Protectorby EluChaptersPrologue: ExperienceChapter 1: IssuesChapter 2: TestsPrologue: ExperienceIt is said that our experiences never leave us. They make us who we are, and without them, we would be completely different. The good, the bad, everything the person experiences shapes them from the young days well into the future. And no matter what, nothing can be forgotten and dropped like it was nothing. In life, each moment matters, for anything can happen in an instant. It might not be a conscious decision, but it does influence the consciousness itself. Even the defeat of the Figure didn't bring an end to every problem Sirius had. When he appeared in this new world, he had no direction, no goal. And now, it seemed like there was no going forward. The perpetual motion of his life came to a screeching halt. It was peaceful, and yet troublesome. He thought he had everything he could ever wish for: a loved one, a mansion, and his living is paid for by the government to thank him for defeating a foreign invader. He was set for life, and every door was open to him. And yet, when one is presented with so many choices, they blend in and become nothing. He became free, truly free. However, all he knew in life was a line stretching from his birth to a goal. When he was a kid, it was preparing to school. When he was a teenager, it was learning. This routine was broken by events that left him scarred, but even they presented a clear goal. The brutal but quick death of his father made him want to go forward, hoping to achieve something his father would be proud of. He found his first love, and he wanted nothing more than to prove his worth and gain the affection he desired. When it was gone, reduced to nothing, he had a simple school routine to cling to. But then the unthinkable happened. Abduction, torture, rape. It proved to be the final breaking point, and the violence brewing inside Sirius was unleashed. Like a predator, he stalked those who wronged him, planning a precise and deadly strike. His fists itched for flesh to tear, and the urge of revenge boiled inside him. Each night, he would fall asleep thinking about how he would tear them apart, piece by piece, limb from limb, and all agonizingly slow. They were three, and he had something special for each of them. In the end, he avenged himself and all the other victims of those utter monsters, and nothing but the charred remains of the last one remained. Sirius fulfilled his vengeance, and then he hoped for eternal rest. And yet, that wasn't the case, for his death was just another beginning. His new life began, a chance to start it all anew. Unfortunately, the new mind was still his own, and the painful memories remained. He wanted to reject this second life, he desired nothing more than to lie at peace and undisturbed. Even if he wished for a second life deep down, he thought it to be impossible. Something different happened. Something that turned his life around and showed him that there were things to live for. The warmth of an embrace, the care and understanding he longed for, and love. It took him a long time to adapt and to let the past go, but undoubtedly, it was worth it. Months have passed since he awoke on a strange red leaf in the middle of a lake. He had done things he regretted, but regrets are the experience everyone needs to be able to grow as a person. Every regret, no matter how big or small, teaches a valuable lesson. Through mistakes, people learn what it means to be wrong. By acknowledging the wrongdoings they committed, they can become better. Sirius had never been religious. He didn't believe in hell, heaven, reincarnation, or afterlife. To him, those things didn't matter at all. If there was a higher power looking after people, the world wouldn't be such a terrible place. However, there was something he was wrong about. The death wasn't the end but a beginning of something new. It didn't make sense, but many things in the universe worked in ways humans couldn't understand just yet. Maybe one day, Sirius would learn why he appeared in the new world. However, it didn't matter at all to him. After all, life went on, he couldn't just wait for someone to hand him the answer. However, he did what many religious people do — he confessed his sins. He confessed all that he thought were his misdeeds. He didn't confess it to a silent, supposedly omnipresent being, however, but instead, found the one person who could turn his confession for good. Princess Luna was trying to help Sirius ever since she first saw him. In him, she saw a broken and lost soul, someone looking for help but not knowing how to accept it. Unfortunately, the alicorn wasn't as smart about her help as she believed she should have, and the resulting misunderstanding nearly cost both of them their lives. Fortunately, however, Sirius managed to find the right person to help him — Iclyn. Princess Luna could barely believe that the two managed to take off and even love each other. She had seen many relationships where one or both partners suffered from mental issues. In an overwhelming majority of cases, the partners separated because they couldn't bear such a burden. Sirius and Iclyn turned out to be very good for each other, however. The pegasus filly was good-natured, and perhaps she found something she liked in the former human even way back when they first met. When asked about it, Iclyn couldn't offer much of an answer, but she said that despite all the things she could see were wrong with him, he was ready to go out of his way to help others in his own way. He didn't seek to be a hero, but he remembered very well how it felt to be a victim. He stood against all the nonsense he saw as well. Iclyn remembered the time when Sirius refused to accept the school hierarchy. He refused to bow before anyone, and he made sure no one could mess with him, no matter how strong they were or how much power they had. She saw that Sirius was fearless and accepted no compromise. He was willing to get into trouble if something was wrong, and in a certain way, it was admirable. Iclyn was by no means a weak person, but she more often than not followed rules set out in front of her. Sirius had changed a lot since he first appeared in this world. Bitter, depressed and angry on the inside, and yet seemingly emotionless and numb on the outside, that was the impression Luna had. He was able to control himself, but the beast inside was always waiting. However, Sirius changed for the better, and now no one would be able to guess that he had looked death in the eye way too many times. Perhaps, his numerous scars were a good indicator of his encounters with the void, but he could easily make up stories about them. Without self-loathing and depression tearing him apart, Sirius dramatically changed. His hidden personality came out, and now the thing he had been hiding and suppressing for a long time saw the light of day. In some way, he hadn't grown up much since his early teenage years. Ever since he defeated the Figure with the help of Iclyn and Luna, he had been visiting the princess regularly for therapy sessions. He knew that he still had certain problems, and he felt the need to talk about his own world. Many terrible things happened there on a regular basis, and he hoped the princess would be able to prevent them in her own world. "I will make everything possible to ensure that anything even remotely suspicious is investigated thoroughly," Luna promised him during one of his therapy sessions, "What you've told me... It is unbelievable, unimaginable, but I'm certain you're telling the truth," she looked away for a moment, "I don't want to believe what you told me, but... the reality has no concern about anyone's beliefs. I..." she let out a shaky breath, "I have seen my own share of terrible things. I have seen the victims, what they went through, and some were beyond my help..." she hung her head as certain memories appeared in her head. The times of war when villages and cities were plundered, crops burned. Nooses hanging from the trees, and the grass brown from dried blood. Everyone remembers the two royal sisters for their peaceful reign, but few knew what came before. "Luna?" Sirius called quietly, breaking the silence. "Ah, I apologize," Luna replied hastily, returning to the present, "So, you want to help this world become better, and I most certainly appreciate it. It might seem like we're simply talking, but your story, it's... in a certain way, it drives me to make a better world for all of us." "I know I can help more," Sirius slightly leaned in, "I have read a lot, and... I think you're the right person to ask about it. Can you tell me more about the Royal Guard?" "Ah, I see you're thinking about joining them," the alicorn made a small smile, "That is very admirable, I must say. Very well, I shall answer every question you might have about the Royal Guard." "What is it that they exactly do?" he asked. "Their first duty is to protect Equestria. It is true that they also protect us, princesses, but..." she chuckled, "To be honest, my sister and I can take on all of Equestria and win if we wanted to. Most of the times, we don't need protection." "But... I, um..." he nervously fidgeted in place, "I nearly... Uh..." Luna leaned in, a serious but caring expression on her face. She knew very well what Sirius was trying to say. She remembered the duel they had, the ferocity and rage in his eyes, and the glistening of steel as it swung through the air. If not for Iclyn's intervention, the nightly princess could've died then and there. "I, I'm sorry..." he hung his head, "I probably shouldn't even remind you..." "It's alright, Sirius," she told him in a gentle voice, "What happened there wasn't your fault. I forgive you for what you have done. Please, remember that." Slowly, Sirius nodded and slowly sighed. "We can't ignore what happened," Luna continued, "But both of us have learned our lessons. And one of the lessons is that I am not all-powerful and do need protection from time to time." "Y-yeah, I suppose..." Sirius fidgeted in place, "And I... I learned that acting on emotions can lead to... devastating consequences. If I only waited just a bit, if I..." "Sirius, please, it won't do you any good thinking about 'what if'," the alicorn told him, "What happened, happened. We can't change that, but we can go forward. We both know what it's like to have regrets, feel guilt. But we have made amends, and it's time we leave the past behind and embrace the new." He nodded in response. He understood that moving on was the only option he had, and nothing could prevent the past. And yet, he couldn't stop the nagging feeling inside him, the feeling that told him that he could prevent it. "Sirius..." Princess Luna let out a sigh, "If it will make you feel better... Your desire to join the Royal Guard and protect Equestria will make this world a better place. You will be able to prevent terrible things from happening, I believe it. Do your best to protect your new home, and I will do my best to make this home worth protecting. Do you accept this?" "Yes, I do," Sirius readily agreed, the shakiness gone from his voice. He remembered what he wanted and why he wanted it, and now it was the time to express it. For a moment, however, he was silent as questions appeared in his head. But there was no beating around the bush, so he voiced them: "But... where do I start? How do I join?" "Oh, it's rather simple," Luna replied, "Before the current school year finishes, you should apply for Royal Guard training. It will prepare you for the service. You have great skill with a sword, but there are things you still need to learn. And, of