Steel's Charge (RGM)

>Your name is Steel Charge.
>Taking a final drag of your cigarette you toss it into the trash next to your desk.
>Looking over the letter you were just sent you let loose a slow, heavy sigh.
>Reassignment.
>Gritting your teeth a bit and resisting all urges to crumple up the letter and chuck it into the trash, you lean back and stare at the dingy ceiling of the barracks.
>Bucking shit.
>All you wanted was a nice tour, get your kicks in, and retire to drink your years away.
>Who the buck wanted you reassigned anyway? You've done nothing to warrant this.
>VIP service, for a royal no less.
>You bet Celestia's flank you're not going to last one day in that post before you crack.
>You've seen some of the things VIP guards go through, these royals think they're personal slaves or something.
>First time whatever jingly pursed royal you're watching tells you to lug their shit around you're gonna give 'em a good dental check.
>Buck the dishonorable discharge.
>"Sergeant Steel Charge."
>Scrambling to your hooves you stand at attention, cutting a perfect salute.
>A young unicorn stallion walks in, who you know as Lieutenant High Tower.
>Tall, his pearl white coat gives a stark contrast to his golden armor, his rank isnignia on his pauldrons and marked on the forehead of his helmet.
>His nearly electric blue mane is cut high and tight so you cant see it under his helmet, his eyes match his hair in color. Eyes that have a piercing look, yet they lack true grit and intimidation.
>Well decorated, served in the same Grpyhonian War as you did, though he made it out with more medals.
>And less scars.
>"At ease Sergeant."
>You immediately fall into parade rest, staring forward and unblinking.
>His eyes go from looking you over to the piece of parchment on the desk.
>A faint blue aura surrounds the parchment, he lets out a low hum as the letter floats to his face.
>The next few moments only consist of him skimming over the letter.
>His eyes stop abouit halfway down the body of the letter.
>No doubt at the part where you're given your new assignment.
>He looks up and meets your eyes, an oh so faint combination of curiousity and anger flashes against his face.
>"VIP service? Why you?"
"I do not know sir."
>He tosses the paper back on to the desk, he begins his trademark pacing.
>"You're about the last soldier I'd pick to guard royalty, you have no sense of respect, you're crass, you blatantly disregard all attempts from others to elevate you to a position that they believe you have have the potential to hold!"
>You bite your tongue, knowing full well any retorts from you at this point would mean PT until you drop, in full assault gear no less.
>You've already done that twice this week, you don't need a third.
>His pacing stops, he shakes his head as his gaze meets yours again.
>"To be frank with you Sergeant I don't know what they see in you, the Princesses themselves called for you to have this post. I could've gave them a thousand better choices."
"Maybe my crass personality would do well in this particular situation sir."
>His snort tells you you've at least dodged full gear PT with that line.
>"Maybe it's your hint to retire, damn near 30 years old and haven't made it out of being an NCO."
>Ouch.
>That one both stung and pissed you off at the same time.
>"Do you even know who you're guarding?"
>To tell the truth you don't, the letter just says "royalty".
"I do not sir, do you?"
>"I have a feeling I do Sergeant, and the only reason I'm telling you this is because I'm happy I get to fill that cot with somepony more than a chainsmoking drunkard with a bad temper and an even worse record."
>"I think you're being assigned to guard that alien that appeared in Canterlot Square a few months ago."
>Oh.
>THAT thing.
>You've seen him once before, when he was in the mess hall getting food during breakfast one day.
>Towered above the rest of the ponies in the room.
>Looked like a hairless, hornless minotaur that got a good kick in the mouth.
>You hope the Lieutenant is wrong.
>High Tower takes one look around your room in the barracks, "That reassignment is immediate Sergeant, I'd pack your bag. And get this place cleaned up before you leave, I'm getting a replacement before the sun is down."
>Without waiting for a reply he opens the door and leaves, the sound of his metal sabots making hollow clacking noises against the stone floor.
>Well shit.
>Grumbling to yourself and fishing your one bag from under your cot you start piling your personal effects into it.
>Which really only consists of a carton of Mareboro cigarettes and two bottles of whiskey.
>Opening up your wardrobe reveals its only contents being the rest of your assault gear.
>There's not enough room in your bag for everything, and you don't feel like making two trips from the barracks to the main court.
"Buck me."
>Throwing the bag on to the cot you start to pull out your assault gear to wear so you don't have to carry it.
>You slip your hooves into your set of heavy sabots, pull your armor over your body, making sure it is fastened properly in all the right spots.
