The Royal Elites

By: Joseph Keller

Prologue

*****

The universe was once a void that had absolutely nothing within it. No life, lights, or even a vacuum that could ever be. But then, a big bang came around that helped create the stars and nebulae that all scientists and philosophers know of today. And when the world of Equius was starting out, the many species that didn't live long in a prehistoric setting, including the many dinosaurs that once dominated the world, had made way for the other species that had evolved from the single-celled organisms that lived for a very long time.

And within the billions of years that passed by, the same organisms had evolved to become the Equian race. From there, many inventions and philosophies had been made to either help an individual or other people around said people. With the many years of knowledge being vocalized, there came a point when everything being written would become the norm for all. And in the minds of said people, the multiverse theory was discussed more than any other theory being discussed in even a high school setting. But not everything could be recorded, nor could everything be repeated.

And the true reason for why such a notion was only a gleam in certain people's eyes was because of how any theory could make the scholar or philosopher question everything that they ever knew. And so, some formations, both notorious and great, were made to stop the chaos of such ideals from spreading against the natural order of the world.

(…..)

In the first Era of its existence, the world of Equius was in an eternal state of war and chaos. It was long after figuring out that life could be sustained on the planet that the Windigoes, the Draconequus race, the Bugbear race, the Chaos Masters of old, the Changeling hives, the Titans, and even the undead everything, (influenced by a very charismatic necromancer of unknown beginnings) were swarming around the entire world with the infestations that they brought with them. But worst than that, there were also... many evil human beings. And one by one, the continents outside of Equestria, and even the lands within said country, had fallen to the power of the evil that arose from the lowest levels of Tartarus itself.

But there were some, within those lands, who chose to resist against the marching evil that tempted many to follow in its destructive wake. Among the free races of Equestria, the King Solaris, alongside his beautiful Queen Andromeda, were among the most prominent men and women of the many Alicornian clans that ruled the world of Equius. And they were the absolute symbols of both courage, discipline, loyalty, love, light, hope and harmony during the dark ages that their homelands had suffered the longest oppression in.

As the royal couple looked to the lands, they, along with three other figures of importance, had begun to form a secret group of the greatest defenders that would gladly sacrifice themselves to defend the world from the evil that had plagued the world when all hope was gone in the minds of the hardened and defeated soldiers. But the only way to do that was to persuade three important figures in the other three Equian races below the Alicornian clans.

The same three people, who were greatly desired by the royal ones, were as listed by the royalty that ruled the land of Equestria. Terrae the Great was an Equian man that was graciously blessed with the greatest strength of all for his unrelenting compassion for his people. Another person of interest was named Aerus Primus, an Auran that always boasted about being a great warrior of the sky who was given the fastest speed because of how his many deeds were greatly backed up by his own body. And finally, there was a Magician of the highest grade named Magus the Compassionate who always helped spread his worldly knowledge for all who wished to know of the great things about magic.

When the three of them had been gathered by Solaris and Andromeda, they of course had their disputes. But it was under the leadership of the royal Alicornian clans that the three were able to unite their strengths, along with helping the other to alleviate their weaknesses for one another, in order to create the single greatest race of warriors who would not be named, but would be allowed to fight for the crown.

But the same meeting was not to be heard about until a much later time.

Nevertheless, all of the world would become grateful of King Solaris & Queen Andromeda's sacrifices. And along with the Royal Equestrian High Council, which consisted of the first three great warriors, made the contributions to defend the world from every aggressive conflict that had threatened the peace and harmony of the land. And the group's name was never known until said time gap was filled up with a vast majority of the war in Equius turned against the evil that tried to stop the world from allowing peace and harmony to be the norm within its many continents.

(.....)

The Royal Elites. That was the name of the group of the most legendary fighting force that had set the standards well above what most of today's soldiers and fighters in this world could work very hard to achieve. But there's no man or woman, in all of the world, who could hold a candle or a tome to their many deeds. For that legendary contingent of soldiers was the start of what true hope had looked like for every armed man and woman that had been taken into any war or battle within their home countries. Neither in life, nor in death, would the small army be unheard of. And the many foreign countries that surrounded Equestria's borders had revered them to be almost god-like in their quest against the many massive enemies.

The First Equian War had included, but was not limited to, the grotesque undead legions of both Ragnarok and Tartarus themselves that had invaded their homelands and killed their friends, families and citizens. There were also many dark magicians that had practiced the forbidden art of necromancy, corrupted leaders that sided with said magicians, and even a whole army's worth of mindless, savage monsters that destroyed everything in their path. And they were still led by the same evil necromancer who had lived for a very long time in order to fully see his vision come true for his selfish desires.

