Blood, Dirt and Steelby The_MechanicChaptersThe ArenaThe Aftermath.The AppointmentThe ArenaWow, what a day for a tournament today! Clear skies, a gentle breeze, and a nice, warm Sun. I'm going to have to thank the Lieutenant again, for letting me have this day off so that I can be with my family and my brother. There's just something about this that makes me feel...alive! The sound of honest combat, metal on metal, the sound of hooves scraping for purchase on the area floor. The smell of sweat, oil, and blood. The inner warrior sings to this song. I heard rumors of Princess Luna attending this years tournament, which is odd. Most of the Royal Guards have no interest in guarding "Nightmare", as some say in the locker room, they just check in for their shift and stay in the guards lounge. Many claimed that it should be the Solar Guard guarding her, but we don't see a reason that a "Solar" should be guarding the "Moon", she is a Princess in name only and has no power over us. It is then I hear Luna call out loudly. “Solar Commander Steadfast Ray. I am sorry to say that we will have to interrupt the scheduled fight you have prepared for us next.” Well, well, well, she did attend, and hiding in the shade no less. What is she up to? “Is there a problem, Princess Luna?” I can just make out what Commander Ray just said, being he is facing the side of us, and up to the Royal box. The bearers of the Elements of Harmony are up there with our Princess too. “Nay, my good sir,” Luna continued to announce loudly, “but an announcement has to be made. My sister has long been served by the Solar Guard, a military force devoted to her protection. I have decided to follow her example and so I proclaim now, before all of you, the formation of the Lunar Guard!” When she finished speaking you could hear the Royal pennants fluttering in the breeze. I looked over to my brother. "Did I just hear she wants her OWN guard?" "That's what I heard. I thought you Solar guards provided security for the both of them." "We were supposed to, but many, if not all, feel that they owe her no fealty, so we delegated this to the Royal Guard. We lived without her for over a thousand years, what's another decade or two.” "What the Tartarus is that supposed to mean? Did we not take the same oath as guards to protect them, and other ponies, or did something change when you left to become a Solar guard." I looked him straight in the eyes "Do YOU want to guard that NIGHTMARE" He looked between me and Luna a few times, then to my family, and back to me. "I really don't know. If it was my job, perhaps. She may not be a nightmare, she IS one of our Princesses, you do need to respect her" "By the holy light of Celestia, are you daft? You would guard the moon. It only brings out the wicked in ponies, those that can not stand the light of Her love. Look how she shies away from the light. LOOK!!!" Damn that Canterlot voice.... "This newly formed group will have to work hard to gain your respect to the same degree of the Solar Guard, so in order to begin on that long, hard road, I present to you my first initiate, to challenge in honored combat one of the members of the Solar Guard so he may prove himself.” “I bring before you, Raegdan, First Guardsman of the Lunar Guard!” "WHAT THE BUCK IS THAT!" Oh, you should have heard the arena. You would have thought that Discord himself just walked in. Everypony in my section was stating their displeasure of this Raegdan standing before us. This oddly shaped creature, standing erect on two legs. Covered in what appeared to be plate armor. Fool, how can you even move let alone fight with all of that bulk. "Klang" "Oh my Sun, that was hilarious. a rock, a simple rock nearly brought it down." Now why is it waving at our Sun, and not bowing? This Raegdan thing has no respect for our princess! Now what is it doing? Oh, finally bowing to the Sun. Bucker, it just picked up the same rock that hit him. Why is it holding the rock like that, is it praying or something, offering up the rock as a- "thud" There is a very distinct sound of a pony in their armor when they collapse. Luckily, the sounds of many hooves came to the aid of that stricken guard. I could see from my seat the dent in the chest plate of his armor. It was the size of my hoof. Can that thing have magic after all? it just looked like it was doing an offering dance with the rock in its hand, then bang, the guard goes down. I've just about had enough of this animal. First you disregard the Sun, you look like midnight incarnate, and then you attack a guard for no reason. Please Celestia let me get my hooves on it, and remove it from your beauty. “How dare you dispute the efficiency of my personal entourage! This will not stand! My Lunar Guardsman is twice as good, NO, thrice as good as any of your pitiful excuses for warriors! And we shall prove it here and now.” "Choose three of your best, one of each tribe. Raegdan shall face them in combat, all three of them against him at the same time.” I could almost make out the smile from Commander Ray, he knew what a chance he was being offered. I could see him scanning the arena for ponies. When he was rounding one side, I saw him signal another unicorn from the crowd. In a flash of light, the unicorn was three feet from the commander and saluting. He made is way over to the arms tables and began looking over the selections. He was nearing my seat and signaled my way, but above me. I turned around to see a pegasus mare in her Solar armor standing at attention. She nodded her head, saluted with her wing, and took off from her spot, only to land next to the unicorn at the arms tables. Damn, they passed me by. He signaled a earth pony about two sections to my left, one of last year’s initiates. The pony stood to salute but slipped on some hay fries, and slid down four rows of seats breaking a leg. I could hear the Commander’s face hoof from my seat. He shook off the incident and was about to move on, but he stopped. He snapped a one-eighty, and marched back my way. Our eyes met. He could see the desire of victory in them. I rose to my hooves, saluted. I turned to my mare and foal to give them a kiss. "Daddy will be back soon." “Ok, daddy,” my little angel says. “I love you.” My wife just nods, and smiles at me. She knows to trust me. "Watch your flank out there, Heavy." "I will, bro. I always do." Commander Steadfast Ray was waiting at the tables when I arrived. He looked at all of us. "Kill it! This "Lunar Guard" ends here, today, under Her Sun with our Princess watching. Show the Nightmare the error of her ways!" We all snapped to attention. "Sir, yes sir." No words were exchanged between us, just silent gestures, and nods of either acceptance or disagreement. I didn't know these ponies all that well, but we are the Solar guard. We are one. It was a odd choice for the unicorn, for he chose not to get any armor or weapons. He went over to the Commander and looked to mention something, which I could not hear. I guess the Commander agreed, and they saluted each other. My teammate then found a clear spot with some grass, sat down on all four legs, and closed his eyes. What a time to take a nap. It's then that I feel it in my hooves. He's meditating. I could feel his magic. This stallion must be good. If I can feel the vibrations from here, this Raegdan stands no chance. Hmm, what for me. Sword, no. Flail, nope. Warshoes, oh good, a full set. Let me just, Oh Yes, Daddy likes. Nice sharp edge, good weight. Yep, these will work. I can really feel the earth, that warm soothing feeling of trust. Something you can hold on to, and become a true pillar of strength to support the nation, a plinth, just like my mark. "Shlink, Shlink" Oh very nice! Our air support just chose a pair of what they call "slicers". Those shoes are made just for pegasi. Light, strong, and very, very sharp. I've seen what these things can do to manticores with a fast dive. Decapitation. They make griffin talons look like butter knives. I glance behind us to see it sitting back in the shade of a cloud talking to Twilight Sparkle before moving to the center of the arena. How does it know the Sun’s student, and the Elements? I can feel the throb of anger in my hooves and the earth responding, filling me with calm determination. 'Soon, my pony. Your time comes'. "Oh, hello lovely" I pick up a solid pickax, in my mouth. I give it a few test swings. Feels good. I trot over to a sparring dummy with some old Royal guard armor. Rearing back, and with a downward strike, I pierce the helm of the dummy. All six inches of the pick are embedded in the head of the dummy. Perfect. "Very nice, lets get to work" The pegasus came up beside me, admiring the number I did on the dummy. The unicorn was nodding his agreement on her right. "Yes, let get this over with." I turned so I was looking at the other two, we all nodded in agreement. A hoof was thrust out. "The Sun will Rise" Three hooves met together, in a sound of metal clop. "THE SUN WILL RISE" We moved as a unit to the far side of arena putting it between us and our Princess. I took up the center spot with the unicorn and pegasus as my flankers. Standard formation, as if taking down a manticore or some other beast. We had all been drilled in those extremely well those last few months. We were ready. It's time! We all looked up to Her beauty and bowed in unison. She is pure in her radiance. It will be an honor to remove this darkness from her sight. It stood there in its inky darkness looking like a spawn of Tartarus itself. It felt as if all of Her glorious light was sucked into the nothingness around it. I could not see its expression with that demonic helmet it wore, but it reeked of cockiness. The foul imagery on its armor sickened me. It proclaimed its evil allegiance for all of us to see. It was raising its upper legs, limbs perpendicular to its body, almost as if trying to summon another beast from beyond. The pegasus next to me smirked at the sight for some reason. Our Highness nodded, time to begin... By the time Her head came to a stop, the pegasus launched nearly vertical and was already preparing an attack run. I marveled at her speed. With just a few wing beats she was already behind it and coming down fast with the sun to her back. It suspected nothing. I nodded to the unicorn. He would stay back and snipe it from here with his magic. I gripped my ax in my mouth and charged into the fray. One from behind, and myself closing in from the front. We will mash it in middle. I slowed my run. I didn't want to chance those slicers getting into me. I wanted to time my hit just right. If she could stick it in the back and knock it down, I can come in and pierce the helm. All Glory to the Sun. With a sudden movement of its legs and arms, as if teleporting in place, I heard a loud "WHAP". How in the buck did it knock her out of