Guardian of the Elements
Silver Mail sighed as he stood watch outside the Star Swirl the Bearded wing of the Canterlot library. The white unicorn with short brown mane and a silver shield as a cutie mark has been one of the guards for this wing for a couple years now thanks in part to his martial arts instructor Ironhoof. "Nothing really happens here." thought Silver, "The only incident that I can recall is the time when Soarin used the garden to hide from his fan fillies. I wonder how he is doing? Been a while since we hung out, got to find out when the Wonderbolts are performing near here again."
"Silver Mail."
Broken from his thoughts, he looks around, quickly saluting, "Shining Armor, sir. What can I do for you?"
"Come with me, you are being reassigned."
With a quick mental yes, "What's my new assignment?"
"Bodyguard duty." giving Silver a stern look, " you are going to be the bodyguard for the princess apprentice."
Silver's eyes grow wide, "You don't mean?"
"Yes, Twilight Sparkle. She is also my little sister. Can I count on you to keep her safe?"
A shiver went down Silver's spine when Shining said that his charge was also the sister of his boss. Swallowing hard knowing that Shining would personally kill him if anything was to happen Twilight, "I will protect her with my life" saluting again.
"Good, meet her in the court yard tomorrow morning." With that Shining Armor leaves to tend to his other duties.
Silver was excited. He finally got an assignment worthy of his talent. Returning to his room at the end of his shift, he started packing a few items that he will need, basic hygiene items, some medical supplies in case they got into trouble, and his lucky bracelet. Setting his saddlebag near his door, he climbed into bed and quickly fell asleep.
The following morning, Silver woke up early, grabbed his saddlebag and headed to the courtyard. Upon arriving, he saw the carriage and the two guards to take them to Ponyville. While he waited for his charge, he placed his bag in the carriage and started to make small take with the guards. About 30 minutes later Twilight and her assistant Spike entered the courtyard.
"Miss Sparkle. Good to meet you" Silver said while bowing his head.
Sighing, Twilight returned the greeting; still wondering why a bodyguard was assigned to her for such a trip. After getting settled in, Silver gave the word and the carriage took off to Ponyville.
"Look on the bright side, Twilight. The Princess arranged for you to stay in a library. Doesn't that make you happy?" Spike said trying to cheer up Twilight.
"Yes, yes it does. You know why? Because I'm right! I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Night Mare Moon's return."
"What's this about Night Mare Moon's return?" Silver asks while giving Twilight a questioning look.
Twilight begins to tell Silver everything that she has read, emphasizing the fact that this is the 1000 year since Nightmare Moon was imprisoned in the moon. After hearing everything that Twilight, he began to think about his mission and the possible conjunction with Nightmare Moon. "You worry too much Twilight." Waving a hoof dismissingly at Twilight while giving her a smile, " I'm one of the best the royal guard has to offer. Nothing is going to happen while I'm around and if it does I'll take care it. There is a reason why most of my abilities are classified."
Twilight sighed dejectedly. All she could think about was getting done with checking on the preparations then heading to the library, where the Princess arranged for them to stay, to continue to research about Nightmare Moon's return. After about an hour, they finally reached Ponyville. After getting their bags and thanking the guards, they head off to the library before checking up on the preparations. "While we are here Twi, maybe you should try and make some friends like the Princess request?" Spike said as they neared the library. Twilight was about to respond when a pink earth mare started to walk to them. As the Pink mare got up to them, she blinked a couple of time, then proceeded to loudly gasp and take off.
"Well, that was weird." Twilight said. Spike and Silver both just shrugged.
After dropping off their bags, they began to check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. " Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist." Spike read off of a scroll, "Number one, banquet preparations: Sweet Apple Acres." As the three of them approach a farm they heard a yell coming from their left.
"Yeehaw!" shouted a orange earth pony as she ran up to an apple tree and giving it a solid kick with both her back hooves. Silver couldn't believe his eyes; her blond mane, green eyes, cute freckles on her face, well toned body, she was beautiful.
Twilight notices Silver's blatant staring and lightly smacks him, "We are not here to flirt, we are here to do a job," sighing, " Let's get this over with". As they approach the orange mare, " Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle-"
"Well, howdy-doo, Miss Twilight, a pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Applejack." grabbing a hold of Twilights hoof and giving her a firm hoofshake, " We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like making new friends!"
