Sure enough, the next morning found the guards escorting me to the dining hall. They appeared nervous and watched me like hawks. Another time I might have messed with them by making furtive gestures. Not this morning, there was a feel of 'you move, you die' to it. I was willing to wait and see what happened. When we arrived, princess Luna was seated at one end of the long table with a place setting to her right. Another, meant for Celestia I supposed, was set at the other end of the table. With a gesture of her hoof, Luna had the guards stand watch at the doorway while she waved me over to sit. I took my time as I glanced around, noting the lack of any other guards in the room. I made mental notes of the windows, other doors as escape exits, sounds drifting in from hallways as staff rushed here and there to run various errands so I would know which hallway had the least living obstacles, even the angle of the sun and the shadows it created. By the time I sat down I had several plans in place, any one of them to implement in a moment's notice. Luna's look was of slight amusement. "Thine actions be bootless. Thou shant be afeared, for thou hast been invited to partake in victuals wit We princesses. Tis nay a visit to yon nubbing-cheat, despite the suffering We endured this forby night, rapscallion."

Given Luna's thick vintage dialect, I was still able to understand what she was getting at. I recalled how Luna had been brought down by the thought of what I might do to her sister. I had caused her real pain and it was something I would have to live with for a long time. I looked down and said softly, "I am sorry for that. I was so angry and I felt betrayed. You were protecting your family, and me as well it seems. I only wanted what was right. It didn't matter what happened to me afterward. I know it's a poor excuse."

Before Luna could reply, we heard a clear voice exclaim, "Now now, this is a bright and wonderful morning. Not a time for mourning!" Princess Celestia walked in with all the regal grace of her station, mane and tail waving with their own breeze. She sat at the other end of the table. Several servants came out of nowhere and placed several more items on the table to include carafes of freshly squeezed orange juice, apple juice, and several other items like jars of different jams and butter. "Last night was trying for all of us. I think we did very well, considering. I prefer to not dwell on the past but to embrace the here and now. In this case, breakfast!" I raised an eyebrow to Luna and she smiled weakly. Celestia continued, "Jen, I must ask about your accent, it is most peculiar, though I came across a version of it in the Prench province some time ago. I accede my sister has much to catch up on in the noble art of lip service, though I do pride myself in knowing regional dialects in these modern times. Is your accent passed down through family or only localized to your area?" I had never thought about it, but then again I had come across different accents in my own journeys. Luna quirked a brow at Celestia but remained silent.

I responded, "I believe it is unique to my home town...or it was before it was wiped out." It seemed this would be a breakfast with harsh subject matter for garnish. "Until that happened, we had kept to ourselves and seldom had any mixing with other thestral communities, so I could not say if it was unique to our location. An old shaman told me it was more prevalent a long time ago. But with my community in that area scattered, I suspect the accent will disappear in another generation or so."

Celestia's face grew concerned. "How daft of me, I apologize for bringing up bad memories as I subvert my own decree for a pleasant morning. Sometime after, I would like to discuss the events that took place there, when you are ready." I nodded my thanks and tried to forget those memories for now. A waiter came by to take our orders. I waited for Luna to request hers, a hay and egg omelette. I requested if they had some kind of fish and eggs dish and they did. After the waiter got Celetia's order he told us a special cake would follow our meal and left.

I asked Luna about the cake. Before she could respond, Celestia made a sound in her throat, to which Luna sighed and nodded. Then Luna said to me in a slow and deliberate fashion, "Tis be the second morn of Our return, the first victual...breakfast...Our sweostor Celestia has realized not in solitude, thus the kitchen doth break backs to break bread. Forsooth...mm, 'indeed', tis be an historic moment. Thou art lucky nobody died last night, lest cake would most definitely not be on the menu." She tended to talk with less stress when using the older dialect but got caught up with terms she was not familiar with.

