Shining Armor slammed a newspaper onto his desk, causing the two pegasas guards to flinch. Starstep and Lighthoof stood strong under the wilting gaze of their commander, trapped in his small office with the blinds pulled down.

“I wake up this morning to have breakfast with my wife and the first thing that greets me is a front page picture of my guards escorting ponies into Ponyville.” The white unicorn picked up the paper, reading aloud. “Daring Royal Guard raid foils foal-napper.” He folded the top half down to glare over the top at the two pegasi. “I may not be getting any younger, but I'm pretty sure I'm young enough to remember if I'd set up an operation involving all of my Night Guards.” He tossed the paper onto his desk and leaned back in his chair. “First, let me say I'm happy that these ponies were rescued. That isn't an issue here. However, I am upset over how you jumped the chain of command and ordered an operation on your own.” The unicorn lifted a scroll with his magic and unrolled it. “Three ponies did not show up to work last night, claiming sick leave. I've found all three at the local hospital with serious injuries. Ten guards were so exhausted when they showed up for their shifts, they could barely stay awake.” He tossed the scroll away in disgust. “So, you two want to tell me exactly what happened before I do something drastic?”

The two pegasi exchanged glances. With a slight nod to his friend, Starstep began. “Sir, we didn't order an operation, we asked for volunteers to help. During my trip to Ponyville, I received an anonymous tip about the recent foal-napping and a warning to bring a unicorn. I asked your sister,” Shining's eyebrows rose at that. “to assist Lighthoof and I. The tip was good, and we found a mining operation using the foal-napped mares as slave labor. Their guards were a large pack of Diamond Dogs. Not only that, we suspected that some of the little colts and fillies were forced offspring of the foal-napper and the enslaved mares.” He shook off the thought. “Unfortunately, Twilight was so tired from the invisibility spell, that we couldn't get anyone out but us three. So, Light and I came back to Canterlot and called a Night Guard meeting right as their shifts ended. We asked for help and Lighthoof laid out a plan. Since the ponies were all off duty, and no one was ordered to take part...”

“You thought it would skirt the problem with going through command, is that it?” Shining frowned.

The blue-grey pegasus glanced at his friend then met the Captain's stare. “Well...with all due respect sir, I felt like time was important. One of my best friends was captured the day before. We found her, bound up and trying hard to be brave...I...we...had to leave her behind to get help. Going though the channels takes a lot of time, Sir. And, again, no disrespect, but the Sun Guard are...” He hesitated. “A bit too brash and head-on in a fight for what we had in mind.” The Captain just glared, but remained silent as the pony continued. “So, we took an immediate train down to Ponyville, and marched right to the Diamond Dog holes to begin the rescue.” From there, Starstep told the story of what happened in the tunnels. The final chamber with the gold, the dragon, and the encounter and identity of the foal-napper. He ended with Copper slipping from the ledge into the magma.

Shining Armor tapped his forehooves together. “A unicorn in disguise...not many ponies who can do that spell. Alright, so what about this dragon?” He turned his eyes to the tan pegasus.

Lighthoof cleared his throat. “Ah well, about that...It was a dragon...of sorts.”

“Of sorts?”

“Well...it 'looked' like a dragon for the most part, but it's limbs were very long and he had six not counting the two sets of wings. It was like somepony pieced together a dragon out of other dragons. Anyhoof, he came roaring into the cavern as Star got teleported out. So I buzzed his head, screaming insults about his mother, which pissed him off. Had the other ponies hiding down in a pit as he chased me around the ceiling. Got him seeing red and lead him right into one of the doors. Blam! He smashed it open with his head and went back to chasing me. While the others slipped out the broken door, I lead him back down the tunnel he came from and lost him in the dark. Then all sneaky-like, I slipped out behind him and helped the others make their escape from the fortress. Just as we exited I saw Star and Copper fall from the bridge. When I got over there, I saw Copper slip off the wooden board and...poof.” He shrugged. “Dust to dust.”

Shining Armor nodded. “Ok, and when you returned the ponies to Ponyville?”