course, you will have to pass medical examination." "I'm not sure..." he looked at one of his hind legs. No matter which position it took, it looked wrong in a subtle way. He still limped everywhere he went, and there was nothing he could do about it. "Yes, there are problems, but I'm certain you will be accepted," the princess assured him, "However, there is something else... You're a bit too young to join. But we can make an exception in your case. You have proven to be a capable fighter and protector, so I think the numbers can be overlooked. If anything, you are mentally mature, so I'd say you're fit for service." "Alright, so if I pass... What's next?" he asked warily, for he was unsure. His determination to join was great, but he understood he needed to know more if he wanted to succeed. "You shall learn battle magic along with ethics and investigative work. A Royal Guard is defined not only by their skill in battle, but by their skill in peace," Luna emphasized the last word, "You need to know how to conduct investigations, arrests, and inquiries. The Royal Guard is not only personal protection for the royalty and nobility, they are also law enforcement. To uphold the law, they must know what law is and how it applies to reality." "That seems like a lot, but I will do my best," Sirius promised, "I... I have always dreamed of becoming someone who helps others. My... father did it, and he taught me about how important it is. I know I will have to make difficult decisions, but I will do everything I can to make things right and... just." "I admire your spirit, Sirius," Luna smiled at him, "I can see that you will go far." "Thank you!" Sirius replied with a smile of his own, "I will not disappoint!" "I'm sure you won't," the princess nodded with certainty, "Alright, so I will make all the necessary arrangements for you to receive the attention from the Captain himself. I sense he would greatly appreciate such an eager stallion as yourself. And... I suppose this concludes our meeting?" "Yes, I think it does," Sirius stood up from the sofa, "I'll go do the homework, and then there's training. Can't wait to become a guard!" Luna stood up and smiled at him, appreciating his enthusiasm. He reminded her of a child who learned of a gift they would soon receive. And in a certain way Sirius was still a child. His experiences matured him, made him into a strong person, but a certain side of him was still underdeveloped. It might prove to be troublesome for a future Royal Guard, but Luna was certain he would make a fine stallion to be proud of. Together, she and Sirius would comb through his problems and issues, making sure that he would live the best life he could. It's the least Luna could offer him after she learned of what he had been through. As she left Sirius' mansion, she looked at the building. The stallion had everything he could wish for: love, a house, and freedom. And yet, despite having the possibility of living a peaceful and carefree life in Canterlot, Sirius willingly chose to put himself forward and protect others from harm. Luna knew many guards in her lifetime, and a lot of them entered the service to escape the life they didn't want or enjoy. They wanted to make something of themselves, be it for money, fame, or what little power being a guard gives. However, Sirius had the fame and money and desired no power. He only wished to serve to make sure others wouldn't fall into the claws of those who wished harm upon them. The few remaining leaves floated in the wind, leaving the trees naked under the gray skies. Luna noted that a rain was scheduled to occur in a few hours. And yet, this unpleasant weather didn't falter her spirit, which was filled with hope for Sirius to succeed. He had already left a big impact on the history of Equestria by defeating an invader, the Changeling Queen Chrysalis; Luna felt he would leave and even bigger mark once he has the famed golden armor of the Royal Guard. The future will be interesting, she thought. Sirius' desire to protect the citizens of Equestria might result in something more than preventing petty thievery among the streets of Canterlot. Perhaps, it would bring something else, something Luna was uncertain of. No matter what it will be, the future will become the present, and all will be unveiled. Chapter 1: IssuesA steady breath. Mind clear of thoughts. Focus on the movement, his own and his opponent's. A sword begins its movement, and another answers. Evasion, feinting, blocking, dodging. Always the same, always different. Body is nothing, skill is everything. A damaged leg can be an advantage if used right. Make the enemy think he's weak, but then he strikes from his weakness, turning it into strength. There is no weakness, only a choice between continuing to victory or giving up and allowing the opponent to prevail. A choice between life and death. A clash of steel, a clash of wills. Always improving, always facing new challenges. Quickly, precisely, and without thought. Thought comes later, an analysis of the result. But when fighting, one must not think but act. Thoughts are slower than actions. Actions bring victory, and thoughts can be saved for later. Fight is like a dance with a partner who wants to outdance you. Neither know what to expect, but both need to react accordingly, otherwise it results in failure. A sword passes defense, strikes the target. Victory. Sirius came back to reality after yet another training. In the training hall of his mansion, he fought different fighters, learning from their strengths and understanding their weaknesses. The magic crystal providing him a sparring partner was programmed to learn, and so each day, Sirius learned as well. He couldn't stop learning, for it would result in his death in a real fight. This time, he came out victorious, but that wouldn't always be the case. His damaged leg buzzed from exhaustion, adrenaline left him, and only tiredness remained. He breathed heavily and sat down, sheathing the training sword and placing it in the rack with others. "Sirius, dinner's ready!" the voice of his beloved reached him from the kitchen. She was always at his side, ready to do what he couldn't. A smile played its way on his lips as he recounted the times they shared moments of love. Neither had any duties to uphold, but an unspoken agreement sparked between the two: Sirius protects her and others, and she makes sure he can continue do that without going mad. It was a vague agreement, of course, but it was enough. The rest was simple love that required nothing but the consent of the two to act on it. Sirius inhaled deeply and stood up. He would always replenish his strength and come back for more, for there was a great many challenges ahead. The life of a Royal Guard wasn't easy, and his goal was to prepare for it mentally and physically. Daily training was nothing new for him; discipline was what allowed him to achieve his strength. He knew he had much to learn – there were always things to learn regardless of what one already knew. But learning is taxing on the mind and body, so it was good time to grab a bite. Sirius had been getting more meat than usually, and his muscles finally began to grow, covering his thin body. In fact, he was now healthily thin, and his muscles were defined rather well. It was still a long way for him to go, especially to the standards of the Royal Guard, but he was a long way ahead of how he started. The size of his muscles didn't concern him, however. It is how he used them; mobility, flexibility, and strength were what mattered to him. The size and mass, if anything, would be entirely detrimental to his efforts in all things but the raw hoof to hoof combat. Even then, he could manipulate the mass of his opponent to his advantage. All in all, there were things he needed, and there were things he had to keep in mind. Just in case. He limped to the exit of the training hall and headed to the kitchen, his nostrils already catching the smell of food. Iclyn was never a bad cook, and her skills always improved just like his did with the sword. She even learned to cook different meats, helping him a great deal. This time, it was a scent of rice, some vegetables, and fish – the food of coastal cities and settlements. In his life, Sirius rarely tried Japanese cuisine, but he was more than glad to be able to do so now. It wasn't quite Japanese, but rather close, and definitely tasty. "I see you're doing really well," Iclyn commented, glancing at Sirius' sweaty body, "Really taking that training seriously, aren't you?" "It makes me better, so yeah," he replied, taking a seat at the table, "Your food smells delicious, Icy. Can't wait to try it!" "You always say that," she let out a short laugh. "Because it's always delicious," he replied with a stupid grin on his face, "Anyway, I'm ready. And I'm going to wash the dishes today." "Well, if you're not too tired, then alright," Iclyn said and then grasped the handle of a pan with her teeth. In a moment, she placed it on the table, allowing Sirius to see the cooked fish, "You've been training a lot, so you do need a lot of rest, too." "Thanks, but I'm fine," he assured her, "I'd be sleeping if I were tired, you know." "Maybe," she half-agreed, "Anyway, enjoy the food! I know I will." The two ate in a pleasant silence, enjoying each-other's presence and the taste of the food. Same thing every day, but neither of them minded it; it was peaceful, the food was good, what else was there to want? In truth, Sirius indeed had everything he could ever desire, and so did Iclyn. Their future was assured; the stallion just wanted to make sure it stayed that way. He was young, many years were still ahead of him. Until recently, he had no idea he would live as long as he did, and now it looked like a whole eternity was waiting for him. He would grow old with his love, and hopefully, depart to a peaceful non-existence. But before he would reach that point, he still had years upon years. And he intended to spend these years the best way possible, which included making sure that his new home would remain at peace. He suspected it wouldn't be easy, but then was there ever lasting peace without conflict? In the grand scheme of things, he was unlikely to contribute a lot, but this theory flew out the window when he defeated Chrysalis during the Canterlot Wedding Invasion. He had proven that he was larger than he thought. Of course, he was still just one person, but even one person could bring change, no matter how little. That is why nothing was going to stop him now. He expected more Chrysalises to come, more invasions to happen, and he would be happy if he could prevent or solve even one problem. He didn't care about being remembered, but he knew he would be – his deeds couldn't be purged now. Perhaps, he was overly positive, but it was better than being overly negative. After all, he was still prepared and working on himself, perfecting his skills and body. He was a notable figure in modern Equestrian history, and so he could start something more, something even larger than him. Young colts, as he found out, admired him. To him, he was the very definition of a knight in shining armor, someone who was always ready to lay down his life for others. Of course, it was a simplified image of him – the truth was much more complex. The colts would grow, however, and they would shed the simplification in time. Sirius saw how they trained, how swordsmanship clubs had a surge of new applicants desiring to be just like him. They would never be just like him, of course, but they would certainly find value in the training he did. The past month, he was offering advice for beginners and training