True Valor: Chapter Seven-Disappointment
By: TammoWoodsorel
The group was able to exit the same way that they came in and had no trouble with the curse that had before since they were using the shield that Shining Armor had made. They made it to the top of the stairs to find that Princess Cadance was waiting for them on her throne. Once everypony had made it up the stairwell, Shining Armor nodded to Princess Cadance and she closed the entrance to the stairs.
Princess Cadance made sure to express her joy for seeing them return safely, "Well thank Celestia that you are all back. You were down there so long that I was worried something had happened."
Shining Armor quickly made his way to her side and said, "It was no walk in the park but, thanks to Wiz, we made it through troubles that we did not count on."
Princess Cadance asked, "So then your mission was successful?"
Shining Armor just gestured to the White Pegasus standing amongst the ponies that he had gone down with. Iron Side knew that they were talking about him.
He made a quick bow and said, "Madam…"
Princess Cadance questioned him, "So then you must be Iron Side?"
Iron Side stood up and answered, "Indeed I am, your majesty."
Princess Cadance wanted to know how much Iron Side was aware of, "I'm sorry but I need to make sure that you've been brought up to speed."
Iron Side stared at her as if he did not understand but Wisdom Tooth ended his confusion, "She wants to know how much you know about your current position."
Iron Side nodded and answered, "My apologies, Thither be some phrases I know not of. Anyhow, all that I have been informed of is the fact that I have been asleep in that dungeon for just over Century."
Princess Cadance smiled warmly and said, "Well that's the most important part. However, since this city has been lying dormant for most of your sleep, not much has changed. Also, the Princesses that were in power when you were out are still here. Although, I have been added to that list. I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza but you may call me Cadance."
Iron Side bowed again and said, "Thank ye, Princess Cadance. I do, however, have one question. What am I to do now that I am free?"
Princess Cadance pondered this for a moment and then began to think out loud, "Well you were the commander of the Royal Guard but my husband here already has that job. I'll talk with him and General Balderdash to see if we can figure something out."
Wisdom Tooth spoke up at this point, "Actually, Cadance, both of those are taken care of. As you may recall, the whole point of my mission was to recruit Iron Side for the Princess' Elite Guard. So, as far as an occupation goes, that should be taken care of. As for a place of temporary residence, he can have the room that so generously lent to me. I don't have anything in there besides my wing guards and I could just wear those around."
Princess Cadance looked at him quizzically, "But then where will you sleep?"
Wisdom Tooth rubbed the back of his neck as he explained himself, "Well, I suffer from a severe case of insomnia. I really don't need to sleep since I draw my energy from the Crystal Heart so it's no big deal. But I have not actually used the room for anything since I've gotten here. I just did not want to offend you in any way."
Princess Cadance gave him a reassuring smile before saying, "Well thank you, Wiz. I trust you won't mind showing Iron Side to his room?"
Wisdom Tooth nodded and said, "Not at all, Cadance."
Princess Cadance turned back to Iron Side and said, "Well then why don't you follow Wisdom Tooth to your room and then we will discuss any questions you may still have."
Iron Side bowed and said, "Thank ye, Princess Cadance. I shan't forget thine kindness. Now, with thine permission, I'd like to take my leave."
Princess Cadance nodded to him and he began to head out. Wisdom Tooth made a quick bow and followed him.
Wisdom Tooth walked next to Iron Side down the hallways of the castle. He took notice that Iron Side slowed his pace so that Wisdom Tooth could keep up. While Iron Side was not too much larger than Wisdom Tooth, he could still walk faster with ease.
Iron Side took a turn in the wrong direction so Wisdom Tooth spoke up, "The rooms are this way…"
Iron Side stopped and turned to look at Wisdom Tooth before speaking, "Indeed they are however, it seems thou hast some matters to discuss with me. Shall we proceed to the conference room?"
Wisdom Tooth nodded and followed him. He was not surprised to see that Iron Side knew the layout of the castle already.
Once in the conference room, they both took a seat and Iron Side wasted no time in beginning the discussion, "Now what is this I hear of an Elite Guard?"
Wisdom Tooth cleared his throat and explained, "I know that you were the the Commander of the Royal Guard but that position is no longer available," Wisdom Tooth paused to wait for a response but Iron Side just nodded so he continued, "However, we do have a position available that would suit your skills perfectly."
Iron Side asked, "Who exactly are 'we'?"
Wisdom Tooth elaborated, "I trust that you remember Princess Celestia. Are you aware of the existence of a race of ponies known as Changelings?"
Iron Side shook his head and said, "I've only heard of them in stories. I was under the impression that they had been banished from Equestria."
Wisdom Tooth nodded, "Yes, they were banished from Equestria but Princess Celestia has recently seen it fit that they be allowed to roam free in Equestria once more now that their Queen has been overthrown."