>Pushing your helmet on to your head you crane your neck side to side to get used to the weight.
>Checking your halberd for any blemishes and damage you mount it to your side, letting the bladed head protrude from your front by about 3 hooves.
>Using your rear leg you loop the strap of the bag around your hoof and toss it on to your back.
>Everything seems fine.
>Let's go say hello to your last post Steel.
>You catch yourself in the mirror, next to your door.
>Dark steel grey coat, your jet black mane oh so slightly pokes out from the bottom of your helmet.
>Only thing not dark on you is your eyes, an emerald green.
>Though they look almost bloodshot.
>You can see the tips of two scars poking out from your helmet, on the left side of your muzzle.
>Damn flying rats.
>With all the enthusiasm you can muster you slump your way out into the hall, not even taking a last look at your room before you leave.
>Buck cleaning it up, the next flank smoocher can do it.
>The heavy thump of your sabots are a far cry from High Tower's hollower steps as you walk down the hallway to the East Courtyard.
>You push the door open, and step out into the east courtyard of the palace.
>Another perfect day in Canterlot, not a speck of imperfection in sight.
>Pfft.
>At what can be described as a lazy stroll you make your way to the main court hall.
---

>You are Anonymous, newly arrived alien being from countless galaxies and/or dimensions away.
>You're in the main court hall of the palace of the princesses in Canterlot, Equestria.
>Land of magical talking ponies and many, many more illogical happenings.
>The only thing happening right now is the two princesses conversing with one another while you sit and wait on your new guard.
>It seems you've become an ambassador to a race that doesn't exist.
>Well outside of you of course.
>But, free money and a swanky room to stay in.
>Despite the two princesses being not even a couple of feet from you, you're having a hard time making out what they're talking about.
>You're getting snippets of speech about some sergeant.
>And something else about dinner.
>Hmm.
>The main door slowly opens, fetching the attention of everybody in the room.
>In walks a dull colored earth pony.
>Each step they take you can hear across the hall, like they're wearing solid steel boots on each leg.
>A heavy thud that barely echoes off the walls.
>With what looks like a huge halberd strapped to their side.
>As they slowly make their way to the bottom of the raised platform in the end of the courtroom you start to make out more details.
>It's an older mare, medium grey coat, black mane, very tired looking green eyes.
>On her helmet you spot the rank insignia of Sergeant.
>Could this be the pony they were talking about?
>Judging by Celestia's reaction to seeing the guardsmare, no it isn't.
>She leans to her sister Luna, and lowers her voice to a near silent whisper.
>"Luna dear sister, you DID write Sergeant Storm Charger on the reassignment letter yes?"
>A slightly sheepish look makes its way across the night princesses' face, "I could've sworn on the moon dear sister you said 'Sergeant Steel Charge'."
>It's Celestia's turn to adopt expressions, except hers is more cross than embarrassed.
>"No! Why would we give Stee-."
>The sergeant finally arrives at the platform, and lowers her front into a bow, causing her halberd to hit the ground with an uncharacteristically heavy thud.
>That thing sounded like it weighs ten tons.
>Why is everything about this pony heavy?
>Both sisters go full royalty mode, offering warm smiles to the newly arrived pony.
>"Why hello Sergeant, I'm glad you could make it here on such short notice."
>The guardsmare rises from her bow, facing the three of you, "I was on no posting Your Highness."
>Jeez that's a rough voice, almost like a mix between whiskey and sandpaper.
>Still a lot of feminine quality to it but sounds like a voice that's seen some shit.
>Or just a heavy smoker.
>"Ahh yes that is true isn't it, and how is your most recent attempt at quitting smoking coming along?"
>Okay so a smoker.
>The fastest flash of annoyance comes across the guardsmare's face, before she retracts to her previous blank face.
>"Like trying to catch water in a fishnet Your Highness."
>Celestia's face is either genuine pity or faked.
>"I'm sorry it hasn't worked out sergeant."
>The only reaction is a slow and shallow nod.
>Weird that she's not even paying any attention to you, which is a polar opposite to what you usually experience.
>These ponies take every chance they can get to oogle at you, or ask you awkward questions.
>Celestia's smile widens slightly, and she holds a hoof to you.
>"This is Anonymous, Steel Charge. Ambassador to the human race, your new assignment."
>The guardsmare finally makes eye contact with you, her eyes look you over rather quickly before reverting to just looking you in the eyes.
>A feeling of self consciousness washes over you, like you're having another dream about being naked in class.
