Returning to the Castle Gardens, Arin was happy to see Honey chatting away with the Princesses so casually. Before, she was a bit of a nervous mess when talking to Celestia – but the buzz of excitement dulled, and she was able to hold a happy chat, especially about Arin.

“Oh, and you should have seen how much he squirmed in the bathtub. He hated it! Like he’s never been touched before!” She laughed, drawing a giggle from Celestia and a snort from Cadence.

“Oh! Arin! How did it go?” Honey said, bouncing to her hooves as they returned from their march.

“It went alright – I passed the first test! Shame about Flash Sentry though, I think he pissed off Shining Armor.” Arin rested a hand on his hip, laughing softly to himself. He wasn’t mad at the pegasus – but he definitely didn’t feel bad for him, either.

“Oh, Flash Sentry? He was always a bit of a wild card, especially around Twilight. I’m not shocked, to be quite honest. He’s been trying to get into her castle for a while now, if you know what I mean.” Celestia said, rolling her eyes. Cadence couldn’t help but choke on her tea at the raunchy comment – from Celestia, no less!

“Princess!” The pink Alicorn blushed, “Gossip for closed doors, please! Shiny has had it out for him since day one in the Ranks.”

“Strange, I’m sure Shining has had it out for him since he put in the application to be a Royal Guard. I honestly don’t know how he was accepted.” Celestia said, resting a hoof to her chin in thought.

“Oh, I have an idea. You were eating a brownie, as I recall, stamping randomly on proposals and applications…”

“Oh, right. That.” Celestia laughed, as Shining Armor approached from the group.

“C’mon Arin. Rejoin the group, if you keep up the good work I’ll be teaching you how to be a Knight in no time.” He winked, laughing. “Then again, I don’t think you’ll make it – but you’ve proven me wrong so far, might as well keep going.”

“Right right – Honey, I know it’s a big favor, but could you not talk about our first meeting? To my friend?”

“Whatever you say, handsome.” She waved her hoof, laughing, causing Cadence to blush and Celestia to snort in a giggling mess.

Rejoining the group of four stallions, they all stood to attention as Shining began his march around them once again.

“This next task is simply a test of endurance. You will all be equipped with a heavy burden of weights, and made to keep standing. The weight is immense. But there is one exception – you are able to share your weights with others. No burden is held alone. The task ends when all participants submit or crumble. Ready? Forward, march!”

They made their way across the garden, heading more towards the west this time, instead of north towards the mountain trail. Reaching a toolshed of sorts, five sets of heavy bags were left on a small table. Each set had six weights, tied to twos – meaning three burdens for each participant.

“Take your bags and equip them. Today is a marvelous day to stand and watch the clouds, wouldn’t you agree?”

The group approached, Arin seizing a bag and giving it a tug. It must have weighed at least a third of his own weight – meaning he would be standing still with him on his shoulders. Somehow, he didn’t feel ready – as he slung them around his neck, closing his eyes.

A third of his weight? More like half. And he was sure he weighed more than the average stallion – so if it hurt him, the others were definitely struggling too. Stumbling forward into a line, the group went quiet, focusing on their burdens.

Within five minutes, Arin was breathing heavy. Ten, and sweat was trickling down his brow. He looked to his right at Vapor Wave, who was clenching his teeth from the weight. On his left, Ice Lance looked distant. In a dark place, his legs shaking beneath him. Head hanging low, breathing hoarsely.

Without saying anything, he reached over to the Unicorn – plucking one of the heavy bags from his back and – just barely – setting it on his shoulders. Ice gasped, turning his sweat-dripping face to look at Arin.

“You’re… fuckin’… crazy…” He said hoarsely, as Arin tuned him out. “You’re gonna… kill yourself, you fuckin’… stupid… minotaur!”

“Shhhuut the fuck up.” Arin gasped out, his own legs wobbling from the weight. He reached deep, panting. Thinking back to his times on one of the Noble’s farms, when he had to carry massive bags of seeds, two at a time, on his shoulders. He quickly extinguished that thought, letting his minds eye drift inward.

He thought of Celestia, and her warm smile. The way she seemed to carry an elegance with her, wherever she went. Her warm voice, her cake addiction. It was sweet memories. Then he thought of Luna, and her bursts of high octane energy – a warmth and a kindness that was hard to replace, how she genuinely liked him. Honey Rose, that sweet, crazy, bubbly mare – and her determination to make him smile.

Determination. He was determined. The thought of it alone gave him strength, and his legs quit shaking. The pain from the weight turning to a dull numbness, as his eyes drifted to Vapor Cloud.

