It took a few hours to get the word out to the city, but everything came together fairly quickly. After he replaced his missing wing, he had professional stylists do his mane, stylists! He wouldn't have let them touch him, but he didn't have much of a choice. After the trial, Nexus took the elements from his friends and gave them to Princess Luna. She placed them in a small, elegant box made of dark, polished oak. The inside was cushioned by dark blue velvet, goose feather pillow. She placed the metals around the Element of Honor in a pentagon.

She and Nexus were next to one another as they got their manes done. He groaned as the mares pulled at his madden and messy mane trying to get all the knots out. The second they tried to put any product in his mane, he slapped the cans out of their magical grip. Luna sat there and giggled as they braided her long mane and added pure white ropes for decoration. When they finished, they were dressed to be dressed in their armor. But when Nexus reached from the first piece of his chest plate, Luna stopped him.

"Come with me Lunarus. I have something to show you. Bring the sword." she said as the soldier finished dressing her in her black armor and another tying her cavalry sword to her back.

Nexus blinked as she led him down to the bottom of the castle where the vault of the artifacts was via one of the new elevators. It was cold down there. Even his living metal legs could feel the cold. They could feel like regular skin but the sense was slightly dulled due to it not being real skin. The smell of the burning torches filled the air as they passed stands of famous armor and uniforms from great leaders from soldiers. Nexus was starting to wonder what they were doing down there. The armors were getting increasingly older and rustier. Some weapons were starting to show up. Mostly swords and halberds but all were worn and rusty.

"Uh, Luna, not that I don't trust you but what are we doing down here?" Nexus asked.

"Before you left, you showed me General Goldenchord's log."

"Yeah?"

"Well, it raised some questions with me. So I asked Tia if his log, his metal and his handkerchief were still around, what of his sword and armor." when they reached the end of the long hallways, a large stone door with a treble cleft carved into loomed over them. "She brought me here. His tomb."

"His…tomb?" Nexus asked confused.

"Do not fear, what I wish to show you is not within his casket."

Nexus let out a sigh as Luna's horn lit up. The door shook with force and dust fell from the ceiling as the massive stone door slid aside. Nexus took a deep breath when the dust settled and followed Luna into Goldenchord's tomb. In the center of the room, a massive stone casket lay in the floor, painted with his cutie mark on all four sides. A statue of him standing tall and proud with his wings extended stood atop the lid. Nexus looked in awe at the life sized statue. His head was turned to the side looking slightly to the left. A look of determination was chiseled into his face.

As he followed Luna around Goldenchord's casket, an armor stand caught his eye. This one held the only pure black suit of armor in the whole of the vault. The edges were sharp, emphasized by pure gold borders. The helmet had a slot for the horn and the chest and back plates had semicircles cut into them for wings. The sides of the helmet seemed to be able to extend to form a protective mask. The whole thing was made to make the one inside of it stand out.

"I remember the day I gave him this armor. It was the day Tia left for council with Mother in Canterlot. We shared a romantic dinner the evening before and we even danced. He was always a gentlemen if nothing else." she sighed getting lost in thought.

"Uh, Luna." Nexus said tapping her shoulder. "The point of our being down here?"

"Oh, yes. I do not believe your armor is quite appropriate for what I have planned."

"I would hope you're not saying what I think you are."

"No." Luna giggled. "But my plans are just as grand." She removed the back plate and stomach plate. "Allow me to help you."

It took around fifteen minutes to get Nexus into the armor. The whole thing fit perfectly. He felt a strange sense of power wearing the armor of Goldenchord. So long as he hadn't actually died in it. Luna then tied the sword to his back and secured with a tight tug.

"I knew it would fit." she said with a gentle smile.

"I… I really don't know what to say." The metal was strangely light for how much of it there was. "What is this made of anyways?"

"It's made of the remains of a fallen star, a meteorite. Stronger than any metal here that is pulled from the earth with more then half the weight."

"Wow... Thanks Luna.'