Celestia was smiling pleasantly until Luna's last comment, then made a tsk sound and stated, "Really Luna, your morbid humor can be a bit...morbid sometimes. I have already forgiven Jen of her transgressions and no permanent damage was done. I for one consider the matter closed, lest we insist on ruining this first of firsts, as you say. Shall we?" With formal deference, Luna bowed her head. I nodded too, very eager to not be lectured anymore. "Excellent! By the way, it has come to my attention that our guest is into remodeling." I got a confused expression on my face and Luna tilted her head. "Her room now has a lovely view of the sky above her bed. Whether by accident or design, it could prove problematic with our regularly scheduled rainstorms over the course of the summer. Shall I have it patched up?" Luna worked her mouth out of exasperation, knowing that she told me to stay put last night. I elected for a different course of action.

"If it is not too much bother, I would like to keep it. In a way it reminds me of what must be in the skies, be it the moon or the sun. I can deal with the rain." I noticed Luna calmed down a little and shook her head, amused at my ability to smooth things over when I wanted to.

Celestia nodded slowly and replied, "I can appreciate your attempt to accept these changes. I shall have one of my students place a permanent repelling spell over the hole to block acclimate weather. Do be kind enough to inform the castle architect beforehoof when you decide to alter any local structures. They get agitated over those things. And no more rappelling, for the same reason." I smiled sheepishly. Celestia brightened and said, "Dear sister, let us continue discussing the subject we ended with last night."

Luna's horn glowed blue and a poster floated down to the table in front of me. It showed several thestrals in a version of the typical guard armor. The caption read:

'The Worst Monsters Come Out At Night.

So Do The Best Heroes.

Join the elite. Join the Night Guard.'

While a bit campy and pretentious as most advertisements were, I couldn't help but feel invigorated by the look of those thestrals in their royal garb. The captions certainly spoke to me. It was something I had always felt and was never quite able to put into words. I asked, "Did you come up with the words?"

Luna shook her head and replied, "We did not. A muse most talented hailing as Uberalles doth lives in Canterlot. His works deserve micel lof for their worth. We personally beseeched him to scieppan a work of inspiration. Tis a radiant creation." Celestia coughed politely into her hoof. I thought she might be coming down with something until Luna clicked her teeth with her tongue in exasperation.

The older alicorn said softly, "You did promise to try. Please indulge me?" Luna muttered something about it being too early in the morning and waved absently.

I stared at the poster, the boldness of the thestrals displayed, the fireworks and starbursts in the sky above them on a backdrop of stars and moon. I nodded and said, "It speaks to those who hear the call." Luna grinned and agreed. Before too long, servants returned with our dishes and placed them in front of us. It smelled very good and I had forgotten I hadn't eaten in a long time, so I was very quick to begin.

Luna spoke slowly while she ate her hay and eggs omelette, "We art instating the Lunar Guard, most comprised of thestrals and other night races, though nay exclusive to such. Our sister has seen much...upheaval over these longs years. Wit thy personal experiences, tis clear that not everypony can be up at the same time of day, thus ye need protection around the clock, as well as the enforcement of law. Forming a night specialized guard would be seen as a fair approach to the somewhat neglected ministrations of night duty, the late watch currently at its limited numbers." Celestia listened on, clearly having heard it before but still paying interest to it, and acting most pleased over Luna's attempt to speak in a manner I could understand. For her part, Luna spoke very well when she wasn't excited or otherwise emotionally stressed. Both sisters were also watching for my reaction.

I mentioned, "It would also be a political move to relieve stress between the day and night races, showing fairness."

Luna glanced at Celestia, who in turn took special interest in a bit of flowers to munch on. Luna got a little irritated, "Tis not solely for that, knave. Our sweostor and We smeaganed much on this to the resolve it would benefit many and for many other reasons."

I snorted and resumed eating my eggs and fish, speaking between mouthfuls. "It doesn't matter to me...I never had the temperament to take part in politics. Understand it? Of course I do...your chef is good by the way. Navigate it? Bleck! Just the thought of having to fake a smile and act polite while some high and mighty what's-their-face decides my future..." Celestia's soft laughter interrupted my train of thought and I looked up to find her laughing while Luna was practically fuming. I swallowed quickly and said, "Present company accepted of course." In a paltry effort to change the subject, I asked, "Princess, while we met in the dreamworld, I could easily understand you. Now..."

