"What do you think the captain wants?" My brother Atlas asked.
"He probably just wants to know something. What do you think Thasus?" Orion asked me.
"I agree. He probably just wants an update on whats been going on in the bay." I told my brothers.
When I say "Brothers" I mean literally. The three of us are triplets, a rare occurrence in Equestria. My brother Atlas is an Earth Pony, he may not be the smartest out of the three of us but he has an uncanny sense of direction, and his Cutie Mark is a globe wrapped with cloud wings being held up by a horseshoe. Orion is a Pegasus, undoubtedly the fastest, quietest, and stealthiest of us three, his Cutie Mark is a winged vertical blade with three stars on it. My name is Thasus, I'm a Unicorn, and my Cutie Mark is a plasma ball surrounded by what appears to be three curved overlapping claw blades. Other than our Cutie marks and racial features we look and sound exactly the same, Coat: Charcoal Black, Mane & Tail: Maroon Red with brighter red streaks, Eyes: Blue.
We are all members of the Royal Guard in Canterlot, which is just a specific Garrison of the Equestrian Guard. My rank is Corporal, Orion and Atlas are both Private First Class'. We were just Relieved of our posts in the Canterlot Gardens to go speak with the Captain of the Royal Guard Shining Armor. We all walked into his office single file and then stood side by side at attention.
"You called for us sir?" I asked giving a salute.
"I did, At ease. You and your brothers have been reassigned to a different Garrison."
"Where to sir?" Atlas asked.
"The Forest of Leota Watchtower." He answered.
I could tell that inside our heads we all shouted, "WHAT?!" But instead I calmly asked, "The Southern Boarder?"
"Yes Corporal Thasus, you are going to travel there to assist the Guard with there duty's at the watchtower.".
"Are we going to be the only Guards headed out there?" Orion asked.
"For now yes. I need to find a few more Guards who are willing to go out there. The reason you're going alone for now is that they need a resupply and you're taking that with you when you pass through Las Pegasus. You will report 1st Sargent Stonewall at the tower when you get there."
"When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow. Now go pack your bags, dismissed." He instructed. We all gave him a salute before we turned and left the room.
"This is just perfect. We all thought it was hard taking care of father now, what are our sisters gonna do now that were gonna be a whole continent away?" Orion asked irritated.
"We let Obsidia, Althea, Rose Petal, and Bliss handle it, they all have well paying jobs. With the four of them plus our Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles: He'll be well taken care of, but we can still help by sending them Bits." I reassured him.
"If you say so brother."
So we packed our bags, walked down to the Armory and traded in our Royal Guard Uniform for a new sets of Standard Guard Armor. The Canterlot Armor is more formal, where the standard armor is more geared towards combat. From there our day continued on as usual, we went for a run around the track, read some books in the library, had dinner, and then we went to bed.
The next morning we had to get up early for the trip. I helped my brothers put there new armor on then we joined the Captain for breakfast. He gave us our orders and the train tickets. After early breakfast we then went to the train station and boarded the train to Las Pegasus. The three of us slept in on the train nearly the whole way. When we arrived in Las Pegasus it seems that we were expected.
"Hello there, I'm the supply Supply Sergeant in charge of the supplies that go to the tower." He said enthusiastically.
"I'm Corporal Knight Gaze." He introduced myself.
"I'll have your supplies ready in an hour. You three just relax and get ready for your trek through the forest." He said getting back to work. We waited as instructed, and sure enough the wagon was ready in an hour. "Now listen, Here is a map it only shows the route your taking. If you stray from the path your on your own. You should be able to make it there by the time the sun sets tomorrow. If your not there by then the tower will start searching for you. Is all this understood?" The Sargent explained.
"Yes, Sargent." Atlas answered taking the map.
"Good, now get out of here."
The three of us headed out, the walk through the San Palomino Desert was miserable despite our Guard training and all the water we had. We took turns pulling the wagon full of supplies as we pushed on all night through the desert. The next day, midday came and we were entering the forest. The wood on the trees was dark it, almost black. The leaves were also a dark sickly green, there were brambles everywhere, fallen trees, old logs. It was obvious why the Captain had trouble finding guards to come here, this place looked dangerous.
"How far are we from the Watchtower Atlas?" Orion asked.
"About a mile and a half."
"Good, I'm exhausted from dragging this wagon so far." Orion complained.
*CRACK*
"Did you two hear that?" I asked them.
"No, the sleep exhaustion is getting to you." Orion told me. we continued on for a while longer. We could see the top of the tower over the trees from where we were at.
*CRACK*
"Okay, I heard that one." Atlas said stopping to look around.
*CRACKING*GROWL*
"What is that?" Orion asked.
Before I could answer him, Timberwolves crept out of the trees and surrounded us, "Hey Atlas?"
"Yeah?" He answered.
"How far?"
