Guardians of Equestria Chapter 2: Love is Magic Part 2

Chapter 2 Reinforcements

The very next day, Twilight had decided to give the boys a tour of the castle. After acquiring Finn from his room, they both went to fetch Jay. They found him in his room wearing a pair of big black reading glasses and using his magic to move a quill pen across a fresh parchment of paper.

“Writing to Nilly”? Finn asked, smiling as he watched his friend.

“Mhm”, Jay grunted, not taking his eyes off the paper.

“Tell her I said hey”, Finn said warmly, turning to leave.

“Will do”, Jay said with a nod.

Finn beckoned Twilight to join him as he left the room.

“Who’s Nilly”? Twilight asked, catching up to Finn.

“His daughter”, Finn answered, “Her full name is Vanilla Jasmine Twilight, but we call her Nilly”.

Twilight was instantly taken back by this newfound knowledge.

“I didn’t know Jay had a daughter”, she said, “Does he have a wife too”?

Finn frowned as he shook his head sadly.

“Oh”, Twilight said, “I’m sorry”.

“Well what’re you gonna do”? Finn said shrugging his shoulders, “Anyway, you promised me you’d show me the castle so, go ahead. Start showing”.

The young princess showed her friend the many marvels of the castle; the beautiful animal filled gardens, the ball room, the royal kitchen, at which they stopped to sample some rather tasty morsels. Then again, anything that didn’t come from a tin can was considered a delicacy by Finn. Lastly, they had stopped in the royal library, where she gave Finn her one of her favorite books, “The history of Equestria”. As he ran his eyes over the text, he was very fascinated by the many past events recorded in the book. After finishing the book, Finn slowly set it down on the table.

“A very interesting read”, Finn said. “It sure is”, Twilight agreed, “That’s why it’s one of my favorites. Wanna learn more about the elements of harmony”? “Sure”, Finn said, “I’d love to hear more about those cool looking necklaces, and your crown of course”.

Twilight nodded, and went to go fetch the Elements’ reference guide. When she came back, she saw Finn had made a house of books. After looking at him with a stern scowl, he slowly took down the manmade house. Afterwards, Finn opened the book and began to read.

“There are 6 elements of Harmony”, he read aloud, “Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is unknown”. “I was actually the one to discover it”, Twilight reported proudly, “The element of Magic, which as you know is MY element”.

Finn gave a small smile at his lavender furred comrade told him. Suddenly, He noticed a small streak of dust at the bottom of the second page. As he wiped his hoof against it, a small print caught the young hero’s eye.

“For ‘Guardian Elements’ see pages 15-16”, Finn read aloud. “Guardian Elements”?! Twilight said surprised, “How could I have missed that”?

Twilight looked closer at the page, and also saw the footnote. She quickly turned to the page mentioned, but was unable to find it. When she turned the page, she ended up seeing pages 17 and 18.

“That’s weird”, She said.

Finn wilted his head. Then giving a bleary look he took the page with both his hooves, and then by moving them back and forth, revealed the 2 missing pages. As her mistake began to sink in, Twilight blushed with embarrassment, and then turned her attention back to the book. Finn was the first to read.

“Before Celestia created the elements of harmony, there were those known as the ‘Guardian Elements’, the original elements, that protected Equestria”, he read. “These Guardian elements were protected and used by 4 champions; hero’s whose reputations and character truly represented the elements. When the Guardians passed, they left the elements in the care of the 2 pony sisters. Unlike the elements created by Celestia, the guardian elements had greater magic, and could counter any hex, spell or incantation. Then, the Elements were hidden away so that the Evil Draconequus Discord wouldn't use their powers for evil.”

“There are 4 Guardian Elements”, Twilight said, reading the next passage, “But only 3 are known; Faith, Wisdom, and Bravery. The 4th is a mystery. No one knows where they are, but some say they reside deep within the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters, as with the elements. They also say that the 4th element will be revealed when this riddle is deciphered.”

Twilight and Finn recited the poem together.

“When all hope is lost, and peace becomes dismay, Love will light the elements, as well as lead the way”.

Twilight and Finn exchanged a look of curiosity and worry. Meanwhile, deep in the Everfree Forest, a portal opened, and out sailed a longboat connected to a large balloon. On it rode Will, Finn’s young adopted brother, and Marco, Finn’s older biological brother and destined king for Arion.