>Feels as if her eyes are picking you apart, reading your entire life story, yet it's also like she's looking through you.
>"I am to protect him Your Highness?"
>Her general mood seems to be always bored, you've yet to see her change expressions.
>Weird for a member of a race of frankly over expressive ponies.
>A nod from Luna, "That is correct, sergeant. Anonymous here has a suite in the North Wing, you are to stay with him from sun up to sun down. You will be provided a room inside the suite as well. Have you made arrangements to have your things moved?"
>The guardsmare motions with her head towards the bag hanging on her back.
>"Everything I own is on me Your Highness."
>Looking at what she actually has on her, there doesn't seem to be much.
>A worn looking brown bag is attached to the side of her plate armor, with a very small amount of contents.
>Celestia gives another caring smile, "I'll have somepony escort you to your new quarters sergeant, we still have things to discuss with Anonymous here. You are dismissed."
>Another bow, except this time she keeps the halberd from hitting the floor.
>The right guardspony approaches Steel, and they both turn to make their way to the main doors.
>Once they're through the doors and out of sight, Celestia turns to Luna.
>"Dear sister why would I ever appoint Steel Charge to guardsmare duty? Especially a higher profile VIP protection?"
>You start to feel like you did when you'd be at a friends house and their parents started scolding them for something.
>"I'm sorry sister, like I said I could've sworn you said Sergeant Steel Charge."
>Luna's face still remains awash with a sheepish look.
"Princesses, is there something wrong with her? She didn't seem too bad to me, if a bit tight lipped and weary looking."
>The two sisters look to each other briefly, as if urging the other to speak.
>Luna is the one who caves.
>"You see, Anonymous dear, sergeant Steel Charge is a bit of an outlier within the Royal Guard. She...doesn't act like the others do."
>Celestia interrupts with a tone of voice that's uncharacteristic to her normal warm self.
>"She disobeys most orders, she has a bad temper, when she's not smoking like an extingushed campfire she's drinking enough to put four stallions under the table. She also has a bad habit of..."
>She stops herself, looking around the room.
>"I'm..I'm sorry, I shoudln't have said those things."
>Is this mare really so bad that she makes Celestia of all ponies break out into a rant?
"If she's so bad then why hasn't she been expelled from the guard? She doesn't seem a good fit otherwise."
>"Anonymous."
>Celestia adopts a look of concern.
>"I love all of my little ponies, I truly do. Some are more trying than others. However I believe that this is the best place for her, at least until she retires."
>Makes sense, if you're worried about someone you keep them close.
"Ahhh okay, what did we need to talk about though? Before you sent her off."
>"Yes, do you want her as your guard? To tell you the honest truth Anonymous we had sent for a different guardspony, but it seems names have gotten mixed up."
>To be honest here, you wouldn't mind her. She's obviously different from the cookie cutter type guards you've seen so far.
>Might as well give it a shot.
"Sure princess, I'd like that."
>Both princesses nod in unison.
>"It's settled then Anonymous, you may return to your suite."
>Rising from you seat you bow to the two sisters, before turning and walking to the main doors.
>"And Anonymous."
>Stopping to turn to Celestia you wait for her to continue.
>"Good luck, Steel used to be one of the best. Hopefully this is the change of pace the sergeant needs."
>You can't help but smile at that.
"Yeah, me too princess."
>And with that you exit the main court hall.
>After a short walk you arrive at your suite door.
>Abnormally tall for a door for ponies, but you guess all kinds of beings arrive at the palace.
>Such as 6 foot tall aliens.
>Opening your door and walking into your room the door abruptly shuts behind you, making you jump a bit.
>Steel Charge is on the outside of the door, she shut it the instant you walked in.
>After the door closes she's back at attention facing forward.
>You see how this is going to turn awkward quickly.
>Like sitting in a room with a naked man and trying not to look while you're talking to him.
"How do you know I didn't have anyone behind me?"
>She tils her head, looking to you.
>"Only one set of hooves were counted sir."
>Oh?
"What if they were a pegasus?"
>"Wing beats are louder than hooves at this distance sir."
>Huh, neat.
>"Plus it's considered rude to fly in the palace outside of an emergency sir."
"I see, that's interesting. Why don't you come over here and sit down? I'd like to know the mare that's gaurding me."
>Letting yourself into a chair you motion towards the one opposite you.
>The guardsmare eyes you wearily but complies, leaving her halberd leaning against the wall.
>Heavy thuds are the only noise in the room as she walks to the seat.
