Sentinel of the Sun

Chapter Four

-Canterlot Castle War Room-

Nighting Gale was nervous, it hasn’t been a day since her ambush, and rumoers were already flying around. Each time she came across a new one, the normally stoic mare blushed and became like a nervous school filly. After all, most of these rumors involved her and the Celestial Guard’s High General.

“My career is ruined.” She thought, with a sigh, as she approached the war room’s doors. The princesses called a meeting of their commanding officers, about what to do about approaching threats and who the Lunar Guard’s High General will be. “After last night, there goes my chances at being any higher than Captain.” She muttered, gaining a defeated look.

“I wouldn’t put yourself out, just yet, Captain Gale.” A strong mare’s voice said, causing the bat pony mare to spin around just in time to see he abnormally tall, cream colored, pegasus mare, her helmet off to reveal the long pink mane. “You are still in the running; from what I have heard.”

“C-Captain Barricade, ma’am!” Nighting Gale stuttered, giving a reflexed induced salute. It was the Celestial Guard’s Pegasi Captain, that took her under the metaphorical wing. “What makes you say that?”

The large pegasus mare walked up next to her, giggling a bit. “Because you are still the Lunar Guard Ace, and the High General himself prevented any harm from befalling you… That alone shows that somepony up high has their eyes on you.” Barricade suddenly gave her a look of concern, though. “But, I must ask, are you sure you’re alright, dear?” Despite being one of the strictest Captains, Barricade was also one of the motherliest, and caring, over those under her.

Nighting Gale gave a nod, but her frown gave a contradicted indication. “I am… But still a bit shaken up, by what happened and what the High General prevented.” She suddenly gained an angered look. “I still can’t believe those three got the drop on me. I should have heard them coming, beforehand.”

Barricade placed a hoof on to Nighting Gale’s shoulder. “They were unicorns, Galely… Those three probably used a Silencing Spell so you couldn’t hear them coming. Otherwise, I know for a fact, you would have kicked their flanks to next year.”

This caused the bat pony to smile a bit, not even effected by the childish name Barricade had given her. “Thanks, Barricade… Fluttershy is lucky to have you, as her mother.” Nighting Gale giggled a bit. “Sometimes, I forget you’re the Captain that trained me, and think of you more as my own mother.”

Barricade gave a hearty laugh, as the two mares headed towards the doors again. “Don’t you forget it, either. Momma Barricade watches over her kiddies like a hawk! Those two stallions will be dealing with me, if the High General doesn’t kill them any time soon.”

The two shared another laugh, as they entered the war room. This allowed them to see the other five captains sitting at a halved table. On one side, was a depiction of a shining sun, resembling Celestia’s cutie mark, this was where the Celestial Guard Captains positioned themselves. On the opposite side of the sun, was the shining crescent moon which resembled Luna’s own cutie mark, which had the Captains of the Lunar Guard sitting on its side.

Both Nighting Gale and Barricade took their seats, among their respective branch captains. Barricade sat with two other Celestial Guard Captains, Shining Armor and Heavy Hoof. While Nighting Gale sat with the other three Lunar Guard Captains. Night Claw, another bat pony, Star Shine, a Saberhorn; and Night Breeze, a Nightwalker.

The Lunar Guard had four Captains, because Luna had yet to pick a High General for them. But the fact that there were two bat ponies, always meant it would be one of the two. Despite what everypony believed, Night Claw and Nighting Gale did not have the bitter rivalry expected of them. Sibling quarrels? Without a doubt, but the two always believed the other was worthier to be their princess’ High General, rather than themselves.

When she sat down next to the older stallion, he instantly gave a worried look. “How are you holding up, kid?” He asked, the stallion’s gaze on her. Night Claw was always protective of his baby sister, and was against her joining the Lunar Guard with him. Saving her from a manticore is what earned him the very cutie mark on his flank, a black shield with a pair of bat wings on it, along with Luna’s moon as its crest.

She smiled up at the midnight blue bat pony. “Better, after having a quick chat with Captain Barricade about it.” Nighting Gale nuzzled the stallion a bit. “Thanks for asking, Night.”