He looked fit to pass out. His hand reached out, quietly, gently, lifting the massive weight from the Pegasi’s back. The pony’s legs quit shaking, as he looked up to Arin with a sweat covered brow.

“If you kill yourself over me, I’m not going to miss your damn funeral over some… broken legs, you persistent bastard.” His voice faltered, but quickly snapped back as he stood up straighter. Panting hard, exerting, but not failing.

Arin couldn’t lift this bag up. He couldn’t move his arms. He couldn’t move his legs. Breathing came rarely, and in desperate gasps. But he persisted.

Don’t just be blunt. Be helpful. He thought to himself. The same words he thought when trying to comfort Luna, after being a smartass to her.

The sound of a stallion collapsing faintly echoed into his mind, his eyes parting open to see Scorch Shot on the ground, panting. Shining using his magic to lug the massive weights off of him, freeing him from the mass. Vapor Cloud, seeing the first fall, quickly fell afterwords, sighing – but not a broken mess like Scorch.

A minute passed. Two. Arin couldn’t open his eyes anymore. His calves were volcanoes, the feet supporting him the magma pain that shot up into his body. He suppressed the sensation, his right hand threatening to give out and drop the weight.

“A-Arin…” Ice Lance grunted, keeping his weights on for his own dignity. “Drop it, it’s over. We made it.”

He tried to move his arm. It wouldn’t budge. A second later, Ice Lance collapsed on the floor, clutching his hoof in agony.

“Ice Lance, you require medical attention. I will consider you for a position when you’re more fit to finish.” Shining said, stripping the two weights from his back. The stallion looked over Arin.

“Arin, stop, you can drop those weights. You look like you’re about to die.” The Captain said, genuine concern plaguing his voice.

Arin didn’t move.

“Arin?” He softly tapped Arin’s chest. The Seraph fell over backwards, the massive sandbags making a soft cushion to land on behind him.

“…Well alright then.”

~

Arin awoke to a cold splash of water across his face, darting up with a gasp. His muscles ached and burned, arms limp as he looked around desperately in the sunlight.

“You qualify, Arin. Congratulations. That will be you, Crimson Court, Ice Lance, and Vapor Cloud. Get up. There’s one last task to perform.”

Shining offered a hoof, Arin taking it as he stumbled to his feet. He staggered for a moment, his legs shaking a bit from the sudden strain.

“You can quote me on this; I’m impressed. You took around 167 heaps for at least five minutes; that’s the weight of one and two thirds of a full grown stallion on your shoulders. Keep in mind that for travel, a well built stallion could carry at most, thirty heaps. And for quick movement, twenty or less. One hundred heaps is the same as carrying another on your back, and you excelled… for a while, at least.”

Shining looked over the Seraph, nodding. “I underestimated you. Get in line.”

Arin nodded, breathing deep. Brushing himself off, he staggered to the two other stallions.

“Alright. Excellent work all, color me impressed. This was partly a test in your physical endurance, but also how far you’re willing to exert yourself for others. Arin did especially well in that regard, clocking in ten minutes of extra weight. In truth, none of you had to share those bags – it does nothing to affect your score by any means. But it further proves who you are, not as Guards, but as stallions. Or uh… Seraphs.” Shining kept his march around the four remaining participants, eyeing them each with pride.

“What about Ice Lance?” Arin asked, finally at ease.

“I’m afraid that his injury put his test on hold. The next task is one of pure strength, and he wouldn’t be able to hold his ground. Keep in mind that part of being a Personal Guard to the Princess – an Elite Guard – is maintaining your own health as well, and fighting your limits in the most extreme of cases – which he did exceptionally well. Princess Celestia weighs seventy heaps, on her last check up – how far could any of you carry her, if things went awry? Through the main hall? Up the stairs, to one of the emergency tunnels? When would you collapse?

“The answer to that question is never. You can’t give up. You are a Princess’s last line of protection in the event of an emergency. While all Princesses are magically superior – they are mortal to killing blows, especially ones that come in the dark, in crowded situations, or in close encounters. If they exhaust themselves, or are targeted beyond your control, you have to be able to carry them. You bare their burdens. Today’s example was more so your ability to stand that weight. The next task is to move weight – whether it be a barricade, or holding a shield wall, or simply holding a door to buy them time, the next task is important for protecting your charge.”