And that accent, no no we are here to do a job like Twilight said, after we are done then come back and flirt. Silver thought as he watched Twilight and Applejack talk.
"So, what can I do you for?"
" Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the food?"
"We sure as sugar are! Would you care to sample some?"
"As long as it doesn't take too long..."
Applejack rushes over and rings a triangular bell "Soup's on, everypony!"
As soon as she did that the three of them were pushed along by more members of the Apple family toward a table. As soon as they were seated, Applejack came right over.
" Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple family?"
"Thanks, but we really need to hurry-"
"This here's Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin..."
Silver could only watch as when each member was named, a food dish was added to the table and with each added his hunger only grew. After all the member of her family were introduced, he bit into one of the apple fitters. "Wow Miss Applejack these are delicious"
"Why thank you kindly, uh um"
"Oh sorry Silver Mail" reaching out to shake the mare's hoof.
"It's a pleasure " She said smiling, "Why, I'd say y'all already part of the family."
"Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled," Twilight laughing nervously, "So we'll be on our way. "
" Aren't you gonna stay for brunch?" spoke up a small filly with a pink bow in her mane
" Sorry, but we have an awful lot to do..."
" Aw come on Twilight" said Silver though another mouth full of food, "You try some it's really good."
"...fine."
After about a hour the trio now stuffed full of all the food the Apple's had to offer make their way to their next objective.
"Food's all taken care of, next is weather. " Spike read from the scroll as they left Sweet Apple Acres, " Hmm, there's supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds."
The three of them look up at the sky and notice a lot of clouds that still need to be cleared.
"Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she." Twilight remarked.
Out of the corner of his eye, Silver notices a streak of rainbow headed right for Twilight. Instinctively, he quickly pushes her out of the way as the rainbow missile runs into him and forces him face first into a mud puddle.
"What the hay Silver? Why did you..." as she turns around and sees him slowly getting up from the mud with a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane giggling at him.
As he starts to shake the mud off of his coat, the rainbow haired pegasus , still laughing says, "Let me help you." As she drags over a rain cloud and makes it rain on top of him.
"Gee thanks" giving the pegasus a mock glare while now trying to shake the water from his coat. After trying to get dry, he sighs and starts to head to the library. "I'm going to go dry off Twilight, I'll come find you later." He doesn't notice her nodding to him as he trots off to get dry. As he makes his way through town, he notices all sorts of ponies getting ready for tomorrows Summer Sun Celebration, but noting seemed suspicious or out of place. So why am I here? It doesn't make any sense why Twilight would need a body guard for this place, it's too peaceful, but I can't shake the feeling that something is going to happen. He sighed as arrived at the library and made his way to his room to dry off. It's my job who am I to argue orders. On the plus side, there is a beautiful mare down here .. He smiled to himself at that last thought as he finally got dry, Now to find Twilight as he exited the library. Fortunately for him, Twilight and Spike were just walking past as he exited. As he rejoins them, he notices Spike with love struck expression on his face. Laughing to himself, thinking at least he is not the only one with a crush on somepony now. "So what's left." As they come up to a small bridge.
"Music! It's the last one!" Spike read coming out of his stupor.
"Twilight I'll wait for you here." As Silver stops on the bridge.
"You alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine" lying through his teeth.
"Ok we will be back shortly." As Twilight with Spike on her back walk off.
Why can't a shake this feeling something bad is gonna happen. He sighed as he stared at the small river below. I hope I am not over reacting to this mission. I really need a vacation. He continue to think why he was sent until he heard voices coming from the direction from which Twilight and Spike went. Looking up he sees the two coming back with a yellow pegasus following them and from the look of it was intently listening to Spike talk. The walk back was uneventful except for Spike still talking to the yellow pegasus about himself much to annoyance of Twilight. As they got to the library quickly entered and shut the door cutting off Spike and the pegasus's conversation while also leaving Silver outside as well. Sighing, he turns to the pegasus and apologies for Twilights action and asks for her name. She quietly says its Fluttershy. Opening the door, he asks if she would like to come in. As he opens the door, he hears a loud "Surprise". Entering he sees what looks like a party, looking around he comes to the conclusion that it's a welcoming party for himself, Spike, and Twilight. Looking around the room for Twilight, he sees her being verbally assaulted by the pink pony that they first saw when a came to town. Chuckling to himself Silver makes his way over to the refreshment table to get a drink. As he approaches the table, he hears a cheery voice directly behind him.