"You're welcome Lunarus. He would have wanted you to have his armor." She looked like she was starting to get lost in thought again. "Come, we wouldn't want to miss your own ceremony."

Nexus nodded and followed her out. She sealed the tomb behind them as they walked. Nexus kept glancing back at Luna as he followed on her right. She was lost in thought again. She continued staring off into space as they went, bumping into him once or twice. When they reached the elevator Nexus pressed the button and looked back at Luna as he waited. Her gaze was as distant as ever. That didn't change as the doors slid open. Nexus hit the button marked ground floor and waited for the doors to such.

Okay, this had to stop. "Luna, are you okay?"

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine. Just thinking."

Nexus didn't really have to ask what she was thinking about. He knew what she was thinking about. "You… loved him, didn't you?"

Luna let out a sigh of content. "Yes, with all my heart."

"It must be… hard not able to ever see him again. From what I read, he loved you too."

"Perhaps." Luna leaned over and kissed Nexus on the cheek. "But so long as you are my friend, I have all I need."

Nexus' heart stopped, mostly out of confusion and caution.

"Lunarus, you live up to ever measure of your ancestor and so much more."

"Um…"

"Do not panic Lunarus." she said giggling. "I do mean what I say when I say friend."

"So, you're not in love with me? Right?"

"You are my best friend Lunarus. I wouldn't want that to change for anything in the world. No matter how much like Goldenchord you are, he was the only one I loved. There is a reason I assigned Ms. Storm to your quarters after all."

"Um… then, why did you just-"

"I mean it the same way a mother would. I do love you Lunarus, but as a mother does with her child. They way your mother would. I have watched you grow over these years and I am proud of what you have become."

"Thanks. But you made a mistake with Dust, she hates me now." Nexus groaned. "She's pregnant with my baby and she doesn't want me in her life. She probably won't even let me see it when it's born."

"I refuse to believe she would do such a thing."

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. "We'll talk about this later. Right now, we have more important things to worry about."

"Yes, we do." Luna replied exiting first.

Back in the chapel, the pews were filled to capacity. But unlike Princess Sparkle's coronation eight months ago, the whole of the kingdom wasn't standing out in the gardens, there was no parade to follow. Nexus took his place on the far right of the line of his soldiers. From him the order was, Ephialtes, Hestaria, White Knight, Thunder Clap then Silver Bit. She was dressed in a brand new set of Evening Guard armor. Celestia stood behind them with Luna on her right and Cadence and Twilight on her left. Celestia and Luna were the only Princesses in armor.

Celestia stepped forward and the room grew silent. "My subjects, we thank you for your quick response to this ceremony." She began. "We gather here today to celebrate a great day in Equestria's history. Today marks the beginning a new era in our government. For years, I have lead Equestria on my own, even with Princess Luna's return. I believed it protected her and I from the power struggle we faced a thousand years ago. But it only served to create another wedge between us. But no more. By royal decree, the first Royal Council is established."

"This council is the combination of the current Princesses of Equestria and four Senators to represent them for the people of Equestria." Princess Twilight said received by a round of applause. "But that is not all we are here to commemorate."

"The six soldiers in front of you have given so much for Equestria and have proven worthy of the titles they are here to receive. As the new Elements of Freedom." Princess Cadence said.

Nexus took a breath and stepped forward. "Soldiers Ten-Hut!" He said. Everypony from Ephialtes to Silver Bit clicked their heels together and stood straight up. Nexus turned left and Princess Luna came from the behind with the box with the Elements in it. Nexus walked up to Ephialtes and looked him straight in the eye.

"Ephialtes, for you actions in battle, going above and beyond the call of duty and standing for your fellow soldier no matter the cost." He levitated the purple metal out of the box. "I promote you to the rank of Captain, and I present you with the Metal of Valor."

He attached it to his chest plate. He saluted Nexus and Nexus saluted back as he moved on to Hestaria.