them along with Pride Fight, his own teacher that still had things to offer. The aging stallion was like battered, scratched, slightly rusted steel – old and weathered, but still standing in the face of danger and willing to teach the younger generation. Some ponies left the training, finding it too difficult for them. But that didn't matter – quality trumped quantity. Those who stayed offered way more than those who left. Day by day, they improved, and their understanding of swordsmanship evolved from stick-bashing to proper form and understanding of the double-edged blade. Iclyn had been training as well, though not nearly as often as Sirius. Spear is one of the easiest weapons to learn to use, for it offers a massive advantage in reach over many other weapons. As the pegasus found out, she could use her legs to turn the spear almost as fast as unicorns could. All in all, she became a decently-capable fighter and would be able to defend herself if the need arose. Sirius finished his meal first and went to wash it right away, singing a song to himself. It was one of his old favorite tunes from days past, and he didn't even remember what the song's name was. However, there was something about it that he liked, and so it was one of the very few things he kept from his human life. As he hummed the song, he poured the soap on the dishes and began scrubbing them, making sure not a spot was left. Proper discipline in everything assured the best results, and although Sirius wasn't a fan of doing such work, he enjoyed the results nevertheless, making this work worth it. Iclyn finished her own meal soon, and the stallion gladly took the dishes to wash them. A dab of soap, and then scrubbing with a sponge. Nothing difficult, but the results were nice. Soon, all the kitchenware was properly cleaned and placed where it belonged. "I'm going to shower now," Sirius said, heading upstairs. "Don't mind if I join," Iclyn smirked and followed him. Sometimes, it was sexual. Sometimes, they simply washed each-other and played in the water. Anything they did was done in happiness and agreement. The stallion especially enjoyed it – he had never experienced such peace before. And it only hardened his resolve to join the Royal Guard. After all, such peace needs to be cherished and protected; there were many who would want to take it away from them for one reason or another. Or, sometimes, for no reason at all. It didn't matter the reason, however – the result would be the same. Sirius enjoyed the warm water just as he enjoyed cold showers that he took to wake up. Each served their purpose: the warm one to relax after hard training, and the cold one to get ready for the day and bring the mind to work. And this time, he was enjoying lazily swimming in the pool along with Iclyn. She could keep herself afloat easily, just staying in place like a duck. That had something to do with her much lighter weight due to her being a pegasus, Sirius thought. She could probably fall asleep in that position and stay afloat for a long time. As for him, he swam despite his damaged leg. It didn't hinder him at all, and the swimming allowed him to relax and also tone his muscles when he put effort into it. Of course, his leg buzzed after any substantial exertion, but he learned to ignore it. And maybe one day, he would be able to fix it and walk properly. But until then, he could use his weakness to turn it into strength. As long as he was aware of the flaw, he could circumvent it, at the very least. Most importantly, he had money. His pension was rather great, and it would allow him to buy many extravagant things. However, he didn't need them: he didn't need fancy carriages, golden statuettes, nothing of the sort. He was content with what he had, for it was more than he had ever had before in his life. So, instead of showing off his money, he put the money elsewhere – into research. Of course, the royalty already poured plenty into it, but he thought that it would still be a better use for his money than buying anything else or simply storing it somewhere. Maybe one day, they would discover how to cure such extensive leg injuries. Sirius sighed quietly. Some time had passed since he received it, and every single day was a reminder that he might never walk properly again. Princess Luna promised to look into solutions, but so far, no results were yielded, and it was uncertain if, let alone when, they would. He could do nothing but wait, hoping that his money helped the research, and hoping that Princess Luna would push it even further. Author's Note Sirius' depression is gone now, but there are certain issues he still faces, mostly centering around his injury. He's trying to convince himself that it didn't matter, that his skill would turn it into a strength of its own, but at the end of the day, everything he did would be better if he still had a healthy leg. Chapter 2: TestsCanterlot. The city was calm and quiet on that autumn day. The chilly winds carried the fallen leaves across the streets, and the sun rays could barely penetrate the thick cloud cover. The rain wasn't scheduled for another few hours, but the preparations were in place. From time to time, the energy in the clouds released in thunder and lightning, cracking above the city and flashing it in a bright, sharp light. Sirius was walking alone to the Royal Guard Training Facility, which wasn't too far from the tall and mighty Canterlot Castle. His gait was steady, and his limp was no longer as pronounced as before; his expression was calm and collected, although anxiousness resided deep inside him. He walked without his swords – he knew he wouldn't need them at the Training Facility. However, now he couldn't feel the familiar weight of his weapons, and he felt as if he was naked. Even being without clothes never made him feel that way, but the lack of his blades made him feel vulnerable, unprotected, even weak. He had taken some close combat lessons in order to be able to use his body, but he would feel much more comfortable having a sword between himself and anyone who would dare attack him. As he walked, some ponies greeted him with polite nods or short words. He automatically nodded in return but remained silent. He was used to blending with the crowd, but now seemingly everyone knew who he was. His scars were mostly hidden by his fur, but his limp was unmistakeable, and ponies recognized him regardless. Of course, he couldn't evade or deny the fact that he fought the Queen of Changelings during the pivotal moment of Equestrian history and won. And now, everyone across the country knew his face. His victory at the tournament brought him some fame before the invasion, but now, there was no one who didn't know him. And yet, despite the praise, despite the rewards, he didn't feel like he thought a hero was supposed to feel. He was just... himself. No more, no less. He did what he thought was right, and it just so happened to align with what ponies thought of as the right thing. He didn't pride himself on it. The medal he received was safely stored in the box somewhere inside the mansion, collecting dust. He wasn't about to rest and relax knowing that he could do more. He could now live a carefree life, but that wasn't what he wanted. The Royal Guard Training Facility appeared in his vision and he headed straight into the building. If he could do better, then he must. After a brief exchange with the receptionist, he was directed to a specific hall where new ponies underwent medical examination to determine whether they qualified to be a candidate. As anxious as Sirius was about the whole thing, he was also excited to take a large step into adulthood. A home, a special someone, and now a job reminded him of the peace he longed for but could never reach before. Finally, it was within his grasp, and mere hours separated him from achieving it. The job didn't promise to be peaceful or easy, but he expected it, and that was exactly what he was looking for. Easy life always makes one lazy and unprepared for possible challenges that may arise in the future. He took a seat with other stallions that came for the examination. Everyone was silent, deep in their own thoughts, so no one disturbed Sirius despite the fact that some of the stallions clearly recognized him. The line was joined by a few more stallions and then proceeded to move quickly. Soon, Sirius was called next. He entered the first room simply labeled with a number. A stallion wearing a tunic with a red stripe sat at a desk and invited Sirius to sit across him. His eyes glanced at the damaged leg as Sirius limped to the chair and took a sit. "Welcome, Sirius," the stallion said. His voice was soft a smooth; perfect for narrating books, "I'm a psychiatrist and I'm going to interview you before you can proceed." Sirius simply nodded in response, slightly adjusting his position to rest his damaged hind leg better. "I've heard many things about you," the psychiatrist said, "Good things, too. Everyone knows what you did at the wedding, and you have my respect for it." Again, Sirius nodded without saying a word. "Personally, I was looking forward to seeing you enter this room," the stallion continued, "Many stallions come and go each year for one reason or another. What made you go here? Why do you want to become a guard?" "I want to protect my home," Sirius replied without skipping a beat and then added, "To do more than I can do alone." "And why do you want to do this?" "Because I feel that's the right thing to do," the stallion replied in a calm and steady voice, "Because... I simply want to." For a few long moments, silence reigned in the room. A thought passed in Sirius' head – did he say something wrong? However, he was confident that his answer would be enough. After all, it was honest, and he couldn't say more if he tried. He didn't need a reason to protect what he had gained in his new life. He could come up with many reasons, perhaps, but in the end, he wanted to protect his home because he simply wanted to. In some way, it was even a need. "Very well. Please, proceed to the room number two," the psychiatrist nodded with a smile, "I wish you luck." With a nod of his own, Sirius got up from the chair and proceeded into the medical examination. He passed certain doctors rather quickly: his vision, sense of smell, hearing, were as sharp as ever; his body was no longer thin and gaunt, packing some muscle; his nerves worked as they should. Tests of his bodily liquids found nothing wrong with him. Despite his many scars, he was as healthy as one could be... except for one thing. "I can do everything just fine even with my problem," Sirius assured the doctor as his hind leg was being examined, "I train, I exercise, I run... I do it just as well as others do." "I believe your leg will cause you problems during service," the doctor said in a calm tone, "I'm not sure I should allow it, but... I have heard plenty of things about you, Sirius," he looked at the stallion, "You have definitely proved to be a capable warrior and protector. As I said, your leg will cause you problems, but... I see how you stand, how you walk. You have adapted to this unfortunate change. So, I believe it's best to allow you to proceed. The trials ahead will show if your claim of skill still holds true. But tell me, have you kept to doing the exercises to strengthen your leg and train its mobility and flexibility?" "I have," Sirius said, demonstrating a perfect split. He got up just as effortlessly. "Very well, then you may go on," the doctor nodded, placing a signature underneath the text he had just written. The paper immediately disappeared and moved on to the next doctor in line, "Good