Guards: The untold story

Chapters

Chapter 1: Pains of a mother
Chapter 2: The first steps
Chapter 3: Practice makes perfect
Chapter 4: Out of order
Chapter 5: Touring
Chapter 7: "Justice runs in crimson rivers"
Chapter 8: Friends
Chapter 9: Blossom's day off
Chapter 10: Gathering
Chapter 11: Something in the air
Chapter 12: The final stand
Chapter 13: Ups and downs
Chapter 14: Unforseen consequences
Chapter 15
Chapter 16: The ultimate sacrifice.
Chapter 6: "I hope you die in a fire"

Chapter 1: Pains of a mother

“Push! Push a bit more!” Yelled a doctor to a mare giving birth, while her husband was away on duty, unaware of the situation. The mare screamed out and pushed as best she could, successfully giving birth to a Unicorn colt, whose eyes, mane and coat were pitch black.

“Congratulations ma’am. Here’s your son,” Said the doctor, levitating the foal over to her with his magic. She only smiled resting on her bed, looking at the fruit of her labors.

“You’ve got your daddy’s eyes…” She muttered to him, before a nurse took him to do the basic procedures.

“He’ll be fine, we need to do a few things to make sure he’s okay,” She explained. The mare trusted the staff and closed her eyes to rest. Before she knew, Celestia’s Sun was rising once more, bathing everything underneath in the light of dawn. She felt happy, knowing her pains were over, and her son was alright as well, not to mention finally being able to return home. Her thoughts were running wild on how the foal was going to grow up, the memories they will have together, the good and bad times they may have together, when the door opened with a creek, a nurse came through with the breakfast on her back.

“Good morning,” Said the nurse with a grin.

“Good morning,” Replied the mare.

“Here’s your breakfast. At noon the doctor will come and examine you. If everything is right, you can go home,” She informed her.

“Okay, thank you,”

“Good luck,” Said the nurse, then left.

Cobalt Rose ate her breakfast, and waited eagerly for the doctor to arrive. It felt like an eternity, but at last the moment had come, and the doctor arrived, levitating a clipboard in front of him. “Good day ma’am, are you ready for your examination?” The doctor wondered. Rose only nodded. The doctor put his stethoscopes on, and checked her breathing pattern. “Breathing is okay, nothing out of the ordinary…” He noted, then listened to her heartbeat. As the stethoscope stopped moving and he heard the pace, he grinned. “Nervous for the results, or just too happy to handle?” He wondered with the same grin. In the end, he checked her blood pressure as well, but found nothing wrong. “Good news.” He said, and no more, since they both knew what it meant. In the hour Rose was home with the colt in its cradle. The mare did her best to keep the foal well, while her husband was on duty at the Royal Guard. Which meant he could rarely visit. He couldn’t spend more time than a day each month, so the foal, who they agreed to call Mithril Blaze barely knew his father… It was around 6 years later, when Ardent Blaze, the father was meant to arrive once again, but instead of him, Rose found a small scroll at the other side of the entrance, with a black ribbon tied around it. She hoped it was a mistake, or just a bad joke… She took the scroll and locked the door to her room, then opened it with wet eyes.

"Dear Cobalt Rose…

We regret to inform you, that your husband, Ardent Blaze suffered a fatal accident at the barracks last night, while he was packing his belongings for today’s visit. Please accept our most sincere and deepest condolences, as his passing hurt us as much as it does you. At the same time, allow us to show our gratitude for his ever-lasting loyalty and service throughout the years, by paying for his funeral, and giving you his salary for a year straight.

Best wishes, Princesses Celestia and Luna." Said the scroll. Rose felt something die inside of her. She didn’t know what it was, but she knew what she felt. Grief, and she knew all the five stages… Which she did her best not to let surface, as she felt it was best for Mithril. She cried for an hour or so, then regained her composure, which only lasted until she saw her son, staring at the entrance door.

“Mom? Mom? When is Daddy going to come?” Mithril wondered.

Rose did her best to keep a tear in, and mastered all her strength to do so. She made her way to her son and sat down next to him, closing a wing around him. “Mithril… Sweetie… Dad… Dad’s not coming home…” She managed to reply.

“Why? Does he not love us anymore?”

Every single one of the foal’s words cut deep into her heart, but she took it. “He does, no, that’s not why…”

“That means we’re going to see him instead!” Exclaimed the now all too excited Unicorn.

“No… We aren’t sweetie… Dad… Dad can’t see us anymore…”

“Why?”

“He…” Her voice began to change to that of crying, so she stopped for a moment. “He was so tired doing his work, that he fell asleep…”

“Did he miss his train then?”

“Daddy won’t wake up anymore, sweetie. He’s too tired…” She managed to say, knowing too well the moment her lie is uncovered was closer from that day on. The foal looked at his mother with a confused face, and after seeing her cry, he used his magic to wipe them away with a handkerchief.

“What’s wrong, mom? Why are you crying?” He inquired.

“When you get older, you will understand…” She replied. Mithril was doing well in school, then again, he was only in second grade. Their days went on, and the funeral came. Rose couldn’t prevent Mithril from going, as she couldn’t come up with anything to convince him. It started, and the semi-massive group gathered in the graveyard. The coffin had already been covered, to avoid at least that much pain.

“Mom, mom? Who are all these ponies? And why are the royal sisters here?” Mithril wondered.

Everybo-*cough* Everypony heard it, Rose checked, everypony felt their souls torn at. “They knew daddy. They are here to see if he does sleep well,” She replied.

“Oh, okay!” Mithril exclaimed. The sisters chose not to tell a speech, most of those present knew Ardent Blaze well anyway, as they too were part of the Royal Guard. Each of them placed a single flower on the grave and left, except the royal two, who instead of leaving headed for Rose’s home. The sisters sat down in the kitchen, while Rose prepared some tea, and sent Mithril up to his room.

“Lovely house. I’m surprised he never told us about it,” Celestia noted.

“Thank you for coming,” Said Rose.

“It’s the least we could do. And as we said, we are willing to help you for a year, and…” Luna replied, but stopped, unsure if she should continue or not.

“And?” Rose wondered.

“Should Mithril desire to follow his father’s hoof-steps, he’s more than welcome,” She continued.

“I’ll keep that offer in mind for him, but not for now,” Rose replied thankfully. “I… I have something to ask of you,”

“Oh?”

“It might sound selfish, or rude, or anything else negative... “ Rose continued, gathering the strength of what she had on mind. “I’m pregnant… I don’t want to leave them alone, nor to kill this filly, but I just can’t live like this… The pain… It’s just… Too much…” She began to cry, sobbing on her side of the table. It took a few seconds for her words to set in for the sisters, and they came to a conclusion.

“We understand your choice. We are willing to take your children in to raise, and alter their memories, so they will not miss you, or their father… Yet, they will not see us as their parents,” Celestia exclaimed.

“Please, keep in mind, that nothing will change except their memories. You will still have existed and lived, as had Ardent. I also urge you to think again, since by the nature of what you’re about to do cannot be reversed,” Celestia tried to warn her.

“I understand, and am convinced… Thank you…” Rose replied.

“We promise to take care of them as if they were our own, and wish you farewell for your… Journey,” Luna said, focusing magic into her horn.

“What will you do to this one?”

“I will use a spell to give it birth, then age it a little, then take them to Canterlot. Celestia is putting them to sleep as we speak, and replacing their memories,” Explained the lunar princess.

The two did as promised, and the next thing the foals knew, they woke up to a sunrise they grew used to, in their rooms. “Good morning, Blaze, you overslept again!” Said his little sister, Gentle Blossom, who also was a Unicorn. Her coat was blue, and her mane was cyan, with green eyes.

“Again? Damn!” Replied her brother.

“You should hurry, it’s your big day!” She said, chuckling.

Blaze bolted out of his bed and got his stuff together on the way. When he left, he literally ran into a still sleepy Celestia. “MY BAD!” He yelled back as he ran past her. “Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit…” He muttered all the way, until he arrived to the barracks.

“ROLL CALL!” Yelled a pony out loud, and all those present formed a perfectly straight line standing aside one another. “Tender Wind!”

“Present!”

“Cobalt!” Said the general, waiting for the soldier bearing said name to confirm their presence. That word always gave Blaze a weird feeling in his gut, but he didn’t know why.

“Present!”

“Jackpot!”

“Present!”

“Silver Feather!”

“Present!”

“Mithril Blaze!”

“Present!” Blaze yelled.

“Midnight Comet!”

“Present!”

“Golden Gust!”

“Present!”

“Good! Now that you all are here, the sisters chose to give me the honor of officially declaring you as trainees of the 4th battalion! Your training will last until you’re deeped ready for your final exam!” Said the General, informing them all. “That is, if you live that long, or don’t give up… Tomorrow we will begin your theoretical training, come right here tomorrow at 7 am, dismissed!”

Blaze was relieved, he barely made it in time. It would’ve been a terrible impression to be late on the 0th day. He sighed, and turned around to set off back to his room, when one of his superiors approached him. “Good morning, trainee. Who’s your designated General?” Asked one of the Captains of the Royal Guard.

“General Onyx, sir!” Blaze replied.

“Good,” Replied the Captain. “What’s your name?”

“Mithril Blaze, sir!” The Captain seemed terrified hearing the name.

“And who was your father?” Blaze tried to remember, but failed to come up with a right answer. “Oh, forget it…” Muttered the Captain, and walked off. Blaze looked after him and lifted a brow.

What’s his problem? Eh, probably just his duties… He thought to himself, and returned to his room, where Luna and his sister were having a conversation. “Oh, am I interrupting anything?” Blaze wondered.

“Nothing too important,” Luna assured him. “We were just talking about a few spells and such. Would you like to join?” She continued.

“I’m not much into theory when it comes to magic. Sure, I’m good at using them but, you get the point,” Blaze replied.

“C’mon, big brother, you could come with me to Celestia’s School for gifted Unicorns!” Exclaimed an excited Gentle Blossom.

“Yeah, uh… Sounds charming, but I must decline. Studying two extremely different things at once may be too much for me,” Blaze said.

“Does it sound like too much of a challenge to you?” Asked Luna on a mocking tone, raising an eyebrow while doing so.

Blaze didn’t let the mock fly by unanswered. “You know what? Count me in!” Blaze replied.

“The school begins at 8 am and lasts until 2 pm,” Blossom said.

“Yeah, I won’t be able to attend,” Her brother informed her.

“My sister or I could have you enlisted as a private student, Blossom could bring the day’s curiculum home for you to learn, as she and they all would have work and exercise books,” Luna offered.

“Could you make it so? That would be great,” Blaze said thankfully.

“It’s the least I can do,” Replied the oldest mare. “In fact, I’ll see to it right away,” She continued, and left.

“So? How’d it go?” Blossom wondered.

“It was just a roll call, tomorrow at 7 am it starts,” Blaze replied.

“I’m so proud of you, big brother! Finally you get to join the guard!”

“Only thanks to the sisters… Sometimes I wonder why they took us in, why are we being treated as their offspring… Most importantly… How did they even get to know about us…” Blaze said, pondering.

“Come on! Don’t ruin the moment!” Blossom said again, chuckling to herself. She was the kind of mare who could always cheer him up… From outside she seemed like a cheerful, simple, and rather unintelligent pony, because of her carelessness. She was the polar opposite, tho, as she knew more about magic than her brother, while he had more talent and experience using it. Blaze, on the other han-hoof… He was a rather down to ground and reliable colt, muscular, and preferred close combat, tho had no experience in such thing.

“You’re right, let’s go, grab something for breakfast…” He exclaimed, closing a hoof around her as they walked down the corridor. Blaze in his trainee’s armor, Blossom in her novice’s outfit.

[End of Chapter 1]

Chapter 2: The first steps

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Chapter 3: Practice makes perfect

Everypony left the room except for the Unicorns as said to. “Well then,” Celestia broke the silence. “Unicorns are known for their wisdom. How true is it about the two of you?”

“Most true it is, but not about me,” Blaze replied, hinting at his classmate.

“Is it so?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Comet replied.

“If so, I would like to ask you to come with me, as I have an important task for you,” Exclaimed the elder sister. Comet nodded, and followed her out of the room.

This is my chance, now I can ask Princess Luna about her return, and what others don’t talk about… But… Should I do it? Blaze pondered, when suddenly the said mare spoke up.

“So, are you excited yet?”

“What do you mean?” The stallion wondered. Thankfully the sisters allowed him and Blossom to talk to them that way, as they were their mother figures, well, stepmothers if you will.

“It’s your first day, and you get to stand aside us… You know what anypony else would give for a chance like this?” She tried to brighten him.

“Unfortunately, too many of them,” Blaze replied, referring those with ill will.

“True… Well… Did you know the Grand Galloping Gala is soon to come again?”

“What? Already? It’s seemed too short for it to come again…”

“Well, it is… However many did I miss during…” She stopped. “Never mind,”

“I don’t know what happened, but I can ask General Onyx later too. I see you don’t want to talk of it,”

“I can tell you later on in private… It’s just… Something nopony talks of most the time… Except at Nightmare Night…” The mare explained.

“I’ll see which one of you can tell me sooner,” Blaze assured her, then Celestia returned alone.

“Ah, Blaze, glad you’re still here,”

“What do you have in mind for me?” He wondered.

“The kitchen had prepared today’s lunch for my school. I want you to accompany the delivering ponies. They are the kitchen staff, not fighters. The reason I need you, is the fact that some ponies find free food charming enough to steal… Besides, I think you can handle this,” She explained, spawning a steel halberd with her magic, giving it to him.

“I’ll do my best, thank you,” Blaze replied, and left for the kitchen with his new polearm. On his was he didn’t see much out of place, except for most of the guards giving him a disapproving look. The heck is their problem? Am I holding it wrong or something? He pondered, grasping it with his left wrist as he walked. I’m not jabbing the blade into the floor tiles, and the blade always looks upwards, so I’m not even swinging it up and down as I go... Eh, screw them… At last he arrived.

“Hello Blaze, we’re good to go,” Said a chef as a greeting.

“H-How did you know?

“You think anypony can just walk around with a tool like yours?” The mare wondered.

“Careful, some might think you meant something else…” He warned her.

“You know good AND well what I meant…”

“Sure you did,” Replied a cook.

“Can we just get going? We still have to make the dinner and we haven’t even seen if we have everything for it…” Pointed out another.

“Sure, you lead the way,” Blaze assured them, and they left off. As they left the castle Blaze had a line of sight on Cobalt at the library. The two greeted one another with a waving hoof. As soon as they entered the streets Blaze put his helmet on using his magic. The kitchen staff walked in lines of two, carrying medium sized boxes on the backs, or with their magic. They arrived with no problem on the way, and entered the school.

“Can I be of any help?” Asked a teacher.

“We brought the lunch,” A cook explained. While so Blaze removed his helmet.

“Ah, I see. This way please,” Exclaimed the Unicorn. Just as her sentence ended the bell rang, and students of all ages flooded the hallways. Blaze was surprised to see so many unicorns at one place, so were the students to see a guard indoors. He followed the cooks as his was meant to, until he ran into his sister.

“Hey, B.B! You here? Let me guess… Princess Celestia asked you of all ponies to keep the cooks in sight?”

“I see you’re well fit to this place regarding a sharp wit…” He replied, complimenting her.

“Well, I guess she also gave you a shiny new toy to play with…” The mare pointed at the shaft.

“I’ll probably have to give it back when we’re done. I don’t mind,” Blaze informed her. The bells rang again.

“Got to go. I’ll see you at home,” She said before leaving.

“And the cooks are just on time…” Blaze replied saying farewells and parted ways.

Blossom trotted into the designated classroom and sat down at her desk. The teacher soon followed, but to her own desk. “Class 1/B, correct?” She pondered.

“Yes miss!” The class replied.

“Good… Prepare your history books and exercise books. Today we take a trip down the past of the royal sisters themselves: Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,” A mare held up a hoof. “Yes, Flower?”

“Does that mean we will talk about the Nightma-” *Mmm-mmmph!* *MMMPH!” She was silenced by the teacher’s hoof.

“Yes, we are,” She replied. “And to make this day memorable, Princess Luna herself agreed to come and tell us herself!” The teacher continued. The students began to cheer as said mare trotted into the room, at which point they turned to bow down instead.

“Greetings little ponies. I’m pleased to be among you once again,” The mare of the night greeted them. “I’m sure you have many questions, and I will take time to reply to them all at the end. Now, grab your pencils and take notes,” She continued, the turned to the teacher. “I’m sorry for taking over your class,”

“Oh, please, go on,” She replied, moving aside to one of the windows adorned beautifully by colored glass panes.

“Well then. Where shall I begin?” Luna pondered. “Our foal-hood it is…” She cleared her throat and prepared for a long speech. “As all of you, so do… DID we have parents as well. We too were born the way you were. Our parents ruled over Equestria a very long time ago. More time ago than how old we are, needless to say,” At this point she stopped, as a colt had a raised hoof. “Yes?”

“Princess? How old are you?” Asked the colt, soon to be scolded by a classmate.

“Pricky! It’s rude to ask a mare about her age! Let alone a princess!”

“No, no, it’s a very good question… Believe it or not, I myself am more than 35.000 years old! As for Celestia…” She put a hoof to her chin, pondering. “I must say she’s around 45.000-50.000 years. She’s my older sister for a reason,” Then another student raised a hoof. “Go on,”

“I only thought you were 5.000 years old at max! The you two really look younger than that!” Luna took that as a compliment, then looked at another student.

“Yes?”

“That’s a lot! Then I’m sure 1.000 years were nothing on the m-” He was cut short by the teacher, glancing nervously at their guest.

“I know what you meant. I can assure you… Every single moment of it felt like my age multiplied with itself…” She explained on a serious and somewhat saddened tone. “So as I mentioned… Our parents ruled before us. Their names were Queen Galaxia and King Cosmos… They introduced us to what now we call our duty: Raising the Sun and Moon… I even brought a picture of our first sunrise…” She continued, reaching into her saddlebag which she brought along. She found the photograph and passed it to the first student she saw to pass along for all to see.

“You were so adorable!”

“They were beautiful!”

The students reacted positively. They really loved the picture. “This is the last way we can still remember them… If it wasn’t for these pictures, of which my sister has hers as well, we would have long forgotten their faces… Our fondest memories… And their loss…” She added as the picture made its round and got back to her. “Now, I assume you want me to get to the point: The Nightmare Moon Incident… I will, but before that, I must tell you, that my sister got the lion’s share of responsibilities, duties, and with all negative, so did she get most of the positives of our rank… Yes, I was jealous, but hear me out. I felt like a ghost, like I was dead, but something was turning, twisting and moving inside me…”

“Were you pregnant?” Asked a stallion. Everypony chuckled at his question, but he was corrected.

“If only I had been so lucky…” Replied the angel of dusk. “I felt ignored, like I ruled from a silent throne. Nopony took me seriously, tho the crown and chestpiece still adorned me. I was ignored. Ignored as a princess. Ignored as an alicorn. Ignored as a mare… Ignored as a pony… IGNORED AS A LIVING CREATURE!” The anger burst out of her as she tore at the old scar inside. The students leaned away from her in their chairs. She took some time to relax, and continued. “Apologies, as you know, this was soon followed by that fateful day… Just weeks after we liberated the Crystal Empire and banished King Sombra. On that fateful morning I woke up, but things were… Different… Instead of watching in awe as Celestia rose the sun, I kept the curtains shut. I left my bed undone, put my crown, chest piece and hoof guards on, and headed for the throne room. I was fed up, and I’ve been hearing somepony call out to me and talking to me for a while by then. Then…” She stopped, and a drop of tear formed on her face. “I…” “I remember anger, hatred… And the worst of all… I saw everything I’ve done as Nightmare Moon, but had no control over myself. I fought as good as I could to regain control, but by the time I managed… I was on the moon…” Another student lifted a hoof. “Yes?”

“Do you still feel bad for something you didn’t do?”

“I’m sure. I will always be remembered as Nightmare Moon. I will forever remain unforgotten, and unforgiven…” She said, closing her story.

The teacher felt guilty, so she moved the class on. “Right, so, what have you written down so far?” She wondered, walking through the desks. “Nice work class, now we must thank Princess Luna for taking her time to come to us,” She continued.

“Thank you Princess Luna!” Said the class in unison.

“Any time. Now, I must leave,” Said mare replied, and with a flash of blue light, she disappeared. As she did so, she ended up teleporting back to the castle, ending up right in front of Blaze. The two’s noses met, and for a short while they just stared at one another.

“That almost ended badly…” Blaze greeted her.

“And is uncomfortable…” Replied the mare.

“I’ll be going now…” Blaze muttered, to avoid the situation turning awkward. That was too close for comfort… She needs to be more careful with that. I don’t want to end up as a bag of flesh with wings and two horns, but be part alicorn at last. He pondered for a while, then returned to Celestia for his tasks, until his daily shift ended. Blaze put his helmet on his bedside desk and fell face first into it. One day… One day less… He thought before taking a nap, only to be woken up by his sister.

“Blaaaze…”

*Moan*

“Blaze…”

*Snore*

“B.B!”

“WHAT?!”

“Hi! How was your day?”

“I’m tired…”

“Wowzie, that sounds… Exhausting. What did you do?”

“After the lunch? P.E…”

“Well, I brought you today’s curriculum. We actually had Princess Luna come in on class!” She said excited.

“As if you don’t see her every day…” Blaze replied. So that’s where she came from… “Thanks anyway… I’ll look at it later…”

“Later? It’s already near dinner!”

“WHAT?!” Blaze wondered out loud, bolting out the bed and throwing himself on Blossom’s exercise books.

“IT’S AT HISTORY!” She yelled as she walked out the door.

“What?” He asked, poking his head out from among her books and exercise books. Were they having history class all day? He asked in himself, and flipped through each. “Let’s see… Potions and brewing…” He muttered, staring at one. “Sounds interesting,” He opened the exercise book, it’s pages were full… Full of nothing but blank pages. He sighed in relief and looked at another one. Maths.

“Lesson one: Roundup
Basics: Numbers

Numbers are the basics of mathematics. The basic numbers range from 0 to 9. With the combination of these, we can create numbers of larger value, and of multiple characters. Each number had a different value… Blaze folded it shut, and left to have his dinner. After finishing it, he returned to the exercise books, and studied deep into the night.

[End of Chapter 3]

Chapter 4: Out of order

“Tick, tock, tick tock…” *Chuckle* “Time is ticking, Blaze… Your time is running out,” Said a voice from nowhere. It sounded more male, it was dark and had a small echo to it.

“Wh- What? Who is it?” He wondered in a blank black void.

“Someone you need not fear,” Replied the voice.

“I ate something again, haven’t I?” Blaze wondered out loud.

“No, you fool… Argh, we don’t have much time. Listen to me: Do NOT accept Luna’s offer…” Exclaimed the voice.

“What? Which one? Why? Why should I trust you?”

“You will see, now, it’s time to wake…” Replied the darkness, and Blaze woke up in a hospital bed.

“Rise and shine,” Said a nurse greeting him.

“What happened?” We wondered.

“It seems you ate something wrong yesterday. It’s 10 am, and we must keep you here for monitoring,” She explained.

“Buck…” Blaze said to himself. “When is the doc going to come?”

“Around… 6pm,” The nurse replied.

Mother fu… “Okay,”

“Hang on there, you can get out of the bed anytime. Go for a walk, sit down in the hall, talk to other patients, or play a few games. We have a few decks of cards and board games too, books as well to help pass time,” The nurse explained, hoping to help.

“Tanks,” He replied, staring at the tray beside him. Ain’t even gonna ask why that’s there… He got out of his bed and followed the nurse to the hall, where he looked at the bookshelves. Hmmm… What’s this? Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone… Well, why not… He went back to his bed, lay down and started to read, an occasional vomiting interrupting him for a while, when at noon his lunch was brought in.

*Knock knock* *Creek* The door opened, but instead of the mare expected the come, it was a colt in full body armor, which was pitch black. He himself had emerald eyes, brown coat and black mane. “It’s time we meet,” He said, closing the door behind.

“Are you…”

“You asked who I was, now I reply,” The colt explained levitating the tray over to the bed, staying out of the light passing through the window.

“So, who are you a-”

“I admit, this once I seem to have been wrong,” The colt noted, seeing that Blaze did in fact eat something in the end.

“-re you again?”

“I have no name, call me what you want,”

“And what’s the armor?” Blaze wondered, noticing the lack of a helmet, which was the reason he knew the colt meant no harm, as it was an old, and mostly forgotten tradition to remove it to indicate off duty.

“I was waiting for you to ask. I took Luna’s offer, now I regret every letter I said in that It would be my honor I muttered to her…”

“Just what was that offer?”

“Would you join the night guard? It is the greatest of recognitions and honors to be enlisted as one of them, as you may only do so upon invitation,” The shadow quoted.

“I’m just going to call you Shadow. What’s the backside of accepting it?”

“Loss of memory of my past self, I don’t remember anything from before the day I accepted. Not. A. Single. Minute,”

“Amnesia? Maybe they can help with their ma-”

“They can’t, don’t be a fool, Blaze. There’s worse than no memories…”

“What is it?” He wondered while eating his lunch.

“Which one would you prefer? Being tortured to death, or being beaten up every single day for the rest of your life?” Shadow asked in response.

“The prior,”

“Well, I have to face the later option, but for the rest of eternity,”

Blaze’s jaw dropped loose, and the contents dropped back onto his plate. “You mean…”

“Yep, the biggest curse of all: Immortality,”

“Sad to hear it,”

“Don’t be, your pity doesn’t help my situation. Now that you know what I’m destined to do, do you trust me?”

“Why should I believe you’re immortal?” Blaze pondered.

Shadow rolled his eyes, and even tho he appeared to be an earth pony, the knife on Blaze’s plate began to move, and made it’s way toward the plated pony. “I’ll only show this once,” He exclaimed, as the blade slowly sunk into his neck, but instead of the expected trickling blood, only a fog like body of darkness emanated from the wound.

“What. The. Buck…” Those were all Blaze managed to say in his surprise.

“Told ya,” Shadow said, giving the bladed tool back.

“I believe you now,”

“Good. Then don’t accept the offer. Do whatever you must, kill her, or anypony else, even yourself, but Do.Not. Accept it,”

“All right, I got it,”

Suddenly the door opened and a doctor trotted in… Until he saw Shadow. “I-I’ll come back later…” He muttered, dropping the clipboard he had been carrying, but picking it back up with his mouth.

“See? Even he knew what I am!” Shadow said, pointing at the shut door.

“And why aren’t you telling me again? Beside the Night Guard?”

“It is best I don’t tell, thinking of it now. Well, I got my point through so it is best I vanish now,”

“Wait. Why are you helping me?”

“I wish I knew. Something inside of me insists I must,” Shadow explained, before he returned to silently staying in the corner, watching over him. A while later the doctor came back. “Pretend I’m not here,” Shadow said before the doctor could leave again. The doctor performed the routine checks, then left. Blaze threw up bozen more of times, until in the afternoon a visitor came, and the door opened once again.

“Wh- What are you doing here, Sis?” Blaze wondered at the sight of his sister.

“I didn’t skip school today, but I got on the first train I could catch when I heard you’re here. The Canterlot hospitals are a little overwhelmed, that’s why you were taken here,”

“I see… What happened that so many ponies are sick?”

