Conspiracy: Off the Record

Chapters

Welcome to the Guard
Cakes and Daggers
Unforgiven Penitence
Destinies Come Forth

Welcome to the Guard

The sun had barely risen and ponies were already going through their daily business. Some were idly looking through store windows at some ridiculous outfit that was supposedly the latest fashion. Others chatted endlessly at gourmet cafes while drinking overpriced coffee and wine. All was peaceful and calm, except for the chestnut pegusus that was barreling his way through the city.

His heart beat viciously inside his chest. I'm going to be late! he frantically thought to himself. A group of posh ponies came from around a corner, right into the path of the rushing stallion. Quick as the wind, he avoided the entire group, knocking one of their hats off in the process. He didn't look back, but he could feel their displeased glares following him. I can't believe how early these snobby ponies get up, thought Storm Runner as he slowed his pace. His heart was still pounding inside his chest, but more from excitement than the strain of running.

The pegusus trotted through the elegant city, his hooves clopping off the cobblestone road with each step. The buildings seemed to go on forever, each one decorated in some obscene style that was supposed to impress somepony or another. How can anypony stand to live here? It's full of snooty ponies and weird house decorators, he thought quietly to himself. He wound his way past the colorful houses and various haberdasheries and stores. He was aware of how the high society ponies whispered about him when he passed, but he just kept walking on his merry way. They aren't ruining today. Someday, they'll be calling me for help, and I'll be the one laughing at them, he thought, chuckling to himself. After he passed through the end of the recreational district, he finally reached his destination. A large white building on top of a hill stood before him. The sun ornaments that decorated the exterior glimmered in the morning sun. He quickly trotted up the marble steps to the golden door that barred his entrance into the barracks of the Helical Guard.

He grabbed the ornate doorknocker and tapped it against the door. He could hear grunts from within as somepony was working on undoing the lock. The hinges of the massive door creaked as it slowly swung open, revealing a room of unparalleled beauty. The walls and ceiling were decorated with a mural of golden clad ponies vigilantly standing watch over all of Equestria. Water lightly dripped off the leaves of the exotic plants that gently swayed from their perches high up on the ceiling. The polished marble floor glistened , nearly blinding Storm Runner. Golden chandeliers flooded the beautiful room with a magnificent light, adding a modest glow to the art work. A circular desk, white as freshly fallen snow, sat in the center of the room flanked by two marble statues of ponies wearing the golden armor of the Heliacal Guard. Their arms raised in a salute to whoever was privileged to walk these hallowed halls.

Storm Runner's heart felt like it was going to explode with joy. "I can't believe I'm here," the awestruck pegusus whispered to himself, as he made his way into the room. His green eyes darted from one end of the room to the other, admiring the mural that he hoped he would be added to someday.

He walked briskly to the desk, where a white mare in golden armor peered at him with watchful eyes. She stood rigid as steel, ready to tackle the newcomer if he caused any trouble. Her voice echoed authoritatively in the room, "Name?"

"Umm...Storm Runner," he said still in a joyous daze. "I'm so excited to be here. It was a long journey from...."

She held out a white hoof to his face. "I don't need your life story," she said with an annoyed tone. He stopped and stared at the floor. She relaxed and examined the clipboard that rested on the desk. She looked back up at him, her expression unchanged. "You are to report to the armory for weapons training with Lt. Blade."

Storm Runner lifted his head high and smiled the biggest smile. "Oh sweet! I get to do weapons training on my first day!," he exclaimed, jumping up and down like he just won a million bits. "I just have to go to...to the...." He stopped jumping and looked at the armored mare. He could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks as he asked, "Where is the armory?" She rolled her eyes and pointed to a hallway on the other side of the room. "Thanks," he said trotting of towards the hallway.

She watched him walk out of the room into the dark passageway. "Rookies," she sighed, shaking her head.

Grunts and war cries echoed through the hallway, making Storm Runner's black mane stand on end. The aroma of blood and sweat filled his nostrils as exited into a dimly lit room. Racks with bizarre weapons Storm Runner had never seen before lined the walls of the small room, ready to cut down any that threatened Equestria and its beloved princess. Blood stained mats overlaid the floor, covered in chalk lined boundaries. Four other armored ponies were busily sparring with each other in the center of the room. Beads of sweat flew from their white coats with each swing of their sparring weapons. With the ferocity of their swings, it seemed like they were fighting to the death rather than training. Storm Runner watched in bewilderment, as one of the ponies fell to the ground with blood dripping from her nose. She got up and, with a primal howl, pummeled the stallion that injured her with an even greater ferocity. She didn't stop until he was lying on the ground with a shining black eye and blood trickling from his ear. She quickly helped him up off the ground. They respectfully nodded at each other, before resuming their dance of brutality.

Frozen in disbelief, Storm Runner marveled at the discipline and ferocity of their workout. A gruff voice quickly roused him from his daze. "Hey you," said the armored pony as he walked over to the wide-eyed rookie. "What are you doing here? This room is for authorized personnel only." The other ponies stopped their training and stared angrily at the strange intruder, waiting for the order to pounce.

Storm Runner's body stiffened as he stood at attention. "Storm Runner reporting for weapons training, sir," he said, saluting the Heliacal Guard.

The guard examined the young pony for a moment with eyes as blue as the sky. "At ease rookie," he said causally. "I'm guessin you're the one I've been called down here to train. I'm Lt. Wild Blade, close range weapon specialist of the 3rd Royal Guard Squadron." He looked the recruit over again with his pale blue eyes, taking note to Storm Runner's lack of a cutie mark. "How old are you?" he asked with a concerned expression.

"I'm twenty,sir!" he replied, proudly pointing his snout towards the ceiling.

Lt. Blade shook his head in disbelief, "Twenty...and no cutie mark?" Storm Runner blushed as he averted his eyes from the lieutenant's. The other ponies snickered in the background, making Storm Runner blush even more. Lt. Blade gave the four a malicious glare, stopping their childish laughter instantly. He placed his hoof on the young stallion's shoulder. "Don't worry kid," he said trying to comfort him. "I didn't get mine until I joined up with the guard, and maybe the same will happen to you." Storm Runner looked up and smiled at the veteran guard. Blade returned the smile, "Now, drop your saddlebags so we can begin. We don't have much time, so I'd like to get this over with."

Storm Runner loosened his saddlebag straps and let them fall to the ground. Lt. Blade walked over to an old weapons rack and picked up two wooden sparing swords in each hoof. He tossed one of them to Storm Runner. Storm Runner tried to catch it, but it bounced on the ground and smacked him in the face, bringing a fit of uncontrollable laughter to the senior guards. Lt. Blade chuckled, "You've got a lot to learn private. Let's get started." He took an aggressive stance, but didn't bring his sword up. "To be fair, I'll give you the first shot"

The other ponies moved to the far corner of the room, as Lt. Blade taunted Storm Runner with his free hoof. Storm Runner picked up the blade in his right hoof and charged at the armored stallion. Storm Runner's heart pounded as he brought the wooden sword down in an arch, aiming for Lt. Blade's head. Blade dodged the blow with incredible speed. He turned and brought his own sword down hard on Storm Runner's flank, making Storm Runner yelp.

"Don't charge in like that. It only leaves you open for a counter," Lt. Blade advised, as the young stallion nursed his embarrassing wound. "Come at me again, unless you're giving up already." Lt. Blade whipped his training sword on the ground, creating a loud smack that made Storm Runner cringe.