And in Stalliongrad, Centuaria, Zebrica, the Mareterrainian islands, the Stirruppean, Dragon and Griffon Kingdoms, the Norse Countries & the Leo-Gar Highlands they had given off their own myths and legends about the same soldiers/warriors that fought against the evil that plague the world. But only so few of the many hundreds of billions of citizens and subjects of said locations had truly known about their existence. And there was also that same small number that had been recruited. But they would only want to fight for what was right by choice. And not just because of an obligation to their rulers.

(.....)

Even though the Royal Elites started their defenses in Equestria, none knew who they were. And even the people within the other kingdoms who were recruited into the group were too small to notice by any set of eyes. The same group that was founded by the royalty from eons before had already kept to themselves at first. And not even the first rulers of the land from before were able to keep a tab on the group, nor figure out who they were at all. And such secrecy was needed, given that neither the common rabble, nor the Alicornian High Council, which was made after eons of never having the ability to unite until a much later time, were able to fight against the massive undead legions, Chaos Masters, or even their worst enemy: The very first legion of soldiers to defect from the Royal Elites to follow the Second Royal Elite in order to form... the Rex Brutes.

The first Prime Royal Elite, named Elitus Regium, had started defending Equestria's borders and allies within the time span of many millenniums. He had the vision of saving the world from all things chaotic and unholy while keeping a low profile. And he was given the first and only order of making his crusade against the profane forces by the royalty and the first three great Guardians of Equestria.

But the Second Royal Elite, named Rex Muta, was corrupted with the evil visions of having glory, riches & power above all else in his grasp. And the Rex Brutes were known to be the best fighters, but had become corrupted with the same evil in their hearts. And it was then, after betraying his charges under the influences of both Tirek and Sombra, that the changed man became the first evil that had stabbed a major wound against the world's desire for peace, justice, freedom, security and harmony.

The rule of all of Equestria, and beyond, was all that the Rex Brutes could see in their blinded eyes. In an effort to stop the much unneeded bloodshed from continuing, the Prime Royal Elite had tried to persuade their former second in command to come back to fight for what was right: the defense of Equestria against all of the enemies that only wanted to destroy the lands until nothing existed at all. Not even the thought as to what dirt was. The Second Royal Elite, who was titled the first King Brute by the evil leaders, was not easily persuaded. And thus began the war with the Royal Elites fighting against the Rex Brutes.

(.....)

The Royal Elites were once a large, independent legion that had operated just well outside of the Royal Armed Forces, as a secret weapon to the defense of the Princesses, while keeping their dignity as armed members of Equestria's forces. But more often than that, they were a force that consisted of the strongest, fastest and finest men and women of all races that had fought tooth and nail for their countries.

And they where greatly feared by all of the enemies that had tried to conquer the world in both the past and present times. And they were also greatly respected by the same rulers of the land, even though they had no clue as to who was within that organization, or why they had fought for the lives of the population of their lands in the way that they did. Not even in the current day of age that all of the people were now peacefully living in. Once there was hundreds of thousands. But now... there was only nine. And no one knew of their identities.

But nevertheless, they were still a gigantic threat to have been reckoned with, should any creature or man try to stop the world from turning as it always had with the Princesses' magic. And they were also the greatest allies that the Princesses had ever known. Even though they would never know who was in that unit.

The people within the Elites had been consistent of soldiers from within that great alliance of the many soldier's countries that had fought for the fate of the whole world of Equius.

(.....)

The only real way for a person to figure out if they were an Elite, or not, was to ask them a simple question: “Do you know what truly happened on 4th day of Aurora's Smile, on the 990th year of the 2nd Era?”

The answer, if a Royal Elite was among them, was this: “Nightmare Moon had become a sniveling, whining, spoiled toddler who wanted to have a toy, in comparison to the real war that had happened, outside of Equestria.”

If there was a Rex Brute among them, the answer would be: "It was the day that our goals were in our sights, and yet were set back by an unfaithful group of heretics!"

It was fortunate that the Rex Brutes were no longer in existence... but there was still no way to be absolutely sure. The betrayal was what truly made the Royal Elites a hardened group to be feared against. And with great reason. For none would ever know who they truly were.

And the very reason for that desired secrecy was because of how that very same group was secretly fighting that same legion that wanted nothing more than to destroy the lands of Equius, with all of the inhabitants as fair game to them as they had marched across the world. And not even the Elements of Harmony, their idol heroes, would have been able to fight off the many that were trained and honed to conquer the land. But it was in High Trotter City, within Stalliongrad, that the second war of Equius had started.