“I wish I knew. Actually, Princess Celestia-” At this point she heard a loud growl from behind, which she chose to ignore at the time.” said her advisors are working on finding the case and cure,”

“And Celestia is THE ONLY one to be bothered with…” Shadow commented. Blossom turned around, horn glowing ready to fire. “It would be a bad idea…” Shadow reminded her, and soon she agreed, seeing his armor.

“I know you… We just earned about you today at C- Her school…” Blossom informed him.

“Then you can tell your brother what you know, so he can hear the same thing twice,” Shadow replied.

“I showed the teacher your homework, she was pleased. I brought your and my exercise books, and today’s curriculum. I’ll stay until tomorrow, my train leaves at 6 am,” She explained, resting her saddlebags against his bed.

“Thanks,” Blaze replied.

“So… Why are you here? No offense,” Blossom inquired from their plated visitor.

“You know what I do, what I am, and who I serve. It is her lone will I’m here for,”

“She told you, in short, right?” Shadow nodded.

“Would you be proud of your brother if he ended up like I did?”

She looked at her sibling, then back at him. “I doubt…” She replied quietly.

“Would YOU be proud of your sister if she became… Celestia’s… Advisor?”

“The most,” He replied.

“That says something about what’s between the two of you… If only you knew what I do… The tides would turn,” Shadow exclaimed. “But it is best I speak no more of it,”

“What? What do you mean?” Blossom pondered. “What COULD you know that would have such effects?”

“As I said, it is best I speak no more of it, yet. I’m sorry, I can’t say no more until… -This once- Luna AND Celestia agrees so,” He explained. “Topic closed, and for all of your sakes, both of you, I urge you not to ask about it either,” The two agreed and accepted to follow his advice.

“How long will you stay?” Blossom wondered.

“Until he returns home,”

“Are you the only one sent to look after him? Will you be able to stay up all along?” Blossom inquired.

“We have not the needs of mortals. Food, drinks, rest… Blood…” Shadow explained. “We are denied the simplest of mortal properties, such as emotions. Instead of say… Feeling compassion, or pitying somepony, all we can do is think, and decide if they are pitiful or not,”

“Let’s change subject… What was exactly wrong I ate yesterday? We ate mostly the same things,” Blaze said.

“Good question. I know you and I didn’t eat at the same time though. Is there something the sisters ate and you didn’t? Or vice versa?” Blossom tried to figure out.

“A few muffins at best…” Her sibling replied. The two looked at Shadow.

“You expect me to explain?”

“Don’t you know everything?” Blossom asked.

“It’s true we know a lot, but that is because of our collective memory. That mostly includes mayor battles, it’s results, orders, every time we’re sent to a task… Every individual of us know what only a few others were put through, so I know what happened where I wasn’t sent to, or even alive when happened... “

“That means you actually remember the incident?” Blaze pondered.

“Don’t make me do it,” Shadow warned him. “You know the orders, don’t you?” He turned his head at his sister.

“Which one do you mean?” Blaze wondered.

“Not YOUR ones,” Shadow reminded him. “Blossom?”

She stared blank at the floor, knowing what he talked about. “Luna already transformed into Nightmare Moon once before the incident, but managed to regain control… She gave orders, should it happen again, she must be killed…” She explained.

“What? But… It happened, yet… She’s here!” Blaze objected.

“Because it happened at day time. She moved the Moon to block the Sun, but it was still daylight in the room it happened. Need I explain more?”

“So she moved the Moon while she could to block out the light for you to spawn while she could…” Blossom thought out loud.

“But forgot it was still daylight in the room, in which you can’t seem to do so then!” Blaze finished the theory.

“You two sure know something. In fact, if it wasn’t for that Unicorn: Twilight Sparkle, who got there before we could, she would be dead by now, as we would have killed her at all cost,” Shadow explained.

“Wait… You said Twilight Sparkle? I had a dream where I met her…” Blaze exclaimed. That mean’s she was here when it happened… Maybe I could find her.. Heh, what could I say? ‘Hello, I know who you are, I’m also from the Royal Guard, I know your brother, and you’re Celestia’s prized student!’? Yeah, right, the fastest way to the nuthouse…

“Did you?” Shadow asked, raising a brow.

“Yes, why?”

“After Celestia, she’s the second most suspicious individual to us… “

Blossom only nodded, confirming what he meant. Their conversation only got less serious from there on, and went on until sleep time, when the siblings went to sleep, while Shadow remained on guard. Hours passed, as he silently watched over them, deep into the night. He knew he had no emotions, but he felt something as he saw Blaze slumber in his bed, Blossom sitting in a chair, her head rested against her sibling's, as the moonlight made its way through the windows at them. I wish I had somepony like they have each other… He got lost in his train of thoughts, but not for long. The door opened without a sound, and a white coated colt in golden armor stepped through.

“Number 41… Here it is…” He muttered.

Shadow stopped him before he could do anything, and with his powers paralyzed him under the neck where he stood. “Don’t make a sound. You and I are here for the same reason,” He whispered to the colt, who nodded, so he ceased control over him.

“You’re one of the Night Guard… I never thought I would see one in my lifetime…” The colt replied.

“What are you doing here? Did SHE send you?”

“Yes, to take care of Blossom,”

“Name and rank?” Shadow inquired, his halberd rested against the wall beside him.

“Captain Shining Armor…”

“Good. You may remain, until you try to force HER will at me…” Shadow welcomed him, and the two stood guard at each side of the door until Celestia’s Sun rose once more. The hospital’s night guard came into the room, flashlight off. He noticed the two figured, nodded at them as a greeting, then left with no problem. “I guess she didn’t fail her history class…”

The siblings woke up, Blossom gathered her stuff and left for her train with the Captain, but not before leaving a kiss on her brother’s forehead. “Bye, sis,” He said as the two walked away.

Shadow only looked after the two through the window. “I wish I had somepony the way you had each other... “ He said to Blaze, then sighed. “But we know it will never be… So, while I’m here, I’m allowed to take you out of the hospital, it’s my responsibility what happens to you outside. If you want to go for a walk, here’s your chance,” Shadow offered.

“The doc said yesterday I should be fine. We can go if you don’t mind but…” Blaze replied, then stopped to talk about the sunlight problem.

“Don’t worry. We prefer not to be exposed to it, but with our armor, we’re mostly covered anyway. I’ll go, fill out the paperwork...” He said while leaving the room, soon coming back for Blaze, who seemed much healthier than last day. The two trotted out of the hospital onto the graveled roads of Ponyville, and headed for a relaxing morning walk. Little did they know, Blaze was not the only one with the kind of his illness, as they saw many stretchers throughout the town, all of which were occupied by sick ponies.

“What happened here?” Blaze wondered.

“That I would love to know as well,” Replied his friend. They approached one of them. “Good evening, friend. What fortune tortures all these ill ponies?” Shadow pondered.

“Muffins… Sugarcube… Corner… Bad…” Her face turned a tone greener, and turned her head away to… You know…

“I wish you a quick recovery,” Shadow said, bidding farewell, the two continued on their ways. Soon Blaze bolted ahead out of the sudden, barely allowing Shadow to catch up. “What’s this? Where’s the hurry?” He wondered.

“I saw her!”

“Who?”

“You’ll see. Maybe she can help!” Shadow jumped, and when he landed a tall wall of stone emerged from the ground behind him, blocking Blaze’s path. His wall unavoidably blocked the entire path, preventing other’s pass as well, so he couldn’t leave it there for long. “What is that for?!” Blaze wondered.

“I can not allow that. Not right now,” Shadow explained. His wall slowly sinking back into the ground.

“That was interesting…” Commented a mare from behind.

“Oh, Come on Twi, I bet anypony with magic can do that…” Replied another.

“Beg your pardon?” Shadow asked the Pegasus mare with some anger.

“You heard me right! You ain’t even got nothing!” At this point Twilight gasped in realization.

“Rainbow, stop, don’t you know where he’s from?”

“As if I would care… Why does it matter? So long he’s not a wonderbolt I don’t care…” Replied her friend.

“Oh, so you think those pesky flies are the best?” Shadow threw back.

“Watch your tongue. You couldn’t beat me in a hoof race!”

“Care to prove me wrong?”

“Any time, and how,” Rainbow assured him.

“Where to?”

“You know where the town hall is?” Shadow nodded. “There and back, 3 rounds. First to finish wins!”

“Rainbow, stop! You have no chance!”

“Come on Twi, you count down,” The pegasus continued still so confidently, as she and her new rival prepared.

*sigh* “She never listens…” She muttered to Blaze. “Ready! 3… 2… 1…” The two disappeared leaving a cloud of dust where they stood. They saw the two of them run there and back, but they agreed on Shadow was the fastest, and in the end won the race.

“Y-You’re good… Real good…” Rainbow said.

“If you want a rematch, we can have a flight race any time too,” Shadow assured her.

“Give me a sec, and you’ll see…” She caught her breath. “Same race, flight,” She exclaimed.

“Another easy win for me then,” Shadow warned her.

“You got no wings! You’ll never beat me!”

“Rainbow, he-”

“Not now, Twi… I’m going to teach this guy a lesson,” The two prepared again, Rainbow lost again. “No way! I can’t believe this! This guy must be ch-” She was cut short by Twilight’s hoof in her mouth.

“-eating…” Shadow finished the sentence. “Miss Sparkle, would you be so kind and give your friend a brief history lesson, or am I going to have to give her a lesson of pain myself?”

“I will sir, I’m sorry for her behavior. She’s more of a doer than a thinker… You see, she wants to join the wonderbolts one day,” She explained.

“Blaze, did you want to tell her something?”

“This will sound ridiculous, but…” Blaze started to say.

“Wait… Aren’t you the colt from my dream?”

“Wait, what? You had the same dream?” He wondered.

“Yes! This is so interesting! I never heard of something like this before!”

“Well, it’s new to me too. I wonder if my sister knows anything about it, too bad I haven’t told her,”

“Oh, I might have a few books back at the library. I have to check tho, do you live around here?” Twilight wondered.

“It’s my first day in the hospital, the ones in Canterlot were full so they sent me here instead,” Blaze explained.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear. What happened?”

“Food poisoning… Apparently a few muffins went wrong,”

“Pastries I hear? I think I know just the mare responsible…”

“Do you now?” Shadow asked in.

“Yeah, she’s a friend of mine. She’s been working too hard lately, her brother is sick an… Just, forgive her, she’s really stressing herself lately…” Replied the librarian unicorn.

“The sooner I can go back the better…” Blaze pointed out.

“What do you do in Canterlot, if I may ask,”

“It’s my third day in training for the Royal Guard, and I’m already out of order…” Blaze noted sadly.

“Royal Guard? M-”

“Brother works there, yes, I know him. Captain Shining Armor. He just went back earlier today with my sister on the dawn train,”

“Really? Why hadn’t her told me though?”

“Maybe her had no time. Don’t blame him, doing his job,” Blaze tried to protect his comrade.

“Well, it is best we go. As you can see, a few ponies around need help and…”

“I get it, I’ll see you soon,” Blaze said farewell, and the groups parted ways. The mares went to the hospital, Blaze and Shadow continued on their walk. It was around noon when they were at the entrance of the hospital, when they ran into Twilight again. “I told you,” Blaze greeted her.

“I guess so. I found a spell for your problem, would you like me to use it on you?” She offered.

“I’d appreciate it,” Blaze said, before Twi’s lavender aura surrounded him, soon to ease his problem. “Woah, thanks, I owe you one,”

“Just keep an eye out for my brother. I know the difference between the two of you, but still,”

“Ask something else, we do look out after one another to begin with,” Blaze explained.

“I guess so. You’re an interesting pony, we should keep in touch. Who knows, maybe it will come useful later,”

“Sure, I’m in,” The two parted ways again, but only until Blaze gathered his belongings from the room, while Shadow did the paperwork.

“Ready to go?” Shadow wondered. Despite appearing to be an Earth pony, his eye began to glow faintly.

[End of Chapter 4]

Chapter 5: Touring

With a bright flash they disappeared, only to find themselves in a dark room. Black and white tiled floors, curtains shut, a large room. Blaze couldn’t feel his body, soon they found out why. He was trapped in Shadow’s body as a magical malfunction. “What’s going on?” Blaze wondered as a voice in Shadow’s head.

“I must have been summoned while teleporting… Keep quiet, don’t move. After I’m done here I’ll get you back to your body, and pretend you don’t hear or see anything here,” Came the reply. The room soon filled up with other members of the Night Guard, soon Princess Luna too appeared. All those inside saluted.

“Rest, my friends. I’m here with an urgent and important reason,” Said the Lunar Princess. The guards returned to their attention stance. As she approached, they moved aside to allow her move wherever she meant to. “I remember the events by which you and I said farewells… The Nightmare Moon incident, the order… It is still live. If it is to happen again, as likely as it is, you are to do it.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” They replied in unison.

“Now, that I have returned, I’m not sure what to assume of your presence, however… Shadow?” She called.

“Your Majesty?” He wondered, leaving the line.

“I must thank you for volunteering to take care of Blaze,”

“It’s an honor,” He replied.

“I apologize for tearing you from your task so soon, alas, I shall allow you return,”

“If I may, I would rather stay and listen to the words hopping over the fences of your teeth,”

“As you will,” She said as he returned to the line.

She collected her thoughts, then continued. “It has come to my attention, that you are not the only special group… My sister had hers for a while too, she chose to call them the Ascendants. They lack the combat capabilities you have, they aim to roam the kingdom and help the subjects. Mostly healing spells and such. You must have noticed that the purpose of the two of you are the polar opposite, yet, I encourage you to behave friendly toward em. So long they don’t behave otherwise,”

“Yes, Your Highness!” They replied.

“Before I let you go, I have negotiated you to be part of the guard shift. You will replace the Royal Guard after 6pm, and your task will be the night shift until 6am. It is important, if they are late, you are to remain until they return. If they refuse to show up for their shifts, they WILL face consequences,”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“It is to be expected, that the Royal Guard will act untrusting toward you. I fear you will feel what I went through, but I wish you more success than I had. The same may apply to the citizens. From now on, no amount or kind of light will do harm to you. You are free to live your lives during day. You may keep your armor on if you will, but helmets off while off duty. Now, you may leave,”

The guards saluted, and both colts and mares vanished, including Shadow, who in the company of Blaze reappeared in Blaze’s room. “What was that about?” Blaze pondered.

“Like I said, you don’t need to know. End of discussion,” Shadow exclaimed, and vanished.

“What was that about?” Blossom inquired.

“Don’t mind it. Am I late with anything?” He asked.

“Nope, but your training is soon to begin,” She reminded him.

“Thanks for the reminder,” He exclaimed while getting closer to her. He stood on his hind legs and spreading his forehooves. “C’mon, sis,”

She put her book away and got off her bed, and the two hugged. “What do I get this for?”

“I have realized what I might subject myself for… Some things are best left untold, so I want you to know… I will always be there for you, and will always love you no matter what, sis,” He explained.

“I will love you too, big brother…” She said with a grin, followed by the two leaving to their daily routines once more.

“Present!” Blaze yelled from behind the General, joining the others right away.

“Good. Now. How many of you are there who can speak old equish?” Wondered their mentor. Only Comet raised a hoof. “Curriculum at Celestia’s?” She nodded. “Everypony else, you know what to do as homework. You will need it at your final exam… A lot… Comet?”

“Sir?”

“You may choose who you will help to learn it, if you wish to. You can just leave them be and not help,” The General explained.

She stopped to ponder. Everypony was waiting for her choice… It should be Golden Gust… According to the stats anyway. She thought, then thought on. Blaze is a clever guy, not to mention both him and his sister are attending Celestia’s too… Silver claims the highest stats… Yep, Gust it is.

“Made your choice?”

“Yes sir.”

“Who will it be?”

“I chose to help Golden Gust. That is, if she’s willing to accept,” She explained. Both Onyx and Gust approved.

“Good, now… Let me check my list…” Suddenly the trumpets began to play. “Wait here.” Onyx exclaimed and ran off, only to return in full body armor half an hour later. “Prepare for your first fight,” He warned them briefly as they followed him on his way.

“What’s going on sir? Are we under attack?” Jackpot wondered.

“No. We will be the ones to hit em. You’ll see. Now do as I say!” Came the reply. Soon the 4th battalion, veterans and trainees both rallied in the barracks before leaving. “Listen up!” Onyx yelled.

“SIR YES SIR”

“We’re here to prepare an attack… We will be hitting on a Saddle Arabian village. The sole reason is simple: The Griffons invaded, and our order is to help the residents.”

“SIR YES SIR!” Before they would leave, Blossom approached, parting the sea of ponies from head to hoof in the same color of armor, hardly finding her brother.

“Sis? Wh-”

“Blaze… Take care of yourself out there…” She said, concern in her face.

“Blaze… What’s the meaning of her presence?” The General wondered.

“I’m sorry sir. She doesn’t know that it’s classified to be here…” Blaze apologized.

“You have 5 minutes to talk… I value your concern for your sibling,” Onyx said to Blossom.

“Thank you sir…” She replied, and continued expressing her worries for her brother. Blaze managed to assure her that he would come back unharmed, calming her enough so she would leave.

“Good… Now… You know the formation. Pegasi fly above and bombard with what they have… Earth Ponies in front, and Unicorns at the back, supporting with their magic, or fighting in the front, should the Earth Ponies fall… Understood?”

“SIR YES SIR!”

“Onward!” Said the General, as they began their march.

They had a long way ahead of them, so they began to sing a few songs. Needless to say, only the veterans knew the lyrics… Either way, they learned them quick and sang along the rest of the way, until they set camp for the night. Some went to sleep, some stood the night watch, and some sat down around campfires, including our favorite class. The group sat in a circle, the General among them. Few of them were worried, most weren’t… “I’m looking forward for tomorrow…” Jackpot threw in.

“I’m not…” Gust replied.

“What about the rest of you? Cobalt? Comet? Blaze?” Onyx asked.

“Not so much…” Blaze replied.

“Nah, not really,” Comet continued.

“Can’t say other than they did,” Cobalt said.

The group ran out of things to say and went to sleep. Unfortunately for Blaze, he was woken up by a loud crash…

[End of Chapter 5]

Chapter 7: "Justice runs in crimson rivers"

[Monday]

The siblings woke once again, and left for their routines. Blaze to his class, Blossom to school… She didn’t expect what her classmates came up for her for that day however, as she was forced to listen to them calling her brother numerous things, none of which were compliments, until she snapped in third class. “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” She yelled, unavoidably attracting the teacher’s attention as well.

“Principal’s. Now…” Said their maths teacher.

“But…”

“Was I not clear?”

*Sigh* “Yes ma’am…” She replied, packed her stuff and went to the principal’s office, who was obviously Celestia, and since she was absent, she talked to the vice principal. Who was it? Luna? No, of course not. It was some old hag who Blossom could swear looked older than the sisters themselves… Now that says alot…

“What’s the matter?” The colt wondered.

“My classm-”

“SHUT THE FUCK UP”

“Well…”

“See? Not so good to be on the other side.”

“Sir… My brother was away in the Stoneden siege, and was nearly killed. He barely survived, now has replacement limbs. Regardless of that, my classmates blame only him for the Royal Guard’s defeat and the deaths! I had to listen to their bullshit all day long, of course I’m fuckin pissed!” She explained.

“I would like to talk to your brother in person… I’m allowing you to leave school and ask him to come here as soon as possible.” He replied, giving her a smaller scroll.

“Yes, sir…” She said, putting the scroll away and leaving.

“Three more laps!” Onyx yelled at his class. They were running rounds around the castle as training. After the second Blaze stopped, as he saw his sister.

“Hey sis. What’s up? Shouldn’t you be somewhere else?”

“Hey big bro. Is the General nearby?”

“Yep, why?”

“Show me to him, and come along,”

“Uhh… Sure,” Her sibling replied. “Sir?”

“Yes?” Onyx wondered.

“I must ask you to allow Blaze to leave with me for a while,” Blossom exclaimed.

“How so?”

“My vice principal wishes to talk to him.”

“Well then. He’s free to go,”

“Thanks, sir,” Blossom replied, then the two hurried over to the school, where Blossom showed her brother to the principal’s.

*Knock knock*

“Come in!”

They entered the room, Blaze was still in his equipment, but without a helmet. “I heard you wish you see me?” Blaze said.

“Yes, yes, indeed. Take a seat,”

“I’m on borrowed time. Make it short,” Blaze refused.

“Blossom, you may go to class now,” The v.p said. She left as requested while Blaze did sit down. “I’m glad you could come. Is it true that you were there?”

“What do you think?” Blaze asked, slightly upset.

“Were you there or not?”

“You might be the vice principal, but if you play smart or tough guy with me you’ll find yourself behind bars before you would know… Yes, I was…” Blaze warned him.

“Very well. That’s all I wanted…”

“Are you kidding me? You make me ask my superior for a favor for your amusement?”

“I’m sorry about that. As I said, you can go now,”

“Nope, I’m not going! I’m just going to stay here and give back the shit you gave me…” Blaze replied.

“Don’t make me call security.”

“I AM the security. You sit your ass down.” The vice principal stood up and headed for the door. “Last warning, Sit down.”

“Or else? What can you do? I was chosen as the vice principal by Princess Celestia herself! What have YOU got?”

Blaze stood up from his chair and rose to hind legs, leaning onto the V.P’s desk with his forehooves, grasping it’s edge. “I on the other hand… Am part of the Royal Guard, those who keep the streets clear from dirtbags like you. I am authorized to carry an arsenal of weapons and arrest at any spot. I was on the battlefield. I was crushed by a rock thrown from a catapult. I have more capabilities than an average pony. I am in any way superior to you. Why? I, as a soldier, can rise through the ranks and achieve greater goals than you could ever even dare think of. You will always remain the same thing: Celestia’s little rug. You’re nothing to her. She could find a dozen to replace you at a whim… THAT is what I have to that…” He said, letting go of the desk and taking a step back, sitting back down. The V.P had nothing to say to that. “I thought so…” At this point the V.P grabbed a pen and tried to stab Blaze with it. As a result, the pen ended up in his side. “You’re under arrest. You’re charged with violence against a public official, you’re found guilty as charged…” Blaze explained, removing the pen and forcing the V.P’s head against the wall with his hand, binding him with quick binders. “You know the way…” He said, leading the now unemployed Unicorn. “Try anything funny and you regret,” The Unicorn was slung over Blaze’s shoulder and physically carried to the dungeons, then he returned to the school. The door mare stopped him.

“You forgot something sir?” She wondered.

“Indeed,” He replied, and found his sister’s class, knocking on the door.

“Yes?” The teacher yelled.

Blaze went in. “I’m sorry to interrupt the class, but I must ask every student and teacher to leave the building immediately.”

“How so?” The teacher wondered.

“In the absence of Princess Celestia herself, and with the vice principal arrested for violence against a public official, the school is no longer fit to operate. Hereby, I declare the school to shut down until a new vice principal is selected…” He explained.

“Reasonable. Well class, I’ll see you when I do. Farewell,” The teacher said to the class, who shrieked in cheer and packed their stuff.

“I must ask you to gather at the yard before leaving…” Blaze informed them. They were more than willing to help spread the news, and soo Blaze could make sure that everypony was sufficiently informed. Only then did he allow them to leave. Unlike them, he still had places to go and things to do. He returned to his training, finished the day’s practice, wrote his report, and submitted it to Celestia herself, who was surprised at the event, but agreed on the results.

“You did a good work with that. I will do my best to find the most appropriate vice principal as fast as I can.” Celestia assured him.

“If I may, and if you agree, I would leave.” He excused himself.

“As you wish,” Luna said, Celestia nodded.

Blaze left the throne room, and was on his way to his room, when a strange looking pony stopped him in his tracks. He too was a Unicorn, and wore while cloth armor. “Excuse me sir, could you help me?” The colt wondered.

“If I can, yes. What do you need?”

“Could you tell me where the Ascendants are meant to rally? I heard Princess Celestia wishes to address us today later on.”

“I have no idea, but I can show you to Celestia herself…” Blaze offered.

“That would be nice too,”

“This way,” He lead the way, walking on all fours as usual, He preferred to only stand when in a fight, or expecting a violent response. On their way they had a casual conversation.

“So… What happened?” The colt wondered.

“These? I was hit by a catapult…”

“Damn… Does it hurt afterward?”

“Can’t quite say so… It has a silver lining though. I can walk on my hind legs, and even grasp and hold things better.” He explained while demonstrating, but not for long.

“I would say that I feel sorry, but my pity wouldn’t quite help you in any way so… Yeah,”

“Well. Here we are. Need an introduction, or are you good?”

“No, I’m good. Thanks again,”

“Any time.” Blaze replied, and the two parted ways. As Blaze went back to his room, he stopped for a second to look at the smaller things in life. The birds chirping outside, the stained glass windows, each telling a story or a prophecy, the tapestries on the wall… When he finally got to the doors, he went in and shut the door behind him. As he turned back to look into the room he saw his sister once again. She was reading a book, lying on her bed. She was also humming a cheerful little tune.

“Hey big bro. How are things?” She wondered, placing the bookmark and resting the book on her bedside table.

“I can’t complain…” He replied, sitting onto his bed, still facing her. Blossom only grinned, followed by a chuckle.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing… Nothing… I’m just wondering how long our break will last,”

“Well… Celestia said she’ll find the best vice principal she cal as soon as possible… If I were you, I’d make the best of it.”

“As if I wouldn’t do that… Come on, what do you suggest?”

“I don’t know… Want to go and drink something?”

“That depends… You still have a shift tomorrow…” Blossom reminded him.

“A few drinks are fine… It’s not like our alcohol level would impact our performance... “

“Unless you can’t even stand straight…”

“Well, what do YOU recommend then?”

Blossom began to ponder. “You know what? Let’s go drinking… I’ll pay,”

“Let’s agree on a split bill?” Blaze offered.

“Your call…” His sister replied. They got up from their beds and made their way to the door. Before leaving Blaze threw his helmet back onto his bed, landing softly in his pillows.

“Nailed it…” He muttered jokingly. They locked the door with their keys, both of them had one on them, and headed for the town. On their way Blaze saw the Captain walk their way, which reminded him of Twilight. I still owe her a favor… As the Captain approached Blaze was unsure if he should even talk to him or not, but he had to choose. “Captain?”

“Yes?” He wondered.

“Pardon me. Captain Shining Armor, is it?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“I have a few things I wish to talk to you about,”

“I got time for it, go ahead then,”

“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to you for taking care of my sister on her train back home. Second, I would like to inform you, that I had the pleasure of meeting your sister, Twilight,”

“Firstly, you don’t need to thank me. It was my task. Second, I already know. She sent me a few letters since. She mentioned you as well,”

“No offense, Captain, but you would be a bit late on that. Also, the only thing I want from her is friendship, okay?” He explained.

“Then we will get along well in the future. Now, I must go if you don’t mind…”

“Later, Captain!” Blaze yelled after him, then continued on their way, on which they met up with Comet and Gust.

“Hey Blaze, Blossom… What are you up to?” Gust wondered.

“Hey girls. We’re going to have a few drinks. Care to join?” Blaze offered.

“I’m not sure. We were headed to the library,” Comet explained.

“Oh, to learn the Old Equish?”