The Wolves kept growling and snapping there jaws at us.
"Three fourths of a mile. Why?"
"Orion? Do you think you can fly the cart the rest of the way?"
"I'll need a clear path to take off, and I'll need you to lighten the load with your magic." He told me.
"On three we move.... One.... Two.... THREE!" I threw up a protection barrier as Atlas and I got in the wagon. The Timberwolves lunged and slammed into the barrier. Orion started running to gain liftoff. Once the Timberwolves were behind us I dropped the magic barrier.
"Come on!" Atlas yelled nervously as the Timberwolves snapped at the back of the wagon where He and I were.
Orion started to lift off the ground, and as he did, I enveloped the wagon with a telekinesis spell to take the weight off Orion. We were airborne and picking up speed. As we flew through the trees, the Timberwolves were getting farther away.
"I'm gonna have to set down just outside the Tower, make sure the wagon's breaks engage so we don't crash." Orion said having trouble staying in the air.
"I'm starting to set the wagon down. Atlas, get a hold of the breaks and hold on tight."
As the wagon touched the ground. Atlas pulled on the emergency break. As the walls of the tower got closer it looked like we weren't gonna be able to stop in time. Luckily Guards descended from the tower and helped us slow down. They helped get us inside the gate of the tower where it was safe. Our fellow Guards helped us unload the wagon while we waited for 1st Sargent Stonewall to come down form his office.
"Welcome to the Leota Guard Watchtower Guards." Stonewall said as he came down the stairs.
I looked up at the Sargent. "A pleasure to be here, you must be 1st Sargent Stonewall."
"Get those supplies stowed away!" The Stonewall barked at the other Guards, "Come with me you three." We followed as told, "I will admit that you surprise me. I thought that we would have to go looking for you out there in the forest. Some of the Guards were starting to take wagers on what happened to you."
"Really? What did you bet on First Sargent?" Atlas asked
"Oh just that the tree of you had gotten lost. Obviously I was wrong. Oh and you ca despense with the fancy formality titles, just call me by my name." The Stonewall answered as they started up the stairs to the barracks.
"Alright then Stonewall, who won the wager?" Orion asked.
"One of the Mare Guards stationed here. I will have somepony wake you all when dinner is ready and then your shift starts." He told us as we reached our Bay.
"Thank you." I said as Stonewall walked away.
We walked into the Bay and started to unpack our things. There was a Triple bunk bed on the end closest to the latrine, Orion got top bunk, Atlas Got bottom, and I got the middle bunk. We stored our gear in the lockers and then proceeded to crawl into bed for a nap.
Well were here. Now all their is to do is to get started, I hope this will be worth the danger. I fell asleep with those thoughts.
"Corporal wake up. Wake up Corporal. " A Mare Guardpony poked me in the back.
"What, what is it? " I said half asleep.
"1st Sargent Stonewall wants you up for dinner, we are to meet him in the Mess Hall."
"Right. Brothers! Wake up time for dinner." I yelled waking them up.
"I'm up." Orion flew down from his bunk.
"Five more minutes." Atlas groaned.
"No." I used my magic to flip him and his mattress onto the floor.
"Okay fine, jeez you don't have to be so rough." Atlas complained.
"Lead the way please Specialist." I said asking the Grey and White Pegasus.
She nodded and started towards door and down the hallway to the stairs, we followed.
"Whats your name Specialist?" I inquired.
"My name is Specialist Mist. By the way I'm the one who bet that you three would be able to get here."
"So your the one who won the wager?" Atlas asked.
"The Sargent told you about that huh?"
"Why wouldn't he tell us?" Orion asked as we started up the stairs.
"Well I told some of the other guards that it was insensitive to basically make bets on a life. That's why I made the bet I did."
"Well that was kind of you." I commented.
We walked up the stairs and to the mess hall in silence. I walked up to the food counter and grabbed a tray for my brothers and me, and used my magic to put food on the trays as we passed, Mist followed behind us.
"Thasus, Atlas, Orion, Mist! Come sit down over here." Stonewall waved us over to the table he was at with a few other guards. "You two scoot over so they can sit." He instructed to a pair of Guards.
"There something you wanted to discuss with us?" I asked as I sat down with my brothers and Mist.
"In a second. First I wanted to introduce the Guards that will you'll be working with until the rest of your platoon arrives. The fellow Unicorn Guard in front of you his name is Private 1st Class Hex."
"How you doing?" Hex said not looking up from his food.
Hex looked different. Hex had the Thestral eyes and curved horn. He looked half Unicorn pony and half Thestral pony.
"And the Pegasus next to him...." the Sargent continued. "...is his brother Lieutenant Ace." Ace actually looked up at us.
"Lieutenant?" Orion asked puzzled.
"I served as a Wonderbolt for three years before coming here. They let me keep my Rank." Ace explained.
