Equestrian Guard

Light from the slowly rising sun peeked upon the barley waking city of Canterlot. The moon eventually was out of sight, Luna who stood on the balcony ceasing her magic before entering her own bedchamber. She looked over to the other side of the castle, not seeing her sister who usually stood on her balcony raising the sun. She wondered where she could have been, thinking her sister was still in bed.

Celestia was not however, instead lying by the pond in front of the statue in her secret garden while her horn slightly shined from her use of her magic. She was not in her royal attire as she laid on the grass, her eyes drifting around the ripples of the water as she slowly moved her hoof about on the top of the pond. It has been almost two weeks since the report was made and the daily reports from the west still showing no signs of the enemies that were sailing to Equestria. The crew from the Puddinghead were still missing, and any indication of them was not seen when a few pegasi flew over to the last known location.

The folder beside her was magically levitated in front of her, it opening and showing the expenses of the E.U.P. budget. Already with the increase showed that it had went beyond it’s funds that were already set for the year. The amount of zeroes on the paper made her cringe. The total amount of newly recruited guards increased the total amount of E.U.P. guards from three-thousand to five and rising, along with the fitting of armor and other necessities added to the over-budgeted army. On top of the guard increase, cannons and the developed ‘hoof-cannon’ from the last conflict were also being constructed. ‘Still, would this be enough?’, Celestia thought. Possibly, especially since the development of the hoof-cannon was now showing many new inventions. The prototypes was shown to be much more powerful, accurate, deadly…

‘Time does move forward,’ she thought, placing the folder down for a later plan to accommodate the budget. Her thoughts changed to Twilight, knowing by now her and her friends would have returned by now. The latest letter she had sent for her was replied back, but it was by Starlight Glimmer explaining that Twilight had sent herself a letter stating that “her stay is extending as she is still needed”.

Celestia placed her hoof close to her away from the pond, sighing that possibly the threat is not a great as it seemed. All this preparation possibly going to waste on behalf of the ponies in Equestria for a threat that has not shown itself for two weeks. “No, it’s better to be prepared,” she said, now rising on her hooves looking over to the statue. “I will see you again...as always,” a small smile formed, it disappearing as she walked away through the pathway. Now in the open garden she continued her motion towards the castle, noticing Luna exiting the doors, she smiling to her as she walked towards her.

“Sister, I had been looking for you. Hiding as always here by the flowers,” said Luna.

“It is pretty to see, don’t you think?” Celestia asked.

“It is, but we may be late on arriving in the few western towns throughout Equestria that was scheduled today.”

“We? You will be attending with me?” Again Celestia asked. “I recall a certain pony saying that they were not going, saying it was too-”

“Yes! Yes, I get it. I changed my mind. I will be going with you.”

“Well, I am grateful.” Celestia smiled as she walked past the doors into the castle with Luna to her side. “Do you know where our first stop will be?”

Luna magically popped out the list of towns that are to be visited. “Let’s see...Vanhoover is first, followed by Tall Tale, Seaddle, San Pranciscolt, Las Pegasus...”

“Most are major cities, we should arrive in smaller villages to not overshadow them.” Celestia used her magic to bring out a map, more detailed than most. A name soon caught her interest, a certain pony coming to mind. “Let’s go here.”

Luna looked over, looking at where her sister pointed. “‘Caval’? What is at Caval?”

“It’s a small village within White Tail Woods. There’s a retired royal guard that lives here which I remembered mentioning about this place.” She said, making the map vanish.

“We can possibly have him assist in our recruitment,” Luna replied, Celestia’s knowledge of this stallion going in one ear and out the other.

“Possibly,” said Celestia. She and Luna soon entered the large hall, now empty, she making her way to the table with the jar of newly fresh water. She used her magic to pour a cup for herself.

Luna was at the other side of the large hall, staring out from the window, taking in the sight of Canterlot. “I had gone through the many documents of the Guard. Much has changed, both in organization and tactics. Well, everything in most cases has changed.”