The four spectators watched attentively, as Storm Runner reared himself around and charged in again. This time, he tried an underhanded swipe to Blade's legs. Blade, not expecting that move from a rookie, awkwardly jumped and landed on Storm Runner's wooden blade, bringing his own down onto Storm Runner's exposed head. Storm Runner fell to the ground, covering his head with both hooves. Lt. Blade chuckled, "Okay. That's enough for one day. You still have a lot to do before the sun sets."

Lt. Blade turned and casually walked back to the weapons rack. Storm Runner, seeing an opening, swiftly grabbed his training sword and jumped to his hooves. The four armored ponies gasped, as he charged at the distracted earth pony. Blade turned and parried the attack with one deft movement, stabbing Storm Runner's chest in the process. Storm Runner fell to the ground again, this time cradling his chest. "I like your fiery spirit," Lt. Blade said admiringly, "but charging at anypony will result in that. You have to analyze their movements and pick the right time to strike. Or else, you'll be lying on the ground like that...except with more blood and less breathing."

Storm Runner writhed in pain on the matted floor. His lungs cried out for air that refused to enter his body. Lt. Blade reached his hoof out to the golden stallion. Storm Runner graciously accepted the help. He felt the world wobble underneath him, as he fought to balance himself. "Why are...why are we...finished? I...I just...got here." he asked, still a little winded.

Lt. Blade chortled, "That's what we do to all of our fresh recruits. We pick somepony at random to give them a welcome to the Heliacal Guard beating." He placed a kind hoof on Storm Runner's side before he had the chance to fall over again. "You got lucky I won. There's a captain here that would have beaten you so bad that your grandmother would have felt it. I think he enjoys it a bit too much." Storm Runner just nodded as his heavy breathing continued. "Come on. Let's get your armor. I think you'll enjoy that." He turned to the four idle guards, "Get back to training, or no supper tonight!" Storm Runner could hear their grunts of exertion as Lt. Blade led him out of the room into a dim corridor.

Their hoofsteps broke the silence that lingered in the dimly lit hall. "So, what's your story kid? How did you get recruited into the guard?" Lt. Blade asked, trying to break the awkward silence that still followed them.

"I was walking through my hometown, Ponyville, when I heard a shriek come from a small alleyway," he replied, not hiding the joy in his voice from telling the story of his courage. "I rushed in to see what was going on. I found a huge stallion attempting to rape a very beautiful mare in broad daylight. He saw me and produced a knife. He rushed at me, but I was quicker than him." raising his voice for emphasis, he continued, "I jumped on top of the idiot and bashed his head in with all my strength. He fell to the ground, out cold. A guard rushed in at some point and saw what I did." Storm Runner rubbed the back of his neck as he continued, "I guess he was impressed with how I handled the situation. He asked me to join and, well, here I am.

Lt. Blade smirked, "You charged in against an armed pony. You are either very brave or very crazy. Heck, you might be both. I bet your parents are proud of their little stallion." At the mention of his parents, Storm Runner stopped walking and felt his consciousness being pulled from reality. He fought to keep from crying from the memory of his long forgotten fillyhood. It wrestled within his mind, trying to overtake him. The memory persisted, but Storm Runner was able to push it back into the dark depths of his mind. Lt. Blade watched the young filly curiously. "Something the matter?" he asked placing a comforting hoof on Storm Runner's back.

Storm Runner shook his head, "Don't worry about it. It's nothing." Lt. Blade, not wanting to press the subject, continued to lead him down the corridor in silence.

In an attempt to bring the young pegusus' spirit up, Lt. Blade nudged him and said, "You know you do have a talent with swords. I've never seen a rookie pull of an impressive underhand swipe like you did."

Storm Runner's eyes, regaining their eager shine, rose to meet the old earth pony's gaze. "Really?" he asked, astonished at the compliment. "You mean it?"

Lt. Blade's smile, warm and sincere, confirmed it was so. "Yup. You would have gotten me if you didn't twist your hoof at the last second." Storm Runner's ears perked up at what the veteran guard was about to tell him. "You have to keep your wrist locked when you attempt something like that. If you don't, it leaves you open." Storm Runner nodded, allowing the nugget of information seep into his mind.

The corridor ended into a room filled with golden armor. Storm Runner had to shield his eyes from the glorious light the armor gave off. "Here we are," announced Lt. Blade. "This is where we store all the armor for the guard." Blade gestured to a suit that hung on a copper hook towards the center of the room. Adding a sense of regality to the armor was a blue star shaped gem that rested in the middle of the chest plate. "Go on," he said, 'take that one."

Storm Runner took the shining armor off the hook and slipped it over his head. It covered the entire length of his back and chest, but it felt lighter than air. Lt. Blade helped tighten the straps, while Storm Runner put the hoof guards on. Storm Runner felt the armor rub against his back. "It feels kinda loose. Is it supposed to feel like that?" he asked.

"Let me put the helmet on first lad, then you'll see it's a perfect fit," replied Lt. Blade. Taking care not to bang the it against anything, Lt. Blade carefully placed the helmet on Storm Runner's broad head. Blade took a few steps back, "Now give it a moment."

Storm Runner gave him an uncertain look. His mouth began to form a question, but it was cut off by a strange tingling sensation creep throughout his entire body. The once loose fitting armor now felt like a second skin, but the tingling didn't stop. He glanced down at his hooves, shocked to see that they were as white as Lt. Blades. It quickly ran up his hooves and consumed his natural chestnut coat, turning his entire body white. "What just happened?" he asked, gawking at the sudden change of his coat.

Lt. Blade chortled at his reaction. "The armor is magic," he explained. "Being a member of the Heliacal Guard means you will make many foes as you carry out your duties. The armor changed your appearance so no pony can hurt you or the ones you love. Isn't it cool?"

Storm Runner eagerly nodded his head. The excitement rang from his voice as he said, "Yes! Yes! This is so awesome!"

Lt. Blade thought, chuckling to himself. "We have to go now," he told the young pegusus. "We have to get ready for tonight."

"What's tonight?" asked Storm Runner, still very excited about the armor.

"It's the Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony knows that," Lt. Blade replied, giving him a concerned look.

Storm Runner gave the veteran a blank look. "The Summer wha?" replied Storm Runner.

Lt. Blade's concerned expression became more intense. "You don't know what the Summer Sun Celebration is?" he asked.

"Not really," replied the confused pegusus. "I never celebrated anything. I just trained to be one of you, never taking a break for anything."

Lt. Blade gave him a warm smile, "Rookie," he said unable to keep the smile off his face. "You have a lot to learn."

Cakes and Daggers

The soothing night air was casually caressing the now white pegasus. Storm Runner closed his eyes and let his mind wander about the adventures that his new title would bring. The white wagon jerked violently to the side. Storm Runner, shaken out of his daze, barely had time to grab the side to avoid being thrown to off onto the cobblestone road. He caught sight of the other two wagons in front as he steadied himself. Each one held about ten guardsponies, all equipped with an ornate sword and full suits of armor. The light from the full moon glittered on the golden armor, making the already dazzling ponies look more magnificent.

"So tell me again what it is we are doing," Storm Runner asked, barely able to hear himself speak over the clanking of the metal wheels. "Why are we speeding towards Ponyville?"

Lt. Blade smiled at his new recruit, "That is where the Summer Sun Festival is being held this year. Both princesses will be present, and we have to make sure there are no...incidents."

