged a cadet back. As the manager was about to turn to the telegraph office, a clerk burst from the said office,

"Sir!" he hurried up beside the unicorn manager with a letter in his hoof, "This just came off from the wire!" He passed it to the manager who took it with magic and read it aloud, mostly for the cadet's amusement.

"Camp Anvil station - STOP - Train for Luna's cadets delayed - STOP - delayed at Princess Luna's request -STOP- Estimated time of arrival -STOP- Twenty minuets from original designated time of departure from Canterlot station -STOP- Train in route upon sending message -STOP-"

"Are you bucking kidding me?!" A cadet barked,

The station manager frowned, "I kid you not kid, this came from the Canterlot station, I'm sorry newbies but you have to wait till your train arrives." Before a Cadet could reach back to assault the manager, he felt a heavy hoof stop him.

"Whats the problem here?" the solid voice of drill Instructor Hearthammer filled the room. The hulk of a pony made his way through the crowd of cadets as he took center stage in front of the manager. Even the MPs backed up a few paces, mostly out of respect for the larger unicorn.

"E-E-Emerald Harthammer, sir" What bravado the feeble looking unicorn station conductor had, dispersed as he gulped down the need to shriek, "What brings you-"

"Give me that." He snatched the telegram from the clerk who squeaked from surprise. The field gray furred pony frowned as he read the message. "The buck is this?" he snapped a glare at the manager in the split second it took to look between message and pony. "S-S-Sir, official telegram from the Canterlot-"

"Don't give me that s-stuttering bullshit Mister Knotts!" he crumpled the message and threw into his face, "You better pray to Celestia that that train gets here soon or I WILL have your ass little maggot!" Now, he had moved close enough to lock eyes with the manager, his knife hoof was pointed at him inches from his face, "Or more importantly, YOUR JOB!"

"B-but sir, I can't control the speed of the-"

"Cut the bullshit ass eyes, You best figure out a way to get those trains here sooner so MY Cadets can get to their posts on time or so help me, You will see the business end of my back hoof in your fat bucking ass!"

"I-I-uhh-yes-"

"what now?"

"Yes, sir."

The poor soul gave a weak salute before crumbling to the ground,fainted out of pure fear of the drill instructor. "That's better, now," he turned to the rest of the cadets, "CADETS," he boomed, "Get your sorry flanks out on the platform ASAP!"

"Yes, sir!" they replied. As Midnight filed out with the rest, he could over hear Hearthammer address the other clerk. "You, get your ass inside that office and send a message for me."

"Wh-what would it be, s-sir?"

"Relay to my dear royals, stop, this is Senior Drill instructor Emerald Hearthammer, stop, I would like to hear a proper explanation on why I or the Camp commandant was not informed of the change of train times stop, please respond soon, stop.."

"That is all sir?"

"That should be enough, they'll understand, once they see my name on there."

“Yeees, sir.” a confused telegrapher replied.

Chapter II

The wait for the trains took another one-n-half hours before the first train showed up, "What was that all about?" Midnight asked aloud, "not sure my self, but rumor has it that he smoked one of the princesses when they got to this camp, a his customary respect to the royals and personal for making one of his trains late. I think he has been by-the-book since he was a cadet serving under Celestia and being late to anything is not one of his options."

"Right, Would be buckin' awsome to of seen a princess push till her wings fell off." Midnight smiled at the thought, he pondered if it was Luna that got smoked when they did their inspection all that time ago. As the cadets boarded, "Good luck Ponies." Jackhammer's voice rang as the trains where pulling away from the platform, "May The sisters bless your journies!" He gave the leaving trains a salute and held it till the last train had left.

On board, Midnight And fellow cadets where confronted by a trio of senior guardsponies. Judging from their rank insignias, they where not only higher ranking guards but vets, both ponies and the changling in the center had served with the night guard for a long time.

"Welcome aboard cadets." The unicorn guard greeted them, "You are probably wondering by now why there where more than one train for you little ones." He smiled, not one of the cadets only looked at each other, even Midnight looked at the rest of them pondering. His eyes swept through the group, he noted that Pedal had got on this train, at least he was in familiar company here.

"Before we reach the castle, you fillies will be put through our introductions, A test of endurance." He gestured to the racks of guard armor, "You will dawn your armor and fight your way towards the front of the train." He spoke as the earth pony guard gestured for the cadets to collect their armor.

One by one, their individual appearances vanished under the armor's enchantment, Soon, each cadet looked the same aside from their eye coloration's; Smoky gray skin with two shades of purple recolored their manes and tail. Midnight felt the change as he slipped the armor on for the first time, Unlike the recruit armor which had no enchantment, He figured that he will get used to that brief funny feeling as the enchantment changed his appearance every night.

"To better explain," the changeling guard spoke looking at each of the cadets. "You will be put to the test on if you will start off with different grade of duties when you begin your shift." He turned to walk to one end of the train car.

Midnight observed that the train car was partially empty, just a wide floor train car, this must of been where he and his fellow cadets will be conducting his test. "Your opponent will be you." In a flash of flame, he assumed the form one of the vet guards. "You will be fighting yourselves, defeat me and you will advance to the next car." He spoke in flawless replication of the guard's voice. "Now, First-" He flashed into a cadet, judging by his build it was one of the earth pony cadets. "Midnight Star, your first."

