Chapter 1....Venti's perspective
Venti Anemo Blade became an elite guard when he was 16. Sixteen! He was born into a noble family, The Blades, the richest and most influential family after the royals. He entered the guards at the age of ten and within a year became a royal guard, for the next five years he was a royal guard pushing up the ranks. He was strong, nimble, smart, and had a ton of skill. Heck, if it weren’t for the five-year rule he would have become an elite guard much much earlier. He was the best of the best which exemplifies why he is the captain of the elite royal bodyguards with twenty ponies beneath him who mathematically by the way can endure on a nation...and win.
Anemo understood his duty, shield the queen at all cost, whatever it takes. So imagine his look of bafflement when the Queen out of the blue asked him for a favor in her throne room one night.
Anemo silently yawned as he looked down at the debate. Royal Guards. Foals in golden armor. Moving his eyes towards the Queen, he smirked. Queen Haven sat on her throne, flanked by her two daughters, Princess Zipp and Princess Pipp. She paid no attention to the two squabbling royal guards, simply nodding her head like she cared what they saying.
What were they arguing about? It was obvious. It was about who will be in charge of Princess Pipp's security detail to Maritime bay to for dinner at a friend's house. You probably wondering what about Princess Zipp. Was she going? Yes, she was, it's just that... she is not what you call 'Ponies beloved princess.'
Anemo sighed. You could not blame them. Princess Pipp was the more popular one. She was more interactive with her ponies and her songs are everywhere. Princess Zipp on the other hoof was kinda anti-social, preferring to be alone. She was more of a mystery to the ponies of Zephyr Heights, which is why they prefer Princess of pop more. Not that it bothered him. The princesses were identical in his eyes.
"Anemo Blade." He immediately glided down from his perch upon the Queens call, scaring the two royal guards (Wimps) as he landed in front of them, bowing to his majesty.
"Yes, your highness."
"Would you please accompany these two gentle colts out?"
Anemo nodded as he turned towards the two captains. They did not need to be told twice. He was known throughout the Pegasus kingdom. The Blade of Queen Haven.
Queen Haven sighed as she got off her throne. "That was tiring. Pipp and Zipp I will meet both of you at the dinner table, just let me speak with Anemo."
Why does the queen have to be so informal?
"Okay Mom," Pipp said as she gave a wink to Anemo. Wow, outright flirting. He blushed though, could not help himself.
Zipp was already gone, which gave the Queen Haven a worried look.
Eventually, Queen Haven and Anemo were alone in the throne room.
Anemo spoke first. "Is there something amiss my Queen ?"
Queen Haven smiled weakly as she massaged her temple."As a case of fact yes, a very significant problem."
"May I be capable to aid you ?"
"Yes, which is why I wanted to talk to you confidentially." Anemo nodded his head as she resumed. "As you know my daughters are going for a dinner party hosted by one of their friends." Anemo shook.
"What I am worried about is security."
"I am sure Princess Pipp will have several royal guards willing to volunteer."
Queen Haven gave him a deadpanned look. "I meant princess Zipp."
Ahhh easy solution for that.
"Then assign more guards to her then."
"She does not desire any guards."
What !?
"And to make matters worse she is planning to leave early since she likes to hike to Maritime bay so she can look at the fauna and flora."
Talk about being a nature freak...
"I will notify the guards at once."
"Nay! Wait, you cannot !"
Anemo gave her a confused look."How come, your Highness? This is a matter of national security of the utmost importance!"
"Pipe down on your patriotism Anemo," said Queen Haven rolling her eyes.
"How about you assigned a squad to follow her then," suggested Anemo. "They will keep their distance but just close enough to protect her."
"Yes! That is a perfect idea !"
Anemo smiled inwardly. Anemo blade, the master at advising.
"You should leave now, to load your gear. You going to have to be prepared, my Daughter is quite the flier, I am confident she would be elated that you are accompanying her."
Anemo's brain came to a messy stop. That was not what I said. "Wha-"
Queen Haven raised her hoof. "That is a directive Anemo."
"But my Queen, my duty is to shield you and only you. The elite guard was created solely for you. You can't-"
"- and you have to obey your queen's authority," interjected Queen Haven with finality in her tone. "I am not a joke Venti, I understand your feelings regarding my eldest Daughter."
Venti was taken aback. How did her highness find out? Venti looked away. "Then you know why I cannot do it. I-I-"
"I entrust my daughter's life in your competent hooves," said the Queen, dismissing his plea." Recognize Anemo, my trust of somepony is hardly any pony earns."
Queen maintained her gaze on her most dependent guard as he stepped away, a small smile creating on her face. He is going to be a great son-in-law. But the primary question is, with whom?
Chapter 2...Zipp's perspective
Zipp awoke to find herself in a subtle bedroom. She was centered in the double bed, wrapped with a thick blanket till her neck. how did I get here? Where am I? Zipp attempted to move only to stop her attempt of motion as she felt discomfort racing across her body. Her instantaneous cry of pain awoke a stranger dozing at the end of the bed.
“Princes! Are you alright ?”
Zipp felt her cheeks burn. Venti Anemo Blade was on top of her, a look of apprehension on his face. His armor and Helmet were all gone, revealing a handsome young aristocratic pony.
“Princess?”
Zipp jolted from her reverie. “Yes, I am okay Venti. My body just aches a bit, that’s all.”
“Must I massage you, Princess?”
Zipp blushed. Her mother, Queen Haven, ordered Venti to be her bodyguard much to the stupefaction of the royal guards. Venti never left the queen's side. It was also a shock to them that he was being assigned to her and not her sister. It hurt when you knew, your ponies did not hold you, in the same way, they treated your sibling but it was more painful when they say it in front of your face, unashamed to say it. Even her mother said nothing. The truth hurts and the truth was she was the least favorite princess in Zephyr heights.
