The Alicorn of Harmony

It’s been nearly ten months since the changelings invaded Equestria. They came like a swarm of locust, attacking every major city in a coordinated strike. The bulk of the changeling forces were centered in Canterlot, and defeated quickly by Captain Shining Armor and Princess Cadence; but the spell didn't affect the large, disorganized changeling forces in other cities. For two weeks Baltimare, Manehatten, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, and all other major cities were under their complete control. Every city, except Fillydelphia…

“… Do you know why Fillydelphia never fell?” A talkative Pegasus guard asked his partner, trying to pass the time protecting one of Canterlot Castle’s new security checkpoints, telling his partner a story, already told dozens of times.

“Everypony knows Hammer,” the annoyed unicorn guard answered. “It’s a cool story and all but it gets really annoying when you talk about nothing but…”

“Commander Typhon!?” Shouted the Pegasus guard in surprise.

The unicorn guard shot her attention in front of her to see an earth pony guard, taken aback by the large Pegasus guard's ouburst. Unlike the standard gold armor of warrant officers and ensigns, his armor was crimson, the armor of a commander. Both guards stood at attention and saluted their superior; the commander smiled and returned the gesture.

“At ease,” Commander Typhon ordered, the two guards relaxed. “I take it you know who I am?” he asked the Pegasus.

“Uh yes sir, I've read the report on how you defended Fillydelphia a thousand times. What you did was awesome sir, you saved the whole city!" He answered excitedly.

“I see… I don’t really like to think about Fillydelphia,” The commander stated solemnly.

“O-of course sir! I didn't mean too… ” The guard thought about his words for a second on the sensitive subject. “I respect what you did there sir… we all do." the Pegasus noticed the commander didn't seem to pay attention to him.

“Well," The unicorn spoke up. " I have to check you now sir. My apologies, but it's standard procedure now." She wasn't sure if he heard her or not.

Commander Typhon shook away the bad memories, looked up at the unicorn, and smiled meekly. “Sorry, I know the drill. Been through seven of them already.”

The unicorn's horn glowed a light blue as she cast a spell on Commander Typhon. A blue aura covered him, then dissipated in a second, without any noticeable change to the commander. “Alright sir, you’re clear. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Typhon smiled, and extended a hoof towards the unicorn guard. "Not a problem, Ensign... ?”

"Aura, sir," the Unicorn guard finished for him as she shook his hoof.

"And what's your name?" Typhon asked the Pegasus, as the commander held his hoof out to him.

"Warrant Officer Hammer Hoof, sir." Hammer Hoof took the commander's hoof with both his own, and it shook it enthusiastically .

"Alright, alright, that's a long enough shake," The commander said as he took his hoof back. Hammer Hoof was a rather large, and strong Pegasus; and nearly ripped the commander's leg out of it's socket.

"Sorry about that sir," Hammer apologized meekly. "Are you hurt."

"Hehe, I'll be fine Hammer," he answered with a chuckle, as he nursed his shoulder. He stood back up on all fours, and saluted the two guards. "Keep up the good work, you two." Commander Typhon walked past guards as they saluted him back. As he walked the commander could hear a heavy sigh from the unicorn, as the Pegasus started retelling what transpired seconds ago. Typhon chuckled, and proceeded towards his office.

Commander Typhon’s office was small, plain, and uncolored. A large bookshelf extended across the left wall, it's shelves filled with books on weapons, strategy's of war, biographies of past captains and commanders of the guard, and the entire Daring Doo series. On the right was a fireplace, left unused since Winter. At the far end was a large desk with a window behind it. Last but not least a tall, plain mirror sat collecting dust in the far right corner. It was just the way he liked it, since he normally preferred to be out and about rather than sitting in this stuffy room, doing paperwork. Today was different though, he wanted some peace and quiet.

The commander walked to the corner where the large mirror stood. He barely recognized the silver coated stallion, clad in red armor staring back at him with dark brown, nearly black eyes. He took off his helmet, revealing a mane of navy blue and orange. A commander’s armor didn't change the wearer’s mane or coat color; to show the uniqueness of a commander, Typhon guessed. A year ago he was just another ensign, little above a grunt who just sat bored at the various guard posts around Fillydelphia. Hay, he'd been yelled at and punished several times by his superiors for disobeying orders, and generally being a smart-mouth. Now he was a commander, one of the four highest ranking officers in the guard, under the captain.

