Guardians

It was getting ever so closer to sundown; all my friends were dressed up, on their way to the gala. Twilight had somehow gotten a zeppelin to take them to Canterlot. I was already in Canterlot discussing the guard situation with Shield, I had become second in command in the little time I’ve been a guard.

“You will be guarding the princesses of course, you are their personal guard.” Shield said. “But we still have a shortage of abled stallions.”

“Don’t worry about the regular guards; there will be plenty of Red Hooves at the gala.” I said.

“Right, I completely forgot about the Red Hooves guarding the elements.” Shield said. “We should be prepared for any form of attack.”

“You think so?” I asked.

“Yes, we’ll station a guard at every entrance, and several will be patrolling the area.” He exclaimed.

“And the two of us will be there to take charge of any action.” I said.

“Right, both of us will be there, you with the princesses, and I’ll be with the elements.” He agreed.

“Sounds good.” I said.

We finished the planning and told the guards their positions before getting ready for that evening. Shield asked, “Who are you attending the gala with?”

“Nopony, my main focus is the princesses.” I responded. “You?”

“I asked Fleur, thanks for saving her, by the way, I never would have met her if you hadn’t been there.” He said.

“No problem, I always try to help an innocent pony in need. Did you ever catch those figures I saw?” I said.

“No, they just disappeared.” Shield said.

“Then we better be on our hooves.” I said.

He agreed, “Right, on our hooves.”

We both left to get ready for the evening. We met back at the station and headed for the castle, were we were meet by the princesses.

We both bowed, “Hello princesses.” We said together.

Greetings,” Celestia said, “I believe you already set up the guards.”

“Yes, princess.” We said, still in unison.

“Good, guests will be arriving any second now, take your positions.” She said, as gracious as ever.

“Yes, princess.” We said.

Shield went to get his date, while I took my position near the princesses. Guests started arriving, each one being greeted by Celestia and Luna. Many famous ponies were there, models, musicians, the rich, athletes, all came. I didn’t see Rainbow Dash with the wonderbolts when they arrived, I guessed she was with the rest of the group. The hierarchy, except Twi, all road in one carriage, each one greeted the princesses and me, I swear Filthy shot me a scowl. The musicians who would be playing arrived, Octavia was one of those ponies; she had her ensemble right behind her. She shot me a look like, “I wish you could play with me.” I glanced at her only for a second, I had to remain focused.

Shield finally came back with Fluer, stopping to speak with me briefly. “Any suspicious ponies yet?” he asked.

“Not yet, I’ll let you know if I see any.” I responded.

“Good, I’ll be in the main hall.” He told me.

“Alright.” I responded before he went inside.

A large zeppelin landed in front of the entrance, opening up to reveal my friends.

Celestia greeted them, “Welcome elements, and you as well Lunar, Blaze.”

They greeted her back and went inside. “That seems to be all the guests, except princess Cadence.” A guard holding a list of all the guests said.

“She does have her foal to tend to. I don’t think she’ll come.” Celestia said.

The princesses headed inside, I followed.

The gala was interesting, not like any party I’ve been to on Earth. There were ponies standing around talking, and few were on the dance floor, though I believe that was because of Pinkie Pie jumping up and down like she was on a sugar rush. I did notice my other friends too, Fluttershy was in the garden, Rainbow Dash was with the wonderbolts, being one herself, Applejack and Papyrus were by the buffet, Rarity was talking to some models  making business deals, and Twilight was talking to Shield. The Red Hooves each stood by one of the elements, watching for any sign of danger. I noticed Blaze and Apple Bloom were having fun, and Lunar was talking to Luna.

I thought all was going well before I sensed a presence, not dark like the changelings, but mystic. I looked around for the source before I heard the sound of a crossbow being fired, the bolt heading right for Celestia. I ran, jumped, and knocked the arrow off course with a slight gust of wind. It stuck into the floor a foot away from Celestia.

I landed, then called out, “SHIELD, THERES BEEN A BREACH IN SECURITY!”

“WHERE?!” he called back.

“THE ROOF!” I yelled.

