Civil Warby TheKing2001ChaptersOneTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightNineTenElevenTwelveFourteenFifteenSixteenSeventeenEighteenThirteenOne Aria I hate my life. Nothing is actually wrong with it, unless you want to count Spitfire and the other Royal Guards riding my ass during my months of training. Shit is ridiculous. Waking up at ungodly hours, having Spitfire get up in my face constantly. She’s lucky I haven’t swung on her yet. Don’t even get me started on the God awful food, the uncomfortable beds and the hours of walking or standing still. I’m still surprised Twilight personally requested me to be one of her few Royal Guards. “You know you don’t have to stand there at all times right?” Twilight asked as she startled me out of my musing. She flipped the page of her book as she sat on her chair in the library. “It makes me uncomfortable, Aria.” “Can’t,” I answered even though I desperately wanted to. Months of getting chewed out for disobeying orders made me secretly regret all the times I never listened to Adagio tell me to calm down. “Sunset would get after me and I think she is getting tired of me getting in trouble.” “True,” Twilight giggled as she looked at me. “Why did you agree to join the Guard? Didn’t really seem like the thing you’d be into.” “Why not?” I commented as I glanced at the other guard in the room. She was standing scarily still as I examined her mulberry mane and turquoise coat. She had a sun hidden behind a cloud for a cutie mark. Not that I could tell through her purple armor. I only know because I see her without it on at the barracks. “Good reason as any,” Twilight shrugged as she stood up. “You want a glass of water?” “No thanks,” I said as the unicorn guard gasped quietly and glared at me. “The Princess offered you a glass of water. Don’t be rude,” the mare chided as I glared back. “It’s okay Sunny Flare,” Twilight reassured her as Sunny opened the door with her magic. “Aria is my friend, I’m dating her sister and she has every right to turn me down or say when she disagrees. It’s not rude to have opinions.” “Yes Princess,” Sunny muttered as she relaxed her glare. “Are you still doing that speech about allowing the changelings into Equestria? Not that I’m against it but it’s dangerous. Somepony put a bounty on your head after all.” “Kiss ass,” I muttered under my breath. “Yes I am. I am not afraid and I will continue to do this until everypony accepts the changelings,” Twilight said adamantly as we followed her down the hall. “Nothing will stop me. You are both dismissed. Is that the uh term?” “Yeah it is,” I grinned as I trotted ahead at a more eager speed. “Thanks Twilight. Don’t forget to treat my sister right tonight after your date if you know what I mean. And don’t forget the sound proof spell.” Sunny gasped as Twilight turned red and sputtered incoherent words. I gave a grin as I disappeared up the stairs with Sunny behind me. I love teasing Twilight. “You know, that was rude right?” I rolled my eyes and gagged a bit. I hate strick rule followers. I tossed my purple helmet off and watched it bounce under my bunk. Twilight was practically obsessed with purple so my armor was her purple coat color and her cutie mark emblazoned on the front with my own cutie mark on each side of the flank armor. I flopped down on my bed as Blitz gave me a sympathetic look over her book. “That bad, huh?” Blitz asked as she closed her book after sticking a book mark to keep her spot. I glanced over at the jet black pegasus and her smokey grey mane. She had a light blue star on her flank. “Yeah,” I admitted as I stretched out on my bunk. Sunny Flare was widely regarded as the worst guard to be partnered with. At least Lemon Zest was fun to be around. “Who is assigned with her next?” “Me,” Sour Sweet raised a hoof from her bed. Her, Lemon and I were the only Earth Ponies in the castle assigned to Twilight. “Because I love, love, love spending time with an annoying mare!” We all collectively snickered as I struggled to get the rest of my armor off. Berry Blast stood and approached me with a large grin that made me uncomfortable. “Want help?” The twin unicorn sister of Blitz asked eagerly. I sighed and nodded as she started levitating my armor off and hung it up properly along with the helmet that rolled under my bed. “Thanks,” I grumbled as I fell backwards on my bed. Thank the stars Twilight insisted we got real beds. And yes, she insisted on them being bunk beds for some unknown reason. Indigo Zap snored from her bed as the pegasus above me dropped a hoof over the edge. It was slightly weird to know two versions of everyone here except Blitz, Berry Blast and Glimmer Shine. We all glanced at the door as Sunny Flare trotted in and started levitating her armor off, meticulously hanging it up. “Princess Twilight has requested our presence in her room. She wants us to bring pillows and blankets,” Sunny announced as she faced us. “Okay Private,” Lemon snickered as she rolled her pillow and blanket up. “Remember, I technically outrank you.” “You’re a private first class!” Sunny exclaimed and narrowed her eyes. “Not that much of outranking. Aria has more of a rank. Why she got temporary put in charge, I’ll never know.” “Because I’m a bad bitch,” I proclaimed with a grin as everyone except Sunny and Sugarcoat laughed. At least Sugarcoat wore a faint smile as the unicorn levitated her sleep wear on her back. “And maybe she likes me more.” “I doubt that it’s it,” Sunny muttered as I kicked the bed above me with my forelegs. “Indigo, wake up!” I shouted as the pegasus rolled off the edge of the bed. “TwiTwi needs us.” “Princess Twilight!” Sunny corrected as an annoyed Indigo groaned and glared at her from her spot on the floor. “Shut it, Sunny!” I rolled my eyes as I trotted out the door. May the gods have mercy on me. Two Aria I trotted up to Twilights door as Sugarcoat opened it with her magic. I trotted inside as the others joined me and the door shut quietly as the silver glow around it and Sugarcoats horn disappeared. “Princess,” Sunny said and bowed slightly. I bit back a comment and rolled my eyes instead. I hated bowing. I already had to do it with my sisters when we first came back to Equestria when we had to tell Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadence we meant no harm. It was mortifying. I think it got even worse when Sonata started kissing Princess Luna’s hooves in “respect”. “Please call me Twilight,” Twilight waved a hoof as I gave Sunny a smug grin. “Sit, please!” We all sat down as Twilight placed our individual pillows and blankets down on the floor as I slowly got impatient. I was looking forward to a decent nap as was my other Guards. At least I didn’t have to patrol the castle like Indigo and Sour Sweet did. That’s an exhausting post, with how heavy the armor is and all. “What are we doing here?” I asked finally as I focused on Twilight. “I was looking forward to a nap.” Sunny groaned quietly as Berry Blast laughed. “I only really know Aria since I’m dating her sister so I figured we could all have a sleepover and get to know each other better in the spirit of team work!” Twilight exclaimed as she grinned at us and levitated a book into Blitzs hooves. “Getting to know your co workers one oh one,” the pegasus read aloud as she smirked. “Step one, offer to hang out with them outside of work.” “Seriously?” Lemon giggled as she fell on her back. “What are we, five?” Twilight turned a bright shade of red and coughed as she levitated a plate of cookies. “I made cookies?” Twilight offered with a grin. “So Blitz will go first and we can go around the group. And play various games! Sunset loaned me a game called Cards Against Humanity. She said it’s a very good icebreaker game.” I bit back a laugh as Twilight held up the box of cards. If only she knew what Sunset had gotten herself into, Twilight would think twice about this game. Hell, I was there when it got made. “Well I’m Blitz,” Blitz said with a faint smile. “I’m the twin sister of Berry Blast. We come from a small suburb of Neigh Jersey. I personally like quiet nights at home and staying indoors.” “I’m her twin sister!” Berry Blast announced eagerly with a personality like Sonata’s. “I’m the more outgoing of the two. Parties, meeting ponies and getting wasted.” “Sugarcoat,” Sugarcoat said plainly as we all looked at her. “Intel cadet. Born in Canterlot.” “Well that was enlightening,” Indigo snorted with a eye roll as we all laughed. “Indigo. Flight Lieutenant obviously. Aerial assault and all that cool shit. From Cloudsdale obviously. Glimmer Shine and Blitz are my wing ponies.” “Where is Glimmer anyway?” Lemon asked curiously as she slung her headphones around her neck. “Patrol. She prefers to work alone at night. Sour, go!” “Ugh do I have to?” Sour grumbled and folded her forelegs across her chest. We all nodded. “Fine. I just take care of weapons and all that.” “What rank even are you?” I asked and raised an eyebrow. “Captain. I’m also from Canterlot as is Sunny Flare.” “Yeah she’s a private,” Indigo snickered as she elbowed her friend. “Second lowest rank here other than Sugar. Obsessed with fashion and calling everyone dearie.” “I’m Twilight,” Twilight announced and ignored the glare Sunny was giving Indigo. “You don’t say,” I commented casually as I slide under my blanket and yawned. “You all know my backstory. Pretty much was all the newspapers ran for months. I have a baby dragon and a student named Starlight. She’s out with her marefriend right now in her wagon.” I raised an eyebrow at Twilights tone. I should ask her one day about her relationship with Trixie. I wonder how Starlight feels about it. I’ve never once seen Starlight and Twilight fight at all surprisingly. I will grudgingly admit I like Twilight but she can be very aggravating. At least we got to skip Lemon because she was currently stuffing her mouth with gummy worms she had somehow brought with her. She was obsessed with the fucking things. “Okay so we know the basics about each other!” Twilight exclaimed happily as she clapped her hooves and turned a page in her book. “Step two, ask them about their home life if they are comfortable answering. Remember, don’t make them uncomfortable or you’ll get a complaint potentially.” “I’ll pass,” Sunny said flatly as she brushed her hair with a brush and shrugged. “Don’t want to talk about it. It’s complicated.” “I wouldn’t say that,” I warned with a frown. “Twilight is gonna devote all the time she has now to get you to open up about it. She did it to Sunset and her past.” “Isn’t Sunset our commander or whatever?” Sour Sweet questioned as she stretched out her hooves. “And that’s why Aria is temporarily in charge till Sunset comes back?” “Yes,” Twilight admitted with a smile. “Sunset is Spitfires sister. Sunset is correctly doing uh work for me at the moment in a place far away from Equestria. You will meet her soon enough.” “Spitfire is terrifying,” Berry Blast shivered and hugged herself. “I hope to the stars and Luna herself Sunset isn’t that scary.” “Only when she’s mad, her family or friends get threatened or she’s being disrespected,” I answered with a roll of my hoof. “She fought Chrysalis once. I’m Aria but you all know that.” “Uh huh. How do you know Sunset?” Blitz demanded as she tucked her legs underself. “I tried to enslave her school and friends along with Princess Twilight with my sisters to feed off their negative energy. Siren and all, I’m over a thousand years old.” Everyone gave me flat looks before laughing. Me and Twilight patiently waited for the laughing to stop. “She’s being serious,” Twilight said as everyone looked at her. “How are you still alive?” Blitz demanded as she looked me up and down. “You look good for over a thousand.” “Magic,” I said simply. “That’s out of the way. Let’s play a game,” Twilight announced and levitated the card game Sunset loaned her. She started reading the instructions and I rolled my eyes as I started passing out cards. Twilight set the instructions down and picked up her hand. Indigo, Berry, Blitz, Lemon and I were laughing as Sunny and Twilight turned bright red. “I uh think I have to have conversation with Sunset after this,” Twilight mumbled nervously as her ears flattened against her head. Thank god for Sunset is the only thought in my mind right now. Author's Note For context, I'll just list all the guards roles and stuff. Indigo: Aerial assault. Lemon: Communications. Blitz: Wing pony. Berry Blast: Medic, ground assault. Sour Sweet: Weapons expert, ground assault. Glimmer Shine: Espionage, wing pony. Sunset: Leadership, strategy. Aria: Strategy, ground assault. Three Aria Sunny picked up a black card as I looked around at the ponies sitting in a circle. Twilight was shockingly tied with Berry Blast for winner. I had the third most cards, followed by Indigo, Lemon, Sour, Sugarcoat, Sunny and Blitz. “Why am I sticky?” Sunny read with a blush as we all laughed. “Time to abuse Sunny Flare!” Indigo called out with a grin as she slapped a card down. “Please don’t. Please be very gentle with me.” “Is that what you said to the guy who made you sticky?” Blitz commented with a smug grin as we all laughed again. “May Celestia have mercy on my soul,” Twilight muttered as she covered her face with her hooves to hide her blush. “I have seen, heard and said things tonight I never once thought I would.” “Alright!” Sunny announced and levitated some cards up to her face. “Why am I sticky? Necrophilia.” Utter silence. “Lame,” Indigo scoffed as the pegasus rolled her eyes. “Next!” “Why am I sticky? Kayaking with my sluts.” “Makes sense,” Berry Blast shrugged. “Wish I was kayaking with my sluts.” “What sluts?” Blitz demanded as she faced her sister. “The ones don’t know about,” Berry Blast stuck her tongue out at her twin and smirked. “Just kidding, I have no sluts. Yet.” “Thank the stars for that,” Blitz grumbled as she wrapped herself in a blanket. “What wait do you mean yet?” Berry Blast innocently whistled as she looked away. “Why am I sticky? Me time,” Sunny laughed quietly as she shrugged. “I mean maybe.” “You better not be having me time in the barracks!” Sour snapped as she glared at Sunny. “Your bunk is above mine!” “Why an I sticky? All the dudes I’ve fucked,” Sunny read as she ignored Sour. Indigo and I both burst out laughing as Indigo pumped her hoof in the air. “Winner right there, I’m telling ya!” Indigo announced. “We will see,” Sunny commented as she looked at the next card. “Why am I sticky? The amount of gay I am.” “Lame.” “Why am I sticky? Daddys belt?” Sunny muttered as we all laughed. “Why am I sticky? Golden showers. Ew that is disgusting!” “It would make you sticky I suppose,” Twilight mused as she tapped her chin with a hoof. “Why am I sticky? my collection of high-tech sex toys.” “You have sex toys?” I asked with a wide, cruel grin. “Now that is surprising.” “I do not! A respectable mare doesn’t stoop low to inappropriate adult activities!” Sunny snapped and gave me a dirty look. “You’re playing this game,” Sugarcoat stated and used her magic to adjust her glasses. “I hate when you’re right,” Sunny Flare grumbled. “Why am I sticky? Three dicks at the same time. Seriously?” We all burst out laughing as Twilight hid a blush with a hoof. “I hate you all some days.” “I guess somepony could get sticky from that,” Sour mused as we all finished laughing. “Who wins?” “Who had daddys belt?” Sunny asked with a sigh as Berry Blasts hoof shot in the air. “That was me!” The unicorn announced happily as Sunny hoofed her the card. “I win. Yay!” “Thank fuck that’s over,” Sour grumbled under her breath as Twilight put the cards away. “That was fun. We should play again sometime,” Twilight clapped her hooves as she examined her book again. “Okay, this next one is-” “All due respect, screw the book,” I said as they all looked at me. “We don’t need no book. Berry Blast, destroy it.” “Destroy my book and I will destroy you,” Twilight said coolly as Berry Blast paused. I hated calling her by her full name but well she demanded we all do it. “Okay,” Berry Blast said casually as she sat down next to her sister as I examined the difference between the two. The only really difference was eye color was a lighter shade of purple on Berry Blast along with a dark almost black purple streak in her mane and tail and her cutie mark of a purple star with a berry. “Checking us out?” Blitz snickered as I rolled my eyes. Blitz laid down with an overly exaggerated seductive smile and half lidded eyes. “You wish. What I meant Twilight is we don’t need the book to learn about each other,” I scoffed and patted her shoulder. “You can just ask us questions. You know practically everything about me already from Adagio and Sonata so.” “Oh,” Twilight said sheepishly as a loud pop sound echoed and the book disappeared. “So Twilight,” Lemon dragged out the name with a grin. “Who trimmed your garden if you get my drift?” Indigo choked on her water as her eyes widened and I snickered. “I don’t understand,” Twilight said in confusion as she raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know, I never met the gardener back in Canterlot unfortunately.” I rolled my eyes as my other Guards turned red or covered their face with their hooves. Blitz gestured Twilight forward and whispered in her ear. Twilight slowly turned a bright shade of red and started sputtering incoherent words. “I uh no one if I’m being honest,” Twilight admitted sheepishly as we all snickered. “Adagio and I may have briefly talked about it?” “Sounds like Dagi,” I snorted with a smirk. “Back when pirates were a thing, we didn’t need magic to cause disharmony on the high seas.” “That’s absolutely disgusting,” Sugarcoat said with disdain after a moment as Sunny nodded her agreement. “Before Aria can finish that sentence, what next is on your agenda?” “Scary stories and then sleep!” Twilight announced happily as she gestured at all of our sleeping gear. “It’s a slumber party after all.” “I think I’ll pass the stories,” I answered after a moment. “I have to interview a few more guards tomorrow.” Typically it would be Sunset’s job but she and the others are currently preparing for Camp Everfree back on Earth. Not only that, I have to deal with a bunch of other shit. Investigating and all that. I pulled my blanket over me and curled my forelegs and hindlegs so I formed a ball as I rested my head on the pillow and closed my eyes. “Alright goodnight,” Twilight said as I cracked open an eye as her ears pressed against her head. “We would love for you to join us though.” Twilight gave me puppy dogs eyes as I sighed. I sat up and growled under my breath as the others cheered minus Sour, Sugarcoat and Sunny. “Fine.” Four Aria I yawned as I stretched out my hooves on Twilight’s floor, cracking my back as I opened my eyes and took in Berry Blast reading a book. The others were asleep with the exception of Twilight and Blitz. Twilights spot was empty as I raised an eyebrow. “Morning,” Blitz nodded at me as she pushed a mug my way. “Made you a coffee. Black, as you like.” I gave her a grateful nod as I took it and sipped, sighing contently. “What’s on the agenda?” Berry Blast asked eagerly as she turned a page of her book titled Battlefield Medics. Presumably because of her team medic role. “Interviewing potential guards. Then patrol,” I answered as I finished drinking my coffee. “Aren’t you and Glimmer partnered up today?” “Yup!” “Must be nice,” I grumbled as Blitz took my mug. “I can’t wait for Sunset to come on her next routinely visit. This paperwork is killing me. This is technically her job, I’m just helping.” “Well you are the second in command after all,” Blitz shrugged as she and Berry Blast looked at each other. “Say, you’re Sunset’s friend. What’s the commander like?” “Plenty of words to describe her. We used to be enemies I suppose in a way till she helped me and Adagio change. Sonata always hated controlling people. But calculating, easy going, smart, strong all come to mind. Also no nonsense, stern when needed and strict,” I answered. “She has a mischievous streak as well. She loves a good prank, very snarky and sarcastic.” “So Spitfire?” “Not really,” I answered with an eye roll. “Where’s Twilight at?” “Library. Talking with Captain Spitfire,” Berry Blast answered as she pointed a hoof in that general direction. I kinda wonder how Spitfire feels about Sunset technically outranking her. Must be annoying for your younger siblings to be technically your superior. “I should probably go talk to Spitfire and Twilight. See you guys around,” I grumbled as I rolled up my blanket and pillow, placing them on my back. Blitz waved as I trotted out the door. I stretched out in my chair of my office before slammed my head down on the desk. Technically it was Sunset’s office but I’m using it till she gets here. A lamp sat on the desk along with a large filing cabinet along the wall and a bed. Must be nice to have a bed away from the other Guards. Sour Sweet had her own office as well but it didn’t have a bed. By office, I mean just a spare bedroom in the castle with a added lock on the door. I flinched slightly at the quiet knock and sighed. “Enter,” I called out as the door opened. A white pegasus mare with a watermelon mane dragged a shorter green earth pony mare in with a potted flower cutie mark. “We’re looking for Sunset,” the white pegasus announced. “Sunset is out doing a uh errand for Twilight.” We had temporarily agreed to keep the portal a secret till Sunset came back. “Oh huh. The plaque on the wall next to the door said commander Sunset. Sorry to bother you.” “I’m covering for her. What can I do for you?” I asked as I looked back up from my paperwork. “This is Wallflower. She’s looking for a job. I’m Blossomforth,” Blossomforth announced. “Go on Wally. I’ll be out here waiting.” Wallflower and I looked at each other as the door closed and I pointed a hoof at the chair. “Sit.” “Uh okay,” Wallflower muttered as she sat down and I hoofed around the desk. “Got any special skills? What’s your special talent?” “Plants.” I waited patiently for her to continue until five minutes passed and she said nothing. Spitfire coughed from the spare desk along the wall as we looked at her. I forgot she was here honestly, she was so quiet. “What can you do with plants?” Spitfire asked as she examined a form, her whistle hanging around her neck. “This isn’t a walk in the flower patch. This is the Royal Guard. Ask Aria, she gets up at random hours of the day, exercise, paperwork.” “I know. Blossomforth thinks it’ll be uh character building? Getting me out into the world,” Wallflower admitted sheepishly as she traced the chair arm with a hoof. “It can do that,” Spitfire nodded. “What can you do with plants?” “Uhm this,” Wallflower said quietly as she lifted the plant she brought and rubbed a hoof against it as it grew bigger. “It’s a wall plant. That’s about it.” “Uh okay?” “Are you in the guard?” Wallflower asked curiously as Spitfire laughed. “No no. I’m a Wonderbolt. I’m just training these newbies. Look, we can find something in the Guard for you but this might not be for you. I’ll send Soarin to come find you in town. Anything else you can do?” “Uhm yeah,” Wallflower answered as she stood up, slammed a hoof on the ground and disappeared. Spitfire and I sat up a bit straighter and stared at each other wide eyes. “You know what, I think we have a good use for you. I’ll send High Winds and Surprise to come see you. Welcome to the Guard Wallflower,” Spitfire smiled as she shook hooves. Wallflower bounced out of the room with a big smile that I doubted she could have. “She seems shy. What you got for her?” “Espionage. That invisibility spell was impressive, especially for an earth pony. Probably related to a unicorn.” “You were nicer to her than you were to me,” I scoffed as Spitfire snorted with an eyeroll. “You have an attitude problem. I don’t like that about you. You’re rude, abrasive, loud, cruel and sadistic and enjoy suffering of others. Also you’re my sisters friend. If I didn’t go hard on you, it’d would look like I was giving you special treatment. I’m going to go hard on Sunset when she comes back too. I love her but just because she’s my sister doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on her,” Spitfire grunted as she stood up and packed a few folders into some saddlebags before putting her sunglasses back on. “I’m going to my room with Soarin, Fleetfoot, Surprise and High Winds. You’re interviewing Sunbeam next. Good luck.” I internally cursed as she slammed the door shut and I stared down at all the new paperwork I’d have to do. Fuck my life. Author's Note Not gonna lie, Berry Blast and Blitz are my favorites so far. I love writing them. They're like my few ocs. Five Aria “This is the barracks,” Spitfire announced as I trotted next to her. Wallflower and Sunbeam slowly followed us. Sunbeam was a yellow unicorn with a yellow and white mane with a cut lemon for a cutie mark. “It’s technically just rooms in the castle but you all sleep together, shower together, eat together and work together. It’s to create a team work atmosphere. You’re a unit so that’s why you do everything together.” Blitz snored quietly from her bunk as Spitfire straightened the helmet hanging next to her bunk. Sugarcoat and Sour Sweet were playing a card game as they sat on a bunk. Glimmer Shine was cleaning her armor off while Berry Blast watched. Glimmer Shine was obsessed with keeping her armor in perfect condition. She was silver mare with a grey mane and a knife cutie mark. She had cold grey eyes that reminded me of storm clouds. “Lieutenant, Captain,” Glimmer Shine saluted as she dropped her rag. “Corporal,” Spitfire nodded briefly as Glimmer Shine relaxed a bit. “Meet Wallflower Blush and Sunbeam. I’ll leave them with you.” Spitfire turned around and flew out the door as Sugarcoat shut it quietly behind. “Hi,” Berry Blast waved a hoof as she swung her legs back and forth from her bunk. “I’m Berry Blast, that’s my twin sister Blitz.” Blitz answered with a loud snore followed by a snort. “Sunbeam,” Sunbeam said casually as she placed her items on her bed and started sorting them. “Any super annoying rules?” “Don’t assault civilians. Sometimes, ponies will come to borrow books. The other elements are allowed free reign of the castle as is Starlight, Trixie, Spike and a few others,” Sugarcoat stated firmly. “Lights out is at twenty one hundred. Nine pm unless you have night patrol.” “Which you do,” Sour Sweet said with a drysmirk. “You and Wallflower do. Newbies always get night duty for the first few nights. Once you get your armor mailed in from Canterlot of course.” “Okay,” Wallflower said quietly as she made her bed. “Goodnight.” “She’s a shy one,” Indigo commented as Wallflower climbed into her bed and slipped under covers. “Yep,” I commented as I laid on my bunk and yawned. “Just one question,” Sunbeam raised a hoof sheepishly with a faint blush. “Yeah what’s up?” “Where’s the bathroom?” “Towns busy again,” Lemon