Typhon walked over to his desk and sat down in it's comfy wooden chair. The price of alone time was paperwork; crime reports, earth pony guard patrols, citizen complaints on his guards. Under his command the earth pony guard has been much stricter in recent months and the other branches have followed suit, especially the noctrals. Checkpoints around the cities, ponies being tested for enthrallment and an overall larger guard force has caused the civilians to feel their freedoms are being taken away. He felt for them, but when their country is invaded and nearly conquered by creatures that can look like anypony, you’d think they’d understand why the armed forces might be a little on edge. They can control ponies minds for Celestia's sake!

Only one report really caught his attention. Changelings had been sighted on the borders of the Badlands, near the large settlement of Appleloosa. Commander Typhon put his full attention to this, quickly filling out orders to assign one of his few platoons to set up a garrison in the town, under the command of Sheriff Silver Star. After signing the order form, he spat out his quill, and sealed the letter in an envelope.

After having a guard deliver the letter to his only lieutenant, Moss. Commander Typhon sat back down at his desk and opened a noisy drawer on its left side. Inside was an unsealed envelope with, “To Typhon”, written on the front.  He pulled out the letter stored inside, beginning to reread the letter from his mentor; sent three months earlier.

Commander Typhon,

It’s nice to finally call you that. Took you long enough to come around; do you know how hard it was to keep this position open?

Anyway...I know you don’t think you deserve this position, or the fame you've gained in the guard, but you do Typhon. You managed to rally the entire city of Fillydelphia to fight against the changelings. Ponies who had never lifted a weapon in their lives willingly fought by your side, and never gave up hope, because you never gave up on them. I still don't know what you did exactly, but I don't think any other pony could have done that. You are a true hero of the guard, and Equestria could really use one. (You know? since I'm not there anymore.)

I know you still feel guilty about the ponies who gave their lives in Fillydelphia, and the ponies you were forced to...

A soft knock on the door broke Typhon away from the letter. “... Come in,” was his only response as he folded the letter neatly and put it back in the drawer. The door glowed with a white aura as it opened, revealing the two rulers of Equestria. “You're highness's," was all the commander could say. This was the last thing he expected and was in a bit of shock, unsure of what to do; so he stood at attention on his chair and saluted them, as they walked in.

“Good afternoon Commander Typhon, is this a bad time?” She asked in her regal, motherly tone.

“N-no of course not, I’m just working on paperwork ma'am. What can I help you with?” He asked, with regained composure.

"My sister and I would like to discuss your... suggestions for the royal guard," She answered, her warm smile turning stern, and expressionless.

"Really?" Typhon grew a little worried. She didn't exactly like his idea to militarize the guard; to defend against another changeling attack. While the commander was sure another changeling attack was inevitable, she was confident the changelings weren't a threat any more. Luckily, Typhon's warnings did rub off on Princess Luna, who gave him the okay for the checkpoints, harsher guard training and a new national advertisement campaign; resulting in a major increase in recruits. It wasn't an army, but it was still impressive in Typhon's eyes, and he had Princess Luna to thank for that.

Luna stepped forward. "Yes commander, thou hath heard of the recent sightings of changelings near Appleloosa, have thou not?" She asked in her strange, old dialect.

"Yes your highness, I just read the report, and I believe they are scouts, scoping out Appleloosa. I have already sent a regiment of my guard to protect the town, under the command of Sheriff Silver Star. They should be there by train, tomorrow morning."

The Princesses looked at each other in surprise, then back to Typhon. "Thou did this on thy own initiative?"

"Yes, ma'am. I hope you understand my haste on the matter. Changelings move quickly and if they a see a town in the middle of nowhere, filled with ponies without a proper force to defend them, then they will attack," Commander Typhon explained.

"You have done well Typhon," Princess Celestia praised, her warm smile returning. "he certainly is the best choice sister."

"Choice for what?" Typhon asked his puzzled expression returning.

"To lead a very important and dangerous mission," She answered. "We want you to lead a small team of guards into the Badlands to learn where exactly these changelings came from, and if they have fully recovered since there failed invasion."

"You want me to scout out the changelings?"

Luna cleared her throat for her turn to speak. "Thou claim to know with certainty the changelings intend to attack Equestria again; but we are still not certain how strong the changeling remnants are, and if they truly are planning another attack. We want thou to find the answers to these questions, which will help decide our next course of action."

