Book 2: Conflict Arises

The guard who was known as ‘Piercing Dart’ descended from the shadows of the ceiling revealing his true identity to Golden Arrow, his new squad mate. Golden examined him as he stood where he was. Piercing Dart was wearing a translucent armor that changed color with every light that hit it, his cutie mark was a dart piercing through a wall, Golden can see that he was a Unicorn also so at least they shared something in common. Dart’s coat was silver and his mane was black with silver streaks. He was the same height as Golden so that’s another aspect they shared.

Golden walked up to Piercing no words were spoken for a while, just complete silence filled the room. Golden cleared his throat being the first one to speak.

“So you are the Piercing Dart, is that your real name or are you just going with it.” Golden asked sitting down on Sunset’s throne.

“I wouldn’t be on there if I was you Golden Arrow and yes that IS my real name ironically the Princess of Friendship, the brains on that mare is astonishing but she guessed my name correctly.” Piercing found his missing Dart next to Twilight’s throne, levitated the item, then made it vanish.

“I know I shouldn’t be on this throne but our Princesses are busy at the moment so I don’t think they will care as much as you think Piercing. In addition to our Princesses I can say that was a good shot on Flash Sentry poor guy didn’t see it coming.” Golden made the arrows left from his battle with Sunset disappear from sight.

Piercing raised a brow, “How did you find out about that?” he asked.

“I know some guards that saw the whole thing and I know the guy but I’m pretty sure he’s down for the count right now still.” Golden looked in the direction of the hallway where Piercing took down Flash.

Piercing gave out a laugh, “Honestly I thought it will take more to bring him down, by what Princess Twilight said he’s a pretty hard stallion to bring down. I mean, I put about 20 darts into Bulk Biceps before he went down.”

Golden and Piercing shared their stories about their lives and got to know each other as best friends. Piercing showed Golden how to be hidden like he does so nopony can spot you but you can see everything around you. Golden tried that out when Sunset and Twilight returned. The two Princesses were talking while both Golden and Piercing were hidden in the shadows of the ceiling. They’re conversation however could make them be discovered because Golden was chuckling but held in most of it.

“All I’m saying if Pinkie Pie was ‘fixed’ maybe she can use her ‘logical’ powers for more useful things.” Sunset said sitting on her throne. Twilight didn’t seem to buy into it.

“Sunset you and I both know that Pinkie is Pinkie so to actually ‘fix’ her is impossible in more ways than one.” Twilight made a tea cup appear and began to sip on it.

“Well we could always send her to the therapist.” Sunset suggested.

Twilight hit her on the head for that. “No! Bad Sunset!”

“Ow!”

Golden couldn’t take it that was funny he burst out laughing. Piercing then silenced him by surrounding him in a magic translucent bubble.

Twilight and Sunset looked around for the source of the sounds of laugher as they were quickly silenced. Twilight shined a light source across the ceiling but found nopony in sight.

While the girls were searching both Golden and Piercing were in the same spot as they were before they didn’t move at all. Golden tapped Piercing once then whispered.

“Maybe we should reveal ourselves, I mean we do protect them.” Golden suggested about to jump down to the floor in front of the girls but Piercing stopped him.

Golden looked behind him and saw Piercing make a motion gesture to follow him. Golden and Piercing were right above Sunset, she was sitting on her throne and looked like she was bored out of her mind. Twilight was next to her laying against Sunset’s side.

Piercing then whispered. “Follow my lead.”

Golden nodded and followed him down to the floor behind the thrones. Piercing huddled against Sunset’s throne silently unheard by the mares. Golden hid behind Twilight’s throne, Piercing poked Sunset on the wing. She looked to Twilight who was embracing her on her side so she kissed her on the forehead and nuzzled her head.

Piercing then plucked a feather from Sunset which caused her to yelp in pain. Sunset then looked at Twilight, “Did you just pluck one of my feathers Twi?” Sunset asked as Twilight sat up to speak clearly.

“No I didn’t I think you just pinched yourself against the armrest of the chair is all.”

“No she didn’t” Piercing said coming out from behind Sunset’s throne holding one of her feathers.

Since Twilight and Sunset have never seen Piercing Dart they didn’t know who he was.

“Why hello who are you?” Twilight asked noticing that he wasn’t bowing respectfully.

“Pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Princess Twilight and Princess Sunset. My name is Piercing Dart, your Special Forces Squad Leader and your hidden guard.” Piercing stated bowing.

Both Sunset and Twilight froze in place. This guard was Piercing Dart their hidden protector, the one who took out Flash in just three hits.

Twilight stepped down from her throne and walked to Piercing. “Why did you paralyze Flash Sentry?”

“Princess Sunset’s orders.”

Twilight looked to Sunset, “I already explained this to you my love.” Sunset said shrugging.

Piercing then tapped on Twilight to get her attention. “Look Princess the reason why I didn’t show, well me is because that’s how I was trained.”

Twilight didn’t have a choice to believe him or not so she just went with it. “At least let me or Sunset know when you and or Golden are going to ‘blend’ in.” Twilight stated raising her hoof up.

“Of course…Golden did you get that?” He yelled out behind Twilight’s throne where Golden Arrow came out of.

“Yeah I got it Piercing I’ll be hidden so…” He teleported back to the shadows.

“So I have a question for you two actually.” Piercing said walking to Sunset who was now paying attention, Twilight followed him eager to know this question.

“Okay shoot.” Sunset said motioning him to say the question.

“Princess Luna my mentor always used a special phrase or word to call us for an assault or a stealth takedown. For an example, Princess Luna will say “Silent Strike” which means assault with stealth.” Twilight nodded in understanding along with Sunset.

“So you two will decide of what is our ‘special’ phrase or word to attack in a specific way. Don’t worry about Golden he’s listening.” Piercing said waiting for the mares to give him his order phrases.

Sunset stood up and said them clearly. “Keep “Silent Strike” as a Stealth Assault, “Mute” means Silent Takedown, “Hunt” means Kill Target, “Capture” means Hold down Target.”

Piercing was writing the phrases down, “Understood!” He saluted then disappeared.

Piercing was next to Golden this time. “Got all that rookie?” Golden looked at him as if he has gone insane.

“Yeah… I got it”

Sunset and Twilight began to walk outside to Ponyville. Piercing and Golden exchanged looks.

“Come on let’s move.” Golden said pursuing the mares.