luck." The medical examination ended soon enough and Sirius was told to wait outside the last numbered door. From behind it, the sounds of clashing steel could be heard, as well as yells. Too muffled to be clearly understood, but the stallion suspected it was the room – a hall, most likely – where combat trials were held. He had some time until his turn, and he spent it looking at all the medical papers that were written during his examination. His eyes went over everything briefly, and, although his injury was mentioned in the papers, the approval stamp was there, and he was ready to take on the trials. Sirius had read about the tests before appearing at the Training Center. The first test was medical examination, and he passed it with relative ease. Psychological evaluation was also a part of the examination, but the short talk he had with the psychiatrist seemed way too short. However, all the time they were talking, the horn of the doctor was glowing – maybe it was magical evaluation. Next part would be the combat trials along with questions about the basics of Equestrian law. Sirius saw no issues with either and was ready for them. Finally, it was his turn. He stepped into the hall and was greeted by none other but Shining Armor, the Captain of the Royal Guard. "I expected to see you here someday, Sirius," he said, "And here you are, I'm glad to see you. Let's start with a couple of questions regarding the law." Sirius nodded, mentally preparing to answer any question the captain could have. "What is the basis of law in Equestria?" "Everyone is entitled to happiness to the best of their ability and without interference from others as long as they respect the right to happiness of others," the stallion replied, somewhat paraphrasing the exact wording. "And what does that exactly mean?" Shining Armor continued. "Each of us can and, ideally, should strive for what we consider happiness," Sirius explained, "But we can't do that if it interferes with the happiness of other Equestrians. For example... we can't steal even if it makes us happy because those we steal things from will definitely be unhappy." "What is the purpose of the Royal Guard?" "To protect Equestrian values and ensure ponies and other beings follow them." "Does the Royal Guard punish the lawbreakers?" the captain fired off the next question. "No, that is the duty of the judicial system," Sirius shook his head, "The Royal Guards act on what they can observe. The whole picture requires investigation to be understood. Judgement can't be made without knowing as much as possible and, ideally, everything." "Very good," Shining Armor nodded, "I see you have read the law and you understand it. I'd be cautious about you if you simply recited how it's written in the Constitution of Equestria. Now, are you ready for the combat trials?" "Yes, sir." "Then put on the padding and prepare for close combat, no weapons," the captain nodded and went to the stand with the armor. Soon, both he and Sirius put on the padded armor which protected most of their body, and the heaviest padding was on the chest area. Of course, a special cup was used to protect the very sensitive area in the crotch. Sirius felt somewhat restricted in the armor, but it still allowed good range of motion. "I have trained many recruits for combat, and now you will fight against me," Shining Armor said, "Don't hold back, show the best you're capable of. Of course, one-on-one situation is an ideal scenario, but I believe this little sparring session will show how skillful you generally are." Sirius nodded silently, and then he and the captain entered the training arena, a square of roughly ten by ten meters. Enough to maneuver around, at least for him. He didn't expect to defeat the muscular stallion that Shining Armor was; after all, Sirius had barely a few months of training behind his back, but he intended to show more during sword combat. The two opponents stood in front of each other and, after a third pony announced, the fight began. Shining Armor was cautious, not rushing but not standing still either. Sirius was doing the same, although he was moving differently due to his injured leg. Something animalistic awoke inside him, and although controlled, it made his motions become fluid and yet tense, allowing him to spring into action at any moment. Shining Armor twitched in Sirius' direction, but the second stallion didn't budge to the provocation. Swordsmanship training prepared him for such things, thankfully. However, he decided to start his assault right away, diving low in hopes of tackling the captain. He missed, to no surprise, but quickly turned and bucked, stricking the opponent straight in the chest. Shining Armor recoiled and stumbled, air knocked out of his lungs. Not wasting a moment, Sirius spun on his hind legs while also squatting, preparing for a lunge. He jumped at the captain, but he simply rolled onto his back and kicked with the hind legs, stopping the lunge and sending Sirius flying backwards. He landed on his back and swiftly rolled to get up on his hooves; Shining Armor did the same but quicker, and then used his front legs to spin and deliver a powerful kick. It hit Sirius in the side, making him lose balance and fall, and the captain was immediately on top of him, restraining him. Sirius tried to get up but the hold on him was firm, and he soon surrendered. "Not bad," Shining Armor said, getting up from his opponent, "Reaction is good, speed is good, but... technique needs some work. You've not done much combat without weapons, have you?" "Just... a few months," Sirius replied, breathing more heavily than the captain. "Definitely not bad," he concluded with a nod, "Alright, you have passed this test. Rest for ten minutes and then we'll proceed to weapon combat." Sirius nodded, taking off the head protection to wipe the sweat off his forehead. The padded armor, as he expected, made him sweat quite a bit even in the relatively cool environment of the training hall. As useful as armor was, he relied on his mobility and sword to protect himself. However, he understood that everything had its limits, and he wouldn't be able to stop an arrow or a bolt from hitting him if he swung a sword at it. The rest passed like a second, and now it was time for him to fight with the weapon of his choice – the longsword. Royal Guard longswords were, for the most part, more thrust-oriented – their tips were more tapered and, as a whole, the blades were thinner. While they would be slightly worse at cutting, with enough training and sharpness of the blade itself, it could be overcome. However, no amount of sharpening aside from perhaps using magic could make a sword useful against metal armor, especially plate. Not that it mattered at the moment – the duel wasn't supposed to end in serious injuries or death. "A spear is the most common weapon in the world aside from clubs," Shining Armor said when the two faced against each other again, "Let's see how you fare against it." And the duel began. Sirius knew his opponent had an advantage when it came to reach, but he could circumvent that if he were fast enough. However, as simple as a spear was, it wasn't a weapon to disregard when fighting someone wielding it. Powerful thrusts could be devastating, and not much training was required to wield this polearm effectively. A sword even of exceptional sharpness couldn't cut through the wooden shaft either. Perhaps, it would bite into the wood, but cutting straight through was nearly impossible and could only happen under ideal conditions. The sword must be sharp and on the heavier side, and the angle of the cut must be precise, which is virtually impossible to achieve during combat situation. Shining Armor advanced, threatening Sirius with the tip of the spear, making swift thrusts. The technique resembled what the stallion knew about human ones, but magic allowed more freedom, for it was less limiting in reach than arms. Sirius deflected one of the thrusts and retaliated by lunging forward, almost reaching the captain. He jumped back and swung the spear, but Sirius blocked with the flat side of the blade. Pushing against the spear, Sirius continued to advance on the captain, and then slid the sword against the shaft and made a thrust, which now reached Shining Armor and went straight in the gap of the Royal Guard armor he put on before the fight. The duel was now over. "You move quickly and precisely," Shining Armor complimented his opponent, "A spear has its own limitations, and the closer you were to me, the harder it was for me to use it. Very good. You have passed this test. Now on to the ranged weapon test, bow and crossbow." Sirius nodded, and the two exited the training arena. After taking off the armor, the two went to the shooting range. Targets were placed at five, ten, twenty, and thirty meters; perfect for the urban situation. A stack of bows and crossbows was placed nearby, and Shining Armor picked one of each for the stallion. "I don't expect you to wield them well, but you should at least try to hit each target once even if it's not in the center," he said, "We usually use battle magic to catch suspects, and you will be trained in that... that is, if you're accepted." Sirius nodded and grabbed a bow first. As a kid, he handled a bow once or twice, and it was rather difficult to pull the string correctly, much less aim the thing. There were no sights on regular bows, so one had to have experience to shoot it well. He hit the first target pretty close to the center, however. The next arrow hit the second target in roughly the same area, the third hit on the rim, and the fourth almost missed. "As expected, but not too bad," Shining Armor nodded, "Let's see how you handle a crossbow." Unlike bows, crossbows offered more precision; the mechanics of one held the string, not the fingers or magic of the shooter. As different as firearms were compared to the crossbow, Sirius knew how to shoot them, and the crossbow gave off a more familiar feel than a bow. The crossbow in his magical grasp could be loaded by pulling the string with a loading lever one had to carry separately with them, but heavier crossbows would require a crank to pull the string. Sirius made his first shot and hit the first target square in the center. The recoil was minimal, and the familiar feel of the trigger and the shape of crossbow's stock. It was quite different from modern human guns, but the resemblance was enough to be comfortable with. Sirius made a second shot, once again hitting the center. The third and the fourth were absolutely the same. "Great results, Sirius!" Shining Armor congratulated him, and then leaned forward, "I remember that... small cannon you had during the invasion. Is this where you got your skills?" Sirius simply nodded. "Very well," the captain nodded, "Alright, your tests are concluded. I will have to consult with the princesses, but I'm fairly certain you will be accepted shortly. When... ahem, if you are, a letter will be sent to you with instructions on how to proceed. Is everything clear?" "Yes, sir," the stallion replied and nodded once again. "Alright, then you may go," Shining Armor smiled, "And... I do hope to see you in our ranks, Sirius. We need ponies like you." Sirius nodded and left the training hall, a smile playing its way onto his face, and a bounce was in his step. He wasn't jumping around and grinning, but for all he cared, it felt exactly like it. He knew the final word wasn't yet said, but now he was certain he would be accepted, and he will make sure he will uphold the values of the Royal Guard and Equestria as a whole. This new part of his second life had just begun, and he intended to live it to the full.
