New Beginnings?

Two silhouettes appeared down the road to Canterlot's caslte, one a tall, and dark coated stallion, who was well built and intimating in nature, while the other, a mid size brown unicorn with a cutie mark of a scroll with magic seeming to leap from the page. The tall dark stallion, who's cutie mark was hidden from view by a large cloak that his all but his eyes and nose, marched and his sapphire blue eyes seemed to bore into the souls ahead of him, though few that was. A head, the path to the door stood four Royal Guards, each in their beautiful golden armour, the symbol of both Celestia and Luna adored to the center of the breast plates. Two Unicorns and two Earth ponys, all of which had their cutie marks hidden from view by the armor's enchantments. One of the guards, a unicorn named Odin, looked at the leading earth pony, watching, his emerald green eyes ever watching the pony.

For the most part, the only ponies moving were the two who were marching to the palaces great gates. Odin, who moved finally to stand in front of the gate to open it of the ponies, watch the dark charcoal grey pony, who looked back.

"The Princesses are waiting for you. Your late," the unicorn commented.

"The Imperial Guard is never, ever late, Captain Odin. We arrive when we find it fit," the pony replied, "Though I am sorry to have kept the moon and sun waiting for us. I will apologize when I meet them." His gruff voice echoed something he wanted to keep hidden, and Odin respected that, nodding to him.

"Agreed, and I will escort you to the council hall and will not leave the princesses unguarded," he stated, his voice commanding and great, as the royal guard must be. Both the earth and unicorn nodded to him, and followed. The great and grandiose halls of the palace we hallow, empty and abandoned, though live and powerful. The crisp red rug that ran down the center of the hall, while the stained glass windows let the sun princess's light in. Marble stone, dappled with soft blue and grey waves, made the floor sound and strong, with each hoof step filling the hall with a soft click, muffled when the pony was on the rug. On either side of the carpet stone pillars, each elaborately carved and filled with beautiful images of ponies, dragons, gryphons and more. Every second pillar stood a Royal Guard, the golden armor and white coats, eyes locked across to the other pillar.

The three stallions walked in silence, following the carpet gently down the hall, the brown unicorn looking and admiring the great works of the Equestrain ponies stone masons. He looked, feeling that this place was powerful, yet peaceful; grand yet quaint. Each guard was like a statue, both imposing, yet welcoming. He couldn't help but admire.

They walked for a good twenty minute through out the reverberating palace hall ways. They passed a good two dozen guards alone, each the same, staring and stalwart.

Slowly, the faint words of council, and other individuals rose up, softly at first but slowly became a roar. They neared the political hall, and by far, the number of individual increased dramatically. Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth ponies talked about land, treaties and other political matters. Things grew crazy, and the other parties, such as Zebra's, Gryphons, and some different ponies, hailing from different countries and kingdoms.

"MY LORD DEMANDS NEW CROPS!"

"We do not have enough land, and we must expand, so it is legitimized!"

"Invasion of our kingdom is never justified!"

Equestria, as large as it was, was the only country that had a guard and not a army or fighting force and as such, all pony kingdoms had considered it a neutral and to never be threatened.

In the past, Equestria once held several legions of ponies to wage war and bring smaller near by countries into its protected fold, often with little to no resistance. It was once it invade Galastria in the north did it meet its match, and it paid dearly for it. The invasion started swift, fast and strong, under the command of the earth pony General, Black-fire, who rushed north, trying to get to the capital of the megre sized country. But the Imperial Guard, the countries grand army of several thousand strong, pulled back, letting the enemy advance further and further into the cold and dangerous mountains. Finally, after several months of chasing them, Black-fire arrived at the capital and the Guard, only to discover the army to be three times the size, and that his forces were tired, almost out of supplies and with little unicorns and pegasi.

The general ordered a blockade of the fortress that was the capital, and stood there for two weeks, before he ordered his forces to retreat. His army, not even having fought their enemy yet, was decimated, having lost more ponies to the cold, starvation, and desertion then to having fought his enemy. The great Imperial Guard then marched south, smashing through castle after castle in just over four months, reclaim much of their lost land and cities. Each town they reclaimed, they were met with great parades and celebrations, and even after they pushed into the new borders of the Equestria, the citizens greet them politely and kindly, much to even their surprise. It was only when they marched towards Canterlot did they offer Black-fire, still the general, a chance to surrender.  He accepted, and Celestia, who was the princess, ordered the Equestrian Army to be dismantled and to leave only the elite core of the Royal Guard behind. This was just over 700 years prior.

