From one world to another
Chapter 10

“Here we are, young Littlepip.”

To say that I was amazed would be an understatement. I had seen Canterlot before, but even when being preserved by the cloud, it could not hold up to this. While it being nighttime hid some of the beauty, it just made it all the more mystical. We slow our approach as we dip down below the castle, skirting the mountainside for a bit before approaching a hanger.

As we descend, I put on my saddlebags while looking around and analyzing the hanger. While it was in no way modern or capable of servicing the vertibucks and some of the other aerial war vehicles during the great war, it was still very organized and large, holding about a dozen patrol and transport chariots. Most of the ponies in here were thestrals, with a few unicorns and earth ponies who were mostly working on the chariots or some other job.

As soon as we touch down, Luna dismisses the rest of the squad, having me follow her through the twisting halls of what must've been a very large complex. As if knowing my question, Luna starts talking to me.

“My sister told me that the hanger had been built about a few centuries before my return. Originally, it was meant to be a dock of sorts for some of the more important airships, such as higher military or foreign dignitaries. However, as time went on airships became bigger and bigger, until this hanger was put out of commision. A few decades later, it was converted into the main hanger for chariot patrols in the Canterlot area, as well as a docking location for supply ships for the base built around it.

The base itself wasn’t here until 50 years ago, when Celestia had decided to use the underground tunnel and cave system located nearby to her advantage. Soon, a full barracks, logistics, training, and storage area for much of the Equestrian army reservists, along with the special forces, was built. Part of the military research wing of Equestria has also been built here.”

As she sums up the history of this place, we arrive at an office door, with the entrance being guarded by two ponies in standard Lunar guard armor. Seeing us, they both bow.

“Rise my little ponies. We wish to enter Commander Arcane’s office to talk to her.”

“Very well my princess.” Says one of the guards, nodding to the other. At that, he opens the door and talks for a few seconds with whoever’s inside before he turns back to us and motions us in. Nodding, Luna opens the door fully and walks in. As I enter, the guard who talked with the commander closes the door behind us, letting me pull my full attention to the room we’re in.

The room was fairly large, about the size of a bedroom. It was definitely Lunar themed, with dark purple walls with blues and blacks swirling around half moons. On the ceiling was a lit chandelier, providing a decent amount of light for the room.

The left wall had a few paintings and pictures on it. Among them were scenes of battle, portraits of the commander’s family, and times with friends. The bottom third of the wall itself was covered by a hefty dark oak dresser, with several drawers and what looks similar to a filing cabinet in the design.

Meanwhile, the right wall was much more formal. There was a map of Equestria, along with a hung sword, a certificate or document of some kind, several medals and battle trophies. In front of us was a large desk made of the same wood as the dresser with one chair on each side. Beyond that lied several more filing cabinet type objects, with two large flags hung above them. One of them was the flag of Equestria, while the other one was probably the flag for either the Lunar guard or the Night’s Watch. The flag had a dark purple color with a white half moon in the center. Below it were two white katana-like swords facing separate ways.

All of these observations took me about five seconds before I focused on the mare behind the desk. Dressed in armor similar to the suits Glancing and the others wore, she had a light blue coat, with a dark grey mane and piercing brown eyes. Wearing a thin smile, she quickly looks at me, before turning her attention to Luna after glancing at my armor. Upon recognizing Luna, her smile becoming wider and genuine.

“It’s good to see you Luna. It’s been a couple weeks.”

“You know me Arc, paperwork and nobles tend to do that. Plus, at my sister’s insistence, I went to Ponyville for tonight’s celebrations.” Luna respondes, chuckling.

“Ah, that does take up quite a bit of time. The commander then turns her attention back to me. “Who’s this mare you brought with by the way, a new friend? I know that Celestia’s been bugging you to make some more.”

“Yes, Littlepip here is one of my new friends from Ponyville. That isn’t the main reason why I brought her here however. I believe that she may have the potential to fill in the missing spot on the unicorn squad.” As she says that, Luna walks over to Arcana and starts having a hushed discussion. I can’t tell what exactly they’re saying, but I hear them mention me quite a bit, as well as words such as ‘survive’ and ‘wasteland’, so I’m guessing that Luna is telling her where I’m from.

As the discussion goes on, the commander straightens up a bit, as well as puts on an analytic look. When Luna finishes, the commander immediately says“I’ll be the judge of that. Take a seat Littlepip.” Surprised by this, I quickly move forward and sit down on the chair.

‘I guess we’re doing the interview here and now.’

She stared at me for a few moments before she started the interview/questioning.

(Brown is Littlepip, Blue is Arcana)

“I am Commander Arcana, commander Unicorn squad of the Night’s Watch. What is your name?”

“Littlepip, ma’am.”

“How old are you?”

“26 years old ma’am.”

“Where were you born.”

“Stable 2 ma’am.”

“What is your job.”

“Manager of the Single Pegasus Project ma’am.”

“What are your skills.”

“Machinery and maintenance, primarily of the pipbuck device I have, but also of other types of machinery as well. I’m pretty decent at combat, with ranged weapons being better suited for me, although I can still fight close quarters ma’am. Also, I’m not too good with magic, but I am very good at advanced levitation, as well as a small bit of blood magic from an encounter with a dark magic book ma’am.”

“...any others?”

“Well, I can also hack a terminal and pick a lock, assuming I have a bobby pin and screwdriver for the latter ma’am.”

“How much combat experience have you had?”

“Several months of moderate to heavy combat ma’am, along with the occasional bit of fighting in the few years between then and now ma’am.”

“Have you killed somepony?”

“Yes ma’am.”

These sorts of questions continued for the next ten or so minutes.

“Last question, why do you want to join the Night's Watch?”

“Ma’am, eventually I’d like to be able to find myself a way home, but no matter what I still want to help ponies. My other skills, while useful at times, wouldn’t be needed as much here. As is, my fighting skills would be the same. However, they are the best thing I have to use here, so I figured I should join up with the ones protecting everyone.”

“If that’s the case Littlepip, then why not join the regular Royal or Lunar guard? I’m sure you could’ve help ponies there.”

“I’m sure that’s true ma’am, but I want to use my skills to the best of my ability for ponykind, and being in the normal guards are more, well, guarding. Sure they help ponies and solve disputes, but for the most part they’re reduced to standing around or patrolling aimlessly. That’s why I want to join the Night’s Watch, ma’am.”

“I see, and why not the Sentinels?”

“Not my style.”

“Heh, I see.”

Arcana stands up and walks to one of the pictures on the wall, staring at it for a few seconds before looking back at me. “Are you sure you want to do this Littlepip? While you may have enough skills and experience to skip the basics and starting courses, you’ll still have to prove yourself through the tougher and final courses, which will last up to a month.”

“I’m sure, ma’am.”

“Very well then.” Commander Arcana fully turns toward me, extending her hoof. “Advanced Initiate Littlepip, welcome to the Night’s Watch.”

I felt a grin grow on my face as I extended my hoof out, shaking her own. “Thank you, ma’am. You won’t be disappointed!"

Author's Note

Well, that's this chapter done. Not much to say on how late it was except that school takes up a lot of time and I'm extremely lazy with writing once I lose momentum. Not much to say or explain, except that I'll probably be updating on the failed 'music monday' blog thing tomorrow or the next day.

Stay determined folks!