"The royal guard is the most prestige title a simple pony can acquire, not by bits or connections, but by sheer force of will and determination, so that only the finest may be put to service. The royal guard's role is to protect the princesses mortal shell, regarding loyalty, responsibility and duty above all."
Exert from the royal guard's hand book.
It was about two days since Hearts and Hooves, two days since Thunder Shield left his home and his parents, he missed them. Thunder always knew he would have to say goodbye, he always knew he would join the royal guard, though he never thought it would be so hard. His mind had made it a habit of replaying the dinner when he told his family, they were all so happy and with a single statement, the joy vanished, every head hung low and for the rest of the nigh it seemed as time froze. To him it was apparent, they didn't approve, but none of them spoke up, none of them defied him, none of them cared enough and that was the push he needed to leave that place without remorse, at least for now. If nopony cared enough to stop him from doing something he would most likely regret or even die doing, then he might as well die with honor.
Although his mind troubled him, Thunder was always quick to silence it as not to be yelled at by the drill sergeant. Thunder never felt so lonely as he did on that moment, in that barracks full of stallions, all he need was a friend, somepony in his position who he could share his burden, lost in this world of being shouted at and exercises.
As Thunder ended his trail of thought, he noticed the drill sergeant was leaving the barracks, 'Thank Celestia', as he did Thunder decided to unpack his suitcase, with only the essentials. Moments of constant sights passed, until a stallion approached him and as his education dictated, Thunder stood up to look at who was coming towards him.
The stallion was, in anatomy, similar to him, they were both pegasus, the same heigh and just as athletic, but in terms of...well everything else, they were very distinct stallions. Thunder's coat is a dark shade of blue, with a black mane and tail, he has the most unique eye color, it being a dark green getting lighter as it draws near to the pupil and, maybe even the most magnificent part of his body, his wings, they are the largest in the barracks maybe even in the hole camp, they have a strong appearance, being as they are Thunder's wings always gave him a near divine look. The stranger who approached Thunder, has a white coat, silver main and tail, brown eyes that resembled the color of an oak tree's trunk and, to Thunder's surprise, small and seemingly unused wings.
The stranger neared him in a casual manner, extending his hoof, upon arrival, in a friendly manner, "Hello there, my name's Cloud Runner." his voice wasn't as deep as Thunder's, though it was very strong.
Thunder immediately connected hooves with Cloud Runner and as quick as this happened it broke, "Hi, I'm Thunder Shield.", his voice had a bit of excitement, as he thought the loneliness he had been feeling would be parched.
Cloud Runner didn't pic up that excitement, oblivious he simply noted and asked, "So Thunder Shield, what brings you here?" a pure expression plastered in his face.
Thunder's excitement disappeared as he heard this, making him remember that painful dinner, that twisted end to a day that was suppose to inspire goodwill and love. Despite his mind tormented him, he regained his composer, looked into Cloud Runner's eyes and said in a firm voice, "What brings me here, is duty, honer, and loyalty.".
In a way the meaning behind that statement was inspiring, though it was his choice in words, his face as he said it, heck even the way he said it that gave Runner the feeling that this stallion had another reason, a reason familiar to him and that reason was of a pony of whom had nothing else to lose, beside his life. "But don't you have a family or somepony special to you?", at this point only concern filled Runner's voice, he knew why he was showing such concern towards Thunder, that was because he found himself in Thunder and he knew that they would both need a friend.
To Thunder the question stung hard, he tried to keep it all in, but it was just too much. The chain of events that led to him being in that barracks talking to Runner was an ocean of sorrow that made way for a single tear to escape each eye, sliding through his cheeks, to his chin and then to finally drop on the floor. "No...I don't, let's just leave it at that.", it had been long since his voice was this cracked and uncertain, despite this he never broke eye contact.
"I'm sorry, I know how you feel...I lost my family a long time ago, so believe me when I tell you that just a moment ago I was feeling the same thing as you are now, the only difference is that I didn't have a friend tot talk to.", Runner's voice became stronger with each word, leaving no doubt about what he was saying.
Thunder was taken back by this show of compassion and understanding, regardless he was quick to regain his focuss and let a small smile threw his lips. He had a friend, somepony who understood him and what he was going threw, Thunder couldn't have asked for more, "Thanks Runner, that rally means a lot." and it really did.
"Don't mention it, hey I'm happy, at least now I've got a friend around here that's not a complete muscle head.", both chuckled at the compliment and Thunder wiped his tear, now with a full blown smile across his lips.
Friend, the word was still foreign to Thunder, though it still offered comfort, which he happily accepted. Thunder had a friend he would come to respect and trust enough to call brother and which would soon be bound to in arms.
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.