the sky, it should have been blindsided! Dark magic. It has to be dark magic, nothing on Equis can move like that. The Nightmare had granted her creature with evil gifts. My turn... I rose up on to my hind legs and took a swing at the center of its body, only for it to step back, making me miss my mark. I pressed the attack on all four hooves. Damn that cursed metal disk, hiding behind it like a foal or moving like back like a coward. How does it move like that, was that armor enchanted to be as light as fabric? After my third hit to that disk, I felt the earth whisper "turn". On my next swing he dodged the ax, but I turned around on my front legs, and with all I could pull from the earth, I bucked it as hard as I could with my rear legs. I felt my shoes hit solid metal, and I pushed HARD, fully extending my legs as we were taught to, and followed through the buck. I looked over my left shoulder to see I hit that bucking disk again, but it was stumbling, trying to right itself on those two pathetic legs only to fall to the ground. I raised my head when I heard the cracking sound of a spell, only to see a beam of energy released from the horn of the unicorn. From the way the air was crackling, it was a strong spell. Seeing another opening I charged at it again behind the spell. I saw that the spell tore open a deep fissure in the dirt. The unicorn had missed. How did that thing move that fast? This abomination has got to go. It looked dazed. Good. With every hoof fall, I pull as much energy I could, to deliver the strongest blow my body would allow. Huffing, panting, the taste of varnished wood in my jaw, nearly biting it in half from exertion, I turned and made a text book buck of both rear hooves. "DING" Nice, solid contact, Celestia be praised. I spun back around to face it, ready to charge in, and deal a heavy blow with my axe, only to have the pegasus drop in and nearly skewer it on her blades. She hit only dirt as it rolled to its side once again, barely avoiding them. She hit the ground so hard that she got stuck in the earth. Well, you don't see that every day. The unicorn shot another spell at the moving darkness, causing it to get down on hooves and knees, after almost getting up right. Its movements were getting desperate. I charged in, seeing a perfect opportunity to land a blow to its side. I swung as hard as my neck could, feeling the spiked end of the axe pierce the armor. I twisted the pickax just so, and pulled it out, trying to take as much fur and flesh as I could. I was rewarded with a loud cry of pain when I pulled the axe free, spraying its blood all over its metal and my face. I drew first blood. May the Sun shine on my ancestors for their aid. The sounds of clashing metal, more grunting of pony effort, and shouts of pain from a foe brought me back to the now. Pain, the cries of pain from the darkness, the sight of hoofblades piercing that disk of metal, and the flow of the enemy’s life blood. We will cleanse the world of this thing. We all knew the tales, we had all seen it strut in her home. We all knew of its sin. With its free hoof it knocked the pegasus off of him, rose up, and like a drunk pony, he staggered a few steps back. It had lost track of all of us in the heat of the moment. It could not keep up. I glanced back towards my family, giving them a quick nod. A minute more, and this would be over. My sweet filly would live in a world that was a little brighter for my actions this day. It stood there looking at us, standing straight for its kind, I guess. The metal disk lied on its left leg, with the war hammer on its right. Just standing there. Blood, still dripping from the wounds it has just received started to pool in the dirt. Silence, the only sounds to be heard were those of the short quick breaths of the three Guards. But it, its breaths were long and steady as if preparing. Though we could see the eye slits in its helm, we could not see the eyes of the beast. This was worrisome. We all glanced at each other as to say "what's it doing". Something was wrong. Something had radically changed here. The two of us backed off, to form up with the unicorn. Suddenly it charged. Using its disk as some sort of battering ram, it raised it to the front of him and ran at us. It roared something, a strange word that gave me shivers. More black magic? The pegasus launched back into the air, feeling that the sky may be a safer place to observe, and strike again. I lowered my head and charged to meet it. Running all out, each hoof grabbing the earth to propel me faster, to make me hit harder, to... "Crunch" Where the buck am I? Why do I taste copper? I, I can't breath through my nose. I can't feel my legs. Oh, hello pretty blue sky, umm, nice, warm sun. For a few moments all I know is darkness, broken apart by her light, before it returns again. I return to her Sun for good when I hear the tortured screams. What was that? I flop to my side and what I see is horrific. That beast has the pegasus down beneath him. Grinding his metal knees in to her wings. I can hear the bones grinding on metal and dirt. My teammate is the one who is screaming, her torment echoing in my ears. It’s enjoying itself on her pain. Stop. Stop. STOP. I get to my hooves, and try to shake the last of the blood from my snout, clearing the tears from my eyes, and bellowing "NEIGH" I make my challenge known. I've lost my axe, I can't move my jaw, but I still have my hooves. I am dizzy, but I can stand. This monstrosity will fall. This is what I do. This is my life. I am the rock on which my family and teammates stand. I am a defender of her Grace. I am a Solar Guard. I charge yet again, chanting "The Sun will Rise". I run straight at it, to end this nightmare. For my family. For the Solar Guard. For the Sun. I focused my blurred sight on its legs. Where the legs go, it goes. I will not miss. I have him. This is going to be the end of...... The stallion was launched sideways. One of his forelegs got in the way of the hammerhead and it shattered like dry twig. His ribcage caved in. He landed with another of his legs leading the way, snapping as he crashed and slid on the dirt. Over where the Guards family members sat, there was a loud shriek. The Aftermath.Tap tap tap. Now verbally recording on spell gem 1104A5. Name of deceased, Heavy Hoof Sergeant Celestia's Solar Guard. Today was recruitment day for the Solar Guards, a day usually reserved for those who wish to join the elite branch from within other guard branches. Unfortunately there was a fatality in today's exercises. Princess Luna formally announced at the arena the formation of a Lunar Guard, to which would be her own personal guards and military force. Only to be balked by the commander of the Solar Guard Steadfast Ray. A challenge was issued and three Solar Guards were issued to battle the First Lunar Guardsman, by order of Commander Ray. Sgt Heavy Hoof was only fatality of this fight, the other teammates, both received serious to life altering injuries. This particular Lunar Guard is not from Equis, from the reports I have received. It, or I should say he calls his species "hooman", this is a rough translation due to our languages not being integrated, yet. My report also states that his species is bi-pedal. Imagine a cross of the coarse haired apes in the deepest parts of Zebrica and minotaur. Strange being if I may say so, oh sorry back to Sgt Hoof. As usual practice, I will start with a detailed visual inspection and then scan deeper for further wounds and cause of death. All observations will be verbally notated. After initial external inspection of Sgt Hoof, he received what appears to be a buck of some type, a hoof print to the nose/ lower nasal cavity and jaw. Both front legs appear to be broken and a sizeable depression on the right side of chest. Upon close inspection of the nose/jaw injury finds moderate crushing of the lower sinus cavity and severely dislocated jaw. There is evidence of tearing and minor bleeding. Breathing through the nose would have been diminished but not fatal. There is also a light bruise on the end of the nose from the initial impact from the hoomans hoof, no sorry foot. Apparently the digits on the fore limbs are hands, and on the aft limbs are called feet. Note. I would like to thank my fellow Doctors on furnishing me this file on the hooman from his multiple visits to medical wing. Also noted on the initial inspection is some other blood on Sgt Hoof snout, some reports states that Sgt Hoof used some sort of pike to pierce the metal armor of the hooman. This could be splatter from that strike. Both forelegs appear to broken and or dislocated. A deeper scan reveals the right front leg is intact but shows a broken scapula and collarbone, the left leg is severely dislocated and completely out of joint. Moving aft along the right side we find the impact area of the weapon used by the hooman. A square indentation is found in the area of the right shoulder to rib 5 on the right side. The dimensions of the would are two feet by two feet square. The fur and all layers of dermis are severed cleanly by the edge of the weapon. A deeper scan of the right chest area shows that ribs one thru five are shattered, and have perforated the right lung, esophagus, and trachea. Little to no bleeding from the perforated organs is present. Deeper still the upper left scapula is missing a two inch by four inch piece of bone. This bone fragment is later found by following the wound channel through the tissue. It seems to have been propelled into the lower cervical, upper thoracic spine. The fragment was removed from between the C7 and the T1 vertebra. This bone fragment severed the spinal cord between the C7 and T1. The bone fragment does show the same sharp edge as witnessed on the external inspection. For this piece of the scapula to be forcibly broken off and sent through nearly 12 inches of soft tissue to pierce the spinal cord just shows the lethality of this impact. Personal comment, "damn that was a hard hit". He felt no pain. It was if his Light was just, extinguished. As per Solar guard training accidents this is report is classified as Crowns only. Not for file or public release. Dr Post Mortems Author's Note I hope that my first attempt of writing something for the first time may meet you approval. