Chapter Eleven
Nighting Gale's eyes were wide, and she was confused. "B-But… How? That doesn't make any sense?" She managed to ask.
Silver Flash nodded, still smiling. "Princess Celestia heard about the attacks on Bat Ponies. She did her best to prevent what she could, but nothing could actually be done by her ways." He gave an along sigh, looking down some. "So, she let my lord off his chains, let loose the restraints keeping him bound, the moment she heard these ponies were targeting foals."
Nighting Gale's own eyes began to shift around, as she recalled what had happened. As her mind worked the details out, seeing the flashes of gold metal within the memories. But one stood out more than the others. It was after it was all said and done, the guards collecting the dead. Filly Nighting Gale was crying on the cloaked pony's hoof. She remembered seeing the gold metal that incased it, and always thought it was Princess Celestia's royal regalia… But now, she knew it wasn't that, but armor!
The mare looked up at Silver Flash, who was already looking at her, and smiling. "Ironically, I remember seeing you upon their return… Riding on Ms. Barricade's back, while your brother stood, tall, next to my lord." He gave a light chuckle. "You were so adorable, back then. Sweeties little filly I've ever met… Though, I understand why you hate feeling weak. It was because of that night, and each time I remember that scene. I remember what had happened, and the sense of failure my lord endured afterwards."
Nighting Gale remained silent, as she just looked at the old butler. Though, she lowered her head until the banes of her mane covered both eyes.
"You couldn't do anything, both parents falling to such ill fates, at the hooves of such terrible ponies." Silver Flash sighed, shaking his head. "Your brother saving you… Then, what happened in the gardens, caused those feelings to resurface. It is good we had this talk, and-?"
"MR. Flash?" She finally spoke up, he old butler nodding to her. "Thank you for talking to me, about all this." Nighting Gale looked up at him, giving the stallion a bright smile.
Silver Flash just looked at her, before smiling too. "Anytime, dear… I'm always here to help." He sighed, relieved to have this off his chest too. "Now, anything else, by chance?"
Nighting Gale thought for a few moments, then remembered something that she's always wanted to ask him. "Yeah., there is… It is something about Sun Guard."
"Go ahead, I will answer, and help you, the best I possibly can." He smirked, leaning into the chair, pulling up a cup of tea.
The mare raised an eyebrow, wondering where he got that cup. Shaking the thought off, she went ahead with the question. "D-Did you know… Sun Gard has no cutie mark?"
The question suddenly made him spit the tea out, shaking his head a bit, with wide eyes. "Ahhh… T-That." His eyes became nervous, shifting around the rom. "Oh dear… This'll be difficult."
-Day Before the Wedding-
Both Sun Guard and Nighting Gale were walking down the hallway, inspecting the guards selected for the detail of protecting Canterlot Castle. Those chosen were a mix between Celestia and Lunar Guard, each one being the best and partnered with a counterpart from the other branch. Each team were stationed at entrances within the castle, their equipment and weapons polished and expertly tended to.
"Alright, that was the East Wing." Nighting Gale said, as the two High Generals entered the Castle' Main Hal. "Which ends our inspections of the Castle's defenses, the Captains also said they'll inspect those assigned to the city's guard detail."
Sun Guard nodded, as a Celestial Unicorn Guard rushed up. "High Generals!" He shouted, saluting he two commanders, and waited until they saluted back. "Captain Armor's shield is holding, Captain Shine doing his best to support him. Captain Barricade and Claw report that they have increased patrol patterns around Canterlot. Captains Hof and Breeze have also increased their own patrol routes within the city streets."
The two High Generals nodded. "Thank you, for the report, now return to your post." Nighting Gale ordered, the guard giving one last salute before rushing off. "This is so nerve racking… Since we received that threat, both branches have been stretched thin, and the shifts have only increased with each passing day." The mare reached up, and rubbed her eyes, Sun Guard nodding at the comment. "If we aren't careful, somepony is going to-?"
"Sunny!" A voice yelled, before some lavender blur blitz by a surprised Nighting Gale.
Her eyes were wide, and then looked towards Sun Guard… Just to see Twilight Sparkle hugging on to the stallion. He was looking down at her, his head hilted. "Uh… Did I miss something?" Nighting Gale asked, Twilight realizing that the two of them weren't alone.
Instantly, the unicorn mare separated from Sun Guard, smiling at the confused Nighting Gale. "S-Sorry! I haven't seen Sunny in a long time, and got over excited." Twilight apologized.
Nighting Gale attempted to stifle her laugh, never hearing the childish name before. "Sunny?" She asked, Sun Guard giving her a look that just screamed "Shut up, or I'll rip you apart", and then looked at Twilight. "It is alright. I am High General Nighting Gale, High General Sun Guard's partner… Uh, you are?"
"I'm Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia's student." She replied, both mares suddenly having a static friction appear between them, as they smiled at one another. "Sunny here helped watch over me, when I was a filly."
"Oh, so you're the faithful student I have been hearing so much about…" Nighting Gale smiled, before bowing her head towards the mare. "I must thank you, for saving Princess Luna I mean." Despite the kind gesture, Sun Guard could still sense the negative friction between the two of them.
"It was nothing, really." Twilight chirped, some, returning Nighting Gale's smile. Though, she looked up at Sun Guard, then to the mare. "But, if you don't mind, I would like o speak with Sunny, alone, High General…"
She looked at the two of them, the static friction becoming more intense for the senior honor guard while he felt the mare give him a deadly calm look, before nodding. "Of course, Lady Sparkle… And you can call me Gale." She turned to leave. "If you're here, that means Fluttershy is also here, and I haven't seen my sister in some time." Nighting Gale suddenly stopped, and looked back at them. "Have fun, Sunny."
