V

To say that Snow was ecstatic was an understatement. She was having a hard time standing still on duty. We had been standing guard with Celestia for a little over three weeks. It was largely uneventful. However while Snow loved the trips to Celestia's school, it was probably my least favorite part of the position. Celestia kept using me as the Guinea Pig during the demonstrations for her students. Celestia and her students alike were quite intrigued with Snow's Cryomancy and it's limitations, one purple unicorn in particular seemed to be full of questions. The final preparations for the summer sun celebration were being made.

Today was the day Thasus, Atlas, and Orion were leaving. I had the day off but since Snow was working today I was gonna go see if they would let me work anyway in the evening. I was already at my brothers room. It was bare and cold waiting for it's next resident. We were standing there about to leave for the train station.

"It was weird with you not being here with us, but at least you were in the same city. Now none of us are gonna have our backs if we run into trouble." Orion said to me.

"Well I'm sure it won't be so bad. Besides this just shows how comfortable we've gotten. A guard needs to be alert at all times, not comfortable." Atlas said in a way that made him sound wise.

We started to head out, "When did you get wise?" I asked him.

"It's a one time thing I can assure you." Atlas said with a laugh.

We walked out into the streets, "So what do you all have to do when you get to your destinations?" I asked as we walked.

"I have to find Captain Spitfire's training squad. Apparently she and the other Alpha Wonderbolts are training the applicants for the new Delta squad of the Wonderbolts. There are over fifty applicants, but only four will be given the rank and position. Training starts just after the Summer Sun Celebration, but they want us there before hand to get in shape." Orion finished explaining as we started down some stairs.

"That's cool. I myself have to go and report to the 99th under Brigadier General Obsidion's command. I guess what's happening is they are letting all of their veterans retire from their Commando Squad, but before they go into retirement they are gonna train all of us up to their standards. I was luckily offered the position and I jumped at it. From what I hear there were only nine ponies recruited for this." Atlas finished as we started down the last long street to the train station.

"You two get to train first. I'm going to be in the middle of the second most dangerous forest in the world." Thasus started.

"What forest is the most dangerous?" I asked.

"The Everfree Forest is number one, but only if you go inside. Because of the forest the 501st is the most battle experienced battalion in the Equestrian Army. I expect my talent to shoot concentrated plasma bolts will not go to waste. General Grunt is a fierce tactician and inspiring leader. It will be an honor to serve under him and his staff." Thasus finished as we entered the station.

The trains were just arriving, and would take about thirty minutes to off load their passengers, "Looks like we have some time." I said stating the obvious.

"I plan on using that time." Thasus said tuning to the rest of us, "I have finished that potion of I told you guys about."

"There's a 'but' isn't there?" Orion asked with a blank face. We all knew he was right.

"But..." There it is, "...in order for the potion to work completely it needs one last ingredient." Thasus looked hesitant.

"Were not gonna like it, are we?" I asked.

He shook his head, "It needs blood from all of us to work." Thasus used his magic to pull out the Potion, three glasses, a small but sharp knife and a few bandages. "You still want to do this?"

Atlas and Orion looked like they were about to back out. I took a deep breath, "I'm still in..." I held out a hoof, "Take what you need."

Thasus seemed surprised that I was the first to volunteer, "Alright." He levitated the knife and the potion over to my hoof as I looked away. I felt the small cut of the knife, and my blood slowly dripping out. After a few seconds, Thasus tightly wrapped my hoof in a bandage. He then turned to Orion and Atlas.

"Let's get this over with." Orion said, holding out his hoof and looking away like I did. Atlas followed suit.

Once Thasus had collected our blood, he added his to the mix and stirred. The potion had gone from a clear blue to a dark purple. Once It was clear that it was mixed in properly, Thasus poured an even amount into each glass while leaving an equally even amount in the bottle for himself.

We all looked hesitantly at the potion, "On three?" I asked.

They nodded in agreement.

"One. Two. Bottoms Up!" We all lifted the potion to our lips and drank it as fast as we could.

