Guardians

A week had gone by since my arrival in Ponyville. Little has happened, and I had been exploring town. At night I would go out for walks and play my violin, which I thought would have helped me discover some of my powers.

Morning had arrived, and I was outside Rainbow Dash’s house with Lunar, waiting on Blaze.

“Blaze!” Lunar called. “We must get going.”

“On my way!” he called back. He finally came down, Rainbow Dash right behind him.

“Be careful.” She told Blaze, which made him blush.

“Mom!” he glared. “I will. You don’t need to remind me.”

Lunar and me just stood there and watched as Blazing Dawn and Rainbow Dash finished saying goodbye. She then turned towards us.

“You two watch out as well. We don’t know what’s in store.” She said.

“That’s what you think, but I know the truth.” I thought. We said our farewells and flew to town.

“Let me say bye to Apple Bloom, and my other friends.” Blaze said “They should be at the farm.”

“Let’s go.” I said.

We flew towards the farm; only seeing Applejack and Papyrus upon arrival.

“Where is everypony else?” Blaze asked.

Applejack said, “Well Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle took the foals for a picnic in the orchard. And Big Mac is in town, selling apples.”

“Thanks.” Blaze said before flying of over the orchard.

“WAIT!” Lunar and I yelled, and flew off after him.

I kept getting the strange feeling of being followed, similar to the one near the fortunetellers shop. I looked around, but nopony was there. Though, the feeling still lingered.

“Guys,” I whispered, “I’ve got a strange feeling.”

“What is it?” Blade asked.

“I don’t know, but it feels as if we’re being followed.” I responded.

“Then we best be careful,” Lunar said, “but why have you not had any visions?”

“They come and go at random, but I’ve never been wrong listening to my gut.” I said, just then another vision happened. I was at the farm, following two black pony-like creatures, which had blue eyes, fangs, and looked evil. Suddenly, blazes were all around me, I could hear guards approaching, the readying of muskets. I turned and flew away, but before I could get away, a loud BANG rang through the air, and I fell. The vision ended.

“Guys, we need to leave, NOW!” I said.

“Then we need to find my friends fast.” Blaze said.

We spent ten minutes, heading into the orchard. “Apple Bloom! Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle!” the three of us called.

“Well Howdy Blaze, Lunar. What brings yall here?” Apple Bloom greeted us. Apple Bloom was Applejack and Big Mac’s sister. She was a yellow Earth pony mare with a red mane and tail, her cutie mark was an apple with two wrenches crossed behind it. Like her sister, she wore a cowgirl hat.

“And who’s that?” Scoots asked. Scootaloo was an orange pegasus mare, her mane and tail a dark purple. She had an orange storm cloud with a purple lightning bolt for her cutie mark.

“Rarity just went on and on about a stallion that looks just like him, I’m guessing he’s Blade.” Sweetie Belle said. She was a white unicorn mare with a pink and purple mane and tail. She was Rarity’s sister, she resembled her a lot. Her cutie mark was a bell with a musical eighth note in the background.

“That’s right, but we’ll talk later. Right now we need to get going.” I said looking around.

“Why?” Scoots asked.

“We’re in danger, a fires going to start.” I responded.

“WHAT! Flying Sunstar! Applecrusher! Where are ya!?” Apple bloom yelled.

“We’re here aunty Apple Bloom!” they said. Flying Sunstar and Applecrusher were the foals of Applejack and Papyrus, they were both pegasi. Sunstar was orange like his mom with a mane and tail like his dad, while Crusher was the other way around. They both had a red hoof cutie mark, just like their dad.

“We need to go, right now.” Apple Bloom said.

“Why?” they asked.

Just then, a fire started, encircling all eight of us. “That’s why!” I yelled. We all took off towards the barn to warn Applejack and Papyrus. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom couldn’t fly, so Blaze and I had to carry them, Sweetie Belle on my back, and Apple Bloom on Blaze’s. I looked back and saw the same two figures as my vision, the black, pony-like creatures.

We warned the others once we got back to the barn, who quickly called the firefighters, the rest of our friends showed up soon after.

“What happened here?” Rarity asked.

Apple Bloom spoke up, “Blade saved our lives. We would’ve been roasted if he didn’t show up.”