Midnight sighed at his bad luck before moving into position, "Are you ready?" He herd his own voice speak to him. Midnight was distracted by the changeling's ability to take on any form of any pony he wanted; He wondered if it was just the appearance that was affected.

Hesitating with thoughts distracting him, "Begin!" one of the guards barked and the changeling midnight charged at him. "Oh shi-" Midnight brought his guard up as the first strike unarmed strike came down hard. Recoiling Midnight gawked at the power that was put into that punch. "What? Did I forget to mention that I can match strength with my copied target?"

Midnight dodged a kick from his doubleganger before taking a swing with a fore hoof, the copy midnight leaned out of the way before taking another Swing at him. The hoof connected with force, his helmet tweaked to one side. Stumbling back, Midnight corrected his helmet before going for a kick. Midnight parried and returned with a kick of his own, it connected sending the Copy to the ground briefly before popping back up with an upper cut.

Moving too slow, Midnight took the hit to the chin, knocking his helmet free from his head. With helmet gone, he assumed his normal appearance under the armor. Stumbling backwards, he could hear his fellow cadets cheer him on,

"Buck his ass off this train!"

"Knock that changing Wimp down!"

"Come on Midnight!" He herd Pedal's voice egged him on. Midnight pulled back and threw his most powerful haymaker at the changeling Midnight. The air only took the hit as he missed the copy by inches. "Damn it!"

"My turn little colt!" The veteran Changeling came up with a similar power swing. Midnight failed to move and felt the hoof connect with his jaw. His eyes flashed before he felt the cold floor. "Come on, get up, Get up!" he herd one of the cadets urged. Midnight did not budge for a little bit before he finally pulled himself to his hooves. He barely stood before he had to react, ducking a swing, he pulled one last time before swinging hard.

It connected but had no effect, "The tartarus?!" He then felt a fore hoof find his stomach before another found his face. Again, lights flashed and he was down again; He didn't move. One of the vets counted to ten before calling it, Midnight didn't advance.

With the help of a vet and cadet, he was pulled onto a bench to recuperate while the rest of the cadets tried this test. The vet changeling took form of his opponents each round. One by one, none made it through. However, only two knocked the guard down and he didn't get up. "Cadet, advance and prepare to fight your next opponent."

The system Midnight discovered had each one that passed advanced to the next car, if they lost they come back to the first, and if they made it to the front of the train, who knows who is waiting for them up there.

Finally it was Pedal blow's trun, she trotted up to take positions. "Don't hold back just because I'm a mare." She smiled, the changling asummed her appearance, taking the same stance. "Didn't count on it." Smiled the copy before they went at each other.

Midnight watched with the rest of the defeated cadets, with the barrage of punches and kicks, no one could tell who was who before one was knocked to the ground. The changling was struck hard enough his transformation blinked when he landed. "Had enough?"

"Nope!" the copy shot a leg out, catching the cadet by surprise in a sweeping kick to the legs. She crumbled to the ground; she tried in vain to get up before taking an elbow to the jaw. She went down. Midnight watched in shock as the firey mare tried to get back up, "Not done yet!" she gritted her teeth before standing again.

She came at the changeling with a vengeance, though it was short lived as the copy grabbed her then brought her to the ground in a hold. Failing to break free, she tapped out.

Midnight shook his head in defeat, only two of the original group had advanced into the next train car and probably are struggling with their attempt at advancing. "Anypony had enough?" One of the vets asked aloud. Midnight only hung his head from the soreness that clung to his face and body.

After a few moments of not replying, "Too bad, could of gotten your self a spot in the throne room or even outside the princess's quarters." one of the vets mocked before the unicorn guard came up to attended to the cadets. His horn glowed as he used a basic healing spell and cleansing spell to heal, mend and clean the cadets up before they have to depart from the train.

"Good try," Midnight nudged Pedal who only looked up at him with a deadpan, "Not really worth calling it a try I think." she admitted sadly, "Compared to what you did though, Almost thought you were going to break that little bug." She titled a hoof at one of the guards who was tending to the changeling "True, but I just didn't hit'em hard enough!" he punched into his own hoof, an audible clack sounded.

"keep thinkin' that Night owl." one of the other cadets muttered. For the remainder of the trip, the cadets either chatted casually or sat in silence thinking about how they could of done better with their attempt to start off at a better guard post.

It was night fall when the trains finally arrived at the Canterlot station, to no ponies surprise, it was quiet when they disembarked from the trains. Standing over them was Canterlot castle, their new home.

As they neared the gates, a trio of ponies waited for them, two of them wore the officer armor of the guard, both had their helmets removed for this occasion. Standing taller of the two was indeed the Princess of the night her self, though dressed for the night a sharper eye could tell she had not been up for long.

“Cadets!” The older officer spoke as Midnight and the rest had filed up to them, out of trained customary courtesy, they lined up before the three. “Welcome to the night guard,” he announced, “I am Company Commander Glacial Drop, I am in charge of this small but strong company of night guards.” He looked up the line of mixed ponies, majority of them were comprised of earth ponies, a few pegisi, matching few of unicorns and there were only four changelings.

Each of these cadets wore their cadet armor so their enchantments made them match the colors of a regular night guard pony.