Star gave a faint frown. “Final count was seventy-four mares, twenty fillies and eight colts.” The Guard Captain gave a heavy sigh at the numbers. “We took them all to the hospital to get checked out. Most seemed ok physically, though slightly malnourished. Even the little ones. I think a lot of the damage was psychological. The doctors there assured us they'd do their best to help them get back to their families. We did learn a few things from the mares. Apparently, Copper had been foal-napping for many years from surrounding towns, not just Ponyville. He tended to target loaners and wanderers the most. Though as time went on, his lust for earth mares got the better of him and he started targeting whomever he wanted. The Great and Powerful Trixie was an accidental capture. She fell into one of the Diamond Dog holes one day and got caught up in the whole affair. He was using their child as leverage to make her go topside to harass and capture ponies, leaving him free to work at the PD without suspicion. None of them knew much about the dragon. Just that Copper answered to him alone. After that, we all grabbed a train right back to Canterlot and arrived at dusk. The Night Guard that were able, went to their shifts and that was that.”

The Captain looked back and forth between them. “I understand your urge to charge off and rescue ponies. I suspect my sister would have loved to be in the middle of it.” He paused. “However, you two brushed aside rules and endangered those with responsibilities. If you're chomping at the bit to lead, then you can bear the burden of the choices you've made.” He picked a small scroll from his desk and tossed it at Lighthoof smacking him in the chest. The pegasus raised an eyebrow as he bent to scoop it up and begin to unfurl it. “That's the address to the wife and daughter of one of the injured Night Guards. He died an hour ago.” A coldness gripped at Star's belly as he looked at the quivering scroll in Light's hooves. His friend was shaking lightly as he stared at the address and name of the little pony who wouldn't have a father anymore. “You two get to break the news to them. Seeing as this pony was under your impromptu command. Dismissed.”

The two ponies came to attention and snapped a salute. Then with the scroll tucked under Light's wing, they promptly left the Captain’s office, trying to ignore the glances from the other ponies in the Command HQ. Hushed whispers followed them out into the hall as they made their way back to the barracks. Well away from listening ears, Light broke the silence.

“Dude...I'll...uh...I'll take care of this thing. You can go rest up. It was my plan that got him killed.”

Star shook his head. “No, I'm as much responsible as you. I insisted we couldn't wait to do things by the book. We do this together.”

The tan pegasus hesitated, his eyes searching his friend's. A brief flicker of a smile hinted at his lips. “Alright, dude. Let's get this over with before I lose my nerve.”

“Yeah, let me pick up a few things from the barracks first.” He gave a sad chuckle, reflecting on how easily Light would face down at dragon, but seemed to fear telling somepony their loved one was dead. Despite how the outside world viewed them, the guards hearts were not stone.

The visit to the widow was hard. Harder than anything Star had ever done. At their knock, a young filly opened the door and her eyes brightened at the sight of their polished Night Guard armor. She beamed and danced around them, apparently excited to meet more guards like her dad. After her mother shoo'd her away to go play, Lighthoof told her the bad news. As expected, she broke down into tears. Soon, the three of them held onto each other for support on the door-step. The wife sobbing bitterly, the other two offering silent tears of their own. The visit took them into the living room where Star presented the widow with the guard's helm, signed by all his Night Guard co-workers. They told her about the valiant rescue of the imprisoned mares and tried to explain how thankful all those other ponies were for his sacrifice. Alas, it was small condolences to her current grief. Star only hoped she could find a little comfort in the noble deed he took part in. Before leaving, they promised to help in anyway they could and assured her that she'd always have open communication with the Guards. The last sight of the widow as they left, was her daughter crawling up beside her on the couch and trying to comfort her mom. Not really understanding what had happened. Star said a silent prayer to Luna that the little filly wouldn't hate them for taking away her dad.

_________________________________________________________________

The crowd at Ol' Rowdy's was as loud as ever. Lighthoof was nursing his sixth Hard cider, Star was on his fifth. Sherry and Peach Blossom had stopped by a few times to comfort Light, clearly aware of his distress, but gave the two guards their space. Star made a mental note of how understanding Light's mare-friends were. Through his haze of cider, he looked up from his mug. “Well...seventy-four mare who love us verses the one who may blame us. Could be worse.”

Light nodded. “Yeah...I know. We did what we had to do. But...dude, I keep going back, trying to see if there was some other tactic or idea I could have used to keep everypony alive. How did I fail?”