Zest commented as we walked down a street, the sun shining off our armor as ponies gave us a wide berth. She adjusted her purple helmet with a sigh. “Yup,” I agreed as I shifted my armor a bit to sit more comfortably. “Town patrol is probably my favorite. We get to show off our armor plus we get swords.” I patted the sword attached to my left side with a hoof before continuing walking. “I know right? Sparring with Sour Sweet and Indigo is always fun.” We both glanced up as Indigo flew overhead with Blitz and Glimmer Shine. “Formation looks good,” Spitfire said as we jumped slightly. Neither of us had seen her approaching. “Indigo is a pretty damn good flight lieutenant. Trains her team hard.” “Captain,” I saluted as Lemon Zest tossed a lazy salute her way. Spitfire narrowed her eyes before returning the salute. “Keep your eyes out. Twilight’s speech is tomorrow. No swords or lethal weapons allowed but you guys can use batons and other non lethal weapons for crowd control if ponies get a bit rowdy and try to rush her. Good day,” Spitfire ordered as she turned around and flapped her wings before flying after Indigo. “Well that was interesting,” Lemon Zest commented as we continued our slow trot. “Been pretty quiet today.” “Don’t jinx us,” I muttered as we approached the center of Ponyville as a golden mare with a carrot cutie mark waved us over. “Hello.” “Hey Carrot Top!” Lemon Zest smiled enthusiastically as the carrot seller glared. “My name is Golden Harvest!” Golden Harvest slammed a hoof down angrily. “This stallion is refusing to pay. Can you make him change his mind?” I glanced between the mare and the white stallion. This would help the townsponies get used to seeing us around and not disliking the change of town. “Pay her,” I sighed and gestured with a hoof. “Full amount.” “I wish we didn’t have any guards around,” he grumbled and slapped a few more bits down. Golden Harvest examined them and nodded in satisfaction before pushing them in her register. “Not only do my taxes go up, I have to listen to the Princess support a bunch of criminal changelings.” “Keep it moving sir,” I rolled my eyes as he grumbled, walking off. “Thank you both,” Golden Harvest smiled warmly at us. “I will admit, I’m not too enthused about armed guards wandering around town but it may have upsides. Taxes going up sucks but meh.” “True. I’d hate if someone cheated my sister at her stand,” I grunted and rolled my shoulders a bit. “Oh? What does your sister sell?” I pointed a hoof to Sonata’s nearby taco stand. Lunch time was always busy. The three of us watched Sonata run around and giving out tacos. “Huh,” Golden Harvest mused as she tapped a hoof against her chin. “I have a date with Spike later tonight. Maybe we will go there.” “Wait Spike? Princess Twilight’s assistant?” I asked in shock. I heard last he had a thing for Rarity. “Yep!” Golden Harvest exclaimed happily. “He doesn’t know it yet but he will. He’s very helpful. Haven’t been with a stallion in years.” “Isn’t he a baby?” Lemon Zest asked pointedly. “Dragons age faster then ponies but their bodies don’t change as fast. He’s twenty two and I’m twenty three so.” “Huh what about Rarity?” I asked curiously. “Pfft screw Rarity,” Golden Harvest scoffed. “All she does is make dresses. Wait until Spike meets a mare who actually works on a farm twenty four seven in a field. Carrot farming isn’t a walk in the park or a day in the dress store so to say.” “Have a good one!” Lemon Zest called out as we approached Sonata’s taco stand. Thank Celestia the line had gone down. “Hey Sis!” Sonata grinned happily as she hugged me. “Hey Sonata,” I grunted as she let me go. “Two tacos please. One for me and one for Lemon Zest. Take two sprites as well please.” “On it!” We watched Sonata start working as Lemon and I exchanged small talk, mainly weather, training and paperwork. Boring stuff. “What does Sonata put in her tacos?” Lemon Zest asked curiously as Sonata smirked. If Lemon knew we used fifty percent meat, fifty percent plants, she’d scream. I gave a dark chuckle as I accepted our tacks. “Oh, you don’t wanna know.” Six Spitfire “May Celestia have mercy on my soul.” Fleetfoot and Soarin glanced over at me as I stretched out on my bed. The two exchanged smirks before I groaned again. “Long day?” Soarin asked with a raised eyebrow. “Aria annoys me some days. She doesn’t really work well with others. She screamed at a filly for littering. A filly.” “Isn’t it her job to like enforce the law?” Fleetfoot asked curiously. “Screaming at a filly isn’t doing her job, Fleet,” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “Didn’t you yell at Scootaloo for associating with Lightning Dust?” Misty Fly commented with a grin. “That was different. Tough love. I care about the filly. Yelling is how dad taught me when I bucked up,” I admitted casually. “And don’t you dare make a comment about me being soft or I’ll show you how soft my hoof feels.” Misty Fly gulped and nodded as the book next to my temporary bed glowed purple and rattled. I hid a grin and grabbed it, opening the book. “Sunset?” Blaze asked with a smirk. “Mhm,” I answered as I grabbed a pen. Hey, what you up to? I tapped the pen against my chin before shrugging. Not much. Just resting. You? Playing Batman. Cursing out Poison Ivy. She’s a bitch of a boss. I stared in confusion as I grumbled incoherent words. What the hell is a Batman? And why are you cussing out a plant? Superhero in a movie. Has a few video games about him. Poison Ivy is a character. She has a weird control over plants. And is an eco terrorist. Oh. You are obsessed with those video games. I’ll never understand why. Well, when I first came through the portal, I didn’t understand hands. Video games helped. You use your fingers for the controller. Video games were my only friend for the longest. I frowned slightly as I figured out what to say next. If I closed my eyes, I could perfectly imagine Sunset giving her typical sheepish smile and a shrug. Well, I can relate. Flying and Soarin were my only two friends when I left home. Sunburst can too I bet. After we both left and Starlight ran off, he was practically alone if it wasn’t for Peppermint and that other mare you knew as a filly. Looks like we all are kinda fucked up lol. I had no idea what lol meant but it must be something good I guess. I guess. So Hearths Warming is in three months or so. Will you be coming home? Sunburst and I are spending it together this year. Yeah. I hope I can bring Mom and my siblings. They’d love to see you guys again. Would you two be interested in coming over for Thanksgiving? I have no idea what that is. And sure, bring the others with. Thanksgiving is like for spending with family is the easiest way to describe it. Lyra is going to Bon Bons, Derpy has plans with her family out of town both holidays. Rainbow is going out of state too and Applejacks insanely large family is all coming to town. I’ll see what I can do. I’ll send Sunburst a letter later tonight. Awesome! So in this world they have a thing called labor day. I thought it was for mothers and shit, so I took Mom and Aunt Berry out to a nice restaurant. Turns out it’s actually a day for workers and shit. Never gonna live that down. I gave a genuine laugh as I pressed my head against the book. Everypony in the room gave me stunned looks as I raised my head and finished laughing. I heard the faint sound of wings as I pressed the pen to the paper. Oh sweet Celestia, that’s funny. How’s your video game coming? I fucking hate this game. Getting fucked six ways till Sunday right now. Fuck Poison Ivy. I gave another rare laugh as I rolled my eyes. She’s a bitch. Well, good luck. Just get weed killer. A drawing of a laughing pony appeared on the page as I snickered. I give up. This game is bullshit I snarled slightly and glared at the page. No the fuck you aren’t. Quitters are cowards. You’re Sunset Shimmer, since when have you ever backed down from a challenge? Get the fuck back in your game or whatever and beat her ass! You’re damn right. Thanks. You’re welcome. Now have fun. Before I go, say I love you. I love ya. I grumbled and sighed as I slammed a hoof against my chin. Fine. I love you. I waited for a response and shrugged, closing the book. Presumably she was busy doing the thing she called a boss fight. I only know the term because of past conversations. “That was adorable!” I jumped slightly and looked back in surprise. The few ponies that accompanied me were hovering behind me as Misty Fly grinned. “Hey! Buck off, that was a private conversation!” I snapped as the others landed nervously at their beds. “So Soarin. You’ve met Sunset along with High Winds and Surprise. What’s she like?” Fleetfoot asked curiously as she leaned back against the wall. “You better pick your words carefully,” I said in a quiet voice as I stared at him. Soarin nodded and rolled his eyes. “Sunset is a unique personality. She and Spitfire are similar in personality. Both very protective, aggressive when necessary I suppose but both very kind hearted. I like her, she’s a nice mare.” “Ooh got a crush on the Captains sister?” Blaze teased as Soarin and I rolled eyes before looking at each other. I knew he didn’t because we were secretly dating. “Not even. She’s coming back for Hearths Warming and a few weeks from now. You guys can meet her then,” I grunted as I placed the book and pen on the nightstand. “So she’s in a different world?” Misty Fly asked and raised an eyebrow. “Mhm,” Soarin nodded. “I was there with High Winds and Surprise. We watched her go through a portal as Princess Twilight called it.” “Huh interesting.” “Yep,” I admitted and gave a small smirk. “And as punishment for watching a private conversation, you all own me fifty five laps. Now!” Everypony groaned as they flew out the door. I looked around and placed my hooves behind my head. I love my job somedays. Author's Note For context, Sunset is orange and Spitfire is red in the book conversations. I wish there was a brighter red so I could use red for both. Seven Twilight “Are you sure about this?” Adagio asked worriedly as we stared out at the large crowd of ponies. Aria and the other Guards stood in front of the makeshift stage in front of the ponies in surprisingly clean and shiny purple armor. I personally hated having a personal guard. I’m the Princess of Friendship after all. Having armed guards doesn’t really scream “Hey, I’m come talk to me. I’m super friendly!” “Yeah I’m sure,” I said firmly as I locked eyes with Spitfire in the crowd with the other few Wonderbolts she had brought with. Spitfire gave me a subtle nod as I stepped out into the view of the ponies. “Hello everypony.” The ponies looked at each other and shrugged. I vaguely identified Lyra, Twinkleshine and the rest of my friends and elements in the front row. Rainbow gave me an encouraging nod as Lyra waved before Bon Bon yanked her hoof down. “I’m here to discuss all the changes to Ponyville and the changelings integration into Equestria. We aren’t changing the town at all. The guards all stay in my castle so we are reverting the taxes back to how they used to be,” I announced as the ponies cheered, especially the farmers. “As for the changelings, they are living breathing creatures just like us. They deserve equality and to be treated fairly.” “They tried to conquer Equestria twice!” A stallion shouted as he stood up. “What’s your name?” I asked curiously as I smiled warmly. “Pepper Comet. The changelings tried to invade Equestria, ponynapped me and my daughter during the Canterlot invasion and kidnapped you and the rest of the princesses. The changelings should all be arrested, drove back to their land or killed!” He slammed a hoof on the ground as I flinched in disgust. “I understand how you feel about your daughter being ponynapped but-” I began till he growled. “You don’t understand anything. My daughter had nightmares for months. And now you want us to treat the changelings as equals. Buck that!” Pepper Comet shouted. “And not only, you’re sexist!” “Sexist?” Rainbow echoed in shock as she stood up and glared. Aria and Glimmer Shine both tensed up as Wallflower watched nervously. “She’s the opposite of sexist!” “Then why does she have no stallions in her guard? Only mares?” Pepper challenged as the two glared at each other. “We didn’t know if mares would be comfortable with sharing a bunk area with stallions,” I announced as the crowd started shouting at the stallion and each other. “The Wonderbolts do,” Caramel called out with a nod. He and Applejack made eye contact as he shrugged. “Not agreeing with him of course. Just pointing out.” Applejack visibly relaxed and nodded. “We will discuss it,” I said loudly as the crowd quieted down. Pepper Comet got closer to Aria as I strained to make out what they were saying. He gave her a quick tap to her cheek with a hoof and she stumbled backwards before slamming her nightstick into his back as he cried out and fell. The crowd gasped as Spitfire and Fleetfoot shoved their way to him and pulled him away as Blitz helped Aria get her helmet. “Let’s get you out of here,” Indigo said as she and Lemon Zest started pulling me along. “Things are about to go down I think. I don’t think that guy is going to have fun with Aria.” “What were you thinking?” Adagio shouted as Lyra, Twinkleshine, Minuette, Lemon Hearts and Moondancer winced. Aria rolled her eyes as Berry Blast knelt in front her and examined her eye. “He hit me first!” Aria shouted back. “I defended myself. So sorry that I ruined your night, sister!” “Can we please stop?” Sonata asked quietly as Fluttershy hugged her. “I don’t like when you two argue.” “Hold still please,” Berry Blast ordered with a surprisingly stern tone. “I can’t fix you up if you’re squirming.” I glanced over at the unicorn. Her armor was slightly different, having a red cross on the armor over her flanks to display her role as medic. “I don’t care if he hit you first! You assaulted someone!” Adagio continued her shouting as Fluttershy hastily left with Sonata. “He assaulted her first!” Indigo shouted as she pressed her muzzle against Adagio’s. “We can go right here, right now if you want. Thought you would support your sister more.” “Enough!” I shouted as everypony froze. “She supports her sisters. Neither of you should have hit each other. Now please calm down. Berry Blast, is Aria alright?” “She’s gonna have a bruise. No damage to the eye or anywhere else. The stallion is going to be fine too. I treated him myself. He did have a rock in his saddlebag. Presumably to throw it at you before he hit Aria. He’s spending the night or two in the jail cell,” Berry Blast answered as she rubbed some cream on Aria’s cheek with her hoof before placing a band on it. “She will be fine Princess. I recommend she takes a few days off at least.” “Agreed,” I nodded as Aria shoved Adagio out of the way. Aria disappeared out of sight, presumably to the guard room. “Spitfire sided with Aria. She did her job,” Glimmer Shine said coolly. The normally stoic guard had a hint of anger in her eyes as she stood at the door way. “We’re letting him go. Give him a summons to appear. We can’t arrest everypony who doesn’t like us,” I announced. Glimmer Shine nodded and narrowed her eyes before she walked out with Sunbeam. I still needed to get to know her and Wallflower. I make it a point to know all my guards personally. “You guys don’t hate me for trying to get the changelings accepted do you?” “I don’t like them,” Lyra admitted quietly. “I was in the hospital for months after her mind control. I had nightmares along with Twinkleshine and Minuette. But it’s important to you and I’m your friend so I support it. Just keep them away from me.” “Same here,” Minuette agreed. “It’s good what you’re doing Twilight. I may hate Chrysalis but the others might be nice. Thorax was nice.” “I didn’t like that Comet guy,” Twinkleshine grunted as she rolled her eyes. “What a jerk.” “You guys wouldn’t have nightmares if I didn’t suggest you talk to Princess Cadence,” Lemon Hearts muttered as her ears flattened against her head. “You guys wouldn’t have been mind controlled either.” We all groaned as I slammed a hoof against my face. Here we go again with her guilt complex again. Eight Glimmer Shine I trotted slowly to the cells in the center of Ponyville with Sunbeam quietly following me. I kept my head forward with narrowed eyes as I pushed open the doors of the mayors building. We decided to have them here instead of the castle. It didn’t really scream friendly having cells in the castle of friendship. Besides, there was already cells for drunk ponies in the complex. Might as well use them. “Here for the prisoner?” Sour Sweet asked as the mare moved her legs off the desk she sat at, setting the book she was reading face down. “Yes,” I said coolly as Sour Sweet nodded. “Thank you Captain.” Sour Sweet rolled her eyes briefly before saluting me as I lead Sunbeam down the hall to the cells. “You’re free to go,” I told Pepper Comet coldly as I unlocked the door. He had a bruise on his back as he stood up. Sunbeam and I stepped back as he stumbled out. “We will escort you out. Don’t stop, keep walking.” “Uh huh,” Pepper grumbled as we flanked him down the hall. Sunbeam opened the door as we all trotted out, the door shutting behind us. “My back hurts.” “You attacked one of my fellow Guards. You get no sympathy from me.” He frowned as I narrowed my eyes even further coldly as we trotted to the center of town. “Now get out of here. Go home,” I said as we turned around. “Don’t come near the castle or you’ll be arrested for trespassing. Am I clear?” “We will see.” “No there is no we will see. I’m telling you this is what will happen. And then I’ll lock you in a room with Aria and see what happens,” I grumbled as I adjusted my helmet slightly. “Are you sure you aren’t related to Sugarcoat?” Sunbeam asked curiously as I glanced at the yellow unicorn mare. “No. Why?” “Well you’re both super stoic, cold, lacking emotion. I think you being angry earlier is the first time I’ve seen you show any other type of emotion.” “Uh huh,” I said in a bored tone as we kept walking. “We aren’t related. Just act similar.” “So we are just letting him go?” “Yes,” I said with a shrug. “I don’t like it but good soldiers follow orders.” We walked in silence as Sunbeam tried to figure out what to say. Or well, I presume that was what she was doing. “So how do you feel about Princess Twilight and the death threats?” Sunbeam asked curiously as I gritted my teeth. “I feel she’s being stupid. She’s not taking it serious. There’s a difference between being a hero and being an idiot.” “Gotta admit, it’s kinda inspiring that she isn’t afraid,” Sunbeam commented as she opened the doors with her magic. “Inspiring others to avoid real threats isn’t something that I consider to be cool.” “You need a hobby you know. Come to the bar with us. Off duty of course.” “Can’t. I’m pulling an extra shift tonight around the town.” “Oh come on. It might be fun.” “I don’t do fun. I work, sleep and eat.” “Girl, even Sugarcoat is coming!” Sunbeam exclaimed as we continued down the hall with her horn glowing as I glanced back and forth down the hallways. “Granted, she and Sunny are trying to make sure Indigo and Lemon don’t get too drunk but she’s still coming!” “You’re not going to let this go, are you?” I asked and glanced at her bright blue eyes. “Nope!” I let out a long slow sigh. “Fine.” I sat in a corner booth of a loud bar called Berry’s. A mulberry colored mare who I presumed to be Berry was behind the counter, talking to a yellow pegasus with three raindrops as a cutie mark. Indigo slammed down her mug of what I guessed was her forth or fifth. “So then I told her, I don’t care. Ya gotta keep your plants off of your neighbors yard,” Indigo slurred and I sighed internally. However I let myself get wrapped up into this, I will never know. “I feel like we have the easiest post ever,” Berry Blast said as she drank a clear liquid. “Ponyville is so chill. All we really have is the occasional drunk pony, an angry fool and the occasional monster. Could be way worse. We could be stationed at Tartarus, guarding prisoners.” “True that!” Lemon Zest agreed as she raised her glass before downing it. “Why did you all join the Guard?” “Decent opportunity to see the world,” Indigo admitted as she swirled the liquid in the mug. “I went to medical school for a year or so. Got bored. Decided to use what I learned in the guard,” Berry Blast answered as she nudged her sister. “Same here. Well minus the medical part. That was always Berry’s gig. We went to the same college but for different things. I went for art.” “Mom and Dad signed me up to help with my anger issues,” Sour Sweet muttered as she folded her forelegs. “I always wanted to join. Make a difference,” Sunbeam admitted as we all looked at the younger mare. “So far it feels nice. It’s like a family almost.” Wallflower nodded her agreement as I drank my water. “Mom said it would be good for me. Get out of my comfort zone. There wasn’t much back home for me anyway,” Wallflower said as she stared at her hooves. “Go,” Sour snapped as she glared at Sunny and Sugarcoat. “I don’t know. Sorta a spur of the moment thing. Then seven long, painful exhausting months later and here we are. Never worked so hard in my life,” Sunny said sheepishly as she levitated a wine glass in front of her. “Pays for my college. Plus the experience is good. And it’ll pay for my kids college if I ever have any,” Sugarcoat answered as everypony looked at me. “We’re waiting sweetie. Don’t keep us for too long!” Sour growled as she slammed a hoof down. “Dad was in the guard before me. His dad was as was his dad and so on. Family business if you will,” I said with a shrug as I examined the bar. “I went to Westhoof for espionage training. I can survive in the Everfree for weeks by myself with little food.” “Wow,” Sunbeam muttered with wide eyes. “Where’s Aria?” “Twilight needed to see her and Spitfire. She will join us after,” Lemon reassured us as she drank a lemony smelling drink. “Now let’s get wasted!” I rolled my eyes as I sighed. This wasn’t as bad as I thought. Author's Note More mottos: Glimmer Shine: Information is only as useful as the being who gathers it. Aria: The best advice is don't listen to advice. Berry Blast: After the fight, my wounded come before their wounded. Blitz: Never do what your enemy expects you to do. Sunny Flare: As long as one innocent being is threatened, none are truly free. Sugarcoat: There's a thin line between being a hero and being a memory. Indigo Zap: Conquer the skies and what's below you will fall. Sour Sweet: Sow panic and surrender will bloom. Lemon Zest: A battle front is only as good as the supply line behind it Sunbeam: Keep shooting, eventually you're bound to hit something. Wallflower: What you see on the outside is just a mask. The hidden face inside a pony reveals the truth. Nine Glimmer Shine “I’m really sorry about this,” Wallflower said as I watched her and Sunbeam staring at their training pony dummies. “How are you today? Must be kinda sad to be tossed into a closet after ponies are done beating you up.” “Hey!” Bon Bon shouted as I glanced at the cream colored mare with blue and pink curls. “Quit making love to the thing and hit it!” I’ll admit, I had a grudging respect for the Earth Pony mare. She was intriguingly enough well trained in hoof to hoof combat. How, I have no clue but I presumed either former royal guard or took safety courses. “Y-yes Instructor Bon Bon!” Wallflower shouted hastily as she punched the dummy. Bon Bon gave a satisfied nod as she approached me and blew her whistle. “Sunbeam! Focus on the moving target. Shoot it, don’t stare at it!” Bon Bon shouted and glared at the yellow unicorn. Sunbeam nodded hastily as she shot of yellow beams of magic and shattered the wooden targets behind the dummy. “I never would have pegged you as a Guard instructor,” I said as I watched the two newbies training as Spitfire and Aria fought. “Oh I’m just an outside pony. I have a history with this lifestyle so to speak,” Bon Bon chuckled as she drank from a water bottle. “The bits are nice to say the least. Helps when the store is a bit slow. Especially with Hearths Warming coming up.” “Mhm.” “What does Spitfire have planned for Wallflower?” Bon Bon asked curiously as we watched the small mare get smacked by the dummy accidentally and stumble backwards. “She’s small and isn’t necessarily the strongest.” “I agree. She wants her to learn how to spy. Wallflower is scarily good at blending in. And I thought I was an expert at espionage.” “What do you mean?” “The fact that Golden Harvest and Spike are in a secret relationship and he sneaks out of the castle every other night to be with her. Big Mac had been arrested when he was a colt for public intoxication. Berry Punch pressed charges recently against her ex in Manhattan and demanded child support. Berry Blast has a thing for a stallion from Canterlot, Blitz is dating a stallion from Cloudsdale. Thunderlane and Sour Sweet are in a secret relationship,” I answered casually as I kept an eye on the other ponies. “Wow,” Bon Bon said in awe. “Good on Spike. Golden has been lonely for a while. I mean it’s just her and Noi. Written Script had a bit of a health problem before he died. She must have decided she was ready for a relationship. Why Spike though?” “Who knows?” I shrugged. “If I find out, I’ll let you know. She and Spike got busy the other night if you get my meaning.” “No way,” Bon Bon smirked. “So that’s why Silver Speed was watching Noi the other night. Did you hear that Silver Speed was debating on joining the guard? Silver Spoons sister.” “Interesting. I don’t know either of them.” “Silver Speed is a nice mare. She and Shoeshine work together in a business they own. Rumor has it Shoeshine might apply. They do have a bit of a criminal past allegedly.” “Oh interesting.” That could be a bit of decent blackmail material if I was into such activities. I preferred to leave that to Indigo. She had a surprisingly good talent when it came to blackmailing others to things to benefit the Crown or the Guard. “Alright I’m gonna get back to training these two. You can keep watching.” “That was the plan.” “Where you from?” I asked casually as Wallflower and I trotted down the castle corridors. It was the middle of the night and the other Guards were asleep. Wallflower and I were pulling the night shift. “Ivy Ridge. Small town on the other side of Equestria, near the Equestrian Yak border. You?” “Palm City.” “Really?” Wallflower asked with a small smile. “No,” I said as Wallflowers smile faded. “If you want a future in espionage, you’re going to know when to lie. But sometimes, the truth is better than the lie. Sprinkle some truth into your fake background. Where you’re from, who you dated as a filly. The like. I’m actually from Fairview, up near Cloudsdale.” “Is that the truth?” Wallflower asked with a raised eyebrow. I shrugged and glanced back at the mare. “That’s for you to decide. My special talent is reading ponies. Body language, subtle shifts in their tone or facial expressions. I can read their feelings. You’re afraid. But afraid of what?” Wallflower opened her mouth as I held up a hoof to stop her. I pointed with my hoof at the black shadow standing down the hall. “Do you see that?” I asked quietly as Wallflower nodded. I adjusted my helmet and nodded for her to follow me. We quietly snuck down the hall and I gripped my spear. “Freeze! Don’t move or you’ll be taken down.” The mare froze after she spun around. I glared at a pink unicorn as she glared back. “It’s been nice meeting you but I have better things to do. Like reporting back.” I threw my spear aside and swung a hoof at the mare, slamming into her jaw as she staggered back, levitating Wallflower and slamming us together. Wallflower groaned as I pushed myself up. I used my wings to propel me forward as I tackled the mare and we went rolling across the floor. The cloak was ripped aside in the fall and I took in her light white mane and blossom cutie mark. “The castle is off limits at this time of night. State your business,” I said coldly and pressed a hoof against her chest to pin her down. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” The mare spat and glared at me as Wallflower joined my side. “Thanks for the fighting class, but you’re old and slow.” Seriously? I’m only twenty eight. That isn’t old. Her horn glowed as a white light blinded Wallflower and myself. As soon as I could see again, the mare was gone. “Where did she go?” Wallflower asked as she rubbed her eyes. I picked up my spear and leaned it against the wall as I groaned. “I don’t know. Come on, we have to alert the others.” We nodded at each other before galloping down the hall. Ten Glimmer Shine “So you guys saw nothing?” Spitfire asked as she sat in front of me. “All we saw was a pink unicorn mare. It wasn’t Pinkie Pie because well unicorn,” I answered. We had a slight problem of Pinkie randomly sneaking into the castle at odd times of the night. She’s almost been attacked a few times. “White mane, blue eyes, blossom for a cutie mark. She said something about reporting back.” “Is Wallflower okay?” Spitfire asked as Berry Blast nodded. The unicorn stood up and tossed Wallflower a ice pack. “Yeah she’s gonna be fine. So is Glimmer Shine. They don’t have a concussion or any other physical wounds.” “Thank you Sergeant,” Spitfire sighed as Berry Blast nodded and trotted out the door. “Any idea who she was? Was she a local?” “No clue. Never seen her here or around town before,” I said as Wallflower coughed. We both glanced at her as she raised a hoof shyly. “She had a western accent,” Wallflower said quietly as I wanted to face hoof myself. I had completely forgot about that. “She’s right. She did,” I admitted and gave Wallflower a impressed look. “Nice work there.” “Alright. I’ll send word to the Princesses. We will put out a apb for the mare along with drawings in every train station and town center from here to Canterlot and Appaloosa. She couldn’t have gotten far. It’s been about six hours, so she has a huge lead on us. If she pops up, we will find her,” Spitfire promised as she nodded at us before flying out of the barracks. “What’s an apb?” Wallflower asked curiously. “All points bulletin. It’s the quickest way for the Guard to send information to far away guard stations. Other than magic of course but dragons that can send letters are rare. It’s also called a bolo. Be on the look out. If they see her, guards will pick her up or local lawponies will.” “Has anypony seen Sugarcoat?” Sunbeam asked as she poked her head in. Wallflower and I shook our heads as Blitz and Sour shrugged. “We can’t find her anywhere and the others are getting worried. This isn’t like her. Indigo is out searching the town with Soarin and Silver Speed.” “No we haven’t. Last we heard she was up late last night in the armory doing inventory,” Sour answered as she jumped to her hooves. “I’ll go look for her. She’s probably asleep in the armory or still working.” “Or she was in on it,” I muttered quietly to myself as I placed my helmet on. “Let’s go.” Sour Sweet and I trotted down the hall at a fast pace as some of the townsponies watched curiously as we increased our speed. Running guards always got attention. Usually meant drama was going down. I gritted my teeth as we rounded a corner at the large, unmoving crowd as Berry Blast followed behind us. “Gang way!” I shouted as the crowd created a path and we gave grateful nods. I faintly made out a few ponies I recognized. Lyra, Bon Bon and a few others. Bon Bon gave me a worried look as we finished pushing our way through the remaining ponies who were slow in moving. I increased my speed as I read the signs on the doors as we continued around the corner. We slowed down as we approached the armory in the lower level of the castle as Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare were kneeling next to Sugarcoat. “The armory was raided while she was doing inventory. A pink unicorn mare with a white mane and a blossom cutie mark. Took a small knife. Knocked her out cold after a fight,” Lemon Zest explained with probably the most serious expression I’ve ever seen on the mares face. “We don’t know what she was looking for. The Canterlot Armory was hit too according to some of my friends in Canterlot. Nothing was taken there.” “Step aside,” Berry Blast grumbled as she knelt down next to Sugarcoat. “Get me my cloths Glimmer Shine.” “Got it,” I nosed her saddlebags open and tossed them to her. “Water and soap.” “Wate and soap,” I hoofed them to her. “Is she alive?” Sour Sweet demanded worriedly as she and the others kept the townsponies from looking in. “She’s fine,” Berry Blast said as her horn glowed a light blue along with Sugarcoats body. “What are you doing?” Lemon Zest demanded as a white mare with a light pink mane pushed her way to the front. “Using a spell to check for any internal injuries. It’s one of my special talents. Let that mare through. Pink mane and white coat. She’s Redheart, works at the local hospital.” “You!” Sunny Flare pointed a hoof and shoved the mare into the room. “Help Berry Blast out while we disperse the crowd out of the castle.” “Got it,” Redheart nodded as she sat down next to Berry Blast. “I see you’ve cleaned the injury out. What’s her pulse?” “Forty five. It’s a pretty deep cut. Probably from hitting the table on the way down. She has a skull fracture as well,” Berry Blast answered as she pressed a hoof against Sugarcoats throat. “Everypony out!” Sour Sweet shouted as she and the other’s started pushing the crowd. “Out of the castle! Give them space to work or else I’ll get violent and trust me, you don’t want that!” The crowd grumbled as they were shoved out of sight as Redheart started treating Sugarcoat. I watched and wiped some blood off my hoof. “We have to get her to the hospital. I’ll have Spike go ahead and let them prepare a room and know we have a critical coming in. Let’s move!” Redheart snapped as Berry Blast levitated Sugarcoat onto her back. “They have better equipment than I have in pony and what you have in the castle.” “I’m worried about blood loss. She was here for a while,” Berry Blast said as we started galloping out of the room. “Me too,” Redheart admitted as she grunted as Sugarcoat shifted on her back a little. “We will sort it out at the hospital.” You know what they say. Thank the stars for semi modern medicine. Eleven Wallflower I sat quietly in the hospital waiting room with Sunbeam sitting next to me as Indigo paced back and forth worriedly. Berry Blast sat in the corner, washing blood off her armor and hooves as her sister talked quietly to her. Aria and Spitfire were talking in a nearby closed room as Aria slammed a hoof on the ground and I flinched. They were probably arguing about what to do next. “You good?” Sunbeam asked in a low tone as I glanced at the yellow mare. “Yeah I’m good. Just worried,” I admitted and traced a hoof on my helmet sitting on the table next to me as we both looked over at Glimmer Shine. The mare was standing with an unreadable expression at the door as Twilight stared at the ceiling. “Yeah me too. Sugarcoat is nice.” Nice was a bit of an interesting word to use but she was helpful I suppose? Definitely didn’t deserve to get assaulted. The doors pushed open and a brown stallion trotted out as Indigo quit her pacing and stared at him. “Well how is she?” Sour Sweet demanded as she glared at him. She and Sugarcoat partnered up often surprisingly. The two couldn’t be considered anything like each other. “She’s fine. She’s asleep right now. She’s gonna be asleep for a few hours. Super strong pain medication, she’s going to be feeling it and being a bit loopy for a while. Other than that, she’s okay.” “I’ll go see her,” Twilight pushed herself of the couch. “Aria and Spitfire wants to see you all. The hospital is letting us borrow the conference room.” “Right this way Princess,” the stallion bowed his head slightly as Twilight rolled her eyes before following him through a set of double doors. I sighed, standing up and followed Sunbeam and the others quietly into the room as Spitfire closed the door. The blinds were pulled closed as Sunnys horn glowed. I quickly put my helmet on and nodded at Aria. “Sound proofing spell. So nopony can hear us,” Sunny explained as Aria nodded. “How is Sugarcoat?” Spitfire asked as she stood next to me. “She’s fine. Asleep at the moment. Twilight is visiting her then will visit her family in Canterlot,” Lemon Zest commented as she shifted her weight a bit. “Good. The sketches are back,” Spitfire said and Aria placed a drawing perfectly showing the mare Glimmer Shine and I had seen last night. “We don’t have a name yet but this is what she looks like.” “I want her,” Aria snarled and slammed her hoof down on the table with each word, harder than the last. “Alive preferably. We need to make her talk. She knows something about the whole assassination thing and I want to know who she talked to and what they told her.” “We’re having three of you at the train station at all times. A few marshals from Canterlot a private from Crystal Empire are coming to provide backup. Wallflower, Berry Blast and Indigo are to be at the train station tonight. Glimmer Shine and Sunny Flare are going to watching over Cherry Berry’s balloon stand so nopony trys to skip town that way,” Spitfire announced as I nodded. “Nopony leaves this town without us knowing.” “I’m leaving Spitfire in charge. Princess Luna has requested I visit her. I’ll be gone for an unknown amount of time. Nopony interrogates the mare if you find her till I get back,” Aria said as we all saluted. I yawned as Indigo drank a cup of coffee and looked around. It was past the middle of the night and I was exhausted. “You aren’t used to night watches yet are you?” Indigo asked as Berry Blast trotted up to us to reclaim her spot to my right. “No ma’am,” I answered and straightened up a bit as the other two laughed. “What’s funny?” “Nopony calls us ma’am!” Berry Blast laughed and nudged me. “Don’t gotta worry about it. Berry Blast is fine.” “Same here. Indigo is fine by me.” Their laughter slowly ended as I blushed a bit and they smirked. “So what can you do?” Indigo asked curiously as the mare eyed me up and down. “You’re on the small side.” “Petite is the term,” Berry Blast corrected. “She’s petite, but surprisingly fast.” “Oh uhm this,” I said and slammed my left hoof into the wood, disappearing from view as they nodded. “Wow,” Berry Blast mused as I slammed my hoof down again and reappeared. “Are you related to a unicorn by any chance?” “No. I’ve always been able to turn invisible. Nopony knows how or why,” I admitted sheepishly as I looked down. “Everypony always bullied me for it other my mom and dad. Don’t have any sisters or anything like that either.” “Well you won’t get bullied here,” Indigo said firmly as her right wing lifted my head up. “That’s awesome!” “For real,” Berry Blast added with a small smile. “And keep your head up, we get yelled at by Spitfire if we don’t.” “Okay,” I nodded as I straightened up again. “Why do you think Princess Luna requested Aria come to Canterlot?” “I don’t know,” Indigo admitted as she rested her spear against the wall and yawned herself. “We didn’t get a chance to ask her. She got on the next train immediately to Canterlot and was gone before the afternoon.” “Interesting. I wonder what is going on.” “Other than a unknown group threatening Twilight and us getting attacked, I don’t want to imagine. First Aria, then Sugarcoat. We probably are going to have to kill a pony in self defense soon,” Indigo grunted as I shivered. I didn’t really like the idea of killing. “I hope not,” Berry Blast muttered. “I’m a medic. I save lives, I don’t take them.” “Enough depressing stuff. Let’s talk gossip. I caught Spike slipping out of the castle last night,” Indigo smirked as I blushed. The little dragon was my favorite creature I met. He was really friendly. “All the way to Golden Harvests house for a movie night. Full of loud sex.” “Really?” Berry Blast asked with a grin. “No not really. They just held hooves and claw and made out a bit. Other than that, nothing happened.” “Darn.” We both chuckled as Berry Blast groaned. Twelve Aria I groaned and stretched as I climbed off the train at the Canterlot train station. Instantly, two guards were at my side and I immediately tensed up before relaxing. Forgot I was one of them technically. Years after seeing police on earth coming up to me and running away makes me wary of ponies in a uniform, especially if I don’t know them. “Lieutenant Aria?” One asked and I sighed. “Yeah that’s me.” “Follow us,” The other grumbled and I rolled my eyes. I trotted slowly down the street and ignored the curious looks we were receiving. I had opted to leave my armor at home as Luna had requested. Why, I had no idea but I was going to find out one way or another I suppose. I glanced at the top tower and briefly made out Princess Celestia lowering the sun and Princess Luna at her side raising the moon. “Wait here,” the tall one ordered as we walked into the throne room and I bit back a rude comment. “Princess Luna will be with you shortly.” “Aye aye sir,” I said sarcastically and tossed a lazy salute as he narrowed his eyes and disappeared with his shadow out of the room. “Asshole.” I trotted down the throne room as I admired some of the window decorations. Twilight and the others getting the elements, Starlight, Trixie and Discord, Sunset defeating us. I paused and looked back at it again. “This is new,” I muttered as I traced a hoof along the glass. “This wasn’t here the last time.” “Beautiful isn’t it?” Luna asked from behind me as I jumped. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. We always loved looking at the stained glass windows back before we became Nightmare Moon.” “It’s nice. I didn’t know there was a glass of Sunset and the others here though,” I answered as I stared at Luna levitating some weird looking plants into some plant holders on the walls. “Come then. Look at this one.” I shrugged and followed Luna further down near the thrones and she pointed a hoof at a stained glass of Sunset looking angry at Chrysalis with Octavia next to her and I raised an eyebrow. “Wow. Does Sunset know about this?” “We do not know. But Princess Cadence and Twilight instantly suggested it when they learned of Sunset’s actions. Especially since Sunset is related to Princess Cadence.” “I’m sorry what?” I choked on air as my eyes widened. “Thou didn’t know?” Luna asked with a raised eyebrow and I shook my head. “Princess Cadence had Sunset tested to see if she was related to any of us based on her high magic levels. Hearths Warming was Princess Cadences distant cousin.” “Well uh that’s shocking. Does Sunset know? Wait, does Twilight know?” I asked curiously as Luna shrugged. “We have no idea. Princess Twilight might have a freakout, no matter how much we love Princess Twilight. We don’t know if Sunset is aware. Most likely not.” “Got that right,” I chuckled as we continued our trot down the corridor. “So what is Sunset’s title then?” “Princess Cadence is giving her the title of Countess. We all agreed on it unanimously. After all, she fought Queen Chrysalis by her self with the exception of that grey mare. Do you think she does not deserve it?” Princess Luna asked curiously as we turned down a different hallway. “She definitely deserves it,” I said instantly as some doors opened and we stepped inside a room with a bed. “So what exactly did you need me for Princess Luna?” “You know my sister got her life threatened once?” Luna asked as she sat down on the bed. “It was a thousand years ago. We were debating with freeing Discord and some ponies caught wind. We wanted to reform him and well they didn’t like that. Want to know what my sister did?” “What?” I asked and leaned forward as I sat down myself. “Nothing. We had our disagreements on it but that was that. Me personally I handled it differently. I prefer to get my hooves dirty and do something about a problem. She only found out because I sent ponies undercover,” Luna said and slid a folder my way. “Take this. Head back to Ponyville. Discord will be helping out here and there. Tell nopony and definitely not my sister.” I stood up and saluted her as she nodded. “It will be done Princess.” I yawned as I climbed off the train at the Ponyville station and checked my saddlebags to make sure the metal briefcase with the folder was in it. “Hey Lieutenant. Welcome back,” Blitz saluted me as I jumped slightly. I hadn’t seen her there. “Hey Blitz,” I said and tossed her back a salute as she glanced at Lemon Zest and Indigo. “I’m going to escort her back. You guys got this?” Indigo and Lemon Zest nodded as she joined me in walking. “So what did the princess need?” “Wanted an update about Sugarcoats status,” I said as the castle came into view. That technically wasn’t a lie. Sugarcoat did come up in the conversation multiple times. “And wanted an update about Twilight and how she was handling it.” “So far she seems to be handling it pretty good. Shoeshine and Silverspeed also dropped off their job applications. They’re on your desk waiting for you.” Fun. I love reading applications. It’s actually very boring and I actually have to be nice. I wish Sunset was here. She had a better handle on people skills than I did. Or well pony skills. I’d even take Lyra over me. At least Lyra is friendly. “I have to get back to my post. Goodnight Lieutenant. Nice to have you back,” Blitz said and saluted. I saluted back before pushing the doors open and galloping to my office. I locked the door and pulled the blinds closed as I set the briefcase on the table. I pressed my hoof against it and it clicked open. I pulled the folder out with my mouth and tossed it on the desk. “Top secret,” I mused as I read the red words on the front. I shrugged and opened the folder, starting to read. My eyes widened as I read further. Things were about to get very interesting indeed. Fourteen Aria I trotted down the hall of the castle into the barracks and sighed. “No luck?” Lemon Zest asked curiously as she sat on her top bunk with Indigo as the two played cards. I silently shook my head I tossed my helmet and Berry Blast caught it in a purple aura. “You’ll find her eventually,” Sugarcoat shrugged as we all looked at her. She was resting on her bed with her hooves behind her head. She had been released from the hospital a few days after I came back. “Why do you care so much anyway?” Blitz asked curiously as she laid down a card. “No reason,” I shrugged and sat down on my bunk. At first, it was to arrest her but now I want to find her for an entirely different reason. One that only Luna, Discord and I know about. “Uh huh,” Sunny Flare said with a neutral expression. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you dearie. What’s really going on?” “I can’t tell you,” I admitted and pulled my blanket up over me. “Orders.” Everyone looked at each other as I stayed quiet. Glimmer Shine cleared her throat and I looked at her. “Like the secret kind?” She asked curiously as I nodded slowly. “How secret are we talking here?” Sour Sweet asked with a raised eyebrow. “Like I will spend the rest of my life in jail for telling you secret.” An tense silence fell over the other Guards as they all processed my words with stunned and worried expressions. “We forget this conversation ever happened,” Glimmer Shine said instantly. “Nopony says a word to anypony, got it?” Everypony nodded as Spitfire trotted in with a grey pegasus with a light grey mane and a light blue bow and arrow cutie mark. A light blue earth pony with a periwinkle mane and a cutie mark of two interlocked horseshoes, one gold and the other silver was by her side with a pillow and blanket rolled up on their backs. “Hey captain,” Indigo tossed a lazy salute her way as Indigo continued doing wing ups. “Hello. Meet Silverspeed and Shoeshine. I’ll leave them in your care Aria. Good night,” Spitfire spun around and trotted out before sticking her head back in. “Oh the Wonderbolts and myself are heading back to Cloudsdale. We were temporarily here to help get you all shaped up. This is goodbye for now. As my sister would say, may we meet again.” “May we meet again,” I bowed my head slightly as Spitfire nodded and disappeared from view and we listened to her fading hoofsteps. We all shifted our gaze to the two new arrivals. Shoeshine maintained eye contact while Silverspeed trotted to one of the empty bunks and flapped her wings to the top bunk. I had wondered why we had two new bunks. “So,” I said casually and swung my hooves onto the floor as I sat up in a position that Lyra prefers. “You are the two that Spitfire hired.” “Yeah,” Shoeshine said as she finally moved to her bunk and bucked her pillow and blanket on it. “So you’re the one calling the shots of this little gang.” “I wouldn’t call it a gang,” Glimmer Shine said coldly as she glared at her. “Show some respect.” “Easy girl,” Shoeshine chuckled and held up her hooves. “I’m just joking, don’t worry. Somepony woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Glimmer Shine made a scoffing sound and rolled over in her bed. I glanced to the door and flicked my ear as the sound of trotting hooves got closer. Starlight entered the room and looked around before her eyes fell on me and Shoeshine. “You,” Starlight glared at Shoeshine as we all watched curiously. Shoeshine eyes widened a bit as she cowered on the ground. “P-please don’t hurt me!” Shoeshine begged with a look of fear on her face. “Not again at least.” “Again?” I echoed and raised an eyebrow. Starlight narrowed her eyes as she pulled Shoeshine with her magic. “I won’t if you come apologize to Trixie for your behavior. You disappeared before I could make you like I did the others. Now come with me. Oh and they found that pony you wanted Aria. She’s in an abandoned house on the edge of town. You can go get her tomorrow morning.” I gave a grin as I nodded, watching Shoeshine get dragged along out into the hall. I pushed the crowd of ponies that had gathered to watch us arrest the unicorn. Apparently it had became public knowledge and half the town was here. I adjusted my helmet as I approached the fence with the rest of my team behind me. “So how do we wanna do this?” Indigo asked as she leaned against her spear lazily. “Indigo, take Silverspeed, Blitz and Glimmer Shine to the top of the house in case she tries to flee from that way. Sour Sweet, take Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest and Wallflower around back if she tries to leave that way. Shoeshine, Sugarcoat, Sunbeam you two are with me,” I directed as they all nodded and went to the assigned spots. “Alright Shoeshine, I want you to buck the door down.” “Yes ma’am,” Shoeshine said quietly as she spun around and stretched her back legs. “When the door is down, we go in,” I whispered as the other three nodded. Sugarcoat shifted her saddlebags that contained a magical inhibitor and hoof cuffs with a smug grin. “Do it.” Shoeshine bucked the door and it shattered as I entered the rundown house. I pointed a hoof upstairs as I trotted up them into a bedroom as the sounds of the other four tearing the downstairs apart echoed. I paused and flicked an ear as a door was burst down and a pink unicorn pushed me onto my back. We glared at each other as she pressed a hoof against my throat. “Sunbeam! Sugarcoat!” I shouted as the two galloped up the stairs and a yellow laser knocked the unicorn off me. She backed away and ran down the stairs. “After her!” We ran down the stairs as Wallflower surprisingly chased after her into the outdoors as Indigo and Glimmer Shine tackled her. “Don’t move!” Indigo growled as she slammed the mares head into the dirt. The others came from the back and held her hooves down as Sugarcoat levitated the magic inhibitor and shoved it onto her horn. Shoeshine pressed her hoof against the mares back as she struggled. “Get the hoof cuffs,” I grumbled as I held one of her legs out as the crowd gasped. I completely forgot they were here. Blitz and Sour shoved her hooves into the shackles and yanked her up. “Walk,” Sour Sweet muttered as she gave her a shove. “Me and you are going to have a fun conversation,” I smirked as I started walking her to the castle. She gulped nervously as I smirked wider. I love my job. Author's Note https://mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Shoeshine https://mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Silverspeed Two of more of my favorite background ponies making an appearance. And if you haven't noticed, I try to give background characters more of a prominent role than main characters. Fifteen Aria I opened the door with a hoof and trotted in, sitting down on the chair across from the pink unicorn. Glimmer Shine shut the door behind me and I could faintly make out her turning around and standing guard on one side of the door as Blitz took her spot on the right side. “So you said your name was Lilac Blossom, correct?” I asked and dropped a folder on the table. “Yeah. What does it matter to you?” Lilac Blossom spat as I growled quietly. “You know, Sour Sweet is Sugarcoats partner. Not romantic, mind you but her partner regardless. And you made her very mad when you attacked Sugarcoat in the armory. I’d be more than happy to leave her in here with you for an hour while me and the other Guards take a lunch break. I’m hungry, what about you Indigo?” “Oh I’m pretty hungry,” Indigo commented as she pushed herself off the wall she had been sitting against. “I could go for lunch.” “Yeah me too,” I said and stood up. I opened the door. “Hey Glimmer Shine and Blitz, the four of us are going for lunch. Can you get Sour Sweet to spend some time with the prisoner?” “You got it,” Blitz saluted and raised a hoof to walk away. “Wait!” Lilac Blossom called out and the four of us glanced