The ponies continued on, leaving the bustling and crowded political hall for the politicians and diplomats, while the chattering sounds slowly disappeared, while several voices took over.

"Thank you Captain Windcutter. I appreciate the desire for you to find some protection from my-"

"Princess, I don't desire that. I demand some guards, at least several of the higher ranking men from the-"

"Captain. You out step your boundries. Again." A stern femine voice responded, silencing the Captain Windcutter.

"Yes... sorry m'lady," a soft, but firm voice responded. Odin, looking back at the two stallions smiling very gently.

"We have arrived. I guess that I will be attending this, if Captain Windcutter has his way," he said, before tapping the door, "M'ladies! The two guests you've requested have arrived!"

"Enter. And please, help me settle down Captain Windcutter," the voice commented back.

The door slowly opened to reveal a Royal Pegasus, his armor designed for a flight, with the silver inlets around the wings, while the helm cupped around his head and protected his eyes. In front of him stood an alicorn, one of only twenty known. She stood taller then the stallion Pegasus, and looked down at him, her magical hair flowing softly, the rainbow seeming natural to her, while the mark she bore was simply the sun that shone above, cutting through  tall and clear window's.

Across the room, sat a small, quite Alicorn, who's eyes softly shut and quietly slept on a small bed, gently as an angel on the world. The blue alicorn's mane, much like her sisters, flowed gently, though reflected the night sky, stars and a dark blue. She was smaller, clearly younger then her sister, much like how the sun is far older then the younger moon.

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna," Odin stated, introducing them. The sun Princess smiled and nodded to them, to receive a bow from the two guests.

"Rise," she stated, watching to two ponies, the charcoal earth pony first stand at attention and head raised much like a solider. The unicorn followed, eyes looked on the sun princess.

"Good day M'lady Celestia. May I present Captain Blitz Krieg, Captain of the Dragon-Knights of the Galastrian Imperial Guard, previously dismissed by Empress Frostmane from the Imperial Guard for Valor and Honor in the line of duty in the name of her majesties," the brown unicorn stated raising a hoof to the tall stallion who bow slightly again, while the unicorn brought his hoof back to his chest, "And I am Mage Lieutenant Kleric Earthshaker of the Imperial Magick Branch, and present to assist Captain Krieg in his duty that he was assigned upon for the kingdom of Equestria."

Celestia bowed slightly smiling still, "I assume you both understand your tasks here, gently colts?" she asked walking over to her sister and gently nudging her awake. Her eye opened gently, the faint teal eyes looking at the two stallions and proceed to get up and bow slightly.

"These are the ones sister?" she asked, soft voice, both portraying that she was tired and yet still royal-like.

"Indeed they are."

"Captain Krieg knows, but I have yet to be informed," Kleric stated, eyes watching them with a pleasant glow to them. Celestia smiled, then walked over, Luna flanking her to the left.

"I've request Galastria to help me create a new unit of stallions to protect our borders from threats above ponies, Zebra's and Gryphons. I'm talking about...." she paused for a moment looking at the stallions, "Dragons and other beasts..."

Kleric flinched at the task, knowing now that she was not just dangerous, but possibly de-

"I understood the moment the empress read the request to me," Blitz stated bowing down, "I await your orders, Princess Celestia."

Kleric looked at him then back at the Princess's, then bowed with Blitz. He was loyal to his Empress, but also to his friend and captain. He stood back up in sync with Blitz again, and smiled, "As do I m'lady. What are your orders for me?"

Luna stepped forward, "I say we send them to Ponyville, sister. There they can start recruiting?" She suggested. Celestia nodded, "As well as gain some help from the elements of Harmony... including Twilight Sparkle, your apprentice?"

"Indeed, such a wonderful idea. I will inform her of their comming, as well as Captain Windcutter and Captain Odin."

"P-Princess?" Both Guards asked, stuttering loudly.

"All do respect Princess," Captain Windcutter started, "But would we, both Odin and myself, would serve better here then with these... outsider." Blitz could easily tell he was watching his words carefully, though still selective to degrading for himself and Kleric.

"My lady I do believe that I age-" Odin started.

