Chapter Six
-Canterlot Castle Main Hall-
The pat pony mercenary walked back and forth, hands clasped over the top of her pink tail. "Once again, they make me wait for them." She groaned, playfully kicking her legs out with each step she took around the Main Hall. After a couple of times of circling, she stopped and looked up at the steps. Her eyes narrowed, the mare snarling a bit. "I. Hate. WAITING!" She growled.
"Never seev to hate it, ven vour vith me, mein gelibte." A stallion called out, causing the bat pony to turn around, and see the Germaney Knight's leader. He stopped a few paces from the mare, opening his armored arms out. "Ju haven't changed a bit, Rose Arrow."
Immediately, once she saw the stalwart earth pony, the bat pony brightened and gave a bright, fanged, grin. "Darling!" She squealed, practically sprinting towards the Germaney Knight. Once she chose in on him, Rose Arrow leapt up into the stallion's waiting arms, the two embracing one another. To add in the moment for them, the Germaney Knight spun around, with her in his arms, as her hair and his cape flying all around them.
When the Germaney Knight finished, he leaned down so that Rose Arrow could put her hooves on to the ground. "I cannot tell ju vow much I have missed ju." He said, leaning back up after the mare released him. "Ze moment I saw jur men, I sprinted straight here."
Rose Arrow pulled back, a look of sly distrust on her face, keeping her hands on the stallion's armored chest. "Iron Bulwark, the Iron Wolf of Germaney, sprinting somewhere not on his wolf?" She leaned up and kissed the side of his faceplate. "Do not blame me, if I do not believe you." Rose Arrow whispered to him.
Iron Bulwark placed a hand over his heart, like she had just stabbed him. "Ju vound me, meine geliebete." He said, the two sharing a laugh, until loud, and powerful, hoofsteps were heard behind them.
They turned around, and saw the Minotaur Leader walking towards them. "Titan Will hopes he is not interrupting anything personal." He asked, war-axe slung over his shoulder, looking at the two ponies. "If so, he can wait until you are finished."
The two smiled, and shook their heads. "You are good, big guy." Rose Arrow said, moving to where she was now standing at Iron Bulwark's side. "Have you seen the others Titan?"
The Minotaur nodded. "He has! Titan Will has found our comrade, LI!" Titan Will shrugged the axe off of his shoulder, allowing the devastating weapon's head to rest on the ground. "Ran into LI and their Inquisitors shortly after Titan Will's men settled in."
That caused the two ponies to look towards one another, then back at their barbarically armored friend. "You found LI? Well, where are they-…" Rose Arrow's question got answered, when the masked figure stepped out from behind Titan Will. "Oh… Spooky, as ever, I see." She smiled, as the golden masked figure nodded to her.
Iron Bulwark looked at the gathred leaders, counting those present. "Ve are only missing two of vour company." He smirked behind his faceplate. "Vne does not surprise me. But ze othzer? It is surprising zat he is not here to greet us."
"That is because I was preparing your employer, on how to speak to each of you properly and not offend you knuckle heads." The four looked up the stairs, seeing Talon, wearing is black armor, with Luna, who wore a black dress with a crescent moon on it, holding on to his right arm… Like a woman of nobility would with one escorting her into somewhere filled with ambassadors, dignitaries, and any royals. The group remained silent, as the two descended down from the stairs, and walked towards them. "Where is Lance? He is normally here at least a day early, and goes about the town in search of proper wine."
"Fancy probably saw some pretty mare, and couldn't resist looking up her dress." Rose Arrow stated, Luna blushing at the blunt comment from the mare. "He will be along, soon enough."
"I resent such a crude thought!" A voice shouted, the group noticing Fancy Lance striding towards them. "A gentlecolt would never have such perverse thoughts, or actions, about a mare he has just met!"
"And you're no gentlecolt, but whatever you say, Fancy." Rose Arrow said, smirking at the defensive words from her surrogate brother.
Talon shook his head. "If you are finished, brother, sister?" He asked, the two nodding to him, as the Gryphon motioned to Luna. "Meet your new employer. Her majesty, Princess of the Night, Sister Ruler of Equestria, and Moon Goddess… Princess Luna." The Lunar Princess gave a sagely nod, still holding on to Talon's arm.
The roup all gave a respective bow towards Luna. "Thank you all, for answering our call… Sir Talon has spoken highly of you all, and recommended each of you quite adamantly." Luna said, the group smirking at how he called their brother 'Sir Talon'. "We look forward to working alongside you all."