“The way we had structured had become outdated, and with assistance of a few commanders which have long passed, a newly structured E.U.P. was formed.”

“And the council?”

“Disbanded due to corruption and conspiracy to endanger Equestria.”

Luna nodded. “Even when the years have gone by since my return, I have still not grown used to such changes.”

“As I’ve said before Lulu, do not over-stress yourself. Time will go on and by then you’ll be fully accustomed to today’s life.” And possibly, the truth about details she has forgotten of.

The sun was halfway risen from the horizon as Althalos was on his knees praying to the cross he built. He prayed as always, wishing for those he cherished to be well and for his forgotten home in the other world to be well without him. He took a deep breath as he rose to his feet, stretching a bit before continuing on the trail.

His pace quickened as he ran, the frost from under his bare feet crunching with each quick step. Stacked stone rocks after another, it being a marker for each mile that was ran he went past, the cold air brushing off the hot body of his, sweat falling off from him. He started to speed up, wanting to be faster than yesterday, and even more the day before. Reaching the last marker, he turned left, now crossing the short and shallow river that divided the forest. Frostbite wasn’t an issue for him, he somehow having a resistance to it. He still believes though, if exposed long enough he can start to develop it.

It had been two weeks since his talk with his father, Winter, about joining the Guard. Lately he didn’t know what to do after his exercise, mostly spending time in his room reading, other times walking around the farmland checking on the fencing or clearing the snow off the pathway that he runs on. Overall he didn’t know what his future would be. Being a humble farmer sounds simple and easygoing, but what about the training and struggle he went through? There’s no sense in such bland future.

Althalos dove into the lake, the cold water surrounding his body as he swam. Goosebumps formed on his skin as he remained underwater until he needed to come up for air. Reaching the shore of the lake he saw Sunshine standing there, a smile forming as she saw him. It had been a week since she saw her, she heading to Cloudsdale a week earlier to visit some relatives. Without thinking he took her into his arms and held her close, making her squeak from the suddenness.

“H-hey! You’re wet!” She laughed.

Althalos placed her down, chuckling a bit in embarrassment. “Sorry. How was your trip?”

“Meh, family reunions can always be boring sometimes. My two uncles fought each other about something that happened twenty years ago,” she said.

“Some action at least,” he replied.

Sunshine noticed something was off. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, of course.” Althalos noticed her giving him a look, and he sighed. “Alright, I’ve been a bit conflicted about my future.”

The two started walking together, the sun now about the horizon. Sunshine hummed as Althalos spoke. “Farm life isn’t so bad. Look how successful your father is.”

“That’s his hobby though. Any extra food he has he donates them,” said Althalos.

Already the two reached the house, the two entering and making their way to his room. She hopped on his bed while he grabbed a few clothes and walked out to the bathroom. He returned moments later, still shirtless. “Painting isn’t my thing. I can’t even draw a perfect circle now,” he continued.

“Well, I don’t know. I’m just throwing out ideas,” she responded, watching him stand by the window. She looked at his defined back as he stared out. Getting up, she walked over to him, getting on the tips of her hind-legs and wrapping her forelegs over his shoulders.

“What are you doing?” He asked.

She felt his heart begin to beat faster. “I have to return early to finish my training. They called all in reserves and we’ll be now serving in active duty.”

He turned around, her now returning to her regular height. He sat down, leaning back matching her height. “That means you’ll be gone for four years.”

“Six actually. Medics serve longer tours of duty.” She looked down. “That means I won’t see you for six years. Maybe when I get leave but...” She moved closer to him, placing her hoof with the bracelet on top of his hand with his own matching one.

“What is it that you want?” He asked, knowing well enough but wanting to be sure.

Sunshine answered nothing, instead gasping as she saw the royal carriage flying past the house. Althalos looked behind him, seeing the carriage. “Is that...”