“I have been given the task of testing and monitoring your performances in the next few weeks or so to see weather or not you have a place here serving our princess.” he looked to the younger officer, “This young stallion is your Platoon captain, Pearly Shield, He will be assigning missions, delegating post positions and patrol routes, Listen to him and you will live to see the end of at least this week.” He smiled, “Captain?”

“Thank you sir,” The Captain stepped forward stepped forward, “Unlike these long introductions, I would simply like to cut to the chase and attend to your barracks for the evening, at twenty-three hundred, I'll stop by to provide you all the next nights posts and you will be assigned a partner,” quietly the guard cadets looked among each other, each taking mental guesses on who they will be working with tomorrow night's work.

“Understand cadets?”

“Yes, sir.” was their reply.

“Good, Now,” He turned to the princess, “Does her highness have anything to add?” he asked politly. Luna smiled warmly with a nod, “None to what has already been spoken Captain, but I do wish you all the best my Brave and Royal cadets.” Midnight noted the sincerity in her voice, she really must of been pleased to see this many cadets be added to her night guard.

“Now, Go forth, rest and sleep off your travel for tomorrow night, we will begin your assignments, as well your tests to solidify your positions in my guard.”

“Yes, your majesty.” few of the cadets replied.

“Alright children, dismissed,” Glacial Drop spoke up, “Captain Shield will escort you to your barracks, good night, good luck.”

“On me cadets, lets get settled in.” Midnight and the others followed their new Captain into the castle. He looked about as they filed into the castle, crossing the castle grounds, he saw the figures of veteran night guards, murmurs of their voices could only mean that they were talking about them.

“Man, never thought we will see the end of this introduction.” A bored cadet spoke aloud as the group entered the castle, “No kidding, can't imagine what the other cadets had to go through before being relived to their racks.” Midnight was getting lost in the surroundings of the large halls; they were quiet from the hustle of the day work, torches lit the halls. A pair of night guards were patrolling down the hall, they paused to watch the new cadets file by.

“Thought you were done foal sitting Pearly.” one of them commented, “Don't think I ever saw this many pile off the train.”

“Yeah, a very sweet crop to weed through.”

“Now whats that supposed to mean?” Jeraal's voice pipped up from the back of the column, “We got a decent chance at this as any pony that comes through here!”

“Calm your self cadet,” Pearly shield looked at the guards as he and the group passed; “If I am not mistaken you shouldn't be talking this much on duty guard and stop scaring my cadets, don't want any of them to desert during their first night here.”

“Yes, sir.” the vets laughed before turning back to their route, disappearing down the hall then made a left turn at the four way the group passed through.

Midnight smiled, He recalled the stiffness of the day guard during the one of two trips to this castle before joining, Not a word was spoken to any pony but yet, the night guard was different. The casual banter he just witnessed was probably just the tip of the iceberg of being a night guard here. His mind pondered on what else could be different in the night guard till he felt a nudge.

“Hey,” He shook the fog from his mind before looking over at Pedal Blow who had been walking along side him in the column. “Looks like you'll be right at home with this crowd.” she smiled slyly, “Of course, Can't really say if you'll last long here Nigh owl.”

“Oh really?” Midnight cocked a brow, “Let me be the judge of that.”

“More like, let me be the judge of that.” Captain Shield's voice butted in, “You all start as equals, no real way to determined who goes back to camp or stays here.”

“Then what about that test on the train Cap'em?” A Cadet in front of them asked joining in, “It was to determined where you will be posted, that's all.”

“So if I am correct,” Midnight pondered, “If some of us had advnced further on the train, the closer we will be posted to the Princess?”

“Something like that, but for now, lets worry about what you will be doing tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.” The converstions drifted away from the topic but all voices were at a dull murmer while the cadets were escorted to the barracks on the same floor as the other guard barracks. However, anypony present could tell that each barrack was represented by a large set of double doors. Every twenty hooves or so there was a set of these doors.

“Listen up Fillies and colts,” The captain finally stopped at the set of double doors, “This is home for the time being, any of you that passes the tests will be given proper personal quarters upstairs.” He opened the doors into a no doubtably a more decorated version of their training barracks. Midnight could only sum up the scene by putting a hotel's funiture in a long room ment for soldiers.

The beds, were simply basic but, upon sitting on it, very comfotable. The cobble stone walls and smooth wooden flooring gave the cadets a more home feeling when each of them began to settle in.

“Oh yeah, before any of you get too comfortable, I should-” the captain padded himself, looking for something. “-Oh great where is it?”

“Cadet fencer, your partner will be cadet Smoky-” Jeraal had snuck around the captain, he had swipedthe the clip board with the cadets names on them, “-oh and look at this, hey, Midnight, your parner will be-” the captain swipped the board from the changling before he could read the name aloud.

“Thaank you cadet, but that would be my job, now-” he cleared his throat, “This little postage will show you who will be your partners.” he spoke rasing the board, “Not a hundred percent pernament mind you, you all will be reassigned as the nights go on.”

He organized the sheets onto a note board near the front door of the barracks before turning back to the growing huddle of cadets. “Now that I got you all here, I should take my leave, feel free to read who you will be working with and maybe rearrange your bunks before crashing for the night.”

By now he was standing at the front doors, He stayed a few mineuts to awenser a few questions, like directions around the guard floor of the castle, were the armory was and so on.

As he bid the cadets a good night, the cadets began to loosen up from all the formalites.