at her. “I’ll talk. Just don’t leave me here with that psychopath of a Guard you got.” Blitz and I smirked at each other as the door closed and I turned to sit back down. “Alright speak. I want to know everything. Who you talked to, what they told you and what did you tell them. Why were you in the armory? Ours and the Canterlot Armory got hit at the same time. Why?” “They’re looking for something,” Lilac Blossom admitted as she looked at me. “Looking for what?” I demanded and pressed my hooves on the table. Lilac Blossom licked her lips and I glared at her. “Speak damnit!” “You know how it’s hard to kill an alicorn right?” Lilac Blossom asked as she leaned forward. I always thought it was impossible but I waved a hoof for her to continue. “You have to really injure to even remotely come close to killing them. There’s allegedly a weapon that can make the process easier. The only three who can’t die are Celestia, Luna and Flurry Heart.” “What about Cadence and Twilight?” Indigo asked as she sat down at the chair next to me. “They’re alicorns too.” “I don’t know about them,” Lilac Blossom admitted. “Information of their ascension isn’t wrote down anywhere like Luna or Celestia’s is. It would make sense they are immortal too though.” “And why do you think it’s going to be in one of the royal armories?” I pressed as she shrugged. “Keeping it in plain sight would be smart. Ponies wouldn’t even know what they were looking for unless they knew what to look for.” She had a point there unfortunately. “Who else is part of your little terrorist organization? And do they plan on hitting the Crystal Empires armory next?” I demanded. “I don’t think so. And there’s a lot of us. Mainly nobles who are afraid of their status being taken away.” “Taken away?” Indigo asked in confusion. “Why would it be taken away?” “Seriously?” Lilac Blossom laughed and leaned back. “The changelings have their kind in our courts due to our lovely Princess Twilight allowing them in. If a large majority vote on massive changes to remove the nobles status just because they want to keep Equestria for Equestrians, then doesn’t that make Equestria a prime target for a changeling take over? They’ve already tried twice before. A strike from within our own government that we don’t even see coming would tear down everything Princess Luna and Princess Celestia worked to create.” “Like revenge of the sith,” I muttered to myself. “I need names.” “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” “Chancellor Neighsay?” Indigo asked and leaned forward as I gave her a confused look. “Real bitch, trust me.” “No surprisingly,” Lilac Blossom shook her head. “He may be racist sure but apparently treason and killing a princess was crossing the line.” “Uh huh,” Indigo said as she crossed her forelegs. “Anything else you want to tell us?” “I got nothing to say to you,” Lilac Blossom scoffed as I dropped a needle on the table. “Truth serum,” I explained at her confused look. “Legal to use apparently. It wasn’t when I first lived here. If we inject you with this, you’ll be forced to tell the truth about everything you’ve ever done, from stealing candy from a baby to attacking Sugarcoat. Trust me, you want to give up information before we hold you down and force you.” Luna had delivered it to me after all the guards were asleep. Thank God for Luna. She gulped nervously as I smirked. “Fine.” “Where do they meet?” I asked. “Canterlot, Ponyville? You could have skipped town but you decided to hide in an abandoned building on the outskirts. Why?” She wet her lips and I gave the needle a nudge as she stared at me. “They meet at an farm on the outskirts of Canterlot, ten miles out. It’s made up of a few nobles but mostly it’s farmers and country folk. You can’t miss it.” “Give me a name.” “Duke Bristle.” Indigo and I fell silent as we stared at her. “Seriously? The Duke?” Indigo asked with a raised eyebrow. “What would he have to gain from Twilight’s death?” “Money, land. He has a gambling problem. He’s losing more money and influence each day. His wife and daughter are unhappy with the turn of events and he’s getting desperate. He was promised his debts be cleared if he came up with a plan to kill a princess.” “And who reached out to him?” I asked and leaned forward. “I’m done talking until I get some reassurances,” Lilac Blossom scoffed and glared at me. “No death penalty, no Tartarus. No maximum sentence of life.” “You’re not really in a position to be negotiating right now,” Indigo pointed out. “I’ll see what I can do. But you talking is making your case easier. And what you want to be right now is useful.” I pushed myself up off the chair and exited the room with Indigo behind me before I tugged on the door to ensure it was locked. I had to report back to Luna. Sixteen Aria I sat in full armor alongside Silverspeed, Shoeshine and Sunbeam as we sat in a private train car with the prisoner. We were transporting her to Canterlot for Celestia’s guards take over her custody. We had left the rest of the guards to stay with Twilight. “So why am I bring brought to Canterlot?” Lilac Blossom asked curiously as I gave her a shove. “Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to,” I snapped as Shoeshine and Sunbeam stood next to her. “Or else we will gag you.” “We’re bringing you to Canterlot because they’re taking custody. We can’t take you to the Crystal Empire because Shining Armor is there. Having a mare related to threats against his sister wouldn’t be safe for you,” Sunbeam answered as I nodded. The train slowed to a stop as Sunbeam and Shoeshine forced her up. I opened the door and stepped out with Silverspeed into the main cars. “Everypony stay seated till we get the prisoner off the train,” I ordered and the sitting ponies nodded as Lilac Blossom was dragged out by Shoeshine and Sunbeam. The train started booing and insulting her as we started walking. A blue stallion worked his jaw and spit at her as I glared at him. “Sunbeam, arrest him,” I pointed a hoof as Sunbeam levitated a pair of hoofcuffs and forced him up as I took her place at Lilac Blossoms flank. “What the hay?” The stallion shouted as Sunbeam locked the cuffs on his hoofs and levitated him to his hooves. “Walk,” she pushed him with her magic as we walked out the train doors. “You can’t spit on anypony, no matter the reason.” “Woah,” Silverspeed muttered at the long line of Celestia’s guards waiting for us. “Thank Celestia we quit robbing places, eh Shoeshine?” “Got that right,” Shoeshine agreed with equally wide eyes. “We’re here for the inmate,” a guard said and I pushed Lilac Blossom into his hooves. “We got another one coming. Spit on the inmate. Some landed on Shoeshine,” I said as Sunbeam pushed him out. The guard nodded and gestured for two other guards to take him. “Thank you,” he said and we watched them all escort the two away. “So what now?” Silverspeed asked as I glanced at the gray pegasus. “We’re supposed to stay here for the next few nights.” “We are being put up in a hotel near the castle,” Sunbeam answered as she examined a piece of paper she held in her magic. “I’m exhausted and could use a warm shower.” We all chuckled as we trotted in the direction of the hotel. I flopped back on the bed, marveling at how comfortable it is. Thank God for the Princesses putting us up in the most expensive hotel. Apparently this hotel gives free rooms to all royal guards. “So you guys used to be thieves?” I asked curiously as Silverspeed and Shoeshine relaxed in their own beds. Sunbeam was in the shower still based on her singing. We had all long since stripped out of our armor, sitting neatly in piles next to our respective beds. “Maybe,” Silverspeed said cautiously as she eyed me with her violet eyes. “Shoeshine went by Spotless, I went by Archer.” “You aren’t going to arrest us are you?” Shoeshine teased as she gave a smug grin. “The last place we robbed was the Barnyard Bargains. I was working there originally but got bored. Especially after a very tantalizing delivery of bits got dropped off.” I shook my head with an equally smug smirk. “I’m not turning you two in don’t worry. I can keep secrets well. Don’t tell anyone else though,” I said as I rolled in the bed. “The last robbery went poorly. The map was awful. Where did you ever get the map?” Silverspeed demanded as she glanced at Shoeshine. “I may have sort of borrowed them from a guy who knows a guy and I may or may not have slept with a guy that knew those guys through a-” Shoeshine admitted and rolled her eyes. “I think you get the point.” “So what exactly is your special talents?” I asked curiously. “Being quick like an arrow, and nimble like an archer,” Silverspeed answered with a smug grin. She pointed at her flank with a hoof. “Hence the cutie mark. I’m also good with a bow.” “I can look at different metals and decide which ones are worth more. Plus making horseshoes,” Shoeshine said and pointed at her own flank. Sunbeam trotted into the room with her mane flattened against her head with a towel flung around her neck. “There you are rockstar,” I smirked as she blushed. “Thought you’d never get out.” “Sorry,” Sunbeam muttered as she dried her mane and brushed it down to it’s normal style. “Room service!” A voice at the door called. We all looked at each as Sunbeam opened the door. A hotel worker stood at the door with a plate held in her magic. “Delivery.” “Oh thanks,” Sunbeam smirked and levitated some bits her way. “Have a good night!” “You too.” Sunbeam shut the door and set the tray down. “Ooh whiskey!” Shoeshine cheered as she pumped a hoof. “Hell yeah!” “Oh Celestia help me,” Silverspeed muttered with a grin. “Is there maregeritas?” “Can we even get drunk?” Sunbeam asked worriedly as she examined a bottle of vodka she held in her magic. The three mares looked at me. “She has a point. I kinda need this job,” Shoeshine admitted nervously as Silverspeed nodded her agreement. “We’re off duty so yeah we can. As long as we don’t go out in public,” I reassured the three. “The other guards and I get drunk at Berry Punchs bar often when off duty. Well, Wallflower and Sunbeam didn’t know that. Glimmer Shine doesn’t go usually. If she does, it’s to keep us in line.” “Hell yeah!” Shoeshine cheered again as Sunbeam levitated a bottle of whiskey her way. “Thank you Sunbeam.” Shoeshine poured out for shot glasses as I trotted over with Silverspeed and Sunbeam. We all nodded at each other and took the shot at the same time. I have a feeling tonight is about to be great. Seventeen Shoeshine I yawned as I blinked, wincing as I felt the world’s worst migraine ever hit me. I love getting drunk, don’t like the hangover. I opened my eyes a bit more and almost fell out of the bed. Silverspeed laid snoring next to me with one hoof off the bed, the other between my haunches as I stared at her. I flicked my eyes to Aria and my eyes widened even more at her and Sunbeam sleeping next to each other. Silverspeed shifted a bit and wrapped a hoof around me as I yawned again. Her eyes slowly opened as I smirked at her. “Hello.” She screamed and rolled off the bed as Aria and Sunbeam jumped a bit before noticing each other and giving us all confused looks. “I am so confused,” Aria grumbled as Silverspeed flapped her wings to get in her own bed. “My head hurts.” “Mine too,” I admitted as I stretched and cracked my neck. “Anypony remember what happened last night?” Sunbeam moaned as she flopped back on the bed. “Well based on the smell and how my coat is feels, I have a few guesses,” Aria answered as she rolled out of the bed and trotted to the shower. “We will never speak of this again. To anybody.” “I’m straight,” Silverspeed grumbled as she turned bright red. “And I just slept with my best friend.” “I’m straight too remember!” I shot back as the sound of the shower turning on made us look over at it. “And so is Aria and Sunbeam. Besides who cares? I barely remember it.” “I don’t know if that’s better or worse!” Aria called out from the bathroom. “But uh I remember some parts. Mainly us getting really, really drunk and yeah.” “Great,” Sunbeam grumbled as she opened a small box she brought with and levitated two bottles of a green liquid to me and Silverspeed. “Drink.” “You seriously expect us to drink a random liquid after last night?” I asked in disbelief and pushed it away with a hoof. “No thanks.” “Wallflower made it. It’s a potion that helps ponies get over hangovers faster. It works like a charm according to Indigo and Lemon Zest.” Silverspeed and I looked at each before shrugging. We drank from the bottle and I gagged at the Celestia awful flavor. It was like kale and a bunch of other vegetables. At least it had carrots in it. I loved carrots. “What the buck was that?” I grumbled in disgust as I tossed the bottle into a trash can. “Disgusting,” Silverspeed mumbled and wiped her mouth with a hoof. “My hoof smells.” “Probably because it was between my legs when I woke up.” I loved teasing Silverspeed. When we weren’t arguing of course. At least she was better than her sister Silver Spoon. I swear, her parents were obsessed with the word silver it’s ridiculous. “I’m going to kill you one day,” Silverspeed growled as she rolled her eyes. “Did you even do anything to me last night?” I opened my mouth to speak as she flew over and pressed my mouth closed with her hoof. “Don’t answer that, I can tell you did. Aria! Hurry up!” “Coming!” Aria called out as I snickered. “We all were coming last night!” I called back and laughed harder. A barrage of pillows were launched my way as the other two glared at me. “What now?” Sunbeam asked as the three of us trotted down a street in Canterlot. Aria was apparently meeting with a princess for something. Whatever it was, we weren’t allowed to go with. You know those are the good meetings when you aren’t allowed to go with. Wish I could sneak into the castle. I always was a sneaky pony but not when there’s a bunch of trained guards on the property. “I don’t know,” Silverspeed shrugged as she looked around. I glanced up at the pegasus flapping her wings a few inches above us. We had been able to go without that annoying armor thankfully. Our room was being cleaned so that was a plus. “We could go gamble,” I suggested as the two frowned and shook their heads. “Was worth a shot.” “This is Canterlot, not Las Pegasus. And besides, those places don’t open till after the sun has set,” Sunbeam pointed out as I examined the yellow unicorn mare. “Just because we all slept together last night doesn’t mean you can check me out.” I rolled my eyes and flicked my tail across her face before glancing back smugly at the blushing mare. “I hate you,” she muttered as I examined her lemon cutie mark. “What’s your talent?” I asked and pointed at her flank. “Anything related to lemons.” “Nice. Wanna go see a movie or something? I’m bored and we’re off shift right,” I suggested as Silverspeed gave me a wary look. “Are you sure you just want a movie and you aren’t trying to get under our tails?” She asked suspiciously. I gave her a condescending smile and patted her on the head. “Dear Silverspeed, I already did last night remember?” I asked with a chuckle as she rolled her eyes. “I thought we all agreed to never speak of that again,” Sunbeam pointed out as we trotted in what hopefully was a theater. “We agreed to not tell other ponies about it,” I corrected her. “We never agreed to not tell each other about it.” “What does that matter? I was there!” Silverspeed scoffed as she swatted my back with a wing as she dropped to her hooves to walk alongside us. I gave a shrug as I winked at her. “How old you Sunbeam?” I asked curiously as we both looked at her. “Twenty two. Most of us are in our twenties. You?” “Me and Silverspeed are both twenty six. We grew up together. We’re practically siblings with how much we do everything together. Except when she has to pull tornado duty or other weather stuff,” I commented as I grinned wickedly. “Guess that for bumped up to friends with benefits.” “You are such a slut, you know that?” Silverspeed grumbled as I laughed. “Only for you my dear Silverspeed!” I teased. I laughed as I galloped ahead with her chasing after me with bright red cheeks. Sunbeam rolled her eyes and smiled before chasing after us. Eighteen Aria I stood in front of Princess Luna, glancing curiously at Discord floating in the air. I never met him before, he was already locked away in stone by the time my sisters and I tried to take over Equestria. I’d heard the rumors about him of course. Everyone has. “So she told you everything?” Princess Luna asked curiously as she sat on her throne. Princess Celestia had already gone to bed after greeting us. The room was soundproofed so no one could hear in. “Yes ma’am.” “And you believe her?” Princess Luna questioned as I nodded. “Yes I do,” I answered and stretched a bit. Last night had gotten a bit out of hand or well hoof in this case. “Sunbeam and I scouted it out a bit. The farm is there and everything.” “Excellent. Come in!” Luna called out and I stepped back at the changeling trotting in. He didn’t look like the others and I raised an eyebrow. “Meet Thrash. He’s well a mercenary.” “Oh what a treat!” Discord grinned and clapped a hoof and claw together. “I get to do questionable things and not get in trouble!” “Don’t take advantage of it,” Luna glared at him and he rolled his eyes. “Thrash here will be taking over Lilac Blossoms place. And I will be giving you a different form in case they have seen you around, Aria.” “Okay,” I said as I raised a hoof. “But one question. Why doesn’t he look like the other changelings?” He flashed green and a bright colored changeling stood where the black one once was. “I do look like the others. But bright colors doesn’t really give off scary and intimidating vibes for a hired killer,” Thrash smirked as he turned back to his original self. “Hired killer?” I asked and my eyes flicked over to Luna who nodded. “So we’re working with him now?” “If you don’t like it, you can walk off a cliff and I won’t lose any sleep,” Thrash grumbled and I glanced at him. He had multiple red marks on his forelegs. “Those are marks for every creature I’ve killed. I’d kill my own mother if the bits were good enough.” I rolled my eyes in disgust. I may have been a evil person or pony in the past but I never killed anyone. And definitely not my own mother. That was Sonata. On accident of course. She didn’t mean to shove her into a pit of spikes. “I don’t approve. How do we know he will be on our side?” I groaned as Luna smirked. “I’m loyal to bits. Just because I have no real allegiance to any country doesn’t mean shit,” Thrash said with a smirk and folded his forelegs. “And Luna here has offered me a very appealing pile of bits after this whole affair is over. Aiming to have seven or so tattoos on my legs after this over.” “Fascinating,” Discord mused as he popped out of the changelings horn. “I didn’t know Celestia allowed criminals to be worked with.” “He’s not a criminal. He’s a mercenary. We often work with them when the guards can’t handle something.” “Fine what’s the plan?” I sighed as the two smirked. “Unicorn, pegasus or earth pony?” Luna asked as she stood in front of Mr. “Uh pegasus I guess?” I shrugged in response. I don’t really care either way. She blasted me her magic and I glowed blue before setting back on the ground. I opened my eyes and stared curiously at a sparkly purple hoof that was a shade lighter than my normal coat. Luna gave a smug grin as I looked back and was greeted by a pair of opening wings. “Do they actually work?” I asked in awe as I closed them. My cutie mark was different and so was my eye color plus mane color and style based on the mirror I was looking at. “Yes. I will teach you how to fly,” Luna reassured me as I felt oddly excited. I’ve always wanted to fly. “What about me?” Discord complained as he paced back and forth. “You do make a good point. You’re a bit recognizable,” Luna said as she nodded. Discord snapped his fingers and brown unicorn with yellow eyes and a white mane stood next to me. “Huzzah!” “Can we get a move on now? I’m ready to get this done and get paid,” Thrash complained as he flashed green and royal guard stallion stood in his place. “Fine.” “You will go back to Ponyville. Wait until we send the word and you three will go into the farm area as some ponies with a grudge against the crown. And don’t kill anypony unless it’s self defense. After you leave Ponyville, Discord is going to be leaving a clone of you behind so none of the guards or Twilight don’t get suspicious,” Luna explained as I nodded. “What about the changeling? How do we know the others won’t offer him more bits and he won’t betray us?” I pointed out as he bared his fangs. “This is my job. Once I get hired, I don’t get change my mind. It’s how I keep a good reputation. You don’t have to worry about me betraying you. But once we get there, you listen to me. I’m the expert. Am I clear?” “Fuck that,” I snarled and slammed a hoof on the ground. “I only answer the princesses, Sunset and my sisters. Not you.” “I’ve been waiting for them to kill each other so I can take charge with no problem at all. Me answering to me,” Discord said enthusiastically and pumped a hoof as we all glared at him. “Transformers reference.” “How the fuck do you know what transformers are?” I demanded in surprise. “That’s a human thing!” Discord gave a wide grin and I shivered a bit. I had a weird feeling about him. He was a weird looking thing normally but I think I’d prefer that over a pony. “No reason.” “Enough arguing. Aria come with me. We will teach you to fly,” Luna stated firmly and I shrugged. Together, we walked outside the throne room as the sounds of Thrash and Discord conversating followed us. Thirteen Adagio I sat at the small cafe table as Aria and Sonata were examining the menu as I sipped a tea. “I’m proud of you both,” I said finally as the two looked at me. “Sonata for opening a business, you for joining the royal guard. You’ve both impressed me so much. I couldn’t be a prouder big sis than I am right now.” “Thanks Dagi!” Sonata chirped as she smiled. “Can you believe Twilight had found a way for us to keep living without those pendants? She’s a godsend!” “Got that right,” I chuckled as Aria smirked devilishly. My cheeks turned slightly pink as Sonata grinned as well. “Don’t you two dare say a damn thing or I will lay down the older sister law in front of everyone.” “I never thought I’d see the day Adagio settles down,” Aria smirked as she toyed with a spoon. “But I’m happy for you. You did help us out a lot. Just know I’m sorry in advance.” “For what?” I asked curiously as I ate some of my green beans. “Nothing. It’s nothing to worry about.” I narrowed my eyes as Aria looked down and I raised an eyebrow. I shrugged and continued eating. Aria was a big girl. Or well, big mare in this case. If she was in trouble, she could sort it out on her own and if she couldn’t, she knew she could come to me for help. I slapped a few bits on the table as Aria and Sonata added their own, leaving extra for a tip as the waiter gratefully accepted them as we left. Aria waved as she started her trot to the castle. Today was her day off and she had been busy with work. “She’s acting different,” Sonata said casually as we trotted down the street to her house. “I can’t put a finger on it.” I gave a chuckle as we past a flower stand where three mares with flower cutie marks and mare with a lily in her mane were cleaning the stand. Even after about a month and a half here, we still used human expressions to the confusion of the town except for the crowd who knew the truth about us. “Same here. I’m sure it’s nothing. You know how Aria is. She never talks about her problems.” “True,” Sonata answered as we approached a small two story light blue house surrounded by a white fence with a flower bush growing out front and a small garden growing on the right side. “God I’m so proud of you,” I said and pressed a hoof against my youngest sisters cheek. “You have your own business now and even bought your own house. I know Aria is too, even if she doesn’t say it.” “Thanks sis. Wanna come in and stay for a few hours?” Sonata asked hopefully and gave me her puppy dog eyes. “Yeah sure,” I said as I followed her inside and I shut the door behind me quietly. “Hey dear!” A voice called out and I froze as a stallion trotted in. I examined the stallion up and down before glaring at him. “And just who the hell are you?” I demanded as Sonata smiled. “I’m uh Comet Trail. I’m Twinkleshine’s cousin. Me and Sonata got introduced by her. Me and Sonata have been talking for a bit recently.” I hardened my glare as he gulped. “I’ll uh be upstairs,” he said and turned around nervously. “No way. You’ll be on the couch,” I said coldly as Sonata frowned a bit. “Was that necessary?” Sonata asked quietly. “Yes sister. Yes it was. Now let’s talk like you wanted.” “Okay.” I sighed and settled down into bed next to Twilight as she glanced at me. “How was it with your sisters?” Twilight asked curiously as I slid under the blankets. I hoped the guard at the door couldn’t hear us talking. She had scarily good talent at knowing when something was bothering me. “It was good. I stayed for a few hours at Sonata’s. I bumped into a stallion in her house and it was awkward,” I admitted as I traced a hoof along Twilight’s wing. “And how did that go?” “I told him he’d be sleeping on the couch from now on. Think I scared him.” “Well you can be scary when you need to be,” Twilight chuckled as she planted a kiss on my cheek and we both blushed. “You know, I never really expected this when Sunset sent me a letter about you three taking over the school.” “Trust me neither did I. I expected to be running the country by now,” I admitted and brushed some of my mane out of my eyes. “But oh well, could be worse. I could be in Tartarus.” “We kinda don’t really send ponies to Tartarus unless they’ve done something awful. So did Aria say what Princess Luna wanted?” Twilight asked curiously and wrapped her tail around mine. “Something about wanting an update and that was it. I think she and Luna are going to have a very good working relationship. They both are trying to reacquaint themselves with modern Equestria if what you’ve told me about Luna is true. Can be a very good friendship,” I admitted as I wrapped a hoof around Twilight. “Interesting. I assumed Luna would have came to me in my dreams and asked about it.” I bit back a comment at that and gave a shrug. Twilight would be a bit of a biased party in that aspect. Made sense why she would want someone else to report to her. “It’s mind blowing how you aren’t taking this serious or afraid.” “Oh I’m terrified,” Twilight admitted with a forced laugh. “But I don’t believe in hiding behind my title or the castle for the rest of my life. That would be boring.” “You’re hiding it well. The fear part, I mean.” “Thanks. Now can we go to sleep? You seem tired.” I gave a nod as she shut the light off with her magic.