Luna's eyes narrowed. "We speak with Mine authority of the ruling class. Tis ruth We hold for thee to be dark on thy deep history-" Celestia's small cough gave Luna pause. She then continued in a more somber tone. "In short...Nightmare Moon spoke to thee via thy mind, wherefore thou hark with thy ears,-" This time Celestia's cough was louder. Luna tapped the table with her hoof in irritation. "We.....art.....trying to speak...modern."

Celestia's beaming smile helped dispell some of her sister's ire. "And a valiant effort you are making. In essence, Jen, the mind communicates pure thought in the dream. In the waking world we are weighed down by having to transpose our thoughts into audible sound, further hindered by the need for our audience to understand those sounds. Sometimes I envy Luna's dreamwalking...what beauty must she be witness to, experiencing others' thoughts uncompromised by misinterpretation or bias." Luna took on an expression of endearing love for the older sister's very well worded explanation.

Several servants chose that moment to come in and replace our plates with dessert dishes and the previous courses with a large white cake topped with a ornately sculpted chocolate rose made of icing. I hadn't had cake or specifically chocolate since that time on Heartbreak Cliff, five years at least. I had been through a lot since then. While this cake looked amazing, especially with the rose on the side of the cake, I never liked white cake. The chocolate definitely made it look worthwhile, though. I owed it to all that had sacrificed for this seemingly innocent confectionary to enjoy this cake, the cocoa bean that had such an impact in my life. I reached out to cut the rose slice when it magically cut itself and floated onto Celestia's plate. I stared at it while Luna responded to my earlier statements.

"For one who dislikes politics, thou art quick to recover when thou...steppest into it. In sooth, the guard WILL matter to thee since We shalt enroll thee in it." That got my attention as I looked at Luna, Celestia lost in cake bliss. Luna continued, "Tia and We art nay bullies, Jen. Forsooth, in Our own ways We have fought for everything you fought for your entire life. It is our perspectives that found Us at odds, with each other or Ourselves."

Celestia tapped her hooves together after swallowing and nodded, "Well said dear sister. You might see us as overbearing, Jen, yet it is an obligation to keep order. You were not alive when Luna and I faced Discord. Or the times before then." She closed her eyes and shivered. When she opened them, there was determination and a sense of conviction in them. I saw nothing of a power hungry dictator in her. "We do what we must." She resumed eating.

I looked longingly at the chocolate as it disappeared into the white alicorn's mouth, then I reached over to the flyer and pulled it to me, saying, "So must I, it seems. After all that has happened, you are willing to have me join your personal guard?" Luna nodded and pulled the poster over to her.

She stated, "Regarding the politics thou dislike, this move accomplishes several things. We loathe to bring up last night's events against my sweostor's wishes, but most of Canterlot is aware that something did happen. Accepting thee in the guard shows trust and reconciliation. That thou art a thestral cast aside doubt there bias between Us and Our sister regarding thee specifically, or the thestrals as a whole as We introduce them back into the everyday affairs of Equestria. Tis high time they returned to society and not be set aside merely because of their association with My night. It also affords Us the opportunity of keeping an eye on thee." There was a mischievous twinkle in her eye, as if saying it took one to know one.

I grumbled sullenly, "I don't have to like it, though." Luna waved a hoof and made two cake slices float to our respective plates. Not a trace of chocolate, of course.

"Peace and harmony can be difficult to maintain, and exacts a heavy tool. Tis a sacrifice that We must make more often than...well...We care to like." Luna almost sounded as if she were talking to herself as she picked at her cake slice.

The chef stepped in to see if the meal was to our satisfaction, which Celestia exclaimed it was and turned to speak to the chef at length regarding the cake. I turned to Luna and asked, "Does she always hog the chocolate?"

Luna's right eye twitched and she shoved a forkful of cake into her mouth, muffling her response to a low volume, "Despite what she wrote in that book, I doth remember a variety of things, including how she always got the cake decoration first. Verily if it was chocolate icing."