“Yep.”

“Come on, you already speak it. We have years left to learn it. Just one day later won’t hurt, will it?”

“Damn, you’re right… What do you say, Comet?”

“Well, I have nothing to lose so… Count me in!” Now the four of them were headed for the tavern, three guards helmets off and a student. They were quite a sight to see walking down the road. One would’ve thought Blossom was either important, or in trouble for being accompanied by three. Either way, she wasn’t, but what made their day even better was that even Shadow chose to join them, and the colt Blaze showed to Celestia, the Ascendant was already there when they got there. At first they were worried how Shadow and Lumes, the Ascendant would treat one another. They simply recognized the other’s rank and history, even going as far as sharing drinks. Everypony knew their limit, and managed not to step over it. The had a good time. Drinking, playing games. Darts, pool, cards… Telling stories. They remained until the tavern closed, which was at 10 p.m. Everypony went home, and laid their heads to rest.

[Tuesday]

Blaze woke up at 6 a.m, an hour before his training begins. He quietly left the room and went to the kitchen, where he drank some coffee. Well… This tastes like shit...Gah, never again… After his disappointment in the black beverage, he chose to try, and make Blossom some breakfast himself. It was nothing complicated. He made some soup and a hay sandwich, even some hay-fries. He gently placed the tray onto her bedside table, and quietly left for his training. He was too early, and had fifteen minutes left. Fortunately, Wind and Jackpot were there, so he had somepony to talk to.

“Morning Blaze. A little early, don’t you think?” Jackpot greeted him.

“Could ask the same,” He replied, greeting them bot with a hoof bump.

“I heard ya had a good time yesterday, huh?” Cobalt joined in.

“Yep. Wanna come next time?”

“Just might…”

The General arrived, letting out a loud yawn. “Goooog moooorning, trainees… Where are the others?” They waited, but nopony else showed up. “Well… You have a choice, since nopony is coming. You either stay, and we continue, which means you get a day off any day… Or you can leave free now,” Onyx offered. His trainees remained. “I take it you want to continue. Very well. Go, find Captain Shining Armor. Today you will be helping him… I have paperwork to do,” He continued.

“Yes sir,” The trainees replied, and left, looking for the Captain. They were lucky, and found him soon. After explaining their orders to him, the Captain seemed understanding. “I’ll make a good first impression, and let you off. If anypony asks, you were on guard patrol, okay?”

“Sir yes sir!” They replied with grins.

“Blaze?”

“Sir?”

“Could we talk in private?” Shining Armor wondered. Comet and Jackpot got the hint and left.

“Yes?”

"I might have been harsh last time… It wasn’t right…”

“I understand, Captain. I too have a sister. Believe me, there’s nothing you can name that I wouldn’t do for her…” Blaze assured him.

“Glad you understand. I’ll let you go now,”

“Later, Captain,” He replied, and headed for the library to find a book on Old Equish. On his way, surprisingly he ran into Comet.

“Ah, hello Blaze. What brings you here?” She wondered.

“Comet? Where have you been? Everypony missed today’s training! Only Cobalt, Jackpot and I were present, so we were let off…” He wondered.

“Oh… Damn… I thought it was sunday…” She replied with a facehoof.

“How about those Old Equish lessons? Since we’re here, you could help out…”

“Sure… I came to refresh a bit on that anyway,” She replied, and slid a stack of empty paper sheets and a partially withered book onto the desk. Blaze took it over, and flipped the pages manually to save Comet the effort. The symbols inside seemed ancient and runic…

“Wow… And you can speak this fluently?”

“,Dogof si et sé . negI” She replied, leaving Blaze in utter confusion. (Yes, and so will you)

“What now?”

“Yes, and so will you. Now, let’s start…” Hours passed, and by noon, when they finished for the day, Blaze was proud to know the basics, such as grammar rules, letters and such. “Well done Blaze. I think we’re done for today, sorry, I have a few things to get done…” She exclaimed.

“It’s okay. Thanks for your help. To be honest, my head was starting to hurt anyway,” He assured her. He wanted to see how his sister’s day has been going, so he headed for their rooms, but on his way he was stopped by a mare.

“Hello sir. I was tasked to find Mithril Blaze, and by the description I received, I think it’s you,” She said.

“I am. Can I be of help?”

“I need you to follow me. The blacksmith had been doing something for you for a while now,” She explained, and lead the way, soon arriving. “Here, let me get him for you,” She continued, heading to the back of the forge.

“He’s here, eh? Finally. Good, good. Now, be so kind, and buy some more iron,” He heard from back there. Soon the mare left the way she came, the blacksmith also appeared. “Mithril Blaze it is? Fine meeting ya. I’ve spent my spare time preparin’ somethin for ya… Come on in,” The blacksmith greeted him. Blaze only followed blindly.

“Why me of all?” He wondered.

“Well, ye’r the only one who gets to stand on two legs, ain’t ya?”

“I’m sure there ARE ponies elsewhere… Maybe by other means but… I’m getting off topic,” He replied.

“Well now. I’ve received permission from the sisters themselves to use the same material the Night Guard’s armor is made of for this…” The blacksmith exclaimed, pointing at a chest. “Go, see for yourself.

Blaze did as asked to once again, finding a black set of armor. Usual size, but different design. “What’s this?”

“Yer new armor. It’s a different design… The advisors themselves helped with the anatomy. Go on, try it on…” Blaze put the armor on, which was more comfortable to him on two legs. “There ain’t nothin that can get through it I tell ya! Also… Here, take this,” He continued, levitating a sheathed sword to him. It was different, it was thinner and longer than the usual. Blaze unsheathed the blade, grasping it in his right, while the sheath remained in his left hand.

“Why are you giving me all this?” He began to wonder.

“Returnin’ a favor ya know. If ya mind, allow me to introduce a friend of mine.” The blacksmith explained, soon a large bird in foreign looking armor stepped in, the same sword hanging on his left.

“Ah, it is a pleasure to befriend a fellow soldier. Even if from a different nation…” The bird exclaimed, holding out a wing. Blaze shook… Hands? Hooves? Wings? I don’t know at this point… “Allow me to introduce myself… I am Sigmis, one from Turul kind. We are all avians, as, they way you all are equines. My people seek freedom above all, only after comes peace… As such, it explains the purpose of my presence on this side of your mighty broders.”

“I see. No offense, but… Have you ever been mistaken with a Phoenix? Your feathers match the colors of them too…” Blaze replied.

“I see what you mean. Sadly, several times, and contrary to what most other nations think, no, Phoenixes are not our only, and not our favourite animals for pets,” Sigmis explained.

“So… Are you here to consult the Princesses for a peace treaty then?”

“Indeed I am. I arrived late at night yesterday, today I was planning on seeing them. I tried earlier today, but I was denied entry…”

“Perhaps I can help with that…” Blaze assured him. They said farewell to the blacksmith, both having reasons to thank him. They quickly arrived to the castle gates, where veterans greeted them.

“State your business…” One of them said.

“Mithril Blaze, trainee, 4th battalion. Requesting entry for a foreign representative,” Blaze replied.

“Ah. The catapult guy… I’ve heard of you. But he’s not going in,”

“Why?”

“Representative? With a sword? Really?”

“Have you not heard of the Timberwolves around? Not to mention the Celestia knows dangers he faced outside our borders…” Blaze tried to reason with him.

“There are two options here, new guy… You either take his sword, and don’t return it to him while inside, or let him keep it, and you’ll be responsible for whatever may happen.”

“I’ll bear the consequences,” He replied.

“Your call…” The guards replied, allowing them pass.

As they walked down the corridors Sigmis broke the silence. “You have my gratitude, Blaze. It is our first major contact with your kind. We wish only the best results,”

“You know how much time a soldier spends in war… It’s obvious that even the most trained killers among us desire peace… If anything, then for a reason to rest,” Blaze replied. In short time they arrived, Blaze entered first, asking Sigmis to wait outside, who agreed.

“Ah, Blaze, what brings you here?”

“Apologies for my sudden, and new appearance. A blacksmith claimed to have received your consent for this, and my new blade. I wish to introduce you a representative of a foreign nation we haven’t met before,” He explained.

“Interesting…” Celestia noted. Blaze knocked twice on the door, and Sigmis stepped in, bowing before all else.

“Arise, friend. What purpose had lead you to us?” Luna asked.

“I come from a far away land, one long forgotten. My people have appointed me to represent the homeland in your sight. I have come to offer our peace and good will, in exchange for that of yours,” He exclaimed.

“Hmm… What’s your name, and what kind do you belong to. That is, if we may know,” Celestia inquired.

“I myself am Sigmis, having come from overseas from a small village, inhabited by the Turuls,”

“Turuls you say? I remember hearing about… But… I thought your kind is nothing but a legend…” Luna exclaimed.

“Then our reputation precedes us…” Sigmis noted.

“Your presence most the time speaks of intervention and liberation… The problem is… I remember nopony being enslaved, and only the criminals are imprisoned… “ Celestia pointed out.

“As I said, my purpose is to make assure peace between our races,” He pointed out. “Do not let your eyes deceive you. My weapon is merely for my safety, and not of ill will,”

“Why should we take your word and trust you?” Celestia asked.

“Because I saw a lot of Griffons heading this way on my way, and I’m willing to fight by your side, Princess,” He explained.

“Could you not have told us before?!” Blaze threw in. Just before a guard came in.

“Your highness. The Griffon King wishes to have an audience with you,” He said.

“Let him in,” Luna replied.

“Greetings, siblings,” The King said. “Ah, so you’re the one I managed to hit…” He continued to Blaze, who held back until told otherwise.

“What is it that you seek? We know you’re not alone. Speak quick, or leave at once!” Celestia warned him.

“I seek retribution for those who lost their lives in your attack on Stoneden... “

“We have nothing to do with it. Our troops do,” Luna informed him.

“Then bring them to me. Every single one who were there,”

“I’m right here.” Blaze threw in mockingly. “And I propose you a deal, which you will surely want to accept,”

“How so?”

“Bring me one of your best. I will fight your challenger. If you win, you can have us. If I win, you leave empty clawed,” Blaze explained.

“I accept, but with one condition.”

“What is it?”

“Fight to the death…” The King replied, extending a claw toward him. They sealed it with a shake, and headed for the barracks, where the sisters, Sigmis, the high ranked Royal Guard soldiers, the King, and his Generals were present. Blaze and the Griffon took place inside the practice circle.

“Name your chosen weapon,” Exclaimed one of the ponies.

“I have mine,” The Griffon replied, catching a halberd.

“So do I,” Blaze continued, pulling his new sword. To even the odds, Blaze removed his chest armor, so the Griffon would have at least that much surface to target. “This is the most I’ll help you,” He said to him.

“No hard feelings, right? We’re both bound by duty,” The Griffon said while the two of them were on their guard for the other to attack first.

“Indeed we are…” Blaze said.

-The Griffon struck first, hitting down from above.
-Blaze tuck and rolled to the side, dodging it.
-The Griffon’s blade edged itself into the soil, proving hard to pull out.
-Blaze used is chance, and lunged. His opponent chose to abandon his weapon, but he was still cut in the side.
-Having lost his weapon, the Griffon turned to his claws. He was ready for another strike, and waited patiently to disarm or counter Blaze.
-Blaze kept his distance, waiting for an opening, while Sigmis and his comrades were waiting for the Griffons to break their side of the offer.
-The Griffon ran out of patience, as he felt like he must win soon, or else he bleeds out. He attacked, slashing his claws at his opponent.
-Blaze blocked with the side of the blade. Each attack had been dodged, leaving the Griffon exhausted and vulnerable.

“Is that the best you have?” Blaze asked, taunting.

“You haven’t seen a bit of it yet…” Came the response, and the Griffon jumped at him once again. If it wasn’t so sudden, he would not have hesitated to bury his blade into the Griffon’s head. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case, as Blaze had his chest punctured by the razor claws.

-He staggered back to regain his breath.
-The Griffon took the opportunity, and reclaimed his polearm.
-Blaze gathered his thoughts and strength, ready to continue.
-The Griffon threw a rock at him, which he dodged.
-Blaze planned to lunge by surprise, but he stopped mid air. The Griffon’s halberd had went through his chest. The entire crowd gasped, as the Griffon lowered his opponent to the ground. “Is the the best you got?” Asked the Griffon, even more so taunting.

“You… Just… Wait…” Blaze replied, shutting his eyes.

“Now, bring th-” The King was cut short.

“And THIS is why you don’t fight against us… You’ll just end up like a marshmallow: At the end of a stick… Alas, the glory belongs to our K-” *Splat* The Griffon fell to the ground, as Blaze had cut all four of his legs by the ankle.

Blaze threw himself on top of his opponent, mercilessly punching his face for a while. “This” *Bam* “Is” *Bam* “Why” *Bam* “You” *Bam* “Keep” *Bam* “Your” *Bam* “Eye” *Bam* “On” *Bam* “The” *Bam* “ENEMY!”

“Y-You’re nothing…” *Cough * “But a murderer… You took lives of innocents…” The Griffon spat out through what remained of his teeth, regardless of having a beak.

“Indeed I have… And you know what else I did to them?”

“Stop! I yield!” The King threw in, nothing but an effort in vain.

“I gouged their eyes out like this…” Blaze replied, sinking his cold, metallic thumbs into the Griffon’s eye sockets, blinding him and causing severe bleeding. The Griffon cried out in pain until he was too exhausted to continue. He laid there motionless. Blaze stood up to two legs, lifting one into the air. “Then crushed their heads like this!” He said, stomping his heavy steel feet on the Griffon’s head, crushing it like a watermelon. He stared at the King, adrenaline rushing through him desensitizing him to the pain from the hole in his chest. Fortunately for him, his spine was replaced with the same material his limbs were. He rested a few seconds, then straightened up. Spreading his arms, sword in the right, and the hole clearly visible he addressed the Griffons. “IS THERE NOBODY ELSE?!”

“Kill him!” The King yelled, and his soldiers drew their crossbows. Before they could fire, they were impaled by metal spikes. Once it had entered their bodies, it split into smaller branches, causing a gruesome death to each of them. All of them, but a single one...

“You lost, Griffon. Now leave at once, or suffer their fate…” Blaze warned him.

The King stood there in shock, just steps away from him one of his soldiers was staring him right in the eye, their head was tilted toward Blaze, pinning their pupils at the edge of his eye for a last glance at his King. The King felt something he never before. He felt vulnerable and weak. He started regaining his strength, but the soldier next to him coughed up chunks of his intestines and a large amount of blood, which was his final breath. The King only nodded, and took flight. Sigmis hopped over the barrier and gave Blaze a shoulder to rest on. “Well done my friend. If you weren’t resting against me, I would bow before your determination,” His friend exclaimed, helping him out to the sisters. Instead of words, they healed his wounds.

“Blaze… We… We are speechless…” Celestia said, her sister nodding.

“It would be an honor if you could teach me this…” Sigmis joined in.

“At a later date… Okay? Stay for a few days, then we can talk…” Blaze assured his friend, soon returning to his room. As he opened the door his face was impacted by a large book.

“Are you out of your mind?! You scared the life out of me!” Blossom yelled at him, tears in her eyes.

“I did what I had to, sis… We, the guards look out for one another… If I would’ve let them to be taken they would’ve been killed…” He explained, closing his arms around her.

“I- I was so w-worried… M-my heart stopped b-beating…” She replied, sobbing.

“Sshhh… Sshhhh… It’s okay, sis… I told you… I will ALWAYS be here for you…” He said in an attempt to calm her. He was not sure to feel guilt because of her, or pride for his victory. Just when he succeeded in calming his sister they heard knocking on the door. Blaze kissed Blossom on the forehead, and left to answer the door. “Yes?” He asked opening the door. It was General Onyx.

“Mithril. We need to talk…”

[End of Chapter 7]

Chapter 8: Friends

Blaze followed the General as requested, but not without a word. “Where are we going, sir?”

“Wait and see,” He replied, soon arriving to the barracks, where his classmates and the sisters awaited them.

“What’s this?” He wondered.

“Hey. Nice armor,” Cobalt spoke up.

“My advisors and Luna’s Generals agreed with General Onyx’s idea. Of course, for it in order to make its way to them, we must approve first. Blaze, come here,” Celestia exclaimed.

“As you say,” Blaze muttered, standing in front of them.

“Rise,”

“Sure,”

The sisters cleared their throats, Onyx stood aside them. “We, Princesses Luna and Celestia, by request of General Onyx of the Royal Guard, and by consent of the advisors of the Ascendants, and Generals of the Night Guard, now officially declare you, Mithril Blaze an official soldier of the Royal Guard,” Luna took over from there.

“From now, you no longer are to be referred to as a trainee. From today, you are no longer required to participate in the training sessions. You may spend your free time here with them still, but only if it doesn’t go against your orders or duties to perform. At last, we have chosen to reward you with the rank of Sergeant from this day on, making your now former classmates your subordinates,” Onyx continued from there.

“Now. Mithril Blaze. Do you swear on everything you hold dear to keep your duties before everything?”

“I do,” Why not?

“To be prepared to repeat what you went through today, or even more?”

“I do,” If I have to...

“To use your authority for the best of the citizens, and never to abuse it?”

“I do,” Obviously

“To protect the kingdom from all enemies, regardless of race or citizenship?”

“I do,” Well duh...

“To never leave anypony alive behind on the battlefield?”

“I do,” Right...

“To look at your comrades as your brothers and sisters?”

“I do,” Why?

“To recognize our Princesses as our only gods, and never to believe anything else?”

“I do,” What the fuck?

“To bear not a single word that slanders their glory and reputation,”

“I do,” This is getting ridiculous...

“Now, I, General Onyx, by consent of the sisters, recognize you as a worthy comrade, and figuratively my brother,” The General, for the first time, bowed down to him, and he did the same to him and the sisters.

His friends swarmed him, only to congratulate him and cheer. Fortunately, they felt no envy or jealousy. However, he had to bid farewells to them, as the General insisted he follows again. “As an official, from now on you will have you helmet on while on duty, which is now well known even by the citizens to be indicated by your helmet. You know the rules on that. This means, that now the principal you have brought in a while ago can finally be charged with what you said he will be charged for. You may also intervene into smaller brawns, or any other activity what may result in disturbance of peace, or anypony’s injury. You may also kill, but only if it’s the last resort. Such as with those spikes… Any questions?”

“Who am I going to report for duty to from now on?”

“I was approached by Captain Shining Armor with a request. You know the rest,”

“What about my studies in Celestia’s school?”

“They found the spell you used, again, the spikes impressive. It was the mere number of them summoned at once, not the mention the precision and that they had split once puncturing skin. They said it’s an expert level performance. You may ask the Princess for your graduation certificate, anything else?”

“No sir,”

“Then I must warn you. The higher you climb in ranks, the more desired target you become for the enemy. You are now a Non-Commissioned Officer, the third lowest group of targets. I, as a General am in the seventh and highest priority targeted group. Just for comparison, so you can feel safer around me. Remember that, they always target by rank,”

“Yes sir,”

“You can go now. It’s all I wanted. Congratulations again,”

“Thank you sir,” Blaze replied, and left to see Celestia. On his way he slowed down to comprehend everything.

“Ah, Blaze. I suppose this is why you came, right?” Celestia asked, holding the document.

“Indeed is,” He replied, unsure what to say.

“Not only had the teachers and professors been impressed,” Celestia exclaimed, hoofing over said paper.

“My gratitude to both of you. Celestia, for the opportunity. Luna, for making me start,”

“You’re very so welcome,” They said in unison. “It is best you share the joy, go now,”

He hurried back to his room as fast as he could. He checked in their room, but she wasn’t there. Maybe the library… It was empty.

“You looking for somepony, sir?” Asked a librarian.

“Yes, are there more libraries in Canterlot?”

“Of course, it’s the large tower with the large telescope, it’s not public, but I bet you can get there,” He replied.

“Thanks,” Blaze said, and left. In no time arriving to the tower he was stopped by comrades.

“Name, rank, business,” On closer inspection, it was the Night Guard.

“Mithril Blaze, Sergeant, looking for somepony,”

“Go,” They said, allowing him pass. We walked up and down the rows of shelves, not a single pony in sight.

Hm… He walked past a pile of books on the ground, just thrown into a pile. Is there not such a thing as a janitor? Or a librarian? Or anything? He ignored the pile, and was about to continue searching, but a book caught his attention. While he scanned through the table of contents, another colt walked past behind him, reading a book while doing so, falling into the pile of books with a loud thud. Blaze turned to see what happened, and was about to offer help.

*Groan* “Vinegram turakte…” The colt muttered, and the books began to return to their shelves.

Blaze held out a hoof to help him up. “You good?”

“Yep. Who am I honored to meet?”

“Mithril Blaze,”

“Blaze? I know somepony else with that name… Anyway, I’m Vicious Circle,”

“So… What was that magic thing? Without your horn,”

“Have you not heard of verbal magic? It’s the same thing as with your horn, but all you have to do is say the right words. Unfortunately, there are no books about it here. This one I’m reading is just a time passer, you know how it is on long train rides…”

“Sure do. Thanks for the info. Look, I have somepony to find...”

“I get it, go, I won’t hold you back,”

“Have a nice day,” Blaze said before leaving.

“You too…” Vicious muttered out of hearing distance.

As Blaze neared the entrance he was stopped again. “Name, rank, business.”

“Guys? I’m on the way out…” He pointed out, but no response came other than a motionless glare. *Sigh* “Sergeant Mithril Blaze, searching for somepony… Still…” He replied, and was allowed pass again. Seriously? These are the guys who let me in! While questioning the average IQ level of the Night Guard he went back to his room, finding his sister on her bed, taking a nap. He sighed in relief, and sat down onto his bed, putting his armor beside it. Laying back he stared at the ceiling waiting for her to wake up, but found himself waking up hours later.

“Wakey wakey? Want a cookie?” He heard from a familiar voice. His sister with a tray of cookies, split to two between the two of them.

“Looks good…” He replied sitting up, Blossom next to him. “We need to talk…”

“Ow…”

“It’s nothing bad, don’t worry,”

*Sigh*

“So, you know the General wanted to speak with me, right?”

“Yep,”

“Turns out… He and the sisters agreed on promoting me to Sergeant, and freeing me from the daily training… Here’s the interesting part tho…”

“Hm?”

“See this?” He asked, showing her the document.

“No… Way…” She said.

“Yeah, turns out the spikes impressed the teachers… Don’t ask how they knew about it,”

“You know what? Nope… Nope… A-ah… I’m done, I quit… I-I can’t…” She replied.

“What’s up?”

“I have nothing to say…” She insisted and left in a hurry. Blaze bolted up and ran after, but because of the turns he lost sight quick. He stopped to regain his breath, and calmly made his way to his former classmates. They were in the middle of training when he arrived.

“Been so soon, Sarge” Onyx greeted him.

“General,” He replied.

“What brings you here?”

“Have you seen my sister? She ran off in the middle of a conversation…”

“Nah, but you could ask a Pegasus…” The General pointed out. “Gust!”

“Sir?” She asked, landing aside him. “Oh, hey Blaze,”

“Good to see,” He replied.

“Go, find his sister. Once you find her, come back and tell,”

“Yes sir!” She replied, and took off. Just moments later Blossom turned around and ran off, probably having wanted to see the General.

“Hey!” He shouted after her, close behind. “Stop her!” He yelled, and she was tackled by his comrades. “Geez, why are you running?” He asked while signalling them to release her.

*Groan* “You guys are heavy…” She commented. “Come… I’ll tell…” She said to him, walking back to their room she explained. “I just couldn’t believe it all… It was too much at the moment. I felt like you’re just going to be better at everything than me..”

“C’mon…”

“I did!...”

“Come on, just because I’m good at something doesn’t mean you’re worse… Be patient, see what you can do, and push your limits…” He replied.

“Right…” They locked the door behind themselves.

“So… The point I wanted to talk to you is simple… I will be leaving with Sigmis soon. He’s a friend of mine, and I want to help them as I can…”

“W-What?”

“I don’t know how long, but I will write every night,”

“Okay… Take care…”

“Don’t be worried for me, okay?”

“Sure… Love you, big bro…” She replied, hugging him.

“So do I…” He said, returning it. He gathered his belongings, saddlebags and armor, and went to the sisters.

As he reached for the handle the door was opened from the other end, pulling away. Sigmis on the other end. “Oh…”

“Turn round?”

“Yep,”

The two turned to the sisters. “We know, you want to go, don’t you?”

“Sure do, with your permission,”

“Granted,” Celestia said with a grin. The two left in a hurry, leaving them behind.

“Why so confident, sister?” Luna wondered.

“I know who’s invading the Turuls… It’s the Centaurs…”

“Aren’t they who…”

“Indeed they are… Not to mention Tirek. If we play smart, we can get rid of the Centaurs and make new allies at once. Two birds… Ehm… With one stone,”

“Right… And how do you intend to take them out? The Royal Guard can’t leave, the Ascendants aren’t well armed, leaving only the Night Guard as an option… And you know who they take orders from…” Luna thought out loud.

“And I know how I’m not the only one who wants to avenge their parents…” Celestia replied.

“So it’s up to me to decide again, is it not? What will you do if I don’t agree? If I don’t send anypony? Send us all to the Moon?” Luna asked mockingly.

“One more joke of that nature and we can see…”

“As if you could… Last time you were worthless without the…”

Blaze and Sigmis left the castle. “Here, have this. Two is better than one,” Sigmis said, giving his sword to Blaze.

“Are you sure? What will you use?”

“My feathers. We have a body fluid which if released, hardens our feathers. This means our wings become our shield, and it’s edge is our blade,”

“Nice…” Blaze noted, adding the blade to his arsenal.

“We have a long way ahead of us…” Sigmis informed him.

“Could we make a little detour?”

“Where to?”

“Ponyville. I want to say farewells to a friend… I don’t know when I’ll come back,”

“If you lead the way…” Sigmis assured him. “This might hurt…” He continued, closing his talons around Blaze’s shoulders lifting him up from the ground. They flew together to said town, where they landed at the town square. “Where to now?”

“After me,” The ponies wondered at the sight of them both. A large bird and a two legged pony in dark armor? Probably not the Night Guard… Then who? “She should be here…” He exclaimed at the doors of a large tree.

“Are you sure about this?” Sigmis wondered. “A tree?”

*Knock Knock* *Creek* “Oh my, Blaze, was it? Good to see you again. Come in!” Twilight said, inviting them in.

“We won’t be here for long… I have to go with my friend… I- I’ll explain later… I just wanted to tell you a few things,”

“Oh, I see. Go on then!”

“I was promoted to Sergeant… No longer have to take part in the daily training… And graduated from Celestia’s school,” He explained.

“Amazing! I also graduated from there!”

“Twi… I know… My sister heard your name every day… She’s still there. You’re seem to be an example of some sort in there,”

“Well, congratulations on your… Wait, what happened to your limbs?!”

“A catapult, I’m fine now,”

“Okay then. I wish you the best of luck over there, and hope to hear from you soon,”

“I can only say the same… Bye!”

“Bye!” Twilight yelled after them as the took off once again, only arriving at dusk. Sigmis landed, letting go of Blaze near the city.

Blaze was occupied by moving his limbs, which had gone numb from the lack of movement on their way, when he realized he was surrounded by sharp feathers aimed at him. “Uh… Sigmis?”