One Aria I hate my life. Nothing is actually wrong with it, unless you want to count Spitfire and the other Royal Guards riding my ass during my months of training. Shit is ridiculous. Waking up at ungodly hours, having Spitfire get up in my face constantly. She’s lucky I haven’t swung on her yet. Don’t even get me started on the God awful food, the uncomfortable beds and the hours of walking or standing still. I’m still surprised Twilight personally requested me to be one of her few Royal Guards. “You know you don’t have to stand there at all times right?” Twilight asked as she startled me out of my musing. She flipped the page of her book as she sat on her chair in the library. “It makes me uncomfortable, Aria.” “Can’t,” I answered even though I desperately wanted to. Months of getting chewed out for disobeying orders made me secretly regret all the times I never listened to Adagio tell me to calm down. “Sunset would get after me and I think she is getting tired of me getting in trouble.” “True,” Twilight giggled as she looked at me. “Why did you agree to join the Guard? Didn’t really seem like the thing you’d be into.” “Why not?” I commented as I glanced at the other guard in the room. She was standing scarily still as I examined her mulberry mane and turquoise coat. She had a sun hidden behind a cloud for a cutie mark. Not that I could tell through her purple armor. I only know because I see her without it on at the barracks. “Good reason as any,” Twilight shrugged as she stood up. “You want a glass of water?” “No thanks,” I said as the unicorn guard gasped quietly and glared at me. “The Princess offered you a glass of water. Don’t be rude,” the mare chided as I glared back. “It’s okay Sunny Flare,” Twilight reassured her as Sunny opened the door with her magic. “Aria is my friend, I’m dating her sister and she has every right to turn me down or say when she disagrees. It’s not rude to have opinions.” “Yes Princess,” Sunny muttered as she relaxed her glare. “Are you still doing that speech about allowing the changelings into Equestria? Not that I’m against it but it’s dangerous. Somepony put a bounty on your head after all.” “Kiss ass,” I muttered under my breath. “Yes I am. I am not afraid and I will continue to do this until everypony accepts the changelings,” Twilight said adamantly as we followed her down the hall. “Nothing will stop me. You are both dismissed. Is that the uh term?” “Yeah it is,” I grinned as I trotted ahead at a more eager speed. “Thanks Twilight. Don’t forget to treat my sister right tonight after your date if you know what I mean. And don’t forget the sound proof spell.” Sunny gasped as Twilight turned red and sputtered incoherent words. I gave a grin as I disappeared up the stairs with Sunny behind me. I love teasing Twilight. “You know, that was rude right?” I rolled my eyes and gagged a bit. I hate strick rule followers. I tossed my purple helmet off and watched it bounce under my bunk. Twilight was practically obsessed with purple so my armor was her purple coat color and her cutie mark emblazoned on the front with my own cutie mark on each side of the flank armor. I flopped down on my bed as Blitz gave me a sympathetic look over her book. “That bad, huh?” Blitz asked as she closed her book after sticking a book mark to keep her spot. I glanced over at the jet black pegasus and her smokey grey mane. She had a light blue star on her flank. “Yeah,” I admitted as I stretched out on my bunk. Sunny Flare was widely regarded as the worst guard to be partnered with. At least Lemon Zest was fun to be around. “Who is assigned with her next?” “Me,” Sour Sweet raised a hoof from her bed. Her, Lemon and I were the only Earth Ponies in the castle assigned to Twilight. “Because I love, love, love spending time with an annoying mare!” We all collectively snickered as I struggled to get the rest of my armor off. Berry Blast stood and approached me with a large grin that made me uncomfortable. “Want help?” The twin unicorn sister of Blitz asked eagerly. I sighed and nodded as she started levitating my armor off and hung it up properly along with the helmet that rolled under my bed. “Thanks,” I grumbled as I fell backwards on my bed. Thank the stars Twilight insisted we got real beds. And yes, she insisted on them being bunk beds for some unknown reason. Indigo Zap snored from her bed as the pegasus above me dropped a hoof over the edge. It was slightly weird to know two versions of everyone here except Blitz, Berry Blast and Glimmer Shine. We all glanced at the door as Sunny Flare trotted in and started levitating her armor off, meticulously hanging it up. “Princess Twilight has requested our presence in her room. She wants us to bring pillows and blankets,” Sunny announced as she faced us. “Okay Private,” Lemon snickered as she rolled her pillow and blanket up. “Remember, I technically outrank you.” “You’re a private first class!” Sunny exclaimed and narrowed her eyes. “Not that much of outranking. Aria has more of a rank. Why she got temporary put in charge, I’ll never know.” “Because I’m a bad bitch,” I proclaimed with a grin as everyone except Sunny and Sugarcoat laughed. At least Sugarcoat wore a faint smile as the unicorn levitated her sleep wear on her back. “And maybe she likes me more.” “I doubt that it’s it,” Sunny muttered as I kicked the bed above me with my forelegs. “Indigo, wake up!” I shouted as the pegasus rolled off the edge of the bed. “TwiTwi needs us.” “Princess Twilight!” Sunny corrected as an annoyed Indigo groaned and glared at her from her spot on the floor. “Shut it, Sunny!” I rolled my eyes as I trotted out the door. May the gods have mercy on me.
Two Aria I trotted up to Twilights door as Sugarcoat opened it with her magic. I trotted inside as the others joined me and the door shut quietly as the silver glow around it and Sugarcoats horn disappeared. “Princess,” Sunny said and bowed slightly. I bit back a comment and rolled my eyes instead. I hated bowing. I already had to do it with my sisters when we first came back to Equestria when we had to tell Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadence we meant no harm. It was mortifying. I think it got even worse when Sonata started kissing Princess Luna’s hooves in “respect”. “Please call me Twilight,” Twilight waved a hoof as I gave Sunny a smug grin. “Sit, please!” We all sat down as Twilight placed our individual pillows and blankets down on the floor as I slowly got impatient. I was looking forward to a decent nap as was my other Guards. At least I didn’t have to patrol the castle like Indigo and Sour Sweet did. That’s an exhausting post, with how heavy the armor is and all. “What are we doing here?” I asked finally as I focused on Twilight. “I was looking forward to a nap.” Sunny groaned quietly as Berry Blast laughed. “I only really know Aria since I’m dating her sister so I figured we could all have a sleepover and get to know each other better in the spirit of team work!” Twilight exclaimed as she grinned at us and levitated a book into Blitzs hooves. “Getting to know your co workers one oh one,” the pegasus read aloud as she smirked. “Step one, offer to hang out with them outside of work.” “Seriously?” Lemon giggled as she fell on her back. “What are we, five?” Twilight turned a bright shade of red and coughed as she levitated a plate of cookies. “I made cookies?” Twilight offered with a grin. “So Blitz will go first and we can go around the group. And play various games! Sunset loaned me a game called Cards Against Humanity. She said it’s a very good icebreaker game.” I bit back a laugh as Twilight held up the box of cards. If only she knew what Sunset had gotten herself into, Twilight would think twice about this game. Hell, I was there when it got made. “Well I’m Blitz,” Blitz said with a faint smile. “I’m the twin sister of Berry Blast. We come from a small suburb of Neigh Jersey. I personally like quiet nights at home and staying indoors.” “I’m her twin sister!” Berry Blast announced eagerly with a personality like Sonata’s. “I’m the more outgoing of the two. Parties, meeting ponies and getting wasted.” “Sugarcoat,” Sugarcoat said plainly as we all looked at her. “Intel cadet. Born in Canterlot.” “Well that was enlightening,” Indigo snorted with a eye roll as we all laughed. “Indigo. Flight Lieutenant obviously. Aerial assault and all that cool shit. From Cloudsdale obviously. Glimmer Shine and Blitz are my wing ponies.” “Where is Glimmer anyway?” Lemon asked curiously as she slung her headphones around her neck. “Patrol. She prefers to work alone at night. Sour, go!” “Ugh do I have to?” Sour grumbled and folded her forelegs across her chest. We all nodded. “Fine. I just take care of weapons and all that.” “What rank even are you?” I asked and raised an eyebrow. “Captain. I’m also from Canterlot as is Sunny Flare.” “Yeah she’s a private,” Indigo snickered as she elbowed her friend. “Second lowest rank here other than Sugar. Obsessed with fashion and calling everyone dearie.” “I’m Twilight,” Twilight announced and ignored the glare Sunny was giving Indigo. “You don’t say,” I commented casually as I slide under my blanket and yawned. “You all know my backstory. Pretty much was all the newspapers ran for months. I have a baby dragon and a student named Starlight. She’s out with her marefriend right now in her wagon.” I raised an eyebrow at Twilights tone. I should ask her one day about her relationship with Trixie. I wonder how Starlight feels about it. I’ve never once seen Starlight and Twilight fight at all surprisingly. I will grudgingly admit I like Twilight but she can be very aggravating. At least we got to skip Lemon because she was currently stuffing her mouth with gummy worms she had somehow brought with her. She was obsessed with the fucking things. “Okay so we know the basics about each other!” Twilight exclaimed happily as she clapped her hooves and turned a page in her book. “Step two, ask them about their home life if they are comfortable answering. Remember, don’t make them uncomfortable or you’ll get a complaint potentially.” “I’ll pass,” Sunny said flatly as she brushed her hair with a brush and shrugged. “Don’t want to talk about it. It’s complicated.” “I wouldn’t say that,” I warned with a frown. “Twilight is gonna devote all the time she has now to get you to open up about it. She did it to Sunset and her past.” “Isn’t Sunset our commander or whatever?” Sour Sweet questioned as she stretched out her hooves. “And that’s why Aria is temporarily in charge till Sunset comes back?” “Yes,” Twilight admitted with a smile. “Sunset is Spitfires sister. Sunset is correctly doing uh work for me at the moment in a place far away from Equestria. You will meet her soon enough.” “Spitfire is terrifying,” Berry Blast shivered and hugged herself. “I hope to the stars and Luna herself Sunset isn’t that scary.” “Only when she’s mad, her family or friends get threatened or she’s being disrespected,” I answered with a roll of my hoof. “She fought Chrysalis once. I’m Aria but you all know that.” “Uh huh. How do you know Sunset?” Blitz demanded as she tucked her legs underself. “I tried to enslave her school and friends along with Princess Twilight with my sisters to feed off their negative energy. Siren and all, I’m over a thousand years old.” Everyone gave me flat looks before laughing. Me and Twilight patiently waited for the laughing to stop. “She’s being serious,” Twilight said as everyone looked at her. “How are you still alive?” Blitz demanded as she looked me up and down. “You look good for over a thousand.” “Magic,” I said simply. “That’s out of the way. Let’s play a game,” Twilight announced and levitated the card game Sunset loaned her. She started reading the instructions and I rolled my eyes as I started passing out cards. Twilight set the instructions down and picked up her hand. Indigo, Berry, Blitz, Lemon and I were laughing as Sunny and Twilight turned bright red. “I uh think I have to have conversation with Sunset after this,” Twilight mumbled nervously as her ears flattened against her head. Thank god for Sunset is the only thought in my mind right now. Author's Note For context, I'll just list all the guards roles and stuff. Indigo: Aerial assault. Lemon: Communications. Blitz: Wing pony. Berry Blast: Medic, ground assault. Sour Sweet: Weapons expert, ground assault. Glimmer Shine: Espionage, wing pony. Sunset: Leadership, strategy. Aria: Strategy, ground assault.
Three Aria Sunny picked up a black card as I looked around at the ponies sitting in a circle. Twilight was shockingly tied with Berry Blast for winner. I had the third most cards, followed by Indigo, Lemon, Sour, Sugarcoat, Sunny and Blitz. “Why am I sticky?” Sunny read with a blush as we all laughed. “Time to abuse Sunny Flare!” Indigo called out with a grin as she slapped a card down. “Please don’t. Please be very gentle with me.” “Is that what you said to the guy who made you sticky?” Blitz commented with a smug grin as we all laughed again. “May Celestia have mercy on my soul,” Twilight muttered as she covered her face with her hooves to hide her blush. “I have seen, heard and said things tonight I never once thought I would.” “Alright!” Sunny announced and levitated some cards up to her face. “Why am I sticky? Necrophilia.” Utter silence. “Lame,” Indigo scoffed as the pegasus rolled her eyes. “Next!” “Why am I sticky? Kayaking with my sluts.” “Makes sense,” Berry Blast shrugged. “Wish I was kayaking with my sluts.” “What sluts?” Blitz demanded as she faced her sister. “The ones don’t know about,” Berry Blast stuck her tongue out at her twin and smirked. “Just kidding, I have no sluts. Yet.” “Thank the stars for that,” Blitz grumbled as she wrapped herself in a blanket. “What wait do you mean yet?” Berry Blast innocently whistled as she looked away. “Why am I sticky? Me time,” Sunny laughed quietly as she shrugged. “I mean maybe.” “You better not be having me time in the barracks!” Sour snapped as she glared at Sunny. “Your bunk is above mine!” “Why an I sticky? All the dudes I’ve fucked,” Sunny read as she ignored Sour. Indigo and I both burst out laughing as Indigo pumped her hoof in the air. “Winner right there, I’m telling ya!” Indigo announced. “We will see,” Sunny commented as she looked at the next card. “Why am I sticky? The amount of gay I am.” “Lame.” “Why am I sticky? Daddys belt?” Sunny muttered as we all laughed. “Why am I sticky? Golden showers. Ew that is disgusting!” “It would make you sticky I suppose,” Twilight mused as she tapped her chin with a hoof. “Why am I sticky? my collection of high-tech sex toys.” “You have sex toys?” I asked with a wide, cruel grin. “Now that is surprising.” “I do not! A respectable mare doesn’t stoop low to inappropriate adult activities!” Sunny snapped and gave me a dirty look. “You’re playing this game,” Sugarcoat stated and used her magic to adjust her glasses. “I hate when you’re right,” Sunny Flare grumbled. “Why am I sticky? Three dicks at the same time. Seriously?” We all burst out laughing as Twilight hid a blush with a hoof. “I hate you all some days.” “I guess somepony could get sticky from that,” Sour mused as we all finished laughing. “Who wins?” “Who had daddys belt?” Sunny asked with a sigh as Berry Blasts hoof shot in the air. “That was me!” The unicorn announced happily as Sunny hoofed her the card. “I win. Yay!” “Thank fuck that’s over,” Sour grumbled under her breath as Twilight put the cards away. “That was fun. We should play again sometime,” Twilight clapped her hooves as she examined her book again. “Okay, this next one is-” “All due respect, screw the book,” I said as they all looked at me. “We don’t need no book. Berry Blast, destroy it.” “Destroy my book and I will destroy you,” Twilight said coolly as Berry Blast paused. I hated calling her by her full name but well she demanded we all do it. “Okay,” Berry Blast said casually as she sat down next to her sister as I examined the difference between the two. The only really difference was eye color was a lighter shade of purple on Berry Blast along with a dark almost black purple streak in her mane and tail and her cutie mark of a purple star with a berry. “Checking us out?” Blitz snickered as I rolled my eyes. Blitz laid down with an overly exaggerated seductive smile and half lidded eyes. “You wish. What I meant Twilight is we don’t need the book to learn about each other,” I scoffed and patted her shoulder. “You can just ask us questions. You know practically everything about me already from Adagio and Sonata so.” “Oh,” Twilight said sheepishly as a loud pop sound echoed and the book disappeared. “So Twilight,” Lemon dragged out the name with a grin. “Who trimmed your garden if you get my drift?” Indigo choked on her water as her eyes widened and I snickered. “I don’t understand,” Twilight said in confusion as she raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know, I never met the gardener back in Canterlot unfortunately.” I rolled my eyes as my other Guards turned red or covered their face with their hooves. Blitz gestured Twilight forward and whispered in her ear. Twilight slowly turned a bright shade of red and started sputtering incoherent words. “I uh no one if I’m being honest,” Twilight admitted sheepishly as we all snickered. “Adagio and I may have briefly talked about it?” “Sounds like Dagi,” I snorted with a smirk. “Back when pirates were a thing, we didn’t need magic to cause disharmony on the high seas.” “That’s absolutely disgusting,” Sugarcoat said with disdain after a moment as Sunny nodded her agreement. “Before Aria can finish that sentence, what next is on your agenda?” “Scary stories and then sleep!” Twilight announced happily as she gestured at all of our sleeping gear. “It’s a slumber party after all.” “I think I’ll pass the stories,” I answered after a moment. “I have to interview a few more guards tomorrow.” Typically it would be Sunset’s job but she and the others are currently preparing for Camp Everfree back on Earth. Not only that, I have to deal with a bunch of other shit. Investigating and all that. I pulled my blanket over me and curled my forelegs and hindlegs so I formed a ball as I rested my head on the pillow and closed my eyes. “Alright goodnight,” Twilight said as I cracked open an eye as her ears pressed against her head. “We would love for you to join us though.” Twilight gave me puppy dogs eyes as I sighed. I sat up and growled under my breath as the others cheered minus Sour, Sugarcoat and Sunny. “Fine.”
Four Aria I yawned as I stretched out my hooves on Twilight’s floor, cracking my back as I opened my eyes and took in Berry Blast reading a book. The others were asleep with the exception of Twilight and Blitz. Twilights spot was empty as I raised an eyebrow. “Morning,” Blitz nodded at me as she pushed a mug my way. “Made you a coffee. Black, as you like.” I gave her a grateful nod as I took it and sipped, sighing contently. “What’s on the agenda?” Berry Blast asked eagerly as she turned a page of her book titled Battlefield Medics. Presumably because of her team medic role. “Interviewing potential guards. Then patrol,” I answered as I finished drinking my coffee. “Aren’t you and Glimmer partnered up today?” “Yup!” “Must be nice,” I grumbled as Blitz took my mug. “I can’t wait for Sunset to come on her next routinely visit. This paperwork is killing me. This is technically her job, I’m just helping.” “Well you are the second in command after all,” Blitz shrugged as she and Berry Blast looked at each other. “Say, you’re Sunset’s friend. What’s the commander like?” “Plenty of words to describe her. We used to be enemies I suppose in a way till she helped me and Adagio change. Sonata always hated controlling people. But calculating, easy going, smart, strong all come to mind. Also no nonsense, stern when needed and strict,” I answered. “She has a mischievous streak as well. She loves a good prank, very snarky and sarcastic.” “So Spitfire?” “Not really,” I answered with an eye roll. “Where’s Twilight at?” “Library. Talking with Captain Spitfire,” Berry Blast answered as she pointed a hoof in that general direction. I kinda wonder how Spitfire feels about Sunset technically outranking her. Must be annoying for your younger siblings to be technically your superior. “I should probably go talk to Spitfire and Twilight. See you guys around,” I grumbled as I rolled up my blanket and pillow, placing them on my back. Blitz waved as I trotted out the door. I stretched out in my chair of my office before slammed my head down on the desk. Technically it was Sunset’s office but I’m using it till she gets here. A lamp sat on the desk along with a large filing cabinet along the wall and a bed. Must be nice to have a bed away from the other Guards. Sour Sweet had her own office as well but it didn’t have a bed. By office, I mean just a spare bedroom in the castle with a added lock on the door. I flinched slightly at the quiet knock and sighed. “Enter,” I called out as the door opened. A white pegasus mare with a watermelon mane dragged a shorter green earth pony mare in with a potted flower cutie mark. “We’re looking for Sunset,” the white pegasus announced. “Sunset is out doing a uh errand for Twilight.” We had temporarily agreed to keep the portal a secret till Sunset came back. “Oh huh. The plaque on the wall next to the door said commander Sunset. Sorry to bother you.” “I’m covering for her. What can I do for you?” I asked as I looked back up from my paperwork. “This is Wallflower. She’s looking for a job. I’m Blossomforth,” Blossomforth announced. “Go on Wally. I’ll be out here waiting.” Wallflower and I looked at each other as the door closed and I pointed a hoof at the chair. “Sit.” “Uh okay,” Wallflower muttered as she sat down and I hoofed around the desk. “Got any special skills? What’s your special talent?” “Plants.” I waited patiently for her to continue until five minutes passed and she said nothing. Spitfire coughed from the spare desk along the wall as we looked at her. I forgot she was here honestly, she was so quiet. “What can you do with plants?” Spitfire asked as she examined a form, her whistle hanging around her neck. “This isn’t a walk in the flower patch. This is the Royal Guard. Ask Aria, she gets up at random hours of the day, exercise, paperwork.” “I know. Blossomforth thinks it’ll be uh character building? Getting me out into the world,” Wallflower admitted sheepishly as she traced the chair arm with a hoof. “It can do that,” Spitfire nodded. “What can you do with plants?” “Uhm this,” Wallflower said quietly as she lifted the plant she brought and rubbed a hoof against it as it grew bigger. “It’s a wall plant. That’s about it.” “Uh okay?” “Are you in the guard?” Wallflower asked curiously as Spitfire laughed. “No no. I’m a Wonderbolt. I’m just training these newbies. Look, we can find something in the Guard for you but this might not be for you. I’ll send Soarin to come find you in town. Anything else you can do?” “Uhm yeah,” Wallflower answered as she stood up, slammed a hoof on the ground and disappeared. Spitfire and I sat up a bit straighter and stared at each other wide eyes. “You know what, I think we have a good use for you. I’ll send High Winds and Surprise to come see you. Welcome to the Guard Wallflower,” Spitfire smiled as she shook hooves. Wallflower bounced out of the room with a big smile that I doubted she could have. “She seems shy. What you got for her?” “Espionage. That invisibility spell was impressive, especially for an earth pony. Probably related to a unicorn.” “You were nicer to her than you were to me,” I scoffed as Spitfire snorted with an eyeroll. “You have an attitude problem. I don’t like that about you. You’re rude, abrasive, loud, cruel and sadistic and enjoy suffering of others. Also you’re my sisters friend. If I didn’t go hard on you, it’d would look like I was giving you special treatment. I’m going to go hard on Sunset when she comes back too. I love her but just because she’s my sister doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on her,” Spitfire grunted as she stood up and packed a few folders into some saddlebags before putting her sunglasses back on. “I’m going to my room with Soarin, Fleetfoot, Surprise and High Winds. You’re interviewing Sunbeam next. Good luck.” I internally cursed as she slammed the door shut and I stared down at all the new paperwork I’d have to do. Fuck my life. Author's Note Not gonna lie, Berry Blast and Blitz are my favorites so far. I love writing them. They're like my few ocs.
