Author's Note

The Black Knight spun around in his chair, giving a deep sigh. “Sorry everyone, the ideas didn’t flow that easily for this chapter… So I apologize if it doesn’t sound that good. I wrote it in a last second type environment. Someone made a wish, and I couldn’t help but grant it for them. What can I say? I’m a sucker for my fans, and can’t resist helping you all feel happy.” He gave a shrug, allowing Silver Star to press the button and cause the story to start.

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

The High Generals were surrounded by the Changeling Army, standing back to back. “This isn’t good; I have never seen so many Changelings in once place before.” Nighting Gale noted, looking around while lowering her lance. “This is a full on invasion.”

Sun Guard nodded, as he looked around their position. The Changelings attacking were drones, and probably receiving simple orders to carry out and achieve at the time. He could easily pick out group leaders, but there were far too many for him to pick off, one by one.

“So, partner, think we should give our new attack its needed test run?” Nighting Gale asked, looking back at the gold and red clad unicorn. “If it works, we may only be able to do it once.” Sun Guard had to think about her suggestion, because there are high risks in using the attack she was suggestion.

The major risk in using this attack, was the fact that they were both inexperienced in using it. The only time they actually preformed it, was in a training environment, a safe one at that. Now, they have a chance to use it in a real world scenario, but against a fast learning enemy. Not to mention, if one of them messes up, even only slightly… It could mean their life.

Reluctantly, seeing no other choice, Sun Guard gave a nod to Nighting Gale. “Got it.” The mare opened her wings up, and shot into the sky! The Changelings watching her fly up, some prepared to give chase but stopped when a gold glow appeared within their sights.

Sun Guard started to give off a powerful magic aura, his red eyes locked on to the Changelings in front of him. The power started to lift him off of the ground, the Guardian Spear setting in front of the unicorn’s body. The aura covered the spear’s point, and began to shift around Sun Guard, like it was some sort of protective shield.

Soon, both Sun Guard and the Guardian Spear were incased within a giant, glowing, gold; bullet. The Changelings slowly backed away, feeling the sheer magical force coming off of the construct in front of them. “Look out below!” They all looked up, seeing Nighting Gale dive bombing, heading straight for them!

The mare started to spin, her lance locked into the forward position, and her body starting to turn into a gray, spinning, version of the bullet in front of them! Their ears rang, when the mare created a sonic boom, and went even faster! Though, their eyes widen, when the golden bullet exploded forward, too.

The bullets struck into the Changeling ranks, at different areas but decimated those they touched. Though, when the two bullets met, they became even more destructive and actually caused an explosive concussion whenever they connected. Each time, the two bounced off of each other, and then curved right back a distance away from their impact points.

When they nearly reached the end of the Changeling force, both bullets flew straight up into the air! They then fell back down, crossing one last time, their streaks creating a massive X. Sun Guard and Nighting Gale now standing where the bullets faded.

The High Generals allowed their weapons to cross blades, which caused their paths to explode! Hearing, and seeing, Changelings be sent flying all over the city streets, made Nighting Gale grin. “Well, looks like our attack actually worked!” She smiled up at the stallion. But both went straight back into a combat stance, when more Changelings surrounded them, even hovering above their current position. “Too bad we won’t be able to use it again…”

Sun Guard gave a nod, before the High Generals quickly engaged the Changelings.

-Within Canterlot Castle-

The Changelings chased after a group of castle servants. The feeling servants were soon cut off by another group of Changelings, who went ahead of the main group so that they could cut off their prey, and started to panic. The hissing Changelings started to approach their prey, but stopped when they heard hoof steps, slowly, drawing closer to their position. They turned towards a darkened hallway, just as an elderly stallion walked into the light. “Oh my, what have I found myself walking into?” Silver Flash asked, with a passive smile on his muzzle. “I had no idea we were receiving any Changeling guests today… Would any of you like a spot of tea?”

“Oh, I would!” One of the Changelings, eagerly, shouted while waving his disfigured hoof in the air… But another smacked him over the head. “Ow… Well, he did ask”

The lead Changeling stepped forward, hissing at the butler. “Who are you, old one? Some sort of elite guard or something!?” He asked, as the servants snuck away, while the Changelings were distracted by Silver Flash’s sudden appearance.

“Who, me? Oh heavens, no, my dear boy.” Silver Flash suddenly grinned at the Changelings, while he reached into his coat. “I am Silver Flash, personal butler to Lord Sun Guard, and Lady Nighting Gale just recently.” He pulled out a sun crescent saber hilt, which caught their attention. “I sharpen their spears, buffer their armor, clean their quarters, serve them tea, and occasionally…” He pulled out a flawlessly crafted gold saber, the blade sharpened to a fine edge, glistening within the light, and depicted a royal pegasi on the face. “Take out the trash.” The Changelings, despite being intimidated by Silver Flash’s display and weapon, prepared for battle. “Who wants daddy’s belt first?”

