An Elite Guardian

The first place we went for our investigation was in the Noble district, a house belonging to this world's version of Jet Set and Upper Crust. Quick question, why the hell does one of them have access to the archive?

Okay, I will let it slide because this is a different universe. But only for now.

As for their house, it was what I thought would belong to a noble: tall, with elegant curves for decoration, and, well, the usual noble things for decoration. "Not as extravagant as I had thought it would be," I muttered as myself, Fleur, and Midnight walked up to the main door, with me holding my hands behind my back.

"Please restrain yourself, Ruso," Midnight said. "Most don't trust you."

"I know," I replied. "But if it gets to where they attack, I make no promises they will live."

"No, if that happens," Fleur said, "we knock them out, and take them alive."

"If it is possible," I replied.

They did not reply, and Midnight knocked on the door with her hoof. A few seconds later a maid in, well, not the typical maid outfit, opened the door. It was by no means raunchy, if anything, it was casual, something one could wear when out with friends. "Y-yes," the mare, white coat with black mane and tail, no horn, said. "What do you want?"

"Royal Guard," Fleur said. "We were hoping to talk with Jet Set and Upper Crust."

"Of course," the mare said before her eyes landed on me. "I-is that-"

"If you are going to ask if I am that monster, or something along those lines, that the Princess let into the guard, yes," I said in an even tone.

"I was going to say the one who saved the princess and three fillies," she said. "I've heard the rumors. Not everypony thinks your mindless, sir."

"Thank you, I suppose," I said. "May we enter?"

"O-of course," the maid said. "Master Jet and Lady Crust are in the study. I'll get them for you."

"Our thanks," I said with a slight bow.

"You sure you weren't born in high society?" Fleur asked as we walked in, me having to bend to fit through the door.

"You think that manners belong only to ponies?" I ask, though with a slight joking tone. "You have a bit to learn about Sangheili, then."

The interior of the house was, again, what I had expected from a noble house. It was just barely able to accommodate my large frame, which meant if things got violent, I would be at a disadvantage. Good thing I have my sword with me if it comes to that.

"So, what are we going to ask them?" Midnight asked as we waited in the main hall.

"I say we improvise," I said. "We can't fully trust what they say right now."

"He's not wrong," Fleur said. "But who should handle the questioning?"

"Why not all three of us?" I asked.

"You two do that," Midnight said. "I'll handle trying to find any actual evidence." With that, she walked away, and into a side hall, as we heard two pairs of hoofsteps

"If you think that's best Midnight," Fleur muttered as a gray unicorn stallion with a black mane and tail wearing a simple white shirt with a gray jacket, the arms, is that the right terms, considering, tied around his neck and a yellow unicorn mare with a baby blue mane and tail wearing a white shirt and pink jacket tied around her neck came into view.

"Hello to you three," the stallion, Jet Set said as he and his wife appeared. "Thank you for waiting."

"And our thanks for seeing us on short notice," Fleur said.

"Anything for members of the guard," Crust said. "Dust said you wished to speak with us?"

"Indeed we did," I replied. "Last night, someone snuck into the castle, and sabotaged what is keeping the shield around the city up," I said before I added something in. "Nothing was badly damaged, as the saboteur was caught before they could finish, but was able to escape before we could identify them, and they wore clothing to hide their identity. All we have is their magical signature."

Fleur, to her credit, caught on quickly. "You two don't need to worry. Right now, we just need to know where you two were for yesterday."

"Of course," Crust said. "I was at my job in the entertainment district with my friend, Octavia Melody. She's an Earth pony who works in the Opera as a violinist."

"You work in entertainment?"

She chuckled. "I know, it's not what most expect from me, especially as my cutie mark isn't related to that, but I do that for fun, as unlikely as it seems. Anyway, I was there from about ten in the morning to five in the afternoon, which is when Octavia and I went to Doughnut Joe's, which is our favorite restaurant in the area, which is about a ten minute trip from the Opera house, and stayed there for about an hour."

"Why?" I asked.

