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1408 7.83 KB 107
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=Helios 2=
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>You stood silently outside the meeting room.
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>Your duty was to guard the door while Princess Celestia met with the Griffin High Thane inside.
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>The Griffin Kingdoms had been going through massive political upheaval, with new Thanes and Jarls taking leadership constantly.
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>The current leader of the nation was here in Canterlot today in an attempt to smooth over the frosty relations between Griffin and Pony kind.
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>Opposite your side of the door stood a member of the Thanes Highguard.
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>Sporting a more impressive and protective set of armor then the rest of the Thane's guards, he stood ramrod stiff and glared ahead.
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>You clear your throat, no reason you can't try to lighten the mood...
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"So...does that armor make it hard to fly?"
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>He glances over to you. "Our armor is based off the Golden Fleece. Light as a feather, yet hard as steel."
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>You let out a low whistle and lift up your arm.[spoiler][/spoiler] "I'm in Dragonbone Plate, myself. Light, fireproof, and durable enough to keep me whole."
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>He continues to eye you. "Equestria has the resources to down dragons?"
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"Heh. We just had a few bones from a long time ago..."
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>"Still. Impressive that a monarch would commit such resources to her personal guard." He said.
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>That...was a bit odd.
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>Suddenly, the door to the meeting room swings open, almost smashing you in the face.
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>Out walks a Griffin in highly ornate armor. "I will not stay here and be patronized by a child playing at Queen!" He shouts
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>The Thane to the guard next to you. "Eitri! We are done here, we make for Gryphus at once!"
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>The High Thane stomps his way down the hall with his bodyguard tailing him.
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>They both take to the skies as soon as they are out of the building, flying North at high speeds.
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>As they departed, Princess Celestia slowly walks out of the meeting room. Her head low.
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"What happened?"
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>Princess Celestia shakes her head. "The High Thane refused my peace offering. He says that Equestria is too weak to be allies with The Griffin Kingdoms."
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>Shit...
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"Are all Griffins like that, Your Majesty?"
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>Celestia adopts a disappointed demeanor. "No...but many Griffins still cling to the old ways. High Thane Weisshaupt is simply one of them."
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>The two of you stand in the hall in silence for a time.
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"What now, Princess?"
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>Celestia's face grows steely. "I must speak to Shining Armor." She says as she makes for the door.
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"Yes, Ma'am."
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>The guard barracks were located on the opposite side of the city from the embassy.
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>Along the way, you got to play your second role as Royal Queensguard.
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>Crowd control.
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>Many citizens tried to get close to Princess Celestia as she walked the streets, it was your duty to ensure they didn't get too close.
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>This was the aspect of your job you really didn't enjoy.
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>Any of these ponies could be hiding a weapon on them, and when they swarmed like this it made it overwhelming.
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>Celestia pressed onward, however. Her patience and grace keeping the two of you moving at a decent speed towards the barracks.
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>You found Shining Armor drilling a few new recruits in the barracks central courtyard.
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>He turns to you as he dismisses his troops. "Anonymous. Princess Celestia. What may I do for you?" He asks with a bow.
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>Princess Celestia chuckles. "Rise Shining Armor, there is no need for that among friends and family."
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>The guard captain smiles as he returns to his feet. "What's the nature of your visit today, Princess?"
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>The monarchs face falls again. "I recently had a meeting with High Thane Weisshaupt regarding our two nations. It...did not end well."
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>Shining Armors face hardens. "What needs to be done, your majesty?"
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>"I need you to prepare the guard for any actions the High Thane may attempt."
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>She turns to you. "Anonymous, I want you to coordinate with Shining Armor. Two minds are better than one here."
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>"Yes Ma'am." You and Shining Armor say in unison.
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>"Anon?" Shining asks.
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"Hmm?"
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>The Guard Captain grows a wry smile. "Have you been practicing your combat skills?"
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>Oh, this again.
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"More so than you just standing around looking important."
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>Now his smile is a full blown smirk. "Care to test that?"
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"Any time anywhe-..."
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>Your eyes drift up to the giggling Princess Celestia.
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"Uh...That is, if Her Highness doesn't mind."
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>"Oh no, go on. I know how competitive you two can be."
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>Your face reddens a bit.[spoiler][/spoiler] "Thank you, Ma'am."
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>You throw off some of your bigger armor and grab a practice sword off the rack.
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>Shining Armor was easily the best swordsp0ny in all of Canterlot, perhaps all of Equestria.
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>You were good, but you had your work cut out for you.
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>Shining was still wearing his smarmy grin as he lunged at you, his sword held in a magical grip.
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>You stepped back and blocked his swipe. "On the defensive already, Anon? Not good..."
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>That was the other reason Shining Armor always won duels, he never shut up.
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>This jerk had the endurance of a minotaur.
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>His wife must be ecstatic.
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>You twist yourself out of Armor's assault and begin one of your own.
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>He retains his smirk even as he backpedals against your strikes.
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>You scrape the tip of your practice sword along the ground and toss sand up into his eyes.
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>He erects a shield over his eyes a moment too late as the dirt traps itself in one eye.
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>Armor smiles through his now closed eye. "Not bad, Anon. But let's see if you can keep it up."
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>You're happy to oblige as you swing on the his blind side.
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>Shining's sword snaps up to block you, but you don't stop.
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>You continue your assault to the sound of Shining egging you on. "Faster! Faster! Disrupt my focus!"
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>You swipe low at his feet before you rocket up, inches away from his face. "You're gripping the sword too tightly!"
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>You adjust your grip on the sword and swing at Shining's head once more.
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>This time however, he twists his sword around yours and hurls it into the air.
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>He then emits a short blast of magic at you, pushing you back.
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>You lower your hands from your face to see Shining Armor holding your own sword to your neck.
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>"Now too lightly." He says with that grin.
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>You had lead Celestia to her room like you did every evening after the sparring match with Shining Armor.
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>Imagine your surprise when she asked to meet her at the dining hall.
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>"I was planning to grab some food before I retired, would you care to keep me company?" She had asked.
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>You were a bit surprised at the request, but you accepted soon enough.
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>Celestia may be your monarch and it was your duty to protect her, but she was also a good friend of yours.
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>You had removed your armor at your room and found Celestia sitting at the table when you arrived.
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>Princess Luna was also at the table, albeit farther back.
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>You and Celestia sat at the table as you ate, talking as friends over the events of the day.
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>"Perhaps I should make Shining Armor my bodyguard after his performance today."
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"I don't want to badmouth a friend, but he cheated."
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>"Did he now?" Celestia chuckled.
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"Shining Armor knows that he can be distracting, and he has magic. Tell me Celestia, how am I supposed to compete against that?"
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>Celestia releases a laugh as she feeds another forkful of salad into her mouth.
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>Princess Luna chooses that moment to rise from her seat and walk towards the two of you. "Thy guard should apply himself more, Sister."
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>Celestia grows an annoyed frown at Luna. "Anonymous has valid points, Luna. He does not have the magical aptitude that Shining Armor has."
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>You really should figure something out for that...
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>Luna scoffs. "I had heard that something happened with the Griffin Thane today, is it something I should know?"
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>Celestia's frown grows more honest now. "Yes. Thane Weisshaupt has declined my offer for an alliance. He says that we are too weak in his eyes to warrant one."
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>"Arrogant kit..." Luna mutters as she makes for the door.
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>"Fear not, Sister. I shall see to the Thane..." She calls back.
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>Luna shuts the door behind her casting the room into silence.
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