Prologue: ExperienceIt is said that our experiences never leave us. They make us who we are, and without them, we would be completely different. The good, the bad, everything the person experiences shapes them from the young days well into the future. And no matter what, nothing can be forgotten and dropped like it was nothing. In life, each moment matters, for anything can happen in an instant. It might not be a conscious decision, but it does influence the consciousness itself. Even the defeat of the Figure didn't bring an end to every problem Sirius had. When he appeared in this new world, he had no direction, no goal. And now, it seemed like there was no going forward. The perpetual motion of his life came to a screeching halt. It was peaceful, and yet troublesome. He thought he had everything he could ever wish for: a loved one, a mansion, and his living is paid for by the government to thank him for defeating a foreign invader. He was set for life, and every door was open to him. And yet, when one is presented with so many choices, they blend in and become nothing. He became free, truly free. However, all he knew in life was a line stretching from his birth to a goal. When he was a kid, it was preparing to school. When he was a teenager, it was learning. This routine was broken by events that left him scarred, but even they presented a clear goal. The brutal but quick death of his father made him want to go forward, hoping to achieve something his father would be proud of. He found his first love, and he wanted nothing more than to prove his worth and gain the affection he desired. When it was gone, reduced to nothing, he had a simple school routine to cling to. But then the unthinkable happened. Abduction, torture, rape. It proved to be the final breaking point, and the violence brewing inside Sirius was unleashed. Like a predator, he stalked those who wronged him, planning a precise and deadly strike. His fists itched for flesh to tear, and the urge of revenge boiled inside him. Each night, he would fall asleep thinking about how he would tear them apart, piece by piece, limb from limb, and all agonizingly slow. They were three, and he had something special for each of them. In the end, he avenged himself and all the other victims of those utter monsters, and nothing but the charred remains of the last one remained. Sirius fulfilled his vengeance, and then he hoped for eternal rest. And yet, that wasn't the case, for his death was just another beginning. His new life began, a chance to start it all anew. Unfortunately, the new mind was still his own, and the painful memories remained. He wanted to reject this second life, he desired nothing more than to lie at peace and undisturbed. Even if he wished for a second life deep down, he thought it to be impossible. Something different happened. Something that turned his life around and showed him that there were things to live for. The warmth of an embrace, the care and understanding he longed for, and love. It took him a long time to adapt and to let the past go, but undoubtedly, it was worth it. Months have passed since he awoke on a strange red leaf in the middle of a lake. He had done things he regretted, but regrets are the experience everyone needs to be able to grow as a person. Every regret, no matter how big or small, teaches a valuable lesson. Through mistakes, people learn what it means to be wrong. By acknowledging the wrongdoings they committed, they can become better. Sirius had never been religious. He didn't believe in hell, heaven, reincarnation, or afterlife. To him, those things didn't matter at all. If there was a higher power looking after people, the world wouldn't be such a terrible place. However, there was something he was wrong about. The death wasn't the end but a beginning of something new. It didn't make sense, but many things in the universe worked in ways humans couldn't understand just yet. Maybe one day, Sirius would learn why he appeared in the new world. However, it didn't matter at all to him. After all, life went on, he couldn't just wait for someone to hand him the answer. However, he did what many religious people do — he confessed his sins. He confessed all that he thought were his misdeeds. He didn't confess it to a silent, supposedly omnipresent being, however, but instead, found the one person who could turn his confession for good. Princess Luna was trying to help Sirius ever since she first saw him. In him, she saw a broken and lost soul, someone looking for help but not knowing how to accept it. Unfortunately, the alicorn wasn't as smart about her help as she believed she should have, and the resulting misunderstanding nearly cost both of them their lives. Fortunately, however, Sirius managed to find the right person to help him — Iclyn. Princess Luna could barely believe that the two managed to take off and even love each other. She had seen many relationships where one or both partners suffered from mental issues. In an overwhelming majority of cases, the partners separated because they couldn't bear such a burden. Sirius and Iclyn turned out to be very good for each other, however. The pegasus filly was good-natured, and perhaps she found something she liked in the former human even way back when they first met. When asked about it, Iclyn couldn't offer much of an answer, but she said that despite all the things she could see were wrong with him, he was ready to go out of his way to help others in his own way. He didn't seek to be a hero, but he remembered very well how it felt to be a victim. He stood against all the nonsense he saw as well. Iclyn remembered the time when Sirius refused to accept the school hierarchy. He refused to bow before anyone, and he made sure no one could mess with him, no matter how strong they were or how much power they had. She saw that Sirius was fearless and accepted no compromise. He was willing to get into trouble if something was wrong, and in a certain way, it was admirable. Iclyn was by no means a weak person, but she more often than not followed rules set out in front of her. Sirius had changed a lot since he first appeared in this world. Bitter, depressed and angry on the inside, and yet seemingly emotionless and numb on the outside, that was the impression Luna had. He was able to control himself, but the beast inside was always waiting. However, Sirius changed for the better, and now no one would be able to guess that he had looked death in the eye way too many times. Perhaps, his numerous scars were a good indicator of his encounters with the void, but he could easily make up stories about them. Without self-loathing and depression tearing him apart, Sirius dramatically changed. His hidden personality came out, and now the thing he had been hiding and suppressing for a long time saw the light of day. In some way, he hadn't grown up much since his early teenage years. Ever since he defeated the Figure with the help of Iclyn and Luna, he had been visiting the princess regularly for therapy sessions. He knew that he still had certain problems, and he felt the need to talk about his own world. Many terrible things happened there on a regular basis, and he hoped the princess would be able to prevent them in her own world. "I will make everything possible to ensure that anything even remotely suspicious is investigated thoroughly," Luna promised him during one of his therapy sessions, "What you've told me... It is unbelievable, unimaginable, but I'm certain you're telling the truth," she looked away for a moment, "I don't want to believe what you told me, but... the reality has no concern about anyone's beliefs. I..." she let out a shaky breath, "I have seen my own share of terrible things. I have seen the victims, what they went through, and some were beyond my help..." she hung her head as certain memories appeared in her head. The times of war when villages and cities were plundered, crops burned. Nooses hanging from the trees, and the grass brown from dried blood. Everyone remembers the two royal sisters for their peaceful reign, but few knew what came before. "Luna?" Sirius called quietly, breaking the silence. "Ah, I apologize," Luna replied hastily, returning to the present, "So, you want to help this world become better, and I most certainly appreciate it. It might seem like we're simply talking, but your story, it's... in a certain way, it drives me to make a better world for all of us." "I know I can help more," Sirius slightly leaned in, "I have read a lot, and... I think you're the right person to ask about it. Can you tell me more about the Royal Guard?" "Ah, I see you're thinking about joining them," the alicorn made a small smile, "That is very admirable, I must say. Very well, I shall answer every question you might have about the Royal Guard." "What is it that they exactly do?" he asked. "Their first duty is to protect Equestria. It is true that they also protect us, princesses, but..." she chuckled, "To be honest, my sister and I can take on all of Equestria and win if we wanted to. Most of the times, we don't need protection." "But... I, um..." he nervously fidgeted in place, "I nearly... Uh..." Luna leaned in, a serious but caring expression on her face. She knew very well what Sirius was trying to say. She remembered the duel they had, the ferocity and rage in his eyes, and the glistening of steel as it swung through the air. If not for Iclyn's intervention, the nightly princess could've died then and there. "I, I'm sorry..." he hung his head, "I probably shouldn't even remind you..." "It's alright, Sirius," she told him in a gentle voice, "What happened there wasn't your fault. I forgive you for what you have done. Please, remember that." Slowly, Sirius nodded and slowly sighed. "We can't ignore what happened," Luna continued, "But both of us have learned our lessons. And one of the lessons is that I am not all-powerful and do need protection from time to time." "Y-yeah, I suppose..." Sirius fidgeted in place, "And I... I learned that acting on emotions can lead to... devastating consequences. If I only waited just a bit, if I..." "Sirius, please, it won't do you any good thinking about 'what if'," the alicorn told him, "What happened, happened. We can't change that, but we can go forward. We both know what it's like to have regrets, feel guilt. But we have made amends, and it's time we leave the past behind and embrace the new." He nodded in response. He understood that moving on was the only option he had, and nothing could prevent the past. And yet, he couldn't stop the nagging feeling inside him, the feeling that told him that he could prevent it. "Sirius..." Princess Luna let out a sigh, "If it will make you feel better... Your desire to join the Royal Guard and protect Equestria will make this world a better place. You will be able to prevent terrible things from happening, I believe it. Do your best to protect your new home, and I will do my best to make this home worth protecting. Do you accept this?" "Yes, I do," Sirius readily agreed, the shakiness gone from his voice. He remembered what he wanted and why he wanted it, and now it was the time to express it. For a moment, however, he was silent as questions appeared in his head. But there was no beating around the bush, so he voiced them: "But... where do I start? How do I join?" "Oh, it's rather simple," Luna replied, "Before the current school year finishes, you should apply for Royal Guard training. It will prepare you for the service. You have great skill with a sword, but there are things you still need to learn. And, of course, you will have to pass medical