Iron Side seemed a bit unsettled by this news, "According to the stories I've heard, allowing the Changelings to come back might not have been the best course of action."
Wisdom Tooth asked, "Why is that?"
Iron Side shrugged and said, "Well I heard that they're all scourges that deserve nothing more than a swift death."
Wisdom Tooth tried to defend Changelings, "While there are a good number of them that are bad, there are plenty that are good ponies."
Iron Side shook his head, "From what I've heard, they're all out for blood."
Wisdom Tooth tried to explain, "Well they were once commanded by Queen Chrysalis who forced all of them to do the terrible things that you have heard about, even if they did not want to."
Iron Side shrugged again and said, "Mayhaps they're not as bad as methinks…"
Wisdom Tooth sighed and got on with what he had to say, "Anyway, that's not important. What is important is the crime rate. As much as I hate to admit it, the crime rate has risen significantly since the Changelings have been allowed back in Equestria. I believe it is they still have to adjust to living in this new society. So Princess Celestia wishes to establish the Elite Guard which should be able to handle all the trouble that is being caused. It is supposed to consist of the strongest and most skilled Unicorn, Pegasus, Earth-Pony, and Changeling as well as a Squire for each of them. They would hold the rank of Knights and uphold the peace in Equestria. They actually rank higher than the Commander of the Royal Guard if that same pony were not a prince."
Iron Side seemed confused, "Dost thou mean to say that her royal highness wishes to gather the best of the best in order to patrol as police?"
Wisdom Tooth glanced behind him to make sure the door was closed and then leaned in so that Iron Side could hear him whisper, "That's the cover but the Elite Guard is really designed to put a cap on things," when he saw that Iron Side did not understand the phrase, Wisdom Tooth reworded it, "It's meant to take care of a much bigger problem without the public knowing about it."
Iron Side seemed interested, "Pray tell, what might this problem be?"
Wisdom Tooth whispered, "A little while ago, a Changeling by the name of Captain Fear got his hooves on some clones of some very strong ponies. He escaped the princess and has gone into hiding but he is bent on revenge and poses a threat to any pony that he runs into. He is not afraid to kill to make sure that his operations stay quiet. He nor his clones are hooked up to the Crystal Heart like all the others so is forced to get his energy from ponies by capturing them. It is the first mission of the Elite Guard to hunt him down and capture him at all costs."
Iron Side nodded and thought silently for a few moments before saying, "That does indeed seem to be a dire situation. Thou art correct in saying that my skill set is best fit for this team," after another moment, he asked, "So who might my Squire be?"
Wisdom Tooth responded readily, "I have been assigned to be the Squire of the Pegasus that becomes a Knight."
Iron Side looked at him and said, "I fought thee in the dungeon. Ye fought well but much work is needed."
Wisdom Tooth added, "Well it is also the job of the Knight to train their Squire to be able to hold their own just as well as the Knight."
There was a long silence and Wisdom Tooth was surprised to see that Iron Side was actually sweating. Iron Side was obviously weighing his options but could not decide what to do.
Wisdom Tooth finally said, "There is no need to answer right away, take a few days to think about it."
Iron Side shook his head and answered, "That wilt not be necessary. I am sorry but I must decline thine invitation. I've already had a Squire and I failed him to the highest degree. I cannot be trusted with another. Thou wilt have to find somepony else to by thine Knight. Now could ye please escort me to my residence?"
Wisdom Tooth was baffled, "What? Wait… please reconsider. It does not work like that. You either accept or there is no Elite Guard."
Iron Side shook his head and said, "My mind hath been made up. Now please bring me to my room."
This time it was an order. Wisdom Tooth knew that he would make no progress at this point. The mission was to recruit Iron Side at all costs. Wisdom Tooth would not be allowed to leave the Crystal Empire until he had his Knight. Wisdom Tooth withheld a tear as he thought that his reunion with Pinkie Pie might not be for a long time.
Wisdom Tooth brought Iron Side to the room.
Iron Side stepped in and turned to face the visibly depressed Wisdom Tooth and said, "Thank thee for offering me thine boarding. My sincerest apologies go out to thee that thine mission did not end as planned."
When there was no response, he began to close the door but Wisdom Tooth caught it with his hoof and spoke to Iron Side as he continued to gaze at the floor, "My mission has not ended. I am to recruit you at all costs. No matter how long it takes," Wisdom Tooth looked up to glare into Iron Side's eyes, "I will not give up."
Just as he finished his sentence, Wisdom Tooth turned and walked away without so much as a farewell. Iron Side just stared in amazement for a moment. He had never seen such determination in a pony before. He closed the door and retired for the night.