"There you are."
As he turns around, he is face to face the pink pony with a big smile on her face.
"I'm Pinkie Pie, I through this welcoming party for you guys as you are new here and I know everypony here..."
Silver tried to back up from the verbal assault that Pinkie was now giving him, but with the table behind him he was going nowhere. This pony was starting to scare him. It was nice that she through this party for them, but she didn't have to be so in your face about it.
...I'll just throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everypony in Ponyville. See? And now you have lots and lots of friends. Are you enjoying the party huh huh huh."
Not knowing what to say, he was saved when a white unicorn came over.
"Pinkie, darling you're scaring the poor colt."
"Oh I'm sorry."
"Yes I am Ms. Pinkie, and thank you for throwing this party for us." Silver said with a nervous smile.
"Okie Dokie." as she bounces off.
"Thanks for the save Ms. I've never met a pony like that before."
"It's no problem dear, I can take some time to get used to Pinkie, and please call me Rarity. You know darling, you have a striking coat and mane. I think I have a suit that will suit you marvelously. Just come by Carousel Boutique whenever you are free."
"I can't take something like that for free."
"Nonsense, call it a welcome gift. See you later darling." walking away leaving Silver stunned. Nopony has ever done anything like that for him before. Even with some crazy ponies here, this is a nice little town. He thought as he got something to drink along with a couple of pastries then retreats to a corner of the room to keep an eye on the party goers. After about a hour he notices Twilight has disappeared, but he dismissed it as she heading to hear room to escape the crazy ponies. As he continued to watch the party goers, he saw Applejack and Rainbow heading over to him. His heart started to pound as Applejack got closer.
"Hay, I'm sorry for running you into you earlier today. That was uncool of me." Rainbow said apologetically.
"It's no problem Rainbow" waving her off, "at least you brought that rain cloud to wash me off. We're cool."
"Thanks, by the way, what's the deal with you and Twilight?"
"I'm her body guard. I am actually a Royal Guard."
This took both the mares by surprise. "So if you are a Royal Guard, why aren't you wearing the armor." Rainbow said poking a forhoof into his chest.
"I'm a hoof to hoof specialist, the armor gets in the way. Plus I didn't want to be intimidating coming down here."
Rainbow eyes grow wide, "You're a martial artist? I'm a black belt in the pegasus style. We should totally spar sometime."
"Sure I'd like that. Hopefully we will be staying here long enough." Silver siad with a smile.
"Cool I'll see you around." walking away and leaving Applejack and Silver alone. For the few hours, Silver and Applejack get to know each other better. They each talk about growing up, Silver tells her some stories about his time as a Royal Guard. As the night was coming to an end, Applejack left to get the food ready to the celebration leaving Silver alone. I wonder if Twilight is alright haven't seen her all night. With that he headed to her room to check on her. Knocking lightly, he hears her respond. As he enters her room, he finds her staring up at the night sky.
"Still worried about Nightmare Moon returning" Silver asks as he enter her room.
"Yeah" sighing her ears dropping. "Everypony thinks I'm nuts for thinking that she is returning. I hope that it's not true, but I feel she's coming back."
Silver walks over to her throwing a forhoof around her. "Regardless you have me to protect you. You know your brother would kill me if something happened to you." Chuckling a bit. "Now come on we have a Summer Sun Celebration to go to." Twilight nods as they head back down to the mane level of the library. They wake Spike up who passed out after tearing it up on the dance floor and head to city hall for the start of the festival. As the arrive they notice a lot of ponies entering the facility. "I'm gonna wait out and wait for everypony to get here then do a security sweep before I meet you inside."
She nods and enters. It takes about thirty minute for everypony to arrive. Nopony, at least that Silver saw, looked suspicious, so he started his security sweep around city hall. As he gets to back of the building, he notices that the Princess's carriage was not on the balcony. Looking around the night sky there was no sign of the Princess. It was in that moment that he felt an evil presence coming from inside the hall. With one last quick look into the sky he rushes back to the front of building. As he gets back to the front, Twilight rushes out from the hall.
"What's going on Twilight?"
"She has returned, Nightmare Moon has returned."