Brother's Lament

Chapter 16: Graduation day

One thousand years ago

The sun was setting over the horizon, the princess of the sun stood on a cliff overlooking the ocean of equestrian, her two greatest soldiers had just received the gift from the goddess, thus she decided to teach them how to create their own enchanted blades, however it never seemed to work out for neither, their blades not quite being on the same calibre as the rapier at her waist, her mane blew in the ethereal wind and she wore more armour on her than usual for extra protection.

A voice spoke from behind her, one she recognised “Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess and we seek it thus.” She turned from the cliff face and turned to see a tall black unicorn leaning against a tree, he had silver bracers around his hooves and a dark blue mane, his eyes as red as blood, and his cutiemark was an intricate design of a sword, at his waist was a long sword of intricate design he was the one speaking.

Next to him stood a red unicorn stallion with a white mane and grey eyes, he had the same bracers but instead they were golden, and at his waist was a silver short sword and across his back, a broadsword, their princess turned to them as she walked away from the cliff edge slowly towards them “You quoted me, I said that a long time ago, though you know what I said about quoting me Bladesinger…” The black stallion smiled before he softly pushed off the tree and gently stepped towards her “Yeah, stop reminding you, though I just quoted you again didn’t I Warsong?” the red unicorn shook his head before he drew the short sword from his waist, followed by Bladesinger drawing his longsword both blades glowed in their masters magic while Celestia’s blade drew from it’s scabbard covered in her golden magic before she pointed it towards them.

Warsong looked towards his brother “Don’t take Celestia lightly” Bladesinger simply huffed “Noted” was all he said before he charged the Princess followed closely by Warsong both lunged at her attacking her simultaneously but the Princess proved her years of skill by blocking and dodging, the impact of the enchanted blades caused shockwaves to form from the colliding of magics. The brothers fought the ancient Princess with both skill and persistence but she deftly fended them off with ease, not even attempting to fight back,  The two Unicorns struck from two different directions at the princess but she simply held her rapier upwards and stepped back as the two blades met with hers before she simply pushed her blade forwards against theirs forcing them back.

While Bladesinger kept her busy, Warsong jumped over his brother with a downward cut towards Celestia who jumped backwards before Bladesinger followed the same attack but spun on his axis in an attempt to confuse the princess in which direction he was going to strike but that didn’t faze her at all as she blocked it skilfully sending the unicorn flying backwards onto his back as Warsong charge putting more power into his swings in an attempt to overpower the princess but she blocked him at each strike, the blades pushed against each other while Warsong and Celestia’s faces were close with only the blades separating them “Is that the best you can do?” the princess simply asked before pushing him back once more forcing him to stagger before he regained his balance, she resumed her stance with her blade pointing at them.

Warsong simply smirked at her “All hail Princess Celestia eh?” Bladesinger narrowed his eyes before holding up a hoof to bar passage to his brother “Warsong, stay back, I will take Celestia alone” Warsong frowned and opened his mouth to object but Celestia shook her head looking at him allowing Bladesinger to continue “Equestria needs new powerful heroes” his blade began to glow brightly red as his dark blue magic infused into it Celestia simply smiled “If you think you have the guts for it come and try” Bladesinger’s eyes narrowed “So smug, but for how long?” he asked as he charged her slicing downwards with a heavy strike which was blocked by Celestia who sliced at him forcing him to duck before he swung his blade upwards, forcing Celestia to jump back to avoid it. Bladesinger took this chance to spin around and bring his blade down in a downward strike.

Celestia blocked it but the ground around her splintered and cratered when the blade struck, the shockwave being more powerful than before. Celestia was simply smirking and chuckling while Bladesinger smirked back at her before she pushed him back, he charged again aggressively striking her quick and fast trying to get a hit on her but she blocked each attack with ease but forcing her back towards the cliff, she clicked her tongue as she became more serious, blocking his next attack before pushing him back hard causing him to skid as she fought back, charging forwards with a strike sending him skidding backwards more before sliced her rapier upwards hard enough to send Bladesinger flying high into the air, she flared her wings and shot up after him striking up at him several times sending him further and further into the air before she finally struck downwards sending him into a free fall towards the ground.

His horn began to glow brightly as several fire balls shot up towards her she dodged several with ease but when she slashed at one to defend herself it split into several more, Bladesinger’s horn glowed brighter as the fireballs turned into a wide turn heading downwards before flying back up at Celestia forcing her to strike at them with her blade to block them but was easily overpowered by the sheer number of fireballs, explosions erupting to cover her from view as Bladesinger powered up a more powerful fire attack before a white flash appeared in front of him as Warsong teleported infront of him “Stop! You’ll destroy us all!” Bladesinger grimaced at his brother before firing the fire attack at him anyway “Get out of my way!” Warsong was sent flying away by the attack, smoke falling off of him before he disappeared in a white flash once more.