"That was terrible!" Atlas said as he finished. Orion was coughing and Thasus was trying to keep it down.

"Thasus, no more potions please. Ever!" I said recovering from the horrible aftertaste.

"Absolutely no problem there." Thasus managed to get out between gags.

After recovering from the bad tasting potion, we sat and waited for the trains to start boarding. I was unsure if the potion worked or not but I knew that we were all avoiding saying goodbye. We sat there quietly out of everypony's way. Orion didn't really have to wait, flying to Cloudsdale didn't take long, he just wanted to spend as much time with all of us as he could before leaving. I was grateful that he waited.

"All Aboard!" The Conductors yelled.

The moment we were dreading came into reality. We stood and looked at each other waiting for one of us to say something. Instead Orion just put his wings out and started giving out the brotherly hugs. We all followed suit.

"Last Call, All Aboard!" The conductors yelled.

Without saying anything Atlas and Thasus went to board their trains. Orion and I waited there for another minute. When the train whistle blew and the trains lurched forward, Orion put a wing on my shoulder. I returned the gesture. We nodded and I withdrew my wing and took a step back. Orion spread his wings and with a powerful stroke he took to they sky and flew on the wind toward Cloudsdale. I couldn't help but feel a bit fear and sadness as I stood there and watched my brothers leave.

☼

I was back at the palace now. I had already cleared working my normal shift with Sergeant Skyquake. I was about fifteen minutes late, but the pony that was supposed to be relieving me today would be happy they had only worked for fifteen minutes. I got to Celestia's door, It was slightly open like it was normally. Taking a deep breath and Knocked.

"Come in." I heard Celestia say.

Knowing they would likely interrogate me if I said anything, i just went to the guard in my spot. "You are Relieved." I said as I settled next to him. He looked confused, but nodded and left Celestia's office.

I could feel Celestia looking at me. Snow definitely wanted to. Luckily; Raven, Celestia's assistant, and Kibitz the royal scheduling adviser were keeping Celestia busy for the moment. All I had to do was stand here at attention. Celestia looked as if she wanted to get through signing whatever papers she was working on ASAP.

"Here." Raven said pointing to the parchment.

Celestia signed.

"Here." Raven said again.

Celestia signed again.

"Here." Raven repeated.

Celestia repeated the motion over and over.

Raven flipped over a paper, "Lastly, Here."

When Celestia signed the last line Kibitz spoke up. "Wonderful princess, now that we have that bit of unpleasantness out of the way You have an appointment to speak to your school faculty for what to do after the school break."

"How far ahead of the schedule are we?" Celestia asked him.

He used his magic to pull a pocket watch from his coat, "About thirty minutes Princess. Why do you ask?"

"I would like a moment of quiet with my guards. Once its time to resume the schedule just knock on the door please." Celestia asked of him kindly.

"Yes Princess."

Horseapples, I knew what was coming.

"Private Snow, Private Flame Strider, At Ease." Celestia ordered.

"You are supposed to be at home." Snow was already in Overbearing Partner mode.

"That is what I thought as well. You were given the day off so you could see you brothers off. What happened?" Celestia asked.

It was moments like this when I hated that I had made friends with the Princess. "I did see them off. Orion Is likely Checking in with Captain Spitfire now. Thasus and Atlas are probably half-way through the train ride."

"How are you feeling?" Celestia came around the desk.

That was a good question, I felt a lot of things. Fear, Loneliness, I felt as if peaces of me were worlds apart.  "Honestly? My brothers are spread out across Equestria. I'm not exactly feeling whole right now. The only ponies I know in Canterlot are you two. My brother's family moved to Vanhoover, and our mother's family lives in Coudsdale. Mira appears to be the closest thing I have to family I have here right now." I could feel waterworks coming up, but I fought against them.

I couldn't see Snow's or Celestia's face because I was looking at the floor. "When the Night Guards come to relieve you. I want you two to go home and just sleep, read a book, and take care of Mira. Take time to think about your brothers, and who you consider as family." Celestia said to me, it almost sounded like an order.