"Hestaria Blossom, for your actions in battle, going above and beyond the call of duty and helping being a brighter future for all of Equestria. I promote you to the rank of Captain, and I present you with the Metal of Hope." He clasped the metal to her chest and she saluted him before he moved on to White Knight.

"White Knight, for your actions in battle, going above and beyond the call of duty and standing for those who cannot stand up for themselves. I promote you to the rank of First Lieutenant and present you with the Metal of Strength." He saluted Nexus after he clicked the metal into place. Then he moved to Thunder.

"Thunder Clap Harvest, for your actions in battle, going above and beyond the call of duty and inspiring those around you to never give up no matter what obstacles stand in their way. I promote you to the rank of First Lieutenant and present you the Metal of Perseverance."

"Thank you, Sir!" Thunder said saluting his superior.

Nexus saluted him back and moved on to Silver.

"Silver Bit, for your actions in battle, going above and beyond the call of duty and your bravery in the face of danger. I give you the rank of Sergeant First Class and I present you with the Metal of Courage."

Silver saluted him before he even put the metal on her chest plate. She held it until he saluted her. Nexus moved next to Silver Bit and stood at attention.

"And for you," Luna said levitating the box to the ground without the last metal. "Lunarus Solaris Nexus, for your actions in battle, going above and beyond the call of duty, always remaining loyal to Equestria and her betterment and always remaining true to your word as a protector of Equestria, I promote you to the rank of Colonel, award you the Metal of Honor, and I offer you the position as my representative in Equestria's new government."

Nexus couldn't move, he was expecting General, but this was… incredible! He glanced at the other Princesses and they were all smiling in approval. He looked back to Luna who was looking at him hopefully. "I accept your offer Princess." he said.

Luna turned back around to the crowd with a proud smile on her face. "May I present, the new Elements of Freedom!"

The whole chapel erupted in a thunderous applause. Nexus stood tall with his troops as they all gave a proud salute.

"And now, let us rejoice and begin the celebration in the ballroom." Celestia said.

Through the crowd, Nexus spotted someone going against the crowd, a light gray pegasus in guard armor tried weaving his way through the waves of ponies. Nexus could tell instantly who he was. It was Storm Cloud, one of his old friends. Work had been hectic before he left and even now. He hadn't had any time to spend time with his friends. Storm groaned in annoyance and flew over the crowd and landed in front of him as his friends looked on in astonishment.

"Storm, what's wrong?" Nexus asked as he tried to catch his breath.

"It's… Dust."

"What about her? Wait, why are you keeping tabs on Dust?"

"Luna asked me to. But-"

"I don't think I want to know. If you haven't heard she doesn't want anything to do with me."

"She's in labor!"

That caught his attention. "She is? Where is she? Is she doing alright?"

"Doctors say she's early. Hurry, she's in Canterlot General. You might still make it."

Nexus looked back to the Princesses before he spoke. "I hope you still got coverage on these windows." he said before spreading his mechanized wings and throwing himself out of the closest plate glass window. Celestia rolled her eyes as turned to the stunned crowd of ponies watching this all happen.

"I wish he knew what he puts me through." she muttered to Luna.

Author's Notes:

Me: Before anyone gets on their horse, all pun intended, Nexus does not love Luna. At least like that.
Nexus: And Luna?
Me: She said you're like a son to her, it's an explanation."
Nexus: Why?
Me: She's over a thousand years old. You're only twenty six.
Nexus: Fine. But uh, can I?
Me: Go nuts.
Nexus: YAHOO! I'M GONNA BE A DADDY!
Me: *rolls eyes* Slow your roll. We'll just have to see.
Nexus: What'd you mean? Nexus' Hearths Warming had me married to her with a son.
Me: Then why are you exited?
Nexus: I get to live the pride instead of imagine it finally. Now stop trying to change the subject.
Me: Just wait for the next chapter.
Nexus: Fine. That uh... That window won't come out of my salary will it?
Me: Just wait you impatient fool!
Nexus: Fine.... Prick.