"We were waiting for a friend of ours," Crust said. "She's a guard, so we figured that kept her from showing up, so we left after an hour. I came home, and my sweetie was here waiting for me."

"And what were you doing, yesterday, Mister Jet?" Fleur asked before I was able to ask Crust just who her friend was.

"I was here all day. The maids can corroborate that much."

"Thank you for your time, then," Fleur said. Seriously? One question. "Ruso, can you get Midnight?"

"Why? We are not done here," I say. Whatever she was going to say next, I brushed off. "Miss Crust, if you are okay with me calling you that, what was the name of your friend, and are they a unicorn?"

I saw a faint shimmer, but attributed it my eyes and my gear as Crust replied. "I'm okay with that. A for my friend, her name's Twilight Sparkle, and she's a unicorn."

"You're lying," I said. "She was with me the entire time yesterday, and I would have known if my second in command had a meeting you others. And besides," I said, shrugging, "she has no friends." Either that, or that shimmer I saw wasn't just one.

"You'll have to forgive my wife," Jet said. "Sometimes this happens. The doctors say she has occasional bouts of dementia, and she does sometimes mistake one pony's name for another. But she did tell the truth about meeting a friend of hers and Octavia."

"Then can you tell us who she was supposed to meet?" Fleur asked

"Afraid not, no," he said. "She has her private life, I have mine, and unless it's damaging to our marriage, we try to stay out of the other's private life."

"Fair enough," I said. "Well, unless we need to speak with you later." With that, I went to get Midnight. "I will meet you outside, Fleur."

"If you say so," she said. She then went to the door, as I went to find Midnight. And already, we found something interesting. That being whoever was behind this was nearby, and keeping an eye on us while trying to throw us off. May be able to use that if Fleur doesn't try to do anything to me for not following her lead. Anyway, I made my way to what I assumed was the main room when I began to hear Midnight talking.

"This thing isn't working," I heard as I slowed down. "I know what the plan is, but we just can't plan for everything."

There was a pause before, "I'm trying, honey, but I have my limits, especially when I'm limited."

I stopped just at the entrance to the room, and saw Midnight looking into a mirror, but whatever spell she was using wasn't letting me see the other end. I heard a sigh before, "I know, which is why I'm trying my best with what I have. It'd be nice if you did the same. I'll talk to you tonight."

"I did not know you were wed," I said as I stood in the door frame, making her jump. "Sorry about the scare."

"Oh, no, it's alright," she said as she turned around. "Yeah, for three years," she said. "He's often at the front lines, and we use mirror spells to talk with one another. It works well enough."

"I'm sure that the war will end soon enough," I said. "I am not one for romance, but I know that separation as often as yours is not good."

She smiled. "Yeah. With you helping out once your out on the front lines, I'm sure that the war will end soon."

I nodded. "My thanks. Come on, we're done here."

"Right," she said, nodding. With that, the two of us turned to leave. We made it outside, where Fleur was waiting.

"So, where to next?" I asked.

"Why are you asking me?" Fleur shot back. "You seemed to take charge back there."

"I did so because you seemed content with just a single question," I said. "That is not how you do an investigation, especially when dealing with potential traitors. The more we have from them, the more potential leads we have, and, if they were lying, the greater chance we have of finding that lie, which will lead to the truth."

"Maybe where you're from," Fleur said. "But here, ponies can easily tell when one is lying."

"I'll believe that when I see it," I said. "But you are the senior here, in rank, if not time. Unless I see a potential issue, I follow your lead."

"Then I guess we'd better find that mare, Octavia."

"Who?" Midnight asked.

"A friend of Upper Crust's," I replied. "With her, it is only to confirm her alibi. Afterwards, we go back to the list."

"Of which, there are only a few left," Fleur said as she took a copy of the list she had made, must have missed it, and handed it to me.

The names on it were Rose Quartz, apparently a mare, Onyx, that's an interesting name, and the Shadow siblings. Only five? Interesting. "Aren't the Shadows with Princess Celestia?" I asked.

"Apparently not," Fleur said. "Going to be a pain to find them, though. Most of the times, you only find them if they want you to."