'Consider as Family'? "Is that an order Princess?" I asked picking up my head.

"It's an order from your friend..." Celestia paused, "Who also happens to be a Princess." She smiled. "Now we have a little time before Kibitz knocks. Snow help Strider collect himself while I straiten up my office some."

"Isn't there Palace Staff for that?" Snow asked as she started to look me over checking my armor straps making sure I was Dress-Right-Dress.

"There is but they always put things in the wrong place. No matter how many times I go over it with them, some things are just better if you do them yourself." Celestia laughed and we laughed with her.

☼

The Eve of The Summer Sun Celebration. This day held another meaning for me however. My brother's knew I didn't like to celebrate it but that didn't stop them from giving me Birthday Cards or In this case letters. That Is what I was holding in my hooves, I hadn't opened them yet. I received others from my Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles in Cloudsdale, but they weren't on my priority list at the moment. Only the one from my mom was number one.

My darling colt,

Happy Birthday! If I know my colt as well as I think I do, you'll be opening this up the day of your birthday. Your brother stopped in to see me just before he went off to train for the Wonderbolts. He told me what you colts were up to and where you were going. While I'm happy for the lot of you, I wish you'd come see your mother more often. Orion tells me you made it into Celestia's Personal Guard. I'm proud of you for making it farther in the guard than I did. Now since I know the Summer Sun Celebration is being held in Ponyville this year I expect to see you here. If I don't see you you won't like what I do. See you soon.

If I know my mother she'll do something drastic just to see me, for a Flightless Veteran Pegasus she still had a lot of fire in that soul of her's and it wasn't cooling down anytime soon. I moved on to my brothers letters, Thasus' was first,

Flame Strider, Happy Birthday Little Brother.

Your not gonna believe what happened to me as soon as I got to the Watchtower. It was under attack! The resupply convoy I was with joined the fight as soon as we saw what was happening, A hoard of Timberwolves had decided to attack. It was short lived as General Grunt lead a squad of Unicorn Pyromancers in a counter assault on the Timberwolves driving them back into the forest! I just helped with the few wounded there were. How are things with Snow? Is she still with that other stallion?  Any new friends? The potion Is working for me, so I can tell your a little sad. Write me back little brother.

It was nice to hear he was liking it there so far. Atlas was next,

Flame Strider,

I can't go into great detail but Commando Training is grueling. I'm pretty sure I fractured a few bones already, I got stuck learning from an Armsmaster. He is unrelenting in his training regimen, and likes to train in full contact fighting. I'm earning battle scares and I haven't even been on one mission yet. Enough of my complaining. Happy Birthday Little Brother! That potion seems to be working, so stop being mopey. How are you and Snow doing? What about that little fox of yours, Mira, how is the little devil? I look forward to your response letter.

Mira isn't a devil, and why were they so interested in Snow and Me? We're just Friends. Let's see if Orion asks the same question. I opened the last letter.

Eight! Eight Pegasi remain out of the fifty that were here, and we haven't even gotten to the actual training yet! I was put in a four pony team, that means there are two teams competing for Delta squad. There is me, Skylance (who claims his father, is your NCO), and believe it or not I have a Thestral Pony on my team, her name is Jet, named after a black gem apparently, and lastly Cloudfire, she's cool you'd like her. My teammates are hilarious, Jet is so head-over-hooves interested in Skylance. The best part, Skylance is completely oblivious to it. Jet is constantly coming up with schemes to get him to notice her, and asking me and Cloudfire to help. We only help with the ones that actually have a chance to work. Other than that Captain Spitfire has been acing weird. She's been professional, but there is something a little awkward with the way she looks at me. If all that wasn't enough to suggest I'm having a blast, THIS IS GREAT! There I said it. Write me back ASAP Little Brother. I want to know every little detail, that Includes anything that happens between you and Snow!

Your brother, Orion.

P.S. Cheer up.

At least he didn't say "Happy Birthday". I knew the potion was working because I could sense they were all having a grand time. I folded the letters back up and put them in a false book on my bookshelf. I started getting prepped for tonight. Mira was chewing on a snack I gave her. I had to admit that Mira had gown on me and was welcome company when Snow was gone. As I finished polishing my armor and laying it out for later, Sergeant Skyquake walked in. I came to attention.

