Mystogan walked down snow covered street in the afternoon. Its has been four days since his first Hearth's Warming and his birthday. Things were already starting to fall back into regular swing. Ponies doing their daily hobs and all that. Jobs....jobs. Mystogan needed to get a job. He didn't want to live off of Rarity forever after all. He has been around this town many times, but there is nothing here he could really be useful for. After all, his whole life has been strictly military work. Maybe he could...yeah, that might work! He walks over to a bench that has been cleared of snow and sits down on it, closing his eyes and concentrating

"Tia, you there?"

She blinks, but smiles as she hears his voice as she was in her study doing some work.

"Mystogan, good to speak with you! Was wondering if you had gotten the hang of using the link."

"Its..pretty nifty. Anyways, I was wondering if...well..."

"Go on Myst...don't be shy."

"Well...I am needing a job. I don't want to freeload off Rarity anymore than I have to. But all I know is military work. You think I would be of any use in your ranks?"

The link went quiet for a moment. Mystogan opens an eye at the quietness.

"Tia?"

Suddenly, he is swallowed up by a golden light, soon landing in the lap of the amazonian princess ehrself, She smiles down wamly at him and hugs him tightly.

"I was hopping you would ask that some day..."

"You could have warned me Tia..."

He said as he shook his head, but smiles and wraps his arms around her in return, nuzzling into her chest.

"I have the perfect place for you in our ranks Myst. And according to Lulu, she said you were a captain of a unit twice where you are from?"

He nodded as he stood up after releasing his embrace around her, lowering his scarf from his face.

"That's right. I started out as a vice captain, and became the captain of the same unit later down the road. Then I started my own unit."

Celestia smiles again and stands up from where she was sitting. She closes the book she was writing in and motions for him to follow her. Mystogan nods and does so. They walk through the castle, guards and staff waving to Mystogan with big smiles. He waves back to them as well, looking to Celestia.

"Wow...before I killed off the dragon, they didn't even look once my way."

"You have become very popular here after that event, Myst. Amazing what slaying a fire breathing beast does for you, yes?"

She asked with a giggle. Mystogan smiled and chuckled lightly.

"I suppose so. So...where are we headed?"

"The guard barracks, I am going to introduce you to the unit you will be commanding."

Mystogan stops in his tracks, Celestia stopping a few feet away from him.

"Myst, what is the matter?"

"You...want me to be in charge of a unit here...? I don't know if that is such a good idea. Especially if a random group is assigned to someone as young as I am. They would be rather upset knowing their commanding officer is just some kid."

"Oh I wouldn't worry about that, Myst. I think you and these four guards are going to get along nicely."

"If...you say so Tia."

They walk into the training yard, going passed all the sparring rings and training dummies that guards were occupying.

"This is where you will be watching and making sure your unit gets plenty of training in. Teach them all the tactics you have learned in the past, make them stronger than they already are. Though...given your strength...i recommend you don't spar them, at least with one of your weapons."

"Well, that was kind of a given, silly mare."

She blushed at being called silly, but she giggled in return. Mystogan realized, for a ruler of all the land, she sure was rather shy around those she considered her friend, not that Mystogan minded though. To see such a beautiful and power ruler act to..shy around him. It made him smile to know she could relax around him.. The went to the left path in the barracks, Mystogan noticed a sign on the wall that said "female Wing". He stops in his tracks again, a small screech from his sudden stop was heard.

"Uuum, Tia.....I am not sure I can go beyond this point."

"You can if you are with me, Myst. I am the ruler here after all."

She said with a smirk and a puffed out chest. Mystogan looked down at the threshold that separated him and the 'no man's land'. He slowly lifts his foot up and over it, closing his eyes tightly as he now stands on the other side of the door. He slowly opens one eyes and looks around, letting out a sigh of relief as he hasn't been pummeled to the ground by furious mares...yet. They walked through the halls ofn the barracks...which looked more like nice dorm rooms than anything. Like his old living quarters back in the Friar Branch and Far East Branch.

"Um..Tia, these are barracks? Looks a lot nicer than i thought it would be."

"And what where you expecting?"

"Well..back home, military barracks had only the essentials. But this is more of god eater status right here..not that I am complaining. I always wanted our military back home to have a bit more extra to be comfortable."

"Well then, you should feel right at home then. Though, your new home will be outside the walls in the city. As a captain, you get your own home in the main city, though closer to the castle rather than in the middle."

"Well, if I am going to be their captain, shouldn't I remain on sight just in case they need me?"

"Normally yes, but given the...circumstances of you being a male and all. I am not sure they will be happy sharing the same dorm with you. Sure, it has five separate rooms, one for each pony. but I don't think they would appreciate a male that is literally a door down from them."