"You would be surprised what a Sangheili can find," I said. "Still, it would be best to leave them for last unless we run into them before hand."

"Agreed," Fleur said.

"And if they're the saboteurs?" Midnight asked. "We'd be giving them more time to escape."

"Nopony's stopping you from trying to find them," Fleur and I said at the same time

"Then I guess I'll try to find them," Midnight said. "They're probably the ones who did it, anyway. I never trusted freelancers." With that, she split off.

"Is she always that hostile?" I asked once she was out of earshot

"Not usually," Fleur said. "Ever since she lost her husband a year ago to the freelancers Sombra enlisted-"

"What do you mean?" I asked. "I caught her using a mirror spell to talk with her husband, whose on the front lines, back in Jet Set and Upper Crust's home. She even said they had been married for three years."

"Than she must have had an affair going on," Fleur said, disgust in voice. "I swear, ponies who do that deserve whatever comes to them. Unless it's positive. Then they don't deserve it."

"I guess we can ask her later," I said. From there, the two of us made our way to the Opera house. If Octavia wasn't there, then we could at least find out where she lives. When we arrived, it looked much like a theater back home, though smaller to accommodate for pony size. Fortunately, I didn't have to crouch to get in.

"Not as fancy as I had anticipated," I muttered.

"Yeah, the first time Fancy and i had come here, we thought the same," Fleur said. "It grows on you after a while, though."

"Noted," I said. "So, you've been here before. You know the layout. Care to show me the way?"

"Nope," she replied. "Come on." With that, she walked inside, with me following her. As we walked, I saw ponies getting ready for a show. I did not know what it was, but, from what I could tell, it was a viking opera. Original.

When we made it to a door that I imagine went to back stage, we were stopped by a door guard. "Sorry, miss," he said, holding a hoof to block us. "Backstage passes needed."

"And what about these?" Fleur asked as she used her magic to cause a pattern to become visible on the armor, a recreation of Celestia's cutie mark. Now, before you say anything, the armor masters put that on each so that if something like this happens, we have badges on us, and it can only be made visible by a spell taught to the guard. For me, it was on my right shoulder in yellow and white, small enough to not be an eyesore, but large enough to be seen.

The door guard's eyes widened. "Sorry, ma'am," he said. "We get a lot of ponies pretending to be guards for backstage and autographs."

"It's okay," Fleur said. "Is Octavia Melody here?"

"She is, yes," the door guard said. "I'm guessing you know what she looks like?"

"I do," I replied. At Fleur's look, I explained. "A few of those in my battalion who actually speak to me have a crush on her, and described her, physically, in exaggerated detail, but I have enough: a gray mare with black mane and tail, a purple bow tie, and her cutie mark is that of a music note. And, as Upper Crust said, an earth pony."

"That's it," the dorr guard said, nodding. "Hurry, though. Almost time for show."

"We will be quick," I replied. I was the one to lead us into the back room, and the looks I got were, to say the least, odd. Regardless, I ignored them, and, after asking for directions, made my way, with Fleur in tow, to where Octavia was, which was her personal room. I knew she was good, but I did not think this good for your own ready room in an opera house when your an instrument musician.

I knocked, and got a quick reply. "Come in," I heard, along with the sound of violin strings being played. I opened the door, and saw Octavia, who looked the same in this universe as the canon, by the way, standing and playing her instrument.

"A beautiful sound," I said, making the gray mare look up, but still playing, and see me and Fleur.

"Royal guards, I presume?" she asked.

"Yes," Fleur said. "If you don't mind, we need to ask you a few questions?"

"Not at all," the mare said. "Long as they're quick."

"We're just confirming something," I said. "Were you with a mare by the name of Upper Crust yesterday?"

"Yes, I was," Octavia said. "I'm guessing your confirming her alibi?"

"Indeed we are," I said. "How long were you with her?"

"From ten to about six. We left here around five pm, and made our way to our favorite restaurant, where we stayed for an hour before leaving."

"She said you both were supposed ot meet somepony there," Fleur said. "Is that true?"

