The day of the duel came faster than they had expected. Luna was busy with Celestia organising the event. It had became a big deal in Canterlot since the guard was to be split up into Celestial and Lunar. And ponies were curious about these new guard ponies. Rune and Acropolis sat in the Celestial gardens where the event was being held, out of their armor for fear of scaring everypony in the daylight. Large bleachers had been set up and a team of ponies were marking out the combat zone. A group of Unicorn’s were installing magical barriers and a group of Pegasi were putting up a net above the arena.

“Well they are certainly getting this place prepared for a fight.” Acropolis commented on the construction.

“Well, they don't want any accidents, in case you hadn't noticed we are quite dangerous.” Rune said using her magic to clean off her glasses.

“Yeah, to regular ponies,” He thought back to the vault and the different scenarios the good doctor had put them through. “But, we did fail the last one.”

“Come on Acropolis! seriously? Of course we failed it! I was up against Shining Armor and you had Twilight Sparkle!” Rune scoffed.

“How is that even fair?” Acropolis asked aloud.

“Its not. That's the point,” Shining Armor had approached them while they were distracted, he was in full regalia. “Luna’s vault?” They both nodded. “Do you know what lesson that final fight was supposed to teach you?” They both shook their heads. “That there is always somepony that can best you.”

“If I may sir, what did the vault show you?” Acropolis way overstepping his bounds to ask such question.

“My mother,” Shining answered without flinching. “There is more than one way to defeat a pony. Remember that you two.”

“And how are you today, my little ponies?” Celestia floated down from the sky landing gracefully next to Shining Armor. “Ready for today's duel?”

“Princess," Acropolis bowed his head slightly, "We are as prepared as were gonna be, and I have to ask. Who are we dueling?” Acropolis and rune had been kept in the dark about who they would be facing.

“Oh, thats a surprise, after all, often you will have no information on your enemy up until you face them.” Celestia gave off that vibe that Fluttershy did from time to time, of having been more traveled than they led on. “Oh, actually Shining, I was wondering if you would mind if I swapped out your magic user for one from my school?”

“A school pony?” Shining seemed put off by this request.

“Oh, no she’s old enough. I’ve sort of taken her under my wing and I want to see her perform. That and im sure it will be a spectacle.” Celestia gave a little giggle. Suddenly a lot of Twilight's issues made sense to Acropolis.

“Well, if you think she can handle it I have no objections, my candidate was terrified of these two anyway.” Shining gave a little chuckle. “Congrats Rune you now have to face Celestia’s new understudy. Good Luck, if shes anything like Twilight you will need it.” Shining saluted to the princess and left.

“Oh, goody.” Rune said sarcastically.

“Don't fret Rune, if anything I just did you a favor,” Celestia put her wing over Rune. “Just remember you two, don't kill anypony.” And with a smile she flew off.

Acropolis and Rune stood on the arena grounds with Luna, all three of them in full battle regalia. The crowd that had gathered was larger than expected and pegasus ponies had to drag in clouds to seat all those that could fly. Across the arena from them Celestia stood alone. The crowd milled about waiting for the event to begin. Celestia walked out into the middle of the arena signaling the beginning of the event.

“Greetings Fillies and Gentlecolts!” Her voice boomed and everypony went silent. “Today we are here to witness acts of valor and combat from our newly instated Lunar guard." The crowd cheered. "We will see two displays, One from Acropolis and one from Rune Shift. The captain and lieutenant respectfully. They will face one pony of my selection. And of course Captain of the freshly renamed Celestial guard, Shining Armor, has given me his recommendations as well. With this I have chose those who will fight,” Celestia Motioned to a pony that was off the arena, “First to duel is Acropolis of the Lunar guard, formerly of Ponyville town guard,” Acropolis could hear familiar shouts in the crowd, looking over he saw Rainbow Dash and Bulge Bicep up on the clouds, “He will be facing Brigade of the Celestial guard!” Those words struck Acropolis like a brick. Of course Shining would pit him against Brigade.

Brigade walked onto the arena in full regalia and carrying a shield and spear. Acropolis recalled that his magic was almost completely about finite manipulation of objects. Which made sense for him to use a shield and spear. He had seen Brigade use them in training, so he was aware that he was skilled in their use. But it had been many years since he had watched him practice, and he was sure Brigade had only gotten better. They approached each other in the middle of the arena.

“For what it is worth, I objected to this.” Brigade said as they got closer.

“Its fine, at least it’s not to the death right?” Acropolis was looking for the silver lining.

“Are you both ready?” Celestia asked.

“Yes.” They replied in unison.

“Then let this duel begin!” And with that Celestia teleported away.

Brigade brought his shield forward, drawing his spear back. He was clever, hiding his magic by only grabbing the parts Acropolis couldn’t see. Acropolis spread his wings out and began to circle his foe. Brigade’s eyes were the only thing Acro could see, through the slot in the shield. The shield moved slightly as Brigade's spear came streaming out. Acro barely had time to deflect it with his wings.

