Chapter 1

The Great Equestrian War

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My alarm clock rudely awoke me.

Moaning, I punched the clock with a hoof. It continued to wine with its annoying ringing.

Still half asleep, I cranked open my eyes to glare at the clock, which read three fifteen. Exasperated, I stumbled out of my warm, comfortable bed to face the day. Not that it was day yet. The sun won't rise for another two and a half hours.

I knew signing up for Day Guard during the Summer Sun Celebration was a bad idea, I thought, sighing. Too late now.

I stumbled across the room to the bathroom. Wincing when I turned on the light, I splashed ice cold water on my face. Blinking the water away from my eyes, I proceeded to inspect my wings for any loose feathers. Satisfied that there were none, I left the room and retrieved my dress armor. I loath that armor. It is so uncomfortable and clunky. The dress armor (uniform) is distinctive from the service uniform because it was plated with real gold and set with a real emerald gemstone.

I put on the armor, fumbling with several of the straps. Have I mentioned how much I hate that armor? When I had finally put the last buckle in its place, I glanced at my clock, and almost fell over in shock. It was three forty-five! It took fifteen minutes to put that blasted thing on!

I quickly groomed back my mane so to would be presentable and grabbed my sword and spear. Both are very ornamental, not meant for combat. Buckling on the sheath, I trotted out the door.

"You're late!" said First Lieutenant Storm Rager. "You know the report time for the Summer Sun Celebration is four hundred hours, sharp!"

I glanced at the clock, which read four oh one. Gez, I am less than a minute late. Give it a rest, I thought. I did not say that aloud, though. It sounded like a good way to get a lecture about not mouthing off to your superior officers.

Instead, I saluted and said, "Yes, sir!"

He looked at me skeptically and said, "I don't know why you are still on the force. You are lazy and weak. But I suppose that we have to accept scum like you."

I chopped down on my lip to keep from shooting back at him. That's a little rich, I thought to myself, seeing as somepony refused to take charge during the Battle of Canterlot.

You see, during the Battle of Canterlot, Captain Shining Armor was detained in Canterlot Castle. Therefore, it fell on the First Lieutenants to lead the counter-attack. Oh, what a nightmare. At the time, there was only one First Lieutenant: Storm Rager. He was such a coward, hiding and trying to save his own fur. The only reason he retained his current rank is because he has one invaluable skill: He can tell when, in a battle, everything hangs in the balance and one determined move by either side means great victory or crushing defeat. Anyways, I assumed command of the Royal Guard during the battle, even though I was only a corporal at the time. Ever since then, Thunder Mane has seen me as a threat, and harbored a dislike for me, even when I was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant.

"Second Lieutenant Thunder Crasher, reporting for duty! Awaiting orders!" I bellowed, suppressing my anger towards the pegasus in front of me.

Storm Rager looked the other way and said in a flat and emotionless voice, "Report to Captain Shining Armor immediately. He will have orders for you. That will be all, Lieutenant. Dismissed."

I saluted, as did he, and we parted ways.

"Captain Shin-"

"Let me stop you there. The Summer Sun Celebration has been cancelled."

I was speechless for several moments. "But, sir-"

"What is more, your presence is ordered in the Great Hall of Canterlot Castle."

"If I may ask, who orders it?"

Shining Armor turned and smiled at me. "Why, none other than the Princesses of Equestria."

I was speechless again. I could think of no reason that the Princesses would want to see me, a pegasus of the Royal Guard! But if they did, then it might not be a good idea to keep them waiting.

"I am on my way."