“Anytime, Gale.” He smiled at her, the stallion nuzzling the top of her head. “I need to find some way to repay the High General, for his intervention.”

“And a way for me to redeem myself, for the actions of my soldiers.” Shining Armor added, giving Nighitng Gale an apologetic look. “Had I known such ponies were under my command, they would have been removed far before anything could have happened.”

The mare smirked, the Celestial Guard Captain had always been a noble pony. He fit his namesake, to the very letter, a knight in shining armor. “It is alright, Captain Armor. Like my older brother said, the High General of the Celestial Guard intervened before anything could happen.”

“Though, we need to put those rumors, about you sleeping with the High General, to rest before they become a problem.” Heavy Hoof noted, Night Breeze nodding at his input.

Nighting Gale blushed, accidently hearing one said rumor on her way here.” T-The High G-General was being a gentlecolt, and carried me to my quarters, as both of the princesses ordered him to!” She retorted.

“Still.” Star Shine started, drawing the attention towards the Saberhorn. “Such rumors are demoralizing to both branches. What if a fake rumor gets out to the public, that the High General killed somepony for touching his marefriend, without permission?”

“But that pony was about to rape her! Why would anypony believe such a lie?!” Barricade flared, angered by such an assumption.

“I wouldn’t, I have full faith in the merit of my colleague, Captain Gale here.” Star Shine said, looking at the Pegasi Captain. “But, a vengeful family, or somepony aiming to undermine either pony for their own gain… Would use said rumors to their advantage.” The group didn’t respond to that. Prior to becoming a Lunar Guard Captain, Star Shine was one of Canterlot’s top crime scene investigators. The point he made, proved how far he could think ahead. “Such rumors can be stomped out, if we had a proper story to release.”

None of the others had any idea what to say, with that, not even Nighting Gale. Though, everypony’s ears flew up, the moment Celestia’s voice echoed around them. “Luna and I have already come up with such a story.” A flash of gold magic appeared, where the princesses sat for these meetings, and caused the seven to look.

They saw both princesses, now sitting in their seats, with Sun Guard stoically standing next to Celestia. “Your majesties!” The room echoed, as the gathered Captains knelt before their co-rulers.

Celestia smiled, and nodded towards them. “Good evening, everypony. Apologies for arriving so late, but Luna and I had something urgent to discuss.” That Captains all stood up, and nodded to her. “Now then, I would have liked to have saved my sister’s announcement, for the end of this meeting… But, seeing how you seven already started discussing it. I shall allow her to go ahead with it.”

Celestia looked to Luna, with a smile, and nodded to the younger princess. “Despite what everypony may think, we were already considering this prior to last night’s events.” Luna started, the Captains giving her their full attention. “We have decided that the Lunar Guard High General, and High General Sun Guard’s partner, shall be…” The Captains were on edge, the Lunar Guard even more so because they have been waiting for this, since their reformation. “Captain Nighting Gale.”

The Captains cheered, though both earth ponies, and Star Shine, simply gave an approving smile. Night Claw opened his wing up, and gave his younger sister a hug. “Told you! I knew you’d get it!” He laughed, the mare becoming shocked at her princess’ decision.

“High General Gale… Would you please take your place at my side?” Luna asked, the bat pony mare hesitantly stepping away from the other Captains, and made her way next to Luna. Once there, Nighting Gale noticed Sun Guard giving her an accepting nod, before returning his attention to the others.

“My lady, if I may?” Star Shine spoke up, Luna giving a nod. “If a negative rumor comes up, what reasoning may we use to squash it?”

Luna gave a nod. “If such a thing comes up, then respond with this. I choose Captain Nighting Gale because of her exemplary skills at martial combat and varying forms of tactics. Her brother, Captain Claw, had her at age and experience, but his mastery in combat relies heavily on flight. Gale does not, she can take on an opponent in both aerial and ground combat.” She suddenly smiled. “Plus, her resiliency, after last night’s events, proved her determination to the duty of being a Lunar Guard.”