Several pegasi guards flew up to chase the would-be assassin. I was about to join the chase as well, before I sensed hundreds of the dark presences approaching, one of them much stronger than the rest. “Changelings!” I thought.

The guards returned, towing a zebra behind them. Shield ran to where I was, and began interrogating the zebra. “Who sent you? Why?” he asked.

“The queen sent me, as… a DISTRACTION!” the zebra said.

As soon as he finished talking, tons of changelings flooded the room. They herded the guests and guards into a corner, and my friends into another. Only Shield, Lunar, the princesses, and me remained standing, changelings encircling us. A larger changeling entered the circle; I could only guess that was Queen Chrysalis.

She spoke in a warped woman’s voice. “That was too easy.”

“I can’t believe we forget the roof, most of the guards are pegasi.” Shield said, regretting our obvious mistake.

“Yeah, we shouldn’t overlook that next time.” I said, taking a defensive stance.

Lunar and Shield ran to attack Chrysalis, trying to take her down with magic. She just swatted them aside, like they were flies.

“Fools, do they not realize I have become stronger? I have been feeding off of the element of love since its discovery.” She stated, before she turned to me.

“What is this? Do I sense feelings not even you comprehend?” she asked. “Oh, this is delicious.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I mean you have feelings you are trying to keep hidden. The only one who can defeat us, and I’ve just found your only weakness.” She hissed. “You love princess Celestia!”

Everypony gasped.

“I… I won’t deny it.” I said, finally realizing what I felt was true love.

“Well, you failed, I will kill her then kill you.” She laughed.

“Don’t touch her.” I said.

Her horn glowed green; it was being pointed directly at princess Celestia, “What will you do? She already knows I’m too powerful for her to stop.” She laughed again.

“I said, DON’T TOUCH HER!” I screamed, lunging at Chrysalis, revealing my true form.

I knocked her back, landing back on my hooves. After landing, I was suddenly attacked by ten or twenty changelings. I pulled out my duel swords, which were hidden under my wings, and began slashing down waves upon waves of changelings. After blocking and killing close to fifty of the creatures, the others were backing away reluctant to attack me.

Queen Chrysalis stared as I killed her subjects, “It will take more than that to beat me, the more you fight for your love, the stronger I get.” She exclaimed.

I lunged at her once more, this time she dodged, kicking me in the left wing, breaking it. “You are just as weak as The Legendary Ace.” She yelled. “Dodge Junction was under his protection, and he failed.”

“I don’t believe Ace is weak, I believe YOU ARE! And Dodge fell because of your dirty tricks.” I said, charging one more time. She intercepted me this time, knocking me to the ground, causing blood to flow from my mouth and broken wing.

As I was getting up, she pinned me, “Why do you continue to fight?” she asked. “I’m obviously too strong for you to beat. “

“I’m not only fighting for the princess, I’m fighting for my friends, and all the innocent ponies you’ve murdered.” I said.

My eyes, horn, and sapphires started to glow, I began to rise, along with Chrysalis. An orb of white light formed around us. I yelled, in a voice completely unlike my regular one, “You are weak Chrysalis. I may be broken, but I will not lose. My cause is pure, while yours is evil. Only one thing is stronger than your darkness, and that would be… my light. Now leave!” The light encircling us grew brighter and expanded around all of Canterlot.

When I could finally see again, all the changelings were gone. I was still bloody, and my wing was still broken, but I felt good.

I looked around and noticed everypony looking at me. They all started talking at once, I could barely hear things like, “He’s an alicorn?”, “He saved our lives.”, “He defeated Queen Chrysalis.”, and finally “He loves Celestia!” I looked at Shield, who was staring at me.

“You’re an alicorn? That explains why the princesses are so interested in you.” He said. Fleur and Octavia came up to me too.

I said, “Yes, I am an alicorn. I’m sorry I lied to you all, I was trying to remain secret, for your protection.”

Fluer spoke, “It’s alright, you just save all of our lives, mine for the second time now, I’m grateful.”

