VII

It was three weeks later.

Two! Two Princesses we had to guard now! Don't get me wrong It's awesome. Celestia got her sister back after a thousand years, and that we now have two rulers, but the Palace Guard was now in the middle of expansion. Security is being doubled, that means an additional thirty eight Guards are to be assigned to Princess Luna alone. Command has also seen fit to rename both units. Instead of Celestia's Personal Guard, and Luna's Personal Guard, they have been changed to Celestia's Sentinels and Luna's Dragoons. With a total of Seventy Six Guards guarding the princesses, the standard Palace Guard has been moved into the City to increase security among the Citizens.

In addition to us having to guard Princess Luna. Luna is nothing like her sister in terms of how she rules and what her nightly activities entail. It was becoming obvious that her Dragoons were becoming her task force as she got more comfortable with them. Luna had a table in her Office (More like Command Center) that her and Star swirl the Bearded made to help Luna keep the peace at night. At first everypony thought that had meant she could see who was having bad dreams or if there was a major problem in Equestria that required her attention. Instead she frequently left the palace without telling anypony and without anypony seeing her. Celestia had laughed at the Guard's reaction. But after that first night Luna had not only told her unit's Lieutenant Ironside where she was going, she started sending her guards to some of the locations where she was keeping the peace.

Today Snow was being transferred to Luna's Dragoons along with Tin. Tin was now gonna be Sergeant of the final Squad of Luna's unit with Snow as his Corporal. I was standing guard in Celestia's office. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were conversing about the Grand Galloping Gala and weather or not they should start preparations. "It's over half a year off" was Luna's argument, "Better safe than sorry" was Celestia's. Eventually they settled on just making the guest list for the time being.

There was a knock on the door, "Come in." Celestia said, her and Luna looking up to the door to see Sergeant Skyquake there.

"Pardon my interruption Princesses, but may I borrow Private Strider for a while? I have some things that I need him to do." Skyquake said to them.

"By all means, he's your Guard."

"That may be, but we follow your order's just as much as we follow Command's." Skyquake said leading me out. We were walking toward the palace exit. "Alright Strider, I'm gonna need your help now that Tin is being made Sergeant of L.D. Charlie Squad. That means more responsibility on your shoulders."

"What are my orders Sergeant?"

"In a minute, first things first. You've been promoted to Corporal, you are going to be my second within the Squad."

"Thank you Sergeant." I said as we stopped just outside the Palace.

"You won't be thanking me after a week. Here's your pin." Skyquake fumbled with a pocket under his armor and pulled out a Corporal Rank pin. He started to put it on me, "First thing I want you to do is go get our new transfers from the train station, they'll be here in an hour. They know to look for you so they'll find you. Bring them back here and make sure they get settled. After that come find me, I'll have more stuff for you to do by then. It will probably be getting late by then to, so I might just have a duty list for you tomorrow." He finished with the pin. "Now hop to it Corporal."

"Yes Sergeant." I started into the City, But I had my own agenda that needed completion for the day.

☼

With it being three weeks after I found Nightlight and Moon Shadow and still nopony has come looking for them, it was time for me to start finding out more. As far as the Twins know I've been looking into their request. That was only partially true, I was searching for a private investigator to look into these matters, and I'd found one in the Canterlot newspaper. A Unicorn pony named Luminix recently made her Practice known here in Canterlot, I was on my way to see her real quick. I was on a time crunch cause I still had to go pick up the new transfers.

The Newspaper ad I found had Luminix's home address on it. It didn't take me long to find it. As I was still in a hurry I knocked on the door. She answered the door after a few seconds. Luminix was a white unicorn with a light blue mane that had the slightest shine to it. "Can I help you?" She asked.

"Yes I heard you are a Private Investigator. Is that correct?"

"What would one of Celestia's Sentinels need with a Private Eye?" She asked rather bluntly.

"I want to keep something private. Now can you help me or not?" I asked.

"Of course. What do you want me to do?"

"Two names. I need you to find out where their from and if they have any family there. Moon Shadow and Nightlight, their fillies." I handed her a slip of paper with their names on it.