[End of Chapter 8]

Chapter 9: Blossom's day off

“At ease!” Sigmis yelled, the others stood down.

“Yes, your highness,” They replied.

“That means you have a few things to tell me yet.”

“Guilty as you see. Now, come, my friend,” Blaze followed him blindly, until he stopped at a smaller hill, a great sightline at the city below. “Welcome to the last stand of my kind… The last settlement standing free in the entire Tuvale Basin…”

“Hmm…”

“As you have heard, I am the Prince. My older sister and I are the remaining royalty… The Centaurs killed our parents at the capital during the initial attack…”

“Sorry to hear,”

“They will be…” Sigmis replied. “Come, you need meet my sister…” They soon got to the main building, guards everywhere. “He’s with me,” Sigmis told them. They allowed pass without a word. Inside, a few more guards and door later they came to see her. A blue and white feathered female bird. Typical armor, no decoration.

"?Ik gem ze… Mmh… Tlov ejedi… Létré azssiv lavózs,” She said to Sigmis. It sounded familiar to BLaze, but chose not to speak. (So you returned... Just in time... Hmm... Who's this?)

“…Arknumázs sekétré, yggih. Matzoh totárab” Sigmis replied. (I brought a friend. Believe me, he's a vluable one,)

“And who would you be, Friend ?” She asked.

“Mithril Blaze. Friend of Sigmis. Pleasure to meet you, Princess...”

“Avala. Princess Avala. By the looks, you appear to be more than an average pony…” She replied.

“Sergeant of the Equestrian Royal Guard at your service,” He explained. “As said before, I’m here on my own, and not in the name of my home. I wish to offer myself to help your problems,”

Sigmis took a stand beside his sister. “Avala, go, rally the citizens. We need to announce our new guest, so they know who it is,”

“And do I shall, révtset.” She replied, and left. (Brother)

“Where do I begin?” Blaze wondered, full of energy.

“We have many things against us… For first, we need the fields to be fertile once more…”

“Is it their quality, or quantity bothering?”

“Both, but let us rest before acting. Come, we need to announce you...” Sigmis exclaimed, closing a wing around him.

[Thursday]

Blossom woke up at the usual time, even though she still didn’t have school to attend. She sat up, set her bed, and stretched her limbs in the company of a drawn out yawn. Hmm… What’s this? She wondered at the sight of a scroll on her bedside table. Oh! It’s from big brother! She realized, and opened it.

“Hey sis!

If everything went well, this thing was on your table by the morning. If not, you either won’t read this, or you’re not who this is addressed to… Ahem…

I would like to let you know that we arrived safely to their last standing free town. Only on our arrival was I faced with something Sigmis hadn’t told me before: He is the Prince, while his sister is the Princess… Sadly, their parents were slain at the initial invasion.

They announced me to the locals, who seemed welcoming at first. Tomorrow we will start working on the fields. I’m looking forward to getting to know them on a better perspective… Their mind set… Beliefs, culture… Well, time’s precious, I best go to sleep… Tomorrow is going to be a long one.

B.B.M.B”

She put the scroll into one of the drawers, locked it, and left to see what’s for breakfast. Much to her surprise, the kitchen was being decorated. She even saw a large plaque saying “Happy Birthday Prin-” The rest was not yet readable. “Whose birthday is it?” She wondered. The employees gasped in relief, at last the surprise wasn’t spoiled.

“It’s Princess Celestia’s. It’s the first time she has Princess Luna to celebrate with her in a long while… Sadly, usually nopony else comes. A few off duty guards, a few high ranked ones, her advisors, and us…”

“That’s… That’s so sad!” Well… Now she knows what Princess Luna went through every day…

“Want to help?” A cook asked, a cardboard box in his forehooves. The decorations inside looked like a small, blue Pegasus from afar. It turned out to be a bunch of deflated balloons and ribbons.

“The heck I do! Gimmie that!” She replied with a grin, and joined the others. Just in an hour they were ready to greet the guests.

“Whew… Now, Cherry, go, get the sisters, will you?” The chef wondered.

“In a jiffy, two Princesses coming right up!” She replied, and bolted off. A few minutes later a blindfolded Celestia and well informed Luna walked in, the later giving directions to her sister not to fall.

“Aaaand… Tadaa!” Luna exclaimed.

As Celestia looked, the greetings went off, and a few other party equipments… Even a pink Earth Pony mare got in, regardless of not being invited. In the end, she was allowed to stay for a while, before rolling her cannon away at the end, that is. The cake was brought in, candles were blown and wishes were made. “Happy birthday!” They yelled.

With a flash of magic, Celestia looked at her sibling in confusion. “Ha haa! Your age has been doubled!” She exclaimed jokingly. Everypony knew it was just that. A flash of light. They laughed, ate, drank, and around noon the party had to come to an end. The decorations were put away, dishes washed and everypony full of pastries and other desirable stuff.

“My oh my… I don’t know what to say. Thank you all so much everypony. This day truly became the best for me this year…” Everypony grinned, and replied with a nod. Everypony left to tend to their remaining duties for the day. Blossom on the other h… hoof… Went to see his brother’s former classmates.

“Hey there filly. We know you’re Blaze’s sister and all, but… You shouldn’t be here at the moment…” The General informed her.

“Oh, I see… Sorry sir,” She replied.

“On the other side… Nopony said you can’t watch. I mean… What’s the worst that can happen?” He asked with a grin, letting her through to the others. “We can afford a little break, but then we have to go on…” He warned her, letting her know about the limited time.

“Hey guys,” She greeted her friends.

“Hey. Blossom, was it?” Jackpot wondered.

“Rest. You get 30 minutes. Then we go on,” Onyx exclaimed.

“Yes sir!” They replied.

“So, how are things?” Blossom pondered.

“Same thing. Everyday routine…” Gust replied.

“It’s just a bit different without Blaze…” Comet noted.

“Yeah, I miss him too…” Blossom threw on.

“How about you? Is school going well?” Comet asked.

“Princess Celestia still hadn’t found a replacement principal… At least that’s how I know it…” Their chatter was interrupted by Shadow.

“General. I have some interesting developments to tell you. Come,” He said, luring Onyx away.

The students noticed it, and began to wonder. “The Night Guard… What could they have to do with the General?” Wind asked.

“You think it’s wherever Blaze went?” Cobalt inquired.

“I doubt… Things were pretty calm when he arrived last night…” Blossom informed them.

“How can you tell?” Cobalt asked.

“That’s what he said in his letter…”

“Well… He said it, must be true, right?”

“We all can agree on one thing. He can handle himself just fine, can’t he?” Comet threw in, brightening the mood. “Now… Who wants to play? Cards? Dice?” They chose to play in small bets. In the end, Blossom had won over 50 bits.

“Heh, I know who to bring next time to the tavern…” Jackpot said jokingly.

“If you’re paying… I’m in,” Blossom replied with a grin, when the General returned.

“Okay everypony. Back to work!” He said. Blossom left before she could be asked to do so, and headed back to her room. Let’s think of a way to help… Hmm… Aaaha! She had an idea, and rushed to the library. Scanning through the endless rows of books, scrolls, and other parchments she finally found what she sought. “Ah, here it is…” She muttered, blowing the dust off the book’s cover.

“Potions and brews: Volume Seven: Memory and knowledge alteration effects”

“Perfect…” She muttered, then rented the book. Throwing the book into a pile of blankets and pillows on her sibling’s bed, she jumped after it and began flipping through the pages. “Nah… Nah… No… No… Nope… Nope… Nah… Yep!” She mumbled, having found her spell for the potion. Now for the equipment… She borrowed what she could from the kitchen, and after an hour or two of scavenging for needed plants in the forest at the base of the hill Canterlot was on, she had everything she needed. Everything, except one thing. “Damn… I need a small pile of crystal dust... “ Where do I… Oh yeah… The mines!

Once arriving to said facility, which had been abandoned for a while. She smashed through the planks barricading it, lighting her way with a spell, she ventured deep into the caves, filled with many equipment left behind, including even excavated ores and other valuables. Why would anypony leave these here? She pondered for a while, until she saw what she was there for in the first place. Nice and shiny… A pity I must break it… She reeled up, and kicked with her hind legs. *Clank* Went her horseshoes against the crystal. *Clank**Clank* “Come…” *Clank* “On!”*Clonk, Crash, Rumble* Best get out of here…

She ran toward where she came from, but halfway there her saddlebags were stuck in a bunch of roots sprouting out of the cold stone wall. Not now… She pulled, no result. She pulled stronger. It worked, she was free, but a large chunk of the ceiling fell down, causing a chain reaction: The collapse of the mines. She sighed and ran as fast as she never did before. Her horn was busy using the light spell, so she couldn’t teleport away. She ran and ran, so much it had began to hurt, and tears formed in her eyes from the air stinging as it raced against her face. She was getting too exhausted to run, but the light at the end was finally in sight. Just a few meters away she quit the light spell and levitated herself out of harm’s way, barely tossing herself out of the cave, landing on her stomach. It does BETTER freaking work now… Oww… I’ll get so much for this… She thought to herself, catching a breath.

“Hmph… What’s this? You okay, filly?” Asked a strange voice. Blossom looked up to it’s owner. She didn’t believe her eyes.

“Uuuuuuuuu.” She managed to say.

“I guess it’s a yes…” The figure sat down beside her.

“Did I die or something?” She wondered.

“It’s the usual reaction. You are alive and well…” Her company replied.

“What happened to you?” She wondered.

“The same thing that resulted in the caves closing down… I chose to live the life of a hermit out here, so nopony else could end up like I had…” The colt replied, wiping off a small amount of blood from his neck.

“Are YOU okay though?” Blossom pondered, slowly approaching him.

“The best I could be…” It was that moment when she took a closer look at him. He appeared to be an average Unicorn colt, but what made him stand out was the pieces of dark green-ish crystals scattered on his body, refusing to let go like a parasite. He wasn’t ugly, yet a horrifying sight before bed.

“Why didn’t you come to town? The sisters must be able to help…”

“I had… Many times… It is best for me to remain. I have to admit, you did a great deal of help. Collapsing the mine made it impossible for anypony to be hurt there again…” He replied.

“There must be a way… If anypony, then the sisters MUST be able to…”

“I said it. They couldn’t…”

“What’s your name? Mine’s Gentle Blossom…” She introduced herself, showing a certain level of trust.

“I don’t remember mine… I had no use of calling my own name, and there was nopony else around to call it out either…” He explained.

“Where do you live?”

“A small hut nearby… Come. I guess I might as well have a visitor after all these years…” They trotted through a small forest, coming to said hut, fashioned out of mainly things from the mines, and a few makeshift things one’s magic can do. “I’d rather you don’t feel yourself at home… Even I don’t want to…” He exclaimed, allowing her in. “Fancy anything to eat?”

“N- No, thanks…” She replied, but her stomach replied as well.

The colt grinned. “I’ll take that as a yes,” He said, levitating a bowl of brown soup. “I still got some mushroom stew left from breakfast. Don’t worry, it’s safe,” He said with a faded grin.

Blossom ate what he gave her, feeling quite well fed at the end. “Ugh… That I could imagine in the kitchen…” She commented. “Could you tell me what happened in the mines?” She wondered. The colt sat down in front of her, a small group of crystals retracting toward his skin.

“I worked there as one of the demolition experts. We drilled small holes into the cave walls, put smaller bags of explosive black powder into them, and from a distance blow them up. We need the stone for construction, while anything else we found was just a bonus…”

“Reasonable,”

“We worked in shifts. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I chose the job because it paid just well enough to make a living. One day, however… The next shift didn’t show up, so we had to keep working. Eventually, what had to happen did happen. The mare handling the detonator was too tired, and blew the charges too early…”

“Was anypony hurt?” She asked with concern. She really seemed interested in the story.

“Not from the explosion. Sure, a little winded and with ringing ears… The problem was, that before we detonate we had to make sure how big the explosion would be. Not that one time. We were busy placing the supports to hold the cave above us at the time everything went to hell…”

“Did it collapse?”

“A lot of it. It took up two entire shifts just to fix the supports. On the bright side, we had an extra ton of stone excavated… The explosion revealed a smaller pocket of air, it was just there…” He said, glancing at the crystals around him.

“How did it get on you?”

“We informed the administrator. She passed it onto the sisters. They told the advisors, who demanded we get samples for them to study. We mined out a large area around the crystals with pickaxes, even above. We tried everything, but the crystal wouldn’t have given. We chose to blow a whole bag of powder on it…”

“How did it go?”

“Well… The crystal blew off all right… But then we had dozens of crystal shards flying toward us… The next thing I remember was being hit by just a single one of them… I felt blood going down my chest. Looking to the side, everypony was dead… Crystals… They glowed bright green, but then turned dark, almost black, including the one in me…”

“How bad were their wounds?”

“Head missing, limb torn off and dead by bleeding… Hit in the eye, through the brain… I tried to remove it, but it wouldn’t move… I reported to the sisters, but they couldn’t do anything either, but to shut down the mines... “

“Oh… Wow… That’s… That’s bad… Sorry to hear… But… I’ve been there, why didn’t I see anything like that? Not a large room, no skeletons…”

“I buried them myself… It was the least I could do for my friends. As for that area, I planted all the powder I found left in there, and blew it up. Even the castle’s windows cracked from the explosion, but it worked… And now, you finished the deal,” He explained.

Blossom only sighed. “Why do bad things happen to good ponies…” She asked out loud, but not from her host.

“Good thing I’m not one of them…” He replied.

“What do you mean?” She wondered.

“Have you ever…” He stopped, unsure about continuing.

“Have I?”

“Have you ever… Killed anypony?”

“Not myself, but my brother has… Not ponies, but he has…” She replied.

“You have a brother?”

“Yes… He’s a Sergeant at the Royal Guard…”

“Oh, I heard of him… Mithril uh.... Blaze, was it?”

“H-How do you know?”

“Everypony has been talking about it, even the foresters… I heard them talk as they walked the forest,” He explained.

“Let’s find you a name… Hmmm…”

“You’ve been here for a while now… I wouldn’t want anypony to get worried over you… You know where to come, if you WOULD want to come again…” Her new friend reminded her.

“Right… I do have something to do at home…” Thed bid farewell, and Blossom returned home.

The colt went to his bedroom, and drew his diary from the desk. He found a feather, and some ink as well.

“Day... Eh, who cares anymore...

Today, during the usual stroll around the mine I had witnessed its final collapse. It was a young, Unicorn mare who did it. Her name is Gentle Blossom. She seems reliable as well. She had listened to the story, too… I hope she comes tomorrow too. The lack of company is starting to drive me insane…”

Blossom put her saddlebags down, next to her brewing setup, and laid down for a rest before getting to it. She sat down to the desk, the book on the right side, everything else to the left. After countless hours of brewing, mixing, distilling and other procedures, she had only one step left to do. “Chant the knowledge you desire for the brew to contain. Speak clear, and keep noises at minimal” She read out of the book. She chanted what she wanted her sibling to know twice, holding the brew in a wooden bowl in her forehooves. The brew emitted a small body of smoke, and nothing else happened. “Should you see a body of smoke, you have succeeded in the first steps of brewery…” Success… Now to get you to my brother… She lifted the bottle she intended to keep the brew, and sealed it with a cork. Summoning a scroll and pen, she began to write her letter to him, before laying her head to rest for the night.

[End of Chapter 9]

Chapter 10: Gathering

[Wednesday]

Blaze woke up from the night’s slumber after a day of hard work, not forgetting to send Blossom a letter. He got out of his bed, and sat up. “Maru, tlegger ój” Said the hen. (According to Google, it’s what female birds are…)(Good morning, sir)

“Si kennö,” He replied. (You too)

“?Tilegger rék” She asked. (Would you like breakfast?)

“Mönözsök… men,” He replied. The hen nodded and left. He looked at the scroll next to his bed. What’s this? He opened it, a small glass bottle fell onto his bed filled with a strange brew inside. (No thanks)

“Hey bro

It’s me, Blossom.

I spent most of my day making that brew. I want you to trust me, and drink it. You will know a lot more about spells afterwards. I even met an unfortunate colt today, but that’s not the point. The point is, I worked my bottom half off to make this, so you do better drink it. I only want to help my sibling…

Hear from you later...” He grinned, and put it away. He set the bed, put his equipment on, and drank the brew, then made his way into the kitchen where the family sheltering him was having breakfast.

“Taygávté ój” He said. They nodded at him, mouths full. Blaze continued on his way to see Sigmis and Avala. The guards allowed him pass without any escort.

“Ah, Blaze. Come,” Sigmis addressed him.

“Yes?”

“Our farmers say the crops are growing significantly faster than before…” Avala joined in.

“What? We barely finished them by night…” Blaze pointed out.

“And the planted seeds are already sprouting…” Sigmis replied.

“Glad to hear… It means we’ve solved that problem?” He wondered.

“Indeed you have. You have become a known face around here… The locals now trust you more than before, will even stop to talk any time,” Avala explained.

“Honored… Now, what else do we have left to be done?”

“Have you seen the rubbles? We need to rebuild those houses… We can barely house everyone as it is. You have seen it yourself...” Sigmis explained.

“If so, I will get to it right now,”

“Do so at will,” Sigmis reminded him, they never asked him to do anything, but what their problems were.

As Blaze was in the door he stopped, as he saw Avala open to speak. “Blaze?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you…”

“Thank me when you’re free… It’s too early for it…” He replied with a grin, and met up with a construction team.

“? Egyu, Ezalb, á” Said one of them, greeting him. He was surprised, because now Blaze knew what he said right away, with no need of translation. (Ah, Blaze, right?)

“… Bbétráh kotajllá negi” He replied, knowing they still wouldn’t understand him the same way. (Yes, stand back) “Vinegram Turakte…” He said while focusing. The piles of rubble began to float, and took place the way they one stood, forming the house. At last, the house was rebuilt.

“… Őzögűynel” (Incredible…) One of them said. Blaze simply left, and repeated the process at every pile of rubble. He was exhausted from the walking from place to place, but by noon he was done, granting shelter to many. After reporting to the twins he went for a walk, only to be called back on an alarm.

“What is it?” He asked from Sigmis.

“Him,” He replied, pointing at Shadow.

“Been a few days, so… Why, I came to visit,” He exclaimed.

“You know him?” Avala asked.

“Damn right I do. It’s best not to threaten him… If not for who, then for what he is…” Blaze replied, warning them.

Shadow was still surrounded by spear birds. (Spearmen?) “Careful. Someone might get hurt,” Shadow warned them.

“Most likely you,” Replied one of them. Thanks to the potion Blaze knew the meaning, Shadow by some means also knew.

“Get it out of my face, or I’ll shove it through yours…” Shadow replied with a grimmer look. “Come on! I’m here to visit Blaze!” He yelled to the twins.

“Let him through...” Avala yelled. The soldiers stood down, letting him through.

“Geez. I sure won’t come here more than now…” Shadow muttered, standing aside them.

“Who would you be, and why have you come?” Avala questioned.

“Corporal Shadow. From the Equestrian Night Guard,” He introduced himself.

“Same as the Royal Guard, but the night shift?” Sigmis wondered.

“Don’t compare the two. They are entirely different by nature,” Shadow pointed out.

“How so?” Avala pondered.

“The Royal Guard does most of the surface work. The things the citizens notice the most. We, however… Our job is simple. We have certain criterias, for which each we are to respond with a certain level or violence.”

“So…”

“Our only job is to kill. When we are sent out somewhere, it is guaranteed that somebody will die that day,” Shadow explained.

“Good thing you just came to see me, huh?” Blaze threw in, reminding them.

“As good as they believe it…” Shadow replied, knowing the twins are not likely to believe. “Yes. I came alone, and was not followed,” He continued before anyone could ask, then faded away.

“What was that about?” Sigmis asked.

“I don’t know… He’s a friend of mine, but I didn’t call him…” Blaze explained.

“From the North!” Yelled one of the guard on watch. The defenses soon stood up and ready. A small group of Centaurs, less than a dozen approached slowly. Walking. Soon they knew who they were. The Prince and a small company of guards.

“Calm yourselves. I come here to talk,” The Prince exclaimed.

“Talk to yourself!” Avala replied.

“Unlike my parents, I seek to establish peace for once!”

“There will be none so long they live!” Sigmis threw back.

“Allow me, and me alone in, so we can talk properly…” He requested.

“What do you say?” Sigmis asked from Blaze.

“Let him, but only him in… The sooner we end this the better it is…” He replied, explaining.

“You can, but nobody else!” Avala replied to the Prince. The guards opened the gate, and let him in, shutting it close behind.

“Your weapons, please,” Blaze asked kindly, but he was not pleased to do so. The Prince slowly unsheathed the sword on his side and handed it over. “This way,” They went to the twins, who didn’t seem happy to see him.

“What is it?” Sigmis asked.

“Like I said. I wish to make things calm again… I tried talking to my parents, but they wouldn’t listen…” He replied.

“Why should we believe you?” Avala pondered.

“I’m here by myself, without armor or weapons,” Came the reply.

“We’re all ears. What are your plans to solve this?” Sigmis asked.

“I came here seeking yours on the matter. Mine had all failed…”

“Well, now that you know the way to our last settlement, we can hardly allow you, or your men to leave…” Threw in one of the Turul Generals.

“Kill them, or kill me, like we had your kind if you please. But be aware. My absence will soon be discovered, and if I don’t return soon, you will anger my parents,” The Prince said, kneeling before them, awaiting judgement.

Blaze left their little circle without a word, so he could keep an eye on the Prince’s group. He returned to the gate, but they were gone. “Where have they gone?” He asked the guard.

“No clue. One of them said they are going back without the Prince,” The guard replied. He left looking for them around the village. He found them… Fighting the guards. Pulling his swords he joined in, ending the fight rather quick. “All okay?” He asked in Equish instead of their language. Apparently, Blossom’s potion also made them understand what he said.

“A scratch,” Came the reply. Blaze rushed back to Sigmis and Avala. By the time he got there he was a bit late. The Prince was still alive and well, but not in a good situation, circled by spearmen.

“Twins!” He exclaimed for attention.

“Yes?” Avala wondered.

“The Prince’s group attacked our guards. We killed them all,” He informed them.

“What? But… I…” The Prince muttered, speechless.

“Had any of ours died?” Sigmis inquired.

“None,” Blaze assured him.

Avala kicked the Prince in the chin, knocking him back, lying on his back. Only his elbows holding him up. “I know nothing of this! I swear!”

“Or do you?” She asked. On closer inspection, the Prince had a short sword on him. “How come you didn’t give THAT to us?” She questioned, putting her razor sharp feathers to his neck.

“I didn’t put it there!” The Prince exclaimed, hopeless about his innocence.

“I know where you will be put…” Avala replied.

“Ease!” Sigmis yelled, ripping her away from the Prince. “We can’t prove…” He continued.

“Prince, it’s best you leave right now… I’m unsure what they will do or say,” Blaze warned him, showing him to the gate.

“What about the bodies?”

“After this whole war is over, you will have yours, as we will have ours,” He assured him. The Prince took several steps, alone, as his company was no more.

Avala stood aside Blaze, a bow and an arrow in her wings. “If you want to prove whose side you’re on… You know what to do,” She said on a calm tone.

“He left on request with no resistance…” Blaze reminded her. “What if he was set up?” Avala refused to say a word, but held the weapon toward him. Blaze took them and took aim. “Let this mark the beginning of a war… But you know that one race will be extinct by the end, do you not?” He asked while holding aim.

“It’s them or us. Tooth for tooth, and eye for an eye… They too will feel the loss we had…”

“Would it not be wiser to kill the King and Queen in front of the Prince then?” Blaze wondered out loud, still in sight.

“It’s now, or never…” Avala exclaimed, as the Prince got to a clearing, but much farther away from them.

Blaze took aim, and let go of the string. The arrow whistled through the air, screeching quietly to itself on it’s path, only to end its journey buried in flesh and bone. “Not bad for a first…” Blaze noted to himself, never having used a bow before.

Avala patted him on the shoulder, then the two turned to face one another. “Now I know who I can rely on… Don’t get me wrong, I too wish this to end the quickest as it can, as do you and my brother. Yet, we must not be blinded by false promises. I mean not to judge your past, or abilities to make decisions, but… Blaze, this is war… Kill or be killed. We will NOT, and I repeat, NOT be on the losing end,”

“I understand your concerns. I too feel the pain you do… No, I don’t, actually… I never knew my parents… Perhaps it’s for the better. I will do the most I can to help on your side of the war, but I ask you to remember one thing. I too am alive, have thoughts, rights, and even feelings, regardless of profession,” He replied, giving the bow back.

“Keep it. You seem to do better with it that I had ever. You have no idea how grateful my sibling and I are… The citizens… Not so much yet, but with patience, they too will grow to love, accept, and adore you for what you do for us,” She reminded him.

“I’m not here for glory… Not for adoration… Not to be loved… I came here to fight for a friend of mine... But now, I fight for my friends…”

Their conversation was interrupted by Sigmis in a hurry. “Guys! Reports just came in! All our occupied towns were attacked by ponies in black armor!” He spat out, catching his breath.

“Could it be the colt from earlier? Your friend, Blaze?” Avala pondered.

“Shadow? No, he’s too low in rank to do it… Now, Princess Luna on the other end… She’s the only one the Night Guard obeys, and their superiors, but those are belov Princess Luna in rank. If it wasn’t her who sent them, then it’s not the Night Guard,” He explained.

“Either way. Refugees are on the way… Civilians, they are headed right to us. Soon some should arrive,” Sigmis continued.

“I guess this IS going to end rather quick after all…” Blaze said to Avala with a grin, reminding her of their conversation. They left, hurried to make preparations for the refugees. Camps and shelters were set up in a breeze. The first wave arrived, seemingly worn, dirty, injured, exhausted and hungry Turuls mostly. They were granted warm food, medicine, and shelter. During lunch, Blaze sat down among them with his own bolw of bean soup.

“Are you hurt?” He asked the hen next to him.

“No…”

“Can you tell me what happened?”

“Your kind… In black… Killed them all… Freed us, and sent us here…”

“I see… Thanks for the info…” He replied, leaving his bowl for her. To their surprise, a larger group of ponies in white arrived soon.

“Who could those be? They talked about black…” Sigmis asked.

“I know who they are. The Ascendants. They are the Night Guard’s opposite. They obey Celestia, and instead of killing, they use magic to help. Fix wounds, create food from thin air, medicine and such,” Blaze explained once again. They slowly approached the trio, guards at their side. One pony came closer than the usuals, Blaze recognized him. “Lumes? Huh, the world is small,” Blaze greeting him.

“And so it seems. Princess Celestia sent us to help however we can. By orders, you are the one in charge while we’re here,” Lumes replied, informing them.

“Send a dozen to the refugees, have them introduce themselves, and survey for their problems,” Blaze gave the order. “The rest scatter in town. See if the soldiers or locals need any help,”

“You heard him!” Lumes yelled behind him. The Ascendants dispersed as told to. The rest of the day went down relatively calm. At night, before sleep Blaze sent his message to Blossom, and laid his head to rest among the refugees, to show empathy.

[End of Chapter 10]

Chapter 11: Something in the air

Okay, so… To avoid confusion, this chapter tells what happened to Blossom the same day as last chapter, while that focused on Blaze, okay? Same thing applies to chapters 9 and 8.