I traced the starbursts on the flyer as I watched Celestia finish her cake. She even wiped the chocolate smudges off the plate with her hoof. I left mine untouched as I asked, "Always?"

Luna was about to eat another portion when she stopped and replied tentatively, "Aefre." She then took a keen interest in me, waiting for me to continue this line of conversation. I said nothing. I thought about my blue cutie-mark wings, the need to right wrongs and injustice coming to the forefront.

I tapped my hoof on the poster, right on the starburst and said, "As wise rulers you are correct, this is a good future for me and it is right that you should direct me in the right direction." Luna became immediately suspicious and stared at me intensely. I admit I did not try very hard to sound contrite or grateful and she obviously knew it. I avoided her gaze like the plague.

Celestia on the other hoof seemed completely convinced. "See? She would be excellent in the court environment if she controlled her speech and tailored it to her audience."

Luna muttered under her breath, "We verily doubt yon speech tis what needs controlling." My sensitive ears were able to pick up the words. She sat up and said louder, "in abidance wit thine induction into the new Lunar Guard, thou must abide by new rules and tenets thou may not be used to. Aside from having more responsibility than the average subject, thou will be upholding the values and the honor of the Guard. Thou wilt also be directly under OUR command, which means what thou do negatively tarnishes My reputation." I must have had the typical juvenile rejection-of-authority look on my face. She gave me a small smile and spoke softer, "We understand it sounds like We only care about My name, but it is the coin in which We rulers use to negotiate between nations and with Our citizens. If they see We cannot control Our own guards, why should they follow the rule of law? We will be seen as weak by our neighbors and could potentially be invaded. The one pebble thou playfully throw in a pond can set off waves that ripple far into the future."

I nodded. Everytime I had a singular purpose, it was dashed aside by a multitude of far reaching implications. These princesses clearly thought through things far beyond what I was used to. I scooped up a forkful of white cake, glancing at Luna, "I can appreciate the hidden undercurrents of subtlety and I will be mindful of the consequences of my actions. It will be a challenge I take on with a smile." I ate the forkful of cake, my mouth wrinkling slightly at the taste. Luna stared at me with a steady gaze. I knew I would not be able to fool her, I was fine with that. She was not my target. Again, Celestia was on a different page and clapped her hooves together. What I took for simple appreciation was actually a command for a servant to bring out a tray. On the tray was the diary from the previous night. A golden glow seized the book and floated it over to me. I picked up the book and looked at it, then shook my head. "Your Highness, I can't take this. This is a lifetime of pain, your very soul laid down on parchment. I understand why you showed it to me last night. It belongs to you." I placed the book down on the table.

Celestia shook her head, "Nonsense. I give it to you as a gift, a reminder of things that have been, what could have been, and what could be should you make a poor decision. If you do, refer to the book. I daresay you would be hard pressed to find at least one entry that would not help you on any given day, or night. There are three hundred and sixty five thousand entries." My eyes went wide with surprise. How could one book have that many pages?!

Luna spoke up between mouthfuls of cake, "And one."

The white alicorn at the other end of the table smiled ruefully. "Indeed." She clapped her hooves together again. Several servants brought over more books. There were stacks of books, which they piled up next to me.

I looked at them in bewilderment as I read the titles on their spines. An Introduction to Biology. The Knife And You, And Them. Complete Medical Encyclopedia. Practical Approach to Particular Pony Parts. Drugs, A Pharmaceutical Approach. The Pyramidal Tracts, Not Just For Tourism. The books went on and on with different subjects, all carrying one overall theme. Medicine. I looked at Celestia and was truly stumped. "Princess, I have no idea about any of these things. I only know how to...that is..."

Celestia slowly dipped her head and said, "And in that venue we must find balance. All these years you have been tailored for a very specific purpose. This will begin the healing process, to help you see yourself as not just a weapon, but perhaps something more." Luna sat up and looked at Celestia in surprise. Celestia smiled and said, "Simply placing her in the guard felt like putting her on the back burner. She needed something more fulfilling. This felt right."