"This is a fairly simple task. I can probably have the information ready by tomorrow."

"Alright good, now how much is this gonna cost me?" I asked quickly.

"Seventy five Gold Bits. This won't take me long, you can pay me when I give you the information. I'll find you when I have it."

"Thank you." I didn't say anything else I just flapped my wings lifting myself into the sky and headed toward the Train Station.

☼

I was now waiting at the train station. I wasn't excited about going behind the girls back like that. But I felt it necessary to keep my promise to them. The train was late, but I could hear it coming up the mountain side. Another train was in the process of unloading it's passengers behind me. I was so focused on the train I was waiting for I didn't notice the excited emotion I was feeling.

"Well little brother, I know I didn't send you a letter telling you the good news yet so I can't help but wonder why your here." Somepony said from behind me.

I looked to see Orion and his team standing there in Wonderbolt Dress Blues, "Orion! What are you doing here, and what good news?"

"What you can't tell? Your looking at the new Wonderbolt's Delta Squadron."

"Orion, that's great, congratulations! Do Atlas and Thasus know?" I asked him.

"I sent them letters. I was thinking tomorrow night we could all go out to celebrate, Corporal."

"Wha~ Oh yeah right." I almost completely forgot about my promotion and that I was wearing the pin, "So why are the four of you in Canterlot?"

"Captain Spitfire and the rest of Alpha Squadron have started their first tour of the season. We've been sent to Canterlot to do a few shows and races while their away. Also were gonna be stationed here like all Wonderbolts when not on tour." Skylance explained.

"Besides, I can think of one reason why I'D want to be in Canterlot." Jet said with dreamy eyes toward Skylance.

Orion and I rolled our eyes at Jet's comment. Cloudfire then spoke directly to me, "So why are you here Corporal?"

"I'm waiting for two new transfer guards into Celestia's Sentinels. The train is late." I answered her.

"Well as much as we would like to wait with you and catch up, we have to go get settled in. We'll talk later brother." Orion said waving to his team to follow.

Cloudfire didn't move, "I'll catch up with you." She said to her team. She then turned to me and I suddenly felt afraid. "You know your brother speaks very highly of you?"

Play it smooth, "Uh huh." I said nodding. Not Smooth.

"Especially when i'm around." She added.

"Uh huh." I repeated. Your intelligence is dwindling.

She was circling me now like I was prey, "I can't help but come to the conclusion that he's trying to set me up with you, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't notice your conversation with Orion on the Eve of the Summer Sun Celebration."

Say anything but 'Uh huh', "Yeah." Your an idiot.

"I was hoping to do a little celebrating tonight, perhaps you could join me?"

Was she asking me out? Of course she's asking you out Numb-Nuts. "That would be..." Wonderful! "..wonderful."

"Good. Pick me up at Seven." She lifted herself into the sky, "Your train is here. See you tonight Cutie." She flew off.

You're lucky she thinks were cute. "Shut up." I said to the new voice in my head.

Okay back to the task at hoof. The sooner I got his done the sooner I could get to my newly scheduled date with Cloudfire. With the train finally pulling into the station I moved down the platform to the train car used by the Royal Guard, Equestrian Army & Guard, and the Equestrian Navy (Not including the Wonderbolts). There weren't many in the train car. The two that I was looking for were easy enough to spot, for starters they stood out pretty good the Sentinel Armor.

"Corporal?" The mare asked. The Stallion stayed quiet.

"Newly minted, but yes. What are your names?"

"Well my name is Private Oda..." Oda was small for a mare. Not overly small to where she could be mistaken for a filly or anything, but small none-the-less. She was a dark brown with a steel colored mane. Her snout and horn tip were also steel colored. "...and this is Private Spartan Apple. He's from Appleoosa, and he rarely ever talks. Responding to a superior doesn't count as talking)."

Saying Spartan was a big pony was an understatement. I know I'm big for a Pegasus (Average Adult Male Earth Pony sized), but Spartan was HUGE, he was easily several inches taller than Princess Luna. He looked built like a mountain. His coat was a dark red, and his mane was short and a dark green. I feel sorry for the armorsmith that had to make his armor.

