Acropolis found himself alone in his bed, the sun was coming up, and he struggled to remember if it was all a dream or not. The saddle bags filled with ancient books on his back pinched as he laid on them, that ruled out a dream. He rolled over and pulled his shade down with his wing making the room dark once more.

What had just happened? He wondered, he remembered that door, the armory, and how he lost himself. The Captain of the Lunar Guard had grilled him, peering deep into his mind, pulling the roots of his soul looking for something. Something that the captain apparently had found. But, Acropolis liked his life. He had a good job that people respected, he had friends, he had his house. He had, what he needed. What he didn’t have however is what he wanted. He could feel sleep coming to him and quietly slipped away into dreamland. It was time for Luna to see what Lunar Strike saw in him.

Acropolis found himself admits a grand battle. The Lunar Guards were everywhere fighting monsters of all sizes and shapes. The fighting was furious but to him it all appeared in slow motion. He could see their faces, they wasn't scared, they weren't concerned, even the wounded weren't in pain. They all looked like they were having the best time of their lives. He spotted Lunar Strike head butting a Manticore so hard blood was shooting out of its nose. Above him was Luna, wings spread, head held high, firing a magical blast at a Hydra. He marveled at the sight of all these ponies fighting together. Placing all of their lives on the line. He saw one fallen guard in his last breaths looking toward what was now the Everfree forest. Acropolis followed the dying guards line of sight to see the once glorious Everfree City off in the distance. Its spires reached to the heavens, and lights broke the nights grip on the horizon. This pony, this stallion, died here to protect that city. He felt his eyes water up with pride for his noble sacrifice.

“He died an honorable death that day.” Luna's voice came from behind him. He spun around to see Luna standing there, she had claimed her image in his dream and froze the dream in place. “He was one of my best soldiers.” she said. “I came here into thine dreams expecting to see Ponyville. Calm and protected under thine watch. But I find thee here instead.” she paused, Acropolis was silent. “I sense confusion here, speak freely, this is thine dream.”

“I want it so bad.” Acropolis mashed his teeth together and tensed up all his muscles as if he preparing for combat. Luna stepped back, this is what Lunar Strike must have meant. “That power, the blessing of the moon, to serve the kingdom, to protect Equestria. TO PROTECT EVERYPONY!” He stomped the ground sending little rocks airborne, they froze in the air since the dream had stopped. Luna was shocked by his outburst, that’s when the dream began to change. She could feel it slipping into a nightmare.

The world reappeared around them, Luna found her self outside a small Cloud bound home. Acropolis just stood there staring sadly at the front door. Luna definitely was not expecting this, she figured this pony would have a pleasant dream and she could dismiss him from Lunar Strikes assumptions. But what she didn’t expect was a desire for power she hadn't seen in years. It poured off him, but why wasn't he like this normally? Maybe he had been defeated already, and had accepted his place as just a small town guard. Regardless she knew there was more.

Shouting came from inside the home. Luna could hear three stallions voices and a mare’s having a fight. Acropolis was gone in an instant, he had taken his place in this dream. A memory dream, Luna had seen these before, when a pony is thinking of a defining moment they often dream of that event. But usually they are more cheery, like a pageant or some sort of sporting event. This event was dark, and Luna steeled herself for the horror show she felt was coming.

The mare came crashing through the window holding what Luna assumed to be little Acropolis. Acropolis crawled out from his mothers grip and tried to raise her to her hooves. Two stallions appeared in the doorway to the house, they were nearly formless, aberrations of his young mind. They threw the bloodied and still body of another stallion to the floor. Judging from Acropolis’s reaction, this was his father. Crying was heard from inside the house. The sound struck Luna, she looked the ghostly stallions hoping they didn't hear it. One of the stallions went back in. Acropolis charged the remaining stallion and got swatted away. Regaining his footing he charged again, defending his badly beaten mother. The stallion knocked him away again. With a loud and sickening crack from the second floor the crying stopped. Shivers rolled down Luna’s spine. It had been decades since she had witnessed such brutality and such mindless violence. Acropolis bristled with visible rage and charged again, this time being knocked clear of his mother. The stallion walked over and stomped down hard on his mother‘s neck. Her cries fueled his rage and again he charged. The stallion swiftly grabbed him up by the wings, which is extremely painful for younger Pegasi, and walked to the edge of the could the house was on. The ghastly stallion held the little colt over the edge, and with a smile that chilled Luna’s blood, let go. The colt fell, and the world followed. Luna stood next to the falling colt as he tried desperately to fly. His wings wouldn't cooperate. He was panicking, flustered, and brimming with rage. There was no way he could fly. Luna could do nothing but stand there. She was but an observer in this sick show of his dark past.