[Wednesday]

Blossom woke up the usual time, now only having a week or so before returning to school. She looked to the side, the message was there.

“Hey Sis!

I’m okay. If only you knew how tired I am… I’m fine, there’s nothing interesting for me to say…”

Wow… That was brief of him. “Well, at least he’s fine…” She muttered. Leaving her room she went to the kitchen, and put away a small part of her breakfast into small, plastic containers in her saddlebags. The first thing she did was see her new friend again. She took the same route as the other day, soon coming to the collapsed entrance of the mines. “Should be around somewhe-”

“Hey,”

“Motha-” Blossom jumped, almost right onto his back.

“Gee, sorry. Here so soon?” He wondered.

“I wanted to see you. I even brought you some breakfast, look,”

“Oh… You shouldn’t have. I have plenty of food. More nutritious than delicious for sure, but I do have a lot of it…”

Blossom grinned and waved the boxes around. “All yours…” She said. Her friend was in on the joke, and threw himself on the boxes, emptying then in the blink of an eye. When he was done he brushed his head against her forelegs and even barked as a joke. “I see you still have your sense of humor. How was your night?”

“A nightmare, nothing more,”

“How come? Doesn’t Princess Luna make sure nopony has them?”

“She can’t do anything about mine…”

“The crystals... “

“Exactly... You know what I saw on my morning forest walk?”

“What?” She wondered.

“The Night Guard… Marching in large masses. They had weapons I never saw them use before…”

“Really? Where were they going?”

“I chose not to even address them. One thing for sure, is that I feel bad for whoever they go against…”

“That we agree on…”

“What do you plan for today?”

“Nothing yet. Maybe a name for you… I came up with one last night, actually,”

“Have you now?”

“Yeah. How about… Daar?”

“Daar? Not what I expected… Well, not that I would be hearing it a lot, expect from you of course. Sure, be it,” He replied with a grin.

“Good news, Daar,”

“What?”

“I wrote a letter to my brother and asked him a favor. He agreed, so until he comes back you can live in our room, and sleep in his bed. He seemed pretty approving. Sure, it was only in writing…” She exclaimed.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea…”

“Come on! It will be fun!”

Daar sighed in response, and agreed.

“Great! Come on!” She said, bursting of excitement. They soon got back to the castle. On their way, Daar managed to pull the crystal spiked back under his skin without Blossom noticing.

“Who’s that, Blossom?” Asked one of the guards.

“A friend of mine, why?”

“I feel something’s off with him…” Replied the other guard.

“What should be? He’s an average pony!” She assured them.

“Right…” Came the response as they were allowed through. They didn’t stop, until they got to the throne room.

“What’s this? I remember this place…” Daar muttered.

“You didn’t think you can drop in without saying hi, right?” Blossom asked.

“Well…”

“Come on…”

“Fine…” The doors opened. They went in, the sisters were surrounded by a circle of reporters.

“Princess! Is it true that you gave the Night Guard the Last Stand order?” Asked one from Princess Luna.

“No, that is only for our last resort,”

“Princess! Who will be in charge of the troops overseas?”

“I appointed Lieutenant Shadow Mirror for the Night Guard,” Luna replied.

“I chose Mayor Blight for the Ascendants,” Celestia joined in.

“And what of the Royal Guard?”

“They are not involved,” The sisters replied in unison.

The reporters continued their onslaught, overwhelming the sisters with questions, until Daar stepped in. A spike grew out of his left forehoof, which he jabbed into the floor. A faint green line made its way toward the crowd, where a large and thick wall of crystal separated them from the sisters.

“Guards!” Blossom yelled. A couple walked in, and asked about what had happened. “Escort them outside, or have them arrested… They are simply harassing the sisters,” She explained.

“Right away miss,” One of them replied, and the two asked the crowd to leave.

“Enough questions for today. Leave at once, or face the charges,” One of the guards informed the crowd. They all understood and headed for the door, except one.

“I will not leave without my answers, I demand them!”

The guards sighed, and dragged him away while he was still shouting his nonsense. “Quiet already!” One of the guards said, hitting him in the back of the head.

“Do they always do that?” Blossom asked the sisters, while Daar dispersed the wall, pulling the spike back inside.

“Unfortunately so,” Celestia replied.

“Wait… Y-You’re still alive?” Luna asked about Daar.

“Long time, no see, Princesses,” He replied as a greeting.

“Daar?” Blossom asked.

“Yes?”

“Just how long ago was your accident and last visit here?”

“A brief… 538 years ago?” He replied.

“WHAT?!” Blossom asked out loud.

“Yeah… I guess that makes the advisors all the more eager to have a sample of the crystals…” Daar replied with a grin.

“What brings you back?” Celestia wondered, still surprised.

“Blossom,”

“What of her?”

“She asked me to,”

“I see… Well, it’s a relief to know you’re still alive and well. I see you have learned control over your… Illness…” Luna continued.

“Indeed I had. I figured I had enough time. I’m glad to see you had returned as well. I was worried you would never do so. Well, not the way you DID when you came back, but… You get the point,”

“Indeed I do,” Blossom and Daar returned to the room.

“Now what?” Daar wondered.

“Well… We could go to Ponyville…”

“Why there of all the places?”

“According to the sisters, that’s where my parents are buried,”

“Damn… Well, sure,”

The two managed to catch a train just in time, and found seats. “So… We have an hour or so to talk… Or… Do whatever…” Blossom noted.

“What do you want to talk about?” Daar wondered.

“Maybe our past? If you’re in, that is,”

“Why not… Who starts?”

They chatted the time away. Before they knew, they arrived. “Final stop! Ponyville!” Yelled the conductor. The pair left the train, the station, and headed for the graveyard. Having arrived Daar stayed behind, while Blossom found a grave she looked for.

“Is he?” Daar wondered.

“Our supposed father… Yes, Ardent Blaze… The sisters said he died to an accident of some sort,”

“Sorry to hear,”

“For some reason… They told me my mother’s name too, I just couldn’t find her grave yet…”

“That’s… Strange,”

“I guess she’s either buried somewhere else, or…”

“Or is alive?”

“Or is unburied…”

“Geez, have some optimism!” Daar replied with a grin.

“Probably…” Blossom returned, placing a bouquet of flowers on her father’s grave.

“Let’s go, have something to eat… I’m paying,” Daar exclaimed, hoping to cheer her up.

They walked around town, until they settled at a small outside restaurant. “Can I have your orders?” Asked a waiter.

“I’ll have some hay fries,” Daar threw back.

“How about you, miss?” Asked the waiter.

“I’ll have the same… Double it,” She replied.

“I’ll bring it soon,” Came the response, minutes passed, the food arrived. “Enjoy your meals,”

“Thanks,” They replied, and paid in advance.

“So… What should we do while we’re here?” Blossom wondered.

“I don’t know… Never been here before,” Daar answered.

“I heard the Elements of Harmony live here… At least the bearers,”

“Do they? I have a few news to catch up with… 500 years in that forest got to me a little…”

“Well, let’s finish this and go, see,” They sat in silence, eating away at their foods. Once finished, they threw the paper plates into the recycling bin and left.

“Question is… Where are they?” Daar pondered.

“Princess Celestia told me to look for Twilight Sparkle in that regard… A tree library I think,” Blossom explained.

“You sure do talk to the sisters a lot, don’t you?”

“Somepony has to…”

“Yep…”

“What?”

“Nothing…”

“Daar…”

“What?”

“Come on…”

“What? I just asked…”

“Right…”

“I did!”

“You have a grudge or something on them?”

“No… I told you, I was asking,”

“You said you don’t blame them…”

“And I’m not!”

“Or do you…”

“Blossom…”

“What?”

“Is it that tree?” He asked, pointing at one with windows and a door.

“Probably, c’mon,”

*Knock* *Knock* “Coming…” Said an exhausted voice from the other side. “Yes?” Asked the lavender mare they looked for.

“Hello. If I’m not mistaken, you should be Twilight, right?” Blossom wondered.

“Indeed. Who am I fortunate to meet?” She replied.

“I’m Blossom, Blaze’s sister. My friend and I were wondering if you can tell us a few things about the Elements,”

“The ones of harmony? Why do you care? If I may know, that is,”

“Curiosity,” Daar threw back.

“Sure, come in…” The two walked in, briefly glancing all over the shelves. “There, sit if you will,” The Unicorn offered.

They sat down, all three of them. “Lovely place. I see everything’s in perfect order… Books in alphabetical order…” Blossom started with a compliment.

“Thank you. Spike, a friend of mine, and I spend a lot of time keeping the library clean, and reorganize the shelves every Saturday,” Twilight replied. “So, is it the Elements you want to hear about?” She wondered.

“Not necessarily. If you have other topics, they will do just as well,” Daar pointed out.

“Well, I have plenty of time, and sure do love some company…” Their host replied.

“So… Where do you know my brother from? No offense, I just want to know,” Blossom asked, trying to be polite while doing so.

“Remember when he had food poisoning?”

Blossom nodded in reply.

“He and his friend… That Night Guard pony went for a walk. After his friend, and mine, called Rainbow Dash, a Pegasus, who is also the bearer of the Element of Loyalty had a set of races, I found a spell, and cured his illness,” The lavender pony explained.

“I see… Has he told you anything in messages since he left?”

Twilight looked slightly off, as if she wasn’t looking at them, but something behind them. “N- No, why?”

Hesitant, are we? “Nothing at all?”

“Nothing I’m sure he hasn’t told you as well…”

“For example?”

“He arrived safely, he had a hard day of work, etc…” Twilight replied truthfully, and Blossom could only confirm, yet she seemed nervous.

“I just hope he’s fine,” Daar threw into the mix.

“So do I…” Blossom replied.

“Me too. I don’t know him well, but my brother told me good things about him,” Twilight explained the reasons behind her concern.

“Who is your brother? I didn’t know you have one,” Blossom asked, surprise in her tone.

“He’s Shining Armor. Captain of the Royal Guard,”

“I guess that makes Armor and Blaze Brothers in Arms… That makes them stepbrothers… Making you step sisters…” Daar pondered out loud. The two mares looked at him in confusion, then realized he was joking. In the end, his pun managed to force grins out of them.

“Well, I doubt there’s anything left to tell about our siblings… What about you?” Twilight inquired.

“Me? I myself study at Celestia’s school for gifted Unicorns…”

“Do you? I also did! How’s the curriculum? Did it get any harder?”

“I can’t tell. Not without knowing the old anyway…”

“Have you learned about the Incident yet?”

“That’s the only reason I knew where to look for you. Princess Luna came into class, and told us her side of the story herself,”

“Nopony can tell what, how, and why happened that day… Except that nopony had seen Starswirl the Bearded from that day on…” Twilight pointed out.

“I heard of him… But not a whole lot…”

“I have a few books about him too… Right, what of your friend?”

“I’m Daar. Strange name, yes, Blossom came up with it… I had forgotten mine after being alone in the forest at the hooves of Canterlot Hill.

“Just how long, and why were you even there?”

“I used to be a miner. In the crystal caves.... [...]” After having told her the same story as he told Blossom, she understood why he got his name, and why his eyes looked different than that of anypony else.

“Sorry to hear…”

“Don’t be… It doesn’t help…” *Chuckle* “I tried,”

“Well… Let’s change the subject to something more cheerful...”

Their conversation had went on longer, the time had grown noon by the time they noticed. Having said their farewells, they parted ways, as the two boarded a train back to Canterlot. Their seats happened to be in a cart with cabins, instead of the open air seating, allowing them some unwanted privacy. They leaned back in their seats to relax, perhaps even sleep to pass time… *Growl*

“Hmph?” Daar asked, having returned from a state of half sleeping.

“Lookie lookie, someone’s hungry…” Blossom said with a grin, offering a clover sandwich from her bag.

“Thanks,” He replied. Taking a few bites, he looked back up, only to see Blossom lean onto the small cup holder right under the window. Celestia’s Sun shone bright that day, the window was opened just ajar. The breeze sneaking in as the train moved on brushed through her mane. Daar had no chance… He was defeated by a foe he never thought he would encounter, and contracted one of the most pleasant diseases… Love...

He managed to hold back a burp, and swallowed to make sure nothing leaves unauthorized. Following that, he grunted a little. “Are you okay?” She wondered.

“I think I have butterflies in my stomach…” He replied.

“Does it hurt?”

“No… No… It’s just…” He replied, unavoidably looking into her emerald eyes. Their glances met, and they could say not a single word.

“Uuhh…” She tried to speak, but the two were mesmerised.

“Yeesss?” Daar asked, as the two slowly drew closer and closer to the other. They didn’t know what they felt, until their lips met. They lost control of themselves for a while. When they managed to regain it, they threw themselves away from the other, almost disappearing in the padding of their seats.

The two only stared at the other with mixed emotions… Confusion and embarrassment. “What was that?” Daar asked.

“Iiiiiii Don’t know… Why did we do that?” Blossom replied.

“Well… Did you enjoy it?” Daar gathered the nerve to ask.

Blossom blushed, her coat turned purple as the blue of her coat and red of the blush combined, replying with an unsure “Yes,”

“So… What does that make us?”

“Well… I guess we’re a pair now…”

[End of Chapter 11]

Chapter 12: The final stand

[Friday]

At last, dawn had come once more. Blaze carefully left the room in which he and the others slept, then opened the scroll from his sibling.

“Hey, Big Bro…

Me again!
Today Princess Celestia told me we have less than a week left before continuing school, but that’s not the point.

I’m going to be brave with this, okay?
Remember the pony I told you about? From the mines? He came with me to Ponyville to visit mother’s grave. We even had a conversation with your friend, Twilight. She was quite nice and welcoming.

The point is… On our way back home… On the train… We…

Kissed…

Yes… We found out we love one another…

I hope you’re not upset about it. I AM old enough. Trust me, he’s a great guy, I hope one day you’ll meet him in person. I’m sure you’d come along well.

I hope you’re just as happy about the news as I am!

How are things on your end? Have you made any progress?

Best of luck,

~Blossom”

He had mixed feelings about the news… He was happy for her finding her other half, but he knew what would happen if it went wrong… He grinned, and wrote a letter to said colt. With a flash of magic it disappeared, knowing all too well where to appear.

“Morning Blaze. The rest just arrived. I think we have all the refugees who could come…” Sigmis exclaimed cheerfully.

“Great. What of the Night Guard?” He wondered.

“He might be able to tell,” Avala threw in, a few ponies in black armor by her side.

“Commander Mithril Blaze?” The stallion asked.

“Sergeant…” Blaze replied.

“Not for this mission. By orders, command has been transferred to you until this ordeal is settled,” He explained.

“Both the Ascendants and Night Guard? Blaze, your Gods seem to have all the faith in the world in you…” Sigmis whispered.

“And so it would seem. yet, as we must, we shall not judge their decisions,” The colt reminded them.

“Who would you be?” Blaze wondered.

“Colonel-472”

“Is… That the way you do? Numbers for names? What about Shadow?”

“I don’t know who you speak of…” The Colonel replied. Just moments before said colt appeared next to Blaze.

“Him,”

“Oh, you meant Lieutenant-23,” The colt replied.

“What’s up Sarge? Boss? Guys?” He asked, first Blaze, then the Colonel, and at last the twins.

“You heard it all, so get ready for a fight…” Blaze informed him.

“I hope you didn’t mean it the way I think,”

“What? You want to stay and sit all day, or finally finish this damn thing?”

“I guess you didn’t…”

“Call the Generals and Senior Officers. Avala, Sigmis, rally all of yours. I’ll get the Ascendants,” Blaze explained with a plan. Everyone did as asked to. Just half an hour later they were ready, so Blaze explained his first plan to shorten the enemy lives. As he expected, soon a diplomat and another group of armed Centaurs arrived to the gates. The Night Guard hid in the forest around town, the Ascendants went to the opposite end of town, just as a lone Centaur arrived.

After allowing the diplomat in, the gate closed, leaving the rest outside. “Speak, or attack,” Avala exclaimed.

“My King and Queen are wary of the Prince’s disappearance… They suspect you have something to do with it…” The diplomat said.

“Here’s my answer…” Blaze replied, throwing a severed head to him. “Tell your King and Queen to leave, or they shall walk the same path,” Blaze continued.

“If that is what you wish. I’m a mere messenger, and no fighter. Allow me to leave, and your word is delivered,” Came the reply. The gates opened. The diplomat left, the head in his left hand. The other Centaurs took offense, and turned to attack the town. Before they could take a step, a loud bang shook the forest, as their heads were blown apart. The Night Guard approached, surrounding the diplomat. Their armor was more detailed, and better. Their weapons were different as well. Much more superior to what Blaze knew they would have.

The guards pointed their weapons at the diplomat, slowly closing in around him. “Run…” Shadow said, a way opening in the circle. The diplomat ran as fast as his legs could carry.

“What now?” Sigmis wondered.

“We wait. Now we know for sure that the royals WILL come to us… We will kill most of them, but spare the two, forcing them to retreat to your capital. THEN we proceed, and starve them out by cutting off food from their home country. They will either surrender, or die,” He explained. They spent the rest of the night with their guard the highest, ready at each moment. Only the next day had brought forward what they waited for.

[Saturday]

“Today’s the big day…” Blaze muttered, shaking his night’s nightmare out of his head.

“At ease!” Sigmis yelled, the Turul Army at full equipment. Their armor seemed light and weak, but after a worthy explanation, Blaze understood why they looked weak, but only looked. Their weapons were varied. Bows, spears, swords, halberds, maces… Even scythes and pitchforks.

“Ready!” Lumes exclaimed, the Ascendants at full attention.

“Attention!” A General yelled, the Night Guard facing the twins. The three branches stood aside one another. The Turuls in the middle, separating the two others.

The twins and Blaze stood in front of them for a few words of encouragement.

First came Sigmis, addressing each faction. “Ascendants… For what I know, you only follow the words of your leader, Princess Celestia, and for now, that of my friend, Blaze. I can not put my gratitude into words for what you have do for my kind. Your efforts have truly helped the civilians back into health, and even gave them hope…” Finishing with them, he turned his attention to the Night Guard. “Ponies… I have seen what your appointed Commander is capable of. Yes, he is just a Sergeant and from the Royal Guard, but if you can do just as much, my trust and faith is in a good place. For what I know, you have a simple task: Kill. I can not grant you a safe return, but I can promise you plenty of lives to take…” Then turned to his own kind. “Brothers, sisters… Friends and family… We have gathered here to push the invaders back for the final time! Our numbers and odds are greatly increased by our newfound allies… Their presence is a gift from the Gods themselves… It must be… As such, we must show out new allies of what we are capable of for our freedom!” The crowd roared in agreement. Following his speech, his sister continued.

“The problem is… I’m not quite a talker. I know what to do, and then do my best to accomplish it… Right… Ponies in white… You’re the embodiment of good will. Of health, of hope…” *Looks at the Night Guard* “Ponies of black. I myself know the thrill of the hunt. Be tracing down a fleeing foe, or killing them face to face. The thirst for blood is just as strong in me as in you… As such, today we shall satisfy our thirst!” The Night Guard cheered. *Turns at her people* “My brethren… You have been trained from childhood. Your profession matches that of your allies in black. Show them the spirit which lies deep inside all of us…” She said.

At last, Blaze took a stand. “Ascendants. My friends, I have come here on my own. Not as Commander. Not as Sergeant. Not even as Royal Guard, but as who I am: Mithril Blaze. The only pony unfortunate enough to be hit by a catapult and live… I have never asked for your arrival, take no offense. Now, I’m honored that you follow my words, even for a time as short as we have left…” *Turns to Night Guard* “Ah, yes. The Night Guard… Soldiers of the darkness… Defenders of Princess Luna… No… Of all of our kingdom… Those who would dare oppose Nightmare Moon, or even Luna herself… Those who would give their lives for any other… Today I will prove my worth to you, so you can see that you’re not the only one with such determination!” *Cheer* *Turns to Turuls* “Friends… No… Family… Yes, family. I came here as a total stranger to your kind, but you chose to trust me just by their request. You took me in. Fed me. Granted shelter… Trusted me. Today, the twins appointed me as one of their own… Now, as one of your own, I can bravely say, that I WILL make your kind free again!” The factions cheered. A small group from each Faction remained in town to defend, similar to all other cities freed. The rest had began it’s march for the capital. Upon arrival they gained sight of the Centaur army. A vast legion for sure, but not larger than theirs.

“Commander,” The Colonel exclaimed.

“Yes?”

“Do you authorize the Final Stand protocol?”

“Yes,”

The Colonel nodded, and turned to face his comrades. Since they were out of the Centaur’s hearing range, he yelled. “FINAL STAND!” Their weapons were gone, in their place were much powerful ones.

“On my mark… We will it them with everything we have…” Blaze explained.

“Sir… I must ask you to tell yours to stay back,” The Colonel asked Sigmis.

“Stay behind!” He yelled in response. The Turuls line up behind the Night Guard.

Blaze drew his swords. Sigmis his, and Avala prepared her bow. “Attack!” Blaze yelled. The Night Guard slowly marched forward. Their weapons spitting many projectiles at the foe. Some fired quick, some exploded on impact… They made quick progress, until they ran out of ammunition.

“Kill the Sun!” Avala yelled after noticing it, The Turul archers fired their bows. A volley of arrows flew high into the sky, blocking out sunlight from above for several seconds. By the time the Centaurs knew they are attacked, only 200 of their soldiers, and their royals remained.

Our heroes allowed them to retreat. The King approached on top of the city walls. “We yield… We will leave, but we ask you to allow us…” He exclaimed.

The trio took some time to think. After Blaze convinced them, they agreed. The King, Queen, and the rest have left the town in lines of 10, slowly disappearing in the horizon. They celebrated their victory until late night, when most of them went to sleep. Having done their task, only 100 of Ascendants, and 100 of Night Guard soldiers remained. The rest were teleported back to the motherland. At 1 am the guard patrols were set up. Each group was made up of 1 Turul, 1 Night Guard, and an Ascendant.

“You guys sure made short work of them…” The group’s bird exclaimed.

“If only it was the first time I saw such massacre… You know, if we die, Princess Luna can decide whether or not bring us back… Living that way… You can tell how many things one can see…” The Guard replied.

“At least you get to defend yourself… All we get is a metal plate to the chest. Not even a dagger to protect ourselves. Magic, if we’re lucky…”

“As if you would need to arm yourselves in our presence. Just because we obey our respective Princesses, we still are to stand up for the other…”

“So, how does your line of orders go? I’m a bit confused…” Asked their avian comrade.

“Usually, on the very to is the chosen Princess. Nothing above. Under them are the Generals,Senior Officers, Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Junior Non-Commissioned Officers, and the very bottom, those with no rank yet,” The Guard explained, the Ascendant nodded.

“So now this Blaze guy is…?”

“Appointed Commander during operations. After we return, he will be no more than a Sergeant of the Royal Guard he was before,” The Ascendant replied.

“How are your Kind and Queen?”

“They died millenias ago,”

“Then why do you call your monarchs Princess still? Shouldn’t they be Queens?”

“There can’t be two monarchs of the same name… Not two Kings or Queens…”

“Really? In cases like this, the offspring, like Prince Sigmis and Princess Avala are to be referred to King and Queen. It’s what we call Twin-Monarchy,”

“To each their own rules, right?”

“Hey… What’s that?” Asked the avian.

The Guard had put a hoof to his head, as if he had a migraine. He looked up, the others followed. “What’ the…” The Ascendant wondered..

The Night Guard grinned. “Behold, my friends… This, is the Blood Moon… A call to war. It seems my God demands blood…” He exclaimed. His hoof guards changed, and began to function like Blaze’s limbs. Standing on the hind legs. Before reported to the three in charge, the remaining Night Guards rallied in the town square, demanding they move on and take the Centaur capital as well. Little to no success to convince them otherwise, the army had began its journey. As they approached the end of the Tuvale Basin, they saw mountains reaching for the clouds, soon passing through one of the three passes.

“This is where our ancestors arrived thousands of years ago… Legend says, that one of the leaders of the seven ancient tribes stayed behind, to fend off the army chasing them. Him and a few fearless remained, and died, so others can live…” Sigmis explained while walking past.

“I guess you either live free, or die, fighting for it…” Blaze replied with a guess.

“Pretty much,” Avala noted.

After a few more steps, they stopped. “Stand!” Blaze yelled.

“What is it?” Sigmis wondered.

“Shhhh…. Listen…”

The forest and bushes began to move and shake… “It’s a trap!” Avala yelled.

“Retreat!” Blaze yelled, before they could be surrounded.

“Stand your ground!” Avala yelled, denying his command.

“No time to argue!” Blaze replied. The Night Guard and Ascendants obeying him. “Get them out of here! Protect them!” He exclaimed, forcing the Turuls to retreat through the pass. On their way through, two Turuls flew up high, their sharp wings collided with wooden beams, supporting the arch above. The arch collapsed, blocking the way entirely. Before it reached the ground, all Turuls were past including the twins. The Night Guard used their magic to teleport the Ascendants, and lower ranked, thus less trained, more likely to die Night Guards to the other side, exhausting their magic for a while. Before sending them off, Blaze gave them one command: Obey the twins, and protect their kind.

Having exhausted their magic, the remaining group turned to face the foe. It was only Blaze, and two dozens of high ranked militarymen. They gathered to a small circle, the foe still far away. A General approached Blaze. “This is the end of the line…”

“And the final journey…”

Suddenly, a group of Turuls returned to them from above the rubble. “We are the best the twins could send. Or so they said. We will fight until the end,” One of them exclaimed, joining them.

“The enemy’s leaving the past…” A Lieutenant continued to sing.

“It’s the Equestrian troops…” Blaze added.

“And the Turul army… “ Said one of them.

“Joining together at last!” They sang out in unison, ending their song.

Followed by the Night Guard. “As the sunset fades to away, the yellow fades to gray. The Moonlight shines upon the land, a calling we obey. The purest black of shadows rise, to fight a greater fight… My brothers and sisters move as one, we soldiers of the night. We stand at arms before our liege, each of us just a pawn and now We reign supreme throughout the dark, until the light of dawn The memories we left behind us might cripple lesser men But those of us brought back from nothing have risen once again We see it in her moonlit eyes, a fury held at bay A battle waiting in the ashes, to resume another day And as we disappear into the shadows, we fill their souls with dread We fight tonight to rule tomorrow, and a dark day lies ahead…” They sang on through the end, filling themselves and others with spirit, courage, and a determination to fight until the last breath.

“In haste, our rights are erase… All for the glory of King and Queen. Defend, the honor of our kind. All for the glory of fade and freedom… Until our last, dying breath…” A Turul General muttered.

At last, the Centaurs arrived close, and stopped for a brief moment. “Surrender now, or die!” Yelled the King. Blaze drew his swords, the others prepared their weapons in reply. “Move aside, and let us pass,” The King continued.

“Over our dead body!” Shadow yelled.

“So be it!” The Queen exclaimed. The two lines ran toward the other, and just moments later they met.

[End of Chapter 12]

Chapter 13: Ups and downs

The following morning Blossom received her usual letter from Blaze.

[Saturday]

Surprisingly, so did Daar. They read theirs at the same time, to themselves.

