Rank & Full Name: Swift Wildshadow, F.O.S.
Letter’s Date: x1/2x/xxx3
Address: North Solar Boulevard, Bldg. 0123, District 001, Canterlot, Equestria
Contents: Letter

“Good evening, Mom and Dad.

So it’s been about a couple of months since I wrote that horrifying account detailing my experiences with Operation Discovery |3|. The loss of life was catastrophic, but we did achieve something monumental: a complete mapping of Serpent’s Creek is complete. All geographical landmarks, the jungle’s inhabitants, and every last ounce of detail have been drawn out and rendered as a way to, hopefully, avenge the fallen.

Yes, I was the lone survivor of the mission, and the amount of help I have received within the last two months has been colossal. Teams of doctors treating my wounds and helping me get back into shape took weeks. But that was one thing.

No, the psychological trauma endured would keep me out of action. Those beasts had destroyed me mentally, and it only became noticeable once I returned to Canterlot under the protection of Princess Celestia.

The first few nights back were horrible. Flashes of those serpents and them jumping from nowhere had me waking up abruptly in the middle of the night. Paranoia would surround me, trapping me in its embrace before the tears would start flowing from my eyes.

Princess Luna would visit me constantly, doing her best to fight back the demonic creatures, continually reassuring me that everything would be okay. That I was safe from harm’s malignant grip, but it didn’t stop the nightmares from returning. They kept getting increasingly intense, from the images of the General’s last moments to visions of entire squadrons lying dead in the open field.

It was horrible, Ma. HORRIBLE!

The two Royal Sisters arranged for me to seek counseling immediately. I talked with pony psychologists daily, explicitly trained to handle PTSD. Yet, I was scared to speak to them every time I sat down to talk. Scarred from what I had witnessed.

The memories forever etched into the back of my mind.

It’s still ongoing, but the intensity has been dying slowly. Like Pete Dreadson during the first month of boot camp, I still feel like I am being watched. I haven’t felt secure enough to escape those slimy serpent’s grasp.

I’ll continue to try and work on getting back into the fray, but I haven’t lied to you two in any of these letters, so I feel I should share this much with you. It has been hard to be in the castle once more. Constantly standing at attention is something I have to get used to again, but it’s not that.

I’ve felt that anything could happen at a moment’s notice with these past events. Not like before, but those thoughts that some pony could threaten the lives of the civilians in Canterlot. A foreign group could inflict damage on the castle and attack the guards. One of those serpents disguising themselves and specifically targeting me…

Anyway, there is some good news to be shared. About eleven weeks had passed since I got back, and I was summoned today for a ‘chat’ with the two princesses before Day Court started. It was about 0740 when I walked into the large throne room for the meeting, my eyes darting around the space for potential threats. They could be anyw-”

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“Ah, there he is! Luna, stop daydreaming,” Celestia nudged her younger sister, sitting next to her, who quickly snapped back to reality.

“Yes! I ordered the banana smoothiiie….” In response, she glared at her sister, who snickered, holding a hoof over her mouth.

“Not. Funny. Tia!” Princess Luna said, pouting.

“Oh, lighten up, Lulu. Besides,” Princess Celestia said before smiling at me, “we have important business to discuss now.”

I was now standing at the base of the staircase that led to the two thrones. Both alicorns looked at me, to which I hurriedly bowed and brought my head back up.

Stand at attention, my mind commanded, my body stiffening.

“How has everything been thus far, Private Swift Wildshadow?” the elder alicorn asked. “Luna here has been commenting on your tremendous mental strength progress.”

My mind fizzled out as I stared back at the two alicorns. Sure, I was getting more sleep and progressing through the therapy, but the tragic events in that jungle of savagery had left their impact on me forever. So answer them truthfully, I told myself.

“I…It-ts b-been ha-hard, Y-Yo-our Highness.” I was sputtering, my entire frame shaking. The younger alicorn worriedly looked at her elder sister, and my gaze fell to the floor.

Without another second of hesitation, Princess Celestia descended toward me, in which I closed my eyes. Whimpering, I knew what was coming for me. Your fate has been sealed, Swift, I told myself internally. You won’t be able to live out your dream of being a Royal Gu-

“It’s okay, Private Swift,” Princess Celestia said, wrapping her wing around me. My flank thudded against the floor as I tried to relax. It wasn’t working. I reminded myself of what the pony doctors recommended I do when the memories of that horrible place came back to haunt me. My eyes started to water, and my breathing grew heavier.

“I-I’m s-so-sorry,” I tried saying, fighting back the tears. The alicorn hushed me in response.

“No more tears, Private Swift,” she declared softly. “Operation: Discovery |3| was a tremendous success. Thanks to your bravery and dedication to the mission at hoof, the entire region has been completed. Everypony is extremely proud of your resilience and quick thinking to escape the wilderness, ‘and’ with your life intact.”

I stared back up at her, my mouth opening slightly. My brain had processed the words she spoke, but another thing was starting to build up inside me: my self-esteem.