And then he hit the ground. He hit so hard he made a small crater and tossed up small stones that were nearby. Luna had to look away. He landed squarely on his back, suddenly his inability to fly made sense to her. The colt laid in his little crater, blood coming out his nose and his mouth, in a type of pain that no young colt should experience. Screaming wildly at the place he had called home. These noises were of a wounded monster and not of a child. The cool night air found its way to him calming him somewhat as the cold night air numbed him. The little broken colt looked up at the night sky and its shimmering stars. Eventually he fell still and quiet. The clouds parted and the moons light broke through. He stared up at the mare on the moon. And then he surprised Luna, he cracked a bloody smile.

The full grown Acropolis lay in the crater staring up at the mare in the moon. Luna stood there silently in shock and somewhat out of respect. She had little to say to somepony who had survived such ordeal. It pained her that even in times of peace ponies still caused such senseless violence to each other.

“Acropolis. I-” Luna started.

“I protect.” Acropolis said. “I got my cutie mark that night as well. A strong dark pillar. I want nothing more than the power to stop things like this from happening. To spare others my pain.” he stood up and looked right at Luna. “I decided to go for royal guard, it was the closest thing I could get to the Lunar guard. The moon had given me the strength that night. And when I failed the test for the royal guard, in defeat took my post here,” he looked around as the world swirled back into the derelict castle. “I helped, I saved ponies, I protected, but it felt hollow. I was still powerless.”

“Such passion.” Luna chimed in. “Acropolis, thine desire could be thine reality. Agree to be our Guard. Take up our mantle. Thou will be the first of the revived guard to shield the innocent of the evils of the night. To take our law to those that need it, and punish those who defy it.” Luna now realized why Lunar Strike picked him. He burned with passion, direction, and desire. He lusted for righteous combat. Every inch of his fiber pulsated with it. “Join us.” Luna reached out to him. “And share in our night, the night which thou covets so.” he looked at her hoof. The world faded away and went silent.

Back in his room Acropolis awoke, tears in his eyes and his back hurting. He had had that dream again. But this time was different. He couldn't remember why but he felt better, less restrained, stronger. The moon was just coming up. He decided to go the old castle, and pray to the moon for guidance.

The chamber was empty since Luna and Twilight weren't here yet. He moved to the grand window and bowed in silent prayer. He didn't see or hear Luna enter through the window. She stood next to him looking up at the moon smiling. She liked that he was reviving the old tradition of praising her moon.

“Acropolis.” She broke the silence. He didn't flinch or waver from his prayer. She was impressed, yesterday he would have hollered. “Have thou made up thine mind? To join us and revive our Lunar guard or to stay here in Ponyville?” the question hung in the air. Twilight entered the room just in time to hear the question. She stood in the doorway waiting for his reply. She knew him well enough to know he loved Ponyville, loved the night, loved Equestria, and loved keeping everypony safe. But she also knew that deep down he wanted more. More than Ponyville had to offer him.  

“Acropolis?” Luna inquired again. He raised his head and looked straight up, directly above him was a carving of Luna giving medals to her warriors. There were a mixture of ponies in the carving, Pegasus, Unicorn, and Earth ponies all bowing to Luna. He looked up to the moon which was no longer bearing the mare on the moon. And with a deep sigh turned to Luna, went down on one elbow, bowed his head deeply and spread his massive wings before her.

“Princess I am at your service.” he said maintaining his deep bow. No pony has bowed like that to her in years.