“Dear Sis…

I’m writing this in a hurry, and with heavy heart. We had freed the Turul cities, including the capital. We, by the advice of a Night Guard General, pressed on to destroy all Centaur cities. We were ambushed, and trapped… I gave command for the twins and their own to be accompanied back to their capital. The archway over the pass had collapsed, leaving me, and several Night Guards on the same side the foe was approaching from… And they are closer and closer with each letter I write. A few Turuls arrived from over the rubble…

The Turuls, the Night Guards, and myself are ready to go down in history. I wish you could hear the songs I do… They truly bring strength to one’s soul…

At last, I am certain this WILL be my last letter to you. Ever…

Should I never return, seek no retribution in my memory, for I’m convinced, that by the time you could, the Centaur race would be driven extinct.

They are getting close… I’m sorry to end it this way.
Alive or not, I will always be with you.

~Blaze”

“Hey…

So. I heard you’re my sister’s new ‘friend’.

I only want her to be happy. If you can make that happen, and if you really do love her, you’re good in my eyes.

Believe me, I’m only saying this because I love my sister…

You break her heart, I break your spine…”

Daar understood Blaze’s concern, and was relieved, and in agreement with his reasoning. However, he soon did become concerned… Turning to his right he saw a shining line of tears stream down Blossom’s face. She was still reading her letter, and unaware of being looked at. “W-What’s wrong?” He wondered.

“It’s… My brother… He… He may not come back…” She muttered, fighting her tears.

Daar didn’t think. He pulled her in for a hug, providing a shoulder. “He will… He will…”

“No… He never gives up… If he says it’s probably his last fight, then it WILL be his last… It doesn’t matter to him… Win or lose, we will do as long as he can… It’s what I love and yet hate the most about him…” She explained, slowly calming down.

“There, there…” Daar replied, kissing her on the forehead. “I have a surprise for you…” He continued.

“R-Really?”

“I hope you’ll love it… It took me some time to get it right,” Daar continued. “Come on!”

Blossom followed behind. They left the castle, and headed for the shopping district of Canterlot. “What are we doing here?” She wondered.

“Keep coming…”

They walked further and further, eventually coming to a large store. Smooth, stone brick walls… The lines of mortar were aesthetic as they can be. A large, white canvas was covering something large above the double door entrance. On both sides of the doors were windows, through which one can only see from inside to the outside, and never the other way. “W… What is this? Why are we here?”

Daar used his magic to remove the canvas, revealing a rather large sign saying Mithril Blossom Workshop.

“What… Uh…” Blossom had no clue how to act.

“This used to be my father’s little crafting space… Buuuut…. Since he’s not around anymore, I thought why not turn it into something more… Profitable…” Daar explained.

“I get it… But… What of the permissions? The employees? The equipment…”

“All set and done. It’s all yours on paper. The property is yours, the employees are waiting inside with their brand new workstations and equipment. The royal advisors themselves inspected it… Everything is according to requirement and regulations… You have no idea how much paperwork this was…” He replied with a large grin.

“This is… Incredible… But… The most I ever made was a potion, an-”

“And you don’t have to do a thing… Come here after school, check if you have paperwork to do… I’ll stay and work as the manager at the cash register… Sounds simple, right?”

“You really know how to impress a mare…” Blossom replied, returning the grin.

“What are we waiting for? Come on, go, boss…”

They approached the door, Blossom pushing against it with her forehoof. The door opened without a creek, it’s top hit a wind chime, making a noticeable sound of entry. “Surprise!” Yelled everypony. Inside were 9 ponies, Daar behind her, 11 inside in total. Soon a muscular colt, the blacksmith and another less bulky one pushed a small cart out of the back room. Some pastries and drinks to increase the mood.

“First day at work. Come on, let’s celebrate…” Daar explained.

“Did anypony say celebrate?” Asked a pink mare with a bundle of balloons from behind the group, who have been looking at their new employer.

“How did you even… Never mind… You must be Pinkie… What are you doing in Canterlot?” Blossom inquired from their surprise guest.

“Oh, silly… I never miss a single party… Never… Ever… Ever… EVER!” Pinkie replied.

The party began, the group had fun, until at noon they chose to wrap it up and get to work. They cleaned up after themselves, gave Blossom a tour of the workshop, her office, and got to work, waiting for their first client. Daar remained at the counter while Blossom met the crew.

-Thruul M’Gon, the blacksmith. A 25 year old colt. Armor, tools, weapons.
-Mist, the gatherer. She was to be sent to get materials. Age 20
-Maverick, the tailor. Age 23
-Jade, the jeweller. Age 24
-The enchanter, Sundance, a descendant of Starswirl himself. Age 26
-The adventurer, Cold Flame, self explanatory. Age 19
-The miner, Sapphire, 21
-The lumberjack, Scarlet, 23
-Delivery employee, Ace Swift, 25
And the Alchemist, Sky Spirit, 23

“You know the basic rules, right?” Daar asked, leaning against the doorframe of her office.

“I should be good…” She replied with a grin. Then they heard the wind chime, so Daar left.

“Welcome. Can I be of any help?” He wondered. A mare walked up to the counter.

“Hello, I have broken my kitchen knife… Can you fix it?” She wondered.

“Do you have it?”

“Here it is,” She said, putting it on the counter, wrapped in fabric.

“I’ll go, have our blacksmith look at it… Please, wait a moment,” Daar replied. The mare nodded, so he left to the workstations. “Thuul?”

“Yeah?”

“Could you look at this?”

“What is? Ah, a simple kitchen knife... “

“Can you fix it?”

“Fix it? Friend, it would be cheaper for them to buy a new one,” He replied.

“Okay. Thanks,” Daar hurried back to the customer, Thruul by his side. “Our co-worker finds it cheaper for you to buy a new one. Would you like me to have him make one?” He inquired.

“I don’t have a lot to spare… How much would it cost?” The mare pondered.

“I would say… 10 bits for work, 5 for materials,” Thruul replied.

“How long would it take?”

“I would say… With our equipment… 30 minutes at most,”

“Why so long?”

“I do my best to provide the highest quality. Steel is an alloy tricky to make. Working it is not so much,”

“I see… Will it be alright if I come back for it?”

“If you won’t forget to, it sure is,” Daar assured him.

“I’ll go, get the iron and coal…” Thrull muttered, leaving the two.

“May I ask your name to write down?” Daar asked, levitating a large quill above a book.

“Daisy Sprinkle” She replied.

“Sprinkle… Okay. It should be done in the agreed time,”

“Thank you. Bye,” Daisy said.

“Hope to see you soon,” Daar replied. Moments after the customer left Blossom hurried out of her office toward the exit. “Where to?”

“The hospital… I’ll explain later…” She replied, shutting the door behind herself.

Daar sat behind the counter for around 10 minutes, reading the news, when two guards walked in. “Can I be of help?” He asked.

“Hmm… I never saw this workshop before, and I’ve been patrolling these parts for a while…”

“Understandable. I assure you wish to see the permits and such,” Daar replied.

“Indeed we would”

“Right this way,” He lead them to Blossom’s office, where he pulled the papers from the top drawer. “Here,”

The guards scanned their eyes through each of them, then giving it back. “Everything seems to be fine… Apologies for the inconvenience,” One of them exclaimed.

“Doing your job is no inconvenience… Not to me,” Daar assured them as they returned to the lobby.

“Good luck, and have a nice day,” Said a guard.

“You too,”

After the visit everything was the usual. Nothing more than Thruul’s hammering to be heard through the door to the work areas. Eventually, the mare returned. “Hello again, I came back,” She said.

“I will see if it’s done…” Daar replied. Thruul just coming out of the areas.

“In time I see. Here it is,” He exclaimed, putting the new steel knife on the counter. It was still warm to the touch. “I melted the broken knife down, so I would call it 10 bits,”

“Here you are,” Daisy said, leaving ten golden coins on the counter.

Thruul wrapped the knife in the fabric she brought the other in, while Daar put the money into the register. “Thank you for your purchase,” He continued.

“Thank you. Good bye,”

“She looked satisfied…” Thruul whispered after she left.

“I hope so… Now, back to your place…”

Thruul did as asked with a grin.

Blaze managed to climb through the debris of what used to be the archway. Before looking back, he thought twice about it, but did it anyway. In his sight was no other than the slaughtered, dismembered, decapitated, burned, crushed, torn… Remains of the entire Centaur army, including the royals, whose heads with their spine attached were brought back by two of the Night Guards… “Path’s clear…” Exclaimed a Turul General from above.

“Come on guys… We made it through that, what is just a few miles left?” Blaze asked the others on top of the rubble. The rest of the group climbed the rubble, and carefully descended on the other side. “Turuls. Fly ahead. Bring word we’re on way,” Blaze told the General.

“You heard him guys,” He said to the others, and took off.

“You did a damn good job on the field, Commander… I’ll make sure the sisters will be pleased by your performance in my report,” The Lieutenant addressed him.

“That’s my best friend… Untouchable…” Shadow threw in as a compliment.

“I’m impressed myself… It was an honor to fight on the same side with the Night Guard,” He replied, as they began their journey of 3 miles. Taking only an hour of walking, they arrived back to the Turul capital safe. The Turul army, the civilians, and the twins were waiting for them. The twins were adorned by different attires. It was their King’s and Queen’s armor.

As the twins walked toward the arriving group, all others knelt down beside them. “And so the legend lives on…” Sigmis said with a grin, shaking… (Hands? Wings? Hooves?)

“Or so it seems…” Blaze replied with the same grin, then turning to Avala, who unexpectedly pulled him in for an unreleasing hug.

“Good to see you safe…” She said, embarrassed of letting too much of her emotions surface.

“Step close, my friends…” Sigmis said to the others, who lined up behind their Commander.

Avala looked at them, then their own who returned an hour ago. “How many of yours had fallen?” She wondered.

He turned around, then around again. “None. Yours?”

“No troops lost! Glory to the Commander!” She yelled in response. The crowd cheered.

“What?”

“Don’t you remember? Yours were in the front lines all along. None of ours had even a scratch…” Sigmis reminded him.

“Oh… Yeah…”

At command, the crowd dispersed, minding their business, while the group was lead into the castle by the twins. “You have truly shown how much we can rely on your help… On behalf of yourself, the Ascendants, the Night Guard, and of Equestria…” Sigmis said as they arrived to the throne room.

The Colonel poked Blaze’s shoulder, pointing at their saddlebags. “Oh, yes. We would like you to accept our condolences… And these for consolation…” Blaze exclaimed, showing them the heads. Their faces speaking of a slow and unpleasant passing. The twins took them, and put them away to be dealt with later.

“We were driven to the brink of existence… In the last moment, you, and your comrades dropped in, not only saving us, but turning the tides of this war… Now, we are certain that our kind will thrive, prosper, and live free once more…” Avala started her speech. “Your names will be forever in our history books… These days never to be forgotten, the Centaurs, never to be forgiven…” Sigmis drew closer to comfort her. “You have my most sincere congratulation… You didn’t only free our towns under a week, but killed their King and Queen… Their whole army… From now, we will keep an eye on what they do… This will never be allowed to happen again,” She continued.

“You will always have our support,” Blaze assured her.

“You… Come, get your rewards…” Sigmis threw in, a small box in his grasp. The guards stepped forward, next to Blaze.

“In the name of the Turul Throne… We, King Sigmis and Queen Avala now declare you, soldiers of the Equestrian Night Guard heroes of our kind…” He said, hanging a medal onto each of them while doing so.

“You, Commander Mithril Blaze… You have proved to be an excellent leader. So much so, that we, descendants of the sky now recognize you as one of our leaders… Our citizens and soldiers both would follow and trust you blindly... I, Queen Avala now ask you to accept the title of Chosen of the Skies?” She asked.

Blaze replied with a slow, and definite “Yes,” Avala grabbed a different looking medal, and put it to his chestplate. The medal stuck to it on impact.

“We welcome you to stay as long as you desire… Yet, we will no longer hold you here... “ Sigmis noted.

“It was good to see an able leader for once, sir,” The Colonel told Blaze, before the Night Guard teleported back to Canterlot, leaving Blaze the only pony in the entire Tuvale Basin.

The doors flung open, a (Just call adult females woman?) standing there. Her wings seemed to be just as long, but her feathers much shorter. She ran toward the three, kneeling before Blaze upon arrival. “W-What’s this?” He wondered.

“What is it you want?” Sigmis asked the hen. She couldn’t reply. She opened he beak, and revealed a missing tongue, presenting her clipped wings afterward.

“Oh… I believe she wishes to join you on your way back… Her wings were clipped, so she can fly no more with them… Her tongue… Taken,” Avala explained.

Blaze knelt to eye level with her. Putting his left, cold metal hand onto her shoulder, and moving her wings out of her praying position to replied. “Whoever did this to you is gone… They are dead… All of them… If you wish to come, then you will,” He replied.

She only threw herself at him, hugging him tight. “I guess she’s happy,” Sigmis said with a grin.

“A ship is waiting at the harbour. I assure your magic is to be recovered in time…” Avala pointed out.

“If you need me again… Just send word…” Blaze promised, and left with the hen. (It’s so strange to write… It feels like writing a report about livestock… Sorry for all these author’s notes…)

The pair left, boarding the ship as soon as they could.

[Sunday]

“Out of bed! We arrived!” Yelled one of the sailors.

The pair woke up, thanked the Captain and the others, and left, finding the train station of Manehattan right away. Seeing the long line at the ticket booth, Blaze grabbed her wing and pulled her along, skipping the line. “Hey. What the heck?” Asked a colt

“Back in the line!” Said a mare.

“Wait for your turn!” Yelled another.

The security guard stood in the way. “Royal Guard. Out of the way,” Blaze told the guard.

“Not without your ticket…”

“Fine…” Blaze said, putting his backpack on the ground and searching it, turning his back to the ground.

“Hurry up…” The guard said. Moments later Blaze hit him with a left hook. He flew out of the way, crashing into the wall.

“Next time you’re arrested,” He warned the guard, and headed for the train to Canterlot.

They got on, took a seat, and were on their way.

Blossom was in the hospital again. Sitting at the bedside of a guard pony. “Oh, hi Blossom…” Cobalt exclaimed, wrapped up in bandages, some with blood still seeping through.

“Any better since yesterday?”

“Either less pain, or more painkillers…” She replied.

“Geez. I hope they find those three… I don’t even know why anypony would attack a royal guard… Especially after damaging the grave of another…” Blossom thought out loud.

“Oh, the things we must do…” Cobalt muttered.

Minutes later the doctor paid a visit. “Good morning miss Cobalt… Miss Blossom,” He said, greeting them.

“Morning, doc,” Cobalt threw back.

“Mornin’...” Blossom replied.

“I have the results… Do you mind if she hears too?” The doc asked.

“No… She’s a friend… Therefore family…” Cobalt explained.

“I’m sorry but… Your wounds are too serious to continue your career as a royal guard. The bones will heal, yes, but… You just won’t be able to walk like before… We also found a brain tumour, which was caused by the blows to your head… I’m so sorry,” The doctor explained.

“I see… Is the tumour removable?” She replied.

“I’m afraid not… It is in an area of the brain that is heavily forced against your skull, not to mention being in part responsible for your movement. It would be impossible to remove without you losing too much bloor… Even if we could avoid the bleeding, the slightest damage to your brain would entirely paralyze you for the rest of your life…”

“I understand… Is the tumour still growing?”

“Yes…”

“How long do I have left?”

The doctor looked at his clipboard, and was afraid to reply. “It’s a question of hours…” He said. Even he was visibly depressed and moodless. “Make the most of it…” He said as a good wish, and left.

“Damn… That’s… Cold… Can’t the sisters help? Just make the tumour disappear, an-”

“No… I should’ve been able to beat them easily… We were trained well enough to fight one on five. I shouldn’t have had any difficulty facing off three… This is what I get, this is what I deserve…”

“Can you even hear yourself? By Celestia, come on!” Blossom replied. “Nopony deserves this… Knowing they have an hour to live? Nopony!”

“I accepted my fate when I signed up… I’m not afraid of death… But…” Her voice became less composed.

“Yes?”

Cobalt held a hoof out to her. “Will… Will you stay with me?” She asked, on the brink of tears.

“As long as you breathe,” Blossom replied.

“So… What will you do after Celestia’s school?”

“Haven’t thought of it really… I met a colt, so… You get the idea,”

“I never knew what I want to do… I just tried the hardest ways, to be stronger and better than before beginning... “ *Cough* “I guess this is the impossible way I chose,”

“Nothing is impossible… You just… Have to find the right way,” Blossom replied with grin.

“How long is left?”

“The doc said less than an hour… Around 30 minutes…”

“I feel bad… But not for myself… All of those… Eh, who am I kidding. Anypony would hardly turn up on my burial…”

“I’ll be there for one… The other guys… The General… Your family…”

“Talking of which… How’s Blaze?”

Bad topic… “Do you have anypony at home?”

“Only my little brother… Our parents managed to raise me just right, then bit the dust…”

“Sorry to hear,”

“At least you never knew yours…”

“You think that’s any better? Knowing you have been abandoned from the very start?”

“You’re right… Where do you think I will end up?”

“Heaven or Hell? Hard to tell…”

“I did so many things… Some I’m proud of, some ashamed… I don’t know anymore… Do you believe in any of them?”

“Nopony ever proved they exist… But… Nopony proved the opposite either…”

“What are you the most ashamed of, Blossom?”

She took some time to think. [20 minutes left] “Not being there with my brother… Wherever he is right now…” She admitted.

“Same… I wish I was there on my brother’s birthday… It was yesterday…” Cobalt replied.

“Would you like me to tell him a white lie, or… The cold truth?”

“Need I reply? I’m his sister… He will find out in time… Do what you find best…”

“How old is he?”

“10… My heart breaks to think he will be left alone…”

Like us… I don’t want him to end up like we did, but… What can I do? Adopt him? No way… We couldn’t take care of him with our daily routines… “I… If it’s any help, my friend, Blaze, and I can keep an eye on him…”

“You would make me die relieved…”

“Do you have a special somepony?”

“I wish… I’m not lucky enough. I guess I’m just not a mother figure…” They just stared at the ceiling for a while. [15 minutes left] “Blossom?”

“Yes?”

“Would you… Do me a favor?”

Oh, Celestia… What could it be? “Yes?”

“Would you… Write my will?”

Blossom produced a scroll and pen. “All good,”

“Dear friends and family…

I, Cobalt am long gone if you are reading, or hearing these words… The cause and reason of my demise have surely been explained to you, therefore, I will not waste your time…

I grew up knowing most of you, meeting some only later on… I was never the mare you would expect, and… Sometimes hard to like, or agree with… I want to thank you for all these wonderful years. The years you spent being my friends…

My time, as everything elses, is over walking among you, and am hopefully reunited with my parents way above… So high above, that no Pegasus can ever fly so high…

My little brother… You will be taken care of by ponies I dare trust with your safety. Consider them your best of friends, because your life will be in safe hooves so long you stay with them.

At last, I would like to make it clear… The family home, in which we lived, and everything I happened to possess is now inherited by my brother.

Shed no tears, friends, family… One day, we will meet again.

Good Bye

~Cobalt”

“Done… And… Dusted…” Blossom said, choking up.

[10 minutes left]

The clock ticked, the doctor paid his last visit. “Miss Blossom? Could you come for a moment?” He asked. Blossom left joined him outside the room as requested. “The last five moments will bring her a lot of pain… I’m giving you the chance to spare her from it… Either inject her with this, it will ease the pain, or unplug her machines… I can assure you, that it will be filed a death of tumour,” He explained.

Blossom took the syringe, and put it into her saddlebag. “Thank you,”

“It’s the most I can help…” The doctor replied, and left her with the choice.

Returning to the room she took her place at her friend’s side again. “It hurts so much to see you, knowing there’s nothing I can do…”

“I know… And yet you’re here… Why?”

[5 minutes left…] The electrocardiogram began to speed up, but not a whole lot. Cobalt began to grunt and turn in pain, so Blossom jabbed the syringe into her with a steady stab. The purple liquid entered her bloodstream.

“What else are friends for?” She wondered.

“I wish we would’ve met before…” Cobalt replied, resting at peace on her back again.

“I… I… I will find a way…”

“Thank… You…” She said, still holding Blossom’s hoof. Rays of Sunlight seeping in through the clouds and the window.

“Train Terminal Canterlot!” Yelled the inductor, and everypony left the train.

“Almost there… C’mon…” Blaze said, his company following behind, soon arriving to the throne room.

“Sergeant? Glad to see you made it…” One of the guards said in his surprise.

“So am I, comrade,” He replied, and knocked.

The door opened by the guards inside, allowing the two to pass. “Sisters,”

“Ah, Blaze. You’re back at last it seems…” Celestia exclaimed.

“With a request…”

“Oh?”

“She needs your help… Her tongue was taken by the Centaurs, and her wings clipped, so she can’t fly anymore. Can you help her?”

“We can see…” Luna replied, and casted a spell. Unfortunately, only the tongue could be fixed.

“D-Did it work?” Blaze wondered, looking at their friend.

“I- I guess it did…” She replied, followed by an expression of her gratitude.

“What is great power for, if not to help others with…” Celestia replied.

“So, what’s your name?” Blaze inquired.

“S-Sonis,” She replied.

“Would you wait outside?”

“Of course,” She responded, and left the room.

Blaze’s usual disciplined and relatively cheerful expression changed to the opposite. “Have you ever been to war?”

“I’m sorry?” Celestia said.

“Have you EVER been on the field during war?”

“Hardly… we-”

“And yet you chose to send the Night Guard instead of coming yourself…”

“We found it a worthy chance for them to practice,” Luna replied.

“Worthy practice? They gunned down every single Centaur,”

“Where’s the problem with that?”

“Not only their soldiers…” Blaze added. “You haven’t seen their faces… None of theirs…”

“You can’t possibly mean…”

“The Blood Moon… Remember? They said it’s a call to war… To take no prisoners… Luna, you’re the one responsible, and not me…” Blaze explained.

“How would I be responsible for what they do under YOUR command?”

“YOU are the one who controls the Moon… You let it happen. They killed them all… The women… The children… All of them…”

“I gave no such orders, Blaze,”

“Well, either have I. There must be something wrong…”

“I never told them what you said to be the Blood Moon’s meaning either… It’s just a natural occurrence, which is rare. All it is is the Moon turning a shade of red and appearing 30% larger… That is all,” The Angel of Dusk explained.

“It doesn’t change anything… The Centaurs are no longer… They are extinct, Luna…”

“I doubt… There might, just might be one more left alive…”

“Do you mean…”

“Right… Accept your congratulations for your return. After reading the reports of the Generals and Lieutenants, I find you worth the offer… Will you join the Night Guard?”

Time seemed to stop for Blaze… He clearly remembered Shadow’s warning. Do not accept… Those words echoed in his head. Yet he thought of it for a while. “What are the benefits?” He wondered.

“More authority. Including right to command any unit in the Royal Guard. Higher salary, much higher, an increase of your power and capabilities, ability to return from the dead, and access to every weapon ever invented or is yet to be invented,” She explained.

I can protect Blossom with it… With the money… I can provide her whatever she needs… She can be happy… “What must I do?” He wondered.

Luna got out of her throne, and stood in front of him. With a flash of magic, they were in the far end of Equestria, nopony else in sight. “Defeat me,” She replied. Another flash of magic, her armor and sword appeared.

“Are you serious? Why?” He asked, taking a step back, half ready for a fight.

“In case the Nightmare Moon incident happens again… You need to be ready to fight, even by yourself!” She replied, swinging her blade at him.

-Blaze dodged, followed by a jump to gain distance, drawing his swords mid air. Landing on both legs, this time he was ready for another attack. Remember… Don’t kill her…

-Luna cast a spell, trapping Blaze’s legs in stone.

-Blaze teleported out of it just before her blade hit the ground where he stood. “Not bad!” He exclaimed from behind, kicking her in the back. Luna flew several meters before landing, firing a beam of magic at him as soon as she could.

-Blaze summoned a shield, focusing just strong enough to withstand her attack. The two bodies of magic meeting caused a large explosion, which resulted in a large cloud of smoke to rise. Luna stopped her attack right away, waiting for the dust to fall.

-Luna lost sight of Blaze, the dust fell, he was nowhere. Seconds later she fell on the face, as her hooves were swept out from below. The turned to the side, Blaze pushed her against the ground with one leg, pointing a sword at her. “Well done…” She exclaimed. “But not enough!” She continued, throwing him off with a magic blast.

-Blaze was thrown into a tree, crashing through it. As soon as he took grip of the ground, he jumped back at her.

-Luna prepared to block, raising a shield spell, but Blaze disappeared before making impact. Luna looked behind, but was hit again from the original direction. “Gotya!” Blaze noted, pinning her to the ground. Her sword knocked away.

“I see you know enough…” She replied, panting. “You passed… I yield…” She continued. Blaze let her stand up, and the two returned to the throne room. Luna sat back on her throne. “Well done… From now, you are Soldier of the Night, and member of the Night Guard,” She exclaimed, and after a flash of magic, Blaze’s armor vanished. He was left unarmored, or so he thought…

He soon realized that his horn had disappeared, his armor became his skin, as if he had the same thing happen to his chest as his limbs. “You will not be disappointed,” He assured her, and headed back for their room.

Once arriving, he opened the door, revealing a sobbing Blossom on her bed. Her face buried in the pillows. Blaze slammed the door shut behind him to attract her attention. She looked at him with large, wet eyes. “B… Brother?” She wondered, throwing herself at him for a hug.

[End of Chapter 13]

Chapter 14: Unforseen consequences

The two met, Blaze gave in. He fell on his back, his sister in his grasp. They enjoyed the other’s presence for a while, then separated. “Okay, okay… Sis, I’m back,” He said.

“I missed you a lot! You scared the crap out of me!”

“Again,” Blaze added. “I had to be honest with you, you know that,” He continued, trying to save himself, when somepony knocked.

“Come in,” Blossom said. A colt stepped in, armor matching her siblings. The colt shut the door and saluted.

“Sir,” He exclaimed.

“At ease, what is it, Private?” Blaze replied.

“By command of General Crimson, I must ask you to follow me to her,” The soldier replied.

“Sure, lead the way,” Blaze said in return. Soon they arrived to the barracks, a mare awaiting them. She had limbs like Blaze.

“Ma’am?” Blaze asked, saluting.

“Sergeant Blaze, is it?” She wondered. Both on hind legs, Blossom next to her sibling.

“Yes, ma’am,” He replied.

“You are the last member we accept, I want you to know that well,”

“Yes, ma’am,”

“For now, I can only tell you what I told the others. The regiments will be completely reformed, be ready… Everypony will have these things,” She exclaimed, hinting at their limbs.

“Understood, ma’am,”

“And… Missy, you best keep your teeth shut as well,” The General addressed Blossom.

“Y-Yes ma’am,” She replied.

“Furthermore, now I must give out your weapons as well, ” The General continued. Turning her attention at a large wooden crate, it’s edges reinforced with metal. “Come, get em,” Blaze stepped forward, reaching. “At first, you must swear to me, -in the absence of the sisters- to only use them for the good of others. Not to pull the trigger, unless you must,”

“I swear,” He replied.

