I got your back

    It's been five years since Thunder Shield and Cloud Runner graduated from the royal guard's drill school, both top of their class and since then they've made a name for themselves. Hundreds of medals given to them by Princess Celestia herself, as rewards for acts of valor, honer and, most of all, sacrifice.

Sacrifice... all the good ponies they have seen go, the number of times they held a brother in their arms as the life faded from their eyes, the amount of sleepless nights thinking 'what if' and, as they were the commanders in their squad, the countless times they had to approach a home, to tell the parents and loved ones that they will never be able to say goodbye, those are all memories that no reward could ever hope to erase.

    Though they also had to sacrifice thinking about such things, less they went insane. Never the less they kept on fighting and serving the crown, in their way of seeing the world, there was no scar, no pain or event that would keep them from honoring the royal guard's oaf...or so they thought.

    It was a beautiful day, the sun shun bright, as Thunder rose from his bed, early as always. This young stallion had many battle marks that, as his medals did to his walls, decorated his body, one particularly stood out, which was a scar inflicted by a changeling, making it's way from the upper part of his eye to his cheek, though it didn't blind him. He carried out his morning routine and left his chambers, meeting his fellow commander Cloud Runner to attend a special ceremony.

    The commanders had a special area of residence in the castle, much closer to the royal family then the normal guards, which resided in the far end of the castle. As they entered the great throne room, the two lone military figures were stunned at the amount of important official figures gathered at that single room.

    Thunder wasn't an idiot, for what reason he and his friends were called, it was important enough to gather the most esteemed, well known and important ponies in all of Equestria. Regardless, he held a firm figure that came with the royal guard's uniform, Runner on the other hoof held a quizzical face and asked the truly important question, "Why do you thing we are here?"

    The question hung unanswered, as Princess Celestia approached the crowd and spoke in the calm and still voice she was known for, making every pony in the room remain in silence, "Greetings my loyal subjects," she said, her head held high and her voice inspiring humility and love, "every one of you must be wondering why I have summoned you," to the crowd that was the inly question regarding this event, but then some new rose as the princess's posture shifted, her head now hung low and a more cracked voice was heard, "as you might know, a long time ago, I had to banish Nightmare Moon...my sister," Thunder could have sworn he saw a tear creep up to the princess's eye, despite this, at that moment, her head rose and her voice resumed it's normal manner, "but now I have reconciled her into the kingdom, the goddess of the night is back to rule alongside me."

    The room stood silent with Celestia's statement, she then gestured to two guards ho had entered the room with her to open a big double door and from there appeared Princess Luna. The crowd gasped, giving disapproving gazes at her and whispering at each other.

    The two commanders, fearful of the results of such actions taken part by the crowd, jumped in front of the two members of the royal family. Princess Celestia looked at the crowd with saddened eyes saying, "My loyal subjects, do not mistake my sister  for that for that abomination that she has been considered. She is king, and a good ruler, of whom is terribly embarrassed and saddened at what she let herself become.". Princess Luna only stood still nodding at what her sister said.

    The crowd seemed to calm their judgments, not doubting a single word the princess said.

    "Now," said Celestia, "for why exactly have I summoned you, this act came with the sole purpose of you, being mayors and far reaching ponies, spreading this glorious happening to the other ponies across Equestria.", Celestia immediately put her wing over luna, "You are all excused, thank you for coming." and with that she left the room with her sister, leaving the others important figures to leave, exempt for the two commanders.

    As they both jumped in front of the sisters, Celestia whispered for them to follow her as this small squaller ended and so they did.

    Celestia took the two stallions on a trot threw the gardens, it was the single most beautiful and serene corner of the castle, the green would calm you, as the the singing of the birds would give you a naturally balanced state of mind, the perfect area to receive what the Princess was about to say.

    "As you might have noticed, most ponies don't see my sister as a pony who has redeemed herself", Celestia's voice was low and obviously saddened, "and so I fear the major cities in Equestria might go into a state of utter chaos, so I would like to ask for you, my most capable commanders, to take hold of what will come and make so that peace may return.".

    Luna, for the first time spoke, her head low saying, "Sister...if my return will bring so much pain and destruction, maybe it would be best if I went into exile, away from you and the kingdom.". Celestia simply ignored her sister's plan, looking at Thunder and Runner awaiting a response.

    Thunder looked at his Princess the eyes and said in a determined voice, "As you wish Princess.". With that single sign of confirmation, Celestia gestured for them to leave and so they did.

    Thunder started to think, thinking about his new assignment, about what it might come to, about the hundreds that might get injured and that was when he noticed his friend had been silent all this time. Runner was, in the simplest of terms, a very talkative pony, but for some reason he was silent, something was bothering him and so as they approached their quarters, Thunder spoke, "What's wrong Runner?"

    "I'm afraid Thunder," he said frowning as he looked at his friend "what if something happens to my wife and foal? This just doesn't feel right...", his voice was cracking and his eyes started to tear up.

    Thunder was taken back, Runner had rarely shown such fear, never the less, e understood and that was what made him take the decision he did, "Runner, go see your family and come back in the morning, I'll cover for you.".

    Runner tried to object, but soon gave in hugging his friend and did as Thunder told him. The relief and change of mood was surprising to Thunder, as he didn't know the love that one can have for his family and that was one of the reasons, if the time came when only one of them could walk away alive, he would sacrifice himself.

    In Thunder's eyes he still had nothing to lose in dying, thought not his friend, no he had a family, he was happy and that was something Thunder would do anything to preserve.