Keep calm, Swift, my thoughts rang out.

“Why are they taking so long?” I wondered aloud. I was outside the spellcasting room, awaiting the results of my test. The High Command had ended the test abruptly without giving me a chance to react, and I immediately fell to the floor. They ensured I was okay before escorting me outside and telling me to await the results.

However, the events that transpired were weighing on my mind. Everything had happened so fast. It wasn’t easy to process, but at the same time, it all felt real…too real.

What was that…thing? I thought as my eyes closed. I know what I saw. But I’ve never seen a creature like it. And it killed that bird Commander before I was about to be killed. My head went back as it met the wall, allowing me to let out a deep sigh.

Whose side was it on? my thoughts continued. It certainly wasn’t on the bad guy’s side, but that only raises more questions? Did The High Command plan for that to happen? Was it to ensure I didn’t die?...Was it real?

My head ached as the events replayed in my mind. I...I can’t explain it, I continued thinking. It doesn’t make sense. And I swear I have seen that ax before…but where? And how did that creature get that weapon? Was Celestia in on it? Her ‘trap’ card?

I shook my head in frustration. “I’ll need something to drink after this to quell my headache,” I mumbled. “And a good meal to calm my nerves.”

“Thankfully, you’ll be able to do that, Mr. Swift.”

“Gah!” I yelped in shock as the stallion from before my test opened the door. I stood up as he exited and shut the door behind him, but my heart began to thud again.

“I’m s-sorry, sir, I was j-jus-”

“Waiting to hear that you passed your final major response test?” the pony responded with a smile. My eyebrows raised as the news registered in my brain.

“I d-did?” I stammered softly.

“Barely,” the stallion huffed as he looked at his clipboard. “For starters, you did a fantastic job upon noticing and responding to the threat. Your quick actions were a highlight of the first major event, as you made good decisions after good decisions. Bonus points for calling out the threat and delivering each sentence.”

“Thank you, sir,” I replied before a hoof raised.

“However, you first responded to the ‘minor’ threat in the second major event. You focused more on saving your fellow guardspony first, NOT entering the throne room. Who were you supposed to protect?” the stallion responded, lowering the clipboard and looking at me sternly.

sigh “The princesses of Equestria,” I remarked.

“Swift, we take an oath to protect them at all costs,” he lamented. “If anything terrible were to happen to them, our world would be sent into turmoil and unrest, sparking an era of darkness like no other. Every second and every decision made counts.” I said nothing as he continued.

“If Princess Celestia were harmed in any way, shape, or form, Equestria would be vulnerable,” he exaggerated. “Not just because the ruler was attacked, but the economic damage, socio-political thoughts, and even theoretical possibilities could cause a chain reaction within our nation.”

“Think about it. The media would call into question everything here in Canterlot. The nobles would call into question Princess Celestia’s rulership, and allies might pull back from aiding us in case of war if WE OURSELVES CANNOT PROTECT THE PRINCESSES!!” I looked at him with a raised brow, allowing him to catch his breath and clear his throat.

ahem! “It may seem irrational to think this could happen, but allow me to summarize it, Swift. They are the priority in terms of protecting,” the stallion said. “And on the other hoof, your response in the third major event was inconsequential in preventing the threat from ceasing their movements. Instead, it only made the opposition angrier, which can cause you to make even more rash decisions and risk your life and those around you.”

He’s right, my mind told me as I closed my eyes. So stupid! Why did I let that creature force me into a vulnerable state?

“But,” the stallion interrupted, “two things caught our attention. Number one was that you properly finished off two threats and saved your fellow guardspony by correctly tying the cloth around the wound. Nothing but high praise for that, as lives are precious to us.”

A smile returned to my face as I remembered the event. The stallion, though, continued.

“Number two. The High Command noticed something strange. During the final major event, there was a glitch in the system, and suddenly we lost sight of the entire scene. Before the avian creature was to stab you, the feed cut out and went pitch black.” The stallion then looked at me.

“This has never happened in the number of years we have done this test, but the fact that it occurred raises many questions. We don’t know how it happened, but when the feed returned, you stood up and looked into the room's corner. The creature that was to kill you, however, was sliced in half, and a pool of blood had formed around the body.” I gulped as the scene reran within my mind again.

“If you are wondering how that happened, the High Command is suspicious of outside interference, but no concrete proof is available, and nocreature can explain how or why it happened.” His voice grew quieter as his tone shifted to seriousness.

“I was informed about taking testimony from you on the events between those two scenes, allowing there to be a record of it. Can you do your best to describe in detail what happened and how the bird creature died?”

My head began to ache as I clutched it. I felt my heart thudding in my ears as the ringing noise returned. The pain only got worse as I tried to recall the events.

“I…I-I….”

“Mr. Swift?” the stallion asked. “Is everythi-”

thud!

That was the last thing I heard before everything went dark.

Author's Note

Oof. Somecreature, get that pony to a psychiatrist immediately!

Thanks for tuning in this month. See ya next time!

-Harpy