Octavia just nodded in agreement. “Yes, but that zebra Templar said that Chrysalis sent him. Does that mean she has control of the zebra’s too?” she said.

“Yes.” I said, before walking away.

Shield ran over to talk to me once again. “I sent two guards up there, we shouldn’t have to worry. See you later.” He said, running off.

“You too.” I responded.

I went over to the princesses, who were staring at me wide-eyed. “Sister, did you hear his voice?” Luna asked.

Celestia nodded, “It was the royal Canterlot voice.”

“Royal what?” I asked.

Blaze and Lunar walked up next to me. “The royal Canterlot voice is a gift only alicorns possess. It is when your true power reveals itself, often it represents strength.” Lunar stated.

“But, all I did was create a ball of light.” I said.

“That ball of light sent the changelings somewhere far away, though I doubt they have been defeated.” Celestia said. “And due to your actions of bravery here tonight, I officially name you Steel, Prince of Light.”

“I need time to think.” I said, walking to a nearby balcony.

The air was cold, it was completely silent, not even the noise from inside could be heard. A full moon shone down on the gardens below. The night felt so good around me.

I heard some hoofsteps behind me. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought you a towel and some gauze. You’re hurt.” Celestia said.

“I don’t mind princess.” I said, staring up at Luna’s night.

She walked up next to me, helping me tend to my injuries. “How is your wing not hurting you?” she asked.

“A broken wing is nothing compared to a broken heart. I can walk away healed at the end of recovery, but I’ll always have the pain of that memory.” I said.

“You loved before? Were you loved back?” she asked.

“No, I was abandoned, that’s why I came here.” I said.

“I see, but Chrysalis mentioned that you loved me, why?” she asked.

I decided I couldn’t go on any longer without telling her. “When I first entered Equestria, I had a vision, one of you, lying dead. It was unbearable, seeing you like that, but I believe I stopped that vision from coming true tonight.”

“Oh... I see. I also have to tell you something.” She said.

“What is it?” I asked.

“When I first met you, I was happy you were there, I felt safer, wanting you to be there when I needed you, even though you were accused of a very serious crime.” Celestia said.

“Really? Wow, I didn’t know.” I said.

“I guess we should go back inside now.” She said. “Coming, Blade?”

“Yes, princess.” I said.

We walked back inside, I didn’t bother with disguising myself, the princess went back Luna, I guess they needed to discuss something important, and I went back to my friends.

Twilight ran over to me, “Is it true?” she asked.

“Is what true?” I said curiously.

“Do you love the princess?” she asked.

“Yes.” I answered. She ran off, crying, and I ran after her, “Twi, why is it such a big deal?” I asked.

“Because… I love you.” She said.

I felt incredibly guilty, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you felt that way.” I said sincerely.

“You’re just saying that.” She said sobbing.

I went up next to her and, using my bad wing, comforted her, it hurt slightly, but I realized she was hurting more. “I swear I didn’t know, and I’m sorry, but I don’t feel the same way. But can we still be friends?” I said, she started to cry more.

“You don’t care about me?” she asked.

“I do care, I love you Twi, just not that way, I’m your friend.” I comforted her. I decided it be best to leave her with her thoughts, “I’ll leave you alone for now.”

“Okay.”  She wept.

I walked over to my other friends who were all talking about what happened. I walked to the table, obviously upset.

“Darling, what’s the matter?” Rarity asked.

“I just found out Twilight loves me.” I said.

“And why is that a bad thing?” she asked.

“I don’t feel the same way.” I responded.

They all seemed to understand. Blue Arrow seemed to be worried, “I better go see how the lass is doing.” He said before flying off.

About an hour later a pegasus guard approached, saying the princesses wanted to see me. I went off to find them, spotting them on a balcony far away from everypony else.

I meet the two alicorn mares on the balcony, “Yes princesses?” I asked.

“We don’t want you to head to Appleoosa.” Celestia said. ”You are hurt.”

“I get it, you don’t want me leaving until I am at my full capability.” I said.

“Yes, but we want to know how you performed the royal Canterlot voice, if you truly came from Earth.” Luna said.