"It is," Octavia replied. "We were supposed to meet our friend, Midnight, but she didn't show up." This made the both of us exchange looks, and made my suspicion rise. Interesting, this has become. "We don't know why, but figured it was because of guard duty."

"Not likely," Fleur said. "She was off duty from six to eight. I saw her leave."

Octavia shrugged. "Must have been personal. Whatever it is, I hope it's not too bad."

"Octavia, three minutes!"

"Got it!" she yelled back. "I'm sorry, but I can't answer anymore questions, and I'll be busy afterwards."

"How long is the show?" I asked.

"An hour, then ten minute intermission, then fifty minutes," Octavia replied. "Why?"

"How much would it be to buy a ticket for it last minute?" I replied.

"Ruso-" Fleur began, but I held up a hand.

"It would be about twenty bits," Octavia said. "House isn't packed, not even twenty five percent, and guards get a discount."

"Cheap," I muttered as I took a pouch, one i had been given by Celestia before her departure, which carried my first month salary, as well as a bonus for both protecting her and the fillies from what remains of Ponyville. "Call this a direct payment," I said as I dug twenty five bits out of the pouch and put them on a nearby vanity table. "Will that work?"

"Yep," Octavia said. "I'll make sure to let the stewards know."

"And Fleur?" I asked. "What of you?"

"I'd rather go and do my job," she replied before walking off.

"Well, that was expected," I said before going to leave the room myself. "I still have a few questions, Miss Melody, but for now, they can wait until after."

"I guess I'll see you afterwards, then," she replied. With that, I left backstage, and made my way to the back row of the seating area. Now, you may be wondering as to why I'm doing this. Simple: I am doing it both to be here to get to Octavia to continue questioning, and, should something happen, I would be here.

"Hey, Ruso." Or number three, four and five on the list arrive here. Also works.

"Hello, Shadows," I said. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Same to you," Shadow said as he and his sibling took seats around me.

"So, want to ask us about what happened last night?" Lone asked.

"How do you know about it?" I asked as a pony came out from behind the curtains to begin the exposition.

"We were pulling our own guard duty," Azure replied. "Got distracted by something, and, when we returned, the monolith was sliced. Been doing our own investigation. Led us here. You?"

"Same," I said. "Anypony else to corroborate that besides you three?"

"Iron Sword and Steel Shield," Lone replied. "They saw us while we were chasing after the wild goose."

"So, what leads you got," Shadow asked. "We have that it was somepony in the guard. High up, too."

"Simply that they are watching at least me, Fleur, or Midnight," I said. "Tried to throw us off their trail and frame my second."

"I'm guessing it failed," Shadow said.

"Indeed I did," I said. "How do I know you three aren't lying to me right now?"

"Because Princess Celestia ordered us to make sure you didn't," Azure said as the curtains opened. "Plus she put a spell on us to prevent us from lying if Canterlot was in danger. To you, anyway."

"Noted," I said as the opera began. Near an hour later, just before the intermission, I caught sight of something. "Left ramp," I said to the three. "Mare with a jacket, no horn."

"Hard to miss," Lone mumbled. "Nopony else has come in. What about her?"

"Look at how she walks, or whatever the term is," I said. "Not to mention the slight bulge on her back. Hard to tell, but look at the slope. How it slightly goes up, then down again. Either a hunch, or something else."

"Agreed, but we can't go in with out cause," Azure said. Shame I don't have Promethean vision. That would help.

"I got an idea, guys," Lone said before he lit his horn. "Aw, shit. Guys, she's got thestral pupils, and I'm picking up a huge magic charge under that jacket."

"Right," I said. "Azure, Shadow, head down and in front of her. Lone, with me," I said.

"This is going to be good," Lone said as the four of us began to move. At the same time, the interlude began, and it was Octavia who began, along with a pianist, and an appropriate song began to play.

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I made my way to the thestral, hand going to my energy sword, as i saw her go to a side door. One that led back stage. "You go tmy back?" I asked Lone.

"Yep," he replied.