“So what about being fighters? Aren’t we supposed to be great warriors, too?” Crimson Court asked, frowning. “You mentioned it earlier…”

“That’s part of your strength test; you need immense strength to protect the Princess, whether it’s from directly absorbing a magical blow, or simply blocking a door, your defense is your offense. Your job isn’t to smite the smallest of flies that approach her, but to basically throw yourself in the way of whatever is trying to kill her. This is not a job for the feint of heart, you all know that; you’re glorified meat shields. Don’t take that as a threat; you’re still awarded a weapon to hold, and armor to bare. But you are not trained to take down an army, in the end. In history, all of that training means nothing when your first duty is protecting your charge at all costs.”

There was a stony silence that followed that speech, Arin shuffling his feet nervously. Meat shield, huh? Not the first time Inerts have been tossed in front of an army with nothing but a slab of metal, told to ‘defend’. But this was a lot more crucial. A life was in his hands, and in this case, it would be someone close to him.

“Empathy, perception, endurance, and raw strength – all essential components to an Elite, Personal Guard. A Knight. Any citizen can be a Knight – but it takes a special pony… and in Arin’s case, uh…” Shining tapped his chin, “…thing, to do it. Seraph. Sorry Soldier.”

He shrugged. “Not a problem, Sir.”

With a nod, he continued. “You need all of these traits and then some to make it. Perception – the ability to see a threat – is the most important. A sentry doesn’t watch their charge, they watch around them, doorways, entrances, exits, who enters an area… as Guards, you all have this experience, first hoof – except Arin of course, though that doesn’t matter. Three of you will be entering advanced training, which will cover any holes in your knowledge.”

He began to march towards the forest path once more, commanding them to follow. “Endurance is crucial. To keep going, to take a blow and stand again – it’s necessary. If an Assassin strikes, and you take the fatal blow – we lose a brave soldier. If the Princess dies, you have failed your nation, your charge, and yourself. You must not be afraid to throw yourself into the line of fire. That’s what empathy is for; the ability to feel for others. It gives you the urge to do just that.

“And finally, Strength. All of those mean nothing if you can’t hold your ground. This way – to the left of the path, through these bushes.”

Taking a small path across the trail, he led the group into a small clearing just beyond the gardens. In front of them sat a large stone, round and heavy – roughly crafted, as if blasted apart by magic. Judging by Shining’s personality, it probably was.

“This isn’t a task any of you can share. We’ll do this one at a time. Do you see this mountain we’re perched on? Alone, you’re all gonna take turns trying to move this boulder as far as you can, up the hill. Don’t worry about it crashing into the garden if you fail – it wont get past me. Now, I believe the second to collapse would have been Ice Lance – and he is out of commission. The third would be you, Arin. You’re up.”

Arin frowned, looking over the impressive bolder. That seemed unfair, shouldn’t the weakest go first? It must have been… five times his weight, coming up to his waist, made of a course type of stone. He frowned looking over it, feeling it with his hands.

“And this is supposed to prove my strength, or something like that?” He asked, giving it a push. It rolled slightly at the touch, round enough to get some movement from a nudge.

“Yep. I went through similar trials ages ago, when I became a Knight myself. That was before my commander passed. And keep in mind – we’re excluding about thirty other tests, some written, to open the door and get you all in. On top of around a dozen more grueling physical tests, too. Call yourselves lucky.” Shining offered, approaching from the side.

“And how much do you think this weighs?” Arin gave it a shove, feeling it roll slightly up the hill before coming to a rest at his feet.

“I would say… two hundred heaps, more or less. Possibly three hundred, or half a tonne. So three stallions. Nervous?” Shining asked, waiting for him to start.

“No no, just worried I’ll break my back. Promise me you’ll visit me in the hospital if this crushes me on the way down?”

Shining rolled his eyes, giving a grin. “I’ll try.”

Arin straighted out his back and rolled the boulder forward, grunting as it began to move. Slowly, steadily, inch by inch until it made a full rotation up the hill. The distance grew as he closed his eyes, focusing on his task.

The steep slope, the heavy weight, his mind fading back into the toil of work. It felt similar to moving stone from the quarry, in the town of Amel Alora. He remembered vividly working there for a time past a siege, the capitol requiring hewn basalt to fashion new walls for the Castle.

He fell into the steady beat on the grass, breathing deep and ragged. Inerts were strong – stronger than many other races, from their heritage – but this was back breaking. He could feel the sweat pooling on his neck, dripping down to the weeds below. The incline wasn’t massive – but it was gaining gradually, becoming steeper with each labored step.

His arms burned. His back ached. He could feel that familiar wobble in his legs, as his muscles threatened to give out, clearing his mind to bring back happy thoughts.