"At ease, You ready for tonight?" Skyquake asked me.

"As i'll ever be, Sergeant." I answered calmly.

He looked around the room, "Where is Private Snow?"

"Out to lunch. She'll be back shortly."

"Good because I want to take you and her to Ponyville early so we can have a look around before you take over for the Graveyard shift."

"Very good Sergeant. May I ask you a question Sergeant?"

"Shoot." He said waiting patiently.

"My mother lives in Ponyville, and is determined to see me. I'm afraid if I don't go see her she'll take a train here to Canterlot, and find me on duty just to see me. I was hoping to go see her before my shift started."

"Your file says your mother a guard right?"

"Guard and Equestrian Army. She fought in a few skirmishes out west. She injured her wing in one of those fights."

"Ah, I see. I'll let you go see her on one condition: you introduce me to your Mother-Hero."

"Why would you want to meet my mother Sergeant?" I asked suspicious.

"I have my reasons. Do accept my terms?"

"You have a deal Sergeant."

"Good. Now once Snow comes back, come get me, and we'll get underway." He left the room.

As instructed I waited. Once snow got back it was a lot of excitement and questions as she scrambled to get ready. I neglected mentioning the part about visiting my mother though. Once Snow and I had our armors on, I gave Mira a Mock Bone to chew on while we're gone. After meeting up with Sergeant Skyquake, he gave us a long and repetitive lecture on making Celestia's Personal Guard look dignified in the eyes of the public. He also made it quite clear that he wanted to bring more guards along with us, but in doing so would have caused concern with Ponyville's locals. Skyquake was an efficient NCO. He may not be the Master Sergeant but he definitely knows what he's doing.

I felt it unnecessary for me to ride on the train to Ponyville. Being a Pegasus I could have made it there in just under thirty minutes, taking the train increased travel time to an hour and a half. Sergeant Skyquake only brought one squad that consisted of twelve guard ponies in total. Two of our Pegasi were still with Celestia in Canterlot, PV2 Silver and SPC Rapid. Snow and I are to be the ones replacing them after the raising of the sun. The other ponies in the squad are, CPL Tin, PFC Scar, PFC Tinker, SPC Blast, SPC Azure, PV2 Meteor, and PV2 Stone. Snow and I were both Private First Class rank, however to most Sergeants that just means your an experienced Maggot. Skyquake treated us all like his students, sometimes he was strict, other times it was funny.

"Listen up everyone!" Skyquake was standing at the front of our car. Ponyville Station was in sight so this would be the typical time for him to give a pep talk, "Alright we all know the drill. Subtly make sure the the town is clear, blend in until the ceremony, then it's show time. Corporal Tin, I want you to take charge of checking in with Celestia's Student and her Dragon. make sure she's alright and that the Overseer's List is complete. After that Go to the town hall and start our preparations. Strider and I have a quick errand to run. Understood?" Sergeant explained.

"Understood Sergeant."

The train came to a halt. Before the train could come to a complete stop everypony was already hopping off the train and off to do what the Sergeant said.

"You lead Private." Skyquake said as he slowed to let me lead.

The walk to my mother's was short but felt a bit long since I didn't necessarily want to be here. Thankfully Sergeant Skyquake didn't ask me any questions while we walked. We were nearing the house. My mother was gonna make a big deal out of my birthday and I didn't want that. We got to the door and I hesitated.

"Is something the matter, Strider?"

"Just not excited." I answered him as I knocked. We waited a short minute before somepony opened the door.

"Little Brother!" Orion shouted as he greeted me.

As happy as I was to see him I couldn't resist a little sarcasm, "I thought I was rid of you?" I asked as I gave him a hug.

"Love you too Strider. What brings you by? I thought this would be the last place you'd be today." He asked genuinely confused and curious.

"I'm with Celestia's Guard, and mom threatened she'd do something dramatic just to see me." I told him.