“Sweet Celestia,” Midnight grumbled as he found an empty bed to dumb his belongings off on, “Never thought that shit will end.”

“Right?” The voice caught him off guard as he snapped a look over at the neighboring bed. Cadet Pedal blow was unpacking her gear and belongings. “Did you read the postages yet?” She asked looking up at the colt who cocked his thinking.

“III don't think so,” he admitted as he removed his armor to place at the foot of the bed.

“Was going to unpack before headin' up there to read it.”

“Well, no need.” Pedal smiled, “I can already tell you who your stuck with.”

“Who?”

“Me.”

“Wha-?” he blinked, “You sure?” He hurried up to the note borde to scan the pages, “Oh, I guess you're right then.” Midnight smiled sheepishly before returning to his bed.

“Told ya,” she shrugged, “Guess we will be working with eachother for a while then?”

The Colbalt blue Colt nodded as he sat on the bed, “Yep, SO, partner, gonna take the chance to venture around the castle, getting familiar with the grounds?" He thought that would be the better suggestion compared to seeing to going on a venture to locate the mess hall.

"Nah, I'm just going to chill here and maybe just get some sleep." She looked up from her bags, "You should too, but that would be hard to ask huh night owl?" Midnight simply shrugged, "Not really, still heading out, just hope I don't lost out there."

"Oh please," A nosy Changeling butted in, "It is really hard to get lost in this place."

"And you would know Loveless?" Jeraal twitched when Pedal addressed him by his training name, "Have you ever been here before?"

"Ehhhh, once or twice-"

"So no?"

"Yeah..."

The three chatted for a bit before Midnight Star excused himself before heading down the hall. He felt eyes on him for a minuet or so before exiting. Pedal, as well half the remaining cadets took to their beds. However a few remaining cadets stayed up either chatting with their fellows or, in the case of one cheeky Changeling, was quietly pulling a few equally curious ponies aside.

"Say, Who's here a gamblin' pony?" he asked quietly, "Depends on who's askin'" one of the three replied. "Oh, just wondering if anyone care to take up a small wager on who will pair up before the tests are done."

"Kinda leaving it open," haggled one of the cadets, "who do you have in mind?"

"Oooh, no pony in particular." grinned the love changeling before pulling a bit pouch up, "I'll start with five."

Chapter III

The next night, the cadets were given access to the armory for not only weapons and their shield attachments to their armor; but to collect other supplies as well: traveling supplies, like camping gear, rope and basic tools; Of course, now that everypony had a chance to collect their share, they set their gear aside with their names on them for the various ventures outside the castle.

In Midnight Star's case, he took his share of the supplies as well picking up his standard issue weapons; his melee weapon of choice was an Eagle claw War hammer picked for the diversity of uses in combat. Next was his ranged weapon, now, unlike most would think bows and crossbows were the only weapons of choice, gun powder weaponry and/or modern weaponry was available for guard ponies to utilize in defense of the kingdom; So he chose an M1 Carbine for it's compact size and moderate magazine capacity, as well the short to mid range power it packed in a fight. However, Midnight didn't feel the need to carry both weapons for his first assignment tonight.

Once he and his new partner were ready, like the rest of the cadet guards, they were assigned to a guard post for the night.

"Cadets Midnight Star and Petal Blow," Their Captain addressed them as they were heading out of the barracks, "You two will be stationed at the doors of the Castle library." Midnight felt a little cheated that they were given such a simple post, yet, he concluded that it would be better to start off easy. Soo, no complaints came from him.

"Yes, sir, sounds like a quiet night for us." Petal spoke for the two with a nod though she didn't see the quick smirk on their captain's face before he spoke again, "A quiet night indeed, good night and good luck guards."

After a short detour later, the guard cadets found themselves standing at the doors of the Canterlot Library. The halls were well lit for visitors, about a half hour into their shift, a tour group of school foals, led by their teacher came down the halls, noisily. "Right this way folks." Midnight smiled to the guests as he and petal blow opened the doors for the school foals. As they filed in the two cadets could not but notice the children wondering off in separate directions.

"Don't wonder to far," their teacher called out to them, "And stay close to a friend." she then turned to the cadets, "Thank you kindly." she then looked at them again before she could go inside, "Say, you're wearing cadet armor." she observed. "Yes, ma'am, we're both new here." Midnight bowed lightly.

"In fact its our first night," Petal Added cheerfully; "Oh good, it's wonderful to see some new faces around here, I wish only the best for you." she smiled sweetly before vanishing into the library. The teacher was not the only pony to comment to the cadets among the few words of encouragement passed to them, one retired guard had exchanged words with the two before heading out.

Soon, while the late night visitors began to leave, a visitor came running around the corner, she saw the cadets. "Oh good, found some pony, please need help with something." she spoke to the both of them. "What's the problem ma'am?" Midnight asked.

"My child, she wondered out into the garden and I can't find her, I need one of you to come help me." The two looked at each other before petal raised a hoof, "I'll go with you," she stepped forward, "It might wont be easy just to tell you now," she warned walking with the mare, "With it getting dark it'll be harder to find any pony out there."