"We understand if you were to turn this mission down," Celestia added. "This is an incredibly dangerous mission. The Badlands are treacherous and more so are the changelings, but it is the only way to assert your claims that they are planning to attack again. We believe you are the only pony in the guard who will succeed. Do you accept this task Commander Typhon," Celestia new this mission was very important, but she hoped a little the commander would say no. She never wanted to send any of her little ponies into danger.

"I'll do it." He answered without hesitation. "But it will take some time for me to prepare. I'm going to need the best guards to be at my side, the best weapons and a lot of supplies if this is going to work."

"Of course commander," Celestia agreed, her tone a little sad. "This is your mission and may use whatever resources you deem necessary to comple..."

Luna let out a long yawn, cutting off her sister. "Sorry," was all she said, quieter than Typhon thought possible for the notoriously loud princess now blushing a tad.

Celestia chuckled, "that's quite alright Luna. It's been hours since you lowered the Moon. You should get some sleep."

"You are right sister, we should get some rest," She turned to the commander. "Farewell Commander Typhon, we hope you return safely from your mission." Commander Typhon saluted her as she left his office, leaving him alone with Princess Celestia.

"I will leave you to your work commander. I will also notify the other commanders they are to assist you in anyway they can. If there are any particular guards you wish to enlist for your mission, do not hesitate to ask them.

"Before you go your highness. I...have something to say," Typhon thought about his next words, trying to word it best.

"What is is it commander?"

"I would just like to... apologize." He slowly got out. This was hard for him to say, but it had to be said. He'[d been feeling the guilt for a couple of days now, and he wanted it to go away.

"For what Typhon?" Celestia asked, surprised by this sudden apology.

"Well... for the couple of arguments we have over the guard's new direction."  He answered the princess, who simply nodded for him to continue. "I've been a jerk about the whole thing, and should not have pressed the issue when you said no. I should trust you to know what's best for Equestria, and for that I am sorry."

Celestia patiently waited for him to finish. "Typhon, there's no need for apologies. Your are simply doing your duty as a commander, and are most certainly not a jerk. I have enough ponies telling me what a great ruler I am, and constantly agreeing with every decision I make. It's nice to meet anypony who is willing to disagree with me. Even more so, when those ponies are civil like you, Typhon," She smiled warmly at him, and the guilt melted from Typhon's mind. He couldn't help but smile back. "You truly care about the lives of every citizen in Equestria, and that is why you are a commander. But there is a fine balance between security and freedom that a nation has to keep in order to flourish. I'm afraid militarizing the guard will upset that balance.

Commander Typhon nodded in agreement. He really has been forgetting about citizens of Equestria. The ponies who make this nation great, and something worth fighting for. He had been so worried about another invasion, he'd forgotten about the average ponies who just want to run their shops, raise families, and lead happy lives.

Celestia turned to walk out the door, but not before stating, "If the changelings are planning another invasion Typhon, I trust you and the guard to do what's best for Equestria."

The commander was alone again. He sat in silence for nearly twenty minutes without moving, just lost in his thoughts. If he could prove the changelings were planning another attack, then the guard would have to be re-organized into an army. Even with the increase in recruits, the guard didn't have the numbers or the power to defend it. If a military is established then they could initiate a draft when in war, and have a larger fund for manufacturing and researching weapons. Equestria would finally have a proper force to defend it.

But Princess Celestia was right, he couldn't jeopardize the freedoms that everypony deserves. This would have to be handled with care later. For now he had a mission to prepare for.

He broke the silence as he opened the squeaky drawer on the left side of his desk, pulling out the single envelope inside. He took the letter from his mentor out once more and continued reading where he'd left off.

..."you were forced to kill but it wasn't your fault. The changelings and their powers over a pony's mind were still a complete unknown back then. You know how long I've spent getting tested for any signs that I was still under their control. You had no idea the ponies that were enthralled could be cured, and when they attacked you and the citizens still resisting, you did what any true guard would do.

I cannot imagine the difficulty or the heart ache you suffered. I know you and how much you care about Equestria and all of its citizens, even if you won't admit it. A good leader knows that when the time comes, he may need to make unpleasant decisions. You know all this already so I'll just say you did the best you could in a terrible situation, which is all you really can do.

I know you'll make a great commander. If you ever need help, just send a letter and I'll come running. The least I can do for not inviting you to the wedding. But seriously Typhon, I just spaced. Might have something with a big changeling who pretended to be my wife, ever think of that?

Sincerely,

Your friend, Shining Armor

P.S

Cadence is really happy for you too.

.