“The princesses of Equestria,” answered Sunshine. “What are they doing here?”

Althalos stood up, watching the carriage lower itself where Caval would be. “Whatever it may be, they’re in Caval now.”

“Let’s go see them!” She said.

“Funny. You know I can’t be seen by them. Both my mother and father explicitly explained that it would be my death,” he replied. He soon noticed her changing her look on her face to a more, sad looking expression. “No, no.” He started. “No! You can’t give me that look, it’s not going to work.” She moved closer to him, looking more intense. Soon he groaned, not able to resist those soft-pink eyes. “Alright, fine.” He said, meeting a tight hug. “But we can’t be seen. I mean it. I really don’t want to risk anything.”

With a quick peck on the cheek, she moved away from him. “Deal,” she said, acting like she did not do anything.

That’s where he stopped her from moving away by grabbing her foreleg and pulling her close, their faces only inches away. “I think I deserve more than just that. You know, since you’ll be gone-” he was interrupted by her, their closeness connecting as she hummed. He pulled her closer, tighter, continuing on feeling her wings open out.

She pulled away, moving farther away this time and collapsing on the floor, panting. “That was too intense,” she breathed out.

“Best first then.” He grabbed a shirt, jacket, boots, and cloak and put them on. “Come on, you’ll miss the princesses if you keep sitting there.” He walked out from his room.

Sunshine quickly got up shakily for a moment and followed close behind, putting on her scarf. “So...we a...you know...”

Althalos raised an eyebrow. “What?”

The crunching of the snow below them sounded in their ears before she continued. “Later. Let’s just see the princesses then come back here so you don’t get in trouble.”

The carriage landed softly on the ground, a crowd already forming. Inside, both Celestia and Luna looked out seeing the ponies. Coming to Caval first was a good choice, having been told a few minutes earlier by a messenger that the enemy that they were waiting for just arrived and are storming the beach as of this moment.

“I really think we should return to the castle to coordinate a defense,” said Luna.

“Calm yourself sister, we will make out appearance here then after return to the castle,” said Celestia. She knew the western borders were well fortified, right now the area was southwest by Las Pegasus. It will hold, she believes it will. They bother exited the carriage, all the ponies gasping and bowing to them. From there, Celestia started to speak about the royal guard.

In the meantime, Althalos and Sunshine were hiding in a bush watching both Celestia and Luna stand, Celestia speaking out to all of the ponies there. It was the very first time Althalos saw the two princesses in real life, not understanding why they would threaten him if he shows himself to them. They both looked nice, reasonable, attractive if he has to be honest. He listened to Celestia speak, explaining about a danger which she had hoped did not come and wishing for those willing to join to help defend Equestria. Her speech was enough reason as to why Sunshine had to go. Soon in front of him a spider slowly went down on its web, Sunshine noticing and beginning to panic.

Celestia finished speaking, her speech being honest as news would eventually reach all of Equestria. From behind the crowd, something caught her attention, she making her way towards a shaking bush.

“Sister?” Called out Luna following behind. Both princesses stood in front of the bush, hearing whispers before hearing a scream. A pink pegasus would push out a creature, the pony laying on it. Celestia gasped seeing what it was, her heart beginning to race by the sight of a human. Luna, on the other hoof, would grow confused, her head starting to hurt as if she had seen a creature like this before.

Althalos sighed, motioning off Sunshine and standing in front of the two princesses, he being taller than Celestia. He then knelt on one knee. “Princess Celestia. Princess Luna. I apologize for interrupting your speech and ask that any punishment you have be directly for me: Althalos Ember, son of Winter Ember.”

Celestia took a deep breath, calming herself. Human! A human! She thought, seeing the well trained man with her own very eyes. It had to have been destiny to find a human here, especially in a time like this. It was a chance of redemption. “Rise, Althalos Ember. There will be no punishment done to you.” She watched him stand, over-towering her. “I remember your father. He was a fine guard that served for me in my time of need. And seeing how well fed, how well defined you look, I ask of you, personally, to join my sister and I in defending Equestria. Your home.”