"Have you two been briefed on what you'll be doing?" I waved for them to follow.

"I know we'll be in the Palace Guard. That is all we were told, the Equestrian Guard isn't big on telling their troops everything." Oda responded.

I laughed a bit, "That sounds like Command. Well the Palace guard was ousted from the Palace."

Oda let out a slight gasp, "So where are we going? The City Guard?"

"No. You're going into Celestia's Sentinels, Alpha Squad. Sergeant Skyquake is our NCO, the NCO above him is First Sergeant Forge, then it's Lieutenant Arrow, and at the top of the Canterlot Command is Captain Shining Armor." I explained.

Oda was smiling with excitement now, "We're gonna be Guarding Celestia! Oh my gosh! I can hardly believe it." Spartan just kept his eyes forward.

"So Spartan." I said getting his attention, "Did you volunteer for this or were you voluntold?"

"Dragged Along." He answered.

"What?"

"I put is name on the volunteer list. He's still a little bitter about it." Oda admitted.

"Ah I see. Well he needs to get over it quickly, you two are partners. That means Living together and almost never being alone." I told them.

Spartan let out a annoyed groan, Oda was practically beaming with excitement. These two were funny. Now to get them settled.

☼

I was on my way to the Sergeant offices. The lower ranking NCOs had cubicles in one large room that they all worked out of when it came to paperwork. I knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Sounded like Sergeant Astra. I opened the door and stood there, "Ah, our new Corporal. How are you liking the promotion so far?"

"Uneventful so far Sergeant. Is Sergeant Skyquake here?"

"Last desk on the left side." She said pointing.

"Thank you Sergeant." I continued over to Skyquake's desk.

At first he didn't say anything, He just motioned for me to sit in a chair while he finished writing something down. The serious look on his face told me this was an important matter.  He spit the quill out of his mouth and looked at me.

"Alright Corporal. Do you know what a Sergeant's job is when it comes to somepony of your rank?"

"No Sergeant."

"A Sergeant is supposed to train a Corporal to take his place one day or just to simply be a Sergeant. Command about to do some changes in the next few months. New Lieutenant, First Sergeant Forge is leaving. Some of the sergeants here may be moved up in rank. We are all making sure our Corporals are ready to do so as well. That is why I'm splitting Alpha into two teams. I'm gonna have Alpha One, you are gonna lead Alpha Two."

"This is what you meant by 'won't be thanking me after a week' huh, Sergeant?" I asked.

"That is exactly it. At the end of every day I want a simple report on my desk, even if it's just a note that says 'Nothing happened, All is well' I want it on my desk. Understood?"

"Understood Sergeant." I answered.

"Were starting this new arrangement in the morning, here is your half of tomorrow's duties and your half of the roster. But I think you're gonna have a late start tomorrow." He said a little unsure.

"Sergeant?" Okay now I'm confused.

"For starters, my son Skylance told me that his teammate Cloudfire asked you out for tonight while you were at the Train station."

I felt a bit warm, I cleared my throat. "Was there another reason Sergeant?"

"Yes it seems Princess Luna has requested to borrow you for a little while. Something about not having enough of her Dragoons for the night." He explained, "I've asked Sergeant Tin let me know if she keeps you longer than a few hours. Now she's expecting you in her Office slash Command Center. Don't keep her waiting. Dismissed Corporal."

"Yes Sergeant." I got up and left the room. With my orders under my wing I made my way over to where Princess Luna commands her little task force. They were working closely with each city in Equestria in addition to Luna's magical table map. As an example; A city like Las Pegasus would send Luna a package containing a file of a case of some sort that they need help on. Luna reviews the file and dispatches her Dragoons adoringly to deal with the situation. That part of her operation was slow going at first, but is quickly gaining traction and popularity among law enforcement ponies.

Upon reaching Luna's office I noticed no guards at the door. I proceeded to knock on the door.

"YOU MAY ENTER!" The doors shook. Knowing it was Luna who said that I let myself in.

"You asked for me Princess." I said bowing my head as I entered the room.