The scent of burning gunpowder and metal, along with the immolated corpses decorating the streets of the once beautiful cities and villages all around the world, with a majority of them having been reduced to nearly mountains of rubble, had permeated the once sweet air while ominous black clouds of unnatural origins had blocked Celestia's sun and Luna's moon from the scopes of the many fighters. The blood, sweat and tears, along with other fleshly contributions to the art of war, had been sacrificed for their countries. And even the bodies of a few hundreds of the Royal Elites had fallen to the battlefield as they pushed forward to their goal.

This was the catalyst that started the Second Equius War.

(.....)

And Sterling Caliber, at the age of ten, from the small town of Dodge City within the land of Equestria, was recruited by the Royal Elites for his raw power and talent as a Card-Summoner. But it was through his many sacrifices, as well as his fierce determination in the battlefields that had earned him the highest praises in his unit. And even tough he was a tough fighter with his physical capabilities, it was that hidden latent talent within him that had earned him his right to command his squad. But it was not an easy achievement to accomplish.

When he was first starting out as a person from Equestria, he had run away from his village in Equestria when his parents had died in front of him at the age of eight. But before he could even start out as a fighter for his country, the one who picked him up, who was also within the Royal Elites as their Commander, had been saved by Sterling's ability to summon a weapon to kill an undead Viking corpse that was reanimated to kill the leader within a few seconds. If not for the act, then even Sterling would have died on that day.

And his abilities with his unique magic were significant enough to allow the Royal Elites to make him their Captain. But as the Second Great War of Equius had progressed, the same power level within him had been significantly tripled by a trio of spiritual passengers that had helped him become much stronger in his abilities in return for allowing them to dwell within his body for a while. The training was grueling, but it was all worth it in the end for him.

As Sterling had foolishly taken point to find a cave for his unit to go to for the rendezvous, a large mortar shell had been fired at him from a distant tank. The resulting explosion, after seeing the ammunition miss him by a few feet, toppled the rocks of the cave while a piece of that metal from the shell had penetrated his chest from the back left side as the rocks then collapsed on his entire upper body, save for his head. He had seen that his death was coming as his vision became darkened with the blood of his body pooling around his collapsed body.

It was then that a trio of royal looking spirits had offered him a choice: If they were allowed to live in his body, they would give him access to a power that had never been seen in ages. One that would help him and his small unit in the many battles ahead of them.

Given that he just had no choice, while feeling the cold kiss of death imminently creeping up on him as that piece of frag pierced his body with the rocks crumbling at his bones, he had allowed the deal to be made. And it was a wise decision on his part. For after that, the many great enemies of the war had come to fear both him and his unit. And all because of that large, solid piece of frag that almost killed him when it had pierced his body through and through from his left shoulder blade.

The same trio of passengers within him were none other than a royal family from the ages before him. Their names were the King Platinum Will, the Queen Palladium Lily, and the Prince Titanium Heart. And they were imprisoned from the view of the world for many a millennium without any outside contact. And when they told him about their desire to be among the people, along with learning that he could teach them the customs of the new modern world, they had come to the same conclusion as he did: This was to be the start of a very benevolent relationship.

When Sterling asked them who they were, as he took himself to try to relax while finishing up an assignment in a village in Trottsnia, a gigantic history lesson had been lectured to him. But not only that, a major reeducation on the world of old had been placed into his mind. The soldier did not like it at first, but eventually, he grew to want to hear their voices whenever his friends and teammates would fall to their ignorant ways of conducting a battle. They were like a new family to him. And he grew to love them all as such.

It was then that he realized that he was not only a Card Summoner, but he was now a Possessor as well.

(.....)

And after more than ten years of fighting in the greatest war that Equestria was not allowed to know about until a later time, his unit's official purpose had died out from the final battle that costed him the lives of his friends and family. But the real war was still going to go on until the end. The battle for all of the neighboring countries and continents around Equestria was over. But the truly final battle would be fought on his homeland. And Sterling knew of such things. It was taught to him in all of the times of both his little skirmishes and major battles.

And Sterling fought through all of the major battles between the ages of 10 through 22. And now as that young adult in his early twenties, Sterling had looked back into his mind as it was being cleared of all that he stood against. The many tests of the war had made his heart harden, even though the fires of his desire for love and friendship were still there.

At five feet and ten inches tall, and weighing in at 177 pounds with a quite muscular body, as well as a few scars here and there all around his midriff and on his face, he had still considered himself to still be an ugly bum. His face, counting all of the scars aside, was actually a very handsome one in the eyes of both men and women. That, and he had a real silver color in his eyes. But he had always doubted that he was a good looking guy. So much so that it drew himself an infamous name that stuck with him from the moment that he was given that title: Silver Bullet. But he also earned that name to not only disguise himself. It was also from how fast and powerful his actions were against his enemies.