An owl hooted somewhere in the distance and every gold covered head snapped towards the source of the disturbance. Storm Runner starred in disbelief at their reaction. "Why is everypony so tense?" he asked innocently. "It's not like the princesses are in danger. Who would attack them?" He could feel the intense glares from those around him as the last words left his lips.

Lt. Blade raised his hooves in a passive manner,, "Easy there fellas. Remember...he's new." Their expressions remaining the same, they turned their attention away from the young stallion towards the blissful scenery. Satisfied that the other guards weren't about to harass the recruit, he leaned back on the wall of the wagon. It groaned from the pressure, but held fast. "To answer your question, it's not whether somepony would do it. It's that somepony could do it. You have heard of the Nightmare Moon incident, right?"

Storm Runner shook his head. "I don't think anypony brought it up. What happened?"

Lt. Blade looked off into the field that they were passing through. The magical red flowers seemed like they were on fire from their warm glow. "It was about thirty years ago, the last time the Summer Sun Festival was in Ponyville." The cart jerked again, but Blade continued as if nothing had happened. "Everything was going smoothly. Everypony was happily enjoying the celebration. They were munching on cakes and singing melodious songs. The guards were on high alert as always, keeping the peace so everypony could enjoy the evening. It seemed like nothing could go wrong."

"But I'm guessing something did," Storm Runner interrupted. The guard beside him gave him a chiding look for disrespectfully speaking out, but Wild Blade waved him aside.

"Yup. Something did go wrong," Blade continued. "When it was time for Princess Celestia to raise the sun, she was gone. It happened right under our snouts. Instead of Celestia, a black mare by the name of Nightmare Moon came out. Her presence froze the blood of our most senior officers. She had ponynapped Celestia and vowed to never raise the sun again."

"What happened?" asked a wide-eyed Storm Runner. "Did the guards catch her?"

Blade turned his head look Storm Runner in the eyes. "I wish they did," he said solemnly. "She was rescued by six small mares. No pony knows how, but they did. It was a big embarrassment for the guard."

"What happened to Nightmare Moon?" asked the starry eyed pegasus.

"You know Nightmare Moon as Princess Luna," replied Storm Runner. "She was turned back to normal by the legendary six." Storm Runner's jaw dropped. A thousand questions swirled around in his sporadic mind, but his mouth refused to ask any of them. The senior pony chuckled, "I know what you're thinking. It is hard to believe, but Celestia's own flesh and blood captured her without so much as a squeak. On my watch too."

Storm Runner's ears perked up at the last statement. "What do you mean your watch?"

Wild Blade looked at the white floor of the jerking wagon, his voice deepening as he answered, "I was the pony in charge of the security detail that night." Storm Runner cocked an eyebrow, but held his tongue as the earth pony continued. "Not a day goes by where I don’t wish for a second chance to stop it. I never felt so useless in all my life. I’m just glad luck was on my side. I could have been dishonorably discharged for failing to conduct my duties, but they gave me the job of training other guardsponies in melee combat."

Seeing the old stallion's remorseful look brought a pang of sympathy to Storm Runner's heart. The young pegasus reached a consoling hoof to his friend. The wagon stopped so suddenly, he ended up face planting on the floor. He bolted upright, thankful that the other guards didn’t notice, and looked ahead at the first wagon.

The rest of the guards snapped to attention. A large unicorn wearing a golden pauldron on his right shoulder rose from the first wagon and beamed at the other guards. "Alright pansies!" he shouted with a voice that was used to giving orders. "You know the drill. Alpha squad is to patrol the outlying fields for any disturbances. Bravo will be out on the streets keeping the peace in the town." His fierce eyes turned on Storm Runner's wagon, scanning for any signs of fear or insubordination. "Delta...you have the assembly hall area. Keep your eyes on the princesses at all times. If I see you ogling a fine flank for even one moment, I'll have you scrubbing latrines with your momma's toothbrush. Do I make myself clear?!"

"Yes, sir!" Exclaimed the guards, unanimously saluting their commanding officer. The commander sat back down while the guards in the lead wagon jumped into the soft meadow. Pairing up into groups of two, they hurriedly trotted off in different directions.

The remaining wagons lurched forward towards the brightly lit town of Ponyville. The town was ablaze with lanterns that swayed in the nighttime flutter. Colorful ribbons swirled around the lamp posts and statues like the stripes on a candy cane. Ponies frolicked around the town, chatting and singing with whoever passed by. The air was full of sweet smells from exotic desserts and the laughter of little fillies carelessly dancing in the square.

If it was in any other town, Storm Runner might have felt happy at the sight. Instead, his gaze locked onto a small house that stood close to the peaceful river. It's sky blue paint had faded to a dull grey, contrasting the bright colors and lights of the celebration. The shingles, broken and loose, produced eerie noises as they scraped together, almost as if bones were rattling inside a burlap sack. A single shutter creaked from somewhere on the other side of the house.

Storm Runner stared at it, frozen in place as the memory started another assault on his thoughts. He could hear his mother pleading for the hooded stallion to stop. The intruder’s venomous words echoed in his head. Don't look away, or I'll kill her. I want you to see how much of a slut your mother is!"

A tear journeyed down Storm Runner's cheek. The other stallions in the wagon didn't seem to notice, but Lt. Blade watched his pupil intently. "Are you okay, son?" he asked affectionately, trying to break him out of his trance before the commander saw him. He shook the young pegasus gently, "Hey, knock it off before you get yourself in trouble."

Storm Runner's mind slowly returned to reality. "S-sorry, sir. I'm not comfortable in this town," he said apologetically. Lt. Blade gave him a toothy grin and a don’t worry bout it pat on the shoulder.

The wagons halted their approach and the remaining guardponies dismounted, taking their positions in the streets. The jovial ponies stopped to stare at the golden clad ponies for a few moments before returning to their merriment. Storm Runner followed Lt. Blade into the large building in the center of the square.

The room swirled with color. Streamers and ribbons hung gracefully from the Corinthian style columns, adding to the beauty of the luxurious room. Tables filled with decadent cakes and sweet apple cider outlined the majestic room. Gigantic windows allowed the moonlight to lazily illuminate the chamber in a soft light. Ponies of different shapes and color were spread throughout the giant room, idly chatting with each other and waiting for the princess to make her scheduled appearance.

"This is amazing," said Storm Runner. His head kept turning like it was on a swivel, eagerly scanning the room for threats. A creamsicle colored mare waltzed on by, catching the young pegasus' attention. His head bobbed with each rhythmical strut of her tight flank. A small sliver of drool causally fell from the grin frozen on his face.

His mind filled with cheesy come-ons and not-so-witty one liners, busily attempting to come up with the perfect line to make her notice him. In the midst of his daydream, he didn't realize the oncoming hoof of an irked guardspony. The thump against his helmet shocked him back to reality as it filled his ears with a painful ringing. "You must really want your mom to have bad breath," said Lt. Blade. "If you think the CO was idly making threats, you've got another thing coming. Once, he threatened to make any guard dumb enough to chuckle at his bad manecut eat a ton of cake."

"That doesn't seem possible, even for a guard," said the dumbfounded stallion.

Lt. Blade smirked, "Tell that to Grave Digger. He gained so much weight; he had to be put on a 'special' diet and exercise plan. Made special from the good ole CO we've all come to know and love." Storm Runner placed a hoof against his mouth in a desperate bid to keep the Commander from hearing his mocking giggles. Wild Blade, not as afraid as Storm Runner, let out a small laugh in return.