With that, the Changelings leapt at the calm stallion, a flash of silver quickly following their attack.

-With Sun Guard and Nighting Gale-

Both High Generals had fought off a hundred Changelings, each. While Sun Guard didn’t seem at all winded, due to what he is, Nighting Gale’s body was becoming slower. She was starting to tire out, her movements becoming more sluggish, due to her using a lot of her stamina on their initial attack. Though, now, if she kept going like this… Her body will soon collapse from fatigue.

After ramming her lance into a Changeling, Nighting Gale pulled herself back to Sun Guard. “I-I don’t know how much longer… I can keep this up, Sun Guard.” She managed to say, breathing heavily. “I’m not built like you are… And flying that high up into the air, did a number on me.”

Sun Guard slammed his hoof down on to a Changeling’s skull, his Guardian Spear ramming into another, before he blasted a third with a beam of golden magic. If Nighting Gale’s body was starting to tire, that meant they needed to end this, now. The only problem with this plan, is that each time they take down one Changeling, two more would take its place right after they took it down.

One of the Changelings struck the side of Nighting Gale, with a magic bolt. She winced, but struck the Changeling down with her lance. “Seriously, they are like freaking cockroaches! We’re going to be overwhelmed in moments, if this keeps up and nothing happens anytime soon!”

Sun Guard nodded, as he swung his Guardian Spear, sending three Changelings flying away from them. A group of Changelings then caught his attention, as they started to charge their horns with foul green magic. He counted, at the very least, fifty of them forming their attack line, and he noticed that they were aiming at the two of them! His eyes went wide, looking between them, and Nighting Gale.

He knew that his armor could absorb most of their attack, but it would they would actually obliterate Nighting Gale. Sun Guard had to make a decision, and both outcomes would not end well for him. Though, his decision became rushed, the very moment those Changelings fired their attack. He made his choice, and by the Emperor it was going to hurt.

Nighting Gale’s eyes went wide, as she saw the massive green burst fly towards them. Out of nowhere, just before the blast got to them, an armored hoof shoved her clear from the blast radius! She then watched, as Sun Guard took the blast head on, by himself. “Sunny!!!” She screamed, sliding off to the side.

All the mare could do, was watch the stallion get blown away, straight into a nearby wall… His armored body, violently, bouncing towards it until he finally crashed against the stone building and his helmet flying off. Nighting Gale’s heart dropped when Sun Guard’s bare head slammed against a rock, blood appearing on the white stone, and his body was frozen where it lay… Not moving a muscle.

“S-Sunny!” Nighting Gale yelled, as she galloped over to her fallen partner, completely forgetting that they were surrounded by Changelings at the moment. Quickly, she dropped her lance, and tried to lift the stallion’s bloody head up. “Come on, Sunny. Speak to me, big guy.”

When he didn’t respond, the mare tried to listen for his heartbeat, and feel to see if he was still breathing. I was there, though his breathing was shallow, and she let out a sigh of relief. That meant Sun Guard is still alive. In a lot of pain, more than likely, but still alive.

The very moment her ears picked up hissing echoing behind herself, Nighting Gale instantly remembered that the Changelings were still there. She quickly grabbed the moon crescent lance, and spun around to face them. “Come any closer, and I’ll teach you bug-like bastards a lesson you won’t forget!” She screeched, baring her fangs, lowering her lance for a charge.

The Changelings began to laugh, seeing the fatigue in the mare’s movements, knowing her threat was a hallow one. Though, hey quickly stopped when a certain spear slowly pushed itself out from underneath her. Nighting Gale raised an eyebrow, not seeing said weapon, and prepared to fight them. The very moment those Changelings leapt towards her, the mare heard a click from under her, and looked to see the weapon… Both eyes going wide.

The Guardian Spear jerked up, Nighting Gale clamping down on to the metal shaft, in a reactive instinct. The Changelings caught, for a brief second, a pair of emerald eyes glaring with pure rage… Then, a second click sounded and the spear’s stormbolter attachment roared to life!

“Eee!” Nighting Gale moaned, as the entire Guardian Spear vibrated with each round, the metal shaft pressed against her underside. Her eyes were wide, and the mare’s face was turning redder with every second. All the while, the roaring weapon blew away the Changelings, three with every round it fired, and cleared the streets. Before long, they were in full retreat, fearing the weapon’s fury, and Sun Guard lowered it down. “W-What a-a r-rush…” The mare stuttered, as she got off the spear, a drunken aspect to her movements.

Sun Guard raised an eyebrow, noticing his partner’s tipsy attitude… Not even noticing the fact he had blood sliding down the right side of his face. His attention was soon pulled away, when a purple light exploded from the castle. The stallion let out a sigh of relief, when he realized that it was Shining Armor’s shield restoring itself. Now, all he has to do is get back and go to the Medical Wing. Every point of his body was in sheer pain, and he could use some pain killers for a throbbing headache.