"I see...you definitely have a point there."

They walked on until they got to a door that had the numbers '281' on it. Celestia knocks on the door, she motioend him to stay out of sight until she was ready to announce him, he nodded and moved down the hall a bit, the door swung open to a mare who was dressed rather...revealingly, but she appeared comfortable.

"Ah Princess Celestia!"

She said with a bow.

"To what do I owe this visit?"

"Guardsmare Shimmering Blade, You will be pleased to know I have found you a new captain."

The mare's eyes widened and a smile came across her face, leaning back and yelling to her roommates.

"Ladies, we finally have our new captain!"

"About time!"

They all rushed to the door, they all seemed to be dressed rather...comfortably.

"And what's her name?!"

"Well, about that ladies...it's actually HIS name."

The room went quiet as they looked at the princess like she was crazy.

"But Princess, our regulations...you know we cannot have a male pony stay with us, much less be in the same unit."

"Well, its a good thing he isn't a pony then huh?"

"Pony or not, you know we don't work well with males! Just because we are females they think that we are the weaker part of the army, even though we are the strongest in the who damn core, they still look down on us! We refuse to work with one of those sexist brutes!"

"Please ladies, just meet him and I promise you will make this an exception."

They whisper among themselves for a moment, and hesitantly agree, backing away from the door to allow this male into their room. Celestia motions for Mystogan to come in.

"Ladies, let me introduce you to Captain Raven."

He comes in slowly, peeking around the threshold of the door before coming in completely, he closes his eyes readying himself to have multiple things flung at him, but instead he heard gasps of...delight?

"Princess..is he really going to be our captain..?"

"He sure is, I knew you four would be delighted to know."

Mystogan slowly opened his eyes to see the two twins he had fought along side with and the...another set of twin pegasi? Oh geez.

"Ah...ladies...good to see you again."

Shimmering Blade turned to the other and pointed to the middle door in the main room.

"Girls, get that room cleaned and prepped ASAP! Our new Captain deserves a grand welcome!"

"Ma'am!"

They all said as they began to run around, getting things in shape and attacking the room that was pointed out.

"Oh, that won't be necessary girls. I figured you wouldn't want to have a male staying in the same dorm as you-"

"Nonsense Captain! You may be a male, but at least you aren't like the others in the guard. You have proven that to me and my sister before. We would be happy to have you here with us!"

Both Mystogan's and Celestia's jaws drop at this, then looked to each other.

"Well then...that settles that then doesn't it? The house will still be available of you want it, Captain..."

"Well...I know I won't be away from my friends all the time...they will come and visit. And Rarity makes business trips up here as well, at least she won't have to worry about renting a room at one of the expensive hotels here. But, I will be spending most of my time here, getting to know my new unit and teaching them what I know."

"Very good Captain. I leave these four in your capable hands. Come find me when you are ready to head to Ponyville. You will need to gather your things and let your friends know you are now part of the sole defense of this country. Until then, be gentle with your commander ladies."

She said with a giggle and quickly closes the door behind her, leaving him at the mercy of these warrioresses.

"You seemed in a hurry to get out of there Tia..."

"Just giving you some time alone with your teammates. I told you they would be eager to have you as their captain."

Mystogan's eyes turned to the tall mare who smiled at him, his eyes shifting left and right.

"Soooo....Shimmering Blade was it?"

"Yes sir! Vice Captain Shimmering Blade at your command! My sister is Shattering Blade, and the two pegasi are Shadow Step and Blinding Arrow. And as the Vice Captain, I speak for all of us when we say it will be an honor to work with you, Captain Raven!"

"First off, no formalities please. In my first unit, we didn't go by titles unless we have to. Second, you don't have to call me sir unless you really want to. Third, which is my most important rule of all, under my command, we do not fight solo or separate. Should we split off, make sure there is at least two to a group. I know with me here it will be rather rough with that, but if there is two to watch each others backs, then we will be fine. And fourth, this is essential. Strength and power alone will not help you in battle. You will need friendship. And I plan on getting to know all of you to gain that. Are we clear on these terms, Shimmering Blade?"

She was speechless at how he spoke, he sounded so...experienced in being a Captain. He sounded strict and serious, but he seemed...rather calm and laid back at the same time

"Yes Raven, crystal!"

He grinned and became relaxed. Placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on Shimmering, at ease. You can be yourself around me. Not like we are out on the battlefield. When we are in ehre, we are just a group of off duty warriors. How about you give me a tour of the place, yeah?"

Mystogan follows her through the dorm, which was more like an expensive apartment than anything, they must really treat their guards nicely here. Soon they came upon the bathroom, which was HUGE by the way, a large bath tub and an area with four shower heads. Well, Mystogan knew this was going to be awkward at first. It was clear enough with the heavy blush across his face., this making Shimmering giggle.