Bladesinger looked up to see a golden beam explode from the fire ball flurry forcing him to block it with his sword sending it careening away from him as two more shot towards him forcing him to slash them away from him, the ground approached him quickly, he quickly teleported to stop his fall as the beams caused a large piece of the cliff to fall away, Celestia landing on the falling piece as she slowly lowered out of sight “So is that how we’re playing?” she asked before she went out of sight, the ground where the chunk of earth fell away from exploded as Celestia flew through the dust cloud to strike at Bladesinger mercilessly sending him on the defensive showing that Celestia was done playing and was serious now as she slashed at Bladesinger sending him flying back and skidding on his back before he rolled to his feet Celestia approached from the air, her wings spread to their full span to strike at him.

Bladesingers blade glowed brightly red once more before he struck at Celestia who struck at him the blades colliding causing the ground around them to crater from the force of the strike before they both broke away from the confrontation, preparing to strike at each other again, they charged raising their blades to strike each other just as Warsong charged in between them blocking Celestia’s blade with the broadsword on his back while blocking Bladesingers sword with the short sword, his knees buckled from the force of blocking both strikes but kept his hooves “That’s enough!” he yelled as he looked back at Celestia who had a look of annoyance on her face Blade singer’s horn began charging a very powerful attack “Get out of my way!”

He pushed forwards against Warsongs short sword his own blade cutting through it causing it to shatter and send the break off spinning back to slice through Bladesingers shoulder causing him to cry out in pain, the attack dissipated as he dropped his sword, placing a hoof against the bleeding wound, Celestia remained silent lowering her blade as she could see the fight was over, Bladesinger removed his hoof from the wound before slowly picking up his sword with his magic, resheathing it “I’m fine, I’m outta here…” he turned to slowly limp off away from the others “Even though I may be defeated, nothing shall forestall my return…”

***

One thousand years later

Bass Rhythm stood in front of the mirror in his quarters the Unicorn sighing while working on a lapel on the left side of his chest where it was in the shape of a silver crescent moon, he’d be wearing his armour today but instead he was now wearing a uniform similar to Shining armour but instead of the usual red and blue it was black and silver the cloth was enchanted like the armour so his coat was black and his mane was a ghostly dark blue, the white stripe in his hair remained for some reason and his eyes were yellow with reptilian pupils, his canines poked out of his mouth as they were much sharper than normal, seeing himself in the mirror he couldn’t help but see a similarity in his appearance to Nightmare Moon in the sense of the dragon-like features.

A knock came to his door to admit Warsong wearing his military uniform he wore to the dinner with his parents nine weeks ago “That uniform suits you kiddo, you sure that we got enough practise in for that prank Luna planned for Celestia?” Bass Rhythm couldn’t help but grin at the thought of the prank “That is up to you Warsong, all I was to do was help you figure out your part, everyone else got into it pretty easily because they know more about modern culture than you do. I can understand you know our history up until now…But do you know about our music? Probably not” His teacher raised an eyebrow at his students sudden change of attitude “What’s up with you? Having your time of the month? I didn’t think you went through heat like mares do.” Bass Rhythm clenched his sharp teeth before turning to the ancient warrior

“First of all, I’m just feeling a bit nervous, I get testy when I’m nervous and second of all, Buck you I can’t think of a comeback…” Warsong chuckled loudly before he made his way out “Don’t be long alright? We have an hour of being serious before we get silly with the prank; Luna and Celestia have already arrived with the military brass, the nobles and the families of the Lunar Guard.” Bass Rhythm sighed as he checked himself in the mirror one last time before stepping out of his quarters and made his way towards the parade grounds he spotted the Princess’ with a pretty large group of ponies socialising several fillies and colts played together to one side, many being the children or young siblings of the Lunar Guard who were still preparing and getting ready to march onto the parade grounds.

Bass Rhythm went to mingle with them, being greeted by Luna and her sister, many of the families of the stallions and mares he trained with introduced themselves to him, he greeted each family warmly having a small conversation with each, getting to know them, he knew though that by the end of this he was going to be receiving and having to send out a lot of hearths warming cards when the call came for them to make their way to the stands that were erected the night before for the audience to sit, Bass Rhythm made his way to the stage that was placed in front of it for him and Warsong to stand, several speakers were placed and connected to a microphone which was placed on the stage, he was met by Warsong on the way to the stage.

