The forest was quiet as an odd looking stallion wandered through the massive expanse of trees. The stainless steel plating that were his legs glistened in the full moon along with his silver wings. Neither the metal plates on his chest and back covered his cutie mark. His jet black mane was hardly visible in the night and his dark blue coat blended in with the grass at his metallic hooves. At first glance, most think he’s a Pegasus that fell victim to unfortunate incidences’ that handed him a full set of Lunarus Industries Mechanical Legs and wings, then they see his horn.

He was naturally a unicorn, but he needed more options in his line of work as head of the Evening Guard. He wasn’t a patient that received the Lunarus’ products, he was Lunarus Nexus. Nexus stopped in a clearing and looked up to the starry sky that went on forever. He let out a sigh as a shriek pierced the silence like a knife. Nexus didn’t react quickly, he had been waiting for it. Looking in the direction of the loud call, he saw a beautiful, black bird. Its wings emanated a purple and blue mist that sparkled like Princess Luna’s mane. It was a Nightmare Phoenix, his Nightmare Phoenix.

“There you are Raven Wing.” he said trotting up to the majestic creature. “I know you love flying as much as I do, but you can just ask me to let you out instead of melting the glass in our room.”
before turning into a scroll with a strange seal on the band. Raising an eyebrow, Nexus The Phoenix squawked and then let out a blue ball of flame. The flames swirled and a scroll appeared as they vanished. Nexus wrapped it in a telekinetic field and unrolled it in front of him.

“Captain Lunarus Solaris Nexus,” he read aloud.

“I hope this letter hasn’t come to you at an inconvenient time, but this had to be sent. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I am being forced to reign as Captain of the Royal Guard and all positions I held in Canterlot. Though my replacement is capable, he has chosen to reign his place at the training academy. I know you do not wish to remain there long, and a replacement for me there is in the process of being appointed, but I wish for you to hold down the fort until that pony is chosen. I thank you for your help Captain.

Sincerely: Commanding General Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire.
Now that‘s a mouth full.”

Nexus shook his head and levitated the letter back to Raven Wing.

“If you would be kind enough to hold on to this for me until we get back?” he asked the bird.

Raven Wing squawked and lit the page with blue fire before it vanished.

“Thanks buddy. Let’s get back before Luna hits us both with the Canterlot voice. My ears are still ringing from the last time.” he said spreading his fake wings.

Raven Wing took off first and Nexus followed. “By the way,” Nexus added. “How did Commander Armor find you exactly?”

The Phoenix squawked mockingly and flew ahead of Nexus toward Canterlot.

The next morning, Commander Nexus was walking along side Princess Luna through the gardens. Since the affair with Commander Firebrand’s imposter four months ago, Nexus had become her personal protégé in dark magic alongside his duty as her guard. He loved his job, he had even met a nice mare a month ago, but now he wasn’t sure if he had to quit what he loved to do, even for a moment.

“This is a great opportunity Lunarus.” Luna said to him as Raven Wing swooped down on to Nexus’ back. “You could get to know more of your fellow soldiers.”

“I know Luna, I just like it here. It’s like a little foul being forced to move. All of my friends, including you, are here and I’m still not sure I’m up to the task. Raven Wing, perch!”

The Nightmare Phoenix took off and landed on top of the statue of Nexus in the center of the garden next to Luna.

“I still think you should take the job. After all, you’re the pony who’s special talent includes military strategy.”

Nexus groaned knowing she was right. If anypony was qualified to teach ponies unorthodox combat, it was him. Begrudgingly, Nexus nodded.

“I’ll need somepony to replace me while I’m gone.” he said.

“I’m sure Lieutenant Storm Cloud can cover for you until a replacement for Shining Armor is chosen.”

“And I want Dust Storm to come with me.”

“Oh?” Luna said with a sly smile.

“Why did I just say that?!” he thought to himself.

“And why is that?” Luna continued.

“Sh-she knows how I like my living quarters to be and she is the only other pony that knows how to work A.L.I.S.”

“Of course.” she responded with a smile.

She knew his rules, and one of them was never date a co-worker (or someone that you know you’ll see everyday). Dust Storm was the maid that was assigned to his room just after the Changeling incident. He knew two things, Luna was the one that had her assigned and that she would never let him live it down. Even Raven Wing seemed to be laughing at him from atop his own statue.

“I shall have her accompany you to the Canterlot Military Academy.” she said holding back a laugh.

“Wh-What’s so funny Luna?”

“Oh, *giggle* nothing. I hope you have a safe trip. Take the day off before you go.”

“I can’t. I have a lot to do princess.”

“Then work on another one of your side projects until you leave. I insist Lunarus.”

“Ugh, fine. Only for you Luna.”

Luna smiled before leaving Nexus alone in the gardens. Nexus grunted in annoyance before whistling for Raven Wing. The powerful Nightmare Phoenix only glided onto his back from the statue.

“If you laugh at me like that again, I’ll cook you into a roast.” he threatened.

The phoenix only squawked back at him as he walked back in to the castle. His quarters were next to Luna’s. They were once used only for VIP visitors. But since most stayed in the rooms next to Celestia, that left Nexus with a free room and board. It was a large room with a bedroom that spanned the length of all the rooms bellow it, a living room, kitchen and a luxury bath, complete with a Jacuzzi, sauna, and walk-in shower. There were two, walk in closets. One for Nexus, one for whomever else might need the storage space.

Nexus didn’t have to open the door, a light brown Pegasus maid was on her way out. Her feather duster cutie mark was hidden under the uniform and her long brown mane tied back in a pony tail. She smiles at Nexus and moves aside, letting him in.

“Nice to see you again Captain.” she says as he walks past.

“Same to you Dust.” he replies with a light smile looking into her light blue eyes. “A.L.I.S.? You online or what?”