Star Shine gave a nod, the others as well. “Most convincing, my lady. Facts over imagination.” He noted.

“Now, with this out of the way.” Celestia started, eyeing the Captains before her. “Let us get started with matters at hoof.” Every Captain nodded, going into dealing with the dangerous and threats towards Equestria.

-After the Meeting-

While the others were departing, and the princesses busy speaking to one another, Nighting Gale galloped up to her older brother, and nearly tackled him to the ground! The mare barely able to hold in her excitement anymore! “I-I did it! Can you believe it, Night! I actually did it!” She chanted.

Night Claw, throwing his normal soldier’s discipline out the metaphorical window, excitedly returned his sister’s hug. “I know! High General of the Lunar Guard. I bet you a million bits, mom and dad would be very proud of you right now!” The bat pony gave a slight spin, showing how excited he was for her.

“I know!” She smiled, releasing him from the hug. “But no way could I have done it, had it not been for you pushing me past my limits. Though, I still think you deserve the promotion more.”

Night Claw sighed, before ruffling her mane with his hoof. “I am perfectly fine as a Captain, kid. Surprised I made it this far, to be perfectly honest.” He smiled a bit, before a look of concern quickly followed. “Just be careful out there… And stay near High General Sun Guard.”

Nighting Gale smiled at him, and nodded. “I promise… You be careful, too. I won’t be able to watch your back anymore.”

“Heh, I’ll manage.” The bat pony stallion noticed the honor guard walking up, and quickly saluted him. “Take care of my baby sister, sir...” Night Claw’s look of worry grew. “She’s all I have left, now.”

Sun Guard eyed the Lunar Guard Captain, seeing the look of worry on his face. He gave a nod, and returned the salute, facing Nighting Gale while her brother walked off. “So, s-uh, I mean partner… What do we do now?” The mare asked, but the stallion remained silent.

Nighting Gale raised an eyebrow, at the fact that he remained silent. Before she could ask him why, Celestia and Luna walked ver. “Now, the two of you go to the training floor. I bet Sun Guard wishes to test your combat prowess. He seems eager to.”

The bat pony mare quickly faced the two princesses, and bowed her head. “Excuse me for asking, but…” She looked at her golden counterpart, before looking up at Celestia. “You speak like Sun Guard cannot talk, I even noticed he doesn’t speak either… Is he mute?”

Both Celestia and Luna giggled at the question, the Sun Princess shaking her head. “No, my little pony, quite the opposite. Sun Guard has the full ability to speak, but he had taken an Oath of Silence.” The bat pony’s eyes widen, fearing she may have to take the same oath. Though, it seemed like Celestia heard her thoughts. “No, dear Nighting Gale, you will not have to take such an oath. Sun Guard, here, took it long before entering my service, all those long years ago.”

“Wait, so that means.” Nighting Gale looked up at the honor guard, who simply nodded. Her eyes went wide, as he confirmed her thoughts.

“That this is the same Sun Guard, as the one who swore himself to me?” Celestia smiled, nodding. “That is correct.”

The bat pony mare looked between him, and the two alicorn sisters, confused. Her sight then locked on to the two sisters. “Why are you telling me that, why not let me think he just personally took that oath?”

“Because you will be working closely with Sun Guard, from here on out. You will notice that age will not affect him, along with him shrugging off near fatal wounds.” It was Luna’s turn to answer this time. “Plus, as my High General, you are allowed to know about the highest of secrets being kept.” The Moon Princess’ gaze moving to Sun Guard. “Including the longest living hero in Equestria.”

Nighting Gale began to blush, as she stared up at the gold and red clad unicorn stallion. “That is correct, Nighting Gale.” Celestia said, her and Luna moving to either side of the bat pony. “You’re now partners with the living legend himself… Sun Guard, the Sun’s Wrath. The Immortal Guardian of Equestria.”

For some odd reason, in Nighting Gale’s eyes, the stallion gained a bright glow behind him. It was like she was staring at the greatest hero in existence. Her blush deepened, as another realization came to mind. “And I’m his partner!!!” Her mind squealed, like a little school filly.