“You have shown tremendous progress since I brought you back to Canterlot, and we couldn’t be happier to see you back in the castle doing your job,” Celestia said with a smile. It was indeed genuine, I thought to myself. The tears in my eyes ceased, and my body began to relax.

I felt…safe.

I feel…

“Better?” she asked me quietly.

I nodded slowly, still attempting to process why it took so long to grasp this feeling of security and self-confidence. Yeah, my brain thought. I did go into that jungle, and I DID come out alive!

The solar princess retracted her wing, ascending back up to her throne. Princess Luna nodded in approval before the meeting continued.

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“So, you may have been wondering why Princess Celestia and I called you for a meeting today,” Princess Luna said. “My sister has noticed your due diligence and swift rise to serve and protect Equestria from all dangers posed, especially here in Canterlot.”

gulp! There’s that word again, I told myself internally. Princess Celestia looked at me with a reassuring smile before speaking.

“Certainly, dear sister. Private Swift,” Celestia said, demanding my attention. “The High Command here in Canterlot has been filing reports on current statuses for every Canterlot’s Royal Guard member and has agreed that your rapid rise to being a prominent figure in the ranks has been remarkable.” I looked at her with eyes that pleaded for elaboration as she continued.

“Being a rookie here is one thing. But you, Private Swift, have shown the maturity and intellect of one who has been here for years. We appreciate the work you have tirelessly put in, your dedication to a cause, and being on time for every workday station switch. Not to mention how you have represented yourself and the Royal Guard,” Celestia clearly articulated. “I have had ponies, creatures of all kinds, and even ambassadors from other regions give nothing but high praise for your etiquette and excellence.”

My eyes didn’t well up, but I knew they wanted to. These were words I needed to hear.

“Your father would be so proud and definitely be voicing his approval for his only son,” Princess Luna reminisced. “We surely remember when he was a young stallion, starting as a member of the Royal Guard. How hard he worked, honing his craft and eventually becoming a soldier for the Royal Army. He was meticulous, well-mannered, and respected for his incredible service protecting Equestria from its threats.”

“Imagine my complete surprise the day I received that list of recruits from the recruiting station,” Princess Celestia interjected, “and YOUR name was at the very top of the list! Oho! I told myself before, ‘One day, another Wildshadow would sign up to join the Royal Guard!’ and by Faust, it came true!” Celestia was beaming, bringing a small smile to my face.

“We couldn’t thank you enough for your willingness to risk your own life for a cause we have been trying to complete for nine years and can FINALLY put an end to,” Princess Luna said with a small smile. Is…Is she smiling? I questioned my mind.

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“Sooo,” Celestia announced, “my sister and I have been thinking, and we believe it’s about time you were given a proper break from the castle to rest yourself. Luna will continue to keep an eye on you in the dream world, aiding you whenever necessary. Once you feel as though you yourself can be mentally ready to return, we would be nothing short of excited to welcome you back to service.”

I bowed, showing my thanks to the two alicorns. I stayed like that for a while before a cough brought me to raise my head. I looked up, and both Royal Sisters were…smiling at me. What? I thought as my eyes widened. What is going on? Why are they smiling like that?

Both Sisters nodded to each other. “Congratulations, Swift Wildshadow,” Celestia said proudly. “Or should I say, First Officer Specialist Swift Wildshadow.”

I gasped. My body stood in place. Was I…am I…, my mind was stuttering for the right words. Did I…I got…

“I think the title and promotion are rightfully deserving of a stallion such as yourself,” Princess Celestia told me before nodding. “That is all for today. Enjoy your time off.”

Both princesses smiled before descending. Celestia helped me to exit the throne room, but I trotted ahead without hesitation. Before leaving through the massive doorway, I turned to bow to the two alicorn princesses.

As I exited, the biggest smile spread itself across my face.

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“With love,

Swift Wildshadow, First Officer Specialist”

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I pumped both my fists in the air. There we go, kid, I thought to myself. Get that confidence back in you! Nothing can stop you. Not even some slimy, cowardly, no-bone-having snake can fuck with you now, haha!

I chuckled to myself at the last insult my mind came up with before putting the letter back inside the envelope and tossing it into the box. Then, picking up letter FIVE, I turned it over and saw more writing on its back underneath the flap. A smirk donned my face as I grabbed the magnifying glass, preparing to read the printed message.

Only this time…it wasn’t smudged.

“You think it’s over? This story, no, OUR story, is just beginning. Strap in, young man. You wanted it? You’re about to get it.”

-Dad

I dropped the magnifying glass in my hand, and it clacked! against the wooden desk. That singular thought crossed my headspace again as my brow furrowed.

“Impossible,” I said softly. “H-He…He w-was….”

I hurriedly opened the envelope, unfolded the letter, and read the smoothly written page.

Author's Note

For fate, roll a 20.

As always, feedback is appreciated in the comments below. See you in the next one!

-Harpy