"Private Hex, Specialist Mist, and Lieutenant Ace will be working with you from now, until your platoon gets here." Stonewall said.
"What's it like here?" Knight Gaze asked.
"Calm for the most part, other than the occasional Timber Wolf, and flying monkey at the top of the tower." Hex commented.
"Flying monkeys?" I asked not amused.
"Its nothing, we just have to shoo one away from time to time." The Stonewall said.
"No, I'm not buying it." I said taking a few bites of my dinner.
"Yeah me too." Atlas commented.
"Me three." Orion added.
"Not buying what? Ace said confused.
"'Flying monkeys' we're not buying it. We don't believe you that there are Flying Monkeys. I think you're messing with us."
"Fine, don't say we didn't warn you." Stonewall said, "For the first few days your all gonna be on Night Watch until the rest of the new guard platoon gets here. Ace, I want you partnered with Atlas. Hex is with Orion. Mist your with Thasus." Stonewall said.
"What! Why?" Hex asked.
"Because I want to start implementing a twenty-four hour watch on the forest." The Stonewall, "Since your duty doesn't start until a few hours after dinner, you all have the entire day to show them the ropes. I have paperwork to do if you'll excuse me." Stonewall got up and left the Mess Hall.
"So did you all pick this duty station, or were you Voluntold?" Ace asked.
"Voluntold." Orion answered.
"Welcome to the bottom of Equestria." Mist said.
"Your gonna love it." Hex said sarcastically.
"Well I guess we should show you around." Ace suggested.
The six of them got up and started touring the tower. There was the Officers quarters, Smithy, Physical Training Room, Medical Bay, and Recreation Lounge. Then there was the Library. Mist and I stayed there for the remaining time. Ace, Hex, Atlas and Orion went to the Physical Training Room.
While we were in the library Mist couldn't stop telling me all about herself. There was no one else in the library so we weren't worried about being loud. Whenever Mist asked me a question about my past I either told her as little as possible or deflected the question. Our few hours were up in no time.
We met up in the mess hall to divvy up the posts for the night, "Thasus, Mist, you two are going to take the Crow's nest. Hex and Orion, you are going to be taking the lower observation deck. Atlas and I are going to be at the gates. Any questions?"
"No." I told him.
"Then I guess there's no more stalling it, we better get get out there and relieve the guards so they can sleep." Ace said. We then made our way to the posts in the tower.
=================================
The Night Watch was extremely dull. Half the time Mist and I had to start doing laps around the deck to stay awake. The other half of the time we were waking each other up to do those laps.
Mist yawned, "How must time do we have left out here?"
I looked at the horizon to the east, "About an hour and a half before dawn." I told her with a tiered tone.
"Celestia needs to hurry up." Mist said with another yawn. She looked simply terrible, she could barely keep her eyes open.
"Just stay awake, once were done out here it's breakfast and then sleep."
"Yeeesss!" She said excited about breakfast and sleep.
I let out a chuckle.
"You know what it is I forgot to ask you at dinner?"
"What?" I asked not thinking that there was anything left to tell.
"Where is the rest of your family and friends? Mist said as she stumbled from exhaustion.
"Our family is in Vanhoover. As for friends, if I don't count my brothers I've never really had any." I answered.
Mist was awake now after hearing about that. "What do you mean that you 'never really had any'? Please explain."
"I don't really feel like explaining it right now. Lets just finish up here."
Mist didn't seen like that I wouldn't tell her why. We continued to watch the forest. Until the sun poked up over the horizon. Then two Guards came up and told us to go down for breakfast. We entered the mess hall and got our food, it was French Toast. Stonewall called us over, "Thasus, Mist good morning. How did it go?" Ace, Hex, and my brothers were already eating. They all stayed silent, because all four of them felt exhausted.
"It was miserable." Mist said annoyed, and the rest of us just nodded in agreement.
"Well I'm not surprised. I need to get to my desk I have some paperwork to get done." Stonewall got up and left.
We all spent breakfast in a awkward quiet. I knew all Mist wanted to hear was more of my story, and I'm sure Ace and Hex could feel her thinking about how to get it out of him or one of my brothers. Problem was that I didn't exactly trust her yet. So after breakfast we went to the barracks, Mist went to the Mare's quarters.
"Hey don't get too open with anypony here yet." I started telling my brothers.
"Why?" They asked in unison.
"Because we just met them. I don't want them to know everything about us if it turns out that they aren't as friendly as they seem."
"Alright then. But I think that this assignment will be better than we expected." Atlas commented.
"Besides Thasus, I think that Pegasus Mist has a crush on you." Orion laughed.
"Your hallucinating. Now go to bed. Good Day." I said getting into my bed.
"Good Day." Atlas said going to bed. I closed the blinds with my magic, and before falling asleep I thought to myself, Mist is kinda cute when she's overly curious.
