“Dad, come on. You missed spending Nightmare Night with us; you can't miss Hearth’s Warming,” Melody said

“She's right. Besides, this is the last time we're together as Harmony’s going to Basic soon.”

Brian changed into warmer clothes and threw his trench coat on to keep warm and joined his family. The four decided on going skating when he told them about it. Once they arrived at the lake, Brian withdrew two pairs of skates for each of them, while he only needed one on his rear hooves.

“You don't need two sets of skates, dad,” Harmony asked

“No. I'm actually comfortable on my back legs, having been human. When I was younger, one place we lived at snowed during winter, so I had learned to ice skate. During the same time, I played a year in ice hockey. Perhaps someday I'll teach you.”

While he wasn't trying to show off, it felt good to actually skate and he decided on performing simple jumps much to his family's surprise.

“Dad, can you teach me those jumps,” Melody asked

“Maybe another time. You need to be comfortable on the skates before I can teach anything else. Especially hockey.”

“Brian, would you care to join us at the castle this evening? The play we're having is a Hearth’s Warming tradition,” Celestia asked coming out of nowhere

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”

After skating for a few hours, they agreed about finishing up and getting something to eat before they headed to Canterlot. While it was a simple meal, it meant a lot for them to be together as often as they could.

That evening Celestia sent a carriage to pick up Brian and his family. While he had seen the play for years, the performers changed each year, and he had to admit some were better then others. Other then the tale of Hearth’s Warming, they were going to perform A Christmas Carol. He knew both by heart but still found the night enjoyable.

“That was fun. When we get home, I have a gift for you,” Octavia said with a wink

The next day Brian went to Canterlot with Harmony for her first day of training as a guard. The training for the guards was split in two sections with the first six weeks as basic training before recruits were given an option as to which of the three guards they wanted to enter.

“So, you're sure about this? There's no going back.”

“I'm sure, dad. I'll see you in a few weeks,” Harmony said kissing him on the cheek

Brian headed home where he was joined by Twilight and the others. The eight of them were enjoying a conversation as he entered the room.

“So, she's joining the guard,” Octavia asked

“I asked her and she's set about going. We'll see her in a few weeks when she finishes basic training.”

“And she's joining your guard? Can you keep from being biased,” Twilight asked

“Speaking of guards, you still haven't put together a guard to protect you.”

“Celestia’s tried lecturing me and just gave up. She doesn't seem to care,” Twilight said

“Just a suggestion, but why not use some of the unicorns in my reserves? You trained them in magic, just as Dash trained the pegasi with the Wonderbolts.”

“That would be the best idea. I did train them. Thank you for that,” Twilight said enthusiastically

“Speaking of recruits, have you seen Lightning Flash? She was actually the fastest in Wonderbolt academy,” Dash asked “Then there's the other who always has the mask. No one actually knows his name as he prefers not to talk.”

“Actually the two of them are currently training to be part of my elite. There's two unicorns that also show promise.”

“Well, we'll all see what happens in a few weeks. Whether my sister passes or not. I want her to succeed and find her cutie mark,” Melody said

“Agreed. So have any new music you’ve been working on, Vinyl dear,” Rarity asked as Vinyl entered from the castle

“Actually, Brian has been helping me with a few songs from his home. We've been trying to modify them for dubstep beats,” Vinyl said

“When can we hear them,” Applejack asked

“I'm not exactly sure when. I do have a performance in a few months; but it's on the dark side of town,” Vinyl answered

“Just be careful. We don’t need a repeat of what happened with that murderer,” Twilight said

“That's why Tavi and I are going to accompany her. Obviously, to protect our identities, we're going to change our appearance and I'm going in armed.”

● HARMONY ●

“Look who it is. Princess Blank Flank,” someone taunted

“Are you sure you're old enough to join us,” another asked sarcastically

“Either of you want to lose your teeth,” Harmony asked as they shook their heads

“Ignore them. I'm Cien by the way,” a green stallion with a yellow mane and comb cutie mark said

“Thanks. I hate being teased about that. At least my talent is whatever I want it to be.”

“Are you sure you aren't a member of the Crusaders,” Cien asked jokingly

“No, I'm sure. Which guard are you going for?”

“Honestly, I'm not sure. The two royal guards are the most prestigious, but everyone wants them. What about you,” Cien asked

“Midnight. Yeah, it's the hardest, but I want a challenge.”

“Isn't that,” Cien started before lowering his voice, “your dad's?”

“It is. I want to prove to myself I can get in. We agreed if I fail, to try for either the Solar or Lunar.”

“ALRIGHT LISTEN UP! I am Sergeant Ironside your instructor. These next six weeks will be your hardest in your life. Upon graduation, you will then select the guard you wish to enter and will continue under their regulations. Do I make myself clear,” Sergeant Ironside asked

“Sir, yes sir,” all the recruits said

“Good. Now your first order of business is uniforms. Each of you are to clean them so they are spotless. You will be inspected daily so they better remain in good shape,” Sgt. Ironside continued “And look here. A junior member of royalty. You realize your daddy won't be here to help you.”

“My father already knows. I wasn't wanting pity sergeant.”

“Good. I hate taking pity on others,” Ironside said

Each of the recruits were called to receive their armor. They were handed a toothbrush and bucket of water to clean everything off. Since nothing was said against assisting others, they unofficially paired up with Harmony and Cien helping each other.