The mare thanked the guard before they vanished down a hall, Midnight felt that he should of stayed put but, he was also told that he shouldn't leave his post for nothing unless there was somepony else to hold his position. However, that changed when the teacher emerged, she looked frazzled with her glasses askew, "Guard, oh thank Celestia, I need your help." she gasped,

"Ma'am, calm down," Midnight raised a hoof to her, "Now, what is the trouble?"

"I didn't realize the time and I had to gather my class, three of my children are still somewhere in the library." she looked behind her to some noise in the open door, "Can you help me?" she asked hopefully.

Midnight looked down the hallway Petal blow had went with the mare, then looked back to the teacher, "Of course, I'll do what I can to help get your children back to your group, I'm pretty sure their families are probably worried about their foals." Midnight, though reluctant, went with the teacher.

"Now, to find those-" When he entered the library, he looked at the massiveness of the library; three stories of shelves of books for the general public, a fourth sectioned off for adults only. Midnight's eyes only widened at the sheer size of each floor, "-kids." he drifted off before being pulled back to reality, "I'll wait here with my class." the teacher spoke returning to her class of six students.

"Got it, How many are still out there?" Midnight asked while still gawking at the seemingly endless cavern of shelves and books. "Three, One earth colt, a unicorn filly and a Pegasus filly," the teacher described as she too looked on at this cave of knowledge, "They were all last seen on the second floor and do be careful guard, they can be mischievous."

The cadet smiled proudly, "Be at ease ma'am, it won't be nothing I can handle!" he boasted before a passing librarian brought a hoof up to her lips, Shhhh!

"Sorry." Midnight proceeded into the library, quietly. When he had fallen out of ear shot of the group, "Think he has any idea about the three?" asked one of the students, "Nnnope." The teacher replied nonchalantly shaking her head.

Midnight got lost a couple of times until he remembered the map of the library posted through out the floors, just encase fools like him would get lost. Venturing to the second floor, Midnight began to look around for the children. "Where are ya little shits?" He grumbled quietly as he weaved and turned around book shelves upon book shelves.

He stopped to ask a few patrons if they had seen any of the foals running around, nothing till- "Oh yeah, seen the filly unciron run that way and to the left."

"Thank you, sir."

He fallowed the directions but still couldn't find the little colt, “Damn it, where are you?” he quietly asked aloud before taking another turn through the maze of book shelves. However, as he made another random left, he caught sight of the filly taking off down an isle then vanished around the corner.

“Piss...” Midnight hurried down the isle, he looked both ways once at the end. A few mineuts had passed when Midnight finally caught sight of the filly, well, her rump vanishing around some book shelves. “hold it!” he called out before a SHHHH! came from somewhere close by. “Sorry!” he quietly apologized before hurrying down the isles.

Making a random left, he spotted the unicorn standing at the opposite end of the book shelf isle.

“Hey, Hold it right-”

“Catch!” the filly jerked her head to the side while Midnight looked up to some noise and failed to move out from under an avalanche of books that must have been held up by the unicorn's magic. There weren't that many, well, not enough to bury Midnight alive with, but enough to stop the cadet in his tracks. Doffing books from his body, a final book fell on his helmet with the pages still open. only one word filled his vision as it slid down:

NOOB! was stenciled on the pages.

“That, rotten, little brat.” he twitched as the book fell to the floor. He got up to run after her with only the filly's giggles was all he needed to follow her. It was with difficulty to keep up, he forgot how it was like to run with out a suit of armor to weigh him down. Midnight cursed as he dodged another book trap, this time it was a rain of books from both sides of the isle as they tumbled, or more accurately yanked, from their shelves.

“Do try to keep up guardy!” mocked the filly as her giggles faded off to midnight's right.

“I'll do more than that...” he growled as he turned around, however, as he tried to hurry back down the isle he tripped into the pile of books. A peep of a yelp followed by a quick tumble he crashed into a patron, well, her cart of books.

“What in Celestia's mane?!” she recoiled as she saw a night guard knock the cart over, spilling it's contents over him as well the floor. When the dust settled, he lifted his head up from an open book, he looked down at what buried his face when, “wha-?” the few pictures on both pages resembled various rutting positions. “Oh, is this your-.” he clapped the book closed seconds before the earth pony mare yanked the book from his hoof, “-Believe that is mine!” she snapped, a tint of blush flashed across her face as she collected her questionable books off the floor.

“Sorry about that ma'am.” He said apologetically before taking off down the isle, his helmet hid the blush that covered his blue coated face. “Like wise.” was the reply from behind him.

After that little set back, Midnight had to re-track the filly from where he had last heard her to wherever she might be now. Which, to his surprise, didn't take long. He saw the bight colored filly from far away as she stood outside another row of shelves, her horn glowing; obviously she didn't notice him as she must have been busy setting up another trap.

Midnight pondered on who would have to come through here to clean this up as well disarm whatever traps this little brat as well whatever hoofywork done around this cave of wonders.

“Oh no you don't.” He whispered as he weaved through a couple of rows of book shelves.

It didn't take him long to sneak up closer to the isle the filly was working hard in, Midnight was glad that she was taking her time to set this battery of traps. She took a rope end in her mouth, let alone where she got the rope in the first place. Her horn glowed keeping the net suspended while she tried to tie the rope off to set the trap.

Seeing that she had her attention was focused on the trap, Midnight took the chance to sneak around the shelves, when he peeked around the corner, he could see the filly backing up while keeping eye contact on the trap. He took this moment to look up at what she had set up-oh sweet Luna, what is that?!