“Are you discomfiting by my proximity to you Princess?”
“What makes you say that?”
Venti slowly came off the bed. “You look uncomfortable. I should be going now…”
“W-W-Wait”
Venti looked at her. “Yes, Princess?”
Zipp looked at the green Pegasus from head to hoof. Before she left for Maritime Bay, her mother said that Venti was in her complete control. Whatever she commanded him, he will act upon it. She was conflicted. She knew Pipp had eyes for him but she also started to develop some feelings for him. Zipp wanted him. Right now. But she held herself back. Zipp Storm is better than this.
“Venti, I would like to go downstairs.”
The elite guard shook his head. “I am sorry princess but your injuries will not allow you to walk.”
Got you.
“Could you carry me downstairs?” she said innocently.
A small smile came on Venti’s face. “Princess if you just notified me you liked piggyback rides, I would have done so.”
Zipp scowled at him. “What are you trying to imply?” Venti seldom showed emotion, whenever he was seen in Zephyr heights he was always wearing an emotionless mask but when he accompanied her from Zephyr he came with a simple royal guard armor. She found out more about him on their trip as they walked throughout their journey instead of flying, she insisted, to observe nature for research. He was funny and a good listener as she ranted about astrophysics and calculus. He was perfect.
Zipp yelped as her thoughts were interrupted as Venti picked her up and put her on his back. She wrapped her hooves around her neck, taking a deep smell of his mane. When there were some few miles away from Maritime Bay, they were attacked by a group of wolves, and during the fight, she twisted her hoof. For four miles he had to carry her on his back and when she smelt his mane it smelt like...
“Bubblegum. Seriously? You use bubblegum scene shampoo?”
“It smells nice, okay” defended Venti. “It smells so nice sometimes I even drink some when I am thirsty”
Zipp shook that memory out of her head. Gross. She is surprised he’s not dead from all the chemicals.
“Okay, princess we are bearing down the stairs, I am going to go quick and it is going to hurt, so brace yourself.”
Zipp's body cried in pain with each step. But she kept her mouth shut. Thankfully after a few excruciating moments later she was on the couch in the living room. Venti and she were alone in the lighthouse. Sunny left early while Hitch was off to his deputy's house. She was quite surprised when she saw Hitch in Sunny’s house. It seems Love is in the air.
Zipp glanced at Venti, he was standing right by the side of the couch, guarding her. She bit her lip. She wanted to disclose her feelings to him before Pipp did and take him away but it felt wrong. Pipp fell in love with him first. But nothing is fair in love or war. Pipp could find some pony else. The whole kingdom loves her whereas she only has him.
“Venti do you have feelings for any pony?”
Venti was taken aback by the question. “Well…I do love my tortoises….”
Zipp rolled her eyes. “I meant a pony you have feelings for.”
Venti gave Zipp a deadpan look. “Seriously, Princess? That is the most cliché way of confessing to your crush.”
Zip’s mouth opened and closed. “Y-Y-You knew!?”
“It was quite obvious, from our trip in the forest.”
“Does that mean….”
Zipp looked at him and for the first time, she saw him being unsure of himself.
“I-I-I” Venti stuttered. “I love you.”
Zipp’s heart soared but then she saw his sorrowful look.
“Zipp I had a crush on you since I entered the Royal Guards. There is a reason why her highness put me as your bodyguard. ”
“But then what’s wrong? What is preventing you-” Zipp was getting angry.
Venti turned his face away. “My parents insist I must marry Princess Pipp.”
“W-W-What ?” she said. No, No this cannot be happening. “Tell them you do not want to!”
Venti looked at Zipp his eyes wet. “Queen Haven has already accepted the proposal.”
Author's Note
Well my friends...things are heating up
Let me break it down for you...
Author's Note
Hope you all enjoy !
Let me break it down for you...
The Pegasus military of Zephyr Heights consisted of three divisions. Guards, Royal Guards, and the Elite Royal bodyguards.
The guards are the division of law and Order. They uphold the law and keep the peace. It is effortless to be recruited, considering it is the lowest of the three divisions.
The royal guards on the other hoof are much more difficult to get in. The first basic essential is that you have at least spent one year in the Guards Division and that your combat skills and intellect are above the standard of the top half of your class. The Royal guards have to safeguard the borders of the Pegasus kingdom and the royal family. They are also the main attack force and the primary invasion unit. Unlike the guard's division, where there is a council of Pegasus that represents the ponies of Zephyr, the royal guards answer only to the royal family. In a nutshell, the royal guards are the better version of a normal guard and it is considered an honor if you are accepted into the royal guard division.
Finally, we have the elite royal bodyguard division. If you thought becoming a royal guard was hard, then you wrong. To become an Elite you first have to spend at least five years in the royal guard division and your superior officer must present documentation of your achievements, which include anything you have done while on duty and off-duty. Even if you passed this you must then go through a rigorous test of endurance, speed, skill, and intellect. Whew! You might be thinking. I’m in! Well sorry but then you have to write a CV to the queen herself detailing why you want to become an elite. Your letter would be read and if it perks the Queen's interest it is sent to the Royal psychological and behavioral unit, where they check your letter, through and through, and then check your files if you are clean. Aka a model citizen.
Whoa! You have to be that exemplary, you say in surprise. Yes, only the best of the best can be the personal bodyguards of her majesty, the queen, and her family. This explains why the ponies of the Elite guard are much older than the other divisions but sometimes there are exceptions...