Talon nodded to her, then looked at the group. "I am to assume that you each brought a small contingent from your bands, into the city?"
"Titan Will believes our brother may have gone mad, since we last seen him, if he were to believe otherwise of us." The Minotaur laughed, the other Mercenaries nodding in agreement. "Tell us, brother, what is our contract?"
Luna allowed Talon to speak with the other Mercenaries, seeing how they all had a family bond, obviously. "That is quite easy, Titan." The Gryphon tossed a contract, for each one, towards the others. "The last contract we shall ever need to do."
The Mercenaries looked at their contracts, all but LI showing surprise at what is being offered to them. "Zis must be some kind of joke." Iron Bulwark spoke up, looking at the two. "Zere is no vay ju could offer us zis much, Princess… Such a price is high, even for ju."
"I have to agree with Iron, Princess… This is a lot of bits to offer simple Mercenary Bands, even us high end ones." Rose Arrow agreed, leaning against the armored knight. "I mean; it does fit the contract… But, earning such a reward is unheard of."
Luna smiled at them, nodding. "We understand your reaction to this… But, please, there is a reason as to why we are offering you such, with a little help from the nobles of Canterlot of course." The five mercenaries gave her their undivided attention, each curious as to why a Princess of Equestria is willing to pay five mercenary bands enough bits to retire all of their warriors. "Not long ago, three of our sister's Royal Guard attempted to take our life. Sir Talon stopped them… Later, it was discovered that this treachery led up to their Captain, who Sir Talon defeated in single combat." The Mercenaries slightly laughed at the fact their brother still has it. "We discovered, there is no possibly way we could trust our sister's guard… Luckily, Sir Talon knew of a solution for our plight, and reinstate the Lunar Guard in full force."
"Us." The four all said, together, as they gave confident looks, except the mask wearing LI, who only nodded in agreement. "That is correct, and with us together? There is no threat that could touch the Princess, even if the threat is within the very castle she lives in." Talon added, the five looking at one another, smirking.
"Well, Talon? You may count me, and mon battalion, in. Ze Strike Lancers are yours to command, Princess." Fancy Lance removed his hat, and bowed with it over his chest.
"Ze Iron Volves shall ride in jur name, Princess." Iron Bulwark drew his hammer out, and made a customary knight's salute to Luna.
Rose Arrow gave a playful salute, leaning against the knight's chest. "If Iron, and his boys, are in? Then better count me, and my Shadow Rangers, in too!"
"Mmm…" Titan Will thought on it, rubbing his bearded chin. "Titan Will, and his Brawlers, have been seeking a challenge…" The Minotaur grinned, before slamming a fist on to the center of his chest. "The Titan Brawlers are innnnnnnn!" He flexed at the last word, confusing Luna a bit.
All eyes went to the robed, and masked, LI. The mysterious being, which some believed to be a unicorn of some kind, seemed to be pondering the idea. Her gloved hands picked up the contract, and started to read it over many times. It is almost like the entire idea of those five bands becoming Luna's guard, rested on this mysterious being's robed shoulders. After a few more moments later, they placed the contract down and gave a respectful bow.
"LI accepts the contract." Talon translated for Luna, who nodded.
"I thank you all, for this. Now…" Luna's hands gained a light blue glow, as ink and quill floated over to the five. "Let us make this official, and see to everything needed for your bands to become the Lunar Guard." The five nodded, and started to fill out the contracts, while Luna smiled up at Talon… Who winked at her, and returned the smile.
-Sometime Later, Royal Throne Room-
"Princess, please, I must voice my complaint for this!" A Royal Pegasi Guard, wearing decorated armor, spoke up. Celestia, sitting on her throne, eyed the kneeling guard, and nodded for him to continue. "Her Majesty, Princess Luna, insults every member of your guard, by hiring mercenaries to do the job we have trained for, protecting her! I understand her thoughts, after the incident with Former Captain Sun Beam, and his men, but this is unheard of, outrageous even! This is a wound to our honor, and she places salt within said wound by doing this… It cannot go unchallenged."
Celestia chose to remain silent, until the guard had finished, before she retorted. "Captain Sky Light, regardless of my thoughts on this matter, a key factor remains. The Lunar Guard are my sister's personal guard, as you and the Solar Guard, formally known as the Royal Guard, are my own." At the mentioning of their title, the two heavily armored, golden, Royal Guards next to her became more presenting for the Princess. "Who are recruited, and given the honor, into their ranks? Are up to her, and her advisors…. Who have agreed with this course of action." Her gaze went to the young, newly appointed, Unicorn Captain. "Do you have any problems with this, Captain Armor?"