Midnight's eyes widen in shock as he noticed that this trap was more like death in a net. The shevles on both sides of this isle were completely empty. This little filly was really busy; Time to end this. Midnight crept around the corner then up behind the filly.

As she backed up to him; one, two, three! He grabbed her at waist and hoisted her off the ground, “Gotcha!”

“Halp!” she squeaked; both ponies were interrupted by a librarian poking her head through the empty book shelves, “SHHHHH!” was all she emitted with a shaking hoof before disappearing into the shelves.

Blinking, Midnight's focus was drawn back to the squirming filly now in his hooves. “Let me go!” she fretted as she tried to pull the earth pony's hooves off of him. “I don't think so, now, stop or I will drag you back to your teacher kickin' and screamin'” Midnight waited while the flailing child finally let her self slack in his grasp.

“Fiiine.” she groaned.

“Good, now-” he set her down, who only turned around sadden staring at his hooves. “-Tell me, where are the rest of your friends?” he was stern with her, trying to put on a air of authority over the filly who only looked up at him with a raised brow trying not to crack a smile at the cadet.

Taking a deep breath, “Well, Let, me see,” the unicorn filly mused perking back up, “I can tell you where they are, however,” she looked at the bit pouch hanging from his belt. Midnight was suddenly reminded how pampered and spoiled the foals were in the upper parts of this city. Like parents like children.

“It'll cost you, how much do you have?” she asked slyly, but her expression faded when she looked up at the deadpan gaze of the cadet.

Midnight Star was not amused.

“Nice try little lady,” he stared her down, the look on the little mare's face was that of elegant shock; “Now, back to your teacher.” he pointed a hoof towards the lobby a floor below, “Don't get any ideas-” he leaned closer at the filly, “-I will be watching!”

she regained her posture after almost cowering under his demeanor, “Tch, fine, I see how you like to do things the haard way.” she turned around to trot away, with her nose up and tail raised like a little baroness making her way to the grand gala ball.

After the child had dropped out of ear shot, “pampered little prat.” he grumbled before he carefully walked on, avoiding the trip wire to the book trap.

Once at the railing of the floor, he looked around, scanning the floors for any foal movement. However, his ears twitched when he heard what sounded like a tiny puff of wind, “huh-?” he then felt the rather hard impact of something that knocked his helmet askew.

Blinking in surprise, he looked up to see the small blur of somepony vanishing in the third floor. “The Tartarus was-” he reached up to feel something wet slide down his helmet, “-that...” he pulled the spit wad off his helmet then flicked it aside.

After adjusting his helmet, “First books, now spit wads.” he murmured as he waded his way towards the stairs leading up to the third floor, “Whats next? Random crazy shit only Daring Do would come up with?” he was getting annoyed with these troublesome foals, however, he should feel sort of better that he at least caught one of them.

Once he had made it to the third floor, with the up most caution of course, he looked around to find no pony up here. It would figure though, with the hour waning well into the night, Possibly towards midnight, that there would be hardly no patrons up here. Unless you can count the young couple dashing off into the secluded parts of this little library, a bold but romantic act of defiance to stay in the castle during the after hours.

Getting lost in images of him and a mystery mare doing something like that, something struck the side of his head knocking his helmet off, the sound of the metal helm clanging against the polished flooring echoed, a distant SHHHHH! was the sudden reply. Cursing himself for getting lost in a far fetched fantasy, Midnight reached down to collect his helmet when he saw the book that had struck him.

DWEEB! was written in pink highlight ink across the covers.

“Seriously,” he stood staring down at the book, “What do these little foals have against-” his thought was interrupted by what felt like a bee sting across his face. Recoiling, he bumped against the railing when he herd giggling from somewhere close by.

“-Never mind,” he replaced his helmet on his head, a red mark grew across his muzzle, “These little punks are going down!” he spoke with determination before turning towards the book shelves, off in the distance, he eyed the duo take off in a puff of dust down a set of isles. “Halt in the name of Sisters!” he called out; a librarian emerged from around a row of book shelves. She was about to shush him when- “Can it sister, I'm workin' here!” he stuffed a random booklet in her mouth as he ran by. He missed the perplexed look on her face when she stood there with the packet of printed paper in her mouth.

Once he made it to the other side, his chest heaved from the gallop. Scanning around, he caught sight of the pegasus filly turning the corner in a flap of wings, “Hurry, he's coming!” she announced. Midnight didn't comment as he tore off down the isle; however, as he tore around the corner, something caught his eye, no, literally, something had struck him square in the eye.

He yelped in pain as his earth pony strength carried the momentum into a barricade of books.

When he finally came to a stop under the wreckage of books, he herd the foals laugh at him. “Loser,” the earth pony colt mocked, “You can't-” a hoof shot out from the pile,

“-Catch you?” midnight's hoof grasped the clumsy colt as he squeaked in surprise as the cadet held on to the flailing foal.

“Run!” the colt cried, “Save your self!”

“Let him go!” the Pegasus took a shot at the cadet with her spit wad straw, the shot only went splat against his armor as the cadet's blue eyes glared at the filly who could only manage a “Nnna-nope!” she turned with a rather impressive flex of her wings that propelled her far into the air, she flew up into the floating book cases suspended by passive levitation magic devices.