The blue-grey pegasus tipped back his fifth cider. “To be honest, I think the casualties would have been worse with the Sun-Guard. Probably a lot of innocents too. Shining didn't blame us for the death. If we'd been at serious fault, he would have done worse than yell and give us that scroll. Like you said, we did what we had to do. For the greater good of everypony.”

There was a long pause before Light met his friend's look. “Is that why you dropped him?”

Star resisted the urge to look away. “Yeah...he was about to escape. I...I couldn't let a pony like that start foal-napping again, and doing all the horrible things he did to more ponies. I just...at that moment, I knew I had to.” He rubbed at an eye with a hoof. “I just hope Luna forgives me, should she ever find out.”

Light nodded. “I don't know if I could have done that...but, I understand why you did. Also, you need to tell Princess Luna at some point. You know how she is about lies. You two are growing close, don't buck it up by hiding things, dude.”

“Hah, easy for you to say, you're not the one that has to tell his Princess he killed a pony.”

“No, I get to be the pony who tells his Princess, he got a pony killed.” They shared a look as Sherry trotted over, dropping off another round of drinks. She said nothing to the guards, giving Light a hug and a kiss, then leaving the two alone. Light followed her with his eyes, a smile hinting at his lips. Then he turned and raised his mug to his friend. “To the Guards who sacrifice for others.”

Star raised his mug to tap against Light's. “To those who love them.” Together they drank in honor of the fallen.

__________________________________________________________________

The next evening, the friends were posted on duty at the Palace entrance. It was usually a position given to new recruits. While important, it was a place to teach public presence and discipline. Star suspected it was Captain Shining's way of punishing them. Time passed at a grueling pace on gate duty. They couldn't talk to each other and for hours at a time, were forced to remain at attention between short breaks. The moon crawled across the sky over the deserted night streets. Nothing to entertain them but their own thoughts and Light's strange fascination with a little beetle scurrying around the cobblestones. At last, as dawn approached, their Sun Guard relief showed and the two were free to return to their quarters.

“So how's Scootaloo?” Light asked when they stepped through the door to the castle interior.

“She's still with Apple Bloom. She'd stopped crying by the time we got back from the rescue. But...I don't know. She seems...withdrawn somehow. Has to be the feathers she gave away. She's never broken down like that before. Well, except when her wings were going through growth spurts. AB swears she'll be ok. Funny thing, AB was the one with the most to cry about. Must have been terrifying for her down in those mines. Tough filly.” He gave a soft chuckle.

Light nodded. “I'm sure it'll be ok.”

“Starstep, Lighthoof.” A voice behind them cause the two to pause in mid-stride. They glanced back to find Captain Shining approaching, then spun and snapped a salute. “How was duty last night?”

Star mentally patted himself on the back for resisting the urge to grimace. “Quiet, sir.”

“Good. Sometimes a little quiet is what we need when there's chaos all around.” He looked down both sides of the hallway, insuring they were alone. “Seems my sister sent Celestia a letter about what went down in Ponyville. In turn, Luna sent me a letter. The Princess wants to talk to you immediately about what happened. Seeing as her letters are always very...formal, I can't tell you if she's angry or pleased. However, she made it very clear the two of you were to take a chariot to Trottingham.”

“Across the sea?” Star asked.

The Captain hesitated, resisted the urge to be sarcastic and nodded. “Yes, across the sea to Trottingham and take another chariot to Spurlin. It's a border town with the griffon kingdom, so I suggest you two brush up on your knowledge of their culture. Last thing we need is more reason for them to be angry at us. Things are a bit volatile over there, so for the love of our Princesses, behave. I don't know why Princess Luna insists on bringing you over when she could easily talk to you when she returns, but orders are orders.” He sighed softly. “Look, guys. Pony to pony, things are incredibly tense over there right now. Whatever the Princesses may ask you to do, I suggest you listen. Get some rest, pack your things and be on a chariot at sunset.” He nodded to the two as they snapped salutes. The pegasi turned to leave when Shining spoke. “Oh, and make sure to bring a weapon. I hope you wont need it, but sometimes deterrence is the best defense of all.”