examination." "I'm not sure..." he looked at one of his hind legs. No matter which position it took, it looked wrong in a subtle way. He still limped everywhere he went, and there was nothing he could do about it. "Yes, there are problems, but I'm certain you will be accepted," the princess assured him, "However, there is something else... You're a bit too young to join. But we can make an exception in your case. You have proven to be a capable fighter and protector, so I think the numbers can be overlooked. If anything, you are mentally mature, so I'd say you're fit for service." "Alright, so if I pass... What's next?" he asked warily, for he was unsure. His determination to join was great, but he understood he needed to know more if he wanted to succeed. "You shall learn battle magic along with ethics and investigative work. A Royal Guard is defined not only by their skill in battle, but by their skill in peace," Luna emphasized the last word, "You need to know how to conduct investigations, arrests, and inquiries. The Royal Guard is not only personal protection for the royalty and nobility, they are also law enforcement. To uphold the law, they must know what law is and how it applies to reality." "That seems like a lot, but I will do my best," Sirius promised, "I... I have always dreamed of becoming someone who helps others. My... father did it, and he taught me about how important it is. I know I will have to make difficult decisions, but I will do everything I can to make things right and... just." "I admire your spirit, Sirius," Luna smiled at him, "I can see that you will go far." "Thank you!" Sirius replied with a smile of his own, "I will not disappoint!" "I'm sure you won't," the princess nodded with certainty, "Alright, so I will make all the necessary arrangements for you to receive the attention from the Captain himself. I sense he would greatly appreciate such an eager stallion as yourself. And... I suppose this concludes our meeting?" "Yes, I think it does," Sirius stood up from the sofa, "I'll go do the homework, and then there's training. Can't wait to become a guard!" Luna stood up and smiled at him, appreciating his enthusiasm. He reminded her of a child who learned of a gift they would soon receive. And in a certain way Sirius was still a child. His experiences matured him, made him into a strong person, but a certain side of him was still underdeveloped. It might prove to be troublesome for a future Royal Guard, but Luna was certain he would make a fine stallion to be proud of. Together, she and Sirius would comb through his problems and issues, making sure that he would live the best life he could. It's the least Luna could offer him after she learned of what he had been through. As she left Sirius' mansion, she looked at the building. The stallion had everything he could wish for: love, a house, and freedom. And yet, despite having the possibility of living a peaceful and carefree life in Canterlot, Sirius willingly chose to put himself forward and protect others from harm. Luna knew many guards in her lifetime, and a lot of them entered the service to escape the life they didn't want or enjoy. They wanted to make something of themselves, be it for money, fame, or what little power being a guard gives. However, Sirius had the fame and money and desired no power. He only wished to serve to make sure others wouldn't fall into the claws of those who wished harm upon them. The few remaining leaves floated in the wind, leaving the trees naked under the gray skies. Luna noted that a rain was scheduled to occur in a few hours. And yet, this unpleasant weather didn't falter her spirit, which was filled with hope for Sirius to succeed. He had already left a big impact on the history of Equestria by defeating an invader, the Changeling Queen Chrysalis; Luna felt he would leave and even bigger mark once he has the famed golden armor of the Royal Guard. The future will be interesting, she thought. Sirius' desire to protect the citizens of Equestria might result in something more than preventing petty thievery among the streets of Canterlot. Perhaps, it would bring something else, something Luna was uncertain of. No matter what it will be, the future will become the present, and all will be unveiled.
Chapter 1: IssuesA steady breath. Mind clear of thoughts. Focus on the movement, his own and his opponent's. A sword begins its movement, and another answers. Evasion, feinting, blocking, dodging. Always the same, always different. Body is nothing, skill is everything. A damaged leg can be an advantage if used right. Make the enemy think he's weak, but then he strikes from his weakness, turning it into strength. There is no weakness, only a choice between continuing to victory or giving up and allowing the opponent to prevail. A choice between life and death. A clash of steel, a clash of wills. Always improving, always facing new challenges. Quickly, precisely, and without thought. Thought comes later, an analysis of the result. But when fighting, one must not think but act. Thoughts are slower than actions. Actions bring victory, and thoughts can be saved for later. Fight is like a dance with a partner who wants to outdance you. Neither know what to expect, but both need to react accordingly, otherwise it results in failure. A sword passes defense, strikes the target. Victory. Sirius came back to reality after yet another training. In the training hall of his mansion, he fought different fighters, learning from their strengths and understanding their weaknesses. The magic crystal providing him a sparring partner was programmed to learn, and so each day, Sirius learned as well. He couldn't stop learning, for it would result in his death in a real fight. This time, he came out victorious, but that wouldn't always be the case. His damaged leg buzzed from exhaustion, adrenaline left him, and only tiredness remained. He breathed heavily and sat down, sheathing the training sword and placing it in the rack with others. "Sirius, dinner's ready!" the voice of his beloved reached him from the kitchen. She was always at his side, ready to do what he couldn't. A smile played its way on his lips as he recounted the times they shared moments of love. Neither had any duties to uphold, but an unspoken agreement sparked between the two: Sirius protects her and others, and she makes sure he can continue do that without going mad. It was a vague agreement, of course, but it was enough. The rest was simple love that required nothing but the consent of the two to act on it. Sirius inhaled deeply and stood up. He would always replenish his strength and come back for more, for there was a great many challenges ahead. The life of a Royal Guard wasn't easy, and his goal was to prepare for it mentally and physically. Daily training was nothing new for him; discipline was what allowed him to achieve his strength. He knew he had much to learn – there were always things to learn regardless of what one already knew. But learning is taxing on the mind and body, so it was good time to grab a bite. Sirius had been getting more meat than usually, and his muscles finally began to grow, covering his thin body. In fact, he was now healthily thin, and his muscles were defined rather well. It was still a long way for him to go, especially to the standards of the Royal Guard, but he was a long way ahead of how he started. The size of his muscles didn't concern him, however. It is how he used them; mobility, flexibility, and strength were what mattered to him. The size and mass, if anything, would be entirely detrimental to his efforts in all things but the raw hoof to hoof combat. Even then, he could manipulate the mass of his opponent to his advantage. All in all, there were things he needed, and there were things he had to keep in mind. Just in case. He limped to the exit of the training hall and headed to the kitchen, his nostrils already catching the smell of food. Iclyn was never a bad cook, and her skills always improved just like his did with the sword. She even learned to cook different meats, helping him a great deal. This time, it was a scent of rice, some vegetables, and fish – the food of coastal cities and settlements. In his life, Sirius rarely tried Japanese cuisine, but he was more than glad to be able to do so now. It wasn't quite Japanese, but rather close, and definitely tasty. "I see you're doing really well," Iclyn commented, glancing at Sirius' sweaty body, "Really taking that training seriously, aren't you?" "It makes me better, so yeah," he replied, taking a seat at the table, "Your food smells delicious, Icy. Can't wait to try it!" "You always say that," she let out a short laugh. "Because it's always delicious," he replied with a stupid grin on his face, "Anyway, I'm ready. And I'm going to wash the dishes today." "Well, if you're not too tired, then alright," Iclyn said and then grasped the handle of a pan with her teeth. In a moment, she placed it on the table, allowing Sirius to see the cooked fish, "You've been training a lot, so you do need a lot of rest, too." "Thanks, but I'm fine," he assured her, "I'd be sleeping if I were tired, you know." "Maybe," she half-agreed, "Anyway, enjoy the food! I know I will." The two ate in a pleasant silence, enjoying each-other's presence and the taste of the food. Same thing every day, but neither of them minded it; it was peaceful, the food was good, what else was there to want? In truth, Sirius indeed had everything he could ever desire, and so did Iclyn. Their future was assured; the stallion just wanted to make sure it stayed that way. He was young, many years were still ahead of him. Until recently, he had no idea he would live as long as he did, and now it looked like a whole eternity was waiting for him. He would grow old with his love, and hopefully, depart to a peaceful non-existence. But before he would reach that point, he still had years upon years. And he intended to spend these years the best way possible, which included making sure that his new home would remain at peace. He suspected it wouldn't be easy, but then was there ever lasting peace without conflict? In the grand scheme of things, he was unlikely to contribute a lot, but this theory flew out the window when he defeated Chrysalis during the Canterlot Wedding Invasion. He had proven that he was larger than he thought. Of course, he was still just one person, but even one person could bring change, no matter how little. That is why nothing was going to stop him now. He expected more Chrysalises to come, more invasions to happen, and he would be happy if he could prevent or solve even one problem. He didn't care about being remembered, but he knew he would be – his deeds couldn't be purged now. Perhaps, he was overly positive, but it was better than being overly negative. After all, he was still prepared and working on himself, perfecting his skills and body. He was a notable figure in modern Equestrian history, and so he could start something more, something even larger than him. Young colts, as he found out, admired him. To him, he was the very definition of a knight in shining armor, someone who was always ready to lay down his life for others. Of course, it was a simplified image of him – the truth was much more complex. The colts would grow, however, and they would shed the simplification in time. Sirius saw how they trained, how swordsmanship clubs had a surge of new applicants desiring to be just like him. They would never be just like him, of course, but they would certainly find value in the training he did. The past month, he was offering advice for beginners and training them along with Pride Fight, his own