"Besides," he continued, "do you even know who that stunning mare was?" Storm Runner recovered from his fit of giggles and shook his head. Lt. Blade snorted, "That was Topaz." Storm Runner tilted his head and cocked his eyebrow, still oblivious to what Blade was getting at. "The daughter of Rarity, the greatest fashionista in all of Equestria. Your telling me you never seen the Carousel Boutique?"

Storm Runner shook his head again, "I don't even know what a fashionista is. Is that some kind of fancy exercise?" Lt. Blade chortled affectionately at Storm Runner, which caused an even more confused look to escape from the already befuddled pegasus.

"Come on kid," ordered the still chuckling earth pony. "We have a job to do."

Blade and Storm Runner resumed their patrol around the richly decorated room. Storm Runner's gaze was like sentinel's, keeping a stalwart eye on each pony. He didn't even think about the beautiful mares that giggled and flirted from every direction for fear of the CO's wrath. He just kept on walking with Lt. Blade, who was also keeping a close eye on the party. His surveying eyes were momentarily distracted by a particularly wild pink pony. "This party is fantasterrific!" she screamed before zipping off into the crowd.

An ornate clock from the other side of the room announced the time with five loud chimes. Everypony in the room ceased chatting. Ponies at the snack table finished sampling the delicious spread and delicately wiped their mouths with silk napkins. It seemed like all of Equestria fell silent as it eagerly awaited the main event of the night.

An old earth pony shuffled out from behind the velvet curtains onto the balcony. Her face, wrinkly as a raisin, could barely contain her wide grin. Her grey mane was styled in a business like manner, showing both authority and grace. "Mares and gentlecolts," announced Mayor Mare, "As you are all are aware, Ponyville was chosen to be the host of this year's Summer Sun Festival. It is a great honor for our small town, and I believe we worked our hooves off to make it one of the best ones in Equestrian history." She paused as the room was filled with yelps and hollers of agreement. "Now without further ado, I present Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!"

Mayor Mare disappeared behind the heavy curtains as they parted, revealing two regal alicorns. Celestia rose her head up high and said, "My most loyal subjects. I speak for both my sister and myself when I say that we are honored to be guests in your joyous town." The room filled with cheers even louder than before. "I feel that I can't describe the hard work that you ponies...."

Storm Runner watched Celestia, engrossed by her charming speech. He could feel the room about to burst from the energy that resonated off the ecstatic ponies that cheered with all their love and affection towards their benevolent rulers. He turned to say something to his mentor. Instead, his eyes focused on a hooded figure that was winding its way towards the front of the room. "Blade...check that out," he said, nudging the old stallion.

"I see him," he replied. "Let's check it out." The two guards started forcing their way through the crowd of happy ponies. They felt the crowd closing in on them, but they kept trying to intercept the hooded figure. "You there!" shouted Lt. Blade, his voice barely able to raise above the crowd's. "Stop!"

The hooded figure picked up its pace, but did not acknowledge the guard's order. She wistfully side stepped the crowd and stood just below one of the ornate columns. "Stop!" Blade screamed again. "That's an...." His words were cut off by screams of terror echoing throughout the chamber. Black smoke seeped in from around the room. Its black tendrils coalesced in the center of the room, giving the illusion that somepony started a fire.

The smoke shifted in the air as if it were breathing. The once merry crowd of ponies were now a mob of hysteria and fear. They all began frantically running towards the giant doors opposite the balcony. Celestia desperately tried to calm her beloved subjects, but her voice was drowned out by the omnipresent screams of horror. Storm Runner tried to keep his eyes on the hooded figure, but the scarred ponies kept pushing him away.

He caught sight of the other guards. They were all being pushed to the outer edges of the room, cut off from the princesses. He searched madly for his mentor, whom had been beside him before the panic ensued. He saw the senior guardspony closing in on the hooded figure. Storm Runner began to force his way towards him, but kept getting swept up in the tide of hysterical ponies.

He used all of his might just to keep the old stallion in his view, afraid that he wouldn't be able to find him again. Lt. Blade had finally reached the hooded figure. Storm Runner saw him yell something that got lost within the crowd. He drew his sword and held it towards the figure. Storm Runner kept pushing through, finally beginning to muscles his way towards his friend.

Lt. Blade slowly walked towards the motionless figure. He held his sword high, ready to counter any attack it decided to throw at him. The hooded figure just stared at the lone guard. The smoke wrapped maliciously around it, making its already threatening presence seem more terrifying. He continued to inch his way towards it, unwilling to allow another princess related crisis to weigh down on his already guilt ridden conscience.

The figure shifted slightly before charging at Blade. The screech of metal on metal filled the air as her small dagger deflected the sword before it could cut into his haunch. He pushed her back and quickly went on the offensive, arching the gleaming blade towards her hooded neck. She avoided the swing with the agility of a cat as she withdrew a second dagger.

Storm Runner frantically began to push his way to where his friend was fighting. He had finally made it to the edge of the room, but was still too far away to help his comrade. He could only watch as the old stallion fended off the duel-wielding fury of the hooded mare. The cloak waved precariously in the air with each deft movement of the graceful assassin. Each strike from the daggers produced a sharp pang as it met the steel of Wild Blade's sword.

Sweat leapt from Blade's face as he continued to fight off the would-be assassin. His heart pounding furiously against his chest. He could feel the adrenaline coursing its way through every fiber of his body. His training had kicked in long before the battle, pushing away all distractions and focusing in on his target. Blade ducked from an attempted strike on his jugular, kicking the cloaked figure in the process. The hood that was hiding the appearance of the figure slipped off, revealing the slender face of a female unicorn. Her red eyes stared angrily back at the pony between her and her goal.

Blade pointed the blade of his sword at her exposed neck. With the authority expected from one with his rank, he announced, "You are under arrest!" Her chest was pulsating from an combination of anger and exertion. Her eyes darted back and forth, searching for a way to escape.

Storm Runner was now a few feet away from the duel. The smoke had finally began to clear, allowing him to see more than a few feet in front of his face. A smile stretched across his face at the realization of his friend's victory. "I knew you could do it Blade!" he shouted across the room.

Blade's focus broke for a second as his eyes shifted towards his student. The assassin, seeing her window of opportunity, produced a small dagger from her cloak and stabbed Blade in his left hind leg. Blade screamed as he felt the cold metal scrape against his bone. With the skill of an acrobat, she pushed herself up from the floor. She kicked Blade in the jaw with both of her back legs, sending him hurdling in the air. He landed with a sickening smack on the stone floor, skidding mere inches from where he once stood. The assassin began to slowly trot towards him, licking her lips in anticipation.

Storm Runner froze in fear. "What do I do?" he said to himself. He felt his heart rapidly battering his youthful chest, as if it was trying to tear itself out of his body. His face contorted into an expression of terror. "What do I do?" he said even louder, hoping that somepony would stop her.

The assassin was nearly on top of Blade. The returning moonlight illuminated the dagger that she held in her hoof. Seeing the dagger brought back the terrible memory that lurked within Storm Runner's mind. He could almost feel the dagger pierce the flesh of his helpless father. He could smell the terror that his mother was feeling, as the psycho used her like some old toy before slitting her throat.

Storm Runner's heart rate receded to almost nothing. Time itself seemed to slow down around him. His eyes narrowed on the mare that threatened his friend, pushing away all other distractions. "Not again!" screamed Storm Runner as he drew his sword from its scabbard. He jumped onto the wall and pushed himself into the air. He unfurled his wings and sped at the assassin with the ferocity of a raging manticorn, screaming wildly as the wind soared past his face.