After sleeping, Star took time to write letters to AB, Scootaloo and Cheerilee. Explaining that he had to go over-seas to help the Princess. He sent them off and took a little time to check in on Sweetie Belle. Her and her roommates were doing well, and practicing hard for the upcoming battle of the bands. He took Pip aside and warned him about Slate. He hoped the big Trottingham pony could handle the thug till Steelhoof could catch him. With his affairs in order, he packed a travel kit and polished his armor and pegasus blade. Slim with one edge, it was made for fighting in flight. Though he wondered if it would still be effective in the mouth of a wingless pony. Still, he agreed with Shining Armor and belted the sword to his armor. Sunset arrived and the two friends trotted to the landing pad of the Castle. Star felt awkward being flown about, being a pegasus himself, but the two chariot guards gave him and his partner no grief about it and soon they were soaring east towards the sea.

As nighttime fell, they passed the beach and nothing below them but dark seas. Starstep counted it as a rather boring flight, with no landmarks to look at or towns to admire. Yet, when he glanced up, he found contentment in the clear star sprinkled skies of Princess Luna. A crescent moon greeted the pegasi group, and the blue-grey colt took it as a sign of his Princess welcoming him to her side. Just past midnight, the chariot began it's decent towards the distant flicker of lights on the horizon. A beach and rolling woodlands swept beneath them, shadowed in greys and blacks. They crested a line of hills and were greeted by a sprawling city of old brickwork and steel-wire bridges across rivers that wound through the city. A huge clock tower dominated the skyline, a structure easily bigger than most turrets on the Canterlot Castle. Starstep took a moment to admire Trottingham's architecture before his thoughts were jarred by the sudden landing.

The two ponies thanked the chariot guards for the quick flight and boarded the awaiting one. Star found it curious that the two pegasi on this cart were heavier body type than he was used to, calling to mind the young Pip. Their coats had spots, even with the Royal armor on. He pondered why the Princesses would allow a change in the magic's appearance as the chariot took off with a start. East and south they flew, as the sun began to light up the horizon. Just as the tip crested the mountains far to the east, they descended again and landed on a wide tower of an old stone fortress overlooking what appeared to be an industrial town. Again, the two pegasi thanked the chariot guards for the swift flight and retrieved their travel packs.

“Starstep, Lighthoof, I welcome thou both to Spurlin.” Luna's lovely voice broke the quiet dawn air as the chariot team flew off.

Both guards dipped their heads to the regal Princess as she approached. “Oh, what tis this? Thou hath something upon thy face!” Starstep blinked in surprise as Luna leaned down to kiss him on the cheek. “Why, tis a Princess it seems!” She giggled softly as Star glanced up at the amused alicorn. “Arise thou silly ponies. Arise and attend to me.” She turned, looking over her shoulder till the two guards gathered their saddle-packs and followed at her flanks. “I shalt show thee to thy quarters before I retire for the morning.”

The fortress floors were cold and the hallways were drafty. Apparently the old fort had never been modernized, a relic of ages long past, commandeered for the purposes of diplomacy along the border with the Griffon kingdom. Old tattered tapestries hung on the walls, the colors of the weaves all but faded. Maids and Butlers scurried here and there, cleaning, sorting and working hard to improve the appearance of the old building. They passed a crew of construction ponies installing insulated windows into the gaping holes along the hallway walls. Down in the courtyard, a platoon of ponies were drilling in close-combat. Star just counted himself fortunate that Luna had greeted him so warmly. He'd had a small bit of anxiety on the trip over the sea. Flickers of her scornful face berating him for being a foal. In time, they arrived at a small wooden door. She used her magic to push it open, revealing a simple room, big enough for two cots and a wardrobe. “My apologizes that thy barracks art small, but worry not, tis only a place to rest thy head. Much of thy duties will have thee elsewhere. Lighthoof, thou art free to explore the fortress and the town until sunset.” She lowered her voice. “If thou dost venture into Spurlin, let not anypony provoke thee. Thou must adhere to the utmost level of appearances. Defend thyself if thou must, but never attack. Dost thou understand?” Her firm, cold tone spoke volumes of the importance of her words.

“Y-yes, my Princess.” He gave her a slight smile, then confusion creased his brow. “Wait, you said me, what about Star?”

The blue alicorn laughed delightedly, unfurling a wing to drape across the blue-grey pegasus. She turned, coaxing the other pony to follow at her side. With a grin over her shoulder at the puzzled Lighthoof, she answered, “Why, dear Starstep shalt attend me to mine quarters. There, we shalt have a very long talk. Welcome to Spurlin, Lighthoof.” With that, the Princess led her colt away.