"Then stick close," I said, following the mare's path.

"Hey, you can't be bac-," I heard the door guard say before I heard a snap, followed by the thud of a body hitting the floor.

I then heard the door open, and the mare step inside. What could she be planning, I wonder? Actually, it doesn't matter right now. Lives are at stake, and the offensive may be early. "Let's pick up the pace," I said, drawing my hilt and sprinting towards the door, only to bust through it with my shoulder, to see the mare, indeed a thestral, as she had no jacket on, her bat wings exposed, a package on the floor.

"So, the beast has arrived," she said, her yellow eyes looking at me and Lone before she tsked. "Shame you're too late," she said. "Already my sisters and brothers are doing the same as I, which will bring about Canterlot's fall."

"I would like to see you try," I said, igniting my blade. "Now, either you stop this and turn yourself in, or-"

"Or we turn you into a shish kebab," I heard a voice from behind say before my body was enclosed in a light blue aura, as was Lone's body. I tired to turn my head, but failed. Not that it mattered, as the speaker came into my line of sight. "Shame you both are very perceptive," Midnight said. "I was planning on letting you live, Ruso, as well as you and your siblings, Lone. You four would make excellent soldiers in Sombra's army.

"We will not be his pawns," I said. At least I can talk. "And at least I do not betray those above me, you filthy beast."

Midnight snarled, and I felt her magical grip on me vanish. "You think us weak," she said. "I'll show you." With that, she summoned an etheric blade, a technique I had read about, but one i thought could only be done by high level unicorns and, of course, alicorns. "You think you are an expert with that sword? I will show you what a true swordsman can do."

I simply snarled at her as I put my right elbow into my left hand. "So long as you do not detonate your charges wile the battle is going," I said.

"By the Moon's word," she said. "Now, die." With that, she charged me, and began to swing, but I was able to use my blades to block the strikes. After the tenth, I spun, and tried to stab her in the neck, but she jumped back with an unnatural speed for a unicorn. "Such a novice," she said as i got back into my stance. "Still, only a few have been able to survive."

"You'll find I'm  more than a match for your skills," I replied.

"Then let's test that, shall we," she said with a smirk before she jumped ta me, her etheric blade raised high.

"Agreed," I said as I raised my own blade to block. I did so, and her sword bounced off, but she used the momentum for a behind the back slash, which I easily sidestepped, which must have been her plan, as her blade hit me in the leg form a quick redirect. Fortunately, my shields were on.

I countered with a spinning strike meant to decapitate her, but she ducked under it, and I resulted in only cutting off a lock of hair, which seemed to evaporate into a mist. From there, our strikes began to pick up speed, to where not even I remember every strike. What I do remember, however, was the last move of my only fight with Midnight, but the last in the first duel with what she really was.

She had pushed me back to just at the curtain, and was ready to deliver an overhead slice, one that would have killed me, as it had energy building along the edges. Fortunately, energy swords were meant for dueling. She brought her blade down, which is when I brought my sword up, catching her blades between mine, and turning my wrist so to redirect her blade to the ground, which allowed me jump over her, land behind, and deliver a kick to her barrel, which sent her flying out from backstage, which also freed Lone, who drew a short sword, and killed the thestral mare.

As that happened, I followed Midnight's path, blade lit outfront, where the ponies were shocked to see this. Azure and Shadow, their weapons out, rushed to keep Midnight, who had, somehow landed without injury in the front row of seats.

"By Celestia's authority," I said, pointing my blade at her neck, "you are under arrest for treason." Then, she laughed.

"You think I care about that?" she said between laughs. "The day is nothing compared to the shadows, a force I know well." With that, she used her magic to send each of us flying backwards, but, as I hit the stage, I rolled, and landed in a crouch position to see Midnight change. She grew taller, only slightly, her coat grew darker, her eyes, once a dark green, changed to a lighter color. But the most definitive change was that she now had wings, and dark regalia/ battle armor on.

"Once my thestrals destroy my sister's home," Luna said, "my love and I will show Equestria the glory of shadows!"