The door shut behind him with Dust Storm still in the room.

“Yes. Welcome home Commander. Shall I change your legs?” an electronic mare’s voice said through the loudspeaker over the door.

“Casual, I’ve got the day off. And pack my uniform, formal set and other essentials please.”

“Yes Commander. Shall I pack a bag for Miss Storm as well?”

“Yes.”

“Where are we going?” Dust Storm asked as several robotic arms jutted out of the wall panels.

They attached to Nexus’ legs. He didn’t seem to notice as a vibration detached his hind legs form the stubs that had been left. As the first set was taken away, a new set were brought from the wall and were attached where the old ones had once been. His forelegs were a little harder. Another pair of mechanical arms came from the wall tipped with heads that would fit over the elbow joint on the forelegs. With a quick hiss, the forelegs separated from the contact plate and the new set were put in place. The new set of legs looked like any other ponies legs, save for the articulation points at the knees and hoof. The material was similar to his coat in both texture and color. The arms retracted back into the wall and the panels closed up. Nexus shook his legs a bit before walking into the living room.

“Where are we going?” Dust asked.

“We’re going to the Canterlot Military Academy. They need a replacement for Captain Armor, and I’m the temporary fill.” he said laying down onto the couch.

“And I have to go why?” Dust asked laying down next to him.

“Because I know how you get when I go somewhere and you don’t get invited.”

Dust sighed and nuzzled Nexus’ neck. Nexus leaned closer to her. “You know I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without you.”

“I know. What would you do without me?”

“Yeah, who else knows how I like my legs ironed?”

“I feel left out, Commander.” A.L.I.S. said.

“Don’t get your circuits in a binding A.L.I.S.. You’re going to. Download yourself into my HUD tonight.”

“Yes Commander.”

“So… what do you have planned for the day?” Dust asked.

“I was thinking dinner later tonight, but I still have a whole day to tie up some lose ends.”

“What lose ends?”

“Well, I did promise Smoke n’ Mirrors and Lea I would have lunch with them when I had a day off.”

“Oh, I haven’t seem them since their wedding! How’ve they been?”

“Well, Mirrors found a job that he could actually hold down.”

“So better then last week?”

“Pretty much.”

Dust giggled and leaned in to kissed Nexus’ cheek. She moved a little closer and felt her skin touch his contact plate. She cringed at the ice cold steel against her. Nexus noticed and sighed annoyed.

“I told you to avoid touching my plates until I can get the new design finished.”

“Lunar, you’ve been working on that thing for weeks and still haven’t found the right spell to make it work.”

“I just need something that creates feeling. I can feel pressure with this model, just not texture or temperature.”

Dust sighed. “I’ll send a letter to Lea to let her know about lunch.” Nexus watcher her get up and go to Raven Wing. He sighed as well and left to the bedroom to make sure everything was being packed.

The Cookie Cutter Café, great place for a scone, cookie and was also the only place in Canterlot that had a sandwich with meat in it. The outdoor seating was packed in the cool autumn air of the early afternoon. Even in his casual set, ponies still slowed down to make sure they were seeing him correctly. Dust and Nexus sat opposite Mirrors and Lea at the furthest table from the café.

“So, how’ve you been Metal Head?” Mirrors asked.

“Better then you if you call me that again.” Nexus said with a cocky grin.

“How long have you two been going out?” Lea asked.

“Only a month.”

“Only a month?!” Dust exclaimed. “Most relationships don’t last past two weeks in this day and age, Lunar.”

“I know Dusty. But looking at the time, it isn’t a long time.”

Lea shook her head with Dust and giggled.

“Stallions.” Dust said to Lea.

“Tell me about it.”

“Hey!”

“Best thing a mare ever said to you.” Nexus added with a smile.

“That’s totally not true.”

“Let’s see, if memory serves; one called you a sick bastard, another called you shit head. Oh, and my personal favorite, Smoke n’ Li’le-”

“Okay!” he interrupted. “So it’s not the worst thing I’ve been called.”

Everyone at the table laughed.

“Anyways, enough about me. How’ve you two been the last three weeks?”

“Um, I think I need to use the little mares room. Dust would you like to come with?”

“Sure, be back in a second.” Dust said kissing Nexus on the cheek.

The two of them walked into the café leaving the two old friends alone.

“So, you want to go first?” Mirrors asked.

“If you’re going where I think you’re going, then I’ve got nothing to tell.”

“Yeah, sure yah don’t. I’ll take that as permission to go first.”

“By all means. Luna only knows how much I’ve wanted to hear of your sexual exploits.” Nexus replied sarcastically rolling his eyes.

“I thought so. So the honey moon was glorious! We went to Las Pegasus and-”

“Captain.” a dark gray Pegasus with a white mane and lightning cloud cutie mark called out as he landed in the open section of the café.

“Storm. Shouldn’t you be protecting the princess?” Nexus said glaring at him.

“Scheduled lunch hour. And when I heard that the most dedicated pony in the guard was taking a day off, I had to see it for myself.”

“Well, you’re kind of interrupting lunch.” Smoke n’ Mirrors said.

“Well, unfortunately for Captain Nexus, duty calls.”

“What happened to lunch hour?”

“That was just-”

“A front?”

“Yeah.”

“Fine.” Nexus said with a sigh as he stood. “What is it?”

“You’re needed in the dungeon.”

“Why?”

“Wouldn’t say. Just said the only pony that they needed was you.”

“Sorry Smokey. Tell Dust where I went when she and Lea get back.”

“It’s cool Nexus. I’ll send you a letter.”

“Same.”

Nexus spread his wings and took off from the café with Storm Cloud in tow.

“I ever tell you, you got an impeccable sense of timing?” Nexus asked as they soared towards the castle.

“No.”

“Well now you know.”