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or complaints please feel free to ask me directly. Don't worry folks. I've got a thick skin, being on this earth for over 40 years will do that. Mech. The AppointmentThe sounds of crisp, steady hoof steps on finely polished marble could be heard making their way down the hall. The light rattle of armor moving with its wearer only heard by those who pass near her. The ravaged look of years of guard training is etched onto her face, eyes forward but seeing all around her. A mare on a mission, she is the officer of the day at the main gate with a missive tucked under her right wing as she continues on. She rounds a corner with military precision and before her at the end of the hall standing in silent tribute are the doors of the Sun Court. The doors shone with pure beauty and warmth, as if they were the sun themselves. With the day nearing noon, it made one wonder if she did it on purpose. One of the officer’s ear was turned backwards as to keep track of the two civilians following in her steps. Before the doors of the Court six Solar Guards, were standing in a semi-circle around the door, watching all of the hallways leading to the doors. Ever silent, but always watching. Everyone of them unicorn stallions. The lieutenant neared the doors from the main hallway, her solid crips hoof falls announcing her arrival. With her nearing the doors the center unicorn stepped out of formation to intercept her, taking four steps but only making the sound of two. The sergeant, lightly charged his horn. Lavender, the Lieutenant tittered internally at the shade of magic, not a usual color for a stallion. Once the security scanning all of three of them was complete, the Sgt. saluted the Lt, with the pegasus returning the salute to the unicorn. With the sounds of both hooves hitting the floor, our Lt. withdrew the missive and presented it to the Solar, upon which he snapped his hooves to attention and with a brief pulse of magic scans the missive, and replies “Our Holiness would like you to escort them to the Royal office, it will be the first door on the left down the hall to your right.” “Thank you Sgt, carry on.” “Yes mam.” With a crisp step back into the line the Sgt. Snaps a sharp salute. “ The Sun Will Rise.” “THE SUN WILL RISE,” is soon echoed by the other Solar Guards and a very teary eyed unicorn mare that was standing at attention as well, with just a hint of tears at the corner of her eyes. Her filly was asleep on her back, looking calm and serene. “This way please, Mrs Hoof.” As they turned to leave Mrs Hoof came to stand a foot or two in front of the Sgt. “Thank you, thank you all,” she said in a low voice as to not awaken her cargo. All of the Solars came in to form a solid row, the Sgt removed his helm and as one, all of the stallions took a knee and in a clear quiet tone the Sgt spoke. “ No mam, the honor is ours. He is still among us, for as long as Our Sun shines we never truly die. Go Mrs Hoof, Her Glory awaits for you.” With a nod of acceptance and look of gratitude she turns to her right to follow the Lt. For after the mare turns, the Sgt returns the helm to his head and all of the stallions return to their assigned posts. Ever silent, ever vigil, just as their Sun bids them. After a slow walk down the hall, they come to the door that the Solars told them. The Lt then knocks on the door with three knocks, awaiting for the permission to enter. She does not receive it for as soon has her hoof touches the floor, the door handle is aglow with the magic. The door starts to open, only for Celestia herself to answer the door. Now with the door fully open, the princess greets them with a warm smile. “Hello my little ponies.” The Lt takes a step back while bowing, she opens her wings in a old pegasus tradition as a sign of respect and that they have nothing to hide. Only the missive is still held in her right wing, just barely in her primary tip feathers. Mrs Hoof could only bow a little for her filly was still on her back, still napping. “You may rise, there is no need for such formalities. We are not in the throne room, or in public view. Lt, thank you for escorting them here personally, you may return to your post.” With a quick bow, the Lt snaps an about-face and returns down the hall from which they came. Her solid, rhythmic hoof falls echoing all around. “Mrs Hoof, do please come in. Feel free to sit anywhere you like.” “Thank you, your Grace.” The office was very well appointed, silk lounging cushions, exquisite paintings from all over Equestria. The furniture was either imported or made eons ago. You could tell that Celestia spent a lot of time in this room, judging from all of the papers and files in neat orderly rows on her desk. But was most curious were photos of unicorn fillies on one wall, all of them about the size of your hoof. Under each one had a little card with their names and cutie marks. The last one being Twilight Sparkle herself, and the one before was Sunset Shimmer. Finally after looking around the room enough, she gently lowers her filly to and near by pillow, not waking her, and finds a nice sized cushion for herself and sits down with a bit of a thump. “How would you like your tea Mrs Hoof?” asks Celestia as she is walking toward the lunch trolley. “I also have a some cake, biscuits and other lunch pastries here. Anything for your filly?” “Thank you your Grace, but Morning and I are good, we had a small breakfast at the house before arriving. I haven't had much of an appetite as of late.” Celestia nods her head in understanding, and makes herself a nice cup of Jasmine tea. She takes a seat on a cushion next to Mrs Hoof, her magic holding her cup of tea steady. “How have you been doing Mrs Hoof, do you need anything?” Celestia asks, looking at the mare. You can tell she is not doing well. Her eyes are bloodshot, tear stains on her muzzle are evident, her mane is just tied back into a simple pony tail. It looks her coat needs a good brushing and her ears are folded back. The last day and a half have not been kind to her. “Thank you your grace, but I’m fine. It was just really rough last night.. A lot of the other Guard families stopped by. They brought a whole bunch of stuff and kept me company. But it wasn’t until later that I…..” Pain. As Celestia sat there she knew all too well the sound of a broken heart. For she herself has had many loves over the centuries, and each one left a lasting memory on her soul. It is this reason why she no longer finds lovers, instead she takes on pupils to teach. To love them as if they were her children. Yes, she still feels the pain of their passing, but it is nothing like the loss of a loved one. Much like what Mrs Hoof is feeling right now. “WHY! Why did it happen! Didn’t we pray hard enough to you? Did we do something wrong that you took him away from me?” The sudden outburst from Mrs Hoof catches the Princess off guard to where she just looks at the angry mare in a confused manner. Her tea still floating in front of her. “You let my husband be killed by that, that thing! You sat there and did nothing!” Grief. The deep breaths, trying to control one's emotions. The heavy sobbing, the wiping of forelegs across your muzzle to keep the tears from collecting around your eyes. Celestia knew this feeling as well. Being a ruler of a nation and having to send your little ponies off to war to defend your way of life. Sitting at your desk after tactical meetings after meetings only to read the casualty reports of the ponies that will not be coming back home. Knowing that you were the one responsible to sending them. Try locking own sister away in the moon for one thousand years. Night after night looking up at her moon, that you just barely raised, knowing that you put here there because at the time you did not have an alternative. You didn’t want your sister killed, but that is why you founded the Solar Guard. It was at the last minute that you told them to stand down and you would take care of it, personally! ` You snap yourself out of your daydreaming to see Mrs Hoof is just an emotional wreck. You walk over to her and lay down next to her and in a sign of compassion, Celestia takes Mrs Hoof under her wing and gives her a great, big wing hug. It is then that Celestia feels something coming up along her other side, only to see little Morning snuggle under her other wing, and begins to hug her as well. “Thank you for accepting my invitation. I do understand your feelings Mrs Hoof, I may be long lived, but I am not heartless. I try to be the best pony I can be. Just like everypony else. We all make mistakes.” “You are right, if I had known what was going to happen yesterday, I would have stopped it. Your husband did not deserve to die. None of my ponies deserve to die. You did nothing wrong. A lot of the blame rests on me but I will have words with the Solar Commander, and Luna, for they are responsible as well.” “Why my Grace? Why” “I wish I knew my little pony. I wish I knew. Just remember the love he had for you and never let it go.” “They wouldn't even let me see him. By the time I got down to the floor he was gone and nopony would tell me where he was. All I was told by another Solar guard was to go home and the Commander would be by.” “Did the Commander show up?” “Yes, it was then that he told us that Heavy died. He proceeded to tell us that we would receive a pension and death benefits but since he was still a initiate he would not be cremated. That he would be buried as just another pony.” “Did he seem sorry for your loss? From the sounds of it, he was very flippant about the whole thing.” “No your Grace, he didn’t seem to care about Heavy. It just sounded like he was doing it out of obligation” Mrs Hoof was now snuggling up to the side of Celestia and little Morning was doing the same. “I guess a small nap is fine.” As Celesta cast a small spell on the two to give them some rest and with a few small spells the Solar Princess fixed up Mrs Hoof mane, and gently cleaned her muzzle of any traces of tears. Warmth, the soft warmth of another being next to you as you wake up. “What time is it, Heavy, you're going to be late for your shift.” As Mrs Hoof opens her eyes she sees white. White? Her bedspread is red. She sits up on her haunches and soon finds that she is still in Celestia's study and that she still has her wing draped across her lower back. “How do you feel my little pony. Did you enjoy your nap?” “Nap?” Ah, right, nap. The yelling, the anger, the why’s. Oh wow, she really is nice and warm. “Are my two ponies ready? There is someone I think you should meet.” As the two ponies slowly rise from their nap with the Princess, they have some small talk while sharing tea and biscuits “Mommy where is the Princess going to take us?” “I don’t know, Morning.” After cleaning up after themselves Celestia states “If you could follow me please, we are going to go down a few floors in the castle.” With Celestia in a slow walk as not to outpace the mare and her foal, they make their way down to the Royal infirmary to where all of the injured ponies are being treated after the events of the tryouts from yesterday. You could tell that this was a medical part of the castle, from the turn of the hallway and through the steel double doors, the hall gave way to a soft white ceiling and walls with a very bright white floor tile and the ever present antiseptic odor “There is somepony here I would like you to meet, he was the attending physician on duty when your husband was brought in yesterday, along with Leaf Stream, and Lightning Array. I checked the roster on the way down here so he should be in his- Oh here is the little pony now. Hello Dr Stone. Do you have a few minutes? I would like to introduce you to some very special ponies.” The poor doctor was just coming out of the restroom and was in the middle of the hall when the princess saw him and greeted him. Celestia for some reason enjoyed surprising ponies and adored the look of sheer surprise on their faces. Something Raegdan once mentioned about deer and headlights, well whatever they are. With a sliding bow the doctor greets the princess. “Good afternoon princess. This is quite a surprise seeing you down here so early. I’m right in the middle of things here, could you be so kind to please wait for me in the family room?” “Not a problem Doctor, we will wait for you there.” “Thank you your Highness.” As Celestia leads the family on to the assigned room, the Doctor makes his way to the nurses station to give some last minute orders and to let them know that he will be in the family room with one of the Princesses. “Nurse Goldenheart, I’m sorry. Daisy, I’m going to be in a meeting with Princess Celestia for a bit, please make sure that telemetry makes it to room 3 and be sure somepony from ortho gets me a report on the pegasus in room 5.” “Sure thing Dr Toomb, telem to room three, and ortho report room five. Umm, what about room 2, Dr? He’s starting to annoy the other patients.” From down the hall you hear “Do you see this penis! It wasn’t like this yesterday. Do you see it, DO YOU!!.” While walking around on his rear legs “It had to be a changeling. DO YOU SEE THIS PENIS!!!” With the Dr, dropping his head and the nurse facehoofing, you hear the Dr say “Call security and have him moved to iso. You were not kidding, were you?” “NOPE”. And with that said the nurse presses the intercom button and calls out. “Security, transport room 2 to isolation, I’ll be there in a sec.” From out of nowhere two huge earth ponies show up and with a pointing hoof Daisy tells the orderlies, “thats him”. The two guards move to secure the rogue pony. All you hear is, “hey guys, do you see this? Do you seeeee…” from then on all that could be heard was the sound of flailing hoofs and then silence, followed by the crisp sound of marching of the two orderlies (retired guards) taking their charge to his new room, followed by the nurse with a nice big syringe of sedatives to “relax” the boisterous pony. After getting a drink of water from the cooler, our brave Dr returns to the family room to see what the Princess has in store for him. When he arrives he sees Princess Celestia sitting down and taking up most of the couch on one side of the room while a unicorn mare and her little filly sit on the smaller pair of cushions placed on the floor. The Dr heads over to another cushion. and moving it in his magic places it to where he can speak to all three ponies with ease before he sits down. “Good afternoon Princess, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” With a warm smile Celestia says, “I would like to introduce some very special ponies to you. This is Mrs Hoof and her filly, Morning Dew. This is Sgt. Hoofs family. I brought them here to speak to you for I believe that they may have a few questions that I would not dare to answer.” The Dr turned his head from Celestia to the Hoofs. “Mrs Hoof, I am so sorry for your loss. What would you like to know?” The Dr. did not like this part of the job. He loved the rush he got from treating a patient in critical care, rushing to administer the correct care at the correct time to get the correct results. He cares for his charges, but having to deal and cope with the family sometimes, is one part of the job he doesn’t revel in. “Can you tell me what happened? Was he alive when he was brought here?” “Your husband was brought in by unicorn medic, they teleported directly into the receiving area. The medic was able to deliver a quick report of blunt force trauma to the shoulder area with no pulse and no eye dilation before he passed out from magic exhaustion. We got him on a bed and got him moved to a room to see if we could do anything. We had blood and fluids hung, the monitors were placed on him and Nurse Steady Rhythm was trying to keep his heart going. It wasn’t until Dr Side Scan showed up and showed us the extent of the internal damage. There was no chance of us saving his life. He died there, in the arena. We tried for 15 minutes Mam, there was just nothing we could do.” The two older ponies sat there with their heads down and ears back. Celestia knew it was a hard blow, but for this to happen to a pony of this size truly shocked her. She was there, she heard the hit. She saw him slide across the area floor to the wall. “Did he feel any pain?” “No Mam, I don’t think he did. When I received his autopsy report this morning, he died instantly. When he was hit with that hammer, it broke off a piece of his scapula.” “His what?” “His scapula, shoulder blade, the part of the bone right here.” The Dr. pointed on himself where it is. “Oh, ok, sorry to interrupt.” “Well a piece of that bone had broken off and was propelled through part of his body and it severed his spinal cord at the base of his neck. It was practically instantaneous. I feel bad to say this but your husband died before he hit the dirt, it was that quick. I am so sorry.” “I want to see my daddy.” Three stunned faces quickly turned towards the source of the voice. “I want to see my daddy!” The slackjawed Dr. just looked between Celestia and Mrs. Hoof, for he did not know how to answer her. Celestia for the most part kept a good poker face. Other than than the slightly bulged eyes, you might have guessed that a member of the wait staff got cheeky and flashed the Princess. Mrs Hoof on the other, well, hoof, just sat there with her mouth agape and ‘did you really just say that’ look to her face. Celestia was the first to respond. “What did you ask, my little pony?” “I want to see my daddy. He promised me that he would come back, and my daddy always keeps his promises. I want to go see him.” “Dearie, we talked about this while you were having breakfast. Daddy is not coming home.” A nervous silence filled the room. The lamp sitting on the end table in between Celestia and Mrs Hoof was suddenly very interesting to the good doctor. “ I know mommy, but I want to see him. I want to tell him that I love him and that he was the best daddy of all time. He needs to know that what happened was not his fault. It was that big, black meanie on two legs that hurt my daddy.” Little Morning had a hard time seeing the room, for small tears were running down her muzzle and making her vision all blurry. “I don’t know baby, I don’t know.” As Mrs Hoof picked up her foal in her magic and brought her over to her to caught by two front legs and was Immediately brought in for a very tight loving hug, to which Morning wrapped her ever growing legs around her mother's neck and hugged her back as hard as she could. Celestia leaned over to the Dr. and asked, “is it possible to have them see Sgt. Hoof today?” “Yes Princess, I’ll see to it.” “Thank you.” KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. All four heads swivel to the door to see a Solar Guard standing outside holding a scroll in her magic. The Dr. gets up and answers the door. “May I help you?” “Yes, I have a letter here for Her Radiance.” At which point Celestia with the slightest of groans makes her way off of the couch to see what the guard has for her. With the slight lighting of her horn, she gently takes the scroll in her magic and floats it over to her while walking to the doorway. “Thank you private, you may return to your station.” With a deep bow to the Princess and a “thank you your Radiance,” the guard disappears down the hall. Upon opening the scroll you hear Celestia mutter. “what now nephew?” only for the scroll to disappear in a flash. Celestia turns around to speak to the rest of the ponies in the room. “You will have to excuse me, Prince Blueblood has yet again done something foolish and I am being requested back to resume the Day Court to sort this out. Mrs Hoof, you and your precious little filly have an open invitation to the castle and the Royal Gardens. I will see to it that your family name is added to the Official Roster for ease of entrance, for I am truly sorry for the loss of your husband. You have my deepest condolences. Oh and Mountain, when you feel that you are ready I would really like for you write me a letter from time to time. I just love reading letters from little fillys and colts like you.” The little filly looks up to Celestia and smiles. “Dr. Stone, please see to every need that Mrs Hoof and her filly need while they are in your care.” “Yes your Majesty. I will take great care of them.” Celestia, looking straight at Mrs Hoof, bows to her. Raises her head and wishes a “Good bye for now Mrs Hoof.” and in a blinding flash, teleports away to resume her duties. “Mrs Hoof, if you could please follow me, I will bring you to your husband.” “Morning dear, time to go.” “Ok, mom. Did Princess Celestia really say that I can write her letters?” A look of curious astonishment on her little face. “Yes she did, dearie, yes she did.” As the three ponies slowly walked down the hall, Mrs Hoof and the Dr were talking about something, but little Morning wasn’t paying attention to them. Her sensitive little ears every once in awhile would hear something odd but familiar. After they passed a few more rooms and through a hall intersection the odd sounds became clearer and recognisable. “I want you to give Leaf Stream a chance. Ask her if anyone came to her before she does something rushed.” It’s the monster, here in one of these rooms. She slowly starts to take quiet steps towards the voice big meany that hurt her dad and those other ponies. “I think that’s stupid. Fine. I will do that, if she says yes. Happy?” Why is it here, does it want to hurt more ponies like it did to my dad?” as she watches it walking out of a room and down the hallway towards her. She sits down, slowly watching them talk, its big, black metal form slowly getting bigger and bigger, blood still on its ugly black armor. “I know you do, dad. I just think you can do much better.” Her daddy was gone. No more bedtime stories, no more playing in the yard. She will no longer feel the warm hugs, or the loving kisses of a loving father. She looks up at the monster and with a strong and determined voice yells. “YOU KILLED MY DADDY!” Author's Note Thanks again to Crimmar for his input on this story arc. I really appreciate the feedback I've gotten from the first two chapters and I hope I didn't disappoint with the third. Thank you all for reading. Mech.