Five Aria “This is the barracks,” Spitfire announced as I trotted next to her. Wallflower and Sunbeam slowly followed us. Sunbeam was a yellow unicorn with a yellow and white mane with a cut lemon for a cutie mark. “It’s technically just rooms in the castle but you all sleep together, shower together, eat together and work together. It’s to create a team work atmosphere. You’re a unit so that’s why you do everything together.” Blitz snored quietly from her bunk as Spitfire straightened the helmet hanging next to her bunk. Sugarcoat and Sour Sweet were playing a card game as they sat on a bunk. Glimmer Shine was cleaning her armor off while Berry Blast watched. Glimmer Shine was obsessed with keeping her armor in perfect condition. She was silver mare with a grey mane and a knife cutie mark. She had cold grey eyes that reminded me of storm clouds. “Lieutenant, Captain,” Glimmer Shine saluted as she dropped her rag. “Corporal,” Spitfire nodded briefly as Glimmer Shine relaxed a bit. “Meet Wallflower Blush and Sunbeam. I’ll leave them with you.” Spitfire turned around and flew out the door as Sugarcoat shut it quietly behind. “Hi,” Berry Blast waved a hoof as she swung her legs back and forth from her bunk. “I’m Berry Blast, that’s my twin sister Blitz.” Blitz answered with a loud snore followed by a snort. “Sunbeam,” Sunbeam said casually as she placed her items on her bed and started sorting them. “Any super annoying rules?” “Don’t assault civilians. Sometimes, ponies will come to borrow books. The other elements are allowed free reign of the castle as is Starlight, Trixie, Spike and a few others,” Sugarcoat stated firmly. “Lights out is at twenty one hundred. Nine pm unless you have night patrol.” “Which you do,” Sour Sweet said with a drysmirk. “You and Wallflower do. Newbies always get night duty for the first few nights. Once you get your armor mailed in from Canterlot of course.” “Okay,” Wallflower said quietly as she made her bed. “Goodnight.” “She’s a shy one,” Indigo commented as Wallflower climbed into her bed and slipped under covers. “Yep,” I commented as I laid on my bunk and yawned. “Just one question,” Sunbeam raised a hoof sheepishly with a faint blush. “Yeah what’s up?” “Where’s the bathroom?” “Towns busy again,” Lemon Zest commented as we walked down a street, the sun shining off our armor as ponies gave us a wide berth. She adjusted her purple helmet with a sigh. “Yup,” I agreed as I shifted my armor a bit to sit more comfortably. “Town patrol is probably my favorite. We get to show off our armor plus we get swords.” I patted the sword attached to my left side with a hoof before continuing walking. “I know right? Sparring with Sour Sweet and Indigo is always fun.” We both glanced up as Indigo flew overhead with Blitz and Glimmer Shine. “Formation looks good,” Spitfire said as we jumped slightly. Neither of us had seen her approaching. “Indigo is a pretty damn good flight lieutenant. Trains her team hard.” “Captain,” I saluted as Lemon Zest tossed a lazy salute her way. Spitfire narrowed her eyes before returning the salute. “Keep your eyes out. Twilight’s speech is tomorrow. No swords or lethal weapons allowed but you guys can use batons and other non lethal weapons for crowd control if ponies get a bit rowdy and try to rush her. Good day,” Spitfire ordered as she turned around and flapped her wings before flying after Indigo. “Well that was interesting,” Lemon Zest commented as we continued our slow trot. “Been pretty quiet today.” “Don’t jinx us,” I muttered as we approached the center of Ponyville as a golden mare with a carrot cutie mark waved us over. “Hello.” “Hey Carrot Top!” Lemon Zest smiled enthusiastically as the carrot seller glared. “My name is Golden Harvest!” Golden Harvest slammed a hoof down angrily. “This stallion is refusing to pay. Can you make him change his mind?” I glanced between the mare and the white stallion. This would help the townsponies get used to seeing us around and not disliking the change of town. “Pay her,” I sighed and gestured with a hoof. “Full amount.” “I wish we didn’t have any guards around,” he grumbled and slapped a few more bits down. Golden Harvest examined them and nodded in satisfaction before pushing them in her register. “Not only do my taxes go up, I have to listen to the Princess support a bunch of criminal changelings.” “Keep it moving sir,” I rolled my eyes as he grumbled, walking off. “Thank you both,” Golden Harvest smiled warmly at us. “I will admit, I’m not too enthused about armed guards wandering around town but it may have upsides. Taxes going up sucks but meh.” “True. I’d hate if someone cheated my sister at her stand,” I grunted and rolled my shoulders a bit. “Oh? What does your sister sell?” I pointed a hoof to Sonata’s nearby taco stand. Lunch time was always busy. The three of us watched Sonata run around and giving out tacos. “Huh,” Golden Harvest mused as she tapped a hoof against her chin. “I have a date with Spike later tonight. Maybe we will go there.” “Wait Spike? Princess Twilight’s assistant?” I asked in shock. I heard last he had a thing for Rarity. “Yep!” Golden Harvest exclaimed happily. “He doesn’t know it yet but he will. He’s very helpful. Haven’t been with a stallion in years.” “Isn’t he a baby?” Lemon Zest asked pointedly. “Dragons age faster then ponies but their bodies don’t change as fast. He’s twenty two and I’m twenty three so.” “Huh what about Rarity?” I asked curiously. “Pfft screw Rarity,” Golden Harvest scoffed. “All she does is make dresses. Wait until Spike meets a mare who actually works on a farm twenty four seven in a field. Carrot farming isn’t a walk in the park or a day in the dress store so to say.” “Have a good one!” Lemon Zest called out as we approached Sonata’s taco stand. Thank Celestia the line had gone down. “Hey Sis!” Sonata grinned happily as she hugged me. “Hey Sonata,” I grunted as she let me go. “Two tacos please. One for me and one for Lemon Zest. Take two sprites as well please.” “On it!” We watched Sonata start working as Lemon and I exchanged small talk, mainly weather, training and paperwork. Boring stuff. “What does Sonata put in her tacos?” Lemon Zest asked curiously as Sonata smirked. If Lemon knew we used fifty percent meat, fifty percent plants, she’d scream. I gave a dark chuckle as I accepted our tacks. “Oh, you don’t wanna know.”
Six Spitfire “May Celestia have mercy on my soul.” Fleetfoot and Soarin glanced over at me as I stretched out on my bed. The two exchanged smirks before I groaned again. “Long day?” Soarin asked with a raised eyebrow. “Aria annoys me some days. She doesn’t really work well with others. She screamed at a filly for littering. A filly.” “Isn’t it her job to like enforce the law?” Fleetfoot asked curiously. “Screaming at a filly isn’t doing her job, Fleet,” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “Didn’t you yell at Scootaloo for associating with Lightning Dust?” Misty Fly commented with a grin. “That was different. Tough love. I care about the filly. Yelling is how dad taught me when I bucked up,” I admitted casually. “And don’t you dare make a comment about me being soft or I’ll show you how soft my hoof feels.” Misty Fly gulped and nodded as the book next to my temporary bed glowed purple and rattled. I hid a grin and grabbed it, opening the book. “Sunset?” Blaze asked with a smirk. “Mhm,” I answered as I grabbed a pen. Hey, what you up to? I tapped the pen against my chin before shrugging. Not much. Just resting. You? Playing Batman. Cursing out Poison Ivy. She’s a bitch of a boss. I stared in confusion as I grumbled incoherent words. What the hell is a Batman? And why are you cussing out a plant? Superhero in a movie. Has a few video games about him. Poison Ivy is a character. She has a weird control over plants. And is an eco terrorist. Oh. You are obsessed with those video games. I’ll never understand why. Well, when I first came through the portal, I didn’t understand hands. Video games helped. You use your fingers for the controller. Video games were my only friend for the longest. I frowned slightly as I figured out what to say next. If I closed my eyes, I could perfectly imagine Sunset giving her typical sheepish smile and a shrug. Well, I can relate. Flying and Soarin were my only two friends when I left home. Sunburst can too I bet. After we both left and Starlight ran off, he was practically alone if it wasn’t for Peppermint and that other mare you knew as a filly. Looks like we all are kinda fucked up lol. I had no idea what lol meant but it must be something good I guess. I guess. So Hearths Warming is in three months or so. Will you be coming home? Sunburst and I are spending it together this year. Yeah. I hope I can bring Mom and my siblings. They’d love to see you guys again. Would you two be interested in coming over for Thanksgiving? I have no idea what that is. And sure, bring the others with. Thanksgiving is like for spending with family is the easiest way to describe it. Lyra is going to Bon Bons, Derpy has plans with her family out of town both holidays. Rainbow is going out of state too and Applejacks insanely large family is all coming to town. I’ll see what I can do. I’ll send Sunburst a letter later tonight. Awesome! So in this world they have a thing called labor day. I thought it was for mothers and shit, so I took Mom and Aunt Berry out to a nice restaurant. Turns out it’s actually a day for workers and shit. Never gonna live that down. I gave a genuine laugh as I pressed my head against the book. Everypony in the room gave me stunned looks as I raised my head and finished laughing. I heard the faint sound of wings as I pressed the pen to the paper. Oh sweet Celestia, that’s funny. How’s your video game coming? I fucking hate this game. Getting fucked six ways till Sunday right now. Fuck Poison Ivy. I gave another rare laugh as I rolled my eyes. She’s a bitch. Well, good luck. Just get weed killer. A drawing of a laughing pony appeared on the page as I snickered. I give up. This game is bullshit I snarled slightly and glared at the page. No the fuck you aren’t. Quitters are cowards. You’re Sunset Shimmer, since when have you ever backed down from a challenge? Get the fuck back in your game or whatever and beat her ass! You’re damn right. Thanks. You’re welcome. Now have fun. Before I go, say I love you. I love ya. I grumbled and sighed as I slammed a hoof against my chin. Fine. I love you. I waited for a response and shrugged, closing the book. Presumably she was busy doing the thing she called a boss fight. I only know the term because of past conversations. “That was adorable!” I jumped slightly and looked back in surprise. The few ponies that accompanied me were hovering behind me as Misty Fly grinned. “Hey! Buck off, that was a private conversation!” I snapped as the others landed nervously at their beds. “So Soarin. You’ve met Sunset along with High Winds and Surprise. What’s she like?” Fleetfoot asked curiously as she leaned back against the wall. “You better pick your words carefully,” I said in a quiet voice as I stared at him. Soarin nodded and rolled his eyes. “Sunset is a unique personality. She and Spitfire are similar in personality. Both very protective, aggressive when necessary I suppose but both very kind hearted. I like her, she’s a nice mare.” “Ooh got a crush on the Captains sister?” Blaze teased as Soarin and I rolled eyes before looking at each other. I knew he didn’t because we were secretly dating. “Not even. She’s coming back for Hearths Warming and a few weeks from now. You guys can meet her then,” I grunted as I placed the book and pen on the nightstand. “So she’s in a different world?” Misty Fly asked and raised an eyebrow. “Mhm,” Soarin nodded. “I was there with High Winds and Surprise. We watched her go through a portal as Princess Twilight called it.” “Huh interesting.” “Yep,” I admitted and gave a small smirk. “And as punishment for watching a private conversation, you all own me fifty five laps. Now!” Everypony groaned as they flew out the door. I looked around and placed my hooves behind my head. I love my job somedays. Author's Note For context, Sunset is orange and Spitfire is red in the book conversations. I wish there was a brighter red so I could use red for both.
Seven Twilight “Are you sure about this?” Adagio asked worriedly as we stared out at the large crowd of ponies. Aria and the other Guards stood in front of the makeshift stage in front of the ponies in surprisingly clean and shiny purple armor. I personally hated having a personal guard. I’m the Princess of Friendship after all. Having armed guards doesn’t really scream “Hey, I’m come talk to me. I’m super friendly!” “Yeah I’m sure,” I said firmly as I locked eyes with Spitfire in the crowd with the other few Wonderbolts she had brought with. Spitfire gave me a subtle nod as I stepped out into the view of the ponies. “Hello everypony.” The ponies looked at each other and shrugged. I vaguely identified Lyra, Twinkleshine and the rest of my friends and elements in the front row. Rainbow gave me an encouraging nod as Lyra waved before Bon Bon yanked her hoof down. “I’m here to discuss all the changes to Ponyville and the changelings integration into Equestria. We aren’t changing the town at all. The guards all stay in my castle so we are reverting the taxes back to how they used to be,” I announced as the ponies cheered, especially the farmers. “As for the changelings, they are living breathing creatures just like us. They deserve equality and to be treated fairly.” “They tried to conquer Equestria twice!” A stallion shouted as he stood up. “What’s your name?” I asked curiously as I smiled warmly. “Pepper Comet. The changelings tried to invade Equestria, ponynapped me and my daughter during the Canterlot invasion and kidnapped you and the rest of the princesses. The changelings should all be arrested, drove back to their land or killed!” He slammed a hoof on the ground as I flinched in disgust. “I understand how you feel about your daughter being ponynapped but-” I began till he growled. “You don’t understand anything. My daughter had nightmares for months. And now you want us to treat the changelings as equals. Buck that!” Pepper Comet shouted. “And not only, you’re sexist!” “Sexist?” Rainbow echoed in shock as she stood up and glared. Aria and Glimmer Shine both tensed up as Wallflower watched nervously. “She’s the opposite of sexist!” “Then why does she have no stallions in her guard? Only mares?” Pepper challenged as the two glared at each other. “We didn’t know if mares would be comfortable with sharing a bunk area with stallions,” I announced as the crowd started shouting at the stallion and each other. “The Wonderbolts do,” Caramel called out with a nod. He and Applejack made eye contact as he shrugged. “Not agreeing with him of course. Just pointing out.” Applejack visibly relaxed and nodded. “We will discuss it,” I said loudly as the crowd quieted down. Pepper Comet got closer to Aria as I strained to make out what they were saying. He gave her a quick tap to her cheek with a hoof and she stumbled backwards before slamming her nightstick into his back as he cried out and fell. The crowd gasped as Spitfire and Fleetfoot shoved their way to him and pulled him away as Blitz helped Aria get her helmet. “Let’s get you out of here,” Indigo said as she and Lemon Zest started pulling me along. “Things are about to go down I think. I don’t think that guy is going to have fun with Aria.” “What were you thinking?” Adagio shouted as Lyra, Twinkleshine, Minuette, Lemon Hearts and Moondancer winced. Aria rolled her eyes as Berry Blast knelt in front her and examined her eye. “He hit me first!” Aria shouted back. “I defended myself. So sorry that I ruined your night, sister!” “Can we please stop?” Sonata asked quietly as Fluttershy hugged her. “I don’t like when you two argue.” “Hold still please,” Berry Blast ordered with a surprisingly stern tone. “I can’t fix you up if you’re squirming.” I glanced over at the unicorn. Her armor was slightly different, having a red cross on the armor over her flanks to display her role as medic. “I don’t care if he hit you first! You assaulted someone!” Adagio continued her shouting as Fluttershy hastily left with Sonata. “He assaulted her first!” Indigo shouted as she pressed her muzzle against Adagio’s. “We can go right here, right now if you want. Thought you would support your sister more.” “Enough!” I shouted as everypony froze. “She supports her sisters. Neither of you should have hit each other. Now please calm down. Berry Blast, is Aria alright?” “She’s gonna have a bruise. No damage to the eye or anywhere else. The stallion is going to be fine too. I treated him myself. He did have a rock in his saddlebag. Presumably to throw it at you before he hit Aria. He’s spending the night or two in the jail cell,” Berry Blast answered as she rubbed some cream on Aria’s cheek with her hoof before placing a band on it. “She will be fine Princess. I recommend she takes a few days off at least.” “Agreed,” I nodded as Aria shoved Adagio out of the way. Aria disappeared out of sight, presumably to the guard room. “Spitfire sided with Aria. She did her job,” Glimmer Shine said coolly. The normally stoic guard had a hint of anger in her eyes as she stood at the door way. “We’re letting him go. Give him a summons to appear. We can’t arrest everypony who doesn’t like us,” I announced. Glimmer Shine nodded and narrowed her eyes before she walked out with Sunbeam. I still needed to get to know her and Wallflower. I make it a point to know all my guards personally. “You guys don’t hate me for trying to get the changelings accepted do you?” “I don’t like them,” Lyra admitted quietly. “I was in the hospital for months after her mind control. I had nightmares along with Twinkleshine and Minuette. But it’s important to you and I’m your friend so I support it. Just keep them away from me.” “Same here,” Minuette agreed. “It’s good what you’re doing Twilight. I may hate Chrysalis but the others might be nice. Thorax was nice.” “I didn’t like that Comet guy,” Twinkleshine grunted as she rolled her eyes. “What a jerk.” “You guys wouldn’t have nightmares if I didn’t suggest you talk to Princess Cadence,” Lemon Hearts muttered as her ears flattened against her head. “You guys wouldn’t have been mind controlled either.” We all groaned as I slammed a hoof against my face. Here we go again with her guilt complex again.
Eight Glimmer Shine I trotted slowly to the cells in the center of Ponyville with Sunbeam quietly following me. I kept my head forward with narrowed eyes as I pushed open the doors of the mayors building. We decided to have them here instead of the castle. It didn’t really scream friendly having cells in the castle of friendship. Besides, there was already cells for drunk ponies in the complex. Might as well use them. “Here for the prisoner?” Sour Sweet asked as the mare moved her legs off the desk she sat at, setting the book she was reading face down. “Yes,” I said coolly as Sour Sweet nodded. “Thank you Captain.” Sour Sweet rolled her eyes briefly before saluting me as I lead Sunbeam down the hall to the cells. “You’re free to go,” I told Pepper Comet coldly as I unlocked the door. He had a bruise on his back as he stood up. Sunbeam and I stepped back as he stumbled out. “We will escort you out. Don’t stop, keep walking.” “Uh huh,” Pepper grumbled as we flanked him down the hall. Sunbeam opened the door as we all trotted out, the door shutting behind us. “My back hurts.” “You attacked one of my fellow Guards. You get no sympathy from me.” He frowned as I narrowed my eyes even further coldly as we trotted to the center of town. “Now get out of here. Go home,” I said as we turned around. “Don’t come near the castle or you’ll be arrested for trespassing. Am I clear?” “We will see.” “No there is no we will see. I’m telling you this is what will happen. And then I’ll lock you in a room with Aria and see what happens,” I grumbled as I adjusted my helmet slightly. “Are you sure you aren’t related to Sugarcoat?” Sunbeam asked curiously as I glanced at the yellow unicorn mare. “No. Why?” “Well you’re both super stoic, cold, lacking emotion. I think you being angry earlier is the first time I’ve seen you show any other type of emotion.” “Uh huh,” I said in a bored tone as we kept walking. “We aren’t related. Just act similar.” “So we are just letting him go?” “Yes,” I said with a shrug. “I don’t like it but good soldiers follow orders.” We walked in silence as Sunbeam tried to figure out what to say. Or well, I presume that was what she was doing. “So how do you feel about Princess Twilight and the death threats?” Sunbeam asked curiously as I gritted my teeth. “I feel she’s being stupid. She’s not taking it serious. There’s a difference between being a hero and being an idiot.” “Gotta admit, it’s kinda inspiring that she isn’t afraid,” Sunbeam commented as she opened the doors with her magic. “Inspiring others to avoid real threats isn’t something that I consider to be cool.” “You need a hobby you know. Come to the bar with us. Off duty of course.” “Can’t. I’m pulling an extra shift tonight around the town.” “Oh come on. It might be fun.” “I don’t do fun. I work, sleep and eat.” “Girl, even Sugarcoat is coming!” Sunbeam exclaimed as we continued down the hall with her horn glowing as I glanced back and forth down the hallways. “Granted, she and Sunny are trying to make sure Indigo and Lemon don’t get too drunk but she’s still coming!” “You’re not going to let this go, are you?” I asked and glanced at her bright blue eyes. “Nope!” I let out a long slow sigh. “Fine.” I sat in a corner booth of a loud bar called Berry’s. A mulberry colored mare who I presumed to be Berry was behind the counter, talking to a yellow pegasus with three raindrops as a cutie mark. Indigo slammed down her mug of what I guessed was her forth or fifth. “So then I told her, I don’t care. Ya gotta keep your plants off of your neighbors yard,” Indigo slurred and I sighed internally. However I let myself get wrapped up into this, I will never know. “I feel like we have the easiest post ever,” Berry Blast said as she drank a clear liquid. “Ponyville is so chill. All we really have is the occasional drunk pony, an angry fool and the occasional monster. Could be way worse. We could be stationed at Tartarus, guarding prisoners.” “True that!” Lemon Zest agreed as she raised her glass before downing it. “Why did you all join the Guard?” “Decent opportunity to see the world,” Indigo admitted as she swirled the liquid in the mug. “I went to medical school for a year or so. Got bored. Decided to use what I learned in the guard,” Berry Blast answered as she nudged her sister. “Same here. Well minus the medical part. That was always Berry’s gig. We went to the same college but for different things. I went for art.” “Mom and Dad signed me up to help with my anger issues,” Sour Sweet muttered as she folded her forelegs. “I always wanted to join. Make a difference,” Sunbeam admitted as we all looked at the younger mare. “So far it feels nice. It’s like a family almost.” Wallflower nodded her agreement as I drank my water. “Mom said it would be good for me. Get out of my comfort zone. There wasn’t much back home for me anyway,” Wallflower said as she stared at her hooves. “Go,” Sour snapped as she glared at Sunny and Sugarcoat. “I don’t know. Sorta a spur of the moment thing. Then seven long, painful exhausting months later and here we are. Never worked so hard in my life,” Sunny said sheepishly as she levitated a wine glass in front of her. “Pays for my college. Plus the experience is good. And it’ll pay for my kids college if I ever have any,” Sugarcoat answered as everypony looked at me. “We’re waiting sweetie. Don’t keep us for too long!” Sour growled as she slammed a hoof down. “Dad was in the guard before me. His dad was as was his dad and so on. Family business if you will,” I said with a shrug as I examined the bar. “I went to Westhoof for espionage training. I can survive in the Everfree for weeks by myself with little food.” “Wow,” Sunbeam muttered with wide eyes. “Where’s Aria?” “Twilight needed to see her and Spitfire. She will join us after,” Lemon reassured us as she drank a lemony smelling drink. “Now let’s get wasted!” I rolled my eyes as I sighed. This wasn’t as bad as I thought. Author's Note More mottos: Glimmer Shine: Information is only as useful as the being who gathers it. Aria: The best advice is don't listen to advice. Berry Blast: After the fight, my wounded come before their wounded. Blitz: Never do what your enemy expects you to do. Sunny Flare: As long as one innocent being is threatened, none are truly free. Sugarcoat: There's a thin line between being a hero and being a memory. Indigo Zap: Conquer the skies and what's below you will fall. Sour Sweet: Sow panic and surrender will bloom. Lemon Zest: A battle front is only as good as the supply line behind it Sunbeam: Keep shooting, eventually you're bound to hit something. Wallflower: What you see on the outside is just a mask. The hidden face inside a pony reveals the truth.
Nine Glimmer Shine “I’m really sorry about this,” Wallflower said as I watched her and Sunbeam staring at their training pony dummies. “How are you today? Must be kinda sad to be tossed into a closet after ponies are done beating you up.” “Hey!” Bon Bon shouted as I glanced at the cream colored mare with blue and pink curls. “Quit making love to the thing and hit it!” I’ll admit, I had a grudging respect for the Earth Pony mare. She was intriguingly enough well trained in hoof to hoof combat. How, I have no clue but I presumed either former royal guard or took safety courses. “Y-yes Instructor Bon Bon!” Wallflower shouted hastily as she punched the dummy. Bon Bon gave a satisfied nod as she approached me and blew her whistle. “Sunbeam! Focus on the moving target. Shoot it, don’t stare at it!” Bon Bon shouted and glared at the yellow unicorn. Sunbeam nodded hastily as she shot of yellow beams of magic and shattered the wooden targets behind the dummy. “I never would have pegged you as a Guard instructor,” I said as I watched the two newbies training as Spitfire and Aria fought. “Oh I’m just an outside pony. I have a history with this lifestyle so to speak,” Bon Bon chuckled as she drank from a water bottle. “The bits are nice to say the least. Helps when the store is a bit slow. Especially with Hearths Warming coming up.” “Mhm.” “What does Spitfire have planned for Wallflower?” Bon Bon asked curiously as we watched the small mare get smacked by the dummy accidentally and stumble backwards. “She’s small and isn’t necessarily the strongest.” “I agree. She wants her to learn how to spy. Wallflower is scarily good at blending in. And I thought I was an expert at espionage.” “What do you mean?” “The fact that Golden Harvest and Spike are in a secret relationship and he sneaks out of the castle every other night to be with her. Big Mac had been arrested when he was a colt for public intoxication. Berry Punch pressed charges recently against her ex in Manhattan and demanded child support. Berry Blast has a thing for a stallion from Canterlot, Blitz is dating a stallion from Cloudsdale. Thunderlane and Sour Sweet are in a secret relationship,” I answered casually as I kept an eye on the other ponies. “Wow,” Bon Bon said in awe. “Good on Spike. Golden has been lonely for a while. I mean it’s just her and Noi. Written Script had a bit of a health problem before he died. She must have decided she was ready for a relationship. Why Spike though?” “Who knows?” I shrugged. “If I find out, I’ll let you know. She and Spike got busy the other night if you get my meaning.” “No way,” Bon Bon smirked. “So that’s why Silver Speed was watching Noi the other night. Did you hear that Silver Speed was debating on joining the guard? Silver Spoons sister.” “Interesting. I don’t know either of them.” “Silver Speed is a nice mare. She and Shoeshine work together in a business they own. Rumor has it Shoeshine might apply. They do have a bit of a criminal past allegedly.” “Oh interesting.” That could be a bit of decent blackmail material if I was into such activities. I preferred to leave that to Indigo. She had a surprisingly good talent when it came to blackmailing others to things to benefit the Crown or the Guard. “Alright I’m gonna get back to training these two. You can keep watching.” “That was the plan.” “Where you from?” I asked casually as Wallflower and I trotted down the castle corridors. It was the middle of the night and the other Guards were asleep. Wallflower and I were pulling the night shift. “Ivy Ridge. Small town on the other side of Equestria, near the Equestrian Yak border. You?” “Palm City.” “Really?” Wallflower asked with a small smile. “No,” I said as Wallflowers smile faded. “If you want a future in espionage, you’re going to know when to lie. But sometimes, the truth is better than the lie. Sprinkle some truth into your fake background. Where you’re from, who you dated as a filly. The like. I’m actually from Fairview, up near Cloudsdale.” “Is that the truth?” Wallflower asked with a raised eyebrow. I shrugged and glanced back at the mare. “That’s for you to decide. My special talent is reading ponies. Body language, subtle shifts in their tone or facial expressions. I can read their feelings. You’re afraid. But afraid of what?” Wallflower opened her mouth as I held up a hoof to stop her. I pointed with my hoof at the black shadow standing down the hall. “Do you see that?” I asked quietly as Wallflower nodded. I adjusted my helmet and nodded for her to follow me. We quietly snuck down the hall and I gripped my spear. “Freeze! Don’t move or you’ll be taken down.” The mare froze after she spun around. I glared at a pink unicorn as she glared back. “It’s been nice meeting you but I have better things to do. Like reporting back.” I threw my spear aside and swung a hoof at the mare, slamming into her jaw as she staggered back, levitating Wallflower and slamming us together. Wallflower groaned as I pushed myself up. I used my wings to propel me forward as I tackled the mare and we went rolling across the floor. The cloak was ripped aside in the fall and I took in her light white mane and blossom cutie mark. “The castle is off limits at this time of night. State your business,” I said coldly and pressed a hoof against her chest to pin her down. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” The mare spat and glared at me as Wallflower joined my side. “Thanks for the fighting class, but you’re old and slow.” Seriously? I’m only twenty eight. That isn’t old. Her horn glowed as a white light blinded Wallflower and myself. As soon as I could see again, the mare was gone. “Where did she go?” Wallflower asked as she rubbed her eyes. I picked up my spear and leaned it against the wall as I groaned. “I don’t know. Come on, we have to alert the others.” We nodded at each other before galloping down the hall.
