Iron Bastion

A gentle knock rapped against the door to office of Celestia drew her attention from the mountain of papers surrounding her for a brief moment. "Come in." She called to the unknown individual. Slowly the door opened to reveal a guard pony with a scroll in hand. "Ah, you must be private Snow Glare correct?" Celestia asked, tucking a few loose papers into a folder.

The guard pony slowly marched into the room with rigid movements. "Yes Princess." the identified mare confirmed. "I was sent by command on the western front to provide this notice for you." She explained, bowing deeply while holding out the scroll to the princess.

"Oh, I do hope it's good news. Was hoping to not have to deal with the Allegatorion Republic like this but it seems it fell on deaf ears." Celestia said, unraveling the ribbon holding the scroll closed and scanning over the contents. A smile spread as she read the information. "Good to know he's still as reliable as ever to handle things quickly. Could you be a dear and send the message to the broadcasting team that the war with The Republic is over my little pony?" She said, looking to the still bowed guard pony.

Standing up straight the mare saluted before gaining an uneasy look. "Um, ma'am...permission to speak freely?" She asked, looking at the larger mare. On receiving a nod she continued. "He also wanted me to relay a more personal message to you verbally. Apparently he had fears it may be to dangerous written down..." She began.

Celestia nodded with the same gentle smile she almost always held before her horn lit up for a second. "There. A nice sound proofing to keep any unwanted ears away from our conversation. Continue." She said, waving at Snow Glare.

Readying herself Snow Glare began to explain that some units found information that may connect multiple other countries in the war between Equestria and The Republic. When pushed further she stated that nothing was confirmed and it was only suspicions but he felt it was important enough for her to know. "I don't know why he felt I should have been trusted to deliver this information ma'am. I'm just a private after all. He didn't even tell the generals." She finished, looking down shyly.

Giving a laugh warm like the sun Celestia shook her head. "I see you don't know him well enough then. If he entrusted you with this information he clearly believed you'd fulfill your duties no matter what. You could say he has a nose for sniffing out future greatness. Was there anything else?" She encouraged, leaning on to the desk.

"Um, yes just one more things. He said to tell you something about the last tree has fallen." Snow said, looking to her ruler in confusion.

Celestia's hand slammed into the table scaring the guard pony. "What did you just say." Her voice low while her eyes bore into the mare standing before her.

Taken aback by the sudden shift in attitude Snow Glare bowed once more. "My apologies if I offended you in some way Princess. He didn't give any further instructions on this other then to say the last tree has fallen." She quickly explained, worried she had done something horrible.

Breathing deeply a few times Celestia combed a hand through her hair. "You need not apologize my little pony. It is I who should it's just... thank you for the message and I suggest you forget you ever hear any of this information. Go rest now, I'm sure you've been up for quite some time." She slowly ordered.

Backing slowly towards the door Snow Glare nodded. "As you command ma'am."

As the door closed softly in front of her Celestia turned in her chair to look out the window behind her. "To think he would bring that out at a time like this..." She muttered, scratching slowly at her neck. Deep in thought an idea came to her. "Well he is the best option and things have quieted down over there." She thought, reaching for a quill and paper. Once the message was written she sent it with a wave of magic. "Now to get the others collected." She said to herself, writing another letter and sending it the same way.

"Twi can ya please tell us why ya gathered all of us suddenly?" Applejack asked, scratching her head before setting her signature Stetson back down.

"Yeah, you were practically in a panic when you came to each of us." Rainbow added, hovering over them in lazy circles.

Clearing her throat Twilight looked at all of them before making a scroll appear in her hands. "I know but this message from Celestia has me worried. She's asking us to head up to Canterlot as soon as possible and the last time she asked in such a way was when those magma worms started to breach around Appleloosa." She explained. Holding out the letter for the others to read for themselves each couldn't help the writing felt serious.

"But darling, can she expect us to drop everything at the drop of the hat especially when she doesn't tell us what the problem even is?" Rarity questioned, crossing her legs daintily. "I know we are heroes and the Element Bearers but this is a little much to not tell us." She added.

Fluttershy raised her hand. "Maybe it's something to big that she couldn't put in the letter?" She proposed, ducking back in her hair when the others looked at her.

"Oh oh oh! What if it's a surprise party for all the work we've done?" Pinkie Pie brought up, bouncing around on an inflatable bouncy ball.

Twilight shook her head. "Well whatever it is we need to go now. The next train for Canterlot leaves in ten minutes. Come on girls. We're getting to the bottom of this today!" She commanded, standing up to march towards the door of the castle. "Spike! Hold down the fort for us till we get back ok?" She shouted as the others passed her when she stopped outside of the door.

