Sentinel of the Sun

Chapter Eight

Silver Flash made his way across the training level, a tray with three cups of tea, a tea kettle, and some tea cakes in case his lord and Lady Gale were famished; on his back. While age had gotten to him over the years, he was not going to slack in his duties. He is one hell of a butler, and a gentlecolt at that. There are standards that need to be met, and those two are going to need a break, after they’ve finished the training regime Sun Guard had created.

Though, he suddenly halted, overhearing one of the Celestial Guard Pegasi Trainees nearby. “Hey, have you seen High General Nighting Gale, yet?” The trainee asked his training partner, a smile on the young stallion’s face. “She looks amazing in the new armor, not to mention… I heard her skills matches the Equestrian Saber’s own! Bet that is why High General Sun Guard accepts her, as his partner.”

The comment made him smirk a bit, he had done his research on Lady Gale, when he first heard that she was being made his Lord’s partner. She was still rather young, but had an unbelievable talent as both a fighter and leader. With a little more training, he knew for a fact that Lady Gale will live up to the Equestrian Saber’s legacy… Though, he did notice a dark past to the young mare, one that he feared his lord had no idea about. He’ll have to talk to him about it, when all is said and done, Sun Guard needed to know. However, those thoughts came to an end when he heard the other trainee’s comment.

“She is still a filthy bat pony.” The other trainee, a unicorn from some noble’s house Silver Flash figured, said. “Bet that damn blood sucker goes out and infects good ponies with those damnable fangs of hers.” Silver Flash’s eyes slowly narrowed, to the point they looked more like some trained killer’s eyes, rather than a kind, old, butler’s. “Such a low life creature has no place at the High General’s side, that honor belongs to one of Equestria’s greater-?” In seconds, several straight-line flashes went across the trainee’s armor! Right after the last one went across his body, the trainee’s armor suddenly fell apart, into sliced chunks. “W-What in E-Equestria!?”

The trainees tried to figure out what had just happened, but it was so quick… None of them actually saw what did it! No pony watching the old butler, making his way into the reserved training room, sliding something back into his coat.

-Inside the Training Room-

Nighting Gale flew up, her eyes narrowed and a confident grin on her face. “Ha! Can’t reach me now, can you, Goldie!?” She taunted, laughing a bit. However, her eyes went wide and pupils shrank, just before she ducked and a bolt of golden energy flew by where her head just was. The mare looked where the bolt had gone, then back to where Sun Guard was. “J-Jerk! You could have taken my head off with that!”

When she flew towards the unicorn, to try and get payback, Silver Flash made his way in. He watched the two spar, noticing both High Generals using their techniques on the other. After a few seconds of scanning, the old butler had already figured out what was about to happen. “Better set this tray down, and set everything up.” He thought, a mustached smile on his face.

Dodging bolts of energy, and the occasional out of control Nighting Gale, the butler made his way around the training room. Finding a pair of sturdy metal poles, a net, and some rope; Silver Flash walked his way back to where the tray was placed. He carefully constructed a large net, the net itself sagging some so it could take a decent amount of force. The old stallion nodded, as he did his best to tighten the anchoring ropes, being used to keep the poles upright.

Once done, he took the tray, and placed it on to a nearby table. He took hold of a tea cup, blowing on the still hot beverage, and carefully took a sip. “Ah, spot on and perfect.” He muttered, placing the cup down and watching the spar. “Three. Two. One, annnnd cue the energy blast.” Just as he called it, Nighting Gale gets hit by a huge burst of golden magic, and sent straight into his net… Actually causing it to spin up and down until she was inside a netted ball. “Good show, Lady Gale. Ten out of ten, my dear”

The mare popped her head out of an opening in the net. “Wha-? How did you?” She looked down at the old stallion, as the butler took another sip of his tea.

“When you have seen my lord spar, as much I have, you can predict how things will go.” He answered, placing the tea cup down, and looking up at her. “May I give a suggestion?”

The mare eyed him, wondering how the earth pony could have predicted her moves, too. “Sure… I am not one who passes up any help.”

Silver Flash nods, and looked towards Sun Guard, he eyed the stance the unicorn was in. “See how my lord is lowering himself, and pulling the spear back?” He asked, Nighting Gale looking towards the unicorn too. Sure enough, his front half was lowered and the training spear was pulled back. The position reminded her of that trap she flew into before.

“Yeah, it looks like one of his finishing moves.” Nighting Gale said, the butler nodding.

“It does look like that, but it is not so.” The mare looked down at him, with a raised brow. “If you notice, his hooves aren’t spread out so far apart, and are digging into the ground. “Like he said, the unicorn’s hooves weren’t spread and were actually digging into the dirty. “He’s preparing to charge. What you need to do, is counter charge him. At the very last second, bank right and ram his left side. It will be hard for him to counter your own attack, because the spear is on his right side.”