Ten Glimmer Shine “So you guys saw nothing?” Spitfire asked as she sat in front of me. “All we saw was a pink unicorn mare. It wasn’t Pinkie Pie because well unicorn,” I answered. We had a slight problem of Pinkie randomly sneaking into the castle at odd times of the night. She’s almost been attacked a few times. “White mane, blue eyes, blossom for a cutie mark. She said something about reporting back.” “Is Wallflower okay?” Spitfire asked as Berry Blast nodded. The unicorn stood up and tossed Wallflower a ice pack. “Yeah she’s gonna be fine. So is Glimmer Shine. They don’t have a concussion or any other physical wounds.” “Thank you Sergeant,” Spitfire sighed as Berry Blast nodded and trotted out the door. “Any idea who she was? Was she a local?” “No clue. Never seen her here or around town before,” I said as Wallflower coughed. We both glanced at her as she raised a hoof shyly. “She had a western accent,” Wallflower said quietly as I wanted to face hoof myself. I had completely forgot about that. “She’s right. She did,” I admitted and gave Wallflower a impressed look. “Nice work there.” “Alright. I’ll send word to the Princesses. We will put out a apb for the mare along with drawings in every train station and town center from here to Canterlot and Appaloosa. She couldn’t have gotten far. It’s been about six hours, so she has a huge lead on us. If she pops up, we will find her,” Spitfire promised as she nodded at us before flying out of the barracks. “What’s an apb?” Wallflower asked curiously. “All points bulletin. It’s the quickest way for the Guard to send information to far away guard stations. Other than magic of course but dragons that can send letters are rare. It’s also called a bolo. Be on the look out. If they see her, guards will pick her up or local lawponies will.” “Has anypony seen Sugarcoat?” Sunbeam asked as she poked her head in. Wallflower and I shook our heads as Blitz and Sour shrugged. “We can’t find her anywhere and the others are getting worried. This isn’t like her. Indigo is out searching the town with Soarin and Silver Speed.” “No we haven’t. Last we heard she was up late last night in the armory doing inventory,” Sour answered as she jumped to her hooves. “I’ll go look for her. She’s probably asleep in the armory or still working.” “Or she was in on it,” I muttered quietly to myself as I placed my helmet on. “Let’s go.” Sour Sweet and I trotted down the hall at a fast pace as some of the townsponies watched curiously as we increased our speed. Running guards always got attention. Usually meant drama was going down. I gritted my teeth as we rounded a corner at the large, unmoving crowd as Berry Blast followed behind us. “Gang way!” I shouted as the crowd created a path and we gave grateful nods. I faintly made out a few ponies I recognized. Lyra, Bon Bon and a few others. Bon Bon gave me a worried look as we finished pushing our way through the remaining ponies who were slow in moving. I increased my speed as I read the signs on the doors as we continued around the corner. We slowed down as we approached the armory in the lower level of the castle as Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare were kneeling next to Sugarcoat. “The armory was raided while she was doing inventory. A pink unicorn mare with a white mane and a blossom cutie mark. Took a small knife. Knocked her out cold after a fight,” Lemon Zest explained with probably the most serious expression I’ve ever seen on the mares face. “We don’t know what she was looking for. The Canterlot Armory was hit too according to some of my friends in Canterlot. Nothing was taken there.” “Step aside,” Berry Blast grumbled as she knelt down next to Sugarcoat. “Get me my cloths Glimmer Shine.” “Got it,” I nosed her saddlebags open and tossed them to her. “Water and soap.” “Wate and soap,” I hoofed them to her. “Is she alive?” Sour Sweet demanded worriedly as she and the others kept the townsponies from looking in. “She’s fine,” Berry Blast said as her horn glowed a light blue along with Sugarcoats body. “What are you doing?” Lemon Zest demanded as a white mare with a light pink mane pushed her way to the front. “Using a spell to check for any internal injuries. It’s one of my special talents. Let that mare through. Pink mane and white coat. She’s Redheart, works at the local hospital.” “You!” Sunny Flare pointed a hoof and shoved the mare into the room. “Help Berry Blast out while we disperse the crowd out of the castle.” “Got it,” Redheart nodded as she sat down next to Berry Blast. “I see you’ve cleaned the injury out. What’s her pulse?” “Forty five. It’s a pretty deep cut. Probably from hitting the table on the way down. She has a skull fracture as well,” Berry Blast answered as she pressed a hoof against Sugarcoats throat. “Everypony out!” Sour Sweet shouted as she and the other’s started pushing the crowd. “Out of the castle! Give them space to work or else I’ll get violent and trust me, you don’t want that!” The crowd grumbled as they were shoved out of sight as Redheart started treating Sugarcoat. I watched and wiped some blood off my hoof. “We have to get her to the hospital. I’ll have Spike go ahead and let them prepare a room and know we have a critical coming in. Let’s move!” Redheart snapped as Berry Blast levitated Sugarcoat onto her back. “They have better equipment than I have in pony and what you have in the castle.” “I’m worried about blood loss. She was here for a while,” Berry Blast said as we started galloping out of the room. “Me too,” Redheart admitted as she grunted as Sugarcoat shifted on her back a little. “We will sort it out at the hospital.” You know what they say. Thank the stars for semi modern medicine.
Eleven Wallflower I sat quietly in the hospital waiting room with Sunbeam sitting next to me as Indigo paced back and forth worriedly. Berry Blast sat in the corner, washing blood off her armor and hooves as her sister talked quietly to her. Aria and Spitfire were talking in a nearby closed room as Aria slammed a hoof on the ground and I flinched. They were probably arguing about what to do next. “You good?” Sunbeam asked in a low tone as I glanced at the yellow mare. “Yeah I’m good. Just worried,” I admitted and traced a hoof on my helmet sitting on the table next to me as we both looked over at Glimmer Shine. The mare was standing with an unreadable expression at the door as Twilight stared at the ceiling. “Yeah me too. Sugarcoat is nice.” Nice was a bit of an interesting word to use but she was helpful I suppose? Definitely didn’t deserve to get assaulted. The doors pushed open and a brown stallion trotted out as Indigo quit her pacing and stared at him. “Well how is she?” Sour Sweet demanded as she glared at him. She and Sugarcoat partnered up often surprisingly. The two couldn’t be considered anything like each other. “She’s fine. She’s asleep right now. She’s gonna be asleep for a few hours. Super strong pain medication, she’s going to be feeling it and being a bit loopy for a while. Other than that, she’s okay.” “I’ll go see her,” Twilight pushed herself of the couch. “Aria and Spitfire wants to see you all. The hospital is letting us borrow the conference room.” “Right this way Princess,” the stallion bowed his head slightly as Twilight rolled her eyes before following him through a set of double doors. I sighed, standing up and followed Sunbeam and the others quietly into the room as Spitfire closed the door. The blinds were pulled closed as Sunnys horn glowed. I quickly put my helmet on and nodded at Aria. “Sound proofing spell. So nopony can hear us,” Sunny explained as Aria nodded. “How is Sugarcoat?” Spitfire asked as she stood next to me. “She’s fine. Asleep at the moment. Twilight is visiting her then will visit her family in Canterlot,” Lemon Zest commented as she shifted her weight a bit. “Good. The sketches are back,” Spitfire said and Aria placed a drawing perfectly showing the mare Glimmer Shine and I had seen last night. “We don’t have a name yet but this is what she looks like.” “I want her,” Aria snarled and slammed her hoof down on the table with each word, harder than the last. “Alive preferably. We need to make her talk. She knows something about the whole assassination thing and I want to know who she talked to and what they told her.” “We’re having three of you at the train station at all times. A few marshals from Canterlot a private from Crystal Empire are coming to provide backup. Wallflower, Berry Blast and Indigo are to be at the train station tonight. Glimmer Shine and Sunny Flare are going to watching over Cherry Berry’s balloon stand so nopony trys to skip town that way,” Spitfire announced as I nodded. “Nopony leaves this town without us knowing.” “I’m leaving Spitfire in charge. Princess Luna has requested I visit her. I’ll be gone for an unknown amount of time. Nopony interrogates the mare if you find her till I get back,” Aria said as we all saluted. I yawned as Indigo drank a cup of coffee and looked around. It was past the middle of the night and I was exhausted. “You aren’t used to night watches yet are you?” Indigo asked as Berry Blast trotted up to us to reclaim her spot to my right. “No ma’am,” I answered and straightened up a bit as the other two laughed. “What’s funny?” “Nopony calls us ma’am!” Berry Blast laughed and nudged me. “Don’t gotta worry about it. Berry Blast is fine.” “Same here. Indigo is fine by me.” Their laughter slowly ended as I blushed a bit and they smirked. “So what can you do?” Indigo asked curiously as the mare eyed me up and down. “You’re on the small side.” “Petite is the term,” Berry Blast corrected. “She’s petite, but surprisingly fast.” “Oh uhm this,” I said and slammed my left hoof into the wood, disappearing from view as they nodded. “Wow,” Berry Blast mused as I slammed my hoof down again and reappeared. “Are you related to a unicorn by any chance?” “No. I’ve always been able to turn invisible. Nopony knows how or why,” I admitted sheepishly as I looked down. “Everypony always bullied me for it other my mom and dad. Don’t have any sisters or anything like that either.” “Well you won’t get bullied here,” Indigo said firmly as her right wing lifted my head up. “That’s awesome!” “For real,” Berry Blast added with a small smile. “And keep your head up, we get yelled at by Spitfire if we don’t.” “Okay,” I nodded as I straightened up again. “Why do you think Princess Luna requested Aria come to Canterlot?” “I don’t know,” Indigo admitted as she rested her spear against the wall and yawned herself. “We didn’t get a chance to ask her. She got on the next train immediately to Canterlot and was gone before the afternoon.” “Interesting. I wonder what is going on.” “Other than a unknown group threatening Twilight and us getting attacked, I don’t want to imagine. First Aria, then Sugarcoat. We probably are going to have to kill a pony in self defense soon,” Indigo grunted as I shivered. I didn’t really like the idea of killing. “I hope not,” Berry Blast muttered. “I’m a medic. I save lives, I don’t take them.” “Enough depressing stuff. Let’s talk gossip. I caught Spike slipping out of the castle last night,” Indigo smirked as I blushed. The little dragon was my favorite creature I met. He was really friendly. “All the way to Golden Harvests house for a movie night. Full of loud sex.” “Really?” Berry Blast asked with a grin. “No not really. They just held hooves and claw and made out a bit. Other than that, nothing happened.” “Darn.” We both chuckled as Berry Blast groaned.
Twelve Aria I groaned and stretched as I climbed off the train at the Canterlot train station. Instantly, two guards were at my side and I immediately tensed up before relaxing. Forgot I was one of them technically. Years after seeing police on earth coming up to me and running away makes me wary of ponies in a uniform, especially if I don’t know them. “Lieutenant Aria?” One asked and I sighed. “Yeah that’s me.” “Follow us,” The other grumbled and I rolled my eyes. I trotted slowly down the street and ignored the curious looks we were receiving. I had opted to leave my armor at home as Luna had requested. Why, I had no idea but I was going to find out one way or another I suppose. I glanced at the top tower and briefly made out Princess Celestia lowering the sun and Princess Luna at her side raising the moon. “Wait here,” the tall one ordered as we walked into the throne room and I bit back a rude comment. “Princess Luna will be with you shortly.” “Aye aye sir,” I said sarcastically and tossed a lazy salute as he narrowed his eyes and disappeared with his shadow out of the room. “Asshole.” I trotted down the throne room as I admired some of the window decorations. Twilight and the others getting the elements, Starlight, Trixie and Discord, Sunset defeating us. I paused and looked back at it again. “This is new,” I muttered as I traced a hoof along the glass. “This wasn’t here the last time.” “Beautiful isn’t it?” Luna asked from behind me as I jumped. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. We always loved looking at the stained glass windows back before we became Nightmare Moon.” “It’s nice. I didn’t know there was a glass of Sunset and the others here though,” I answered as I stared at Luna levitating some weird looking plants into some plant holders on the walls. “Come then. Look at this one.” I shrugged and followed Luna further down near the thrones and she pointed a hoof at a stained glass of Sunset looking angry at Chrysalis with Octavia next to her and I raised an eyebrow. “Wow. Does Sunset know about this?” “We do not know. But Princess Cadence and Twilight instantly suggested it when they learned of Sunset’s actions. Especially since Sunset is related to Princess Cadence.” “I’m sorry what?” I choked on air as my eyes widened. “Thou didn’t know?” Luna asked with a raised eyebrow and I shook my head. “Princess Cadence had Sunset tested to see if she was related to any of us based on her high magic levels. Hearths Warming was Princess Cadences distant cousin.” “Well uh that’s shocking. Does Sunset know? Wait, does Twilight know?” I asked curiously as Luna shrugged. “We have no idea. Princess Twilight might have a freakout, no matter how much we love Princess Twilight. We don’t know if Sunset is aware. Most likely not.” “Got that right,” I chuckled as we continued our trot down the corridor. “So what is Sunset’s title then?” “Princess Cadence is giving her the title of Countess. We all agreed on it unanimously. After all, she fought Queen Chrysalis by her self with the exception of that grey mare. Do you think she does not deserve it?” Princess Luna asked curiously as we turned down a different hallway. “She definitely deserves it,” I said instantly as some doors opened and we stepped inside a room with a bed. “So what exactly did you need me for Princess Luna?” “You know my sister got her life threatened once?” Luna asked as she sat down on the bed. “It was a thousand years ago. We were debating with freeing Discord and some ponies caught wind. We wanted to reform him and well they didn’t like that. Want to know what my sister did?” “What?” I asked and leaned forward as I sat down myself. “Nothing. We had our disagreements on it but that was that. Me personally I handled it differently. I prefer to get my hooves dirty and do something about a problem. She only found out because I sent ponies undercover,” Luna said and slid a folder my way. “Take this. Head back to Ponyville. Discord will be helping out here and there. Tell nopony and definitely not my sister.” I stood up and saluted her as she nodded. “It will be done Princess.” I yawned as I climbed off the train at the Ponyville station and checked my saddlebags to make sure the metal briefcase with the folder was in it. “Hey Lieutenant. Welcome back,” Blitz saluted me as I jumped slightly. I hadn’t seen her there. “Hey Blitz,” I said and tossed her back a salute as she glanced at Lemon Zest and Indigo. “I’m going to escort her back. You guys got this?” Indigo and Lemon Zest nodded as she joined me in walking. “So what did the princess need?” “Wanted an update about Sugarcoats status,” I said as the castle came into view. That technically wasn’t a lie. Sugarcoat did come up in the conversation multiple times. “And wanted an update about Twilight and how she was handling it.” “So far she seems to be handling it pretty good. Shoeshine and Silverspeed also dropped off their job applications. They’re on your desk waiting for you.” Fun. I love reading applications. It’s actually very boring and I actually have to be nice. I wish Sunset was here. She had a better handle on people skills than I did. Or well pony skills. I’d even take Lyra over me. At least Lyra is friendly. “I have to get back to my post. Goodnight Lieutenant. Nice to have you back,” Blitz said and saluted. I saluted back before pushing the doors open and galloping to my office. I locked the door and pulled the blinds closed as I set the briefcase on the table. I pressed my hoof against it and it clicked open. I pulled the folder out with my mouth and tossed it on the desk. “Top secret,” I mused as I read the red words on the front. I shrugged and opened the folder, starting to read. My eyes widened as I read further. Things were about to get very interesting indeed.
Fourteen Aria I trotted down the hall of the castle into the barracks and sighed. “No luck?” Lemon Zest asked curiously as she sat on her top bunk with Indigo as the two played cards. I silently shook my head I tossed my helmet and Berry Blast caught it in a purple aura. “You’ll find her eventually,” Sugarcoat shrugged as we all looked at her. She was resting on her bed with her hooves behind her head. She had been released from the hospital a few days after I came back. “Why do you care so much anyway?” Blitz asked curiously as she laid down a card. “No reason,” I shrugged and sat down on my bunk. At first, it was to arrest her but now I want to find her for an entirely different reason. One that only Luna, Discord and I know about. “Uh huh,” Sunny Flare said with a neutral expression. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you dearie. What’s really going on?” “I can’t tell you,” I admitted and pulled my blanket up over me. “Orders.” Everyone looked at each other as I stayed quiet. Glimmer Shine cleared her throat and I looked at her. “Like the secret kind?” She asked curiously as I nodded slowly. “How secret are we talking here?” Sour Sweet asked with a raised eyebrow. “Like I will spend the rest of my life in jail for telling you secret.” An tense silence fell over the other Guards as they all processed my words with stunned and worried expressions. “We forget this conversation ever happened,” Glimmer Shine said instantly. “Nopony says a word to anypony, got it?” Everypony nodded as Spitfire trotted in with a grey pegasus with a light grey mane and a light blue bow and arrow cutie mark. A light blue earth pony with a periwinkle mane and a cutie mark of two interlocked horseshoes, one gold and the other silver was by her side with a pillow and blanket rolled up on their backs. “Hey captain,” Indigo tossed a lazy salute her way as Indigo continued doing wing ups. “Hello. Meet Silverspeed and Shoeshine. I’ll leave them in your care Aria. Good night,” Spitfire spun around and trotted out before sticking her head back in. “Oh the Wonderbolts and myself are heading back to Cloudsdale. We were temporarily here to help get you all shaped up. This is goodbye for now. As my sister would say, may we meet again.” “May we meet again,” I bowed my head slightly as Spitfire nodded and disappeared from view and we listened to her fading hoofsteps. We all shifted our gaze to the two new arrivals. Shoeshine maintained eye contact while Silverspeed trotted to one of the empty bunks and flapped her wings to the top bunk. I had wondered why we had two new bunks. “So,” I said casually and swung my hooves onto the floor as I sat up in a position that Lyra prefers. “You are the two that Spitfire hired.” “Yeah,” Shoeshine said as she finally moved to her bunk and bucked her pillow and blanket on it. “So you’re the one calling the shots of this little gang.” “I wouldn’t call it a gang,” Glimmer Shine said coldly as she glared at her. “Show some respect.” “Easy girl,” Shoeshine chuckled and held up her hooves. “I’m just joking, don’t worry. Somepony woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Glimmer Shine made a scoffing sound and rolled over in her bed. I glanced to the door and flicked my ear as the sound of trotting hooves got closer. Starlight entered the room and looked around before her eyes fell on me and Shoeshine. “You,” Starlight glared at Shoeshine as we all watched curiously. Shoeshine eyes widened a bit as she cowered on the ground. “P-please don’t hurt me!” Shoeshine begged with a look of fear on her face. “Not again at least.” “Again?” I echoed and raised an eyebrow. Starlight narrowed her eyes as she pulled Shoeshine with her magic. “I won’t if you come apologize to Trixie for your behavior. You disappeared before I could make you like I did the others. Now come with me. Oh and they found that pony you wanted Aria. She’s in an abandoned house on the edge of town. You can go get her tomorrow morning.” I gave a grin as I nodded, watching Shoeshine get dragged along out into the hall. I pushed the crowd of ponies that had gathered to watch us arrest the unicorn. Apparently it had became public knowledge and half the town was here. I adjusted my helmet as I approached the fence with the rest of my team behind me. “So how do we wanna do this?” Indigo asked as she leaned against her spear lazily. “Indigo, take Silverspeed, Blitz and Glimmer Shine to the top of the house in case she tries to flee from that way. Sour Sweet, take Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest and Wallflower around back if she tries to leave that way. Shoeshine, Sugarcoat, Sunbeam you two are with me,” I directed as they all nodded and went to the assigned spots. “Alright Shoeshine, I want you to buck the door down.” “Yes ma’am,” Shoeshine said quietly as she spun around and stretched her back legs. “When the door is down, we go in,” I whispered as the other three nodded. Sugarcoat shifted her saddlebags that contained a magical inhibitor and hoof cuffs with a smug grin. “Do it.” Shoeshine bucked the door and it shattered as I entered the rundown house. I pointed a hoof upstairs as I trotted up them into a bedroom as the sounds of the other four tearing the downstairs apart echoed. I paused and flicked an ear as a door was burst down and a pink unicorn pushed me onto my back. We glared at each other as she pressed a hoof against my throat. “Sunbeam! Sugarcoat!” I shouted as the two galloped up the stairs and a yellow laser knocked the unicorn off me. She backed away and ran down the stairs. “After her!” We ran down the stairs as Wallflower surprisingly chased after her into the outdoors as Indigo and Glimmer Shine tackled her. “Don’t move!” Indigo growled as she slammed the mares head into the dirt. The others came from the back and held her hooves down as Sugarcoat levitated the magic inhibitor and shoved it onto her horn. Shoeshine pressed her hoof against the mares back as she struggled. “Get the hoof cuffs,” I grumbled as I held one of her legs out as the crowd gasped. I completely forgot they were here. Blitz and Sour shoved her hooves into the shackles and yanked her up. “Walk,” Sour Sweet muttered as she gave her a shove. “Me and you are going to have a fun conversation,” I smirked as I started walking her to the castle. She gulped nervously as I smirked wider. I love my job. Author's Note https://mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Shoeshine https://mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Silverspeed Two of more of my favorite background ponies making an appearance. And if you haven't noticed, I try to give background characters more of a prominent role than main characters.