“Well thank you for saving my sister and her friends.” Rarity told me, but I was looking over at Twilight, who was being awfully quiet. She looked at me, but quickly turned away. I was going to go talk to her before I heard a musket being loaded and aimed.

“FREEZE!” a guard yelled, “You are under arrest for setting fire to this farm.”

“I didn’t start this fire, what makes you think that?” I asked.

“An anonymous source saw you enter the orchard and light the fire.” The guard responded.

“But that’s impossible, he saved these three, plus mah own foals.” Applejack said, pointing to the CMC, then to her foals.

“And he was with me the entire time. I know that he’s not guilty.” Lunar added.

“I’m sorry, but we must believe the witness, he will be taken to the princesses for judgment tomorrow. For now, he is a convict.” the guard explained.

“That’s crazy, why would he save us if he caused the fire?” Scoots asked.

“That’s just a minor detail. We must take him for judgment.” The guard argued.

“Fine, take me away, but you’re taking somepony more important than you realize. And I’m sure the princesses will agree.” I said.

“You have the right to remain silent.” He said.

“Blade, we were going to see the princesses today, and what about training?” Blaze asked.

“It has to wait until tomorrow.” I answered. “Don’t worry; I know all will go right.”

I was chained and lead to the zeppelin for Canterlot, the guards paying me no mercy, they just watched in disgust. I overheard one of them say, “I can’t believe those ponies would stand up for a lowlife like him.”

They were wrong there was no way I started that fire, but I got to thinking about the vision, “What if I did?”

I didn’t say much to anypony on the ride, or on the way to the dungeon, it gave me time to think. I thought about the white alicorn, and the promise I made Twi. It made me sad, thinking about not being able to be with my friends again, the only companions I’ve ever had that didn’t leave me, that stood up for me. They knew I was innocent, but I wasn’t so sure.

I remained calm, showing no sign of weakness or doubt. I knew the guards would watch for anything that would cause me to seem guilty.

The dungeon was cold and dark, the most depressing place I’ve ever seen. The walls were magically sealed, and protected from any inside magic. I knew I would see the outside again, that I wouldn’t let my friends down. It all relied on the princess.

(Meanwhile)

Celestia was on her balcony, staring at a column of smoke coming from Ponyville. “I hope the elements are alright.” She said to herself. She heard hoofsteps behind her.

A single guard approached, “Princess Celestia, the Ponyville guards have caught a potential criminal and are bringing him for your judgment.” He said.

“Very well, what is he being accused of?” Celestia asked.

“Setting the apple family farm on fire, princess.” The guard answered.

“And why have you arrested him, specifically?” She asked.

“He was seen entering the farm, as well as starting the fire. The pony who witnessed him, gave us an accurate description.” The guard said.

“Then the odds are not in his favor.” The princess said. “You are dismissed; please go get Luna for me.”

“Yes, princess.” The guard answered, before running to get Luna.

Shortly after the guard left, Luna entered the room, “Yes sister, what is it?” she asked.

“The two great powers are coming to Canterlot; they are approaching as we speak.” Celestia said.

“What? Should we tell the guards to increase security?” Luna asked.

“I do not think we have to worry.” Celestia responded, she had kept what the phoenix said a secret.

“I’ll trust you. Did you hear about Ponyville? The guards caught the criminal, and we have to judge him tomorrow. Justice will be served.” Luna said.

“But there is a chance he is innocent, do not judge him so fast Luna.” Celestia said.

Luna responded, “You are right sister, I was too quick to judge, it’s just that crime doesn’t happen too often there.”

“Yes, we must pay attention to the little things as well. But we cannot forget about the zebras.” Celestia said. “We will deal with this first.”

(Back to Blade)

The next day, it was time for me to meet the princess. I was lead from the dungeon to the main hall, where I would be judged. In the hall, all my friends were there to support me, the elements of harmony, their bodyguards, as well as Lunar and Blaze. I looked up to the front and saw seven ponies, the hierarchy, minus Twilight, and two alicorn mares.

“You? You’re the princess?” I said staring at Celestia.

“Yes” she said, “and I am the one who is going to judge you. Now let us see what’s in your memories.”

I felt her try to get into my memories, trying to find the truth, but I wouldn’t allow it.

“His mind is like a prison, keeping his memories in, and me out.” She said.

“I can’t allow you to see my memories. I know much that no other pony should know.” I said.