A purple and green dragon poked his head out from a doorway leading to the kitchen. "Leave it to me Twi!" He shouted with a salute.

The trek to the train station was filled with gentle chatter about what could be so important to summon them suddenly. Luckily for them the train hadn't left early so they were able to get seats for Canterlot. Taking spots around the cabin the girls chatted along the trip though none were prepared when a full royal guard platoon met them at the station. A large figure stepped forward with a salute. "Princess Twilight, we've been sent to guide you to the castle to meet with her majesty Princess Celestia." The stallion explained.

Twilight was flustered at the large amount of soldiers standing before her in full gear. "Um, but we already know how to get there so we don't really need your guy's help." She tried to dismiss but was surprised when the stallion shook his head.

"No can do ma'am. Orders from her majesty are absolute. If you'll kindly set yourself in the middle of the group please we can begin the move to the castle now." He requested, untucking his shield as did the other guards pony.

Twilight looked helplessly at the other girls who could only look equally lost at her before sighing and working her way to the center of the group with the others behind her.

Rainbow Dash leaned over to Fluttershy and loudly whispered "Have you ever seen this many in one place? Like sure during parades or ceremonies but these guys look ready for war or something."

Pegasi guards flew over head in tight formations while unicorn guard could be seen popping in and out of existence in alley ways or tops of buildings. The earth ponies marched with weapons drawn, pushing any who didn't move fast enough out of the way. Everyone's attention was on the proceeding guards and the Elements in the middle.

Rarity whined quietly "I hope this doesn't run my business ventures here now." Flipping her hair before setting on a proud stride. "though I suppose I can turn this into a advertisement for my new dress." She added, switching into business mode with ease.

The others weren't so calm though Rainbow was getting annoyed being told she couldn't fly along and instead had to walk. "Come on, it can't be that much of a risk for me to hover can it?" She complained loudly to the nearest guard pony who didn't react. "Humph, no fun at all..." She grumbled, folding her arms.

The procession eventually arrived to the gates were even more guards were visible moving around. Some though carried insignias none of them had seen. These ones could be seen ordering the normal royal guard around. "Who in tarnation are they?" Applejack questioned, pointing at one of the insignia ponies. The one she was pointing to seemed to have notice the gesture as they began to stop over. "Uh oh." She sheepishly said, dropping the pointing.

"What the hell is this sloppy formation! You were ordered to take at least three platoons to pick them up! Why are there so few of you?" The now known as a female pony shouted to the guards surrounding the Elements. She removed her helmet to reveal a sneer cut apart on her left side by a scar that let sharp, fake teeth bear. "If he finds out about this all of you can kiss your ass' goodbye!" She roared, jabbing at some trembling royal guards.

Pinkie Pie bounced a little closer to the screaming mare. "That's not a very nice thing to say to somepony." She tried to reprimand.

The mare twisted with mouth open to scream more but stopped on registering who she was about to. Sending herself immediately into a stiff salute she focused her attention forward. "My apologizes Lady Pie! I was simply correcting errors that should not be made." The mare stated with a clipped tone.

"Lady Pie?" The others asked aloud at this, confusion written all over them including Pinkie Pie.

The mare eased from her salute, turning to yell in some language none of the girls knew at others bearing the same symbol as her. They began to rush over with quick movements to surround the girls. "We will take over the transportation of the VIPs. You are to take this platoon to the eastern mountain pass and wait for further instructions." The mare ordered to the leader of the guard ponies that had taken Twilight and the others to the castle.

The stallion hung his head before nodding. "At once ma'am. You heard her, move it!" He saluted, the mass of soldiers moving out.

Twilight stepped forward to the mare. "If I may, who are you?" She asked gently.

The mare stood straight up. "Sargent major Dancer at your service Princess." She replied, staring ahead once more like she had done to Pinkie Pie. "We will finish with the guiding of you to the throne room." She explained, turning on her heels to march ahead, the other stranger symbolled ponies marching along with her forcing the girls to follow.

The girls couldn't get any new information out of the strange soldiers no matter how they probed. Soon though they stood in front of the throne room doors with more of the strangers guarding the doors. On their arrival one of the guards raised a gauntleted hand to the door, pounding it three times. After a moment the doors swung open slowly revealing even more guards. "What the hell is going on here?" Rainbow harshly whispered to the others, glancing at all the imposing ponies. each carried different vicious looking weapons.

