An Elite Guardian

A week. That's how long I've been in the Crystal war Equestria, two days of which I have been in the city of Canterlot. When I had first arrived, the Nobles, as if they deserve the title, tried to have the guards stationed there attack me. Celestia, however, stopped that. I was given a room in the castle, under guard by the insistence of the Nobles. I was given books to read, and had to surrender my visible weapons. Only Rainbow had seen my daggers, and had kept them secret, even from Celestia. Daring. I am liking this one more and more.

Currently, I was in the room I had been given, meditating, when a knock sounded on my door. "Enter," I say, and I heard the creak of the doors opening.

"Hey, Ruso," I heard, recognizing Rainbow Dash's voice.

"Hello, Lieutenant," I say.

"You don't need to call me by rank right now, Ruso," she said. "I'm on leave right now."

"Then to what do I owe the honor," I asked, opening my eyes.

"What, I can't just talk with ya," Rainbow, wearing the fallout suit from our first meeting, though without her helmet.

"I suppose not," I say in a joking tone. "Come, meditate with me."

"Yeah, no thanks, Ruso," Rainbow said. "That may be how you like to spend your time, but not me."

"Then may I ask a question?"

"Shoot."

"When I first met you and Princess Celestia, she gave me a battalion right away. Why?"

Rainbow sighed. "The princess told you of her sister, right?"

"Indeed," I reply. "But what does that have to do with this?"

"Everything," Rainbow said. "Most of our best Generals were killed during the first battles of the war, and thestral assassins killed the second in commands, nearly killed the princess too. We've been short on capable leaders since. You, unlike most of the others, showed actual capability. Doesn't hurt you helped save the princess, either."

"I suppose that makes sense," I say. "But what are thestrals?"

"Basically, they're pegasai with bat wings and yellow, reptilian eyes," Rainbow said. "A lot like you, actually. Honorable." She sighed again. "It's why they're against us now. When word reached us that Sombra had killed Luna, the code the thestrals lived by dictated they follow him. I know that code, as I was trying to become one before they left us, and had to memorize the code."

"Ah," I said. "That would explain why you were reading an old book yesterday, assuming it was related to the thestrals."

Rainbow looked down at the floor. "Yeah, it was," she said. "Please don't tell anypony. Princess Celestia ruled it illegal to read anything thestral related, afraid they would have enchantments on them to make the reader turn into one, which would force us to follow the code."

"You shouldn't go against her highness' wishes," I say before doing as much a smile as I could. "You need not fear me reporting you, Rainbow. I have no business in what you do in your own time. But I will give you a warning: if what you do harms the princess, or the army in any way, I will end you myself. Am I clear?"

"Yeah, you are, Ruso," she said. "So, what do you think of Canterlot?"

"That it should be wiped off the map," I say. "The so called 'nobles' are an insult to your kind, and the few who actually earned that title."

"You aren't the only one who thinks that," Rainbow said with a chuckle. "I once heard Princess Celestia say that the nobles annoyed her so much, she would remove the title if they weren't so crucial to Equestria's workings." She shook her head with a smile. "So, have you met with Captain De Lis?"

"No, I have not," I replied. "I have sent all but an hour yesterday here in this room. I do not wish to incite a mob simply because, and I quote, 'a disgusting animal is in Canterlot.' I swear to the gods, Unggoy are less annoying, something I once thought impossible."

"You know, Ruso, you've mentioned those 'gods' of yours a few times. Just what are they?"

"It is an expression of my people before I came here," I answered. "My kind believed in gods once before, but they were proven to be false gods. Now, I say it out of habit."

"Oh," Rainbow said. "Sorry I brought it up."

"No need to apologize, Rainbow. You did not know," I say. "Which reminds me, I do not know what my battalion is meant to do. Would you mind showing me to it, so that I may meet those under my command?"

"Maybe later," Rainbow said. "I just came to see how you're doing. We soldiers have to look after each other, right?"

"I suppose so," I said, chuckling. "So, do you wish to do something until then? I had finished my meditation just before you came in."

"Not really. You?"

"I was planning on having someone show me Canterlot," I replied, finally getting up. "Princess Celestia told me that I would be here for a while to get to know those under my command while she and the rest of the army marched out, yourself included."

"Yeah, that's tomorrow, actually," Rainbow said. "We can't exactly wait around. The Princess doesn't want Sombra to gain anymore ground then he already has. Only way for that is for us to be on the front lines."

"Then I hope that you and those at your side find victory," I replied. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must find someone to show me the sights."

"Guess I'll do that then," Rainbow said. "I was going to have a night on the town with Pinkie and Maud tonight, anyway. You coming?"

"Of course," I said, and the two of us walked out of my room. "Where ever it is we go, I should warn you, Rainbow, that if I am attacked, I will not hold back."