“We are glad thou hath taken this honor, however thou must still pass the test of the armor. When thou art ready, rise and proceeded to the armory.” She smiled at him. “If thou pass then thou will be truly in our service.” he got up and walked into the armory without hesitation. “Princess Twilight, Will thou go upstairs and cast a barrier around the castle? Sometimes the reaction to more enchanted armors are violent. No-pony in no-pony out, no sound either until thou hears from us. Can thou do that?” Twilight nodded.

“Will it really be that dangerous?” Twilight asked.

“The armor calls forth your deepest desires, if they ring true in the heart it releases your potential.” Luna

“And if your desires are false?” Twilight asks.

“If the wearer's heart wavers, his heart falls to corruption and treachery, the armor will consume him. Acropolis will cease to exist, destroyed by his own ill heart.” Luna walked into the Armory leaving Twilight alone in the chamber in confused shock. Princess Luna was much different a thousand years ago than she is today. Twilight recalled the many legends that tell of her combat prowess. Painting her as the sword and Celestia as the shield. If Celestia could not negotiate or reconcile, they would have to deal with Luna and her Lunar guard. The thought of Luna alight in combat made Twilight shudder.  

Acropolis stood in the armory with the apparition of Lunar Strike. He smiled at him. Lunar Clearly knew that Acropolis was the stallion he needed. One of pure dedication and of a desire to protect. As he stood there Acropolis noticed that Lunar Strike was a Pegasus, as in WAS, he was no more. Where his wings were supposed to be only two little nubs remained.

“Hydra.” Lunar Strike spoke. “Was a filly, family home attacked, lost wings and parents to it.” It made more sense now. He chose somepony like him. No family, childhood trauma, the strong desire to protect. “Ill tell you a secret. I failed to get into the royal guard too.” this revelation chilled Acropolis to his core. Lunar Strike? Possibly one of the most successful military ponies to ever live? Failed out of the royal guard? “I didn’t pass the physical exam. Said my lack of wings affected my combat readiness.” he spat. “I got drunk and wandered into the royal gardens that night. I got in a fight with the guards and fought off about 20 of them. When more rushed into the courtyard I wasn't scared, I was excited. I wanted more of them to come. Then luna came down and ended the fight. A month later I was Lunar Guard.” he smirked.

“I see, her requirements are different from the royal guard. All that is needed-”

“Is the desire to protect,” Luna cut him off. “We take those with the desire, not necessarily the raw ability to protect Equestria. We train them, and mold them, taking their strengths and pulling them to the forward overshadowing their weaknesses. Making them into guards with a desire and ability. Too many of Celestia’s guard are just there for the pay,” Luna walked over to Lunar Strike. “It is time Lunar Strike, We wish thee the best in thine eternal sleep. Thou of all ponies deserve as much.”

“Im glad to have served, and have brought about a new era in the Lunar Guard. I feared this day may would never come.” Leaning in he whispered something in Luna’s ear then he bowed deep and vanished. The door slammed shut suddenly.

“Acropolis, don his armor.” Luna commanded. Acropolis was confused but he did as he was told. Putting on the armor he felt so small. The armor was far too big for him, it swung loose and wide. He looked at Luna who just smiled. “Now state thine purpose.”

“To.” Acropolis paused and with a sudden flash it felt like a thousand warriors crying out in his mind. He released a mighty roar “TO DEFEND THOSE CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES! TO PROTECT THOSE WHOM WOULD BE DONE HARM! TO SHIELD THOSE WHOM WOULD BE DONE WRONG! TO BRING THOSE TO JUSTICE WHOM DESERVE HER COLD TOUCH! TO SERVE MY PRINCESS! TO SERVE HER LAW! TO SERVE HER NIGHT! AND TO SERVE EQUESTRIA!” his words echoed in the tiny room. And with that the armor fitted itself to him sinking into his skin. He could feel the magic pumping into him. He reeled from it, it was painful. The helmet felt like it was it sinking into his mind dragging every thought he had ever had to the front. He fell to the floor screaming, eyes wide, filled with fire. Every emotion was at a boil and in that moment all he wanted was to be free of it. He could feel his mind slipping from him, all he was was slowly fading away. He wanted a fight. Unfortunately the only other pony in the room was Princess Luna who looked on with interest as how his merger with the armor was progressing. But seeing him go low like a stalking animal made her concerned, then she realized his mind was trying to make sense of it all and had cast out himself so it could have time to repair. She had seen it a few times before, long ago. He fell low and lunged at her however, he didn’t go for her neck as she thought he would, he just knocked her to her back. Which was quite the feat considering their size difference. She kicked him off so hard he flung up into the ceiling. Catching him with her magic as he fell she held him place as he roared and screamed.