Celestia stood from her seat in the middle of the floor to approach them. With a silent wave from her the guards surrounding the girls parted to the side without a word. "So good to see you all safely here. I do hope no one was rough with you." Her soothing voice putting the much younger mares to ease.

Twilight stepped forward to embrace her mentor. "Princess! Please, can you tell us what's going on? Why are there so many royal guards here and who are these people with such weird insignias?" She began to question only to be stopped with a finger to her lips.

"Hush child. One thing at a time but before that." Celestia began. Looking to the armored ponies around the room she cleared her throat. "They are safe with me, you may leave now." She ordered. Each pony stood to attention, saluting before making their way out of the room with not even a glance at Celestia or the Bearers. Once the last one left the room and the doors closed Celestia sighed heavily before slumping into a seat near the girls. "Ugh, It's one thing to deal with bickering nobles but they are just on another level every time." She complained, letting her perfect appearance drop for a moment now that only the girls remained.

"Would now be a good time to answer our questions?" Applejack asked, feeling better not having so many people around her.

Nodding her head Celestia breathed in before standing once more. "Sorry about that. As for what's going on listen well." She began to explain. She started to tell the girls that since the war has officially ended with the Republic most guards are being pulled back home, Canterlot being used as a stopping point for the soldiers to rest. "But." She continued. "This doesn't mean there aren't those that would take actions in the time to come after such loses. We don't know if there may be somepony or another that would take extreme measures to continue the war so a very special branch has been called into action both to crush any up-rises but also protect areas deemed necessary." She added, a tired look crossing her face.

Rainbow began to flutter around in excitement. "So you want us to join this special branch and help kick butts while protecting people like we normally do right!" She asked, buzzing around while making mock air attacks.

"Heavens no!" Celestia loudly yelled. "I'll be dead and gone before I even entertain the idea of you girls joining this branch." Her statement caught the girls off guard immensely.

Twilight began thinking over what her mentor said when it clicked. "When you say protect areas deemed necessary you also mean important people. You mean us don't you?" She pointed out, looking to the older princess.

"As always you catch on fast my star pupil. Yes, you girls being the Bearer's of the Elements it can't be ignored there's a chance the enemy might strike at you with the intent to harm or...worse." She further explained. "That's why I'll be assigning someone suited for such high marked missions. He's never failed me once and was the key in turning the recent war in our favor." She finished clapping her hands.

Pouting at losing the chance to join a secret super branch Rainbow mumbled "Can't be anyone really that amazing. I'm sure he's just for show."

THUD!

"What in tarnation was that just now?" Applejack asked when the ground suddenly shook.

THUD!

A second shaking of the ground came and passed. By now the girls were growing concerned while Celestia strolled to her chair to avoid to much shaking. "Oh my, seems he decided to dress up early now." She hummed happily, silently enjoying the panic taking over the young mares.

THUD!

The third almost knocked the girls to their knees. Whatever was causing this was right behind the door. Their hearts pounded in their chests as the doors groaned open. A massive hand wrapped itself around one side. Then another appeared to grab hold of the other. As the door widen an armored helmet scratched and marked came into view devoid of any details other then two eye slots and a horn jutting from the top under a plume. As more was revealed the girls could tell this monster was bigger then even Celestia in stature. The figures body was covered completely in metal, a fur collar behind the figures head lead into a cape draped partially over the left side of it's body. Weapons of all kinds dotted the body with pouches and vials containing who knows what scattered along their chest and hips. Armored legs fined in steel covered hooves. He stomped slowly across the room, dread setting into the girls hearts. Even the fur on the back of Celestia's neck was standing up from the pressure flying off this figure. Soon they stood before the girls, Fluttershy, Rarity having fallen to their knees. Pinkie Pie's hair having deflated. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight barely stood with shaking knees.

They felt this was the end. This was how they died. Away from all loved ones but themselves...and then the figure dropped to one knee, bowing his head to them. The pressure disappeared in an instant leaving them gasping for air. The figured reached to it's helmet, unclasping something before sliding it off to let it rest next to him on the ground. Red splashed on a white mane tumbled around a chiseled stallions face. His eyes were closed and the stallion made no further moves as if turned into a statue.

Celestia couldn't help letting loose a laugh as the girls picked themselves up. "I just knew I should have warned him to not enter like it was a battlefield. Girls, say hello you your new guardian. Leader of the Knights of Equestria. From now on you are in his care." She stated, clapping her hands once more. On hearing her clap the mountain of a stallion stood slowly up his eyes half open. "Why don't you introduce yourself Bastion." She said with a smile.

The stallion made no movements but when he spoke his voice was deep like a chasm. "They are unauthorized to access information regarding a Knight ma'am." He replied, firmly standing tall.