"Please, the nobles are too prissy to attack you, and the civilians wouldn't bother attacking you while three members of the army are with ya," Rainbow said. "Just stick close, and you'll be alright."

"I simply thought I would inform you," I say. "Where are we meeting the other two?"

"Castle gates," Rainbow replied. "You know, you can ask questions too, you know?"

"I like more to observe," I say. "I never was one for social contact before I came here. But now, it seems as if it's needed." We both chuckled.

"Yeah, war changes individuals," Rainbow said. "How do you think I got this wing," she asked, raising her metal wing.

"I admit, I am curious as to that. Only a few other pegasai I have seen have artificial wings."

"It has to do with my first battle," Rainbow said. "Well, my first real battle. The air force, with me just being a flight leader, engaged a small squad of Sombra's soldiers. We thought it would be quick and easy, but we were wrong." Rainbow sighed. "I was the only one who survived. It was in that battle we discovered the thestrals had betrayed us. We won, but the others died on the way back to base due to injuries. I had my wing cut off, and barely made it back to get medical attention. Don't get me wrong, the wing's cool and all, but still."

"I'm sure they fought bravely," I replied. I may not be good at reading people, but even I could tell Rainbow Dash was still upset with what had happened. Her head was lowered, for one, plus the sigh from earlier.

"They did," Rainbow said.

"Then, if you led them to the best of your ability at that time, you have nothing to be in sorrow about," I say. "Doing so would simply soil their memories. My people are a warrior race, we know a thing or two about dying in combat."

"I'll keep that in mind, Ruso, but you don't need to worry about that," she said, giving me a brave face. "I got over it a while ago."

As a human would say, I call bullshit. "If you say so," I said, with a hint of suspicion in the tone. From there, we exited the castle, and, at the main gate, I saw Pinkie, or should it be Pinkamena in this timeline, and Maud.

"Hey oh, Maud, Pinks. Didn't expect to see you this soon," Rainbow said, getting the attention of the two.

"Hey, Rainbow," Pinkie said in, how to describe it? Her tone was, well, blank, no emotion. It wasn't a robot, it was more Maud's usual tone with Pinkie saying. As a brony, if that term still applies to me, it was kind of weird. "What's he doing here?"

"Ruso? He just wants to see the sights. He's gonna be here for a while, after all," Rainbow said. "And no, Pinks, I wasn't going to show him any military areas of interest."

"So long as he doesn't try to kill anypony," Maud aid in her usual tone.

"You insult me by thinking I would attack without reason," I say. "Wise. Do not trust me fully. Only a fool fully trusts someone."

Maud seemed to smile a bit. "We now that. So, you want to see the sights while you have somepony to show you?"

"Indeed I do," I say, crossing my arms. "So, are you willing?"

"Yeah, we are," Pinkamena said. That's what I'm going with simply because it fits this version of her. "Let's go. First stop: a bar."

I simply rolled my eyes. Leave it Pinkie, any version of her, to know what to do to cheer ponies up. Anyway, with that, we left the castle.

We made our way to what I assume is the suburbs of Canterlot, where actual ponies lived. On our way there, the Nobles we encountered glared at me with disgust, and I even heard a few say "Draconic freak." Fuck you too, assholes. Still, a few looked only for a few seconds before resuming what it was they were doing, whether it be walking their dog, eating at a cafe, or something else. Too think, soldiers are risking their lives, and these assholes are the same as in the show. I'm tempted to go on a killing spree and say I was being controlled, just to have an excuse.

We made it to the suburbs as the sun was just reaching it's apex, us having left the castle around eleven the walk being an hour. The ponies here, though gave me looks, they were more. . . ones of curiosity. Don't get me wrong, a few had looks of hate, but nowhere near as much as the Nobles. We stopped at the front of a bar, the neon sign saying Soldier's retreat. I can guess it was made for the guards. Anyway, we walked in, and I got plenty of stares. I.E.: every eye was looking at me. I even saw a few armored ponies, not in royal guard armor, begin to draw daggers. Mercenaries. Makes sense. This is war, after all. Regardless, we made our way to a booth, which creaked upon me sitting.

"Sounds like you need to get some fat off," Rainbow said in a joking manner.

"That, or you ponies need stronger building materials," I shoot back as a waiter comes to the table, visibly shaking.

"H-h-hello," he stammered out. "W-welcome t-to the Re-retreat. H-how may we h-help you?"

"Yeah," Rainbow said. "The three of us will take the ceaser salad, and I'll have a cider to drink."

"O-of course," the unicorn waiter said before turning to face me. "A-and what about you, S-sir?"

"Depends," I say. "Do you have anything in the 'meat' department?" Oh, the look on his face was priceless. I even heard Maud chuckle a little at it.

"Y-yes," he managed to stammer out.