The ArenaWow, what a day for a tournament today! Clear skies, a gentle breeze, and a nice, warm Sun. I'm going to have to thank the Lieutenant again, for letting me have this day off so that I can be with my family and my brother. There's just something about this that makes me feel...alive! The sound of honest combat, metal on metal, the sound of hooves scraping for purchase on the area floor. The smell of sweat, oil, and blood. The inner warrior sings to this song. I heard rumors of Princess Luna attending this years tournament, which is odd. Most of the Royal Guards have no interest in guarding "Nightmare", as some say in the locker room, they just check in for their shift and stay in the guards lounge. Many claimed that it should be the Solar Guard guarding her, but we don't see a reason that a "Solar" should be guarding the "Moon", she is a Princess in name only and has no power over us. It is then I hear Luna call out loudly. “Solar Commander Steadfast Ray. I am sorry to say that we will have to interrupt the scheduled fight you have prepared for us next.” Well, well, well, she did attend, and hiding in the shade no less. What is she up to? “Is there a problem, Princess Luna?” I can just make out what Commander Ray just said, being he is facing the side of us, and up to the Royal box. The bearers of the Elements of Harmony are up there with our Princess too. “Nay, my good sir,” Luna continued to announce loudly, “but an announcement has to be made. My sister has long been served by the Solar Guard, a military force devoted to her protection. I have decided to follow her example and so I proclaim now, before all of you, the formation of the Lunar Guard!” When she finished speaking you could hear the Royal pennants fluttering in the breeze. I looked over to my brother. "Did I just hear she wants her OWN guard?" "That's what I heard. I thought you Solar guards provided security for the both of them." "We were supposed to, but many, if not all, feel that they owe her no fealty, so we delegated this to the Royal Guard. We lived without her for over a thousand years, what's another decade or two.” "What the Tartarus is that supposed to mean? Did we not take the same oath as guards to protect them, and other ponies, or did something change when you left to become a Solar guard." I looked him straight in the eyes "Do YOU want to guard that NIGHTMARE" He looked between me and Luna a few times, then to my family, and back to me. "I really don't know. If it was my job, perhaps. She may not be a nightmare, she IS one of our Princesses, you do need to respect her" "By the holy light of Celestia, are you daft? You would guard the moon. It only brings out the wicked in ponies, those that can not stand the light of Her love. Look how she shies away from the light. LOOK!!!" Damn that Canterlot voice.... "This newly formed group will have to work hard to gain your respect to the same degree of the Solar Guard, so in order to begin on that long, hard road, I present to you my first initiate, to challenge in honored combat one of the members of the Solar Guard so he may prove himself.” “I bring before you, Raegdan, First Guardsman of the Lunar Guard!” "WHAT THE BUCK IS THAT!" Oh, you should have heard the arena. You would have thought that Discord himself just walked in. Everypony in my section was stating their displeasure of this Raegdan standing before us. This oddly shaped creature, standing erect on two legs. Covered in what appeared to be plate armor. Fool, how can you even move let alone fight with all of that bulk. "Klang" "Oh my Sun, that was hilarious. a rock, a simple rock nearly brought it down." Now why is it waving at our Sun, and not bowing? This Raegdan thing has no respect for our princess! Now what is it doing? Oh, finally bowing to the Sun. Bucker, it just picked up the same rock that hit him. Why is it holding the rock like that, is it praying or something, offering up the rock as a- "thud" There is a very distinct sound of a pony in their armor when they collapse. Luckily, the sounds of many hooves came to the aid of that stricken guard. I could see from my seat the dent in the chest plate of his armor. It was the size of my hoof. Can that thing have magic after all? it just looked like it was doing an offering dance with the rock in its hand, then bang, the guard goes down. I've just about had enough of this animal. First you disregard the Sun, you look like midnight incarnate, and then you attack a guard for no reason. Please Celestia let me get my hooves on it, and remove it from your beauty. “How dare you dispute the efficiency of my personal entourage! This will not stand! My Lunar Guardsman is twice as good, NO, thrice as good as any of your pitiful excuses for warriors! And we shall prove it here and now.” "Choose three of your best, one of each tribe. Raegdan shall face them in combat, all three of them against him at the same time.” I could almost make out the smile from Commander Ray, he knew what a chance he was being offered. I could see him scanning the arena for ponies. When he was rounding one side, I saw him signal another unicorn from the crowd. In a flash of light, the unicorn was three feet from the commander and saluting. He made is way over to the arms tables and began looking over the selections. He was nearing my seat and signaled my way, but above me. I turned around to see a pegasus mare in her Solar armor standing at attention. She nodded her head, saluted with her wing, and took off from her spot, only to land next to the unicorn at the arms tables. Damn, they passed me by. He signaled a earth pony about two sections to my left, one of last year’s initiates. The pony stood to salute but slipped on some hay fries, and slid down four rows of seats breaking a leg. I could hear the Commander’s face hoof from my seat. He shook off the incident and was about to move on, but he stopped. He snapped a one-eighty, and marched back my way. Our eyes met. He could see the desire of victory in them. I rose to my hooves, saluted. I turned to my mare and foal to give them a kiss. "Daddy will be back soon." “Ok, daddy,” my little angel says. “I love you.” My wife just nods, and smiles at me. She knows to trust me. "Watch your flank out there, Heavy." "I will, bro. I always do." Commander Steadfast Ray was waiting at the tables when I arrived. He looked at all of us. "Kill it! This "Lunar Guard" ends here, today, under Her Sun with our Princess watching. Show the Nightmare the error of her ways!" We all snapped to attention. "Sir, yes sir." No words were exchanged between us, just silent gestures, and nods of either acceptance or disagreement. I didn't know these ponies all that well, but we are the Solar guard. We are one. It was a odd choice for the unicorn, for he chose not to get any armor or weapons. He went over to the Commander and looked to mention something, which I could not hear. I guess the Commander agreed, and they saluted each other. My teammate then found a clear spot with some grass, sat down on all four legs, and closed his eyes. What a time to take a nap. It's then that I feel it in my hooves. He's meditating. I could feel his magic. This stallion must be good. If I can feel the vibrations from here, this Raegdan stands no chance. Hmm, what for me. Sword, no. Flail, nope. Warshoes, oh good, a full set. Let me just, Oh Yes, Daddy likes. Nice sharp edge, good weight. Yep, these will work. I can really feel the earth, that warm soothing feeling of trust. Something you can hold on to, and become a true pillar of strength to support the nation, a plinth, just like my mark. "Shlink, Shlink" Oh very nice! Our air support just chose a pair of what they call "slicers". Those shoes are made just for pegasi. Light, strong, and very, very sharp. I've seen what these things can do to manticores with a fast dive. Decapitation. They make griffin talons look like butter knives. I glance behind us to see it sitting back in the shade of a cloud talking to Twilight Sparkle before moving to the center of the arena. How does it know the Sun’s student, and the Elements? I can feel the throb of anger in my hooves and the earth responding, filling me with calm determination. 'Soon, my pony. Your time comes'. "Oh, hello lovely" I pick up a solid pickax, in my mouth. I give it a few test swings. Feels good. I trot over to a sparring dummy with some old Royal guard armor. Rearing back, and with a downward strike, I pierce the helm of the dummy. All six inches of the pick are embedded in the head of the dummy. Perfect. "Very nice, lets get to work" The pegasus came up beside me, admiring the number I did on the dummy. The unicorn was nodding his agreement on her right. "Yes, let get this over with." I turned so I was looking at the other two, we all nodded in agreement. A hoof was thrust out. "The Sun will Rise" Three hooves met together, in a sound of metal clop. "THE SUN WILL RISE" We moved as a unit to the far side of arena putting it between us and our Princess. I took up the center spot with the unicorn and pegasus as my flankers. Standard formation, as if taking down a manticore or some other beast. We had all been drilled in those extremely well those last few months. We were ready. It's time! We all looked up to Her beauty and bowed in unison. She is pure in her radiance. It will be an honor to remove this darkness from her sight. It stood there in its inky darkness looking like a spawn of Tartarus itself. It felt as if all of Her glorious light was sucked into the nothingness around it. I could not see its expression with that demonic helmet it wore, but it reeked of cockiness. The foul imagery on its armor sickened me. It proclaimed its evil allegiance for all of us to see. It was raising its upper legs, limbs perpendicular to its body, almost as if trying to summon another beast from beyond. The pegasus next to me smirked at the sight for some reason. Our Highness nodded, time to begin... By the time Her head came to a stop, the pegasus launched nearly vertical and was already preparing an attack run. I marveled at her speed. With just a few wing beats she was already behind it and coming down fast with the sun to her back. It suspected nothing. I nodded to the unicorn. He would stay back and snipe it from here with his magic. I gripped my ax in my mouth and charged into the fray. One from behind, and myself closing in from the front. We will mash it in middle. I slowed my run. I didn't want to chance those slicers getting into me. I wanted to time my hit just right. If she could stick it in the back and knock it down, I can come in and pierce the helm. All Glory to the Sun. With a sudden movement of its legs and arms, as if teleporting in place, I heard a loud "WHAP". How in the buck did it knock her out of the sky, it should have been blindsided! Dark