The purple armored unicorn stallion shook his head. "While I understand my new colleague's argument, I do not see an issue with Her Majesty's decision." Shining Armor answered, kneeling like the other two Captains. "Sir Talon has proven to be a capable protector, and warrior, to us. If the mercenaries he chose are the same caliber, then I welcome their skill and presence…. It shall make our duty easier to perform."
That caused the white alicorn to simile, before she looked at the final Captain. "And you, Captain Heavy Hoof?"
The large earth pony Captain remained unreadable, even to Celestia, as he pondered her question. "I understand Sky Light's argument, for the Royal Guard have safeguarded the Royal Family for a thousand years." Sky Light smirked, but Heavy Hoof was not finished yet. "I also understand young Shining Armor's thoughts on the matter. Sir Talon defeated three Royal Guards, on his own… Then defeated their Captain the next day." Celestia raised an eyebrow, hearing the stalwart Captain's neutral position. "All I can say? Let us see how they perform, before casting judgement on them."
Celestia gave a nod, as Sky Light scoffed at the response. "It is still unheard of, Princess… I mean-?"
"We suggest holding thine tongue, when referring to our guard, without their presence or ours, Captain." The Captains, and Celestia, looked towards the door, seeing Luna there… However, she wasn't alone.
The Moon Princess currently wore a sparkling, ice blue, dress with her Royal Regalia. Standing around the weakened princess, were the six mercenary Captains representing her Royal Guards. Each one had replaced their old attire, for a midnight blue version instead. At certain points of their attire, they bore Luna's crescent moon on them; The Germaney Knight's chest, the Bat Pony Ranger's gauntlets, the Prance Lancer's half cloak, the Minotaur Barbarian's pauldren, and on the back of the masked figure's robe. Only Talon's armor remained the same, almost like his black armor made the Gryphon seem like her champion, truly. They all positioned, and posed, themselves in a rather intimidating manner, making the young princess seem untouchable with them around. Both Talon and Iron Bulwark standing at her sides, Rose Arrow and Fancy Lance standing next to the armored guardians, Titan Will standing behind them like he was some towering sentinel, and LI simply stood behind Titan Will to make sure nothing tried sneaking up on them.
"Our Lunar Knights might become offended." Luna walked forward, her guard right behind her. "Apologies, dear sister, for our tardiness. We had to rearm our new personal guard, and prepare production of new guard uniforms, before any other affair is tended to."
Celestia smiled at her younger sister. "It is alright, Luna. I understand the trivial matter that is getting armament ordered." Luna walked up next to her sister, as the six stopped and knelt down with the three Captains. "Hm… The 'Lunar Knights'?" Celestia looked at her younger sister, with a sly smirk.
"Yes. They shall act as our hand, protecting Equestria from any threat… While a handpicked Honor Guard protects us, while they perform their duties." Luna spoke, noticing the Royal Pegasi Captain about to retort, and quickly silenced him. "The Royal Guard have kept mostly to Canterlot, we wish to change this with our Lunar Guard… Each Lunar Knight has a battalion under their command, and shall use such numbers to protect Equestria, while leaving a detachment here in Canterlot." Luna looked at Celestia, worried that such a decision is far too bold. "Is this acceptable, sister?"
Celestia gave a nod. "Indeed, it is, Luna… Though, with such great numbers within their ranks, we must prepare an Enclave for them to rest within."
Luna suddenly smiled, at her sister's acceptance. "We know the perfect place, dear sister… The Lunar Enclave's Construction shall begin, when you deem it ready to be."
"Then, by all means, begin construction, Luna." She smiled at her sister, nodding. "I wish for your Lunar Guard, and Knights, to begin their noble task soon as possible."
That caused Luna to smile, even brighter, before looking down to the six. "You heard our sister, Lunar Knights! Let us begin construction!" They quickly stood up, and saluted the two princesses. Once Luna had joined them at the throne's base, they quickly formed up and quickly walked her out of the throne room… The younger princess determined to complete the Lunar Enclave's construction, and show Equestria she is good again.
"Now then…" Celesta gave a cocky grin towards Sky Light. "Still think they are not up to the task, Captain?" The Royal Pegasi Captain had no response, somewhat taken back by the revelation about how strong the Lunar Guard is, in numbers.