Nighting Gale eyed Silver Flash for a moment, before she looked towards Sun Guard. She could see how such a tactic would work. A smirk slowly formed on her muzzle, and she nodded to him. “Right, thanks, Mr. Flash!” With that, she flew out of the net, so he could reengage the other High General.

“Go get him, dear.” Silver Flash said, with a smile, and continued to sip on his tea. The butler was completely content on waiting, until they were finished.

The mare’s speed started to increase, making it seem like she was going for another high velocity attack. Sun Guard, who had been waiting for her, exploded forward! His charge was actually throwing up large patches of dirt, the training spear lowered in a forward position. The two High Generals were on a collision course for one another, almost like the two of them were preparing to joust the other.

Nighting Gale, watching how close they were getting, waited until it was impossible for Sun Guard to stop. With a smirk, she halted her bat wings, catching the wind in their membranes, and shot right! Sun Guard, surprised by the sudden change in tactics, attempted to stop but ended up sliding ten meters before he finally came to a complete halt. Though, by the time he looked to parry any attacks coming his way, the mare slammed her training lance square into his side! This caused the stallion, due to the mare coming at a high rate speed towards him, to be sent flying across the sparing ring.

The Lunar Guard High General landed, and watched her partner slowly get off the ground, trying to shake the daze off. She looked at the training lance, noticing the splintered end… Had it not been a training weapon, and an actual lance, her attack would have been a fatal one! A wide, fanged, grin started to spread across her face, and she shot towards Silver Flash.

She quickly brought the old stallion into a tight hug, hovering off of the ground. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She repeated, the realization ta she had won the spar because of his suggestion, making her excited.

Silver Flash gave a hearty laugh, returning the hug and patted the mare’s back. Nighting Gale felt two nubs on the butler’s back, but shrugged it off as possibly making his jacket bunch up. “Anytime, Lady Gale… Just remember, you only won because I gave you some advice mid-spar. If it was just you, my lord would have won the match.” He said, as she sat him back down. “My lord did not think you would have countered, like that, because you haven’t been with him for many-?” His attention got pulled away, when said unicorn appeared next to them. “Oh, I am terribly sorry, my lord. I felt that Lady Gale need a helping hoof.”

Sun Guard shook his head, then nodded towards Nighting Gale, and placed a hoof on to her shoulder. The mare was confused by the action, but looked towards the butler, as he started to laugh. “What? What’s so funny?”

“Here I thought my lord would have been mad, but he is congratulating you for not being so prideful about your skills, and took some helpful advice to take the match.” He answered, motioning them to the table, with their waiting tea. “Now, how about a spot of tea? I am sure the two of you could use a break.” Silver Flash asked.

Both High Generals gave a nod, following the butler over to the table. Once seated, Silver Flash made sure they both had a cup of tea and a tea cake, before seeing to himself. Nighting Gale pulled her helmet off, placing it on the ground beside of her. Though, when the sounds of clipping caught her attention, she looked towards Sun Guard… Just as the stallion removed his own helmet and placed it on the ground.

When the silk black mane fell out, and the pure white coat was revealed, Nighting Gale blushed. Her mind instantly went back to what she saw a couple of days ago, and she started to nervously drink her tea. It felt like she had made up for what happened, because their training session was much harder today. At one point, the mare actually thought she was going to keel over, when Sun Guard wanted to spar.

But, now, she felt like a little school filly next to her biggest crush-… “Wait, why do I feel like I have a crush on Sun Guard?” She looked up at the stallion, as he silently sipped on his tea. “Well… He is every mare’s dream stallion.” A smile appeared on her face, before she looked back at the tea cup, a frown soon replacing said smile, when a thought occurred to her. “Though, he probably just sees me as his partner… After all, I am much younger than him, and a bat pony. No pony, outside of our own kind, wants to be seen with a bat pony.”

Silver Flash noticed her actions, and quickly went over what he saw her do. “Blushing, nervous tea drinking, longing smile, followed by a disappointed smile?” His mind listed, before he gave a confident smile. “My dear child, you should ask him… You would realize, my lord despises those that think low of other races. To him, despite how dense he is about it, you are another pretty, young, mare… One I’m sure he would not mind having a courting dance with.” As his mind thought on such things, the old stallion remembered something. “Oh, my lord, do you remember that Princess Celestia wanted to speak to you about the wedding of Princess Cadenza and Captain Armor?”

Sun Guard slowly nodded, taking another silent sip of his tea. Nighting Gale raised an eyebrow, confused. “I knew those two were dating, but I didn’t know they were getting married soon.” She admitted, eyeing the butler.

“Ah, yes… Those two love birds didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.” He noted, with a nod. “Princess Celestia is just going along with it, and only using a select few of the Celestial Guard to stand guard over their wedding.”