The last task. Don’t give up. Push. His mind wandered to the warmth of the sunlight, the happy conversations he shared with his new friends. Gosh, he felt so immature when he thought of having friends; an Inert like him had no time for that back on Erenorn. But that didn’t matter now. Here, he was no longer just a magic lacking creature; he was a citizen, a friend, and soon, an Elite Guard to Princess Luna.

Why she would want him, he would never know.

Step step step…

A rock broke his momentum, his arms threatening to cave. He grunted, leaning his full weight into the boulder as it heaved, and crushed the rock into the softer dirt.

Step step step…

The weeds grew taller, lacking maintenance.

Step step step…

His breath was catching in his throat. He was no longer breathing through his nose, desperately gasping for air.

Step… step… step…

His legs shuddered, buckling. He opened his eyes, vision dark from the strain.

Step…

His arms stopped responding, and he cast his gaze desperately. If he fell now, he would be crushed to a pulp.

His legs wouldn’t move. His hips couldn’t turn into another step. The weight of the boulder lessened, a magic aura surrounding it. Shining armor stood by his side, letting the exhausted Seraph fall to his knees. Desperately hugging the sweat-coated stone, a hand squeezing his chest over his heart.

“That’s enough Arin. You did it. Relax. You’re more than capable of being an Elite Guard for Princess Luna.” He smiled, giving a wink. “Also, you might want to move.”

Rolling to the side and out of the way of the boulder, Shining let it slowly roll back down the hill. His magic encompassing it, stopping it where it started. Arin risked a peak to see how far he came, shocked at his own progress.

He had traveled up a steep slope – possibly three stories up, the edge of the forest not more than three dozen steps away. It wasn’t a record – he wasn’t the strongest Inert in Milla Serine, after all – but he felt absolutely proud of how far he came. He rested there, letting his taut muscles clench and seize several moments more before relaxing, spent.

Crimson Court approached the boulder next, stepping behind it. A few words between him and Shining, and he pushed onwards. Slowly making progress up the mountain’s steep slope. Arin watched, feeling every step the stallion took, using his strong hindlegs to move and inch that rock up the hill.

It felt stupid. These tasks – how could they prove you worthy of being a knight? Sure, he did it, and he accomplished everything he could – but it seemed poorly planned. The morals behind it, sure, they worked – and he could see the necessity to being perceptive, but moving a rock up a hill? It felt like a stretch to him, even as he lay there. Then again, Shining did say that there were more tasks, cut out to save time. And that these were unique.

Crimson’s steps grew shorter, as Shining kept pace beside him. He was already at the halfway point, and he was hitting a wall. Just by looking, Arin knew that kind of struggle. When you hit a point that you can’t keep moving, and your body begins to give. He felt that too, when he rolled over a rock – and he barely overcame it.

Crimson Court, on the other hand, did not. Shining stopped the rock in his magic, directing Crimson to step to the side. Crimson didn’t fall over, merely shuffled out of the way as Shining directed the giant stone back down.

Vapor Cloud’s turn. He didn’t say anything to Shining – not like Arin could hear it – only listened as the former Guard Captain spoke. With a nod, he began to push – picking up a quicker pace in the beginning, before evening out near the slope.

Arin found himself cheering the Guard on. He barely knew him – but he wanted to see him succeed. That rock made steady progress up the mountain, turning over itself again and again. Vapor Wave was still exhausted from the last test – they all were – but it showed more with him. He kept that weight on him for an hour. Arin was shocked that he could move at all; more so that he didn’t falter when he surpassed Crimson Court, who glared at him with every step.

That boulder grew closer with every waking moment, Arin able to spot the sweat off the Pegasi’s coat. He could even hear him growling in frustration, grating his teeth as he fought back curses.

His legs locked, not more than a stone toss away from Arin. And for a moment, the Seraph was shocked. Did he just beat every highly trained guard here? He knew he was strong from constantly laboring – but was he really stronger than a full grown pony stallion? He wasn’t this strong back on Erenorn, that was certain.

Another step, and Shining’s magic gently took ahold of the boulder. Vapor fell onto his stomach, panting, rolling to the side at the Prince’s command. Once again, he led the rock back down the hill, realigning it in place.

“C-Come here often?” Arin asked, splayed eagle in the soothing green.

“Too… often… for my… tastes…” Vapor panted. “But I got as far as I wanted. You set high standards, my friend.”

Arin caught a short laugh in his throat, coughing up much needed moisture. “Friend? What’d I do to deserve that?” He said between deep breathes, regaining his composure.

“You have no idea how nervous I was back at that first task. Without your help, I would have fumbled that bolt pouch a thousand times, got lost, and probably get mauled by a bugbear or something.” He said after a few minutes of deep breathing. “It’s hard to earn my trust, but after that, you’ve got a loyal friend for life. You really knew how to get my mind straight. Thanks.”