Fifteen Aria I opened the door with a hoof and trotted in, sitting down on the chair across from the pink unicorn. Glimmer Shine shut the door behind me and I could faintly make out her turning around and standing guard on one side of the door as Blitz took her spot on the right side. “So you said your name was Lilac Blossom, correct?” I asked and dropped a folder on the table. “Yeah. What does it matter to you?” Lilac Blossom spat as I growled quietly. “You know, Sour Sweet is Sugarcoats partner. Not romantic, mind you but her partner regardless. And you made her very mad when you attacked Sugarcoat in the armory. I’d be more than happy to leave her in here with you for an hour while me and the other Guards take a lunch break. I’m hungry, what about you Indigo?” “Oh I’m pretty hungry,” Indigo commented as she pushed herself off the wall she had been sitting against. “I could go for lunch.” “Yeah me too,” I said and stood up. I opened the door. “Hey Glimmer Shine and Blitz, the four of us are going for lunch. Can you get Sour Sweet to spend some time with the prisoner?” “You got it,” Blitz saluted and raised a hoof to walk away. “Wait!” Lilac Blossom called out and the four of us glanced at her. “I’ll talk. Just don’t leave me here with that psychopath of a Guard you got.” Blitz and I smirked at each other as the door closed and I turned to sit back down. “Alright speak. I want to know everything. Who you talked to, what they told you and what did you tell them. Why were you in the armory? Ours and the Canterlot Armory got hit at the same time. Why?” “They’re looking for something,” Lilac Blossom admitted as she looked at me. “Looking for what?” I demanded and pressed my hooves on the table. Lilac Blossom licked her lips and I glared at her. “Speak damnit!” “You know how it’s hard to kill an alicorn right?” Lilac Blossom asked as she leaned forward. I always thought it was impossible but I waved a hoof for her to continue. “You have to really injure to even remotely come close to killing them. There’s allegedly a weapon that can make the process easier. The only three who can’t die are Celestia, Luna and Flurry Heart.” “What about Cadence and Twilight?” Indigo asked as she sat down at the chair next to me. “They’re alicorns too.” “I don’t know about them,” Lilac Blossom admitted. “Information of their ascension isn’t wrote down anywhere like Luna or Celestia’s is. It would make sense they are immortal too though.” “And why do you think it’s going to be in one of the royal armories?” I pressed as she shrugged. “Keeping it in plain sight would be smart. Ponies wouldn’t even know what they were looking for unless they knew what to look for.” She had a point there unfortunately. “Who else is part of your little terrorist organization? And do they plan on hitting the Crystal Empires armory next?” I demanded. “I don’t think so. And there’s a lot of us. Mainly nobles who are afraid of their status being taken away.” “Taken away?” Indigo asked in confusion. “Why would it be taken away?” “Seriously?” Lilac Blossom laughed and leaned back. “The changelings have their kind in our courts due to our lovely Princess Twilight allowing them in. If a large majority vote on massive changes to remove the nobles status just because they want to keep Equestria for Equestrians, then doesn’t that make Equestria a prime target for a changeling take over? They’ve already tried twice before. A strike from within our own government that we don’t even see coming would tear down everything Princess Luna and Princess Celestia worked to create.” “Like revenge of the sith,” I muttered to myself. “I need names.” “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” “Chancellor Neighsay?” Indigo asked and leaned forward as I gave her a confused look. “Real bitch, trust me.” “No surprisingly,” Lilac Blossom shook her head. “He may be racist sure but apparently treason and killing a princess was crossing the line.” “Uh huh,” Indigo said as she crossed her forelegs. “Anything else you want to tell us?” “I got nothing to say to you,” Lilac Blossom scoffed as I dropped a needle on the table. “Truth serum,” I explained at her confused look. “Legal to use apparently. It wasn’t when I first lived here. If we inject you with this, you’ll be forced to tell the truth about everything you’ve ever done, from stealing candy from a baby to attacking Sugarcoat. Trust me, you want to give up information before we hold you down and force you.” Luna had delivered it to me after all the guards were asleep. Thank God for Luna. She gulped nervously as I smirked. “Fine.” “Where do they meet?” I asked. “Canterlot, Ponyville? You could have skipped town but you decided to hide in an abandoned building on the outskirts. Why?” She wet her lips and I gave the needle a nudge as she stared at me. “They meet at an farm on the outskirts of Canterlot, ten miles out. It’s made up of a few nobles but mostly it’s farmers and country folk. You can’t miss it.” “Give me a name.” “Duke Bristle.” Indigo and I fell silent as we stared at her. “Seriously? The Duke?” Indigo asked with a raised eyebrow. “What would he have to gain from Twilight’s death?” “Money, land. He has a gambling problem. He’s losing more money and influence each day. His wife and daughter are unhappy with the turn of events and he’s getting desperate. He was promised his debts be cleared if he came up with a plan to kill a princess.” “And who reached out to him?” I asked and leaned forward. “I’m done talking until I get some reassurances,” Lilac Blossom scoffed and glared at me. “No death penalty, no Tartarus. No maximum sentence of life.” “You’re not really in a position to be negotiating right now,” Indigo pointed out. “I’ll see what I can do. But you talking is making your case easier. And what you want to be right now is useful.” I pushed myself up off the chair and exited the room with Indigo behind me before I tugged on the door to ensure it was locked. I had to report back to Luna.
Sixteen Aria I sat in full armor alongside Silverspeed, Shoeshine and Sunbeam as we sat in a private train car with the prisoner. We were transporting her to Canterlot for Celestia’s guards take over her custody. We had left the rest of the guards to stay with Twilight. “So why am I bring brought to Canterlot?” Lilac Blossom asked curiously as I gave her a shove. “Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to,” I snapped as Shoeshine and Sunbeam stood next to her. “Or else we will gag you.” “We’re bringing you to Canterlot because they’re taking custody. We can’t take you to the Crystal Empire because Shining Armor is there. Having a mare related to threats against his sister wouldn’t be safe for you,” Sunbeam answered as I nodded. The train slowed to a stop as Sunbeam and Shoeshine forced her up. I opened the door and stepped out with Silverspeed into the main cars. “Everypony stay seated till we get the prisoner off the train,” I ordered and the sitting ponies nodded as Lilac Blossom was dragged out by Shoeshine and Sunbeam. The train started booing and insulting her as we started walking. A blue stallion worked his jaw and spit at her as I glared at him. “Sunbeam, arrest him,” I pointed a hoof as Sunbeam levitated a pair of hoofcuffs and forced him up as I took her place at Lilac Blossoms flank. “What the hay?” The stallion shouted as Sunbeam locked the cuffs on his hoofs and levitated him to his hooves. “Walk,” she pushed him with her magic as we walked out the train doors. “You can’t spit on anypony, no matter the reason.” “Woah,” Silverspeed muttered at the long line of Celestia’s guards waiting for us. “Thank Celestia we quit robbing places, eh Shoeshine?” “Got that right,” Shoeshine agreed with equally wide eyes. “We’re here for the inmate,” a guard said and I pushed Lilac Blossom into his hooves. “We got another one coming. Spit on the inmate. Some landed on Shoeshine,” I said as Sunbeam pushed him out. The guard nodded and gestured for two other guards to take him. “Thank you,” he said and we watched them all escort the two away. “So what now?” Silverspeed asked as I glanced at the gray pegasus. “We’re supposed to stay here for the next few nights.” “We are being put up in a hotel near the castle,” Sunbeam answered as she examined a piece of paper she held in her magic. “I’m exhausted and could use a warm shower.” We all chuckled as we trotted in the direction of the hotel. I flopped back on the bed, marveling at how comfortable it is. Thank God for the Princesses putting us up in the most expensive hotel. Apparently this hotel gives free rooms to all royal guards. “So you guys used to be thieves?” I asked curiously as Silverspeed and Shoeshine relaxed in their own beds. Sunbeam was in the shower still based on her singing. We had all long since stripped out of our armor, sitting neatly in piles next to our respective beds. “Maybe,” Silverspeed said cautiously as she eyed me with her violet eyes. “Shoeshine went by Spotless, I went by Archer.” “You aren’t going to arrest us are you?” Shoeshine teased as she gave a smug grin. “The last place we robbed was the Barnyard Bargains. I was working there originally but got bored. Especially after a very tantalizing delivery of bits got dropped off.” I shook my head with an equally smug smirk. “I’m not turning you two in don’t worry. I can keep secrets well. Don’t tell anyone else though,” I said as I rolled in the bed. “The last robbery went poorly. The map was awful. Where did you ever get the map?” Silverspeed demanded as she glanced at Shoeshine. “I may have sort of borrowed them from a guy who knows a guy and I may or may not have slept with a guy that knew those guys through a-” Shoeshine admitted and rolled her eyes. “I think you get the point.” “So what exactly is your special talents?” I asked curiously. “Being quick like an arrow, and nimble like an archer,” Silverspeed answered with a smug grin. She pointed at her flank with a hoof. “Hence the cutie mark. I’m also good with a bow.” “I can look at different metals and decide which ones are worth more. Plus making horseshoes,” Shoeshine said and pointed at her own flank. Sunbeam trotted into the room with her mane flattened against her head with a towel flung around her neck. “There you are rockstar,” I smirked as she blushed. “Thought you’d never get out.” “Sorry,” Sunbeam muttered as she dried her mane and brushed it down to it’s normal style. “Room service!” A voice at the door called. We all looked at each as Sunbeam opened the door. A hotel worker stood at the door with a plate held in her magic. “Delivery.” “Oh thanks,” Sunbeam smirked and levitated some bits her way. “Have a good night!” “You too.” Sunbeam shut the door and set the tray down. “Ooh whiskey!” Shoeshine cheered as she pumped a hoof. “Hell yeah!” “Oh Celestia help me,” Silverspeed muttered with a grin. “Is there maregeritas?” “Can we even get drunk?” Sunbeam asked worriedly as she examined a bottle of vodka she held in her magic. The three mares looked at me. “She has a point. I kinda need this job,” Shoeshine admitted nervously as Silverspeed nodded her agreement. “We’re off duty so yeah we can. As long as we don’t go out in public,” I reassured the three. “The other guards and I get drunk at Berry Punchs bar often when off duty. Well, Wallflower and Sunbeam didn’t know that. Glimmer Shine doesn’t go usually. If she does, it’s to keep us in line.” “Hell yeah!” Shoeshine cheered again as Sunbeam levitated a bottle of whiskey her way. “Thank you Sunbeam.” Shoeshine poured out for shot glasses as I trotted over with Silverspeed and Sunbeam. We all nodded at each other and took the shot at the same time. I have a feeling tonight is about to be great.
Seventeen Shoeshine I yawned as I blinked, wincing as I felt the world’s worst migraine ever hit me. I love getting drunk, don’t like the hangover. I opened my eyes a bit more and almost fell out of the bed. Silverspeed laid snoring next to me with one hoof off the bed, the other between my haunches as I stared at her. I flicked my eyes to Aria and my eyes widened even more at her and Sunbeam sleeping next to each other. Silverspeed shifted a bit and wrapped a hoof around me as I yawned again. Her eyes slowly opened as I smirked at her. “Hello.” She screamed and rolled off the bed as Aria and Sunbeam jumped a bit before noticing each other and giving us all confused looks. “I am so confused,” Aria grumbled as Silverspeed flapped her wings to get in her own bed. “My head hurts.” “Mine too,” I admitted as I stretched and cracked my neck. “Anypony remember what happened last night?” Sunbeam moaned as she flopped back on the bed. “Well based on the smell and how my coat is feels, I have a few guesses,” Aria answered as she rolled out of the bed and trotted to the shower. “We will never speak of this again. To anybody.” “I’m straight,” Silverspeed grumbled as she turned bright red. “And I just slept with my best friend.” “I’m straight too remember!” I shot back as the sound of the shower turning on made us look over at it. “And so is Aria and Sunbeam. Besides who cares? I barely remember it.” “I don’t know if that’s better or worse!” Aria called out from the bathroom. “But uh I remember some parts. Mainly us getting really, really drunk and yeah.” “Great,” Sunbeam grumbled as she opened a small box she brought with and levitated two bottles of a green liquid to me and Silverspeed. “Drink.” “You seriously expect us to drink a random liquid after last night?” I asked in disbelief and pushed it away with a hoof. “No thanks.” “Wallflower made it. It’s a potion that helps ponies get over hangovers faster. It works like a charm according to Indigo and Lemon Zest.” Silverspeed and I looked at each before shrugging. We drank from the bottle and I gagged at the Celestia awful flavor. It was like kale and a bunch of other vegetables. At least it had carrots in it. I loved carrots. “What the buck was that?” I grumbled in disgust as I tossed the bottle into a trash can. “Disgusting,” Silverspeed mumbled and wiped her mouth with a hoof. “My hoof smells.” “Probably because it was between my legs when I woke up.” I loved teasing Silverspeed. When we weren’t arguing of course. At least she was better than her sister Silver Spoon. I swear, her parents were obsessed with the word silver it’s ridiculous. “I’m going to kill you one day,” Silverspeed growled as she rolled her eyes. “Did you even do anything to me last night?” I opened my mouth to speak as she flew over and pressed my mouth closed with her hoof. “Don’t answer that, I can tell you did. Aria! Hurry up!” “Coming!” Aria called out as I snickered. “We all were coming last night!” I called back and laughed harder. A barrage of pillows were launched my way as the other two glared at me. “What now?” Sunbeam asked as the three of us trotted down a street in Canterlot. Aria was apparently meeting with a princess for something. Whatever it was, we weren’t allowed to go with. You know those are the good meetings when you aren’t allowed to go with. Wish I could sneak into the castle. I always was a sneaky pony but not when there’s a bunch of trained guards on the property. “I don’t know,” Silverspeed shrugged as she looked around. I glanced up at the pegasus flapping her wings a few inches above us. We had been able to go without that annoying armor thankfully. Our room was being cleaned so that was a plus. “We could go gamble,” I suggested as the two frowned and shook their heads. “Was worth a shot.” “This is Canterlot, not Las Pegasus. And besides, those places don’t open till after the sun has set,” Sunbeam pointed out as I examined the yellow unicorn mare. “Just because we all slept together last night doesn’t mean you can check me out.” I rolled my eyes and flicked my tail across her face before glancing back smugly at the blushing mare. “I hate you,” she muttered as I examined her lemon cutie mark. “What’s your talent?” I asked and pointed at her flank. “Anything related to lemons.” “Nice. Wanna go see a movie or something? I’m bored and we’re off shift right,” I suggested as Silverspeed gave me a wary look. “Are you sure you just want a movie and you aren’t trying to get under our tails?” She asked suspiciously. I gave her a condescending smile and patted her on the head. “Dear Silverspeed, I already did last night remember?” I asked with a chuckle as she rolled her eyes. “I thought we all agreed to never speak of that again,” Sunbeam pointed out as we trotted in what hopefully was a theater. “We agreed to not tell other ponies about it,” I corrected her. “We never agreed to not tell each other about it.” “What does that matter? I was there!” Silverspeed scoffed as she swatted my back with a wing as she dropped to her hooves to walk alongside us. I gave a shrug as I winked at her. “How old you Sunbeam?” I asked curiously as we both looked at her. “Twenty two. Most of us are in our twenties. You?” “Me and Silverspeed are both twenty six. We grew up together. We’re practically siblings with how much we do everything together. Except when she has to pull tornado duty or other weather stuff,” I commented as I grinned wickedly. “Guess that for bumped up to friends with benefits.” “You are such a slut, you know that?” Silverspeed grumbled as I laughed. “Only for you my dear Silverspeed!” I teased. I laughed as I galloped ahead with her chasing after me with bright red cheeks. Sunbeam rolled her eyes and smiled before chasing after us.
Eighteen Aria I stood in front of Princess Luna, glancing curiously at Discord floating in the air. I never met him before, he was already locked away in stone by the time my sisters and I tried to take over Equestria. I’d heard the rumors about him of course. Everyone has. “So she told you everything?” Princess Luna asked curiously as she sat on her throne. Princess Celestia had already gone to bed after greeting us. The room was soundproofed so no one could hear in. “Yes ma’am.” “And you believe her?” Princess Luna questioned as I nodded. “Yes I do,” I answered and stretched a bit. Last night had gotten a bit out of hand or well hoof in this case. “Sunbeam and I scouted it out a bit. The farm is there and everything.” “Excellent. Come in!” Luna called out and I stepped back at the changeling trotting in. He didn’t look like the others and I raised an eyebrow. “Meet Thrash. He’s well a mercenary.” “Oh what a treat!” Discord grinned and clapped a hoof and claw together. “I get to do questionable things and not get in trouble!” “Don’t take advantage of it,” Luna glared at him and he rolled his eyes. “Thrash here will be taking over Lilac Blossoms place. And I will be giving you a different form in case they have seen you around, Aria.” “Okay,” I said as I raised a hoof. “But one question. Why doesn’t he look like the other changelings?” He flashed green and a bright colored changeling stood where the black one once was. “I do look like the others. But bright colors doesn’t really give off scary and intimidating vibes for a hired killer,” Thrash smirked as he turned back to his original self. “Hired killer?” I asked and my eyes flicked over to Luna who nodded. “So we’re working with him now?” “If you don’t like it, you can walk off a cliff and I won’t lose any sleep,” Thrash grumbled and I glanced at him. He had multiple red marks on his forelegs. “Those are marks for every creature I’ve killed. I’d kill my own mother if the bits were good enough.” I rolled my eyes in disgust. I may have been a evil person or pony in the past but I never killed anyone. And definitely not my own mother. That was Sonata. On accident of course. She didn’t mean to shove her into a pit of spikes. “I don’t approve. How do we know he will be on our side?” I groaned as Luna smirked. “I’m loyal to bits. Just because I have no real allegiance to any country doesn’t mean shit,” Thrash said with a smirk and folded his forelegs. “And Luna here has offered me a very appealing pile of bits after this whole affair is over. Aiming to have seven or so tattoos on my legs after this over.” “Fascinating,” Discord mused as he popped out of the changelings horn. “I didn’t know Celestia allowed criminals to be worked with.” “He’s not a criminal. He’s a mercenary. We often work with them when the guards can’t handle something.” “Fine what’s the plan?” I sighed as the two smirked. “Unicorn, pegasus or earth pony?” Luna asked as she stood in front of Mr. “Uh pegasus I guess?” I shrugged in response. I don’t really care either way. She blasted me her magic and I glowed blue before setting back on the ground. I opened my eyes and stared curiously at a sparkly purple hoof that was a shade lighter than my normal coat. Luna gave a smug grin as I looked back and was greeted by a pair of opening wings. “Do they actually work?” I asked in awe as I closed them. My cutie mark was different and so was my eye color plus mane color and style based on the mirror I was looking at. “Yes. I will teach you how to fly,” Luna reassured me as I felt oddly excited. I’ve always wanted to fly. “What about me?” Discord complained as he paced back and forth. “You do make a good point. You’re a bit recognizable,” Luna said as she nodded. Discord snapped his fingers and brown unicorn with yellow eyes and a white mane stood next to me. “Huzzah!” “Can we get a move on now? I’m ready to get this done and get paid,” Thrash complained as he flashed green and royal guard stallion stood in his place. “Fine.” “You will go back to Ponyville. Wait until we send the word and you three will go into the farm area as some ponies with a grudge against the crown. And don’t kill anypony unless it’s self defense. After you leave Ponyville, Discord is going to be leaving a clone of you behind so none of the guards or Twilight don’t get suspicious,” Luna explained as I nodded. “What about the changeling? How do we know the others won’t offer him more bits and he won’t betray us?” I pointed out as he bared his fangs. “This is my job. Once I get hired, I don’t get change my mind. It’s how I keep a good reputation. You don’t have to worry about me betraying you. But once we get there, you listen to me. I’m the expert. Am I clear?” “Fuck that,” I snarled and slammed a hoof on the ground. “I only answer the princesses, Sunset and my sisters. Not you.” “I’ve been waiting for them to kill each other so I can take charge with no problem at all. Me answering to me,” Discord said enthusiastically and pumped a hoof as we all glared at him. “Transformers reference.” “How the fuck do you know what transformers are?” I demanded in surprise. “That’s a human thing!” Discord gave a wide grin and I shivered a bit. I had a weird feeling about him. He was a weird looking thing normally but I think I’d prefer that over a pony. “No reason.” “Enough arguing. Aria come with me. We will teach you to fly,” Luna stated firmly and I shrugged. Together, we walked outside the throne room as the sounds of Thrash and Discord conversating followed us.
Thirteen Adagio I sat at the small cafe table as Aria and Sonata were examining the menu as I sipped a tea. “I’m proud of you both,” I said finally as the two looked at me. “Sonata for opening a business, you for joining the royal guard. You’ve both impressed me so much. I couldn’t be a prouder big sis than I am right now.” “Thanks Dagi!” Sonata chirped as she smiled. “Can you believe Twilight had found a way for us to keep living without those pendants? She’s a godsend!” “Got that right,” I chuckled as Aria smirked devilishly. My cheeks turned slightly pink as Sonata grinned as well. “Don’t you two dare say a damn thing or I will lay down the older sister law in front of everyone.” “I never thought I’d see the day Adagio settles down,” Aria smirked as she toyed with a spoon. “But I’m happy for you. You did help us out a lot. Just know I’m sorry in advance.” “For what?” I asked curiously as I ate some of my green beans. “Nothing. It’s nothing to worry about.” I narrowed my eyes as Aria looked down and I raised an eyebrow. I shrugged and continued eating. Aria was a big girl. Or well, big mare in this case. If she was in trouble, she could sort it out on her own and if she couldn’t, she knew she could come to me for help. I slapped a few bits on the table as Aria and Sonata added their own, leaving extra for a tip as the waiter gratefully accepted them as we left. Aria waved as she started her trot to the castle. Today was her day off and she had been busy with work. “She’s acting different,” Sonata said casually as we trotted down the street to her house. “I can’t put a finger on it.” I gave a chuckle as we past a flower stand where three mares with flower cutie marks and mare with a lily in her mane were cleaning the stand. Even after about a month and a half here, we still used human expressions to the confusion of the town except for the crowd who knew the truth about us. “Same here. I’m sure it’s nothing. You know how Aria is. She never talks about her problems.” “True,” Sonata answered as we approached a small two story light blue house surrounded by a white fence with a flower bush growing out front and a small garden growing on the right side. “God I’m so proud of you,” I said and pressed a hoof against my youngest sisters cheek. “You have your own business now and even bought your own house. I know Aria is too, even if she doesn’t say it.” “Thanks sis. Wanna come in and stay for a few hours?” Sonata asked hopefully and gave me her puppy dog eyes. “Yeah sure,” I said as I followed her inside and I shut the door behind me quietly. “Hey dear!” A voice called out and I froze as a stallion trotted in. I examined the stallion up and down before glaring at him. “And just who the hell are you?” I demanded as Sonata smiled. “I’m uh Comet Trail. I’m Twinkleshine’s cousin. Me and Sonata got introduced by her. Me and Sonata have been talking for a bit recently.” I hardened my glare as he gulped. “I’ll uh be upstairs,” he said and turned around nervously. “No way. You’ll be on the couch,” I said coldly as Sonata frowned a bit. “Was that necessary?” Sonata asked quietly. “Yes sister. Yes it was. Now let’s talk like you wanted.” “Okay.” I sighed and settled down into bed next to Twilight as she glanced at me. “How was it with your sisters?” Twilight asked curiously as I slid under the blankets. I hoped the guard at the door couldn’t hear us talking. She had scarily good talent at knowing when something was bothering me. “It was good. I stayed for a few hours at Sonata’s. I bumped into a stallion in her house and it was awkward,” I admitted as I traced a hoof along Twilight’s wing. “And how did that go?” “I told him he’d be sleeping on the couch from now on. Think I scared him.” “Well you can be scary when you need to be,” Twilight chuckled as she planted a kiss on my cheek and we both blushed. “You know, I never really expected this when Sunset sent me a letter about you three taking over the school.” “Trust me neither did I. I expected to be running the country by now,” I admitted and brushed some of my mane out of my eyes. “But oh well, could be worse. I could be in Tartarus.” “We kinda don’t really send ponies to Tartarus unless they’ve done something awful. So did Aria say what Princess Luna wanted?” Twilight asked curiously and wrapped her tail around mine. “Something about wanting an update and that was it. I think she and Luna are going to have a very good working relationship. They both are trying to reacquaint themselves with modern Equestria if what you’ve told me about Luna is true. Can be a very good friendship,” I admitted as I wrapped a hoof around Twilight. “Interesting. I assumed Luna would have came to me in my dreams and asked about it.” I bit back a comment at that and gave a shrug. Twilight would be a bit of a biased party in that aspect. Made sense why she would want someone else to report to her. “It’s mind blowing how you aren’t taking this serious or afraid.” “Oh I’m terrified,” Twilight admitted with a forced laugh. “But I don’t believe in hiding behind my title or the castle for the rest of my life. That would be boring.” “You’re hiding it well. The fear part, I mean.” “Thanks. Now can we go to sleep? You seem tired.” I gave a nod as she shut the light off with her magic.