Orion then looked past me, "Is this your NCO?"

"Pardon me, where are my manners. Sergeant Skyquake, this is my brother Orion. Orion, this is Sergeant Skyquake."

Orion offered a kind bow, "A pleasure."

Skyquake did the same, "The same."

"You know, Skylance is here along with the rest of my team." Orion Informed us.

"My son is here?" Skyquake asked almost excitedly.

"He is indeed. Come in, so you can say 'hi'." Orion moved inside so we could enter. I let Skyquake go first, and as we entered the living room Orion started his quick joke, "Hey Skylance, look who I found on the doorstep."

Skylance looked almost like an exact clone of Skyquake. They both have a dark blue coat, and storm cloud grey mane & tail. Skyquake had a yellow streak in his mane & tail where Skylance didn't. Skylance's Final wingfeather on both sides was white, were Skyquake's were the same color as the rest of his feathers & coat.

When Skylance looked at his father he lit up, "Dad? What are you doing here I thought you'd be back in Canterlot." He and Skylance gave each other a hug.

"I thought you'd be in Cloudsdale. Besides I think I might know Private Strider's mother. Old battle buddy."

"Watch who you call old Skyquake, or I'll kick your flank in the sparring ring like I used to." My mother Storm Fang Called from the Kitchen.

He seemed a little surprised, "Storm Fang, you tough gal. I didn't expect to find you here. Hail, Rain, or Typhoon maybe, but certainly not you." Skyquake said as he went to greet my mother, "How'v you been? I haven't seen you since our first assignment."

"I've been good. I had about six different assignments after that. The last one was the Western Garrison. What about you?" My mother exchanged.

"Still in the guard as you see. Sergeant of Celestia's Alpha squad now. I'm Flame Strider's NCO."

"Really?" My mother walked past him and went straight up to me, "We'll you know Skyquake, it would mean a lot to me if you could watch over my son here for me. Since I cant do that myself. Would you do me that one favor."

"Are you kidding? Now that I know he's your son, I'm gonna make sure he makes it to a Command position in the Guard."

"This Isn't gonna end well for me is it?" I asked.

"Nope." My mother chirped. Everypony chuckled at my expense.

"Well as much as I'd like to stay and chat, I have a squad to look after. Good to see you again Storm Fang, perhaps we should exchange letters?"

"We shall." My mother nodded in agreement.

"Son, good luck." Skyquake gave Skylance a quick hug before starting for the door. Once at the hall to the door, he stopped to look at me, "I want you at the celebration an hour early. Understood?"

"Understood Sergeant." I said as he exited.

Once we heard the door close my mother spoke up, "Orion where are your manners? Introduce your teammates to you're brother, this instant."

"Yes Mom." Orion positioned himself in the room to properly point to everypony else, "Team this is my little brother Flame Strider." he started, "Strider, this is Skylance, Jet,..."

Jet was almost midnight black, her wings were leathery like a bat which is normal for a Thestral, the white star-like spots on her wings weren't. Her eyes cat-like were intimidatingly bright gold. Her mane & tail were a dark navy blue.

"...and Cloudfire." Orion finished pointing to the pony on the couch.

Cloudfire's name did her little justice. She was colored similarly to me with one addition. White, Red, Orange AND yellow, but her colors beautifully danced across her coat and feathers like a walking-painting of a cloud on fire. Her mane & tail were the same way with each color blending with the other. Orion had to bump me to get me to stop staring.

"N-Nice to meet all of you." I said quickly.

"Why don't you all sit down and talk, I'll be done with supper shortly."

"Can I help?" Jet asked hurrying into the.

I was about to go sit down when I got a sense of pride coming from Orion, I looked at him to see he was smiling widely and deviously. "What?" I asked as I got closer.

Orion whispered into my ear, "Would you like some help asking Cloudfire out?"

I retracted my ear to protest, but he just kept the All-Knowing-Brother smile on his face, "Fine, yes."

"Don't worry brother I got this." Orion said confidently.

"That's what I'm afraid of." I mumbled.