“Good, here’s your new equipment,” She replied, giving him an AK47, SPAS-12, a Colt-1911, a telescopic night stick, restrainers, a serrated bladed knife, telescopic sword, and badge for identification. The firearms attached themselves to the back of his chestplate, the pistol and the rest fit well onto his belt, his badge too. “At last, here you go,” She continued, his rank insignia appeared on the sleeves of his armor.

“Welcome to the Night Guard, Sergeant,” General Crimson exclaimed, saluting her subordinate, but new comrade.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Blaze replied, and saluted as well.

“Dismissed,” She replied.

The siblings left, on their way meeting up with Sonis. “Ah, I was looking for you,” She said.

“You did it, why?” He replied.

“You asked me to wait outside, since you finished with the Princesses, here I am,” She explained.

“Ah, yes. Sonis, she’s my sister, Blossom. Sis, she’s Sonis, a Turul whose tongue and wings the Centaurs took. The sisters solved her tongue, but no more,” Blaze introduced the two. The two greeted one another. They both exclaimed their pleasure to meet the other, and continued.

“So, I have received a message from my King and Queen. They request your immediate presence and apologize for the inconvenience,” Sonis explained.

*Sigh* “I see, I see. Come on, I’ll ask the sisters and we can go,” He replied. They followed him to the throne room.

“What a lovely company,” Celestia said.

“I see you met Crimson,” Luna continued.

“Yes, and I have a request… Two… Three, actually,” Blaze threw back.

“What would they be?” Celestia asked.

“First, I was asked again to leave to the Tuvale Basin. As an honorary leader of their kind, I have duties there as well… Second, I would like you to grant our friend, Sonis the Equestrian citizenship, third, I would like you to let Blossom come with me,” Blaze explained.

“Why would I? She should continue her studies,” Celestia replied.

“I’ll give her an official certificate then… If you can’t do as little,” Blaze threw back, visibly upset. He stormed out of the room, leaving even his sister and Sonis behind. To his dismay, Shadow was on the other side of the door.

*Thud* *Clank* *Groan* Blaze found himself on the ground. Shadow had hit him.

“Are you out of your mind?!” Blaze asked. Then cold metal fingers lifted him and pinned him to the wall.

“What did I tell you?” Shadow asked in return.

“Not to, but…”

“WHAT DID I TELL YOU?!” He asked again.

Two soldiers from the Royal Guard ran to them to solve the problem, but when they saw Shadow’s insignia, they left.

“Just… Hear me out!” Blaze said.

“I AM!”

“I did it for my sister… She… I can give her my salary… She’ll have everything she needs…” Blaze explained his motives.

“Oh. The money you get after killing? Right, if I would have been paid a single coin for each life I took, I wouldn’t be here today,” Shadow replied.

“What do you mean?”

“They will never pay any of us!” Shadow replied.

“They would never lie to us!” Blaze said with anger.

“They lied to you! Like they did to me. To us all! It wasn’t the first they lied to you either!” Shadow revealed.

“Bullshit!” Blaze replied and broke free, punching Shadow in the face.

“Your call. Show me what you can do, asshole!” Shadow replied, pulling his night-stick.

“Guys! Guys! Stop it!” Blossom threw in, afraid to intervene further.

“Stay out of this!” Blaze told her, drawing his own baton.

-Both took their distance, no guard dared to interrupt them.

“I was looking out for your benefit, guarded your ass all night, told you not to accept! You don’t know what I tried to protect you from!” Shadow said, Blaze took it as a taunt, and ignored.

-Blaze swung from the left, Shadow blocked his metal hoof. Having Blaze’s arm stuck, he kneeled him in the stomach, disarming him.
-Blaze dropped to the ground, grasping his stomach.
“H-How was it able to bend that way?” He asked.

“You thought you were the only one to get an upgrade? Think again!” Shadow replied, hitting him in the side of the head. Blaze fell over to the side, holding himself on an elbow.

“Go on. Finish what you started…” He muttered, taking deep breaths.

“I got my point across. I told you not to join as your friend. Now I showed you what to expect if you ignore my warnings as your superior. We are no longer friends…” Shadow said, turning his back on Blaze.

“Remember the last one who turned their back on me?” Blaze asked.

“Are you afraid to hit from the front?” Shadow asked in reply.

“I’ll get you one day,”

“I’ll make sure you will,” Shadow replied, kicking him straight in the face. His head bashed against the wall, knocking him out.

“Hey! I thought you were a nice guy! Come back, you mother fucker!” Blossom yelled after him. Sonis only watched in surprise.

Shadow turned around, drew his pistol and shot her twice. Blossom too dropped, next to her sibling while Sonis left to call for help.

Minutes passed, Blossom was still struggling to keep herself alive, let alone conscious.

“What happened?” She heard a guard ask.

“It was a Night Guard. He beat up the Sergeant and shot Blossom twice!” Sonis explained.

“One is a Night Guard, one is a civilian… Which one first, sir?” Asked a Royal Guard.

“Get the mare, take her to the emergency asap,”

“Yes sir,”

No… No! NO! Save him, idiots! She tried to call out, but she was unable to say a word. She was still lying on her side, Blaze inches from her.

“3… 2… 1…” A guard counted down, and put Blossom on a stretcher.

[Hours later]

Said a green text in the middle.

W-Wha? What the heck?

His eyes opened, he got out of bed and looked into a mirror.

“No! Heck no! NOOO! Celestia, please, god, no! Noooo! NOOOOOOOO!” He broke out in panic. Then bolted out of his nightmare, waking up in a hospital bed.

“It’s alright, Sergeant. You’re safe now,” Said a doctor.

“W-What happened?” Blaze wondered. Bandages around his head.

“You and Lieutenant Shadow had a confrontation. He is currently in court martial ,” Replied a Night Guard from the door, two of them stood at the door, one each side. They too had the same limbs, standing guard with their rifles drawn.
“Great… Anything else?” Blaze asked.

The doctor and the guards swapped glances. The guards slowly shook their heads, nervously. “Nothing,” The doctor replied.

“Spill the beans while you can,” Blaze warned him.

“Sir, you’ll know in time,” The other guard assured him.

“Fine… What happened to me?”

“You had a severe case of concussion of the brain, a cracked skull, a punctured stomach, and a dent on your left hoof…” The doctor explained. Blaze knew he wasn’t done.

“And?”

“We… We had to cast a special spell on you in order to replace your skull with the same material your whole body is made of now… You no longer need armor, but… Your brain functions just as well as it did before,”

Blaze lifted the blankets and looked down. Now his whole body was made of the same material, except for his organs. “Well, ups and downs…” He muttered.

“I can assure you that your skin, fur, organs and blood system is the original. If you wish, we can sign you up to an experimental procedure which will make you indestructible, without taking your sanity or free will…” The doc offered.

“Where do I sign it?” Blaze asked right away.

“UUUhhh…. I’ll get the papers…” The doc replied in surprise and left. On his way outside he ran into a few well decorated officers, who entered the room. The guards saluted, and the 4 ponies walked in, the door shutting behind them.

“Sergeant Blaze?” General Crimson asked. Shadow restrained and tied to her belt. He and Blaze gave one another a hateful gaze.

“Yes, ma’am?” He asked.

“The court is in progress. We would like to hear your side of the events, if you can remember it,” She replied. Another pony beside the General with a notepad. Luna being the fourth visitor, who only watched.

“Way back, when I had the food poisoning, he claimed he volunteered to be the one to guard me. He told me not to accept Princes Luna’s offer on joining the Night Guard, because I would regret it… I did join, and he started to offend me for it. He was the first to draw his night-stick, but I struck first…. He claimed we would never be paid, and the sisters lied to us all…” Blaze explained briefly. One of the guards left the room to guard the door from the outside, the other stood in the doorway. The group turned their attention at Shadow.

“Is that so, Lieutenant?” Luna asked, visibly pissed.

“Yes, your highness…” Shadow muttered.

“Speak clear when your Princess addresses you!” The door guard exclaimed, hitting him in the back with the butt of his rifle. Shadow only turned around and snarled at him, only to be hit again.

“Behave, Lieutenant…” Crimson said on an authoritative tone.

“Why should I? I know how it will end… According to the traditions and rules of the ancient Night Guard, I challenge the Sergeant to a fight. One to survive, if he wins he gets my rank. If I win, I get amnesty,” Shadow spoke up.

Luna turned her glance at Blaze. “Do you accept, Sergeant?” She asked.

“Any time…” He replied, climbing out of his bed.

“It is settled. In the name and honor of the ancient traditions, Lieutenant Shadow has challenged Sergeant Mithril Blaze to a death battle… The bet is the other’s rank and freedom. It will take place in the Canterlot barracks,” She said, the pony write all her words down.

“Sign here,” The assistant asked the Princess and the participants. The doctor arrived with the papers, which Blaze signed without reading, and the group headed to the named area.

As they arrived, the arena was cleaned and cleared. None allowed to inspect other than the Genera and Princesses. “Here are the rules… No firearms allowed, anything else is fine. Are you ready?” The General explained.

“As I can be,” Shadow replied.

“Bring it,”

“Why am I here again?” Celestia asked, having nothing to do with the Night Guard to begin with,

“Because you too remember our promise about Blaze and Blossom?” Luna asked her, whispering.

“Right…” Celestia said on a saddened tone.

“Begin!” The General yelled.

-The two took their positions again, waiting for the other to strike. Shadow drew his knife.

“I’ll rip you a new asshole with my bare hands,” Blaze taunted. Shadow struck, but Blaze disarmed him and threw him to the ground.

-Blaze grabbed Shadow’s hands and rested his right hind leg against his back, and started to pull. First a few metallic creeks, then snaps, and a loud scream echoed, accompanied by the sound to tearing flesh.

-Shadow fell face first onto the ground, unable to get up, yet not dead by the least. Blaze threw the limbs away, and approached.

“Have you learned not to play with fire?” He asked, hinting at his own name.

“Go, fuck yourself…” Shadow replied.

Blaze turned him to the other side, and held him in the air by the neck. “It didn’t have to end like this. I thought you were my friend,” Blaze explained.

Shadow only spat him in the face, causing him to drop him. Shadow used his magic to control the knife, while Blaze tried to get the spit out of his eye. Shadow launched the knife at him, but when the blade impacted Blaze’s chest, it simply broke to shards. Blaze reacted quickly enough, and used his magic to hold the shards. He fired them back at Shadow, the shards flew like a shotgun fired, and went bone deep in Shadow’s body, pushing him back again.

“I played long enough,” Blaze said, pulling his telescopic sword. Shadow stood up, well, on his haunches, dazed, exhausted, and worn down because of the blood loss. “Any last words?”

“Tell you sister, next time I’ll aim for her head…” Shadow replied.

At that moment Blaze heard his sister call his name. Turning around he saw her. While Blaze looked away, Shadow jumped, headbutting Blaze in the chin. “Brother, no!” Blossom yelled, but she was late. By the time Blaze heard her, they all stood in awe.

Blaze swung, and the group watched as Shadow’s head rolled on the ground. Blaze put his weapon away, and presented the remains to the sisters, who were there in silence.

The General was the first to speak up. “Impressive display, Sergeant Blaze…”She said, clo… Clapping.

“Or to be more precise… Lieutenant Blaze,” Luna threw in, congratulating him.

“Leave the body be, let the others see how the Lieutenant earned his place,” The General gave the orders, and the body was moved to display for a week. A morbid example of what disobedience earns. The General approached Shadow’s body, and removed the rank insignia, swapping it with Blaze’s.
Blaze saluted in response. “Thank you, ma’am,” He exclaimed.

“Well fought, well fought… Brutal, but effective. Just what I would love to see in any pony in my group,” She exclaimed as a compliment, and patted him in the shoulder. “Dismissed,” She continued, leaving him be. The sisters and the General left, while Blaze ran to his sister, her body patched with bandages.

“He wasn’t joking…” He said to her, pulling her carefully to a hug.

“I would’ve died gladly to have you live, big brother…”

“And would’ve took my job? No thanks…” He replied with a grin.

“I didn’t think he would do such…” She exclaimed, looking at the remains.

“Me either. But he’s gone now, forget about him. You’re safe… I will never let anypony hurt you again…”

“I love you, big bro…”

“I love you too, sis…”

[End of Chapter 14]

Chapter 15

Blaze remembered Sonis’ message, so he rushed to see her again, Blossom by his side. She didn’t seem too bothered by her wounds. They soon found her with the sisters. “She was just asking. There is a ship waiting for you,” Celestia informed them. The trio headed for the train station, and by dusk, they set sail. By noon, they arrived to the small settlement Blaze first set hoof in. The citizens recognized him right away. The mayor arrived in no time.

“May I be of service, my liege?” She asked.

“I’m no royalty, but am headed to hear them out,” He replied.

“I trust your partner shall accompany you and your friend,” The major replied, and bid farewell as the trio continued on their way to the capital. By dusk, they arrived. The guards at the castle stopped them, but only for a greeting. They hurried to the throne room, Blaze carried his rifle in hand all along.

“I was worried you wouldn’t show up. It’s been half a week,” Sigmis greeted them. “Come, we need talk,” He continued. The trio joined them, only to receive a visitor. A female Centaur, a single crown adorning her head. No weapons, no armor, no guards, no servants. Herself and her crown, accompanied by two Turul guards.

Blaze growled, impatient about the situation. The guards turned around and left the room, the door shut behind her. “Blaze, this is Princess Maxine, the last of the Centaur royal bloodline…” Avala introduced her.

Maxine approached Blaze, and respectfully held out a hand. “I heard things about you, both good and bad,” She exclaimed.

“No, thanks,” Blaze replied, refusing her greeting. “Why exactly did I spend 2 days walking with my injured sister again?” He asked from the twins.

“She came here to let us know that they are not extinct. She offered us to take her life, but let her people live,” Sigmis explained. “Avala chose to take hers, I didn’t. We trust you to decide,” He continued.

Blaze set his rifle to safety and drew a knife. “Gladly,” He replied. He took a step toward her, but the hand in which he held the knife wouldn’t follow. Blossom had hung onto it, pulling with all her strength. “What?” He asked.

“Come on, big brother!” She replied, her face showed both stress, pain, and sorrow.

Blaze sighed, and put his blade away. “I’m sorry… It’s just… Things were going out of control lately…” He apologized to all present, then gathered closer into a circle.

“What happened?” Maxine asked, trying to break the ice.

“Avala, Sigmis. Do you remember the colt who triggered the alarm?” Blaze asked.

“The first Night Guard to come see you? We sure do. How is he?” Sigmis replied.

“Turns out he wasn’t so much of a friend as we thought,” Blaze threw back.

“Oh?” Avala dropped in.

“He hurt my sister, tried to kill her, and kicked my ass too. I got him back for it. Ripped his limbs off and took his head myself… I got his rank, because of the traditions…” He exclaimed.

“Oh… Sounds bad…” Maxine threw in.

“So, what does that make you?” Avala asked, trying to cheer him up.

“First Lieutenant of the Night Guard,” Blaze replied. Maxine only flinched hearing it.

“So why the long face?” Sigmis asked.

“I didn’t ask Sonis to come, I suppose she wanted to,” Blaze replied, looking at said bird. She only nodded with a smile. “I didn’t ask my sister either… I just thought she would enjoy the scenery… I’m sorry, sis,” He continued. Blossom threw herself at him with a hug. Blaze felt forgiven, but embarrassed at the same time. He was a high ranked military and government official after all.

“Family first…” Maxine muttered. Her previous grin lied shattered on the floor, at which she gazed to willingly.

How the fuck could I bring up this topic?! I AM THE ONE WHO KILLED HER FAMILY! And then I have the nerve to bring mine along… Blaze blamed himself from then on. “I-I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to bring the topic up, an-”

“No… No… You know what? Fine. You won’t hear from us again, that I can promise,” Maxine replied, and left in a hurry. Blaze wanted to go after her, but Sigmis grabbed his shoulder.

“No… Give her time…” Blaze jolted free and ran after her. It didn’t help, Maxine ran on 4 legs, Blaze was no longer used to running on all fours, but managed to keep the pace up.

“Catch her for fuck sake!” He yelled. A dozen of guards joined in, finally getting her.

“LEt… Me, go. You damn…” She muttered, struggling in vain to be free.

“Look, are you willing to listen to me?” Blaze asked.

“So you can rub you killing my family in my face even more? No thanks!”

Blaze clenched his left hand into a fist. “I was doing my job, If YOUR parents and brother would’ve just sit on their asses they would be just fine!” He replied.

Maxine spat him in the face. Being the second time he got spat on her lost his temper.

“You piece of shit,” He said. He threw a single punch, a right hook. He didn’t only knock her out of the guards’ hold, but her crown flew off her head, landing with a loud clank and rolled on the cold tile floor. “Do you even know what I went through?!” He asked, barely holding himself back from another hit. The guards hurried to scrape her off the floor. She only coughed in response. “I took a spear through the chest by a Griffon. Got crushed by a catapult. Abandoned at birth by my parents. Left my sister behind when she needed me the most. Came here, worked my guts out, risked my life to stop YOUR hyperactive relatives. I got betrayed by a friend I thought was close, my sister almost died, and now YOU give me shit for doing my job?!” He asked, trying to calm himself. He signaled the guards to let her free, while he fixed her bent crown, standing before her with a held out hand, her crown in it. She looked at him with tears in her eyes, but not from the pain. Her left cheek had swollen up from the hit.

“Y-You’re right… I’m sorry… Th-This is exactly the mistake my parents made… They didn’t care about others…” She replied, accepting his hand. The guards returned to their shift, while the two walked back to the throne room. On their way, Blaze fixed her swell with a spell. (That rhymed… Kinda… Did it?)

“I see you two found a common ground,” Avala greeted them.

“And so we did,” Maxine replied.

“I vouch we accept their terms. We let them live, they let us. Give them a fresh start. Perhaps they too will make great allies to your kind,” Blaze told the twins.

“I believe we are free to offer a peace treaty in this case,” Sigmis threw in.

“I’m in,” Maxine said.

“Make it a three parter,” Blaze replied.

The treaty was written, and before signing it, they stopped to talk. “We, King and Queen Sigmis and Avala hereby agree the treaty on behalf of Tuvale Basin,” They said in unison.

“I, Maxine, the last descendant of the Centaur royalty, for the benefit of my people sign the treaty in hope of forgiveness,” She exclaimed.

“I, First Lieutenant Mithril Blaze, officer of the Equestrian Night Guard, on behalf of Princesses Celestia and Luna am in the freedom to sign the treaty. May it live as long as nothing before,” He said, holding out a hand above the parchment. Maxine put hers onto his, the twins joined.

“In the presence of two witnesses, the Eternal Union has been formed,” Said Avala, hinting at Sonis and Blossom. Blaze used a spell to make copies of it. One was given to Maxine, Blaze had took the other copy with himself.

“Is this all you needed me for?” Blaze asked.

“All we needed. You are welcome to stay as long you desire,” Sigmis reminded him.

“I’m grateful for the invitation and opportunity. However, we must return now,” Blaze replied.

“Your highness?” Sonis asked out of nowhere.

“Yes?” Avala asked.

“It would be an honor if I was allowed to live by the Chosen of the skies. With permission from you all, I would join them,” She explained. The twins approved.

Blaze and Blossom swapped glances and looked back with a grin. “We can fit one more bed into the room,” Blossom replied.

“I’m looking forward to fight by your sides, twins, Blaze,” Maxine said before the trio teleported back. This time Blaze had enough energy to pull the spell off, since he got way stronger by all means with the promotion. It even included a whole lot of knowledge.

In seconds they found themselves in their room. It was a bad timing for Daar and Blaze to meet, but had to come one day regardless. “I… I take that you must be Daar,” Blaze said.

“The one and unfortunate,” He replied, holding a hoof for a bump.

Blaze bumped it with his. “Heard about you. Listen, you know why I wr-”

“I do, I do… I know, I don’t blame you. Nice to finally see you face to face,” Daar cut him off.

The females silently left the room and let them talk. “So, when is the wedding?” Blaze asked with a grin.

Daar knew it was a joke. “Tomorrow?” He replied.

“So, what do you plan? Have you come up with anything? Any plans?” Blaze wondered. “Hey, I won’t tell her a single word. Be honest,”

“I don’t know, man… I’m actually scared shitless that I screw up and get you after me…”

“Come on. If you don’t cheat on her, you’ll be fine. If you break up, make it gentle,”

“Fine? Like the Lieutenant ended up? Yeah, I see what you did there,”

“On the other side, would you not want a brother in law who has connections?” Blaze asked with a grin.

Daar sighed. “The only reason I’m with the is because I really do love her,”

“I believe you. Listen, if you want children, I don’t mind. As long as you don’t go too much into detail on the how to s,”

“I got it, boss,” Daar replied with a grin.

“So, how’s the workshop going?”

“Pretty well. How do you know?”

Blaze pointed at his rank insignia. “The walls have ears too,” He replied with a grin.

“I see, I see. Well, Congrats on your career. I have to go, someone must keep an eye on the employees,” Daar replied, bidding farewell.

2 years later

Blaze was in their room, sitting at his bed. His whole body made of the plates which served as protection. He had undergone the surgery he signed blindly as well. His bones replaced by Celestium rods, his swords from the twins remained. His guns taken, as he was granted arcane access to the whole arsenal. He looked to the side, his old trainee’s armor rested untouched since the day he met Sigmis. At this time, he was 28 years of age. He walked up to the armor stand, the bright golden tinted helmet in his grasp made was in contrast with his dark plated body, made of Nightmarium (Alloy, made of Lunite and Celestium). The light shining through the window reflected off the helmet, and Blaze saw himself in it. His first day with the guys, the General, those who had fallen, Shadow… His trip down memory lane was interrupted by knocking on the door. He went to answer it. It was Blossom and Daar. “Why the knock? It’s as much yours as it is mine,” He said to them, letting them enter. The pair trotted into the room and sat down. “What’s the long face?” Blaze asked.

“We… We made a huge decision, big brother…” Blossom replied.

“Oh?”

“We’re getting married next week,” Daar continued.

Blaze jumped at his sibling, pulling her into a hug. “Look at you, sis… That fragile little flower grew into such a glooming rose…” She blushed in reply. “Come on, get in here… Give me a hug, brother in law,” He said to Daar, who didn’t resist.

“I’m glad you take it so well,” Blossom said. She wore her usual work attire. She had graduated from Celestia’s school and finished several quick courses at universities. As for Daar, he gathered nothing but dust and age, which was hard to spot on him.

The trumpets began to play, and Blaze had to left. “See you two soon,” He said, and ran to the event he had almost missed. The troops were gathered, first the Royal Guard’s reserves, then the lower ranked to highest, and after them came those on duty that day. Their shift was taken by the Night Guard for the day.

“Ladies and Gentlecolts,” Said an announcer. “It is my honor to present to you your superiors in person, for whom you fight till you live, and had sworn to defend....” The announcer continued. Four Alicorn Princesses and a Unicorn walked into front of them, whom all had saluted, behind the fourth stood two Earth pony, two Pegasi, and a Unicorn: The elements of harmony. “Soldiers, please welcome your highest ranked comrades, those who one day stood where you are now,” After that, Blaze, Onyx, and Crimson walked up to the royals. After a salute, Gen.Onyx was the first to greet them with a hoof shake, then came Crimson and Blaze at last. Celestia was the first he saluted.

“You’ve grown so much in our eyes…” She said in reply.

Then Blaze went to Luna. “Call Blossom after we’re done here. We have something to tell you,” She exclaimed. Next was Cadence.

“The pleasure is mine,” She said with a grin.

“Good to have a friend like you,” Prince Shining Armor said.

At last, Twilight and the elements. Blaze stood in front of her, the two knew one another for a while, yet it was the first time Blaze saw her with wings. He saluted her as much as the others. “I’m looking forward to work with you, Princess,” He said jokingly.

After the greetings were done, the royal sisters took on. “Soldiers, Royal Guard. Hereby we announce the reformation of our entire military system. You will be required to have these limbs installed in order to continue your career, or you will be dismissed,” While Celestia said so, Crimson stood beside her to demonstrate said limbs.

“They are installed painlessly and will serve as your hooves and hands. You will also receive an enhanced spine, something which was experimented for a while. After observing the performance of my comrade, Major General Mithril Blaze, it has been decided that the program will begin next week. You have 6 days to decide,” She continued.

“For further questions, step forward now. Give us your name, rank, addressed official and question,” Gen.Onyx spoke up. The Senior Officers stood closest to them, but only a few had questions. A colt stepped forward.

“Eye Storm, Warrant officer, Major General Blaze. What are your opinions on this program?” Asked the colt.

“I admit, it is the first time I hear about it. However, I can’t wait to see you become more powerful defenders of our homeland,” He replied.

A mare took his place. “Amethyst Rain, Lance corporal, Princess Twilight. What are your experiences with the Night Guard?”

“Please refrain to questions with the program. Thank you,” She replied. Nopony had any questions left. Blaze left to get Blossom, and went to the throne room. The guests too were present. Even Sonis was there.

“Ah, come, come…” Luna said as a greeting. The trio drew closer, and those present gathered in a circle.

“We have to tell your your origin. Blaze, Blossom… Your parents did not abandon you,” Celestia began the tale.

“What?” The siblings asked in surprise. “What happened then?” Blossom asked.

“I had a feeling you were hiding something,” Blaze noted.

“Your father, Ardent Blaze served in the Royal Guard. He was a loyal and trustworthy pony. However, as General Onyx has told you, the higher your rank, the higher risk you are at. He too knew it well, yet he kept working. That is what caused his demise,” Celestia continued.

“But… What about mother?” Blossom asked. Blaze was staring blank at the ground. His mother’s words echoing in his head.

“You will know when you get older,”

“She… She couldn’t take it… Every time she looked at you, you reminded her of him…” Luna said to Blaze.

“Wait. Where was I?” Blossom asked.

“Unborn yet. While I altered your memory, Luna helped her give birth to you and aged you both,” Celestia explained.

The siblings took it hard… Blaze facepalmed, swiping away any escaped tears, while Blossom just teared up. Twilight, the elements, Cadence, Armor and Sonis left the room, leaving the four inside. “He was right…” Blaze muttered.

“What?” Celestia asked.

“Shadow was right! You DID lie to me!” Blaze yelled, a stomp cracking the floor beneath.

“Behave yourself. We did what we found best for you. You have to understand,” Luna replied.

“Why not let US tell what’s best of us? Is freedom so much to ask for?” He asked.

“We promised her we would raise you like our own…” Celestia replied.

“Well… Thanks for telling us,” Blossom said, and the two left.

Returning to their room they sat onto their beds. Blaze buried his face into his hands. He sat there, not making a single sound, while Blossom tried to cheer him up. “Sis. Not now. Please,” He said, leaving the room. Blossom sat still. She too was confused and unsure. She looked across the room, clearly divided into two parts by an undrawn line. On the right was her and Daar’s bed, the wall adorned by her prizes she had won on studies and such. The left was Blaze and Sonis’ bed. The wall was plain bricks, not much decoration. His old armor, a few medals, and some of Sonis’ belongings. She stood up from her bed and walked over to the armor stand.

She stopped to think back. She could see her sibling full flesh and blood, standing in front of him. His armor the brightest shade of gold. She could see him smile and salute, like on his first day. “I wish I could turn back time… To the good old days…” She muttered. She walked over to her side, in front of her large mirror. Just what could he had seen? I’ve never asked what he’s been through… He gave his whole body for the nation… The sisters… For me… I never thanked him… She thought, then suddenly felt a hoof on her shoulder.