teacher that still had things to offer. The aging stallion was like battered, scratched, slightly rusted steel – old and weathered, but still standing in the face of danger and willing to teach the younger generation. Some ponies left the training, finding it too difficult for them. But that didn't matter – quality trumped quantity. Those who stayed offered way more than those who left. Day by day, they improved, and their understanding of swordsmanship evolved from stick-bashing to proper form and understanding of the double-edged blade. Iclyn had been training as well, though not nearly as often as Sirius. Spear is one of the easiest weapons to learn to use, for it offers a massive advantage in reach over many other weapons. As the pegasus found out, she could use her legs to turn the spear almost as fast as unicorns could. All in all, she became a decently-capable fighter and would be able to defend herself if the need arose. Sirius finished his meal first and went to wash it right away, singing a song to himself. It was one of his old favorite tunes from days past, and he didn't even remember what the song's name was. However, there was something about it that he liked, and so it was one of the very few things he kept from his human life. As he hummed the song, he poured the soap on the dishes and began scrubbing them, making sure not a spot was left. Proper discipline in everything assured the best results, and although Sirius wasn't a fan of doing such work, he enjoyed the results nevertheless, making this work worth it. Iclyn finished her own meal soon, and the stallion gladly took the dishes to wash them. A dab of soap, and then scrubbing with a sponge. Nothing difficult, but the results were nice. Soon, all the kitchenware was properly cleaned and placed where it belonged. "I'm going to shower now," Sirius said, heading upstairs. "Don't mind if I join," Iclyn smirked and followed him. Sometimes, it was sexual. Sometimes, they simply washed each-other and played in the water. Anything they did was done in happiness and agreement. The stallion especially enjoyed it – he had never experienced such peace before. And it only hardened his resolve to join the Royal Guard. After all, such peace needs to be cherished and protected; there were many who would want to take it away from them for one reason or another. Or, sometimes, for no reason at all. It didn't matter the reason, however – the result would be the same. Sirius enjoyed the warm water just as he enjoyed cold showers that he took to wake up. Each served their purpose: the warm one to relax after hard training, and the cold one to get ready for the day and bring the mind to work. And this time, he was enjoying lazily swimming in the pool along with Iclyn. She could keep herself afloat easily, just staying in place like a duck. That had something to do with her much lighter weight due to her being a pegasus, Sirius thought. She could probably fall asleep in that position and stay afloat for a long time. As for him, he swam despite his damaged leg. It didn't hinder him at all, and the swimming allowed him to relax and also tone his muscles when he put effort into it. Of course, his leg buzzed after any substantial exertion, but he learned to ignore it. And maybe one day, he would be able to fix it and walk properly. But until then, he could use his weakness to turn it into strength. As long as he was aware of the flaw, he could circumvent it, at the very least. Most importantly, he had money. His pension was rather great, and it would allow him to buy many extravagant things. However, he didn't need them: he didn't need fancy carriages, golden statuettes, nothing of the sort. He was content with what he had, for it was more than he had ever had before in his life. So, instead of showing off his money, he put the money elsewhere – into research. Of course, the royalty already poured plenty into it, but he thought that it would still be a better use for his money than buying anything else or simply storing it somewhere. Maybe one day, they would discover how to cure such extensive leg injuries. Sirius sighed quietly. Some time had passed since he received it, and every single day was a reminder that he might never walk properly again. Princess Luna promised to look into solutions, but so far, no results were yielded, and it was uncertain if, let alone when, they would. He could do nothing but wait, hoping that his money helped the research, and hoping that Princess Luna would push it even further. Author's Note Sirius' depression is gone now, but there are certain issues he still faces, mostly centering around his injury. He's trying to convince himself that it didn't matter, that his skill would turn it into a strength of its own, but at the end of the day, everything he did would be better if he still had a healthy leg.
Chapter 2: TestsCanterlot. The city was calm and quiet on that autumn day. The chilly winds carried the fallen leaves across the streets, and the sun rays could barely penetrate the thick cloud cover. The rain wasn't scheduled for another few hours, but the preparations were in place. From time to time, the energy in the clouds released in thunder and lightning, cracking above the city and flashing it in a bright, sharp light. Sirius was walking alone to the Royal Guard Training Facility, which wasn't too far from the tall and mighty Canterlot Castle. His gait was steady, and his limp was no longer as pronounced as before; his expression was calm and collected, although anxiousness resided deep inside him. He walked without his swords – he knew he wouldn't need them at the Training Facility. However, now he couldn't feel the familiar weight of his weapons, and he felt as if he was naked. Even being without clothes never made him feel that way, but the lack of his blades made him feel vulnerable, unprotected, even weak. He had taken some close combat lessons in order to be able to use his body, but he would feel much more comfortable having a sword between himself and anyone who would dare attack him. As he walked, some ponies greeted him with polite nods or short words. He automatically nodded in return but remained silent. He was used to blending with the crowd, but now seemingly everyone knew who he was. His scars were mostly hidden by his fur, but his limp was unmistakeable, and ponies recognized him regardless. Of course, he couldn't evade or deny the fact that he fought the Queen of Changelings during the pivotal moment of Equestrian history and won. And now, everyone across the country knew his face. His victory at the tournament brought him some fame before the invasion, but now, there was no one who didn't know him. And yet, despite the praise, despite the rewards, he didn't feel like he thought a hero was supposed to feel. He was just... himself. No more, no less. He did what he thought was right, and it just so happened to align with what ponies thought of as the right thing. He didn't pride himself on it. The medal he received was safely stored in the box somewhere inside the mansion, collecting dust. He wasn't about to rest and relax knowing that he could do more. He could now live a carefree life, but that wasn't what he wanted. The Royal Guard Training Facility appeared in his vision and he headed straight into the building. If he could do better, then he must. After a brief exchange with the receptionist, he was directed to a specific hall where new ponies underwent medical examination to determine whether they qualified to be a candidate. As anxious as Sirius was about the whole thing, he was also excited to take a large step into adulthood. A home, a special someone, and now a job reminded him of the peace he longed for but could never reach before. Finally, it was within his grasp, and mere hours separated him from achieving it. The job didn't promise to be peaceful or easy, but he expected it, and that was exactly what he was looking for. Easy life always makes one lazy and unprepared for possible challenges that may arise in the future. He took a seat with other stallions that came for the examination. Everyone was silent, deep in their own thoughts, so no one disturbed Sirius despite the fact that some of the stallions clearly recognized him. The line was joined by a few more stallions and then proceeded to move quickly. Soon, Sirius was called next. He entered the first room simply labeled with a number. A stallion wearing a tunic with a red stripe sat at a desk and invited Sirius to sit across him. His eyes glanced at the damaged leg as Sirius limped to the chair and took a sit. "Welcome, Sirius," the stallion said. His voice was soft a smooth; perfect for narrating books, "I'm a psychiatrist and I'm going to interview you before you can proceed." Sirius simply nodded in response, slightly adjusting his position to rest his damaged hind leg better. "I've heard many things about you," the psychiatrist said, "Good things, too. Everyone knows what you did at the wedding, and you have my respect for it." Again, Sirius nodded without saying a word. "Personally, I was looking forward to seeing you enter this room," the stallion continued, "Many stallions come and go each year for one reason or another. What made you go here? Why do you want to become a guard?" "I want to protect my home," Sirius replied without skipping a beat and then added, "To do more than I can do alone." "And why do you want to do this?" "Because I feel that's the right thing to do," the stallion replied in a calm and steady voice, "Because... I simply want to." For a few long moments, silence reigned in the room. A thought passed in Sirius' head – did he say something wrong? However, he was confident that his answer would be enough. After all, it was honest, and he couldn't say more if he tried. He didn't need a reason to protect what he had gained in his new life. He could come up with many reasons, perhaps, but in the end, he wanted to protect his home because he simply wanted to. In some way, it was even a need. "Very well. Please, proceed to the room number two," the psychiatrist nodded with a smile, "I wish you luck." With a nod of his own, Sirius got up from the chair and proceeded into the medical examination. He passed certain doctors rather quickly: his vision, sense of smell, hearing, were as sharp as ever; his body was no longer thin and gaunt, packing some muscle; his nerves worked as they should. Tests of his bodily liquids found nothing wrong with him. Despite his many scars, he was as healthy as one could be... except for one thing. "I can do everything just fine even with my problem," Sirius assured the doctor as his hind leg was being examined, "I train, I exercise, I run... I do it just as well as others do." "I believe your leg will cause you problems during service," the doctor said in a calm tone, "I'm not sure I should allow it, but... I have heard plenty of things about you, Sirius," he looked at the stallion, "You have definitely proved to be a capable warrior and protector. As I said, your leg will cause you problems, but... I see how you stand, how you walk. You have adapted to this unfortunate change. So, I believe it's best to allow you to proceed. The trials ahead will show if your claim of skill still holds true. But tell me, have you kept to doing the exercises to strengthen your leg and train its mobility and flexibility?" "I have," Sirius said, demonstrating a perfect split. He got up just as effortlessly. "Very well, then you may go on," the doctor nodded, placing a signature underneath the text he had just written. The paper immediately disappeared and moved on to the next doctor in line, "Good luck." The medical examination