-Inside Canterlot Castle-

The hallway had Changelings laying all over the place, their bodies cut to ribbons in an expertly done fashion. All the while, Silver Flash slowly made his way out of it, after leaving a cup of tea for a certain Changeling, of course. “I do hope the others don’t have a problem with the mess I have made… Such a nasty thing, to try and get Changeling blood out of the carpets.” He sighed.

The old stallion continued to smile, wondering where his Lord and Lady were right now. After all, these Changelings had attacked out of the blue, while they were away in the city and searching for poor Lady Sparkle. But, his thoughts were soon halted by a powerful pulse of pain, right where his heart was. This caused the old stallion to topple over, gripping the place over his pain struck heart. Even his breathing became pained, as he laid in the hallway.

“O-Oh… B-Bugger…” Silver Flash groaned, his voice filled with utter pain. “I-It seems like I have… Over exerted my old heart a bit.” He slowly stood back up, weakly, by using the wall for support. “Better… Go and s-see a doctor, b-before my lord finds out.” Silver Flash chuckled a bit a bit, as he started to walk down the hall. “Can’t be slacking in my duties, especially when he has such high expectations of me… W-What kind of gentleman would I be, if I-I were to let him down?”

-The Next Day, After the Real Wedding-

The real wedding of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had gone off without any more problems occurring. Even Twilight had been found, who apparently helped defeat the evil Queen Chrysalis and allowed the two newlyweds to save the day. Though, the Royal Guard count had been doubled, the reservists being called in to help out.

However, the wedding didn’t have either of the High Generals in attendance. Replaced by two of their respective Captains, due to one being bedridden and the other making sure they stay there. Which was not easy, as it may sound to most ponies.

“I don’t care if you are the High General of the Celestial Guard! The doctor said two days of bed rest, just to be sure.” Nighting Gale argued, glaring at the tunic and bandage wearing Sun Guard. This was the hundredth time said senior honor guard tried to get his armor on, and the mare catching him. “Even Princess Celestia said you are to rest, and I was asked to make sure you do as the doctor said!”

Sun Guard gave her a deadpanned look, the mare blushing at the fact that he was not wearing his armor and what she saw that day replaying in her mind. It is a perfectly obvious understanding, even in his bandaged condition, the stallion could overpower her. The only reason why he hasn’t done so, is because she is still his partner and understood her intentions. Though, didn’t like how persistent she was being about him not at least putting his armor on.

Giving a sigh, the stallion laid back down on his Romane styled bed. One could have imagined Nighting Gale’s shock, when he first saw the room, which was based off of such an ancient culture of their people, and how well Sun Guard blended it with the modern day. He even had a Captain’s Photo with every Command Team he’s served with, some being paintings from the older days. Though, what held places of honor, were pictures and paintings of those that had died in the line of duty, forever holding a place of honor at the place closest to Sun Guard’s armor and weapon, their image dressed with honor markings.

Nighting Gale smiled, before she sat down in a nearby chair. The mare wasn’t wearing her own armor, being told she was off duty until Sun Guard had fully recovered and off bed rest. “Nice to see you are seeing things my way, now.”

Sun Guard rolled his eyes, not really admitting to his “surrender”. However, when a familiar singing voice started to echo within the room, he looked up and eyed the window. This told him that the After Party had started, which made the stallion look at the mare, a raised brow appearing on his features.

Nighting Gale tilted her head. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked, Sun Guard looking towards the window, her ears picking up on the music too. “Oh, that… More important things have come up. Plus…” The mare looked away from him, trying not to allow him to see her blush of embarrassment. “It wouldn’t be the same, without you being there.”

That caught him a bit off guard, he remembered how she told him about the mare loving parties and dancing at them. But, now, Nighitng Gale is choosing not to go to one of the biggest here, because he wasn’t going to be there… Choosing to stay here, to watch him, making sure that he was alright, and doing as the doctor ordered. Sun Guard smirked a bit, and nodded to her.

When the mare yawned, Sun Guard thought for a moment… Here she was, staying with him instead of being at a celebration, which is something she loves, and is now nodding off. With a smile, the stallion had his horn glow, which caused Nighting Gale to gain a golden glow. “Wait, huh?” The mare looked around, before the aura caused her to float up and over towards the stallion. “S-Sun Guard, what are you-?” She instantly went quiet, when the aura laid her down next to him. Nighting Gale couldn’t control her blush now, even more so when he had the blanket placed over the two of them.

The mare was sacrificing her night of fun, to watch after him. Because of this boring situation, and job, she was starting to fall asleep in a chair… Sun Guard wasn’t going to allow Nighting Gale, the mare who was willing to take on a Changeling Army to protect him, to sleep in a chair. The least he could do, was share his bed with her.

The stallion used his magic to turn the lights off, and laid down. “Well, at least he is doing what the doctor ordered.” Nighting Gale thought, before she laid down too, a grin on her muzzle. “Oh my gosh, Luna is not going to believe this!!!”