The assassin turned her angry gaze to the screaming pegasus. His pure white eyes sent a wave of terror through her and she froze. The snow white angel of death bore down on her, in the last second she managed to deflect the killing blow with a dagger. The strike sent tremors through her leg.

Storm Runner skidded to a stop a few feet past her as the small blade clattered to the floor. He reached down with his free hoof and took hold of Lt. Blade's discarded sword. The two combatants glared at each other for a moment before the gold wreathed guard let out another cry and charged with both swords in his hooves.

She tried in vain to block each one with her small daggers. She felt pain tremble down her hooves as the berserk guard kept up the onslaught. The hysteric ponies were now watching in awe at the spectacle. Storm Runner's roars vibrated in the room. The assassin clenched her teeth, unwilling to allow her life to be ended this way. She used her daggers to push Storm Runner's swords upwards, giving her enough time to dash away from him.

She quickly climbed the nearest column. Her eyes fell upon the princesses, whom were still standing on the balcony. With her remaining strength, she thrust herself away from the column. She readied her dagger as she approached her targets. An evil grin crept across her face. She felt as if no pony on earth could stop her now. Her dagger glinted in the moonlight, agreeing with what she felt. She let out a victorious cry, before she felt something pass through her abdomen.

Her eyes widened. Her blood felt like it turned to ice in her veins. She slowly tilted her head down, meeting the still white eyes of the pegasus. Her vision traced along his hooves and to the sword that was now embedded in her stomach. Blood slowly streaked down the blade to the hilt, painting the golden sword red. Storm Runner let go of the blood soaked handle, allowing the gravity's powerful grip pull her down to earth. With the sword still impaled in her gut, she crashed some feet away from where Blade was weakly clinging to life.

Storm Runner, still holding the other sword, lowered himself to where she was. The glowing in his eyes subsided, allowing his deep, green eyes to return. The magic armor quickly activated, shifting them to the normal blue color of the Heliacal guard. "You are under arrest!" he stated, panting heavily.

The assassin stared at her enemy. The life drained from her eyes. "Down...with...(gah)... the princesses. Manehatten shall... be... free," she gasped. Storm Runner heard a crunch from inside her mouth. She began to convulse violently. Her eyes became bloodshot and rolled back into her head. A white foam exuded from her agape mouth. Her body jerked one last time before it lay still in the soft moonlight.

Storm Runner retracted his second sword from her neck, letting the other stay embedded in her stomach. His vision blurred for a moment, and he felt the strength ebbing from his legs. Remembering his friend, he dropped his sword and limped to Lt. Blade. The sword clanged against the floor, sending its song echoing throughout the room. Storm Runner knelt beside his friend and removed the dagger from his leg, which was now a ghastly blue. "Someone get a doctor!" Storm Runner shouted weakly..

Lt. Blade shifted his head to meet Storm Runner's. Nice...work," he coughed before fainting.

Storm Runner felt tears falling down his cheeks. "I'm not losing you," he sobbed.

"No you won't," came a voice from behind him. He turned, shocked to be looking at a white alicorn. Celestia turned her attention to the guards that were standing by the door, "Get this guard help," she ordered. The guards nodded and rushed towards their fallen comrade. They picked him up and barreled out the door into the night.

"Is he going to be alright?" asked the still crying Storm Runner.

Celestia gave him a warm smile, "I promise I'll do everything in my power to help him."

Luna, whom had been behind her sister, scrutinized Storm Runner's flank. "Sister," she said, "Look at this brave warrior's flank." Celestia focused on his flank. She felt her smile drop from her face. Her eyes widened at the glistening mark on the pegasus' flank. A six pointed star surrounded by two smaller stars appeared on his white coat, gleaming from the fresh magic.

Storm Runner, shaking his head in disbelief, stared at his flank. "What does this cutie mark mean?" he asked. "I don't understand how this is my special talent."

Celestia's smile returned to her face. "That cutie mark doesn't necessarily represent your special talent," she said. Storm Runner cocked his eyebrow at the princess, but didn't interrupt her. "That is a special cutie mark that means you'll reshape destiny." She leaned in closer to the young pegasus, "It's the mark of a hero."

Storm Runner didn't know what to say. His vision was worsening and his body felt numb. He fell to the floor, barely staying conscious. Blackness filled his eyes. The last thing he heard was Celestia screaming for a doctor.

Unforgiven Penitence

“Good night sweetie,” the white mare said. She leaned in and delicately kissed the young filly on his forehead.

She slowly made her way to the door on the other side of the room, until a weak whine stopped her in her tracks. “You forgot the night light,” he whimpered. She smiled and flicked the little light on. Satisfied that the darkness wouldn’t get him, he snuggled into his covers. Storm Runner heard the door creek shut, leaving him alone in his room.

Storm Runner refused sleep’s gentle embrace and stared around his room. He focused on the poster that hung on the wall by the foot of his bed. The golden armored pony stood unwavering, saluting an unseen officer. DUTY, HONOR, COURAGE were written across the bottom. “Courage,” he whispered silently to himself as he closed his eyes.

The foal shivered as the warmth drained out of his room. The stalwart night light began to blink weakly. Storm Runner’s watched in horror as the darkness began to swallow the room. The wind howled and the windows rattled as the gnarled branches scratched and clawed at them, trying to force their way in. Storm Runner fidgeted in his bed. His eyes kept darting between the demonic shadows that appeared when the night light flickered to life, laughing at the poor colt’s terror.

"Mom!" he screamed. His ears perked up as he listened for her familiar hoofsteps rushing down the hall. He knew whenever he screamed for his mom, she would come rushing in to soothe his mind and chase away his fears. He could smell the lilacs and vanilla of her favorite perfume. Seconds ticked by and minutes ticked on, but she never came.

Confused by her absence, Storm Runner frantically kicked off his blanket and rolled to the floor. He rushed to the half open door, refusing to look at the jovial shadows. He flung open the door and ran into the hall. Feeling no safer than he did in his room, he stared into the dark hallway. His teeth were chattering and his knees were shaking. He gulped and began his journey through the halls.

He walked towards the door at the end of the hall. Careful not to make much noise, he slowly pushed open the door. The room was darker than his, but he found comfort knowing his parents were with him. Storm Runner got onto all fours and gingerly crawled into the room. He felt the soft carpet radiate through his skin like a warm hug, dwindling the power that fear held over him.

He passed his mom's vanity, taking moment to inhale the sweet perfumes that kissed the air. After taking in his fill, he continued to the far wall and his parent's bed was. A wet spot made him pause in the darkness. He touched it again, feeling the warmth that the mysterious pools held. He focused on the blots and noticed the path they made to his parent's bed. Storm Runner followed them to an odd shape resting at the foot of the bed.

He poked at the familiar object, confused at what it was. Several rays of light projected themselves from the ceiling. They swirled around the room in abstract patterns, before centering themselves onto the mass that the curious filly was poking. Storm Runner felt his stomach lurch. The odd mass was staring blankly back at him. "Dad?" he said, quivering uncontrollably.

His ears perked up at a strange noise coming from the bed, but he was unwilling to divert his gaze from his father's corpse. As if a stage manager had given a cue, the spotlight hurriedly focused on the bed, Storm Runner, as if lead by an invisible hoof, followed.