magic. It has to be dark magic, nothing on Equis can move like that. The Nightmare had granted her creature with evil gifts. My turn... I rose up on to my hind legs and took a swing at the center of its body, only for it to step back, making me miss my mark. I pressed the attack on all four hooves. Damn that cursed metal disk, hiding behind it like a foal or moving like back like a coward. How does it move like that, was that armor enchanted to be as light as fabric? After my third hit to that disk, I felt the earth whisper "turn". On my next swing he dodged the ax, but I turned around on my front legs, and with all I could pull from the earth, I bucked it as hard as I could with my rear legs. I felt my shoes hit solid metal, and I pushed HARD, fully extending my legs as we were taught to, and followed through the buck. I looked over my left shoulder to see I hit that bucking disk again, but it was stumbling, trying to right itself on those two pathetic legs only to fall to the ground. I raised my head when I heard the cracking sound of a spell, only to see a beam of energy released from the horn of the unicorn. From the way the air was crackling, it was a strong spell. Seeing another opening I charged at it again behind the spell. I saw that the spell tore open a deep fissure in the dirt. The unicorn had missed. How did that thing move that fast? This abomination has got to go. It looked dazed. Good. With every hoof fall, I pull as much energy I could, to deliver the strongest blow my body would allow. Huffing, panting, the taste of varnished wood in my jaw, nearly biting it in half from exertion, I turned and made a text book buck of both rear hooves. "DING" Nice, solid contact, Celestia be praised. I spun back around to face it, ready to charge in, and deal a heavy blow with my axe, only to have the pegasus drop in and nearly skewer it on her blades. She hit only dirt as it rolled to its side once again, barely avoiding them. She hit the ground so hard that she got stuck in the earth. Well, you don't see that every day. The unicorn shot another spell at the moving darkness, causing it to get down on hooves and knees, after almost getting up right. Its movements were getting desperate. I charged in, seeing a perfect opportunity to land a blow to its side. I swung as hard as my neck could, feeling the spiked end of the axe pierce the armor. I twisted the pickax just so, and pulled it out, trying to take as much fur and flesh as I could. I was rewarded with a loud cry of pain when I pulled the axe free, spraying its blood all over its metal and my face. I drew first blood. May the Sun shine on my ancestors for their aid. The sounds of clashing metal, more grunting of pony effort, and shouts of pain from a foe brought me back to the now. Pain, the cries of pain from the darkness, the sight of hoofblades piercing that disk of metal, and the flow of the enemy’s life blood. We will cleanse the world of this thing. We all knew the tales, we had all seen it strut in her home. We all knew of its sin. With its free hoof it knocked the pegasus off of him, rose up, and like a drunk pony, he staggered a few steps back. It had lost track of all of us in the heat of the moment. It could not keep up. I glanced back towards my family, giving them a quick nod. A minute more, and this would be over. My sweet filly would live in a world that was a little brighter for my actions this day. It stood there looking at us, standing straight for its kind, I guess. The metal disk lied on its left leg, with the war hammer on its right. Just standing there. Blood, still dripping from the wounds it has just received started to pool in the dirt. Silence, the only sounds to be heard were those of the short quick breaths of the three Guards. But it, its breaths were long and steady as if preparing. Though we could see the eye slits in its helm, we could not see the eyes of the beast. This was worrisome. We all glanced at each other as to say "what's it doing". Something was wrong. Something had radically changed here. The two of us backed off, to form up with the unicorn. Suddenly it charged. Using its disk as some sort of battering ram, it raised it to the front of him and ran at us. It roared something, a strange word that gave me shivers. More black magic? The pegasus launched back into the air, feeling that the sky may be a safer place to observe, and strike again. I lowered my head and charged to meet it. Running all out, each hoof grabbing the earth to propel me faster, to make me hit harder, to... "Crunch" Where the buck am I? Why do I taste copper? I, I can't breath through my nose. I can't feel my legs. Oh, hello pretty blue sky, umm, nice, warm sun. For a few moments all I know is darkness, broken apart by her light, before it returns again. I return to her Sun for good when I hear the tortured screams. What was that? I flop to my side and what I see is horrific. That beast has the pegasus down beneath him. Grinding his metal knees in to her wings. I can hear the bones grinding on metal and dirt. My teammate is the one who is screaming, her torment echoing in my ears. It’s enjoying itself on her pain. Stop. Stop. STOP. I get to my hooves, and try to shake the last of the blood from my snout, clearing the tears from my eyes, and bellowing "NEIGH" I make my challenge known. I've lost my axe, I can't move my jaw, but I still have my hooves. I am dizzy, but I can stand. This monstrosity will fall. This is what I do. This is my life. I am the rock on which my family and teammates stand. I am a defender of her Grace. I am a Solar Guard. I charge yet again, chanting "The Sun will Rise". I run straight at it, to end this nightmare. For my family. For the Solar Guard. For the Sun. I focused my blurred sight on its legs. Where the legs go, it goes. I will not miss. I have him. This is going to be the end of...... The stallion was launched sideways. One of his forelegs got in the way of the hammerhead and it shattered like dry twig. His ribcage caved in. He landed with another of his legs leading the way, snapping as he crashed and slid on the dirt. Over where the Guards family members sat, there was a loud shriek.
The Aftermath.Tap tap tap. Now verbally recording on spell gem 1104A5. Name of deceased, Heavy Hoof Sergeant Celestia's Solar Guard. Today was recruitment day for the Solar Guards, a day usually reserved for those who wish to join the elite branch from within other guard branches. Unfortunately there was a fatality in today's exercises. Princess Luna formally announced at the arena the formation of a Lunar Guard, to which would be her own personal guards and military force. Only to be balked by the commander of the Solar Guard Steadfast Ray. A challenge was issued and three Solar Guards were issued to battle the First Lunar Guardsman, by order of Commander Ray. Sgt Heavy Hoof was only fatality of this fight, the other teammates, both received serious to life altering injuries. This particular Lunar Guard is not from Equis, from the reports I have received. It, or I should say he calls his species "hooman", this is a rough translation due to our languages not being integrated, yet. My report also states that his species is bi-pedal. Imagine a cross of the coarse haired apes in the deepest parts of Zebrica and minotaur. Strange being if I may say so, oh sorry back to Sgt Hoof. As usual practice, I will start with a detailed visual inspection and then scan deeper for further wounds and cause of death. All observations will be verbally notated. After initial external inspection of Sgt Hoof, he received what appears to be a buck of some type, a hoof print to the nose/ lower nasal cavity and jaw. Both front legs appear to be broken and a sizeable depression on the right side of chest. Upon close inspection of the nose/jaw injury finds moderate crushing of the lower sinus cavity and severely dislocated jaw. There is evidence of tearing and minor bleeding. Breathing through the nose would have been diminished but not fatal. There is also a light bruise on the end of the nose from the initial impact from the hoomans hoof, no sorry foot. Apparently the digits on the fore limbs are hands, and on the aft limbs are called feet. Note. I would like to thank my fellow Doctors on furnishing me this file on the hooman from his multiple visits to medical wing. Also noted on the initial inspection is some other blood on Sgt Hoof snout, some reports states that Sgt Hoof used some sort of pike to pierce the metal armor of the hooman. This could be splatter from that strike. Both forelegs appear to broken and or dislocated. A deeper scan reveals the right front leg is intact but shows a broken scapula and collarbone, the left leg is severely dislocated and completely out of joint. Moving aft along the right side we find the impact area of the weapon used by the hooman. A square indentation is found in the area of the right shoulder to rib 5 on the right side. The dimensions of the would are two feet by two feet square. The fur and all layers of dermis are severed cleanly by the edge of the weapon. A deeper scan of the right chest area shows that ribs one thru five are shattered, and have perforated the right lung, esophagus, and trachea. Little to no bleeding from the perforated organs is present. Deeper still the upper left scapula is missing a two inch by four inch piece of bone. This bone fragment is later found by following the wound channel through the tissue. It seems to have been propelled into the lower cervical, upper thoracic spine. The fragment was removed from between the C7 and the T1 vertebra. This bone fragment severed the spinal cord between the C7 and T1. The bone fragment does show the same sharp edge as witnessed on the external inspection. For this piece of the scapula to be forcibly broken off and sent through nearly 12 inches of soft tissue to pierce the spinal cord just shows the lethality of this impact. Personal comment, "damn that was a hard hit". He felt no pain. It was if his Light was just, extinguished. As per Solar guard training accidents this is report is classified as Crowns only. Not for file or public release. Dr Post Mortems Author's Note I hope that my first attempt of writing something for the first time may meet you approval. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or complaints please feel free to ask me directly. Don't worry folks. I've got a thick skin, being on this earth for over 40 years will do that. Mech.