“Are you sure this is where the last portal sent them”? Will asked. “Never doubt what you never know Corporal”, Marco said in a deep but calm voice. “Well, where are we”?! Will asked obliviously, “This sure as heck doesn’t look like ‘Ponyville’ ”. “It doesn’t, does it”? Marco asked in agreement. “Well let’s just sail around until we find it”, Will suggested.

And with that Marco nodded in agreement, and took the wheel that steered the ship. Just then, Will looked up, and saw a castle near the mountains.

“Hey look! a castle”, Will said, pointing in the castles direction. “Maybe they’ll be able to help us”, Marco said. “Let’s go see”, Will said anxiously, “Onward to adventure”!

After chuckling at Will’s joke, Marco slowly turned the ship around then upwards, and started flying their longboat towards the castle. Meanwhile, Finn and Twilight were walking through the courtyard, engaging in idle chit chat. They conversed about many things; basic things such as favorite books or tea to things like Twilight’s past escapades.

“So wait, you actually drank hot sauce”?! Finn said flabbergasted. “I thought it was punch”, Twilight admitted with a chuckle.

The two shared a good laugh. They soon found a nice shady spot under a tree. As Twilight looked at Finn, a thought suddenly occurred to her.

“Hey Finn”, she said, “Why won’t you say that we’re your friends”?

Finn didn’t say anything; he just made a guilty look, and turned his head away. Just as Twilight was about to speak, Jay came rushing towards them. He seemed excited and out of breath.

“Jay, calm down”, Finn advised gently. “What is it”? Twilight asked.

Jay slowly lifted his head, and as a smile spread across his face as he panted, he turned to Finn.

“You’re not gonna believe this”, he said.

He led them over to the perch viewing the train depot. There, they saw the long boat airship had landed Will and Marco were surrounded by guards. As the armor clad ponies pointed their spears at them, the young Lieutenant and Corporal held up their forelegs in surrender.

“Quick Marco, use your special mediator skills”, Will whispered.

“I DID, Corporal, but then they told me to shut up or they’d gut me”, Marco hissed.

“And you let that stop you”?! Will replied rather loudly.

“Well seeing as the only other option was death, YES I let that stop me”! Marco exclaimed.

“Quiet”! Shouted one of the guards.

Marco was startled as the guard yelled. So startled, it caused his wings to expand. All the guards quickly dropped their weapons as they stared at this unusual and rare sight; a MALE Alicorn.

“You’re MAJESTY”! Cried one of the guards.

Instantly, all the guards bowed to them. Will and Marco looked at them, surprised at their reaction.

“Well, I guess you did it, LT”, Will said in astonishment, “Congratulations”.

As the 2 of them looked up and saw Finn and Jay. They both waved, while Finn was still surprised.

“I don’t believe this”, Finn said. “Told ya so”, Jay replied.

After explaining the situation to the guards, Finn and Jay presented Marco and Will to Princess Celestia.

“Your highness”, Finn said, “I’d like you to meet Lieutenant Marco Lioghais, my eldest my brother and Rightful King of Arion”.

Marco blushed with modesty as his baby brother boasted about his eloquence.

“And this is Corporal William Thorne, our mascot”, Jay said, smiling at his own joke.

Will glared at the name ‘mascot.

The two brothers bowed their heads.

“The pleasure is all mine”, Celestia said humbly, “And I MUST say, I’ve never quite met a MALE Alicorn before”.

“Really”? Marco asked, “I would think that there would be Alicorns by the barrel full here”.

“There are very few of us”, Celestia said, “Including Twilight and myself, there are about four of us”. “Four”?? William said in surprise, “But that’s so little”.

The three older stallions glared at Will.

“What”?! He exclaimed, looking over at them, “I’m just saying”.

Twilight then walked towards the 2 newcomers.

“Oh and this is Princess Twilight”, Finn said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both”, she said happily, “Finn has told me all about you”.

Will and Marco nodded their heads hello and smiled.

“What are you guys doing here”? Finn queried.

“Like we were going to let you and Jay have all the fun”, Will said smartly.

“Actually, your three day reprieve is up, so we followed you as instructed”, Marco confessed.

“Well either way”, Finn said with a sigh, “I’m glad to see the both of you”.

The 4 soldiers embraced in a hug, the sight of which warmed Twilight and Celestia’s heart.