The noise had been the springs of the bed creaking from the weight of the two ponies jerking back and forth on the soft mattress. A hooded figure was moving back and forth on top of another pony. "Mom!" he screamed.

The hooded figure paused and stared at the colt. His face was completely covered in darkness. The only thing that could be seen were two glowing orbs where his eyes would be. His mouth twisted into a fanged smile. "Looks like we have an audience," he hissed. He resumed his motions atop the colt’s mom.

Her head twisted to where Storm Runner was staring. "Look away honey," she pleaded.

The hooded figure snapped her head away from the frightened colt. "If you look away, I'll kill her," he threatened. "I want you to see how much of a slut your mother is."

Storm Runner, unable to turn away, watched as his mother was abused like a piece of meat. The hooded psycho quickened his pace, thrusting himself violently into the colt’s helpless mother with unnatural dexterity. Storm Runner curled his ears back in an attempt to block out his mother’s screams of agony. “Please stop,” pleaded the white mare, “I can’t take it anymore.”

The stallion in the black cloak chortled. “Why would I stop,’ he said mockingly, “I’m almost done with you slut. He felt something hot splatter against his groin. His smiled widened when he saw it was her blood gushing out of her. Taking pleasure in her pain, he started to thrust even faster. Time seemed to slow as he grunted one last time and got off his mom. She whimpered and Storm Runner could see the tears welling up in her eyes. Making sure that the filly was still watching, the stallion produced a curved dagger and slit his mother's throat. He felt hot liquid spray all over his coat. With tears in his eyes, he ran towards the open door. The door mysteriously slammed shut.

"Where do you think you're going," said the evil pony. "I'm not done with you." He laughed maniacally as the ray of light split off into several beams. They shot off in different directions, revealing the laughing shadows from Storm Runner's room. They jerked and twisted while continuing their demented laughter. The hooded figure had disappeared, but his laughter melded with the rest of them, mocking the young colt’s terror.

"Stop laughing!" he commanded. The shadows did as they were told and stared at the colt, as if noticing him for the first time. Their formless bodies shifted in the dim light, stalking their prey like a timber wolves hunting an injured rabbit. The hooded figure's laugh was still cutting through the darkness, laughing at Storm Runner's terror.

Tentacles of pure darkness stretched out from the shadows, reaching out for the disembodied head of his father. They slithered into its still open mouth and out of its neck, twisting into a mutilated version of his old body. Storm Runner’s father’s eyes glowed red with hellfire. It let out an unearthly howl and charged at the young filly.

Storm Runner screamed. He ran for the closed door again, only to find that it had vanished, leaving a solid wall covered in shadows. The abomination pinned him against the wall. “Coward!” it hissed “Your punishment will be eternal!” It let out one more howl before the shadows spewed from it’s open mouth. They entangled the young pegusus' legs, as they slowly slid up his trembling body. His screams grew louder as he felt their icy embrace begin to climb up his neck. His screams were muted by the tentacles sliding into his throat, but he refused to stop. He kept screaming, even as he woke up.

Destinies Come Forth

The room was bathed in the warmth of the afternoon sun. Light filtered through the window without a care in the world. The marble floor and walls sparkled, bringing a sense of calm with its beauty. A fireplace sat dead on the wall opposite the heavy wooden door. A single bed with a chestnut colored stallion lying on its satin sheets stood in the middle of the room over top of a decorative rug.

A nurse sat timidly on a stool made of ivory beside the window. Her big blue eyes drifted dreamily as she listened to the songbirds singing their joyous tunes. She briefly fixed her long, pink hair, making sure it stayed in its professional-looking bun and taking the time to adjust the single white flower that brought the look together.

While watching over the unconscious pegasus, her mind began to wander back to her younger days. She missed the days where she played with all her cute bunny friends in the meadows outside of Ponyville. How she would sing with all the birds until the Celestia lowered the sun into its peaceful slumber.

A single tear fell down her cheek, leaving a moist trail on her yellow coat. Memories of her pet bunny, Angel, came back to her in force. Her best friend, whom had been there for her through thick and thin, had been taken before his time. The entire forest was quiet that day, mourning the loss of the brave soul that sacrificed his life to keep a timber wolf at bay. “I’m so sorry,” she said quietly to herself. “I should have listened to you. Going that deep into the forest was a terrible idea.”

The moment’s remembrance was quickly broken by the shrieking of the pony on the bed. The nurse jumped out of her perch and ducked under the stool. The chestnut stallion sat up in his bed, screaming like he was stabbed with a hot, serrated sword. His green eyes wildly darted around the room, looking for a way out of the white prison he woke up in. He sprang out of the bed and landed heavily on the floor. The pegasus charged brazenly at the heavy door. Bringing all his weight to his right shoulder, he forced the door open.

Two guards in heavy, golden armor leapt back in shock. They quickly drew their weapons and stood at the ready, still uneasy about the foe they were about to face. The stallion huffed out a puff of smoke from his flaring nostrils. He felt his heart beating at his chest. His mind was clouded, focused on the nightmare that was slowly becoming his reality. He let out a fierce bellow before charging head long at the guardsponies. The guard closest to the wild stallion raised his heavy mace high into the air, preparing to immobilize the enemy with one powerful swipe. The other guard continued to hold his position behind his comrade, ready to give aid if necessary.

The pegasus, ignoring the danger, continued his frontal assault. He watched as the guards hoof slowly rose to the sky. Time slowed to a crawl in the stallion’s mind. He jumped at the stallion holding the mace, dodging the swipe that would have knocked out a normal pony. The wild stallion twisted the guard’s foreleg and broke it like a twig. As the guard screamed in torturous pain, the chestnut pegasus grabbed the mace and smacked the pony in the face. The force of the blow sent him flying into his fellow guard, knocking them back into a pedestal with an ornate vase resting on its apex.

The wild pegasus continued his mad rampage in hopes of escaping the darkness he thought followed him. Beads of sweat fell from his black mane in heavy waves. His raspy breathing quickened as he sped down the decorative hallway. He passed paintings of past rulers and busts of important bureaucrats. He took a sharp right at the end of the hall, knocking over a once beautiful vase. The halls seemed to be never ending. Every turn he took led him to another hall. The fear of never escaping the maze only made him more desperate.

His journey led him to a big amphitheater that seemed to be separated down the middle. Each side was dominated by a distinct mural. One showed the sun raining its glorious light across all of Equestria. Ponies were gleefully dancing in the painted rays, thanking the white alicorn as she flew in the sky. The other side was darker and lacking color. Navy blue swirled meticulously with black in seamless transition. White specks shimmered within the painted sky , bringing a small amount of light into the darkness. One spot was larger than the rest, silhouetted with the shadow of a darker alicorn looking down at the ponies slumbering in the fields.

The hallways branched off into four similar paths. The chestnut pegasus stared in confusion, wondering which one would lead him to freedom. Clanging and shouting echoed from every direction. Shadows appeared in every hall as more guards rushed into the room. They surrounded the wild-eyed stallion with weapons at the ready. The pegasus slowly backed away towards the entrance, only to be blocked off by more guardsponies.

Stamping his hoof into the ground, the stallion began to charge into the fray of heavily armored ponies. “THAT’S ENOUGH STORM RUNNER!” came a familiar voice of authority. The young stallion skidded to a halt, nearly basing into one of the guards. The sparkling wall of ponies separated, revealing an elder pony. His coat was as black as midnight brought out more by his ghostly white mane.

Storm Runner didn’t recognize the stallion at first, until he stared into his icy blue eyes.

