Memories

12 hours before The Battle of Manehatten.

“So commander, what’s your story?”  Solid Shield asked. Everypony was gathered around a campfire, with Solid Shield and Swift Arrow flanking Commander Silver Shield.

“I can’t tell you my story…”

“Awww…” Solid Shield complained. Silver Shield chuckled.

“Not without hearing yours.”

Solid Shield thought for a few seconds, then turned to face Silver Shield.

“Well, when I was a colt, I experienced something horrible.”

“What was it?” Golden Heart asked, interested.

Solid Shield chuckled, then dropped his head.

“Bullying. One day my friend was bullied for being a blank flank. He was devastated. Luckily, he got his cutie mark the next week, but I never experienced such sadness in my entire life. I vowed I would protect any who couldn’t protect themselves, so when I was old enough, I enlisted for the military.” He lifted his head, then turned to Brave Heart.

“So what’s your story?”

“I don’t have a story,”

“Eh,” Solid Shield shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

“But,” Brave Heart started. “When I was younger, I was always the last one in. I was the weakest in my class, so when we played games, I was always the last one chosen. Well not anymore, I enlisted in the military, and I WAS THE FIRST ONE CHOSEN!!!!” Brave Heart got up and slammed a hoof, to emphasize her point.

“For what?” Swift Arrow snickered. Brave Heart growled, but sat down and turned to Golden Heart.

“So what’s your story newbie?” She asked Golden Heart. Golden Heart smiled.

“I always wanted to help ponies. When I was younger, I learned about medicine and first aid, and I was always the first one to help somepony when they were hurt. Eventually I attended medical school, but only for a short time, so I could enlist in the army to help those who are hurt in the field.”

“How touching…” Solid Shield said sincerely.

“So, Swift Arrow, what’s your story?” Solid Shield asked.

“Not much, just that I always wanted to join the royal guard when I was younger. My older brother was a royal guardspony, and I looked up to him. When I was old enough, I joined the guard.”

He glanced over at the commander, who seemed to be staring into the sky.

“Alright commander, we’re done, now what’s your story?”

The commander sighed, then looked down at the fire.

“Well, when I was younger, I was in the royal guard. I was a great guardspony, and my merits were so high that even the princess noticed. She called me in to the throne room one morning, and there she gave me the news…”

19 years prior to The Battle of Manehatten.

“Good morning guard, how was your sleep?” The princess asked.

“It was good, thank you princess.”

“Well, I’ve reviewed your records,” She lifted up a stack of papers with her magic. “and I say it’s very impressive.”

“Thank you princess.”

“In fact, it’s so impressive that I am inclined to offer a position with my personal guard.”

“I am honored princess!” Knight Silver Shield bowed.

“Do you accept?” The princess asked, ignoring his bow.

“I accept your proposal, many thanks, your majesty.”

“Good, then I need you to be ready for duty tomorrow.”

“Wait a second, you got a position with the princess’s personal guard?!” Swift Arrow exclaimed.

“Yes, I did, but that isn’t important right now, what is important is that you vow not to tell anypony what I will say tonight!”

Everypony nodded, so Silver Shield continued.

“Well, soon we were deployed, to an area south of Equestria, known as…”

“The Changling Kingdom…” Silver Shield said aloud when he saw the castle in the distance.

“Don’t get to distracted.” Somepony said from right next to him. He turned and noticed a pony, who was garbed in a cloak and a hood, who was looking at the castle as well. He then looked down at Silver Shield.

“They could ambush us at any minute, and we’re here to take care of the princess.” Silver Shield looked behind himself, and noticed the Princess, who was being pulled on a chariot.

They must have landed a few moments ago.

“By the way, what is this mission anyways?” Silver shield asked.

“Well, me being the arch-mage, I was told what’s going on. We are taking prisoners from the Changlings, but other than that, I don’t know.”

Silver Shield eyed him, then turned to face the castle once more.

“Well, how are we going to take prisoners, we hardly have any troops?” Silver Shield asked without turning his head.

“Well, when I said ‘we’, I actually meant that somepony else was going to do it.” The arch-mage said.

“Who’s that?” Silver Shield asked.

“Ah, must you asked so much questions,” the arch-mage scolded him. “but the ponies who are taking the prisoners are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s elite shock troops, the Dark Sun Vanguard.”

“I’ve never heard of them.” Silver Shield said.

“That’s because you will never hear of them, only now.” The arch-mage walked up to Silver Shield ad placed his face in Silver Shield’s face.

“Okkaayy….” Silver Shield backed off.

“We’re here.” The arch-mage looked up. Silver Shield also looked up and saw something amazing. There, right in front of him, was the scene of a battle. Bodies lay scattered throughout the field, all of them changlings. A pegasi dressed up in strange armor flew down to their position. He then walked, right past the guards and the arch-mage, right up to Celestia’s chariot.

“Your majesty.” He bowed.

“How many did you capture?” Celestia asked.

“Scarcely over 50, I apologize, your majesty.”

“Do not worry about it, you are free to go.” The pegasi bowed once more, then flew off.

“Alright, let us begin.” Celestia said before she jumped off of the chariot, and walked up next to Silver Shield.

“And that’s it…” Silver Shield finished.

“Wait what?” Aw, and it was getting good too.” Solid Shield said.

“So what happened?” Golden Heart asked.

“Oh, well we all teleported back to Canterlot, or at least under it to the gemstone caverns. Princess Celestia then ordered all of us to go home, everypony except the arch-mage and Princess Luna.”

“Hold on a minute, Princess Luna was there?” Swift Arrow asked.

“Yes, she was, now let’s get some shuteye before tomorrow.” Silver Shield yawned, then got up and walked into the barracks.

“Yeah, I think we should get some sleep, goodnight everypony!” Solid Shield shouted.

“Goodnight.”

1 month prior to The Battle of Manehatten

“Hey guys, look what I found.” A pony said when he walked into the room.

“What do you think it is?” A pony with a cutie mark of a frowning flower asked. A pony right next to her, one with a cloak, stood up.

“It’s called a power staff, and it’s a very powerful weapon… how did you get your hooves on this?”

“Uh, I stole it.” The pony with the staff smiled.

“From where?” The cloaked pony asked.

“The armory, I know a way into there without spooking the guards.”

“This is perfect.” The cloaked pony said.

“Uh, perfect for what?”

“It is now time to enact our plan, we have enough ponies, and now we have access to powerful weapons. Dainty Hooves, take some ponies with you, we’re going to need many of these staves.”

“Yes sir!”