The AppointmentThe sounds of crisp, steady hoof steps on finely polished marble could be heard making their way down the hall. The light rattle of armor moving with its wearer only heard by those who pass near her. The ravaged look of years of guard training is etched onto her face, eyes forward but seeing all around her. A mare on a mission, she is the officer of the day at the main gate with a missive tucked under her right wing as she continues on. She rounds a corner with military precision and before her at the end of the hall standing in silent tribute are the doors of the Sun Court. The doors shone with pure beauty and warmth, as if they were the sun themselves. With the day nearing noon, it made one wonder if she did it on purpose. One of the officer’s ear was turned backwards as to keep track of the two civilians following in her steps. Before the doors of the Court six Solar Guards, were standing in a semi-circle around the door, watching all of the hallways leading to the doors. Ever silent, but always watching. Everyone of them unicorn stallions. The lieutenant neared the doors from the main hallway, her solid crips hoof falls announcing her arrival. With her nearing the doors the center unicorn stepped out of formation to intercept her, taking four steps but only making the sound of two. The sergeant, lightly charged his horn. Lavender, the Lieutenant tittered internally at the shade of magic, not a usual color for a stallion. Once the security scanning all of three of them was complete, the Sgt. saluted the Lt, with the pegasus returning the salute to the unicorn. With the sounds of both hooves hitting the floor, our Lt. withdrew the missive and presented it to the Solar, upon which he snapped his hooves to attention and with a brief pulse of magic scans the missive, and replies “Our Holiness would like you to escort them to the Royal office, it will be the first door on the left down the hall to your right.” “Thank you Sgt, carry on.” “Yes mam.” With a crisp step back into the line the Sgt. Snaps a sharp salute. “ The Sun Will Rise.” “THE SUN WILL RISE,” is soon echoed by the other Solar Guards and a very teary eyed unicorn mare that was standing at attention as well, with just a hint of tears at the corner of her eyes. Her filly was asleep on her back, looking calm and serene. “This way please, Mrs Hoof.” As they turned to leave Mrs Hoof came to stand a foot or two in front of the Sgt. “Thank you, thank you all,” she said in a low voice as to not awaken her cargo. All of the Solars came in to form a solid row, the Sgt removed his helm and as one, all of the stallions took a knee and in a clear quiet tone the Sgt spoke. “ No mam, the honor is ours. He is still among us, for as long as Our Sun shines we never truly die. Go Mrs Hoof, Her Glory awaits for you.” With a nod of acceptance and look of gratitude she turns to her right to follow the Lt. For after the mare turns, the Sgt returns the helm to his head and all of the stallions return to their assigned posts. Ever silent, ever vigil, just as their Sun bids them. After a slow walk down the hall, they come to the door that the Solars told them. The Lt then knocks on the door with three knocks, awaiting for the permission to enter. She does not receive it for as soon has her hoof touches the floor, the door handle is aglow with the magic. The door starts to open, only for Celestia herself to answer the door. Now with the door fully open, the princess greets them with a warm smile. “Hello my little ponies.” The Lt takes a step back while bowing, she opens her wings in a old pegasus tradition as a sign of respect and that they have nothing to hide. Only the missive is still held in her right wing, just barely in her primary tip feathers. Mrs Hoof could only bow a little for her filly was still on her back, still napping. “You may rise, there is no need for such formalities. We are not in the throne room, or in public view. Lt, thank you for escorting them here personally, you may return to your post.” With a quick bow, the Lt snaps an about-face and returns down the hall from which they came. Her solid, rhythmic hoof falls echoing all around. “Mrs Hoof, do please come in. Feel free to sit anywhere you like.” “Thank you, your Grace.” The office was very well appointed, silk lounging cushions, exquisite paintings from all over Equestria. The furniture was either imported or made eons ago. You could tell that Celestia spent a lot of time in this room, judging from all of the papers and files in neat orderly rows on her desk. But was most curious were photos of unicorn fillies on one wall, all of them about the size of your hoof. Under each one had a little card with their names and cutie marks. The last one being Twilight Sparkle herself, and the one before was Sunset Shimmer. Finally after looking around the room enough, she gently lowers her filly to and near by pillow, not waking her, and finds a nice sized cushion for herself and sits down with a bit of a thump. “How would you like your tea Mrs Hoof?” asks Celestia as she is walking toward the lunch trolley. “I also have a some cake, biscuits and other lunch pastries here. Anything for your filly?” “Thank you your Grace, but Morning and I are good, we had a small breakfast at the house before arriving. I haven't had much of an appetite as of late.” Celestia nods her head in understanding, and makes herself a nice cup of Jasmine tea. She takes a seat on a cushion next to Mrs Hoof, her magic holding her cup of tea steady. “How have you been doing Mrs Hoof, do you need anything?” Celestia asks, looking at the mare. You can tell she is not doing well. Her eyes are bloodshot, tear stains on her muzzle are evident, her mane is just tied back into a simple pony tail. It looks her coat needs a good brushing and her ears are folded back. The last day and a half have not been kind to her. “Thank you your grace, but I’m fine. It was just really rough last night.. A lot of the other Guard families stopped by. They brought a whole bunch of stuff and kept me company. But it wasn’t until later that I…..” Pain. As Celestia sat there she knew all too well the sound of a broken heart. For she herself has had many loves over the centuries, and each one left a lasting memory on her soul. It is this reason why she no longer finds lovers, instead she takes on pupils to teach. To love them as if they were her children. Yes, she still feels the pain of their passing, but it is nothing like the loss of a loved one. Much like what Mrs Hoof is feeling right now. “WHY! Why did it happen! Didn’t we pray hard enough to you? Did we do something wrong that you took him away from me?” The sudden outburst from Mrs Hoof catches the Princess off guard to where she just looks at the angry mare in a confused manner. Her tea still floating in front of her. “You let my husband be killed by that, that thing! You sat there and did nothing!” Grief. The deep breaths, trying to control one's emotions. The heavy sobbing, the wiping of forelegs across your muzzle to keep the tears from collecting around your eyes. Celestia knew this feeling as well. Being a ruler of a nation and having to send your little ponies off to war to defend your way of life. Sitting at your desk after tactical meetings after meetings only to read the casualty reports of the ponies that will not be coming back home. Knowing that you were the one responsible to sending them. Try locking own sister away in the moon for one thousand years. Night after night looking up at her moon, that you just barely raised, knowing that you put here there because at the time you did not have an alternative. You didn’t want your sister killed, but that is why you founded the Solar Guard. It was at the last minute that you told them to stand down and you would take care of it, personally! ` You snap yourself out of your daydreaming to see Mrs Hoof is just an emotional wreck. You walk over to her and lay down next to her and in a sign of compassion, Celestia takes Mrs Hoof under her wing and gives her a great, big wing hug. It is then that Celestia feels something coming up along her other side, only to see little Morning snuggle under her other wing, and begins to hug her as well. “Thank you for accepting my invitation. I do understand your feelings Mrs Hoof, I may be long lived, but I am not heartless. I try to be the best pony I can be. Just like everypony else. We all make mistakes.” “You are right, if I had known what was going to happen yesterday, I would have stopped it. Your husband did not deserve to die. None of my ponies deserve to die. You did nothing wrong. A lot of the blame rests on me but I will have words with the Solar Commander, and Luna, for they are responsible as well.” “Why my Grace? Why” “I wish I knew my little pony. I wish I knew. Just remember the love he had for you and never let it go.” “They wouldn't even let me see him. By the time I got down to the floor he was gone and nopony would tell me where he was. All I was told by another Solar guard was to go home and the Commander would be by.” “Did the Commander show up?” “Yes, it was then that he told us that Heavy died. He proceeded to tell us that we would receive a pension and death benefits but since he was still a initiate he would not be cremated. That he would be buried as just another pony.” “Did he seem sorry for your loss? From the sounds of it, he was very flippant about the whole thing.” “No your Grace, he didn’t seem to care about Heavy. It just sounded like he was doing it out of obligation” Mrs Hoof was now snuggling up to the side of Celestia and little Morning was doing the same. “I guess a small nap is fine.” As Celesta cast a small spell on the two to give them some rest and with a few small spells the Solar Princess fixed up Mrs Hoof mane, and gently cleaned her muzzle of any traces of tears. Warmth, the soft warmth of another being next to you as you wake up. “What time is it, Heavy, you're going to be late for your shift.” As Mrs Hoof opens her eyes she sees white. White? Her bedspread is red. She sits up on her haunches and soon finds that she is still in Celestia's study and that she still has her wing draped across her lower back. “How do you feel my little pony. Did you enjoy your nap?” “Nap?” Ah, right, nap. The yelling, the anger, the why’s. Oh wow, she really is nice and warm. “Are my two ponies ready? There is someone I think you should meet.” As the two ponies slowly rise from their nap with the Princess, they have some small talk while sharing tea and biscuits “Mommy where is the Princess going to take us?” “I don’t know, Morning.” After cleaning up after themselves Celestia states “If you could follow me please, we are going to go down a few floors in the castle.” With Celestia in a slow walk as not to outpace the mare and her foal, they make their way down to the Royal infirmary to where all of the injured ponies are being treated after the events of the tryouts from yesterday. You could tell that this was a medical part of the castle, from the turn of the hallway and through the steel double doors, the hall gave way to a soft white ceiling and walls with a very bright white floor tile and the ever present antiseptic odor “There is somepony here I would like