I pulled out the book titled 'Complete Medical Encyclopedia.' As I turned the pages I found myself reading the paragraphs, looking at the pictures, applying what I had learned about the body in a new way. I was fascinated. Instead of simply cutting flesh to let it bleed, I saw where those same cuts could be applied to facilitate surgery, amputation, or a hold and twist can reset bones or dislocated shoulder. Even the sewing seemed a perfect match. It was no different than the many things I patched up in the Badlands. I have had to use my hooves and teeth all my life to do the simplest tasks to such a degree, sewing up wounds looked like fun! Even my eyesight, attuned to spot the tiniest details in tracking, could be applied to line up the stitching so tightly as to make it nearly invisible. All of this I inherently understood as if it were second nature, the pieces of all my life lining up perfectly with this new puzzle piece. In my mind I saw a crusade against pain and suffering, against death itself if I chose the right action. The gravity of it shot tingling sensations throughout my body.

Gradually I heard voices again and I realized I had tuned out the princesses. Luna appeared very excitable, literally hopping up and down in her seat and exclaiming, "Yoicks!" It was almost cute, if you didn't mind your teeth rotting from the sugary goodness of the spectacle.

"What?"

Luna blinked at me. "Hast thou been dark these forby minutes?" I shook my head in bewilderment. I looked at Celestia who was overwhelmed with joy. I shrugged as she put her hooves to her face, beaming. Was it so hard to just tell me what had everypony in stitches? Turning back to Luna, she finally pointed a hoof at my flank. I looked down and saw my cutie-mark had changed again. This time there were two black snakes intertwining the silver dagger, their bodies disappearing in my black fur and reappearing as they crossed the blade, their heads facing each other on the handle, blue eyes glowing like the wings. I was speechless, practically in stitches.

When I found my voice I asked, "What does this mean?"

Celestia was the first to respond by getting up and walking closer. She examined the image and spoke, "Most ponies are straight forward in finding what makes them unique, their special something." Her eyes glanced up to mine, "Most ponies do not have to go through what you did." There was sympathy there, before she went back to examining my cutie-mark. "I have never seen this before. Luna mentioned this aspect of you during her dreamwalks as Nightmare Moon...I had thought the addition of the dagger might be a corruption of her hate." Luna fidgeted a little. She was not happy with being reminded of her past quite so soon after her release or that she may have caused my spiral into a similar hateful crusade. Celestia noticed and smiled, "Rest easy dear sister, this was not your doing, but the natural order of things...if a bit unorthodox in revealing itself." She looked closer and said, "The other symbols you know about. The twin snakes, entwined and facing each other, has sometimes been the symbol for medicine. Traditionally combined with the wings and a staff, they also symbolize trade and negotiation, a balance of ideals. In ancient times there was a staff that could make the dying receive a gentle death and return the dead back to life, represented by twisting snakes. Yours is a dagger, not a staff." She paused, her eyes switching to the books piled up, then to me. "Your negotiations will be a balance of life and death."

I averted my eyes, lost in the revelations she told me. I looked to Luna after a time. "You've known me most of my life. I still hardly know myself it seems." I ran a hoof across the cutie-mark to make sure it was real, covering the parts in reverse sequential order of how it used to look before today, before the dragons, before life got so complicated. Until only the blue wings were visible on either side of my hoof. "What am I?"

Luna smiled and reached over, pulling my hoof away to reveal the mark in its fullness. Then she galvanized all the energies in her to speak as clearly to me as she could. "You...are what any of...us...can hope for at the end of this...day." She sat back and looked at me in a new light.

She whispered, "Complete."

Author's Notes:

The recruitment poster is made by http://texasuberalles.deviantart.com/ which inspired part of this chapter. Permission from the artist was given for use in my story. It had a very appealing message, given my RL job. I have always been one to stand up to a bully, though the longer I have lived, I have found there are better ways to do it than getting right in their face. Sometimes I still get in their face.

The next chapter will be more of an epilogue, tying into bobbybrony's Dying Embers story. Fell free to post any questions about why I wrote things a certain way. If it needs fixing, that is the best approach. And thankyou for reading this origin story.