“Ha… tell that to Celestia. I needed to make two more friends, and I guess this counts, right?” Arin slowly leaned up, leaving the pool of sweat he made to dry in the afternoon sun. “Maybe I’ll get to hang out in the guard barracks with you sometime, when you’re off. Would be a nice change of pace from the girls.”

“Nah… after our training coming up, we’ll be staying with the Princesses.” He laughed, patting his chest with a hoof. “We’ll get to talk when they hang out together.”

Arin pulled himself closer, his eyebrows knitting. “What do you mean, stay with the Princesses? We already stay in the castle.”

“Elite Guards sleep in their charge’s bedroom, in their own separate bed, of course. Why do you think Shining got with Cadence? Fuckin’… good looks? Okay, bad example. But yeah.” Vapor spun his hoof in a circle, breathing deep. “We’re basically glued to our charges from here on out, especially when they rest. Gotta watch the room while they sleep or whatever.”

He rested his elbows on his knees, thinking. Does that mean he has to flip his sleep schedule for Luna? While he didn’t mind being up at night – it was going to be a tough change for him. He always rose with the sun, it was the best time to work after all.

“By the way, Vapor… which Princess are you hoping to protect?” Arin asked, plucking some grass between his fingers. He was feeling uneasy about this sudden change to his life; he thought it was going to be an in-public thing, not a 24/7 commitment.

“Well, I’m hoping for Princess Celestia myself. I always feel like my heart could fly around her, but it’s not something a normal Royal Guard like me could have ever talked about. Hopefully she sees that. And it’ll be nice wearing custom armor – no more white fur magic bullshit.” He waved his orange hoof around, running it through his violet mane. “Or Princess Twilight. It would just be a more interesting job, y’know? She’s all over the place – always out, adventuring and… y’know, it’d be cool. Maybe one of her duties would bring her around to Los Pegasus, I’d love to hit up the slots.”

Arin raised an eyebrow at that; what the hell were slots? Actually – he didn’t want to know. He rather not sound like an idiot. He already had to roll with that ‘magical electricity’ stuff – magic, that’s what it was in the end.

“How about you, Arin? I don’t even know who you’d want to protect.”

Arin scratched the back of his head – a nervous habit, laughing. “Well, Luna requested I be allowed to participate, so that I could become her Guard.”

“No fucking way.” Vapor chuckled. “The blue bat out of hell has a soft spot for you? I thought she was going to like, suck your blood or something when she dismissed us the other day.”

“Haha, no, in fact, she’s my friend.”

“…You know, I would instantly think you’re lying, but I’m inclined to believe that. Friend, huh? Well, what’s she really like then?” Vapor wave turned to his side, looking back to Arin.

“Well, she’s sweet and kind, and she really does want to teach me magic. She’s had problems making friends, from what she’s told me, and we do have a bit in common. Not much, but a good starting point.”

“Sweet? Kind? Bullspit, you’re lying.” He chuckled, slapping the ground with a hoof. “I’m sure she’s just getting you cozy so she can jump you and suck out your blood.”

Arin frowned, feeling a bit offended at that. Vapor saw the reaction, and retraced his steps. “But in all seriousness, I’m happy for you. A lot of Guards don’t like her for varying reasons – her mood, her scheduling, the lack of public appearances. But hey, if she’s cool to you, I think that’s awesome. And Arin? I’m just joking with you, my colt. I wouldn’t stab you in the back by insulting Luna. It’s all jokes.”

Feeling a little better, Arin nodded. “Well, I’ll get Luna, and you’ll get cake butt. By the way, she’s in sugar withdrawal from the diet. Hope you’re okay with that.”

“Uh… should I be worried?”

“If you come without candy, yes.” Arin laughed, his eyes falling on a familiar sight… pushing up the mountain, inch by inch. They were so wrapped in their conversation, they didn’t even notice.

“No fucking way, is that…?” Vapor Cloud said, watching in awe as Ice Lance pushed past Crimson Court.

“It is!” He shouted, “Ice Lance! You can do it! Push man, push!” Arin laughed, but got no response. Shining walking steadily beside him.

“Holy shit, he’s stronger than I thought.” Vapor commented, clopping his front hooves together. Shining’s magic stopped Ice in his tracks, confusing the Unicorn. He looked up, before looking back to Crimson Court.

“Well, we know who our third Elite is.” Arin said with a smile, clapping for the soon-to-be Knight.

Ice cheered, collapsing in victory.