He didn’t know how to respond, a princess, his ruler, who was doing the opposite of what he was told long before, asking for his help. A purpose for his training, but something he cannot decide on his own. “I would…be honored, but I wish to have my father’s permission instead of deciding on my own.”

Luna soon spoke up. “Let us meet your father then, Althalos.”

He nodded, showing them the way. Sunshine walked by him, mouthing the word sorry. He shook his head, assuring that he was not angry. He was more concerned than anything, not expecting the outcome of what was to happen. Everything was moving fast. He continued to lead them past the path division and in the distance his home was visible past the trees.

A knock on the door awoke a sleeping Winter from his sleep. Moving away from Mistral’s warmth, he walked over to the door and opened it. At first he saw Althalos, confused as to why he would be knocking the door. Soon as his vision cleared he saw Sunshine, his eyes widening when he saw Celestia, and his heart quickening its pace seeing Luna, remembering her return as Nightmare Moon.

“It has been awhile Winter,” spoke Celestia. “May my sister and I come in?”

Winter took a deep breath, nodding. “Make yourselves at home.”

All four entered, Althalos being pulled to the side by his father. “What in Tartarus did I say?” He whispered.

“Is there a problem Mr. Ember?” Asked Luna, joining her sister at the table. She noticed the glare he gave her, she feeling slightly uncomfortable.

“No problem,” he released Althalos, the two now sitting at the table.

“It’s my fault Mr. Ember,” Sunshine started, sitting by Althalos. “I know you didn’t want him to be seen.”

“Oh?” Celestia spoke up. “But how come?”

A sigh escaped from Winter’s mouth. “Well, I did not know how Equestria would handle a creature, a human, no one has seen. So, besides roaming around Caval, I decided to keep him hidden.”

“For his safety of course,” replied Luna.

“Yes.”

Silence overtook the four ponies and human in the room, Celestia breaking the silence moments later. “You have a lovely home Winter,” she said.

“Thanks. With the help of Althalos, we managed to make this small home larger than before,” Winter replied.

Soon Mistral walked out. “Winter?” She called out, soon noticing that both the princesses were in the house. She gasped, bowing quickly. “Your highness! I did not expect a visit from you two,” said Mistral.

“Mistral.,” Winter said, “Come sit with us.”

She stood back up, taking a seat next to him. “If I may say, it is an honor to meet you Princess Luna.”

“Thank you, Mistral.”

“Mistral Snow.”

Luna smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Mistral Snow.”

Celestia cleared her throat, preparing to speak. “Winter Ember, Mistral Snow, first and foremost forgive me for the unexpected visit. Continuing on, I would like to discuss about you Althalos.”

“Princess Celestia, he is of no harm to anypony if that is what you believe right now,” Sunshine spoke up.

This made her laugh a bit. “No, no, it is nothing like that. It is more of what he can do for Equestria.”

Winter did not like where this was leading. “What do you mean?”

“Winter, show respect to the princess,” Mistral told him.

“It is okay Mistral,” said Celestia. “Are you aware about the latest push for recruitment for the E.U.P.?”

“Yes. I did not understand why since Twilight Sparkle and her friends manage to stop any threat from escalating, rendering the latest generation of Guards as only ceremonial for Equestria,” replied Winter.

She nodded to his response. “As of now, there is an oncoming threat that has reached the west of Equestria. Twilight and her friends have been on an expedition outside of our borders with no sign of return. However, the size of the threat is far greater than we imagined, the use of out magic would not be enough to fight off such army. Our recruitment campaign was started because of this reason.”

“What does this, all of what you said and committed have to do with Althalos? You plan on recruiting him?”