"The great Raven can slay a dragon, but blushes at the thought of sharing a shower with a few mares?"

"Well excuse me if I am not an overly aroused male who makes grabby hands at the first pretty female I see...unless it is welcomed. Also, I have bathed with both a mare and two fillies before...but they are more like family then anything. So yeah."

Shimmering laughed a bit and winked.

"You never know...we may just ask you to."

Mystogan clears his throat.

"If I remember correctly...I heard you shout that you have things against males anyways. You called us...'sexist brutes'."

She gives a sheepish smile and scratches the back of her head.

"Well...they are..."

Mystogan grinned and poked her side.

"Not to worry Shimmering, I know there are lots of male guards like that out there. Believe me, I ran into them my first time here. They looked down on me simply because I am under the age of twenty-one. I became a god eater at sixteen. So they don't know. And if it makes you feel any better, I think you four are pretty badass. You work well when it comes to teamwork. You four definitely have my respect, as both a warrior, a friend and your captain."

Shimmer was quiet for a moment, she couldn't help but feel honored that her new captain thought so highly of her and her friends and sisters in arms. She reached out and hugged him, nuzzling into his cheek gently. Mystogan blinked a bit, but smiled and returned the hug.

"You ladies are going to be looking to me now. I will do my very best to keep you all safe and make sure that everyone gets home should we have to depart from the castle."

Mystogan catches the other three peeking in from the door, he chuckles and motions them in.

"All of you, group hug."

They nodded and smiled, rushing in and surrounding Mystogan in their arms, nuzzling into him gently.

"Tia...you know not what it is you have done...the first few showers are going to be awkward, that's for sure..."

"I figured a young stud like you would be excited to room with four pretty mares, they seemed excited."

"Do...I detect a hint of jealousy there?"

"N-no! Of course not!"

Mystogan laughed silently and just continued to enjoy the hug of the four mares. They may have been athletic warriors, but...god damn were they beautiful. Not to mention, they smelled nice.

"Alright ladies, I need ton return to Ponyville to gather what little things I have. I shall be back tomorrow afternoon."

They all release him from their embrace and stand back, placing a fist to their chest.

"Raven, return to us safely, sir!"

He returned the same gesture and nodded.

"Until tomorrow then, ladies. Sleep well."

Mystogan makes his way to the door and grabs the handle, opening it.

"Raven!"

Shimmering Blade called out to him.

"Yes, Shimmering?"

"Thank you...for acknowledging us as warriors. You are the first male guard to ever do so. No matter how many times or how many we beat down...thy never accepted us."

Mystogan smiled and bowed his head.

"Who knows, maybe you will be strong enough to surpass me on day...then they will have no choice. And if you have to, kick their asses over and over again. Don't take any shit from the others. And if anything else...make them feel stupid by verbally dumbing them down. Its a worse wound than any physical one. But, only if they provoke you. I don't want to hear that my unit has started any fights. Just that they finished them. Anyways, see you all soon."

He said before heading out the door and closing it behind them, Tia already standing outside the door with her back against the wall with a smirk.

"And you prove to me once again, that you are indeed wise beyond your years, Myst."

"Tia..if the male guards are like that to the females...why isn't anything done about it? They should be treated fairly. They are just as much of a warrior as males are. They put their lives on the line just like the males do."

Mystogan and Celestia begin to walk out of the barracks.

"I know that, Myst. And like you already know, they are the best in the core. But to have a female outdo a male, especially in the guard. The boys don't take too kindly to that."

"It shouldn't matter what sex you are...half the people I fought with were female, and they were god eaters, just like me. Hell, I know with your magic, you are possibly one of the most powerful beings in this world, including your sister as well."

"You are right Myst, we are powerful beings. And the male guards know that. But out here as a guard, there are things we can't always watch over. But, I do know this. Those four will be even greater under your command. ANd maybe, just maybe they will finally get the respect they deserve from the males"

"Oh you better be damn sure I am going to fix things around here...in times of war, be you a male or female doesn't matter. The enemy will kill you just the same."

They walked out of the barracks, Mystogan turning to face Celestia.

"I told them I would be returning tomorrow. Give me one more day with my friends back in Ponyville, then I will contact you in the morning."

Celestia nodded.

"See you soon, Mystogan."

He nodded to her before she sent him back.

"We will be needing you more than you realize sweet Mystogan. And it makes me happy...that you will be closer to us...and me."

She said to herself as she walked back to her study.

Author's Notes:

Aaaand another one, enjoy guys! Thought this one up while I was at work. Amazing what a slow day does for you. Huh?

Like and share.

May the darkness grant you peace.