But what he didn't know, much to his obliviousness at the time, was that the women that were in his unit, fighting the many battles with him, had already thought of him to be quite a handsome, nice and charming guy once they got past his stern demeanor. Most of the women, either they were in his unit or was a civilian, would even consider dating him if they had the chance. He never once believed that he was given that kind of compliment in a sincere way at all. And he was always brushing off the gestures like the figurative dust and gunpowder on his clothing.

(.....)

It was on the very last day that the war was finally over for his teammates. Before he could take the transport from a small island just outside of Zebrica's coast to make it back to his home country, he had asked his former Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Fixer, if he could take a last look around a little sector of the island, just a bit outside of the HQ, for a last patrol. The request, though a bit hesitantly, was granted.

But as he looked over the oceans for the last time when he got there, he was able to see a sight that had been denied to him for a lot longer than he had been fighting. And all while he was ten, with no means of training beforehand. The same sun that Princess Celestia had raised and lowered every day was now rising as the afternoon was approaching. Sterling had then, by some internal desire, taken a nap right after closing his eyes for a moment. The same rays of her benevolent star had given him the warmth and peace that he had so desired. And even the moon, during his many nights, would shine over him.

And then... when his nap was done, he heard a gigantic explosion coming from the mountains. The same ominous cloud of smoke had permeated his nostrils with the same scent that he knew was an omen of death. He rushed over like a bullet to see the damage that had just arrived. The panic was rising in his heart, the sweat was caking the sand on his face and his blood pressure was hastily spiking. There was no doubt that the base was now destroyed. The same home that Sterling had taken refuge in all those years ago was struck hard and fast.

As he looked over to the now burning HQ, his fears were confirmed: He was now the last.... of the Royal Elites. And he... was alone. This was what he had feared more than losing a battle for his squad. And whoever it was that ordered the hit against his unit... was also looking for him, he had concluded. But the perpetrator would die in his hands, no matter what it took from him. This he swore to the Goddesses above in the heavens, so help him both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

And with a flight spell being used from a summoned card, he began to travel back to Equestria. And not just in the hopes of being able to find the one responsible for wiping out his entire unit. But to avenge his fallen friends in arms. But under the training with his former C.O., along with his passengers' wise teachings, he would not just go charging into the battlefield like a savage, bloodthirsty beast.

He would have to plan out the big offensive for a long time on how to draw out the ones that wanted him dead. And when it was successful, he would expose them to all of the country to see them for the traitor that they truly are. Because if he was correct.... to which he hoped he wasn't.... then the very same person who had wanted him dead.... was also the one who caused the start of the war against the countries outside of his own. And he would not rest until his friends and family.... were finally avenged.

“No matter where you go, no matter who you are.... When I find you, you will not die by my hand! But! You will be given a far worse punishment than what you have done to me! So help me sweet loving Faustia of Equestria!”, Sterling had proclaimed to whoever his true enemy was as he continued to zip across the ocean upon the horizon.

And the spell that was taught by his spiritual passengers, to which he used against one of his great enemies from before, had become the last resort that he would use if it was the only way to remove the last form of his many conflicts.

(.....)

Six months later, Sterling had made his way to Canterlot after his deployments to the many lands outside of Equestria were finished. And while he was being given an honorable discharge by his superiors, the hardened man was also given the title of Captain within the Royal Equestrian Marine Corps while being awarded with the Celestial and Lunar Crosses of Bravery. But along with those two honors, Sterling was also given many other medals by the many people of high standing that he saved in the other countries. This also included a shield medal that had two winged unicorns, the sun and moon joined together with a heart in the middle, and the symbols of the Elements of Harmony engraved and bejeweled into it. This, of course, was the Equestrian Shield of Harmony. And only the most dedicated and loyal of soldiers could receive the honor.

But he had the unmistakable feeling that his accommodation was only the beginning. After looking out the window, while taking a train to Ponyville, he looked back to how his education in the University of Canterlot was mysteriously completed. He was told, by a pair of trustworthy men named Fancy Pants and Trust Worthy, that the board of the school wanted him to have the honor of knowing that his reeducation was greatly desired in order to complete his new resume as another chapter of his life was complete. Alongside that conversation, there was also the ability for Sterling to hear that Fancy Pants was also a banker while also keeping himself busy as one of the members of the board of education. Sterling's degrees in Ancient Linguistics and Magical Theory were earned from months of studying.

And with that in mind, Sterling was able to sigh in a content breath. Not only was he now completely reeducated by Equestrian standards, but he now had a connection to a great man that would help him out if was to somehow find a surplus in his hard-earned fortunes. But even he didn't know that he would be further blessed by the universe as a means of apologizing to him for making him suffer the losses that he had experienced for too long.

*****