When everypony was seated Warsong stepped up to the microphone giving a test taps with his hoof to check if it was on “Welcome to the graduation of the first Lunar guard division, You sons, daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters have been hard at work for twelve weeks to become the best of the best and to resurrect the long dead Lunar Guard, the guardians and protectors of the night, I am proud to introduce to you all the newly reformed Lunar Guard” marching music began to play over the speakers as the Lunar Guard recruits marched in perfect formation onto the parade ground, marching in their platoon groups they circled around the Parade ground, their platoon leaders calling an ‘Eyes left’ command as they passed by the stage looking towards Warsong and Bass Rhythm and the audience.

They marched past before coming to a stop in their positions on the parade grounds, before they turned to face towards the stage in perfect timing and synchronisation the audience stomped their hooves in applause to the performance, at that moment above them a V-wing of Lunar Guard Pegasi flew above them “For those who were wondering where the Pegasus were, look above. Welcome the Pegasus division of the Lunar Guard nicknamed the Shadow Bolts.” Among the flying Pegasi were Lightning Flicker and Cross Wind, their idea to nickname the flyer division of the Lunar Guard the Shadow bolts was a parody of the Wonder bolts but it was also the fact the Wonder bolts were ranked Lieutenants in the Solar Guard that many of the Lunar Guard Pegasus believed they should have their own version of stunt flyers.

After all the V-Wings of the Lunar Guard Pegasi did a fly-by, they all landed and formed up behind their Unicorn and Earth pony comrades medals of excellence and other awards were handed out to the ponies that deserved them, each one making his or her way to the stage and accepting their award from Warsong after the award ceremony was completed, Warsong and Bass Rhythm delivered speech’s to the audience and the Lunar Guard, Bass kept his short since he wasn’t one for writing essays let alone speech’s by the end of it Luna herself stepped up onto the stage and delivered her speech, the Lunar Guard visibly stiffened when their mistress stepped onto the stage.

“All of thee has proven thyself as capable Guard, if General Warsong himself believes that thee are ready for active service, then thee is verily ready. It is our great pleasure to welcome you in companionship as we all guard the night and protect Equestria while it sleeps…Or in many cases, dances and drinks the night away” A soft chuckle could be heard among the audience but the Lunar Guard kept straight faces and held their resolve with ease “Thee may begin the next step, General Warsong, thee has the microphone.” With that Luna stepped off the stage as the microphone was taken by Warsong, holding it up with his magic, Bass Rhythm smirked and stepped off the stage with Luna making his way to stand at the head of the Lunar Guard formation.

Warsong sighed loudly as musical instruments were removed from underneath the stage, an electrical guitar floated over to Bass Rhythm who began to tune the guitar, he had to work at relearning the instrument over the past nine weeks forgetting how to work the turn-table in doing so. Other Lunar Guard who had talents in music stepped out of the formation to take their spots at the other instruments, a murmur of confusion rose from the audience as Bass Rhythm and the other ponies began to play the instruments. “Well it took me some time to learn the song but Celestia, this song is dedicated to you as requested by your sister Luna, I haven’t sang to a crowd in a thousand years so forgive me if it sounds a bit…Rough.”

She was a fast machine she kept her wagon clean

She was the best damn mare that I ever seen

She had the sightless eyes telling me no lies

Knocking me out with those Equestrian thighs

Taking more than her share

Had me fighting for air

She told me to come but I was already there

'Cause the walls start shaking

The earth was quaking

My mind was aching

And we were making it

The entire Lunar Guard joined in for the chorus their combined voices loud enough for the audience to hear easily.

And you shook me all night long

Yeah you shook me all night long

Working double time on the seduction line

She's one of a kind she's just mine all mine

Wanted no applause it's just another course

Made a meal outta me

And come back for more

Had to cool me down to take another round

Now I'm back in the ring to take another swing

'Cause the walls were shaking the earth was quaking

My mind was aching

And we were making it

And you shook me all night long

Yeah you shook me all night long

It knocked me out I said you

Shook me all night long

You had me shaking and you

Shook me all night long

Yeah you shook me

When you took me

You really took me and you

Shook me all night long

Ah, you shook me all night long

Yeah yeah you shook me all night long

You really got me and you

Shook me all night long

Yeah you shook me

Yeah you shook me

All night long

Celestia was blushing heavily when the song ended, not out of embarrassment but from the message behind the song as she and Warsong did share a bed at one time one thousand years ago, a warm smile came to her face looking to her sister who seemed to enjoy the song “That was an excellent performance and a nice prank, I’ll have to work especially hard to get back at you sister.”