“Thou should have returned to normal by now.” she said looking into his eyes she could tell he was regaining his senses. He slowly stopped thrashing and his legs hung limp. She put him on the ground as he stood up on his own.

“Wha-what happened?” he asked. The armor had given him a commanding presence. His coat was black, mane was dark purple, eyes red slits like a dragons. He spread his wings wide. His feathers had been replaced with thick scales, his joints looked like plated bone. His wings were literally shields. The tips of the scales were sharp like razors, nothing could survive a direct slash from these. “what?” he mused as he smiled.

“As we thought, Acropolis, thou hath been gifted an unique armor.” she motioned to the other armors. “Each armor binds to its host, calling out their skills and compensating for their weaknesses. Each works off the will and desire of the soldier. However, whilst they all get the mane, coat, and eyes, only a few select elite get a unique transformation like this. Nopony else ever in the royal or Lunar guard will have this same appearance. Congratulations Acropolis. Thou are now an elite warrior of the night, the first captain of the new Lunar Guard, and sworn to serve and protect us.” Luna leaned down to him. “How does thou feel?”

“Fantastic.” he said with a deep growl. A grin that would shame Pinkie Pie came across his face showing the row of now sharp and intimidating teeth. “Just fantastic.” he stretched out his wings and looked up to the ceiling he could feel his body pulsating with Luna’s magic. All those that came before him cheered in his mind, all those fallen heroes, applauding his arrival. In all his days after he would never forget their voices an angelic choir of hooves on ground, cheers, and battle cries. He felt invincible with his new power gifted to him by his new master. Luna looked on with a smile as he continued to examine his body. Her smile slowly became more devious as she knew what was coming. Suddenly his body seized up in the pain the morph had caused. It felt like somepony was dragging hot fire pokers over his entire body. He fell to the ground and lost consciousness.

Luna stood alone in the armory. The stand for Lunar Strikes armor was removed and given to Acropolis for his use. Luna walked over to another set of armor, this one was for a unicorn. The helmet had a hole for the horn and a solid back with no room for wings. However similar in design to Acropolis’ armor this one was far lighter. Where Acropolis’ had chainmail this one had leather, his had plate this had pad. This was magic combat armor for the concerned magical warrior on the move. Luna thought of the long dead tradition of magical duels. Twilight and Trixie had, to a degree, lived this event. But a real magical duel where a spectacle of arcing electricity, beams of energy, shields sparking, teleportation, binding spells, summonings, and explosions. It has been far too long since ponies had weaponized their magic and she wondered if there were even ponies around who would want to. However the revival of the Captain had awoken the other armors and they called out to Luna for masters. This one particular armor called out to her.

My turn.

It echoed in her mind. The armor wasn’t enchanted like Lunar Strike’s. It had the regular enchants on it, but it called out nonetheless.

“It would seem that after a thousand years Lunar Strike’s spell had seeped into the other armors.” she smiled again. “this will make the selection process easier on us at least. But for now we believe we only need two.” she grabbed the lieutenants armor with her magic and brought it to the middle of the room where Lunar Strike’s armor had been. The upset grunts from the other armors meet her ears. As she placed the armor in the middle she could feel its magic reach out over all Equestria, searching for one worthy. This could take days, ponies had no use for combat magic, and to find one with the natural combative skills was rare. She paused in thought wondering if she knew anypony who would fill this armors needs.

Found you.

Luna stood once again in shock. She could feel that the armor had made its choice. The empty helm looked to smile at its find.