“He is obviously guilty.” A brown earth pony, Filthy Rich was his name, said. Filthy was the stallion earth pony representative.

“Ya need to shut up, Filthy.” Applejack stated, “He saved mah sister, mah foals, as well as two of their friends, and ya have the nerve to say he’s guilty?”

“Well, the guards say somepony saw him start the fire. That proves he’s guilty.” Filthy stated.

“Princess, do not believe this, Blade was with me the entire time.” Lunar said.

“He is not allowing me to read his memories; I don’t know what to do.” Celestia said.

“It appears I have no choice.” I said. “Princess, if you would get everyone but you and my friends to leave, I will reveal all.”

“Agreed, Everypony except Luna and Blade’s friends are dismissed.” Celestia said.

Everypony left, leaving only the princesses, the elements of harmony, Lunar, Blaze, and me. I used my powers to break my chains, and I bent the light around me, revealing my true form to the two alicorn mares. “Princesses, Blade is only my fake name, my real name is Steel Stream.” I said.

“I knew you were the two great powers of good and evil, I could sense it as soon as you walked in the room. You are the one who will save us, the one the phoenix told me about.” Celestia said “it only makes sense you’re an alicorn.”

“I will reveal what secrets I hold, but you must not speak about this to anypony, other than the ones in this room.” I said.

“We promise.” The princesses agreed.

I felt strange, like when I had a vision but more powerful. I spread my wings, almost instinctively, and opened my eyes, which were shining a bright blue light. Everpony in the room saw my memories, my first year in Equestria, the phoenix’s advice, the ruins, everything. They all watched as my entire memory of Equestria flashed before their eyes. When the memory of what I saw when flying away from the fire appeared, Celestia glared at the two figures.

“Changelings.” She said.

“What are changelings?” I asked.

“They are creatures that can change into the form of anypony they choose. They feed off love, and can best almost anypony in magic. They are led by the evil Queen Chrysalis; she almost took over Equestria the last time she showed up.” Twilight explained.

“They must have started the fire.” Blazing Dawn said.

As this was going on I had a new vision, one of Blaze, Lunar, and me in a wasteland. Unfortunately, the others saw it too.

“Blade what’s that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

The vision ended and all returned to normal. I could only answer, “That was what I was trying to keep hidden.”

“But what was it?” Lunar asked.

“That was Ponyville.” I said.

“That’s impossible” Blaze said, “It was just a bunch of nothing.”

“I believe that I’m supposed to prevent that from happening.” I said.

“So the end of the world is coming.” Celestia said, worry in her voice.

“I knew this would happen, I didn’t want to worry anypony.” I said. “I am going to protect this land and all who live in it, so that future won’t happen. I swear.”

“I’ll speak with you later.” Celestia said.

”Lunar, will you please go get everypony?” Luna asked.

“Of course, Luna?” Lunar said, going to get the others.

I changed back into a regular pegasus, to keep the secrets that only the ponies that were present knew. Once all ponies were inside, Filthy said, “I hope you’ve made your decision princess.”

“I have. I find Blade here, innocent of all charges, and I am appointing him as royal bodyguard.” Celestia announced.

Filthy was outraged, “First you expect me to believe the Legendary Ace has returned, and now you want me to allow this cretin to be your guard!”

“Yes.” Celestia said calmly, before turning to me.

“Blade, go into town and meet with the guard captain, he will return your belongings and make your new position official. Also I want you to meet with Blaze and Lunar for training each day.” She told me.

“But how will he protect you and Luna!?” Filthy yelled.

“I have a sixth sense for danger; I’ll be here to protect them when I am needed.” I answered.

Everyone but the princesses and the hierarchy left, obviously arguing, Filthy was still angry at me, so I headed into town.

Walking through Canterlot was great, all the different ponies, mostly unicorns, going to movies, clubs, restaurants, and concerts. They were doing everything as if nothing could go wrong. I wished I could do the same but I had to focus on stopping the end.

As I approached the barracks, I noticed two figures on top of one of the towers, these weren’t changelings, but they didn’t look like normal ponies either. The figures left, barely getting out of sight before an explosion sent chunks of rock falling towards the ground below. Most ponies ran at the sound of the explosion, but one mare was frozen with fear, directly under the falling rocks. “Look out!” I yelled, flying towards her. We were buried under the rocks, but I didn’t feel any pain, my body had become as strong as steel, to shield the scared unicorn from the debris.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“Y...Yes.” She stuttered, “You saved me, thank you…”

“Blade,” I said, “call me Blade.”