Sun Guard shook his head, knowing for a fact that things are going to become much worse, for him. Regardless of this, he looked down at the lavender mare, and motioned for her to walk with him. To ensure that their conversation remained private, the stallion started to channel a Silencing Spell around them.
"Thanks for this, Sunny." Twilight spoke up, keeping pace with the gold and red clad unicorn stallion. "No pony else would listen to me, but I knew you would at least hear me out." The stallion gave a nod, confirming the mare's thoughts. "Its about Cadence. She isn't acting like her normal self."
Sun Guard stopped, and looked down at her. The stallion seemed confused by the statement, tilting his head a bit.
Twilight shifted on her hooves a bit. "Its just… She isn't acting like her normal, nice, sweet, self! She's a lot meaner, and a bit hateful to everypony." The mare explained.
He thought for a moment, that did sound a bit strange. Plus, Sun Guard knew Twilight didn't act without reason, no matter how small.
"T-Think you could look into it?" She asked, looking up at him while he looked down at her. After a few more moments, he gave a nod. "Oh, thank you, Sunny! I'll also keep an eye out, just in case." Sun Guard gave a nod, as he dropped the spell. "Great… Now, let's go see the others! I want you to meet all my friends!"
Sun Guard gave a nod, the two leaving so they could return to the main hall and meet up with the others… Which, would probably end with Sun Guard being bombarded with questions by the other mares.
-Wedding Day-
Celestia had summoned both High Generals, saying it was an emergency. At that word, both ponies wasted zero time, and arrived before the Sun Princess knew it! "Princess Celestia, we arrived soon as we possibly could!" Nighting Gale announced, as both she and Sun Guard sprinted up to the throne. They knelt down before her, and looked up. "What is the emergency?"
The Sun Princess seemed concerned, worried even, as she looked at the two High Generals. "I have a task for the two of you, something that is important to me. I know, for a fact, the two of you can do it."
Both High Generals stood more presentable, taking the matter even more serious. "Name it, Princess… We're at your command." Nighting Gale stated, as Sun Guard gave an affirming nod.
Celestia nodded, and smiled at them. "Thank you… Twilight Sparkle has gone missing, and no pony has seen her." She leaned forward, eyeing the two of them. "I need you two to search Canterlot… Twilight could be in danger."
Both of the High Generals gave her a salute. "We won't let you down, Princess." Nighting Gale gave a confident smirk.
"Good… I will have Captains Hoof and Breeze take your places at the wedding." Celestia became more relaxed, and smiled. "Now go, who knows what could have happened to my poor student."
With that, the two quickly left the throne room, sprinting down the hallway… Well, Nighting Gale was flying next to Sun Guard, the stallion being much faster on hoof. "Any idea where he could be, big guy?" Nighting Gale asked, covering her jealous feelings for her duty, as the two of them rushed down the hall way. Though, Sun Guard shook his head. "Great, that means we'll have to search the entire city… This could take us all day!"
Sun Guard gave a nod, understanding her frustration towards the idea of searching all of Canterlot, as the two of them turned a corner… Almost running square into Silver Flash! "O-Oh my! Lord Guard, Lady Gale, what has called for such a rush?" He asked, backing up while they came to a sudden halt.
"Twilight Sparkle has gone missing, and no pony has seen her… By chance, have you seen or heard anything that could help us?" Nighting Gale asked, not wanting to waste anytime jumping around words, as the old butler started to think for a moment.
Silver Flash taped his chin a few times. "Well, there is talk around the staff that Lady Sparkle was claiming that Princess Cadence was evil, and brain washing her brother… The group didn't believe her, and broke the poor dear's heart." He looked towards the two. "After that, I don't think any of the staff have seen her. Though, I also heard Princess Cadence went back to where she was last seen, to speak with her."
Sun Guard raised n eyebrow, before he could think any more on it, a voice spoke up. "Did I hear my name?" The three ponies looked behind the old butler, to see Princess Cadence walking up. Or was I hearing things?"
"Apologies, Princess Cadence.' Nighting Gale said, both her and Silver Flash bowing at the same time. "I was just speaking with Mr. Flash about the disappearance of Lady Sparkle." Only Sun Guard didn't show any sign of respect towards Cadence, and just stared at her, which caused the pink alicorn are to raise a brow.
"High General Guard? Why do you not show respect?" She asked him, causing the silent honor guard to narrow his eyes, the moment she addressed him. "Well?"
The reaction caused Silver Flash to go wide eyed, somehow reading the unicorn stallion, and quickly stood between the two of them. "Princess, please excuse my lord… He only answers to Princess Celestia, so that means he only shows her such respect. It is the custom and doctrine of his people."
Princess Cadence eyed him and the honor guard, before nodding. "I understand, that may chance soon though." With that, she passed by them and left.
Both Sun Guard and Silver Flash watched her leave, eyes narrowed. Nighitng Gale looked between them, confused by their actions. "Uh, guys? Something you want to clue me in on?" She asked them.
Silver Flash looked towards Nighting Gale, giving her an elite soldier's stare, which reminded her exactly who was standing before her. "That wasn't Princess Cadence…" He looked up at Sun Guard, the stallion hadn't allowed his gaze to leave where 'Princess Cadence' disappeared to. "And my lord knows that the imposter had something to do with Lady Sparkle's disappearance."