"Well, what do you have?"

"St-steak."

"Medium well with a water," I say.

"O-of course," the unicorn said, writing it down before practically galloping away to the kitchen.

"Maybe we should have rethought about coming here," Rainbow said.

"If so, the civilians would still act like this," I say. "Though I admit, a few of these ponies look drunk. I make no promises I won't harm them if they attack me."

"Fair enough," Pinkamena said. "We may be going out tomorrow, but I am bored to death without a fight."

"You and me both, Pinks," Rainbow said.

"Do not be so eager for battle," I said. "I would have thought you despised war."

"We do," Rainbow said. "What we want is just a fight to get pumped for tomorrow, or when the next battle will be."

"That, I understand," I said. "After all, with my people, our combat prowess has a part in our social status, and is often used to solve disputes. Personally, though, I prefer meditation, and music."

"Same," Maud said.

"So, if I may ask, what made you three join the Princess's army?"

"I joined to help protect my friends," Rainbow said. "Not to mention to get revenge for the ones that died."

"Maud and I because our parents taught us to help others however possible," Pinkamena said. "This was the best thing we could think of in the circumstances."

"A noble goal," I said as the ponies food arrived, and the waiter, stammering the entire time, said my steak was being cooked as he handed me my drink. "But don't forget this, you two: Sometimes, when stopping a monster, you become the monster."

"We'll keep that in mind," Pinkamena said. She then looked to her left, my right, which caused me to turn as well, and I saw a few mercenaries. Three, to be specific. One was a unicorn stallion with a black coat, with his mane and tail being much the same, but with red highlights and specks of orange, giving them a flame like appearance, with teal blue eyes, and two swords in their scabbards on his side. The one on his right was an emerald green pegasusstallion with a mane and tail the color of tree bark, and had wing blades that seemed to be sharper than those of the air force. The last was a navy blue earth pony mare with a black mane and tail, with metal claws attached to some kind of hoof wear, front and rear hooves.

"And what do you three want," Rainbow asked.

"Well, we saw that this creature," the unicorn said with a smug smile, "was holding you hostage, and we were hoping to rescue you three."

"Yeah, good luck with that," Rainbow said. "He isn't holding us hostage." With that, she reached for her drink, only for the pegasus to grab her hoof.

"Then maybe you three beautiful mares would be willing to keep us company."

"What, you three can't buck yourselves," I said, crossing my arms, which got chuckles from my companions, while getting hateful glares from the other three.

"What'd you say," the mare said.

"I said that if you three wish for company, just do so with each other. Honestly, I don't know how to make it clearer."

"We're siblings," the pegasus said.

"Oh," I say. "Then I'm sure that there will be a few mares out tonight for each of you. Even if not, do you think it is a bit early to try to bed a mare?"

I glared at the three of them, and they glared at me before the unicorn chuckled. "I like this guy. What's your name?"

"Ruso," I replied. "And before you attempt, and quite possibly fail, with flirting with my comrades, they have to leave tomorrow. What's your name?"

"My name's Lone Shadow," the unicorn replied. "The pegasus is my brother, Shadow Specter, and the Earth pony is our sister, Azure Shadow."

"You're the Shadow siblings," Rainbow said, as if she recognized the names.

"Yep," Azure said. "And we know who you three are. We just like to make a memorable first impression."

"Who are they," I ask.

"The Shadow siblings," Maud said. "One of the best mercenary groups, to the point Princess Celestia asked them to become Generals."

"I assume they said no?"

"You'd be right," Shadow said. "Didn't pay as much as our usual rate, and we didn't want to be bogged down by red tape."

"Yeah, well, there's red tape for a reason," Rainbow said. "It's so that we don't go power crazy and kill innocent civilians."

"Something I should know," I whispered to Pinkamena.

"A merc group hired by Sombra killed her family in an attempt to make Princess Celestia surrender by harming her subjects," the pink pony replied. "She hasn't liked any mercenary since, even if they're with us."

"I will keep that in mind," I say as Rainbow gets into an argument with Shadow.

"Maybe, but it's the red tape that stops you from doing what needs to be done, sometimes," Shadow said. "Maybe then you wouldn't be losing to Sombra's forces."

"What did you say," Rainbow growled.

"You heard me," the stallion said. "The reason why Sombra's winning this war is because most ponies are still too used to peace, and aren't willing to kill. The few that are are made a part of, and I mean no insult to them, this is just what the rest of the guard call them,  the freak show battalion. Hell, most of them, you three excluded, can't even bring themselves to kill a timber wolf to defend somepony."

"That's because they're reserved for the dangerous missions," Maud said, getting all of our attention. "The main army is used only with normal missions. The freak show is used for ones that require there to be death, to the point they take that supposed insult as a compliment."