“Well thank you Blade, my name is Fleur de Lis, but you can call me Fleur.” She said. She was a white unicorn, her mane and tail were a light pink. Her cutie mark was three Fleur de Lis.

We stayed quiet for what seemed like hours, I was holding the pile of rocks, keeping them from crushing us. I couldn’t use any more magic to get us out of there, and Fleur was still scared. I heard rocks moving, I saw a light from through the cracks, I called out, “HAY, WHERE IN HERE!” It took a few minutes for the pile of rocks to be cleared, saving me and Fleur. I saw guards, and Canterlot citizens gathered around, watching as Fleur and I walked out of the rubble. I saw Lunar, Blaze, and all my other friends walking towards me.

“Ya just can’t stop savin lives, can ya?” Applejack asked, jokingly.

“I know right?” I responded.

Dash and Blaze came up to speak with me. Dash said, “That was AWESOME! We were flying by when the explosion happened.”

“And we saw you fly to save that unicorn.” Blaze added.

“You saw that?” I asked.

“Hay yeah.” They said together.

Lunar walked up next to me, once Dash and Blaze left, “You were born a hero, weren’t you?” he asked.

“It was just instincts.” I responded.

Each one of my friends, except Twi, came and spoke to me, saying they were in town and ran when they heard the explosion.

Fleur came up to talk to me; she had some questions, which I answered to the best of my ability, without revealing too much. We became friends, she asked me to accompany her for tea, where we had talked and got to know each other better. When she left, I noticed Twilight running towards me.

“Thank Celestia you’re alright.” She said.

“Were you worried?” I asked, teasing her.

“N…No.” she stuttered. A blush wiped her face.

“Yeah… not worried at all.” I said.

“Anyways, I was just talking to one of my old friends; he was second in command when my brother was captain of the guard.” Twilight said.

A strange unicorn came up behind Twilight. “Hello, I’m Shield, current captain of the guard.” He said. Shield was a silver stallion, his mane and tail two shades of light blue. He had a shield as his cutie mark. “And you are?” he asked.

“I’m Blade.” I said

“I saw what you did, you were real brave, and to hold up all those rocks, you must be incredibly strong. Did you see who set this off?” He said.

“I did see two figures fly off towards the east.” I said.

“Thanks, I’ll send some guards to chase them. And it is nice to meet you, Blade” Shield said.

“Nice to meet you too, Shield.” I said, before turning to Twilight. “So Twilight, what happened to your brother?” After I said that I realized that I probably shouldn’t have. She answered me sounding incredibly sad.

“Shining Armor, my brother died five years ago when Ponyville was attacked by and evil energy that possessed ponies.” She said before turning away. I could tell she still missed him.

Shield intervened, “Shining Armor told me to stay here, to keep Canterlot safe, but I wish I had gone with him, he was my best friend.” He sounded sad as well.

“Did you go to his funeral?” I asked.

“No, I had to go to Manehatten to handle some of Equestria’s most wanted. I missed the service, and I didn’t get to say goodbye. I wish I could have seen him one last time though.” He said.

“Anyways, Princess Celestia told me to come see you to get my belongings. And she wants me to become the royal bodyguard of her and Luna.” I said.

“Weren’t you arrested yesterday?” he asked.

“Yes I was, but the princess found me innocent and asked me to be her and Luna’s bodyguard.” I explained.

“OK, then I’ll just make that official, and return your stuff. And welcome to the guard, based on what you just did, you are going to be just fine.” Shield said. “Are you going to be staying in the castle?”

“That’s a good question, where will I stay?” I thought. “No clue.” I said.

Just then a pegasus guard flew down. “Captain, the princess wishes to inform you that Blade will be staying in Ponyville, and will be here during the day.” He said.

“That clears things up.” I said. “I’ll see you tomorrow Shield.”

“You too, Blade.” He said trotting away. Twilight came up to me, looking much calmer now.

“You can stay with me.” She offered.

“Alright.” I said. I turned and saw Shield bringing me all of my belongings. I turned to Twilight, “I guessed I was staying in Canterlot.”  I said.

“Yeah.” She replied, “I was too.”

It was getting late