“Good, now lets try this on for size.” Brigade called out from behind his wall. The shield seemed to not move as a flurry of spears came at Acropolis. He was barely able to keep up with the relentless assault. There was a break in the flurry, Acro thrust off to one side in an attempt to get around the shield. As he came around the shield Brigade was smiling, Acro pulled up his wing to strike and thrusted at Brigade. All he had to do was get him to submit. Just shy of contact Brigade brought his shield down sideways onto Acropolis’ wing pinning him to the ground.

“Damnit!” Acro shouted. On his back and with only one wing free, Brigade moved to strike the winning blow. Acropolis pulled on his trapped wing, no good, it was stuck as long as Brigade held down the shield.

“Looks like this is over friend.” Brigade rose his spear to get the winning blow. Acropolis pulled himself up placing all four hooves on the shield. Launching himself off the shield he threw it clear of the arena and threw himself straight at Brigade. Catching the momentum Acropolis wrapped the dull part of his wing around Brigades neck, choke slamming him backwards into the ground like a wrestling move. Brigade hit the ground with such force it kicked up a dust cloud. The crowd gasped as Acro rolled out of the cloud and back onto his hooves. Ready to fight again he prepped for Brigades next assault. As the dust cleared there lay Brigade, unconscious.

“This duels winner is Acropolis!” Celestia called out as medical ponies rushed out to collect the unconscious Brigade. Acropolis could hear the shouts of the crowd but Rainbow Dash and Bulge Bicep seemed the loudest. Acropolis wandered back to Luna and collapsed next to Rune. “Acropolis, just so you know he is fine,” Celestia shouted, “Now the next round is Rune Shift, Lieutenant of the Lunar guard! Formerly of The School for Gifted Unicorns research staff!” Rune walked out into the center of the arena. “And her opponent is Trixie! Formerly a traveling magician now studying at the School for Gifted Unicorns under me!”

“I Think you mean The Great and Powerful Trixie!” Trixie teleported into the arena with great fanfare, fireworks, smoke, and even confetti. “I am here to show you what a real unicorn can do with magic.” Acropolis could hear Rainbow Dash say ‘oh brother’ over the crowd.

“Well, then lets begin this round!” Celestia teleported away, again leaving them alone in the arena.

“So, how long are you going to just stand there?” Trixie’s tone was very hostile.

“Just long enough.” Rune cast a magic bolt at her it reflected off an invisible barrier.

“Ha! seriously? You thought that would beat me!” Trixie laughed. Rune dug a shape into the ground with her tail and teleported to another side of Trixie’s barrier. Struck it again with magic, discreetly wrote another symbol and did it again. “What the first time wasnt enough?” she cackled.

“Nope, just some prep work.” Rune grinned.

“For?” Trixie aske loudly.

“Zerstören meine Feinde Barriere!” Rune called out and the symbols on the ground glowed with magic. Trixie’s barrier shattered and dispersed.

“What? Thats not-” Rune grabbed Trixie with her magic and tossed her skyward. Trixie quickly teleported and double hoof kicked Rune in the back of the head. “How dare you try to-” Rune struck Trixie with a magical punch upside the head from on the ground. “You little-” Grabbing Rune’s hoof she drags her across the ground slamming her into the grandstand with her magic. “Stay down!” Trixie cast another spell but the effect was not obvious.

“Not a chance!” Rune teleported to right in front of Trixie. “This is over!” She swung at her with a magic strike and it passed right through her.

“Oh did I forget to mention?” Trixie was now behind her, “That my special talent is magic,” Another Trixie appeared to the right, “Especially illusion magic?” A fourth Trixie had arrived in the arena. “Of course by now you have figured that out.” All four Trixies cast a magic strike slamming Rune to the ground. They all laughed in perfect unison and slammed Rune again.

“Lassen Sie mich zu meinem unsichtbaren Feind!” Rune vanished with a poof of smoke.

“What! Thats not possible!” The Trixies cried, and started looking around for signs as to where Rune had gone.

“Meine Rauch füllen meine Welt und trüben ihre Vision.” Smoke filled the arena, the Trixie illusions started to waver and blink in and out.

“Show yourself!” Trixie could hear more scratching as Rune dug more symbols into the ground.

“Streik von der Erde mein grand Säule.” Rune called out, the smoke dispersed and only the real Trixie was left. The runes all around her lit up with magic. A small pillar of solid rock shot up from the ground striking the real Trixie in the stomach. The blow landed so hard it launched her several feet in the air. Trixie landed a couple feet away, unconscious. The crowd was silent for a moment then burst into cheers.

"The winner is Rune Shift!” Celestia Teleported down as medical ponies move Trixie off the field. “I am glad to say that the Lunar guard has shown us quite a display of quick thinking and combat prowess! Be happy citizens! For now these two brave ponies are the new Lunar guard!” Cheers echoed off the castle. “Luna please, say something.” Luna flew over and joined her sister in the middle.

"Thank you, sister. Citizens of Canterlot. I am glad that my guards have gained your approval. And please rest easy tonight and every night after for the Lunar guard has been revived!” Luna received much fan fair. Rune and Acropolis were just glad it was over all they wanted was a hot bath and to go to sleep.