“That does make sense, but why not also use the Lunar Guard, too? Would bring a little diversity to the guard detail.” Nighting Gale asked, as the butler nodded.

“Normally, she would do such a thing. However, since Princess Luna will not be able to attend, the princess did not wish to overstep her bounds and take control over the Lunar Guard.” Silver Flash answered.

“I guess… That also makes some sense.” She admitted, thinking about it some. “Though, it would still be better if both branches showed up. It would allow everypony know that we are working together, and that one guard force aren’t pulling all the weight.”

“A well put point, Lady Gale.” Silver Flash complimented, before he looked up at Sun Guard. The stallion made a quick motion to Nighting Gale, with his shoulder, as he put the tea cup down and placed his helmet back on. “I see, as you wish, my lord.” When Sun Guard got up to leave, the mare looked at the butler. “He wished that you speak with me, about certain matters, while he goes to the meeting with Princess Celestia.”

Nighting Gale raised an eyebrow, confused about the statement. “Talk about what? I mean, I don’t really have-?”

“He is referring to the incident about you nearly being raped.” Silver Flash quickly answered, the old stallion becoming rather serious, as the mare’s ears folded back into her mane. “My lord is most concerned about your mental health, and feels that you not seeking a friendly ear about it all… Is most troubling.” The two ponies watched, as Sun Guard took his leave of them, leaving the two alone. “And, if I may, I most certainly agree with him, on this.”

Nighting Gale slowly looked away from the butler, feeling uncomfortable about it. “I-I am fine, Mr. F-Flash… Honest.” She said, avoiding eye contact with him.

“And that, Lady Gale, proves you are not.” Silver Flash said, his serious look turning into one of concern. “Trust me, when I say this. It really does help, talking about traumatic incidents. I would know.”

She looked up at him, seeing the concern written across his face. “H-How do you know, Mr. Flash?” Nighting Gale asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Silver Flash gave a drawn out sigh, before composing himself and collecting the Tea Set. “Instead of telling you, how about I show you, hm?” He asked her, the mare nodding while putting her helmet on. “Good. Meet me outside of my quarters, while I go and take these to the kitchen.”

Once again, Nighting Gale nodded before she walked off, leaving the butler to handle his duties real fast. “I’m alright, aren’t I?” She asked herself, thinking about what could have happened that night… Only to feel her eyes tearing up a bit, and quickly using her wings to wipe them away.

-Servant’s Wing-

Nighting Gale arrived at Silver Flash’s quarters rather quickly, it was easy to find. It seemed every castle servant knew where the old butler stayed, she assumed it may be because of the fact that he personally served Sun Guard. Such a position would bring one great prominence among the staff, along with some privileges to boot, since he was Celestia’s High General and personal bodyguard.

Though, it had taken the old stallion nearly an hour to show up. “My apologies, for making you wait, Lady Gale.” He said, pulling out a set of keys. “I am not young as I used to be.”

The mare smiled, shaking her head. “No problem at all, Mr. Flash.” She said, as he unlocked the door. “I understand completely.”

“Thank you, you are too kind, my dear.” He said, opening the door and allowed themselves entrance. “Make yourself at home, have a look around while I get things set up.” The mare nodded, as she walked inside.

The room was neatly made, and cleaned, like that expected of such a highly respected butler… But Nighting Gale noticed a military styled order to the room. The bed was made, and creased, perfectly like some ‘by the books’ soldier’s room. His clothes were neatly hanged, color coated, in the closet. Even his personal effects were set up straight, and in an orderly fashion.

The mare’s attention was caught by one of the pictures. She walked over to it, and had a look… Noticing that it was an old Captain’s Photo for a Celestial Guard Class. Sun Guard stood at their center, customarily holding his Guardian Spear. There was a white and pink unicorn mare, holding a spear, to his left, she had a disciplined soldier’s look on her face. Next to her, was a pure black earth pony stallion, with a large shield. He was sporting a content smile, and slightly looking towards the mare. But, what really caught Nighting Gale’s attention, was the pony on Sun Guard’s right.

It was a pegasi stallion, with a saber-like weapon. He was sporting an over-confident grin, leaning on to his weapon, while standing closer to Sun Guard, than the other two. It wasn’t his over confident persona that caught her attention, but the fact that he looked like a younger version of Silver Flash… “Is that Mr. Flash’s son?” She thought, slowly looking towards the butler. “But, he is an earth pon-?” Her eyes went wide; the very moment she saw them.

As Silver Flash removed his butler jacket, she saw the very thing that would make any pegasi, or bat pony, feel sick to their stomach. They were covered by his white undershirt, but Nighting Gale could see the stubs of surgically removed wings… Plain as day.

“Oh, Luna, no…” Her mind mumbled, realizing what the old stallion meant, when he mentioned that he knew.