An Elite Guardian

A week has passed since the failed attempt by the former princess of the moon to take Canterlot, and, even though I had been injured severely, I was already on my feet, helping with the repairs.

I had asked the doctors how this was possible, and one of them replied with, "Well, sir, as far as we could tell from our scans, you have a seed in you." I asked what he meant by that. "Well, in this case, a seed would be a portion of a unicorn or alicorn's magic placed inside something. You, in this case. Before this whole war started, we were doing tests to see just what could be done with them with the assistance of Princess Luna, and we discovered that the seeds enhance how quickly those the seed has as a host, for lack of a better term, can heal from injuries, their strength, speed, and their mental prowess, though only slightly with that last one, and, rarely, give earth ponies or pegasai telekinetic abilities. Though they also allow for the one who placed the seed, or any who know the seed is there and the specific frequency needed to activate it, to control them. And with the scans, we discovered that you have one in you, though we can't figure out who placed it." I had replied with saying that Luna had tried to control me through the seed, but failed, which stumped them, as, according to them, no one should have been able to resist it.

As a result, I had a guard follow me around, and gave them orders that they were not to leave me alone at all, with one following me into the restroom even-thank you stalls-to ensure I wouldn't do anything. If I did, they were to terminate me then and there, if not run, and alert the other guard here.

Anyway, I was currently in the throne room, as Celestia, having come back from her most recent campaign early, wished to speak with me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have words for her, either.

The guards currently escorting me, which would be the Shadow siblings-of their own accord-Crest, Crossguard, and Spear Shield were in formation around me at the base of the throne as we waited for the princess to arrive. We did not need to wait soon, as just ten minutes after we arrived, she walked in, along with the Pie sisters, Dash, and Fleur.

"Highness," I said as I bowed my head. "We did not expect your return this soon."

"Circumstances required I return," she replied. "The doctors told of the seed in you, Ruso. I appreciate that you have taken steps to prevent anything, but you must know that there is only three ponies who know how to activate that seed."

"Precisely why I gave the order to terminate me if I did something," I replied. "But I do have something to ask, princess, and I believe you know what it is."

Celestia sighed. "What did I do to my sister and niece," she said, to which I nodded.

"She shouldn't need to explain anything to yo-" Muad began before Celestia put a wing in front of her, cutting her off.

"No, Lieutenant. I have hidden this for too long, and it was bound to come out at some point, whether by chance or my guilt," she said. "And besides, those in charge of my army should know the real reason why we're fighting this war." Celestia sighed before she continued. "As you all know, my sister and I defeated Sombra a thousand years ago, causing him and the Empire to vanish. Eighteen years ago, I ascended Cadence, whose real name is Umbra, and is Luna's daughter, as well as Sombra's."

"Yeah, we figured that much from Luna's angry rant," Lone said. "'Least, the whole family thing."

"Quiet, Lone," Azure said. "Let her continue."

"Thank you, Azure," Celestia said, and I could hear pain and sorrow in her voice. "The reason why Luna fought with me against her husband and didn't remember her daughter is because, at the time, I was overtly paranoid of Sombra, as well as . . . clingy of Luna, and did not wish for her to be with a stallion for fear of her abandoning me. I did not need to do much to Cadence, simply put a stasis spell on her to prevent her aging until enough time had passed to where none recognized her, which was longer than I had thought, and give her to a loving family. I had hoped that, when enough time passed, I'd be able to tell her of her father, at least, but when the Empire returned, and Sombra knowing fully what I had done, I couldn't."

"So, you sent your sister, hoping seeing her would prevent him from attacking?" I asked.

"No," Celestia said. "The spell weakened when she was cleansed of Nightmare, and I imagine it broke just before the Empire returned, which gave her a chance to see her old love under the guise of diplomacy. I imagine that, upon seeing at seeing Sombra again, the memory of the one who cast the spell returned, and she wanted revenge."

We were all silent for a time, with Dash mouthing "Whoa."

Eventually, it was Pinkamena who asked, "What about Cadence, Princess?"

"She was but a new born when I did what I thought was right, and had no memory of it. I thought that mixed with her devotion to Equestria would prevent her from turning against us," Celestia said, making me chuckle.

"A foolish gambit, that," I replied. "I am not from a world of magic, but I am certain one of your sister's power would be able to bring up hidden or lost memories with the right spell. Which I assume happened, and, in her rage, she killed her husband, who, if what I heard about him is correct, was something of an icon for guards. Strong, loyal, skilled, everything. Killing him, even if it was one of opportunity, would result in lowered morale."

"But begs the question as to who that pile of ash used to be," Specter said.

"I imagine Shining Armor's second in command," Celestia said. "A pegasus named Flash Sentry. I never met him, so I wouldn't know what he was like."

"Princess, if I may offer my honest opinion?" I asked.

"Go ahead, Ruso," she said.

"You're an idiot," I said, hands crossed, making those around her yell at me before I raised a hand. "Allow me to explain. This whole war began simply because of a small, personal issue that effected only one pony who overreacted to her fears, ripping a family, of whom her sister was a part of, apart, which began this war. Quite, frankly, if I had not sworn allegiance to you, I'd have left with Luna, if not help her. As it it, however," I said, "they were the ones who began the war in earnest, so neither party is free of guilt here. I do not agree with what you did, and if one of them speaks with me in the dream world and is able to give me more than the reasons I just listed, I will join them. However, currently, I am with you, and I will be honest with you, unless you give me a reason to not be honest."

Needless to say, my words left the others in shock, mouths agape. Eventually, Celestia said, "I do appreciate your honesty, Ruso," she said, "but I need to see just how much the seed has you in its grasp," she said before lighting her horn, and a golden aura wrapped around my body before she gasped. "Impossible," she said as her magic faded away. "There are two within you."

"But the doctors said only one could exist in an individual," I said.

"Which makes this impossible," Celestia said. "But it is the only explanation for as to how you weren't instantly turned. One of those who placed a seed in you was Sombra. I recognized his signature. He must have done it when you first encountered one another. But the other is one I have encountered only once," she said before, in a move that surprised me and the others, she bowed and said, "Ruso, champion of the goddess Harmony."