"I will be attending this," Luna piped up. Both the guards looked over, eyes wide with shock and dismay, "And I would like some protection for anything. Am I not correct?"

"YES PRINCESS LUNA!" Both stated, cracking their hooves against the ground, taking a strong and powerful front, while their eyes reflect the unsure feelings they were having about this. Luna smiled and walked past the four stallions.

They all turned to follow her, leaving Celestia with some Councillors to come into the room and attend to her with details. As they walked, several more guards appeared, but with blue armor and sharper edges to them, and the crest was of the crescent moon, much like Luna's mark on her flank. Blitz, who was born under the full moon just over 25 years ago, admired her since in the Galastria culture, the moon was considered more important then the sun. Once, a past imperial lord was was asked which was more important, which he replied the moon, since the sun is out during the day, when it was bright out anyway, while the moon was out during night, when it was dark.

He watched her, eyes keeping moving and admiring her. The night and moon was important for him, especially since the moon was considered lucky and powerful when it was full, and when a colt or filly was born, they were considered to be blessed by Luna herself. Blitz, his father, and his grandfather were all born on full moons, and his mother was born on a day of the eclipse happened, making it all that more grand for her, though she had given up the ability to go into nobility to have him, something that was consider just as great in his country. Luna was their god, and Celestia, though the elder, was considered to be her equal, but less important by them.

They apporached a carriage and each got aboard after the princess of the night, which was proper and polite. Luna's guards, four of them, again 2 earth ponies and two unicorns, climbed aboard another carriage as the princesses took off, drawn by six Pegasus's. After two hours time worth of flight, they neared Ponyville.

Twilight looked at the scroll her mentor had sent her and raised an eyebrow.

"Princess Luna and some fellow's are on their way here," she said aloud, looking up at Rarity who was there getting a book on some sowing techniques she want to read up on. She looked at her and smiled.

"Well darling, at least you can expect some company, and Pinkie Pie will want to throw them a party, so we can expect a large crowd there, and since this is the third time she's come she will... be awkward, I assume," she said, her voice as fancy as ever.

Twilight looked back at the scroll and sighed, "They will be here in about an hour or so..." she said. Spike walked over with some books, mainly about Galastria, which she requested. She was interested in where these two hailed from for good reason. She knew of the country but was curious about what they were like up there.

The unicorn picked the scroll up and put it away, and looked at the Owl, Owlowiscious, who hooted at her and flew up and landed on her back. Twilight smiled and walked over and moved some books into a saddle back and got Owlowiscious to move as she paced the bag on herself and walked, Spike, Owlowiscious, and Rarity in pursuit. They walked down the road to the outer area and saw Applejack selling apples, and Rainbow Dash moving clouds. Pinkie Pie wasn't to be seen and Twilight considered that lucky, since she didn't want the hyperactive pony bothering her right now, since she was thinking about the new ponies. There was a town house outside of Ponyville for them but, that only just recently made available by a family moving away.

She walked to the edge of town, sighing as Rarity walked behind her.

"Is something wrong dear?" she asked, "Cause I know just the thing to help you feel comfortable!" Twilight rolled her eyes slightly, "Or is it not a good day for the spa?"

"No today is not a good day for the spa.. I'm just worried. Luna, the princess of the night is coming to town for no reason and.... arrrghh its gonna drive me crazy!" she shouted, face hoofing herself. She closed the book she had floating infront of her, which she had been reading but she couldn't really tell alot about the kingdom she was looking at. Most kingdoms had unicorns or an Alicorn at their head, as a king, queen or some other royal figure head, but this one was different. Yes there was unicorns and Pegasus, but no alicorn's. Not a one.

Though the Zebra kingdom and some other countries didn't have them, what made this different was the current Empress; Empress Frostmane, was a Pegasus, and a was weather Pegasi at that too!

'This kingdom, what ever it is, is backwards and strange....' she thought to her self. After some time, and still thinking on it, she decided to head to Fluttershy's house and talk with her, see if she could help calm her down. Rarity departed halfway there when the CMC's came up and told her about the task's she had to do, reminding her and making her rush off. Twilight continued to walked quietly still stuck in her deep and dark thoughts.

"Twilight?" Spike asked, his knowing eyes glazed with worry.

"Sorry.. I'm just... I don't know Spike. I don't like this situation," she said. Doubt.... she hated it, but it happened and there was nothing she could do about it.