ended soon enough and Sirius was told to wait outside the last numbered door. From behind it, the sounds of clashing steel could be heard, as well as yells. Too muffled to be clearly understood, but the stallion suspected it was the room – a hall, most likely – where combat trials were held. He had some time until his turn, and he spent it looking at all the medical papers that were written during his examination. His eyes went over everything briefly, and, although his injury was mentioned in the papers, the approval stamp was there, and he was ready to take on the trials. Sirius had read about the tests before appearing at the Training Center. The first test was medical examination, and he passed it with relative ease. Psychological evaluation was also a part of the examination, but the short talk he had with the psychiatrist seemed way too short. However, all the time they were talking, the horn of the doctor was glowing – maybe it was magical evaluation. Next part would be the combat trials along with questions about the basics of Equestrian law. Sirius saw no issues with either and was ready for them. Finally, it was his turn. He stepped into the hall and was greeted by none other but Shining Armor, the Captain of the Royal Guard. "I expected to see you here someday, Sirius," he said, "And here you are, I'm glad to see you. Let's start with a couple of questions regarding the law." Sirius nodded, mentally preparing to answer any question the captain could have. "What is the basis of law in Equestria?" "Everyone is entitled to happiness to the best of their ability and without interference from others as long as they respect the right to happiness of others," the stallion replied, somewhat paraphrasing the exact wording. "And what does that exactly mean?" Shining Armor continued. "Each of us can and, ideally, should strive for what we consider happiness," Sirius explained, "But we can't do that if it interferes with the happiness of other Equestrians. For example... we can't steal even if it makes us happy because those we steal things from will definitely be unhappy." "What is the purpose of the Royal Guard?" "To protect Equestrian values and ensure ponies and other beings follow them." "Does the Royal Guard punish the lawbreakers?" the captain fired off the next question. "No, that is the duty of the judicial system," Sirius shook his head, "The Royal Guards act on what they can observe. The whole picture requires investigation to be understood. Judgement can't be made without knowing as much as possible and, ideally, everything." "Very good," Shining Armor nodded, "I see you have read the law and you understand it. I'd be cautious about you if you simply recited how it's written in the Constitution of Equestria. Now, are you ready for the combat trials?" "Yes, sir." "Then put on the padding and prepare for close combat, no weapons," the captain nodded and went to the stand with the armor. Soon, both he and Sirius put on the padded armor which protected most of their body, and the heaviest padding was on the chest area. Of course, a special cup was used to protect the very sensitive area in the crotch. Sirius felt somewhat restricted in the armor, but it still allowed good range of motion. "I have trained many recruits for combat, and now you will fight against me," Shining Armor said, "Don't hold back, show the best you're capable of. Of course, one-on-one situation is an ideal scenario, but I believe this little sparring session will show how skillful you generally are." Sirius nodded silently, and then he and the captain entered the training arena, a square of roughly ten by ten meters. Enough to maneuver around, at least for him. He didn't expect to defeat the muscular stallion that Shining Armor was; after all, Sirius had barely a few months of training behind his back, but he intended to show more during sword combat. The two opponents stood in front of each other and, after a third pony announced, the fight began. Shining Armor was cautious, not rushing but not standing still either. Sirius was doing the same, although he was moving differently due to his injured leg. Something animalistic awoke inside him, and although controlled, it made his motions become fluid and yet tense, allowing him to spring into action at any moment. Shining Armor twitched in Sirius' direction, but the second stallion didn't budge to the provocation. Swordsmanship training prepared him for such things, thankfully. However, he decided to start his assault right away, diving low in hopes of tackling the captain. He missed, to no surprise, but quickly turned and bucked, stricking the opponent straight in the chest. Shining Armor recoiled and stumbled, air knocked out of his lungs. Not wasting a moment, Sirius spun on his hind legs while also squatting, preparing for a lunge. He jumped at the captain, but he simply rolled onto his back and kicked with the hind legs, stopping the lunge and sending Sirius flying backwards. He landed on his back and swiftly rolled to get up on his hooves; Shining Armor did the same but quicker, and then used his front legs to spin and deliver a powerful kick. It hit Sirius in the side, making him lose balance and fall, and the captain was immediately on top of him, restraining him. Sirius tried to get up but the hold on him was firm, and he soon surrendered. "Not bad," Shining Armor said, getting up from his opponent, "Reaction is good, speed is good, but... technique needs some work. You've not done much combat without weapons, have you?" "Just... a few months," Sirius replied, breathing more heavily than the captain. "Definitely not bad," he concluded with a nod, "Alright, you have passed this test. Rest for ten minutes and then we'll proceed to weapon combat." Sirius nodded, taking off the head protection to wipe the sweat off his forehead. The padded armor, as he expected, made him sweat quite a bit even in the relatively cool environment of the training hall. As useful as armor was, he relied on his mobility and sword to protect himself. However, he understood that everything had its limits, and he wouldn't be able to stop an arrow or a bolt from hitting him if he swung a sword at it. The rest passed like a second, and now it was time for him to fight with the weapon of his choice – the longsword. Royal Guard longswords were, for the most part, more thrust-oriented – their tips were more tapered and, as a whole, the blades were thinner. While they would be slightly worse at cutting, with enough training and sharpness of the blade itself, it could be overcome. However, no amount of sharpening aside from perhaps using magic could make a sword useful against metal armor, especially plate. Not that it mattered at the moment – the duel wasn't supposed to end in serious injuries or death. "A spear is the most common weapon in the world aside from clubs," Shining Armor said when the two faced against each other again, "Let's see how you fare against it." And the duel began. Sirius knew his opponent had an advantage when it came to reach, but he could circumvent that if he were fast enough. However, as simple as a spear was, it wasn't a weapon to disregard when fighting someone wielding it. Powerful thrusts could be devastating, and not much training was required to wield this polearm effectively. A sword even of exceptional sharpness couldn't cut through the wooden shaft either. Perhaps, it would bite into the wood, but cutting straight through was nearly impossible and could only happen under ideal conditions. The sword must be sharp and on the heavier side, and the angle of the cut must be precise, which is virtually impossible to achieve during combat situation. Shining Armor advanced, threatening Sirius with the tip of the spear, making swift thrusts. The technique resembled what the stallion knew about human ones, but magic allowed more freedom, for it was less limiting in reach than arms. Sirius deflected one of the thrusts and retaliated by lunging forward, almost reaching the captain. He jumped back and swung the spear, but Sirius blocked with the flat side of the blade. Pushing against the spear, Sirius continued to advance on the captain, and then slid the sword against the shaft and made a thrust, which now reached Shining Armor and went straight in the gap of the Royal Guard armor he put on before the fight. The duel was now over. "You move quickly and precisely," Shining Armor complimented his opponent, "A spear has its own limitations, and the closer you were to me, the harder it was for me to use it. Very good. You have passed this test. Now on to the ranged weapon test, bow and crossbow." Sirius nodded, and the two exited the training arena. After taking off the armor, the two went to the shooting range. Targets were placed at five, ten, twenty, and thirty meters; perfect for the urban situation. A stack of bows and crossbows was placed nearby, and Shining Armor picked one of each for the stallion. "I don't expect you to wield them well, but you should at least try to hit each target once even if it's not in the center," he said, "We usually use battle magic to catch suspects, and you will be trained in that... that is, if you're accepted." Sirius nodded and grabbed a bow first. As a kid, he handled a bow once or twice, and it was rather difficult to pull the string correctly, much less aim the thing. There were no sights on regular bows, so one had to have experience to shoot it well. He hit the first target pretty close to the center, however. The next arrow hit the second target in roughly the same area, the third hit on the rim, and the fourth almost missed. "As expected, but not too bad," Shining Armor nodded, "Let's see how you handle a crossbow." Unlike bows, crossbows offered more precision; the mechanics of one held the string, not the fingers or magic of the shooter. As different as firearms were compared to the crossbow, Sirius knew how to shoot them, and the crossbow gave off a more familiar feel than a bow. The crossbow in his magical grasp could be loaded by pulling the string with a loading lever one had to carry separately with them, but heavier crossbows would require a crank to pull the string. Sirius made his first shot and hit the first target square in the center. The recoil was minimal, and the familiar feel of the trigger and the shape of crossbow's stock. It was quite different from modern human guns, but the resemblance was enough to be comfortable with. Sirius made a second shot, once again hitting the center. The third and the fourth were absolutely the same. "Great results, Sirius!" Shining Armor congratulated him, and then leaned forward, "I remember that... small cannon you had during the invasion. Is this where you got your skills?" Sirius simply nodded. "Very well," the captain nodded, "Alright, your tests are concluded. I will have to consult with the princesses, but I'm fairly certain you will be accepted shortly. When... ahem, if you are, a letter will be sent to you with instructions on how to proceed. Is everything clear?" "Yes, sir," the stallion replied and nodded once again. "Alright, then you may go," Shining Armor smiled, "And... I do hope to see you in our ranks, Sirius. We need ponies like you." Sirius nodded and left the training hall, a smile playing its way onto his face, and a bounce was in his step. He wasn't jumping around and grinning, but for all he cared, it felt exactly like it. He knew the final word wasn't yet said, but now he was certain he would be accepted, and he will make sure he will uphold the values of the Royal Guard and Equestria as a whole. This new part of his second life had just begun, and he intended to live it to the full.
