The sounds of clinking metal can be heard echoing throughout the castle halls.

Lieutenant Reaper was walking down the seemly long endless hallways that he'd grown to memorise over the years.

It has been a nine days.

Nine days, since Miss Twilight had been sent to Ponyville. Two days, since she had chosen to remain there.

Reaper had been mournful at the loss of Twilight. He'd honestly miss having having her around. She was a ray of light in this otherwise, dreary castle.

He'd watched her grow, change, shape, shift, morph, into a fine and capable young mare.

'Not even a fortnight out into the world and she's already saved it.' He chuckled at the thought.

Yes, truly miss Twilight had become a pony of worth. Not that she hadn't always been special. He'd watched with delight, as the small purple unicorn had grown through the years. Smiling at the ever growing knowledge she'd learnt and the continuous amount of magic she'd mastered.

'Truly a gift' He thought.

When he'd signed up to be a royal guard, not once did he think that he would enjoy babysitting a foal. Part of the reason he became a guard in the first place. He was not a family stallion, nor did he have any desire to be. He was a warrior, plain and simple. Although the castle lacked excitement he found that he enjoyed his job. The peaceful atmosphere has a nice charm to it, but he was always a pony to keep his guard up.

He'd been a guard for three years, just managing to claim the rank of lieutenant, he'd been offered the captains position but he'd turned it down. He wanted to fight, not order other ponies too.

It was during one of his regular rounds that seen it. Watched as a dragon had erupted from one of the castle towers that fateful day. He'd sped into action, prepared for a fight as he ran towards the examination hall. But he failed to find a dragon when he arrived.

Only a small purple pony bouncing around in glee before Celestia. He'd question her highness, who merely explained the situation. He looked down in confusion.

'How could this small filly wield so much power?' He'd thought.

He'd dismissed it as a fluke, but watching Twilight grow, he'd understood just exactly how she'd done it. He'd grown to care for the filly over the years, like most other ponies in the castle. Found her pursuit of knowledge and learning quite endearing.

He'd never felt true sorrow, until the day he found Twilight in the gardens. Beaten and burned, bruised and broken. He couldn't understand it. Didn't want to understand it. He was filled with so much rage and sickness at the thought of another pony doing this kind of deed, other foals in fact.

He watched. As Princess Cadance, a mare he'd learned to respect over the years, a mare filled with so much love and warmth, be reduced to a broken shell. He stand the sight of it. He wanted to say something, wished he could have said something, something to ease this terrible crime, but he was not a stallion of emotional depth.

He was a stallion of action, and so action, was what he took.

He didn't regret it. He still doesn't. Any pony so willing to hurt another, so horridly, didn't deserve mercy. He'd felt no guilt stripping those foals of their magic. He knew they'd get away with it. He knew they'd escape the law. So he made a choice. A choice he does not regret.

He'd prepared himself. Prepared himself for the punishment that was sure to come because of his actions. Prepared to feel the heavy weight of an inhibitor ring placed of his horn, locking his magic forever. Prepared to be locked in irons for the rest of his days. He'd accepted it.

What he hadn't expected was to be knocked unconscious and to wake up in an infirmary bed, with Reeetro explaining to him that he would not be charged. He was shocked to learn that Celestia, Silver and Spark had lied for him to be free. He couldn't understand it.

He'd question Celestia, who had only given him a warm smile.

“But I must be punished your highness, it is what is just.” He'd said firmly.

“I understand Reaper, but your imprisonment is not what I wish.” She'd said softly.

“I don't understand.” He'd shaken his head in confusion.

“Can I be brash for a moment Reaper?” Celestia ask. He nods.

“For the seven years you have served me, you've not let me down once. You have always been loyal, always been faithful, and have never questioned my rule.” She smiles. He nods.

“It is because of that, that I find found myself in potion I never thought I'd be in.” Her smile faltered. He tilts his head in confusion.

“You are a good pony Reaper. You have stood by my decisions and stood by your fellow guards, even when it was obvious that you did not want too. You have always voiced your opinions but never forced them. You have always stood by rule, and for that I see you as a friend.” She says, tears filling her eyes. He nods with a stoic impression on his face.

“You have always cared about ponies, always tried your best, and fought to protect them, and because of that I honestly couldn't live with myself if I'd locked you away because of it.” She chokes out a lone tear. He feels his heart swell up but forces himself to remain stoic.

“What you did was wrong I know that, but what truly sealed my decision was your actions.” She straighten up.

“My actions? Your highness?” He questions.

“You didn't run. You didn't lie and try to cover yourself. You stood there. Admitted your actions, and awaited your punishment like a true solider. You knew you'd end up in jail for life and you'd accepted it, because you knew it was the right thing to do.” She breathes. He nods.

“I don't think I could of done what you had, but don't blame you for it. They would have gotten away with it, I know that for a fact. They would have been forced to leave the school but that would have been it. They would have probably grown into terrible ponies. Hurt countless others before finally being locked away.” Celestia grimaces.

“Your evolvement has been hidden. I have assured loyalty from both Spark and Silver that this will never be brought up again and the foals memories have been taken care of.” She offers a weak smile.

“But why your highness? Why are you protecting me?” He questions, because he can't understand.

“Because you are my friend Reaper.” She simply states. He's taken aback for a second before recovering. “Because you care about Twilight, about Cadance, about Spark, about Shining, about Reeetro, about me. And countless other ponies as well. Because someone with your level and compassion and empathy deserves to be saved, because I know you will do everything in your power to protect the ponies you care about, even things that some of us don't want to do.” She stands up looking confident.

“But....” He trails off, looking towards the ground.