you to meet, he was the attending physician on duty when your husband was brought in yesterday, along with Leaf Stream, and Lightning Array. I checked the roster on the way down here so he should be in his- Oh here is the little pony now. Hello Dr Stone. Do you have a few minutes? I would like to introduce you to some very special ponies.” The poor doctor was just coming out of the restroom and was in the middle of the hall when the princess saw him and greeted him. Celestia for some reason enjoyed surprising ponies and adored the look of sheer surprise on their faces. Something Raegdan once mentioned about deer and headlights, well whatever they are. With a sliding bow the doctor greets the princess. “Good afternoon princess. This is quite a surprise seeing you down here so early. I’m right in the middle of things here, could you be so kind to please wait for me in the family room?” “Not a problem Doctor, we will wait for you there.” “Thank you your Highness.” As Celestia leads the family on to the assigned room, the Doctor makes his way to the nurses station to give some last minute orders and to let them know that he will be in the family room with one of the Princesses. “Nurse Goldenheart, I’m sorry. Daisy, I’m going to be in a meeting with Princess Celestia for a bit, please make sure that telemetry makes it to room 3 and be sure somepony from ortho gets me a report on the pegasus in room 5.” “Sure thing Dr Toomb, telem to room three, and ortho report room five. Umm, what about room 2, Dr? He’s starting to annoy the other patients.” From down the hall you hear “Do you see this penis! It wasn’t like this yesterday. Do you see it, DO YOU!!.” While walking around on his rear legs “It had to be a changeling. DO YOU SEE THIS PENIS!!!” With the Dr, dropping his head and the nurse facehoofing, you hear the Dr say “Call security and have him moved to iso. You were not kidding, were you?” “NOPE”. And with that said the nurse presses the intercom button and calls out. “Security, transport room 2 to isolation, I’ll be there in a sec.” From out of nowhere two huge earth ponies show up and with a pointing hoof Daisy tells the orderlies, “thats him”. The two guards move to secure the rogue pony. All you hear is, “hey guys, do you see this? Do you seeeee…” from then on all that could be heard was the sound of flailing hoofs and then silence, followed by the crisp sound of marching of the two orderlies (retired guards) taking their charge to his new room, followed by the nurse with a nice big syringe of sedatives to “relax” the boisterous pony. After getting a drink of water from the cooler, our brave Dr returns to the family room to see what the Princess has in store for him. When he arrives he sees Princess Celestia sitting down and taking up most of the couch on one side of the room while a unicorn mare and her little filly sit on the smaller pair of cushions placed on the floor. The Dr heads over to another cushion. and moving it in his magic places it to where he can speak to all three ponies with ease before he sits down. “Good afternoon Princess, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” With a warm smile Celestia says, “I would like to introduce some very special ponies to you. This is Mrs Hoof and her filly, Morning Dew. This is Sgt. Hoofs family. I brought them here to speak to you for I believe that they may have a few questions that I would not dare to answer.” The Dr turned his head from Celestia to the Hoofs. “Mrs Hoof, I am so sorry for your loss. What would you like to know?” The Dr. did not like this part of the job. He loved the rush he got from treating a patient in critical care, rushing to administer the correct care at the correct time to get the correct results. He cares for his charges, but having to deal and cope with the family sometimes, is one part of the job he doesn’t revel in. “Can you tell me what happened? Was he alive when he was brought here?” “Your husband was brought in by unicorn medic, they teleported directly into the receiving area. The medic was able to deliver a quick report of blunt force trauma to the shoulder area with no pulse and no eye dilation before he passed out from magic exhaustion. We got him on a bed and got him moved to a room to see if we could do anything. We had blood and fluids hung, the monitors were placed on him and Nurse Steady Rhythm was trying to keep his heart going. It wasn’t until Dr Side Scan showed up and showed us the extent of the internal damage. There was no chance of us saving his life. He died there, in the arena. We tried for 15 minutes Mam, there was just nothing we could do.” The two older ponies sat there with their heads down and ears back. Celestia knew it was a hard blow, but for this to happen to a pony of this size truly shocked her. She was there, she heard the hit. She saw him slide across the area floor to the wall. “Did he feel any pain?” “No Mam, I don’t think he did. When I received his autopsy report this morning, he died instantly. When he was hit with that hammer, it broke off a piece of his scapula.” “His what?” “His scapula, shoulder blade, the part of the bone right here.” The Dr. pointed on himself where it is. “Oh, ok, sorry to interrupt.” “Well a piece of that bone had broken off and was propelled through part of his body and it severed his spinal cord at the base of his neck. It was practically instantaneous. I feel bad to say this but your husband died before he hit the dirt, it was that quick. I am so sorry.” “I want to see my daddy.” Three stunned faces quickly turned towards the source of the voice. “I want to see my daddy!” The slackjawed Dr. just looked between Celestia and Mrs. Hoof, for he did not know how to answer her. Celestia for the most part kept a good poker face. Other than than the slightly bulged eyes, you might have guessed that a member of the wait staff got cheeky and flashed the Princess. Mrs Hoof on the other, well, hoof, just sat there with her mouth agape and ‘did you really just say that’ look to her face. Celestia was the first to respond. “What did you ask, my little pony?” “I want to see my daddy. He promised me that he would come back, and my daddy always keeps his promises. I want to go see him.” “Dearie, we talked about this while you were having breakfast. Daddy is not coming home.” A nervous silence filled the room. The lamp sitting on the end table in between Celestia and Mrs Hoof was suddenly very interesting to the good doctor. “ I know mommy, but I want to see him. I want to tell him that I love him and that he was the best daddy of all time. He needs to know that what happened was not his fault. It was that big, black meanie on two legs that hurt my daddy.” Little Morning had a hard time seeing the room, for small tears were running down her muzzle and making her vision all blurry. “I don’t know baby, I don’t know.” As Mrs Hoof picked up her foal in her magic and brought her over to her to caught by two front legs and was Immediately brought in for a very tight loving hug, to which Morning wrapped her ever growing legs around her mother's neck and hugged her back as hard as she could. Celestia leaned over to the Dr. and asked, “is it possible to have them see Sgt. Hoof today?” “Yes Princess, I’ll see to it.” “Thank you.” KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. All four heads swivel to the door to see a Solar Guard standing outside holding a scroll in her magic. The Dr. gets up and answers the door. “May I help you?” “Yes, I have a letter here for Her Radiance.” At which point Celestia with the slightest of groans makes her way off of the couch to see what the guard has for her. With the slight lighting of her horn, she gently takes the scroll in her magic and floats it over to her while walking to the doorway. “Thank you private, you may return to your station.” With a deep bow to the Princess and a “thank you your Radiance,” the guard disappears down the hall. Upon opening the scroll you hear Celestia mutter. “what now nephew?” only for the scroll to disappear in a flash. Celestia turns around to speak to the rest of the ponies in the room. “You will have to excuse me, Prince Blueblood has yet again done something foolish and I am being requested back to resume the Day Court to sort this out. Mrs Hoof, you and your precious little filly have an open invitation to the castle and the Royal Gardens. I will see to it that your family name is added to the Official Roster for ease of entrance, for I am truly sorry for the loss of your husband. You have my deepest condolences. Oh and Mountain, when you feel that you are ready I would really like for you write me a letter from time to time. I just love reading letters from little fillys and colts like you.” The little filly looks up to Celestia and smiles. “Dr. Stone, please see to every need that Mrs Hoof and her filly need while they are in your care.” “Yes your Majesty. I will take great care of them.” Celestia, looking straight at Mrs Hoof, bows to her. Raises her head and wishes a “Good bye for now Mrs Hoof.” and in a blinding flash, teleports away to resume her duties. “Mrs Hoof, if you could please follow me, I will bring you to your husband.” “Morning dear, time to go.” “Ok, mom. Did Princess Celestia really say that I can write her letters?” A look of curious astonishment on her little face. “Yes she did, dearie, yes she did.” As the three ponies slowly walked down the hall, Mrs Hoof and the Dr were talking about something, but little Morning wasn’t paying attention to them. Her sensitive little ears every once in awhile would hear something odd but familiar. After they passed a few more rooms and through a hall intersection the odd sounds became clearer and recognisable. “I want you to give Leaf Stream a chance. Ask her if anyone came to her before she does something rushed.” It’s the monster, here in one of these rooms. She slowly starts to take quiet steps towards the voice big meany that hurt her dad and those other ponies. “I think that’s stupid. Fine. I will do that, if she says yes. Happy?” Why is it here, does it want to hurt more ponies like it did to my dad?” as she watches it walking out of a room and down the hallway towards her. She sits down, slowly watching them talk, its big, black metal form slowly getting bigger and bigger, blood still on its ugly black armor. “I know you do, dad. I just think you can do much better.” Her daddy was gone. No more bedtime stories, no more playing in the yard. She will no longer feel the warm hugs, or the loving kisses of a loving father. She looks up at the monster and with a strong and determined voice yells. “YOU KILLED MY DADDY!” Author's Note Thanks again to Crimmar for his input on this story arc. I really appreciate the feedback I've gotten from the first two chapters and I hope I didn't disappoint with the third. Thank you all for reading. Mech.