“You missed a spot on the shoe,” Cien said motioning to the area

“Thanks. Hopefully this is the worst our armor will look. Minor cleaning is one thing, but the entire thing is worse.”

“Agreed. Here, let me help you strapping the armor on,” Cien said

“Thanks. I'll return the favor.”

A few hours later, Ironside returned and had everyone line up and marched them over to the obstacle course. Harmony wasn't fazed as she trained on the course in her dad's ‘danger room’ in the castle.

“Princess, you're first,” Ironside said

Harmony decided on running the course on her back legs, but still managed to set a benchmark of 3 minutes to everyone's surprise.

“Pretty boy, you're next,” Ironside said

Cien followed her lead using the rear hooves, but wasn't able to break the time and came in at 4:45 minutes. The rest of the group finished and they headed to the mess hall.

Other then running the obstacle course, the recruits were taught drill and had lectures on history. The instructors wouldn't delve to deep into the events, but gloss over basic knowledge that should be known. As the weeks passed both Harmony and Cien stood out from everyone with the two having the fastest times on the course.

“Cien, I challenge you to a battle.”

“Sounds good,” he said grabbing a wooden staff and throwing her a second

Each of stood on their hind legs and held the staffs like a sword. Cien struck first and started by swinging high while she parried it and attempted to counter as he moved. He spun the staff around as she switched her grip towards the middle and struck with one end. Wanting to change tactics, Harmony raised to attack above as a feint which he fell for. In the process she used the staff to knock his legs out from him and planted one end on his chest as he was on his back looking up at her.

“You two, my office,” Ironside ordered

She helped him up and they returned the staffs before heading to see the sergeant.

“Please close the door,” Ironside said as Cien entered second

“We're in trouble, aren't we?”

“Actually, I wanted to ask you both about your plans after this week,” Ironside replied

“I'm not sure about that,” Cien said

“In my opinion, and shared by the commanders of the Solar and Lunar guard, the two of you are not fit for either of them,” Ironside started before holding up a hoof to continue “We've come to the agreement of you thinking about joining the Midnight guard. I know he is your father, but it offers a better challenge. There are four others that stood above the recruits like yourselves that are going to attend. Perhaps the six of you are destined to become the current guard to Prince Dragnov.”

“Thank you sir, for the advice. I promised my dad if I couldn't join his guard that I would try for either of the princesses.”

“I'll think about it. Might be fun to do something other then just standing around; no offense,” Cien said

“I'm not saying anything. The next section starts in March, during mating season. Expect the week of training to be cancelled for ‘safety’ purposes,” Ironside said

At the end of the week, Brian and his family sat in the audience for the graduation as Luna and Celestia congratulated the newest members of the guard.

“Congrats on your graduation, Harmony. I take it you are going to join Midnight,” Brian asked

“Of course. Cien, this is my father Prince Dragnov.”

“Nice to meet you, your princeness,” Cien said nervously bowing

“You don’t need to bow and be formal around me,” Brian replied

“Thank you sir. Harmony and I are planning on joining your guard,” Cien said regaining confidence

“Best of luck to you. Perhaps, if fate allows, the two of you might be selected,” Brian said

After they headed home, the next day Harmony and Cien formally enrolled in the Midnight guard and were lucky to be added to the upcoming coming session in March right away.

“Good luck, Cien.”

“You too. I hope you don't ring the bell,” he said

“Same to you.”

“So, Brian are you sure about this,” Thorn asked as they sat in the officer's lounge

“I am. I will not be anywhere near training so as not to know who's quit or not. While I took a backseat years ago due to how harsh it might have been, having a daughter there really changes that now,” Brian replied

“Quake and I will train them, and I promise you not to say anything until it's done,” Thorn said

“Thank you, man,” Brian said turning to leave

“Good morning to you all. I am Commander Thorn and this is my partner Commander Quake. The two of us will be your instructors. If you all notice the bell off in the distance, that is your way out. Ring that and you are finished with training. The training you will undergo will be harder then what the other guards go through. Good luck to you all,” Thorn said

Harmony was heading to her cabin when she ended up accidentally bumping into the mare in front of her. Taking a glance at her cutie mark, Harmony was reminded that the design had the same shape as Rainbow Dash, even though the lightning bolt was red to match her fur.

“Oops, sorry for bumping into you. I'm Harmony.”

“Lightning Flash; former trainee in the Wonderbolts. And no, I'm not related to Rainbow Dash,” Flash replied “There's another who's supposed to be staying here, I just never caught her name.”

● CIEN ●

“Looks like I'm bunking here. Nice to meet you, I'm Cien.”

“Humph,” the masked occupant said

Cien noticed the other two were complete opposites of one another. One was a pegasus that had dark grey fur and hair and was wearing a mask that covered most of his face. His cutie mark was a tombstone that featured a skull and crossed wings under it. The other occupant was a yellow unicorn with blue hair that had a broken sword with a shield for his cutie mark.

“Don't mind him. No one's really heard him speak. Name's Carmichael. My sister Selena is also training here,” Carmichael said

“How long have you been training for?”

“We graduated from basic training a few months ago. After that, we practiced a little bit to get used to training, but this is the first time going through this,” Carmichael replied “By the way; our masked friend here and another trainee, Lightning Flash actually went through the Wonderbolts academy first before coming here.”

After the end of the first month, Cien and his roommates agreed to work together to succeed, as did Harmony and her friends. They were told that there would be a break for a week as mating season was approaching in March and they didn't want anything to happen.