“Blade?” questioned Storm Runner, as the dark fog slowly lifted from his mind. He felt his legs wobble before they gave out under his weight. “I don’t….” He felt his already weak grasp on reality slipping. His vision hazed up and the entire room tilted to the side. The ground felt cold against his side, draining what little strength remained.

Blade rushed over to Storm Runner’s side. He was screaming orders to the guards that were hastily encircling them, but they were whispers to the fallen pegasus. Storm Runner felt a presence within his own mind struggling to break free. Its frozen touch slowly crept throughout his fleeting consciousness, trying to take control of the weakened body.

Storm Runner used whatever strength he had left to push it back into the dark depths of his psyche. The dark presence shrieked in pain and shrank back from whence it came. Before it returned, it let out one last word that would forever haunt Storm Runner. The word that described the reason he wanted to become a guard. The word he wished didn’t fit his character. Coward.

Before Storm Runner succumbed to the temptation of unconsciousness, he felt a sharp pain jab into his chest and a cool liquid push into his bloodstream. At first, it had no effect on him what so ever. Then all at once, his heart beat furiously and the fog quickly lifted from his eyes. He jumped straight into the air, only to be restrained by two heavily muscled guardspoinies. “What did you do?” he said, the word leaving his mouth before his brain registered them. “I feel like running! Do you feel like running? Let’s go running!”

A strong hoof cracked him in the cheek with the force of a teenage dragon. Storm Runner quickly regained his composure and let out a deep breath. He turned to where the blow came from and found himself face-to-face with Lt. Wild Blade. “Calm down,” he said gently. “Everything is going to be alright. We shot a bit of adrenaline into you to keep you with us, son. What happened?”

“I don’t….” he began. His mind quickly froze up as the memories from the past few hours flooded back into his mind. “The princess,” he said, unable to keep the worry from his tone. “Is she okay? Where’s the assassin? How’s your leg?” He met the strong eyes of his friend and stopped himself from asking anymore questions.

“You can let him go now,” ordered Blade. “I don’t think he is going to cause anymore trouble.” They nodded in return and released the pegasus from their burly grasp. Storm Runner wobbled a moment, placing his hoof on one of the guard’s sides to steady himself. The other guard held out a sympathetic hoof to Storm Runner, but he respectfully denied the help.

Blade, satisfied his protégé wasn’t going to pass out again, slowly began to explain the events with a tone that could calm an Ursa Major. “Right now, we are both in the halls of Canterlot Castle. For whatever reason, Celestia demanded that our well-being take precedent over all other matters. She even had the most renowned herbalist in all of Equestria flown in to save us.”

“What did she do to your leg?” asked Storm Runner. “Is it alright?”

“Just calm down and let me finish,” replied Storm Runner. “Apparently, the assassin coated her daggers with a powerful poison. I don’t think it was meant for me per say, but our meddling in her scheme must have sent her over the edge. She took her own life just to keep from getting caught.”

“She did what?” Storm Runner said, his eyes widening at the news.

“That’s exactly what I said,” answered Blade. He slowly stretched his hind leg out, revealing a scar green as the meadows of Ponyville. “Did a real number on my leg too. I couldn’t really understand what the doctor was telling me though. All she did was speak in rhymes and some of them didn’t even make any sense.”

“But you’re alright?” asked Storm Runner.

“Well,” replied Blade, “I could be better.” He struggled to raise his disfigured leg, but it refused to lift more than a few inches off the ground. “The poison was designed to slowly destroy the nerves until it reached the heart. I was lucky enough the herbalist knew about a plant that counteracts the effects, but my leg isn’t what is used to be.” Storm Runner stared at his mentor with eyes full of sorrow. “Don’t worry. It wasn’t your fault. You did all you could,” he said reassuringly. “What I do want to know is why you went all crazy and assaulted your fellow guardsponies.”

Storm Runner nervously kicked at the marble floor. His mind returned to the horrible nightmare that haunted him. The tentacles of shadow slowly strangled his mind from within. The creature of evil and darkness, following him wherever he travels. Its only desire being nothing but his death. Storm Runner opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by the heavy door swinging open.

The three guards stood at attention showing respect to the two alicorns walking gracefully towards them. Storm Runner stared in awe at their beauty. The larger of the two was pure white and presented herself in a laid back manner. Her rainbow hair flowed like a river of melted crayons in the windless chamber. A tiara of gold sat upon her head, held there by the horn that was twice the size of any regular unicorn’s. The smaller alicorn was a deep blue color and seemed more rigid than the other. Her mane was the color of night and sparkled like the stars. Her gaze pierced through Storm Runner like a thousand ice-bladed daggers, analyzing his every feature. She huffed unimpressed at the one her sister had been describing to her this whole time. “Sister,” she said regally, “is this truly the one you’ve been speaking about. He seems a bit…young.”

“Princess Celestia...Princess Luna,” Lt. Blade breathed unexpectedly, taking a knee with the other two guards in respect to their presence. Taking notice to Storm Runner’s lack of respect, he swiftly kicked the pegasus in the foreleg. Storm Runner fell to one knee in an impromptu bow, more out of pain than respect. He opened his mouth to protest, but one look from Blade shut the stallion up quick as a whip. Luna rolled her eyes and signed, but Celestia chuckled earnestly.

“So, you are the pony that saved my life,” lauded Princess Celestia, a warm smile forming on her beautiful face. Storm Runner, never actually meeting a mare of such beauty in his life, stared awkwardly back, feeling the blood rushing to his cheeks. Celestia chuckled at the young stallion’s uneasiness, “You don’t have to be so shy. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I am forever grateful young Storm Runner.” She signaled for the two guards to leave the room. They rose and followed their princess’s command, their heavy hoofsteps echoing through the halls.

“Thou art giving a jest,” scoffed Luna. “Tis but luck this pony didn’t end up dead and your own blood wasn’t being cleaned off the floor.” Celestia shot a not-so-amused look at her sister. Luna stared back in rebellion for short time before shrinking back in her sister’s shadow.

Celestia coughed to clear her throat and said, “As I was saying, Thank you for saving me from that assassin. I wished to repay in some way, but that is for later.” She walked over to Storm Runner and placed a hoof on his strong shoulders. “Right now, we have much to discuss.” She gestured towards the door on the far side of the room. “Follow me please.”

She trotted over to the door and pushed it open with her hoof. It creaked slightly as the hinges bared the weight of the heavy door. Its opening revealed a well-lit passage. Celestia walked through with Luna not far behind. Storm Runner turned to Blade, a worried look showing on his face. Blade gave him a smirk and beckoned him to follow. They both ventured through the door, meeting the princesses half way down the corridor. The hall wasn’t as decorative as the others. From the fine layer of dust on what few statues and pictures dotting the walls, it looked as if no pony ever went into this part of the castle. They walked the remaining distance of the hall to another door. The door looked like the one Celestia opened not too long ago, with the exception of a hole being where the doorknob should have been. Celestia bowed her head and gingerly put her horn in the door’s hole. A slight click resounded from within the tumblers of the doors lock. Celestia removed her horn, and the door began to glow bright yellow. With a flash of light, the door dematerialized to reveal a room made of solid gold.

“What is this place?” Storm Runner asked, astonished at the unbelievable amount of gold within the small room. Celestia trotted gracefully inside with her sister. Having no other choice, the veteran guard and his protégé followed.