She approached Fluttershy's house slowly and knocked on the door gently, the soft tapping meant to be polite. Fluttershy opened the door, the yellow pegasus looking out at her and smiling.

"Hello Twilight. How are you today?" she said, coming out and closing the door, and locking it.

"Hello Fluttershy. I'm... stressed about something, though I am now curious in why you are leaving and locking your door?"

Twilight reciprocated.

"I need to go to the next town, though I'll be back tonight... need to get some things for one of the animals I'm looking after as she's took sick even for my talents alone," she humbly said, walking down the path slowly, wings tucked against her sides, Twilight walking beside her.

"Oh... okay..." Twilight simply said, "I guess I'll let you go okay? I can wait til tomorrow to talk to you. Okay?" she asked, which Fluttershy nodded and took off before flying south. Twilight couldn't help but feel that she was going to get herself in trouble.

The two carriages landed, as the Mayor of Ponyville offered her a place to say but she turned it down, stating she was going to be staying for a few hours before returning to Canterlot and coming back the following days. And as she said, she took off in her carriage again and left for Canterlot. Blitz, Kleric, Windcutter and Odin all walked towards their new home being led by Twilight, who was nervous around the two outsiders.

"So Blitz. Tell us about yourself," Windcutter said, trying to make conversation, only to receive silence, "Well... then how about you Kleric. You are a Mage correct?"

"Indeed. I am Lieutenant at that too... I've been raised since I was a colt to be a mage of the guard, and I have achieved far beyond and above that call...." he said smiling, eager to talk, which he went on, until Odin silenced him.

"OKAY OKAY! We get it... your proud about you being part of the Guard... what about your home country?" Odin said, trying to change the subject, which made Twilight listen in.

"Well.... we live in the northern mountains, and our capital, Hoof Heights, is a fortress, with hundreds of thousands of ponies living there, and our queen, Frostmane, often keeps the winters warmer and more bearable. With that said, being that high up does make us have to grow more heavier coats of fur... as you can tell..." he said, moving his hoof and showing a soft curl of hair that seemed to be a puffed up sleeve above his hoof itself. Blitz was the same way, though his legs were stronger and heavier, and he stood a good two hooves over Odin.

Twilight listen carefully, as he described why their queen was a pegasus, and not something else. Pegasus were rare, only on in every two thousand ponies being one. Now Twilight understood.

'Unlike here in Equestria, which the average it as more earth and pegasi, and a fewer unicorns, its the opposite up there.... I get it now...' she thought.

"Indeed Twilight, its different up there for us and our iron wills and complete prowess," Kleric said smiling. Twilight looked at him and groaned.

"Great you can read minds too... not just a blabber mouth..." she commented. Kleric put a hoof to his chest, appualled and pretending to be hurt.

"My word Twilight, and here I thought that you would be kind, polite and smart... appearently I was wrong about the polite... and kind..." he said, hurt truthfully.

Odin smiled, "You know she's right... I don't think she knows how to read minds just y-"

"I know. I know... remember, I read her mind," He commented, making Twilight roll her eyes and groan. She already didn't like him.

Blitz walked ahead, seeing the house. His stride out paced everyone easily, and thanks to his Odin finally did something he wanted to do back at the castle and earlier.

"Whats up with Blitz?" he asked, watching him and slowing his pace down to a crawl. Kleric looked at him and looked down, then sighed softly.

"You remember how I said Blitz was a Captain?" he replied with, the two guards giving some soft nods, "Well... he was the Captain of the Dragon-Knights, which is a dragon hunter core in the Imperial Guard... and his last command end up getting twenty knights killed.... and he feels responsible..."

Twilight looked over at the charcoal knight, cloak covering himself. She wonder what pain he felt...

"I really consider this a new start for him..." Kleric said looking at the knight as well, "He's been quiet the whole trip... and very kept to himself.. Even I don't know why..."

"He lost twenty men.... to what?" Twilight asked, not even looking back.

"A Dragon... what else?" Kleric respond, walking forward.

Odin was quiet, and surprised by what he just heard. He figured Blitz was a noble, who didn't talk to anyone but nobles or officials, but now... Now he was just normal. He was a commanding officer, who commanded a group of ponies to their deaths, and felt he was responsible. What if he was, or what if it was something completely unstoppable and unpreventable? He started walking forward to the house as well.

"This is a new beginning indeed," he said softly. As the group walked to the house.