"Ah! Corporal Flame Strider. Rise, thou are just in time. We are in need of your assistance this night. We are headed to the frozen north to defuse a problem with some Pony Miners and some Yeti. But there is another issue that requires attention, that is why thou are here." Luna Started. I noticed she was getting ready for travel, makes sense the Frozen North is a great distance away. Even by wing.

"What is my mission?" I asked.

"We want thou to travel to the southern-most point of the Everfree Forest. There is a cliff that separates the forest from the desert. On the face of that cliff is a cave. We have reason to believe the inhabitants of that cave are lost. We want thou to help them find their way." She instructed, "We wish that we had more for thou but that is the extent of our knowledge on this subject, and We must be off. We are behind schedule." Luna then exited her office with three of her guards in toe.

"I will not disappoint Princess."

"Good luck Corporal. We owe thou a favor!" Princess Luna said before leaving the corridor.

I let my head drop in disappointment once she was around the corner.

I mean this is just great! The other side of the Everfree Forest, that's more than half the distance to Appleloosa. Come on you had to know you first date with a pretty mare wasn't gonna go as planned.  Shut up voice, you aren't helping. I'm helping a little. Well maybe Cloudfire will give us a second chance. You're hoping for a LOT there. We can dream right? No, no we can't. Why did my brain suddenly come up with you? I've always been here. That Potion did more than just connect us to our brothers you know. It gave me an annoying conscience? If annoying you is how i'm gonna get you to listen to yourself than that is what I'm gonna do. Great this should be fun. Are you gonna be quiet when i'm trying to think at least? I only intervene when I feel necessary, think of me like a second brain. I don't want to.

☼

I was now walking through the Wonderbolt's apartments. Before I came here I told Sergeant Skyquake exactly what I was doing for Luna and he cleared me for tomorrow and the morning after. He said I was probably not gonna be back until then. I also told Gadget I was gonna be gone for at most that long. The girls think i'm going shopping in Manehatten. Now I was gonna tell Cloudfire we need to reschedul our date. Finding her door wasn't hard, it has her name on it. Taking a deep beath I knocked.

I could hear her moving around in the apartment. She opened the door and saw that I was still in my armor, "Let me guess. You have to cancel because somepony asked you to work late?" She was half right.

"Princess Luna is dispatching me on a mission." I said bluntly.

"Okay not the worst excuse I've heard. Did she only send you?" She asked.

"Yes. Why?" I asked back.

"I thought the guard was as strict as the Wonderbolts when it came to Partners and Wingponies. Wait right there. I'll be but a minute." She closed the door.

As much as I wanted to continue on my way I felt compelled to stay and wait.She was a little over a minute but she came back out in her Wonderbolts Jumpsuit.

"I'm coming with you, and that's final. But I still expect a real first date after this."

This is not going how either of us expected. "Breakfast in Appleloosa then?" I sugested.

"It's a start." Cloudfire said locking her door. She them moved across the hall to my brother's room and knocked.

Orion almost immediately answered the door, "How long are you gonna be gone?" Is the first thing he asked.

"A full day. Returning on the dawn of the second." I said.

"Good we have practice that afternoon." He looked at Cloudfire, "Bring him back in one piece." Then he looked at me, "Bring her back in one piece. Get it?"

"Got it." Me and Cloudfire answered.

"Good." He said satisfied.

"Hey Orion before we go I want to ask you something." I leaned close s I could wisper in his ear, "Did the potion make you start hearing an annoying but helpful voice in you head?"

He pulled his head back, "Oh good, I thought it was just me. You got that to?"

"Yup. We need to have a serous talk with Thasus about this."

"Agreed. Now don't you have something to do?" He reminded me.

"Right. See you later."

"Bye."

We got outside and flew away from Canterlot. I felt bad that I got Cloudfire roped into this mission. I know she volunteered for it but she didn't have to come with me if I hadn't told her I was alone.

Cloudfire flew past me and around a cloud, "I love being in the sky!"

"Your a Pegasus." I said flatly.

"It's more than that, and more than just me being a Wonderbolt. It's just being free, no limitations up here."

"Yeah I get that."

"Race you to the Everfree Forest?" She suggested. She looked ready and geared for a race.

Knowing I would probably lose, "You're on!"