“I know you don't agree with this Reaper, I know you want to do the right thing, but I ask of you, not as ruler, not as a princess, but as a friend. To think about the ponies that care about you. To think about Twilight and Cadance.” She begs. His head shoots up at the mention of the two mares names.

“They will need, now more than ever.” She pleads.

“I-I do not know what help I can offer them.” He admits, painfully.

“Just be there for them. Protect them from danger, from themselves. Can you do that for me?” She pleads. He looks his her begging eyes and nods.

“Of course, your highness.” He says slowly.

“Dismissed soldier.” She says, placing her ruler mask back on.

Reaper nods and walks away.

Reaper cringes at the memory. He still couldn't understand, but maybe that wasn't a bad thing. Part of him was still remorseful that he was never truly punished for his crimes. Of course Spark had been told to give him the grunt shifts for the next couple of years but it never felt enough.

However, over the years he'd grown to accept it. Watching Twilight grow had proven to himself that he'd made the right decision in the end. He got to watch a truly remarkable filly, grow into an even more remarkable mare. He smiled at the thought.

But everything had it's price. He'd still have nightmares about that day, the day he'd found Twilight in the garden, the day he'd watched Cadance break.

Cadance had never been the same, had never truly recovered. She'd slipped into obscurity and Reaper had no idea how to get her out. The many attempts of Reeetro, Spark, Shining and even Celestia had fallen in vain. So what in hay's change did he have of helping her?

He sighed at the thought. Sometimes he wished he was smarter, wished he was more emotional, but he wouldn't be solider if her was. The only thing he could offer was to take extra shifts to guard Cadance's room. Offer to escort Twilight to her lessons. He wished he offer more help.

Luckily everything seemed to repair itself, despite feeling his lack of input. He'd watched as Cadance slowly recovered. Watched as her and Twilight renewed their friendship. Hopeful that maybe they could all recover from this horrible tragedy.

But then it went to shit, all over again.

He remembers that day so clearly. Watching as Cadance ran down the hallway oblivious to her surroundings, watched as she screamed running past him, watched as she cried running past Spark before finally passing out in front of a shocked Capitan Armour.

He helped carry her to the infirmary, placing her on the bed. Questioning Reeetro on what was happening. He watched as she jerked awake, screaming, crying, before Reeetro sedated her.

He walked the empty hallways towards Twilight's room to inform her that Cadance wouldn't be able to make it. He watched as her eyes filled with pain and hurt as she simply nodded and closed the door.

He'd stood for there for a long time. Just staring at Twilight's closed door. It didn't makes sense. What happened?

He'd gone to speak to Cadance the next day but she had refused to tell him. She had refused to tell anypony. All he could do was watch.

Watch as Cadance disappeared again. Watch as Twilight became more withdrawn. Watch as Shining became more bitter. Watch, as hope faded once again.

Four years passed, as their lives became a bitter routine. Happiness and joy lost.

The week before Twilight's eighteenth birthday. Reaper and most ponies had been informed that she would be sent away. Many of us worried at the thought but our reactions were exactly why Celestia had chosen to do this. She wanted Twilight to experience a happy and nurturing environment, and we all agreed that, that was not here.

Shining had been angry, Reeetro had mumbled but agreed. Spark shook her head and walked away. Reaper simply nodded, it was all he could do. He watched as everypony left the throne room. Watched as Celestia had sighed in defeat. He looked towards the ground for a long time. Lost to the emptiness that had taken over his thoughts these last few years. He shook his head, forcing the tears that threatened to fall back to where they belonged and left like everypony else.

He'd never expected to care about anypony this much, but it was a fate he found himself in. What he also never expected was to hear of Cadance's return from seclusion, the rumours that she was smiling again, almost happy even. It didn't seem right. Wasn't sure if he could believe it or not.

And so he set fourth to quell the rumours and the worrying thoughts in his head.

'Surly she cannot be happy that twilight is gone?' He ponders.

As he makes his way round the last corner leading towards Princess Cadance's chambers. He takes a deep breath, trying to squash the sinking feeling in his stomach.

'This feels.....wrong.' He thinks before finding his courage and knocking on the door three times.

“Your highness?” He calls, waiting for an answer.

“Come in!” A cheerful voice replies back.

'That does not sound right.' Reaper holds his breath, as he raises a hoof towards the handle. 'It sounds..... hollow.' He thinks before opening the door and stepping into the room.

He's greeted by the sight of Cadance painting in the corner of her room. A joyful smile on her face.

“Your highness?” He questions, taking a cautious step forward. He watches as the mare turns her head towards him and beams brightly.

“Oh Reaper it's you!” She chirps. “What bring you here?!” He asks, setting down her palette and she stands up stretching her wings.

“I wished to check up on you, see how you were faring from Miss Sparkles departure?” He asks, taking a defensive stance. 'Something's wrong, she's wrong.' His mind warns him.

“Oh that, yeah I'm a little bit sad that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, but hopefully I'll be able to face her when she returns.” Cadance feigns sadness.

Reaper stares at her in silence, drawing out the seconds. He watches as Cadance twitches under his intense gaze. Watches as she shuffles her hooves, as she grows ever more nervous.

“Is that everything Reaper?” She attempts to dismiss him, but his gaze holds steady. 'What's wrong?' He questions. Had he not been staring so intently he would have missed it, but he doesn't The small flash of green in her eyes

“You.” He says dangerously. “You are not Princess Cadance.” He takes a step back, prepared to charge. The mare simply chuckles.

“What gave it away?” She says, before her eyes flash green again and her horn sends out a flash of magic towards Reaper.

Knocking him out cold.

Author's Note

A little background on our favourite lieutenant for you fine filles and gentlecolts.

Regards

OnTheTrot.