Emerging from the books, he lifted the colt off the ground. “Put me down!” he snapped. The cadet simply stood his ground till the colt stopped flailing about; the colt may have been an earth pony like him, but the cadet was twice a strong compared to the little ball of muscle trying in vain to break free.

“Dooh, alright...” the colt went limp, “You win.” Midnight gently set the colt down, “Game is over little one,” Midnight looked towards the lobby far down below, “Get back down stairs and stay with your teacher.”

“Yes, sir...” the little pony wondered away towards the stairs.

“Now,” he turned towards the floating book cases, “two down, one-” as he turned his gaze upward a blink of white pinged against helmet. As the spit wad slid down the nasal cover of his helmet, “- To go.” wiping the wad off, he took off through the floor book cases to locate one of the ladders leading up to the floating book cases.

When he finally came to one, he gauged the height of it. “Oh Boy...” he awed. Shaking the nervousness off, “I can do this, I, can do this.” he breathed before he started to climb up. Midnight ran the phrase Don't look down, through his head as he placed one hoof after another up the ladder.

His eyes scanned around to catch a rather surprised Pegasus filly before she flew up around another book case, hiding in plain sight of course.

“HEY,” Midnight called, “Why, don't you fly back down to the floor before, somepony gets hurt!” He paused mid climb to glance back down, “Or I get hurt for that matter.” he mumbled before hearing, “IN a million years pal!” from above.

“Huh?” he looked back up to only brace for another facebook which had the word

DWEEP! printed on the pages; he dropped the book as it thump on the ground below.

“You sorry little brat, get your sorry flank back here now!”

“Such language!” the filly's voice harassed followed by an audible puff.

“So says you, you little-” he was interrupted by something hitting his other eye. The shock almost made him let go of the ladder but he held on for dear life. He gently pulled the spit wad out of his eye, he felt the eye lids almost swell shut.

“Grrreat.” he grumbled before he came close to one of the floating book cases.

“What now guard?” she asked from behind another book case, “Can't really fly after me, now can you?”

“Don't remind me!” He then saw the cream colored filly pop up to shoot another spit wad at him. He slight of handed a book to use as a shield before he chucked the book back, “Catch this kid!”

“Whoa!” she dipped back down out of sight; to midnight's amazement, he watched the thrown book hit a shelf of books causing a small row of books to fall. “Hey, hey! Not cool colt, not cool!” her young voice snapped. Midnight watched as the filly fluttered back towards the third floor.

“Finally...” he gapsed before climbing back down.

It took him a lot longer to climb back down than it did to get up; however, when he finally made it, he felt something bite him on the plot, “Holy!” he hopped around from the spit wad striking him. That really didn't feel right at all...

When he turned around, he glared at the filly who's eyes widened as she took off down a row of books. “Its almost over midnight, lets end this.” Midnight said to himself as gave chase.

After running a maze of book cases and shelves, he was gaining on the filly. Unlike earth ponies, Pegasi were not the fastest of runners. “Just stop now before the library closes!”

“Neva!!” she used her wings to slingshot her self over a barricade of books then into a bunker where she proceeded to unleash a barrage of spit wads at the cadet. Midnight dove for the floor to crawl under the suppression fire.

As he stopped at the barricade, he remembered the shield attached to his armor, “Enough!” he sprang to his hooves to bring the shield down. The impacts were light but weren't nothing to the shield.

He charged through the barricade, scattering books in every direction before closing the gap.

Once in range, he raised his shield to dive into the bunker, “Get over here!”

The filly yelped when the cadet crashed into the book bunker, “Gotcha!” he stood atop of the heap of books holding the filly by the scruff of her neck. Before he could admire the victory, a librarian appeared.

“ShHHHHHHHHH!” Both ponies blinked at the mare before she turned to walk away after an exaggerated “humph!”

“Sweet Luna, I can't even enjoy a victory today can I?”

“Nope!”

“Shush it you.”

The little filly shot a raspberry at Midnight as he set the foal down, “Now, lets go down stairs to get you home. Your parents are probably worried about you.”

“Well, Mom would be.” the Pegasus rolled her eyes.

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“Nothinnnng,” she turned to walk back to the stairs, “Lets see how well you did today.”

“Saaay what?”

“Oh, you'll see.” she smiled gleefully

A few minuets later, the cadet and his captive came up to the librarian's desk, he stopped in mid step as the little filly trotted up to his Company commander and his Captain, “Wha-?” he blinked as the captain jotted a few notes down on a clip board.

“So, how well did he do?” he asked the Pegasus who took an extra minute to think.

“Ummmm, Well, he was very observant, he did loose his patience at one point but he kept his cool during the whole test.”

Wait, what? TEST?! his mind barked

“Um, test, sir?” Midnight finally approached the group, his brain was flipping a table at this point out of angry confusion.

“Yes Cadet, this whole search could have been a team effort between you and Petal Blow,” the captain explained as he tucked the clipboard under an arm.

“You understand that this will not be easy to pass every test that comes up cadet,” the company commander spoke up finally, “If you feel you can't handle it, inform us now,” after a short pause, Midnight didn't hesitate to think.

“Sir, this was nothing,” Midnight replied, “There isn't much I won't handle in the weeks to come and quitting is not one of my goals in becoming a guard.”

Both officers nodded in approval, “Very good cadet, Now, back to your post.”