From within, the room’s glow waned. It was bare, save for three portraits and a golded case resting at the opposite end of the extravagant room. Storm Runner examined the three portraits of the ponies. “Do you know who these ponies are?” Celestia asked Storm Runner. Still staring at the portraits, he shook his head. “These ponies,” began Celestia, “are the heroes of Equestria. These ponies have done great services to all my subjects.”

Luna pointed at the portrait of a black mare wearing armor made of silver. Her red eyes seemed to peer out from the picture, leering over all who entered. “That was Silver Moon. She was a valiant warrior back in her time. Tis her that stopped the dreaded Draloth the Invincible Dragon of the Wastes and his army of dark dragons from burning Equestria to cinders.” Without meeting Storm Runner’s eye, she commented, “She was an actual champion unlike you.”

Celestia shot another gaze at her sister, but continued explaining down the row of portraits. “This next pony was known as Star Swirl the Bearded,” she said proudly. “He not only created many spells, but he was an architect with words. He single handedly stopped the Diamond Dog rebellion without any bloodshed whatsoever.” Storm Runner nodded to show he was still paying attention while Celestia explained the last portrait. This portrait was showed a purple mare with long flowing hair casting a spell. “This final pony was my pupil, Twilight Sparkle. She foiled the attempts of many enemies of Equestria with her friends. She held the Element of Magic, the most powerful Element of Harmony.”

Celestia turned to face Storm Runner. His eyes grew as big as melons. “Why are you showing me this?” he asked shakily. “What do these ponies have to do with me?”

Luna laughed at his ignorance. Celestia pointed her hoof at the confused stallion, “Because you are going to join their ranks as a Hero of Equestria,” she said matter-of-factly. Still confused, Storm Runner shook his head in disbelief. Celestia walked behind him and pointed at his flank. He turned to see a six-pointed star on his flank.

“I have a cutie mark?” he said, even more shocked than before. “What’s my special talent? The only thing I remember doing is fainting a lot.” Storm Runner looked at his mentor, whom had been keeping his cool the entire time. “Please tell me my special talent isn’t fainting,” he said, getting nothing more than a friendly chortle from his friend.

“That is only partly true,” stated Celestia.

“So…half my special talent is fainting,” retorted Storm Runner.

Luna stamped her hoof down hard on the ground, creating an echo of authority. “How dare thou speak to your ruler in such a precarious way!” she shouted angrily. “Tis an honor she is bestowing on such an undeserving child and thou art treating it like some petty jest!”

“That is enough!” Celestia said demandingly. “Luna, if you don’t stop questioning my decision, I’ll have you dismissed to your quarters. Is that understood dear sister?”

Luna stared back with sharp eyes and replied, “My apologies, sister.”

Celestia’s featured softened as she turned back to Storm Runner and continued, “Cutie Marks are a kind of…old magic. They have been around longer than I and no pony has ever been able to replicate their magic. The only thing most ponies know is that they are connected to finding our true selves.” Celestia allowed a moment to pass so the information would sink in before continuing. “Unbeknownst to most ponies, cutie marks have another use. Every generation or so, a pony receives a special cutie mark signifying a strong heart and fierce will. That pony receives the cutie mark of a hero, and that pony is you.”

Storm Runner looked back at his newly acquired cutie mark, then back at the portraits. On all of their flanks, he recognized the same cutie mark on each of them. A smile as wide as a mile spread across his brightened face. “Are you for real!” he exclaimed. “I’m a hero! This is so awesome! I don’t even... I can’t believe that….”

Celestia held a hoof out, silencing the pegasus. “There is more,” she said. Her horn began to glow softly and the golden case flipped open. Inside was a thick tome wrapped in leather. “This is called Spera, the weapon of heroes.”

Storm Runner stared in confusion at the book. “The weapon of heroes is…a book.” He nervously scratched the back of his head. “I don’t think it is my type of weapon.”

Celestia chuckled and said, “Of course it isn’t. This was Twilight’s. Spera is a special weapon that takes the form most fitting of those that wield it. Only those with the mark of heroes can use it, so this is the real test to see if you are truly what I think you are.” Celestia stepped back from the book, gesturing for Storm Runner to take it into his hooves. He looked over at Blade, whom nodded approvingly at the young pegasus.

Storm Runner swallowed and reached for Spera. As if he were cradling a young filly, he slowly removed it from the golden case. He stared quizzically at it for a moment. The book began to vibrate in his hooves, becoming more violent with each passing second. The book quickly caught on fire from all its edges. Startled, Storm Runner tried to throw it away, but it was stuck to his hooves. He flailed frantically, trying to throw it away. The flames reached his body, but they didn’t burn. The ashes of the book swirled in the air and landed in the flames. The fire twisted and contorted into many shapes in Storm Runner’s grasp. As sudden as lightening, the flame erupted into a blinding flash that reflected off the golden walls of the room. When the bright light subsided, Storm Runner found himself holding a white blade with a blue gem embedded in its golden hilt. He moved it around to find that it was light as a feather. He swung it around, feeling its balance of speed and power surge cut through his imaginary foe.

“This…is…AWESOME!” he exclaimed proudly. “I can’t believe I’m a hero.” He caught the sight of Blade from the corner of his eye smiling proudly back at him. Storm Runner felt a sense of joy coursing through his body. He turned to Celestia and, remembering to bow, said, “Thank you. I promise I won’t let you down.”

Celestia smiled back at the stallion and replied, “I’m glad to hear you say that, because there is a situation that may require a hero.” She handed a packet of papers to Lt. Blade. “This explains all you need to know.”

Storm Runner’s mouth fell open. “Blade is coming too?” he asked, unable to hide the happiness that was quickly building up inside of him.

“He has volunteered to be your mentor as you become a hero,” she stated. “All of these heroes may have been given the title, but they all had much to learn before they reached their full potential.” Celestia nodded toward the door. “Now hurry you two. You have a train to catch.”

Storm Runner and Blade saluted the princesses. Storm Runner sheathed his new sword, and it disappeared from his back. “Is that supposed to do that?” he asked.

Celestia nodded. “Spera is a magical weapon from ancient times. Its potential is endless as long as the hero’s heart remains true.”

“Magic sword…SWEET!” exclaimed Storm Runner.

“If you’re done playing with that toothpick, we have a train to catch,” ordered Lt. Blade. Storm Runner nodded and they both rushed out of the room to the train station, leaving the two princesses alone.

Celestia swung around to face her sister. “Why must you be so hard on him?” she asked solemnly.

“I believe we both know the answer to that,” retorted Luna.

Celestia sighed at her sister’s response. “That is not a good reason,” said Celestia. “That happened long ago.”

“And the cost was greater than the goal,” added Luna.

“What happened to Twilight wasn’t our fault,” snapped Celestia. “It couldn’t be helped.”

Luna shook her head in disgust. “Like I said...the cost was too great.”

Celestia closed her eyes and let out a deep breath, but couldn’t find the words to combat what her sister said. Maybe because she is right, Celestia thought to herself.

Luna waited for her sister to speak again. Her eyes widened as she watched Celestia trot out of the room without a word. When Celestia was well out of earshot, Luna whispered, “I won’t let it happen again.” She stared at the picture of the purple unicorn, a stray tear sliding down her face. “I won’t lose another.” Luna turned and trotted out of the room determined to keep her word.

Neil Fowler:

*adjust*

Neil Fowler:

Consider rewording without beginning with *She*

Neil Fowler:

horsey story, horsey movements

Neil Fowler:

*inside*

Neil Fowler:

Luna's a little bit of a bitch