“I don’t know really, I was born on Earth, though it never felt like home. I honestly feel more at home here. But… I don’t know if I can stay in Ponyville.” I said.

“Why not?” They both asked.

“Because Twilight admitted her feelings for me and I have been staying with her. I don’t want to hurt her more than I already have.” I explained.

“I see, in that case you are welcome to stay at the castle, you did save our lives.” Celestia said.

“Thank you, princess. I’m going to go back to my friends now.” I said.

“Alright.” Celestia said.

Once I was gone, Luna turned towards her sister. “You love him back don’t you?” she asked.

“Yes, I do. He is such a kind, strong, and special pony. His determination to save us was admirable. He risked his life for everypony, not just us, not many other ponies would do that. I feel as if we are one.” Celestia answered.

“But he is from Earth, he isn’t even a real pony.” Luna argued.

“Neither is Dan, and he and Rainbow Dash have a love stronger than any other.” Celestia countered. “You can’t stop love from growing, sister.”

I went back to the place all my friends were. “So what did the princesses want?” Shield asked.

“They want me to stay in Canterlot until I heal, they offered me a room in the castle.” I said.

“Great,” Said Shield, “We will see each other more often.”

“Actually, I’ll be guarding the princesses more often now.” I said.

“Why?” Fleur asked.

I couldn’t believe it, “Because we were just attacked.” I said.

“Oh… right, but you can still join us for lunch.” Fleur said, optimistically.

“Sure, I’ll still have lunch with you.” I told her, this seemed to make her happy.

Octavia walked over, “How’s your wing Blade?” she asked.

“It’s a little sore.” I joked, it hurt much more. “Oh, you, Shield, and Fleur should know Blade is a fake name. My real name is Steel Stream.” I said. “I had to stay a secret, but that didn’t work.”

“Okay Steel.” Shield said, “Nope, I like Blade better.” All my other friends nodded in agreement.

“Is that my nickname now?” I asked. All my friends nodded.

I looked around and noticed Blue Arrow escorting Twilight over to the table.

“Hey Twi, you look better.” I said, trying to lighten the mood. She just grunted and turned away from me. “Come on Twi, I’m genuinely sorry.” I apologized again.

Blue Arrow sat next to Twilight, “The lass doesn’t want to speak to anypony right now.” He said.

“I really made her that mad at me, I mean I ran away because I felt unwanted, but she is rejecting me just because I don’t feel the same towards her. At least she still has her other friends.” I thought.

“Hey Twi, I’ll be staying at the castle for a few days, It’ll give you some space.” I said.

“Good.” She said, she was starting to sound like Trixie, just a bit.

“At least I got her to say one word to me.” I thought.

The rest of the night went by really fast, I met many of the celebrities, spent time with my friends, got ignored by Twilight, and there were no more attacks. It was a good time, except Twilight ignoring me. Most of the guests left, leaving my friends, and a few remaining ponies. I said good bye to my friends, watching them leave on the zeppelin. I don’t know what happened to Shield and Fleur, one moment they were next to me, the next they disappeared. I left the gala and headed for the room the princesses left for me.

I couldn’t get any sleep that night, I was worried about something Chrysalis said. “You are as weak as Ace.” And that’s when it hit me, she knew Ace was alive.

I ran to the princess’ room, “PRINCESS!” I yelled.

A sleepy Celestia opened the door, “What is it?” she asked.

“Ace is alive.” I said.

She stared at me, “How are you so sure?” she asked.

“Queen Chrysalis said I was as weak as Ace, not as weak as Ace was, meaning she knows that Ace is alive.” I said.

“This is great news, we’ll send a search party in the morning.” She said.

“No, every time you send guards, they go missing. And we’re short-hoofed right now, I don’t think we can’t risk it.” I said. “I think Ace will find his way back.”

“I’ll trust your judgment, we won’t send any guards. Goodnight Blade.” She said.

“Goodnight princess.” I responded before she closed the door behind her.

I went back to the room the princess let me stay in, about to fall asleep, there was one question I kept asking myself in my head, “Will Twilight ever forgive me?”