Blaze made his way into the Canterlot graveyard. In there, the graves of his fallen friends: Cobalt and Silver. Their graves were put next to each other, facing the fence of the graveyard. Blaze stood there as it began to rain. Could I have saved them? Did I try hard enough? He asked himself while staring blank. No, I didn’t… He came to the conclusion, as he sat down, his back against the back of Silver’s headstone. “I’ve got your backs now, guys…” He muttered, as the rain mixed in with his tears. He laid there for a while, then stood up. Taking some distance from the graves, he reached out with his left hand. “Thou, who lies in stone and clay… Heed my call, rise and obey [...]”

A hoof reached out from underneath both graves. Flesh, skin and fur perfectly covering them.

"Celestia have mercy..." A colt said in shock, paralized from what he saw.

[End of Chapter 15]

Chapter 16: The ultimate sacrifice.

Author's Note

Here's a link to one of the documents the Generals received.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14voKHryLTw2Uj8ZcOMhiuFny8t6u5RycnFmi4vQJn9c/edit

Chapter 16: The ultimate sacrifice.

The two climbed out of their graves, standing beside their friend. “Blaze? Wha- Who… Why?” Cobalt asked.

Blaze, however was busy thinking of a way to silence the colt. I have no other option… “Hey, kid. Come here for a sec,” Blaze said, crouching in front of the colt.

“Y-Yes?” He asked, slowly approaching.

“Listen closely… Okay? Can I tell you a secret?” Blaze asked, a hand behind his back.

“Y-Yes… Of course,”

“Two can only keep a secret if…”

“I-If wh-”

“If one of them is dead…” Blaze replied, his knife deep in the colt. Blood slowly pouring through his cold metal weapon, then hand. He stabbed the colt, the foal rather several times so it would die sooner. Then he stood up, the body slung over his shoulder, bloody knife in his other hand. The turned to the left, and tossed the body into one of the now empty graves.

“B-Blaze… Why? What was that for?” Silver asked, he too in panic.

“You two saw nothing,” He replied.

“You can’t pretend this didn’t happen! I too have a little brother!” Cobalt threw in.

Blaze switched his knife for his pistol. “Would you rather go back in there?” He asked, pointing at the free grave.

“We’ll shut up…” They replied in unison.

“Good. Go, find the General. Tell him you just woke up in the forest. You didn’t see me, understood?” Blaze asked.

The two nodded and left, happy to live once again. Blaze on the other hand, dropped to his knees, and fixed the graves up as if nothing had happened, but when he was done he didn’t leave just yet.

[6 months later]

The Generals were summoned to the throne room, where each of them received an abundance of papers. They were asked to read them asap. Blaze had brought his stack back into his room. He laid the stack of papers onto his desk, Sonis just coming in. “Hi,” He said.

“Hello, am I bothering?” She replied.

“You too live here… Since they moved out, I’ve been alone anyway,” He replied.

“Ah, I see. I assume you had work to do, so I will keep quiet,”

“Thanks,” Blaze said, and Sonis began to read a book at her desk.

By dusk, Blaze finished reading and returned them to the sisters.

[Another 6 months later]

Blaze, Crimson and Onyx stood in the throne room, a government official by their side. She was documenting the events. The trio saluted, then stood silent. By then Onyx too had the artificial limbs. “So you have chosen your regiments,” Celestia said.

“Yes, ma’am,” They replied.

“We received the reports. Congratulations to all of you. You have exceeded our requirements, and are eligible to take your place in your chosen regiment,” Luna continued.

“As for the troops, they too have passed their trainings. Therefore,” Celestia continued, then looked at the official. “We hereby announce General Onyx of the S.S.R, General Crimson of the R.M.P, and General Blaze of the Special Operations,” The sisters said in unison.

The Generals saluted the sisters, then one another for their successes. Their armor too had changed to go according to regulations. Blaze, however, has lost his plating. The only metal he had on him were his limbs and weapons. “If you have no questions, you may leave,” Celestia said. None of them had any questions, so they turned to leave.

“Gen. Blaze. Stay for a minute,” Luna continued.

He remained inside as requested. “Yes?” He asked.

“We would like to let you know, that your new body is a mere gift from us… And that you shouldn’t be surprised if you don’t get as many troops in your regiment as the others. You know, the Spec Ops are to be the best of the best. Any soldier from any regiment can apply to join,” Celestia explained. He acknowledged them and left to the barracks. Once he arrived, the drill instructor yelled.

“Attention!” Then stood in salute. The trainees were on tryout, but they did know the basic commands, so they too saluted.

“SSG,” Blaze said as a greeting.

“Tryout under progress sir,” She replied.

“How much left?”

“The faces only,”

“Mind if I watch?”

“Not at all, sir,” She continued, her rifle on safety. “You heard him. I’ll say the faces, you do them in the same order. Remember: One mistake is fine, one more and you’re out,”

“Ma’am, yes, ma’am,” They replied.

“Left, Right, About, About, Front, Left, Left, Right, About,” The trainees followed the instructions well, but on the last one, one of them made a mistake by turning around over their left shoulder. “Second mistake. Leave the area,” The instructor said. The trainee headed to leave, but Blaze stopped him.

“Back in the line,” He said.

“Sir? Don’t you know the rules?” Asked the instructor.

“I’m the big dog. I lead the regiment. I make the rules, unless you have a different idea,” He explained.

“As you say, General…” She replied, the trainee was allowed to continue.

“Congratulations. You are now Privates of the Spec Ops. Don’t ruin our reputation, or else I’ll make an example of you as well,” Blaze informed them, reminding them of Shadow’s fate.

“Sir, yes, sir!” They replied.

“Dismissed,” Blaze said, the troops left, so did he. He was seeing to find his friends among the crowd. He failed, as is was full chaos… Trainees everywhere, some with some without rank insignia, making it impossible to find anyone. After spending two hours doing so, he was approached by Luna.

“Blaze, we need to talk,” She said,

He saluted and waited for her to speak.

“Is it true that you let a failed trainee through?” She asked.

“Yes,”

“Why?”

“Because I can,”

“We’ll see how you like that reply…” She said, and left.

Later that night he left for a walk through the barracks. He walked down the dirt road, each side full of large tents. On one side, he found the instructor. “Staff Sergeant, we need to talk…” He addressed her.

“On guard duty, sir. Cannot leave,” She replied.

“You do what I say, or else.” He said, threatening.

“Threatening a comrade? I start to doubt your capabilities…”

“Offending your superior? You come with me, now,”

“Yes, sir,” She replied, and walked beside him.

“So, I heard you made a complaint about me,” Blaze noted.

The Staff Sergeant knew she was in trouble. “Yes, sir,”

“Why?”

“I found it best, so mistakes can be corrected,” She explained.

“I see… I have one question for you,”.

“Yes?”

“Since when was it YOUR job to judge your superiors?”

“Well, I…”

By the time, they had walked out of the castle. “Were you in the Royal Guard before?”

“Y-Yes, sir,”

“And yet you dare judge an ex Night Guard. You have the courage... “

“T-Thank you sir,”

“Too much of it,”

“Sir?”

“You tried to correct my mistake. It’s time I return the favor,” Blaze replied, drawing his knife.

“Sir, you can’t mean…” She tried to say, but she had a knife to dodge. She leaned out of the way.

“It’s fight or die, here and on the field,” Blaze told her, ready to fight.

“As you wish,” She replied, her knife in hand also.

-She swung, but Blaze disarmed her. Her knife lodged into the ground behind Blaze. “Nice try,” He said.

-Blaze threw his knife, but she dodged. As soon as she could, she pulled her telescopic sword. “No wonder I’m in Spec Ops,” She replied.

“Well, after we’re done, you’ll be in hospital instead,” He taunted.

-She swung, Blaze blocked. The Blaze got stuck between two metal plates of his arms. With a single move, he broke the blade.

-Only holding on to the hilt, she threw it away.

“What now? Pull a gun?”

“Might as well,” She said, pulling her rifle.

Before she could fire, Blaze stabbed his telescopic sword into it. Both became unusable. Blaze pulled his swords he got from Sigmis. “Anything else?”

She pulled her shotgun and fired, but Blaze summoned a stone wall with his magic. In her panic, the Staff Sergeant emptied her shotgun into the wall, hoping to break through, but as she ran out of ammo Blaze cut her weapon to pieces. She had no choice, but her night stick as last resort.

“Time to wrap it up,” Blaze said, and beat her half dead. Then he knocked her out and called the others, pretending to have found her. While she was taken to hospital, he went home and slept. The next morning two RAC troops paid him a visit. They both wore their ACS’s, minigun in hand.

“General. You must follow. Direct orders from Princess Luna,” One of them said.

“Sure,” He replied and followed. Once they arrived, the troops left.

“Congratulations. You earned yourself a demotion,” Luna said as a greeting.

“What did I do?” Blaze asked.

“The same Staff Sergeant who reported your mistake was put into a coma last night…”

“And I was the one who reported it. Did you forget?”

“No, that’s the more suspicious, don’t you think?”

“What did you expect me to do? Would you rather had me leave her die there?”

“Don’t YOU think it would be interesting that you were the one she did wrong to, and you were the one to save her? The one who would be the least suspicious?” She asked.

“You’re good. Real good… But this time you missed. Blame me once again and you’ll see what I could’ve given her,” He replied.

“Threat me again. I dare you. I dare you to do it, and you’ll see what the light hides from during night,”

“Then we have an agreement,” Blaze said, turning his back and leaving. As he left, the same RAC guys waited for him.

“Where to?” One of them asked as they blocked his way.

“Either past, or through you,” He replied.

“I doubt so,” Said one, swinging for a punch. Blaze caught the fist, and crushed it with a single hand.

“Last thing you’ve done, son,” Blaze exclaimed, and soon the ACS was punctured by his trademark spikes from below. Blood seeping through the openings. Then Blaze looked at the other one.

“I-I didn’t know he would do that… I swear!” She replied.

“Good,” He replied, and dragged the body back to the throne room.

“What’s the meaning of this?!” Luna asked with anger.

“He tried to kill me, this RAC unit can confirm,” Blaze replied. The mare standing beside him.

“Is it true?” Luna asked.

The soldier saluted, then the face plate of her suit slid open. “Yes, ma’am. I can confirm that RAC Sergeant Silver Glaze deserted by attempted harm of superiors,” She replied.

“I start doubting you, Blaze. Do NOT make me regret nominating you for the Spec Ops General,” Luna informed him.

“If you won’t blame stuff on me, I will. I will…” He replied, and left for good that time. The RAC soldier walked by his side.

“Sir?”

“Yes?”

“I- It it true that the Night Guard soldiers were immortal?”

“I don’t know. I never got to be resurrected,” He replied.

“Understood. Do you think ex Night Guards are still so if it was true?”

“We will see in time. Then again, Shadow didn’t seem to be revived when I took his head,” He explained.

“Thank you sir. I believe this is where I part off,” She said, and turned a corner.

Blaze continued on his way and paid his sister a visit. By then she and Daar were married, even had two foals. Blaze arrived to the door and knocked. Seconds passed, Daar opened the door. “Ah, come in, come in, brother in law!” He said, welcoming him. “Come, sit,” He said.

Blaze took a seat as asked to. “Who was it, honey?” Blossom asked from upstairs.

“Come, see for yourself!” Daar replied.

Blossom trotted down the stairs, holding one of the foals with her magic. “Oh, big bro. Nice to see you,” She said with a greeting. Daar took the foal off from her. She went and hugged him in no second.

“I see you’re just fine, sis,” He replied. “Have you found a job yet?”

“No… Not yet…” She replied. “The workshop is making just enough to pay the employees, and to last us some food,” She continued.

“Good thing I brought this,” Blaze replied, giving her a small bag of money.

“No, no, bro, we… We can’t accept that…” She insisted.

“I have no need of it, but I’d rather give it to you than have any other slacker get it,” He explained.

“We… Fine… Thank you, big bro,” She replied.

“Any time, sis. Okay, it was nice seeing you again, but…”

“Duty calls,” Daar threw in.

“Later, bro in law,” They bid farewells. Things were calm as they could be. The troops trained, the nations lived, evolved, traded… Until one day order was given. An elite group of all regiments to transfer to the Crystal Empire. That meant every General with their own regiment. A hundred of troops chosen by the Generals themselves. Transport choppers made the travel time short, once arrived, the regiments rallied up again.

The Generals stood in front, while the Crystal Guard too visited them, only to protect their royalty. Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor. Cadence stood in front. “Mares and colts, welcome to the Crystal Empire. I must ask the Generals to follow me. The rest remain,” She exclaimed. The mentioned officials followed, while the RAC Gen. was stopped by the guards.

“No face, no pass,” One of them said.

“No pass, no life,” The Gen. replied, his gun spinning without fire.

Blaze grabbed the shaft of the guard’s halberd, and broke it off with a single hand. “Next thing is your spine,” He said. The guards gave way.

Cadence lead them into a safe room where none else heard them. “Alright, thank you for coming first of all… Even if you had no other choice… The situation is, King Sombra may return. We had reports of Dark clouds in the distance,” She explained.

“We will do what we must, ma’am,” Onyx replied.

“That is what I’m afraid of… I don’t want innocent casualties… You don’t even live here, I cannot ask you to die for the kingdom…”

“Nonsense. Orders and priorities are the first,” Blaze reminded her.

“Thank you for your efforts, none the less,” She said, and they returned to their tasks.

[1 month later]

The troops were still in the Empire, on top of their guards. Eventually, the guards filed a report requesting the royals examine something they had killed on patrol. They paid a visit, but the Generals insisted to join. They brought 10 troops each. On their way they moved in a certain formation. The royals in the middle, surrounded by Spec Ops, a line of SSR, RMP and at last the RAC in the outside, forming a wall. Once they arrived, the RMP’s noticed something off…

“Sir? Why are their eyes green and yellow?” Asked one of them from Onyx.

Soon the Crystal Guards who waited for them drew their weapons and attacked, but were taken down easily. The RMP’s shot them from behind the RAC’s riot shields. As soon as the attackers were taken down, large crystal walls surrounded them.

“A trap!” Crimson said. Everypony prepared to die if must. Soon Sombra himself made an appearance. Before he could take shape, the miniguns began to fire, bursting through rapidly through the dark smoke.

“Yeees… Hatred and aggression… Ah, just my favourite…” He said, circling around the group. The RAC’s kept walking in a circle, sideways to keep him in sight.

“Leave at once, or be killed!” One of the SSR’s addressed him.

“And you shall,” He replied.

He flew into the crowd, hitting most SSR and RMP’s. They shot themselves right away. The RAC’s too were hit, their suits were heavily damaged, but were still able to move.

“Remember guys. Final stand!” Crimson reminded them.

Sombra took shape in front of them, and cast a spell which paralyzed them all. “Fine soldiers… I could use a few of you… What do you say? Fight for me, and you get what you desire…” He said.

“Never!” Onyx replied.

“How about you… Gen. Blaze? Do you not want even MORE power?”

“You’re right… I do… Let me join you,” He replied.

“Yes! Finally!” Sombra replied.

“Let me free, so I can kill them myself,” Blaze asked.

“Yes! YES! Prove your loyalty!”

Blaze could move again. He slowly walked toward Sombra. “I will join you…”

“No!” Crimson yelled.

“IN HELL!” Blaze shouted. Before anyone could react, he grabbed Sombra and teleported both of them away.

As they disappeared, the palisis ended. “Oh, no… No no no no no no no!” Crimson began to mutter, having a clear idea on what Blaze has just done.

“What’s the prob-”

A huge explosion shook the ground. Both the skies and ears echoed from it. The shock wave reached the group. Crimson only took her helmet off and saluted. “Honored to have been in the same regiment before,” She said, as if she was talking to Blaze. The remaining troops joined her salute to remember him.

“What did he do?” Armor asked.

“The Night Guard’s soldiers were granted with an ability. It was our last resort. Our bodies were made of darkness, dark matter to be precise. It was an unstable material. With that, we had the ability to trigger a chain reaction leading to a large explosion… He teleported away so we would not meet the same fate…”

A former Night Guard suddenly spoke up. "It is the end of the line of the final journey... The enemy's leaving the past..." She quoted, having been to the Tuvale Basin. A few others joined in.

"It's the Equestrian troops and the Crystal Army joining together at last..." They said to fit the situation.

Since the threat was eliminated, the bodies were taken home. In Blaze’s absence, it was up to Sonis to bring word to the twins, who in reply erected a marble statue of their fallen friend.

The royal sisters honored him as a national hero.

One morning, Blossom opened the entrance door of her home… Only to find a small scroll on the doorstep, wrapped in a black ribbon. She only picked it up with teary eyes.

The end.

She finished reading a book, which she folded shut with her magic. She and Daar were well in their elder years. Their children looked up at their uncle from what their parents told them. As so, one chose to join in his hoofsteps. She stood tall, and saluted. Her left shoulder bore an insignia not anypony can have. Colonel of the Spec Ops.

“Mother?” She asked, reaching for the book.

“Yes,” She replied, giving the book to her.

She returned to the grave, and laid the book to rest on his gravestone. The book’s title said the following: Guards: The untold story of a soldier.

[The End, for real this time]

Chapter 6: "I hope you die in a fire"

[Thursday]

Blaze woke up confused. He didn’t know what had happened, but just seconds later he had other things to worry about, such questions as. Why can’t I see anything? Why don’t I feel my limbs? Why can’t I move? He soon found out why.

“50 more cc’s of adrenaline…” He heard a male voice say.

Am I… In a hospital? What the buck happened? He wondered.

“Heartbeat rocketing…” A nurse exclaimed, as Blaze heard an ECG unit beep faster and faster. (Electrocardiograph). Blaze felt something stinging, he found out it must have been a needle. He began to calm down, knowing he’s in a good place, though he was running out of patience lying on the table.

“Celestia have mercy… Look at this…” The doctor said. The next thing Blaze heard was a nurse gasp, followed by a loud thud. The doctor has dropped something heavy onto one of the side trays.

“Uhm… Doc?”

“What?”

“Readings show an increased amount of adrenaline. It’s natural generation has increased… The patient is awoken and aware…” A nurse warned him.

“Inject a double dosage of sedatives.”

“Are you sure it’s a double?”

“He’s from the Royal Guard. His system needs more, it’s stronger than that of an average pony,” The doctor explained. The nurse did as told to, and soon Blaze blacked out again. He woke up in a Canterlot hospital, he felt his limbs as if they were made of lead. He looked at the ceiling, then at himself… They were… Well, his limbs were replaced with steel replacements.

“WHAT THE BUCK?!” He didn’t know what he was. Pissed? Grateful for the doctors not leaving him as he was? Shocked? Just as he was starting to get used to the news, he heard a familiar voice.

“Glad to see you’re alive at last…” Shadow greeted him.

“How long have yo-” Blaze stopped. He was surprised to see Shadow in his usual part of the room.

“What? You thought I was going to miss a reason to see you again?” Shadow greeted him.

“W-What happened?” Blaze wondered.

“Easy now. You’re fine at least. Now… The doctors asked me to tell you a few things…” His visitor said as he stood down by his bed. “But honestly, did you expect me to remember a long-ass speech they came up with? I’ll get to the point…”

“Are the others okay? Did… Did we win?”

“First of all… You were crushed by a rock launched from a catapult. If it wasn’t for a classmate of yours, you would not be here right now…”

“Who was it?” Blaze wondered.

“A Unicorn… You must know from that…”

Comet… I’ll have to thank her… “Yes, go on,”

“How she saved you I don’t know, but she might explain if you ask… Your classmates are live and well… Better than you are anyway. All except for one…”

“Oh, no… Who is it?” Blaze asked.

“A Pegasus colt. His name was that of a metal and something only Pegasus ponies have,”

“Silver Feather?” Shadow nodded. “Huh, how did he go?”

“It is best I tell you later… For now we have to make su-”

“HOW DID HE DIE?!” Blaze yelled. Shadow threw himself at Blaze, pinning him to his bed.

“Yell at me one more time and I’ll make sure Cobalt saved you in vain. Understood?” Shadow asked. Blaze only nodded. “Get out of the bed, and try walking usually,” Shadow said to him.

“Well, if you’re the tough guy, why weren’t YOU there at the camp?”

“You know, I came here to help you as a friend, because I wanted to. Not because of an order. You either do what I say, or you can figure out everything on your own,”

“Okay… Okay…” Blaze got out of his bed and stood on all fours as usual. “They feel heavy…”

“See if you can walk,”

“Yep, sure seem so…”

“Now rise to your hind legs,”

“What?”

“Do it. They told me you should be able to do it,”

Blaze did as told to, and slowly, but surely he rose to his hind legs, somehow keeping his balance was easier than when he tried the same before. “How is this…”

“They literally gave you a new spine. This one is more functional for this…”

So that’s what the doc threw onto the tray… “And what are these smaller plates?”

“On your forehooves? Go ahead, here’s my halberd. Try to hold it at first,” Shadow offered.

“Sure. If you can pass it over,”

“Nope, you’re going to come over here for it and take it… You need to learn the basics…”

“When the heck am I going to need all this?”

“You have no idea what you’re thinking of passing up. Do you even know how much you can do with what you’re given? You could be the most efficient and most deadly one of all the Royal Guard! And you’re going to just keep acting like nothing happened?!”

*Sigh* “Fine. You convinced me…” Blaze said, and the two spent the rest of the day training him.

[Friday]

“Thanks for that… I can’t wait to get back to the others…” Blaze exclaimed, after finishing their practice.

“Now that we’re done… You may now know how Silver died, that is if you still want to…” Shadow reminded him.

“I do,”

“You know. You were outnumbered, so you had to call a retreat. Quite a few had died, trainees and veterans alike. Obviously, this means there were more groups of trainees than just yours. Now… Silver’s case was different... “

“What happened?”

“By the time we got there some survivors were taken hostage… They told us to back off and leave, or else the hostages would be killed. Mainly our task was to save as many of you as we could, so we agreed to leave, but only if they release the prisoners…”

“And what happened?”

“They said they would release them after we left to make sure we hold our word, so…”

“So you…?”

“Before we could reply most of the hostages replied before us… They acted like just what they were… Soldiers… They insisted that they would not be released, then began to sing our anthem…”

“What happened? Damn it!”

“They were bound in ropes and chains… Unicorns had their horns broken off, Pegasi were de-winged… They were burned alive at the spot, in front of our eyes…”

“What?! And you just stood there and watched?!”

“You know what was the worst part about it? Not a single one of them made one damn sound… Not a grunt, not a moan… They took it like nopony could, and went down like true heroes, Blaze…”

“Do I have to ask again?”

“Would YOU deny your comrade the death of a hero? Would you deny them a soldier’s greatest honor?”

“You’re right… Why was Silver’s death different though?”

“He was killed AFTER the others. They made his watch the others, making sure he knows what’s going to happen to him soon enough.”

“Thanks again… I have a few Griffons to drive into extinction…” Blaze said, turning to leave.

“Do what you feel right… As long as you and I don’t meet on opposing sides.” Shadow warned him before letting him go. Blaze made his way back to the barracks, where he found his classmates having another class. As soon as they saw him they stopped right away. He could clearly see both relief and concern on their faces, even on that Onyx as they drew closer to him. After assuring them he was well enough to continue, he joined the class.

“So… Comet?”

“Yes?”

“Somepony once told me..." The world was gonna row me "I have something to thank you for,"

“Not for the basics…”

“How exactly did it happen?”

“We were told to retreat. We did so. We set up camp further from the town, out of their range. I insisted I go out for you, because we noticed your absence…” Comet explained.

“Indeed she insisted. She came back half dead with your on her back… I asked her what is was good for… Guess what she said.” The General continued.

“What?” Blaze wondered.

“When she came back we weren’t sure you’d make it so… I’ll let her say what she did back then,”

“He would’ve came back for me too,” She exclaimed.

“I owe you one. You know that, right?” Blaze inquired.

Comet only nodded, as they continued their class. After a long day, Blaze was tired, yet in the heavens to see his sister once again in their room… The instant he opened the door their eyes met, unsure what to do next. Before he could take two steps in he found himself forced against the wall… Blossom’s unforgiving hug was a bit stronger than intended, but none of them bothered. The two stayed in that position, until Blaze felt something warm make its way down him… His sister’s tears.

“Big… Brother…” She muttered.

Blaze only petted the back of her head repeatedly. “It’s okay sis… It’s okay… I’m here…” He tried assuring her, even tho his face was anything but dry… This was also when he noticed something he was not expecting. He could feel the back of her head, even tho his hooves were artificial… I’ll just ask the sisters… Or Shadow… Or the docs… Never mind… Their reunion was cut short when their stomachs chose to let them know about their natural needs… They thought best not to keep either the sisters or the cooks waiting. At dinner Blaze explained everything to the sisters as well, providing a lengthy enough topic…

Need I even say what usually happens after dinner?

[Saturday]

The next morning the two woke up at the same time, even tho both of them had the weekend free. Before Blossom could come up with something interesting for them to do, Blaze left the room without a word, and headed straight to the throne room. “Good morning, Blaze…” Celestia greeted him.

“I wish you the same,” He replied.

“Why is it that you wish to talk to us?” Luna pondered.

“I have come up with an idea, one I’m sure my comrades would agree on.”

“Let us hear then,”

“With your permission, I would gather those of the Royal Guard who wish to seek retribution for those who weren’t as lucky as I was… Especially the prisoners…” Blaze explained his idea, looking at Luna all along, who had received the reports about their inhumane demise, but hadn’t informed her sister.

“What exactly do you intend?” Luna wondered, understanding him.

“Go to the nearest Griffon populated town, and kill every single adult male,”

“You’re straight to the point with it I see… Very well, I approve of it,” Celestia replied.

“As long as they join you by their own will, so do I.” Luna continued.

“Then if you allow, I shall leave…” Blaze said, slowly backing away, eventually leaving the room. He rushed over to the General to put his plan into motion. By noon the volunteers rallied, and by dusk they returned from their slaughter. The troops went to mind their business, while Blaze dragged a bound prisoner after himself into the throne room, where he met the sisters, and Blossom.

The moment he dragged the prisoner in, Luna knew what he’s about. “Why do I have a feeling I know why…” She commented.

“What’s this?” Celestia and Blossom wondered.

“Have you told them about ours?” Blaze asked from Luna, who only shook her head in response. “Celestia, this is what THEY did to OURS when they were taken prisoners…” Blaze explained, and with a single spark spell set the fire to grow.

After the flames died down both Celestia and Blossom were appalled. Celestia for the Griffons, Blossom about her sibling. “I must apologize for putting you through that, but at last, now you know what your subjects endured for you,” He ended his speech, and with a flash of magic, the corpse, ashes and even the smell disappeared. “Have you got anything, or may I leave?” Celestia nodded, so he left, but not without his sister’s company. “Don’t even get me started…” He said before she could question if they were right or not to do what they had done.

“No… They deserved it… We have to set an example after all…” Blaze was surprised and worried for her… He was not in an average state of mind when he thought of it, while she casually agreed with him as if it was just that. Casual to her… None the less, they spent the rest of the weekend together, knowing their next week could only be worse.

[End of Chapter 6]