"Unauthorized? What does that mean?" Pinkie Pie asked loudly.

Twilight looked at this stallion in front of her then to her mentor. "But we are the Elements and I'm a princess as well. Why would he say we are unauthorized? Aren't we above just about everypony but you and Luna? She questioned.

Groaning Celestia waved a hand. "Bastion here is a special case. Where yes you'd normally have access to any information especially you Twilight being a princess now. The Knights fall outside of that access." She explained. With a strange vocal sound Celestia repeated herself "Why don't you introduce yourself Bastion."

Bastion gave only the slightest twitch oh his index finger before saluting and stepping to attention. "Iron Bastion, age twenty six, height nine feet ten inches, weight five hundred and twenty five pounds exactly, Extensive medical, militaristic, and magical knowledge along with proficiency in twenty known fighting styles and one unique to myself in creation. Any average weapon placed in my hand is a weapon I've wielded a thousand times before. I have an extreme supply of magic allowing me to cast spells with greater effect. Need I go further ma'am?" He listed with a final question to the alicorn.

"Not at the moment dear. Could you stand off to the side for a moment?" She gently requested. As he placed his helmet back on and shifted to a side section she turned back to the stunned girls. "Forgive him he hasn't had much normal interactions with people so natural conversation is not his strong suit. However he will follow any order given to him until the bitter end no matter the order. That's why he is perfect for you girls. He'll be your personal bodyguard until a later time it is deemed safe for him to rejoined the other knights once more." She explained before getting a sad look. "I hope you don't take offense to the actions I am taking here." She finished with.

Pinkie Pie hopped over to the frowning princess, giving her hug. "Ahh geez! We could never be mad at you Princess. Besides you had our best health in mind." She cheered, a mischievous grin spreading on her face. "But when you say any order you really mean that?" She inquired, leaning closer to the ruler.

Letting a small giggle leave her Celestia gestured to the unmoving Bastion. "Try for yourself. He already knows you are labeled his superiors." She affirmed.

Pinkie Disappeared in a puff of pink smoke only to appear before the unmoving stallion. "I order you to...ughhhhh um oh~! I order you to lift me up!" She shouted in excitement, pointing a finger up at the stallions face who gave small twitches in his finger tips.

The others voiced complaints at ordering Bastion to do something like that while Rainbow was just laughing. The began to worry when they saw him start to stoop down, wrapping his large hands around Pinkie Pie's slightly pudgy waist.

"As you command Lady Pie." Came the deep voice once more as he slowly stood back up and started to raise the pink puff ball above his head all while she giggled in glee. "Is this satisfactory?" He asked monotone.

"WEEEEEE~~!" Pinkie squealed in joy snorting slightly in laughter. "Look, I'm so high up!" She shouted to her friends.

Rarity stepped closer raising a hand. "That's quite enough Sir Bastion. You can put Pinkie down." She requested, happy when he began to lower the pink mare down. When Pinkie Pie started to complain Rarity wagged her finger. "Oh no you don't missy. Bastion here is only to receive important orders from now on got it? He is not a toy to be played with." She lectured, tugging on the other mare's shirt to bring her away from the stallion.

Twilight sighed, turning to her mentor. "Thank you for providing us someone but do we really need him? We've handled the likes of Sombra and Discord. I think we could handle a few trouble makers." She started but was cut off before she could continue by Celestia.

"You are still so naïve Twilight. All of you are. Yes, if this was something similar to those challenges of our past then I'd have only warned in a letter to be on the look out. But this isn't like those situations. This time the enemy has no care for the dramatics, no long winded speech of how they will win and crush your spirits. These people will slit your throat in your sleep, poison your drink, or simply stab you literally in the back if you aren't careful. This is harsh of me to say but the world has many cruel people. So if you still think you don't need Bastion I will change it from a request to an order am I clear." She lectured, a hand crushing the armrest of her throne seat. When the girls flinched away from her reaction she breathed deeply. "I'm sorry it's just...you who have been alive for so little and seen so few things compared to me who has seen entire empires fall or had attempts on my life. I know what ruling requires and this is one of those moments where a good body can be the difference between life and death. You all will be under his care. He has already set plans in place to better protect incase anything should arise." She apologized, explaining her reasons.

Fluttershy turned to Bastion who remained unmoving. "Would you really just give your life to protect people you don't know?" She asked the large stallion.

Bastion's head turned to her and for the first time in meeting she saw a flash of emotion pass over his eyes. A show of kindness. "It's why I joined Lady Shy."