"They sound like my kind of individuals," I say, taking a sip of my water. "I wonder if that's the battalion the Princess is putting me in charge of."

"Probably," Azure said. "Even with the lack of commanders under her, the Freak show is the only one with no officers."

"If so, you have your work cut out for you, Ruso," Lone said. "They only follow the ones who are able to get their respect, and of what I've heard, that can only happen in combat."

"I'll keep that in mind if it is the case," I say. "So, what exactly do you guys do in terms of weapon skills?"

"Swords," Lone said. "I thought it was obvious. Shadow uses wingblades made of a special material that I won't say, while Azure uses lightweight, due to a spell I discovered a few years back, titanium claws."

"I thought titanium was extremely heavy," I said.

"Yeah, it is," Azure said. "But with Earth pony strength, as well as a spell that helps lighten loads like titanium. I can use these as if they were the weight if aluminum."

"Must be terrifying to your enemies."

"If they were themselves, probably," Lone said. "I don't know the specifics, but Sombra uses some kind of enchanted helmet on the crystal ponies, which, if I'm right, completely removes their personality. As for the bat ponies, I hear that what ever rituals they have for war removes fear from them, making them brave as tartarus."

I scoffed. "They are not brave, they are abominations."

"What makes you think that," Shadow asked.

"Simple," I say. "In order to be brave, one must have fear to begin with. If you have no fear, then you are not really alive."

"That we agree on, Ruso," Azure said. "So, how is it the Princess made you a leader of one of the battalions?"

I shrugged. "I arrived in the area of the most recent fight, was attacked by Sombra's forces, killed them, saw Sombra and his forces attacking the Princess, and killed the additional enemies, making it a one on one between the Princess and Sombra, which caused Sombra to retreat."

"That doesn't sound like him," Shadow said. "Sombra wouldn't retreat. Not unless. . ."

"Not unless it was part of a plan of his," I say, understanding where the pegasus was thinking. "That then raises the question as to what his plan is?"

"We'll see if we can find that out while we're in the field," Rainbow said. "So, I say until me, Maud, and Pinks ship out again tomorrow, we have fun."

"You guys do that," Lone said. "Princess Celestia wants to see us in an hour, and we were just killing time. Guess we'll see ya around."

"You as well," I reply before they turn and leave, which was just before my food arrived. I will spare you all the boring details, so after we had all finished and the bill was paid, with a discount due to the four of us being in the guard, we then made our way to something Pinkamena had suggested, the memorial to the fallen.

The memorial was nothing that special, appearance wise. It was a statue of the sun, with the pedestal, somehow, inscribed with multiple names. But there were two things that got my attention, though.

One was a statue made of pitch-black onyx, with a likeness of a crescent moon atop a slender pedestal that seemed as if it had grown out of the ground. The other was a statue of some kind of pink crystal that flowed as if carved from water, with an outline of a heart atop a medium pedestal.

"The memorial to the fallen royals," Pinkamena said. "The moon is for Princess Luna."

"And the heart," I asked.

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and her husband, Prince Shining Armor," Pinkameana said. "I was there when they were killed."

"If I may ask, what happened?"

The pink mare sighed. "It was about a year ago, near what used to be Van Hoover. I was just a squad leader under Princess Cadenza, and the Army under her command was there to stop Sombra's forces from taking it. His army, and Sombra himself, attacked  during the night, surprising us. Twenty five percent of us were killed before we knew what was going on, and another ten before everypony was awake. I made my way to where the command tent was, where the two slept, and when I got there, I saw Prince Armor's corpse, and two, separate piles of ash. One was the tent, and the other was a pony, the surviving unicorns got that much, and, seeing as how it was next to Prince Armor, it had to have been Cadenza."

"So Sombra has killed three royals," I say, crossing my arms. "Say what you will about him, but you can not say he is weak."

"Unfortunately," Rainbow said. "It'd make this war a whole lot shorter if he was, and a lot less ponies would be dead right now."

"Perhaps," I say. "But even if he is weak, he must be a planner to be able to push the Guard back, which would make him only more difficult, even without power."

"Yeah, I guess," Rainbow said. She sighed. "You know, Ruso, form the few times I saw Princess Luna, she would have liked you."

"Why is that?"

"She, well, let's just say she was an enthusiast with old Equestria," Rainbow said, "and the knights back then were, according to the stories, among the most noble soldiers in Equestria's history."

I chuckled, knowing how that came to be. "I would have liked to meet her as well," I said, looking at the statue memorials of the three royals. What a shame they had to die. Sombra, for as good an enemy I am certain you will be, I swear I will kill you slowly.

"Come on, time we showed you the training grounds for the army," Rainbow said. "Last thing we'll be able to get to before the three of us need to turn in. We leave early."

"Then by all means," I said. "Lead the way."