“My sister and I see much of an advantage if he were to join the Guards. I have a well feeling that he will be much useful,” said Luna. Again she felt a pain in her head, the familiar feeling of the being near a human making her feel protected if he was by her side.

“No.”

Both princesses did not expect such response. “No?” They both said.

“No. I cannot allow my son to participate in your conflict.”

“Winter...” Mistral started.

“Mistral please-”

“You know well enough that this was destined to happen. Our son we both raised, our son that you trained, protecting everypony from harm that may come to Equestria. You know well enough what he was doing before he had appeared in our world.”

Winter rubbed his head. “He’ll be at risk of meeting his end.”

“It will not happen,” answered Mistral.

“How do you know?”

“He was trained by the best.”

“Father,” Althalos spoke up, “If you really wish for me not to go and fight, then I will remain-”

“No,” he interrupted, “Mistral is right. You were raised to be a Guard.” He looked over to the princesses. “How will all this work?”

Celestia smiled. “He will be sent to basic training and be familiar with all that is within the E.U.P.. I believe you’ve already trained him enough in it, but it is more of formality to go through training with those he will be together with.”

Winter nodded, seeing the princesses now getting up preparing to leave the house having succeeded in recruiting Althalos. “He will be ready for what will come.”

“I know,” Celestia replied, making her way out of the house with Luna.

Again silence remained in the house with the three ponies and human as the door closed. Mistral breaking the silence. “What made you change your mind?”

Winter breathed out, looking down to the table. “Everypony knows that Althalos is meant to be a soldier. A defender for Equestria. Just like the folktales you spoke of. I did not wish for him to join due to my experience...” He paused before continuing, memories of his past coming to him. “My contubernium were one of the chosen few who would sail out with Celestia towards the Saddle Arabian controlled territory of of the Griffon territories. Myself and Diamond Crown, along with the others were eager, proud, and honored to be the ones chosen to help drive out the evil that sat on the throne chair of the Arabians.

“Already by the time we arrived, the Griffons had driven out the Arabians from their territories and we now were the ones invading their lands in order to assure no tyrant would threaten anypony, any-creature. Landing on the beaches of the sandy land, we were met by heavy resistance. The organization we had been trained with was thrown out the window as we all fought and pushed back the enemy. As the weeks went by, and the losses of the hundred Guard dropped to thirty-five, we had reached the capital of Saddle Arabia.

“Along with the large Griffon army, we marched forward, not realizing the Arabians would use everything they had, even the then prototype hoof-cannon. In one quick loud crack,” Winter slammed his hoof onto the table, startling the three there, “A whole line had dropped dead. I turned to Diamond, who stood still motionless with our contubernium’s blood splattered on his face. The eight of us that survived, only us two remained from it. By the time we broke through the walls, the capital fell and the war had ended. We ten who survived were then considered the elite guard, as we were the only stallions that had seen such combat in decades of peace. We were told not to discuss about this, knowing well enough the public would not enjoy hearing such. I do not know the details of how the deaths were explained to the families.

“We elite guard would not last however, once Nightmare Moon returned, the only ones who survived her onslaught were myself and Diamond.” He pointed to his left cheek. “A deadly magic bolt was shot to Celestia but I had jumped in front taking the hit. From then on after, I retired.”

Mistral knew he had been involved with such conflict, she asking him for such details, but she knew now that all of such that was said was a lie, and this was what he had actually gone through. For Sunshine, it explained why her father was always sitting in silence, he taking the mental stress harder than Winter, or at least he showing it more. Althalos took everything to heart, his determination in protecting everypony being even more greater. Winter got up and walked into his room, only to come back holding a helmet which was recently repaired and enlarged. “This helmet was mine back in my prime. I, well, had it adjusted and repaired for you to wear when I was ready to let you join the Guard.”

Althalos took it, looking at the helmet then to Winter. “Thank you, father.”

“Once this is all over, you better come back home. You understand boy.”

A smirk formed on Althalos’ mouth. “Yes, sir.”