“Yes, sir.”

When the guards turned to leave, they could hear the school foals praise and cheer their three brave participants in midnight’s test.

“Way to go guys!”

“You gave that newbie a run for his bits!”

“Even the C.M.C. Would be proud of your skills out there.”

The Pegasus floated above the small group, “ah, it was nothin'” she smiled broadly with hooves tucked behind her head, “Just did what we do best.”

“Of course, we could of done better if we weren't in the library.” the snobby unicorn admitted as she trotted over to her teacher.

“Next time, I'll bring my sling shot, then the next cadet would be in trouble then!” the Earth colt boasted buffing his little chest.

The rest of the praising came to a slow stop when the teacher finally got their attention.

“Alright children, we should be on our way, we have to let our guards get back to work.”

Midnight smiled to hear the cheerful foals filed out of the library, maybe this job will not be so bad after all. “Hey,” He looked to see the Pegasus had fluttered over to him, “You put up one heck of run.” she complemented bringing a hoof up to him. Midnight couldn't help but take back the things he thought as well have spoken out of frustration towards her and her friends. They were just doing what they were recruited to do.

“Sorry about the eyes though, didn't mean to get you that good.”

“Don't worry, just something to remember you by for a few days.” Midnight gave the filly a hoof bump.

“The names True shot.” she introduced her self.

“Midnight Star,” the cadet replied with a weary smile; after all, the adrenalin was finally wearing down so he could feel the complaints through out his body. Just another byproduct of being a guard.

“Better get goin' before you get left behind.” Midnight pointed towards the vanishing class.

“Oh shoot, you're right!” she lifted her self off the ground, “Say, my mom has a shop in town, you should come by,” She explained to the cadet.

“Of course, when I am off duty i'll try to come by, what is the name of the place?”

“Hey, True shot, come on!”

The pegesus filly snapped a glance at the door, “Oh shoot! Well, better get goin'”

“Wai-where is-” before midngiht could say another word, the filly took off in a flap an a bound towards and out the double doors, “Wait up for me guys!” she called after them.

“kids...” Midnight shook his head, he'll just have to find this place on his own later.

When the guards stepped outside the library, Midnight watched as a group of poines approach. He noted his rather beat up Partner staggering back to her spot next to the library door. “Holy Sun, what happened to you?!” Midnight looked petal Blow up an down as she plopped on her haunches, her dazed eyes stared into space.

“That, that little filly.” she wobbled, “Traps, brush, paint, explody bits, pit falls-” her words drifted away into inaudible nonsense.

“I, had no Idea my Daughter was that crafty!” the child's mother admitted right away as she turned to the test reocrder, who was finishing a note on the clip board. “Either way, she did her job well,” the noncom noted as he glanced at the mother.

“It was fun tormenting the guard.” The amused child smiled broadly as she bobbled her head to a victory tune in her head.

“Indeed, we think It was, rather entertaining.” A familiar regal voice joined in, Midnight looked over to see Princess Luna standing slightly tall over the rest. With trained politeness Midnight gave the princess a short bow, “Milady, did you oversee the test?” he asked standing up straight.

“Oh nay, I was merely about to Enter a dream when this poor dear fell before me,” The princess gestured to petal who only had a quiet groan of pain to reply with, “all due thanks to this little pony's cleverness.” she smiled to the little filly who almost pranced in giggling glee.

“If I may say though,” she looked to the company commander and Captain Pearly Shield, “She didn't really see the obvious traps, however the Cadet did express determination and will power towards finishing the test and catching the child and that itself is enough to pass.” The officers nodded, “Very well then, If her highness agrees that Cadet petal Blow passes, she passes.” It was wise not to argue with any of the royals.

“Good news Ser Glacial, now If thouest can excuse me, I shall return to tending the dream scape.” the Alicorn nodded to the guards who all bowed in return, “Your majesty.” They said respectfully. petal Plow on the other hoof didn't even process the formalities as she simply thumped against the floor. Luna chuckled at the exhausted cadet before taking her leave down the hall and out of sight.

The mother and her child bowed to the princess before taking their leave a minuet later.

“Cadets, You did very well,” Pearly shield turn to looked between the two, “You both took your first test in stride,” Midnight glanced at his partner before lifting her back onto her hooves, well, she leaned against him after a minuet of standing on her own.

“Tell you what, I'll pull some pony from somewhere else to take your place, you two are relived for tonight so you can rest for your real duties tomorrow night.”

“'Real duties', sir?” Midnight asked as Petal shook her head, recovering her sanity.

“Yes, Midnight, You'll be given your first real duty tomorrow night.” Glacial Drop looked at the two with a cocked brow, he stayed silent while the captain spoke to the cadets. One would only wonder what the commander was thinking.

“Cadets,” Pearly addressed the two, “Dismissed.”

“Thank you, sir.” Midnight then glanced to petal, “You going to be fine walkin' back?”

“Yeah, yeah, just mind the spuds...” She wasn't all there still midnight thought.

“Alright, lets go.” and the beaten duo limped back to the barracks. However, before they could leave, they both paused to hear a loud crash followed by a surprised shriek. “I think the librarian found the Unicorn's book trap.” Midnight commented.

“The wha-?” Petal looked back behind them as they both could hear inaudible cursing through the doors.

“Don't worry, lets get going.”