The Dusk Alliance

Chapter one

The sound of the clock ticking away the seconds of the finale hour in the office were like the sounds of a ringing gong in Tactic's mind, the old earth pony listening to it day in and day out as he worked on the records. Tactic was a master of warfare in his own light but sadly he had grown too old for the frontlines. And with Equestria being in a time of peace there was no need for war heroes anymore. Luckily for him Shining Armor was able to get him a desk job at the castle guard post. The job at first was something he would have looked forward to but now he dreaded going into work every day. His medals hung from the wall covered in dust in his small little office. His desk was old and worn and the bottom drawer was a pain to pull out. His chair gave him such a pain it was more like a torture device than anything else. His eyes were heavy from the boredom of reading the new codes and producers of the growing army. He was disgusted with all of the new mandates and rules being changed as well as the change in stallions to mare ratio. Yes with the return of Princess Luna he had a helping hand of forming her royal guard once more.

"GONG!!" the clock struck once again, causing the dark brown coated stallion to jump from his chair in shock. Cracking his head on the little shelf above him he gave a sharp curse and rubbed his scalp with the back of his hoof. The sound of a slight giggle at his door caused him to straighten up quick.

"Are you always that jumpy Sir Tactic?" The tall white mare asked in her gentle voice. Princess Celestia the royal highness of Equestria and master of the sun. Her mane was made up of many colors that seemed to flow freely behind her even in the lack of wind, her jeweled crown a sign of her power and the only thing that seemed to keep her hair covering her right eye. Her wings were lightly rested at her side and a soft smile on her face as she entered Tactic's office.

"Not at all your highness, I had just zoned out for a second..." He responds meekly and slightly embarrassed. Tactic had joined the royal guard long ago and was assigned to an outgoing squad to the griffon kingdoms. It was there he gained the title of hero for deeds he wished he could forget. But on his return he was Knighted by Princess Celestia herself and invited to hold council with her. Since then he had written her on his other travels but as the time passed his writing stopped.

"If I may ask your highness-" He was cut off before he could finish.

"Please tactic call me Celestia, Your highness sounds so over the top" she said with a soft smile before moved in front of his desk and sat down on a pillow she conjured into existence.

"Of course Celestia, I was going to ask what brings you to my little dungeon?" he asked with a weak smile looking around his little office. She would let out a small silent chuckle at his joke before a serious face appeared.

"Tactic you are aware of Princess Twilight's crowning as well as her new title Princess of Friendship. Because of this and the fact that shining armor had to return to the Crystal Empire I am placing you in charge of Twilight's personal honor guard. I will provide the foot soldiers but it’s up to you to make your own team to defend her at all costs." She explained in a few words summoning the documents for his transfer over to him where he proceeded to read them silently as she finished. Once finished he looked to her with a large smile.

"Are there any restrictions to the team?" He asked most likely knowing the answer.

"Yes. You know I will not allow any chance of harm to Twilight and her friends....and you know who I am talking about Tactic." Celestia responded leaning over the desk at him causing him to slouch in fear for a second before she backed off and turned to the door.

"We have had rumors that something big is going to happen, we don't know when, who or even what it is but I need this team up before the next Gala. understand?" She said without looking back to him.

"Understood Celestia" he said snapping his hoof in a salute before watching her leave. Tactic's eyes turning to the old photo on the wall three words hanging below it. "Till the end."