>Clambering to a proper sitting position she lets out a low sigh, looking around the room.
>"This is a nice suite you have sir, it's well decorated. My room is well lit and there's ample room for my gear."
>You're happy she's okay with being here, you were worried she'd be how she was in the main hall the entire time.
"Well that's good, glad you're liking the place so far. You want something to drink?"
>Without a word she lifts a bottle out of her bag, pouring two glasses.
>She drops two ice cubes from the bowl into each glass, and passes one to you.
>Looks like whiskey.
>A smoker and a drinker?
>Lifting the glass to your lips you take a small sip.
>An instant burning lets itself be known, causing you to choke a bit.
>This is some human-tier booze, you've been used to the watered down cider and such the ponies usually have.
>For the first time Steel lets loose a little smirk.
>It instantly disappears thought the moment you look to her.
"I saw that."
>She immediately rises and bows to you.
>"I am deeply sorry sir, I should not have found fun in your misfortune."
>Yeah this is *really* going to get awkward.
"Okay I'm going to lay out some ground rules here. First, don't bow to me please I feel weird when ponies do that. Second, you can act yourself here, there's no reason for me to throw you out for not following some code of conduct or whatever for guards."
>At your second rule she noticeably perks up, and gets back into the plush chair.
>"I'm thankful for that, the guard has frankly gotten quite stuck up their own flanks in recent years."
>You have a feeling if Clint Eastwood were here he'd share a drink with this pone.
>"It's good to see not every royal is a prat as well."
>Okay you've made the CORRECT choice in keeping her.
>Taking a second sip of your whiskey you savor the burn.
>"Grpyhonian, by the way. That's why it doesn't taste like somepony pissed in it."
>You do all you can to stiffle a laugh.
"So, tell me. If you're critical of the guard, why are you still in it?"
>Steel shrugs, taking a fairly large gulp of whiskey.
>"I have about two more years until my contract is up, after that I can retire."
"I see."
>Steel reaches up to her helmet, slowly taking it off of her head and placing it on the table.
>She shakes the helmet mane loose, trying to straighten it out.
>Comes to her withers, in a 1920s bob-like cut.
>But what sticks out most is her scars.
>Two deep gashes run from the bottom of her left eye to her muzzle.
>"Talons, Gryphon ones."
>Shit she caught you.
"Sorry I stared, just didn't expect it."
>Another shrug.
>"You should see him."
>Can't help but chuckle at that, which gets you another smirk.
>"Put my halberd right into his neck as he tried a second divebomb."
>She nods to her halberd leaning against the wall, a slight shimmer runs across it from the dull light of the room.
"I take it you're good with a polearm then?"
>At that question she tenses up a bit, slowly putting her glass down on to the table.
>"To be honest sir it's the only thing I'm good at."
>The mood just went dark.
>"The other guards, they mock me for it you know. Not many ponies have combat as a special talent."
>She continues, gulping down the rest of her whiskey.
>"War Horse is a common name for me, most of the superiors outside of formal drill call me that."
>War Horse doesn't seem that bad a name, quite the opposite actually.
"Honestly Steel I think that's a cool name to have."
>At that instant she looks you right in the eyes, "Do you?"
>Her tone, and her face show a buildup of fury.
>"It's insulting, it's used to refer to ponies that are bloodthirsty, that revel in war and conflict. A far, far cry from the others."
>She sits back in her seat, staring at the table.
>"Makes you feel like a savage, like some outsider in a society of supposedly warm and accepting ponies."
>She refills her drink, not bothering for ice this time.
>"Even the princesses treat me differently, I can tell when ponies are being fake to me."
>Your mind goes back to Celestia having that short rant.
>You guess Steel really is someone that will render that sort of behaviour from others.
>Steel heaves an audible sigh.
>"I'm sorry Anonymous, you shouldn't have to listen to this."
"I don't mind Steel, I think you're an interesting mare."
>An oh so slight curl makes itself apparent on the outside of her mouth.
>"That makes one I guess."
>You steal a look out one of the windows, seems the sun is almost all of the way down.
"Look Steel, im going to turn in for tonight. You're free to do whatever until sunrise okay?"
>She nods, "And Anonymous, I know you're requesting an air of casualness between us. But know that I am stil your guard, and I will protect you with my life."
>You're taken aback by her statement, you knew it to be normal but to hear it said to you takes on a whole different meaning.
>Especially from someone that's been through as much as she has.
"Thank you Steel, I'm hoping it doesn't come to that. That way we can stay friends."
>"Yeah, friends."
>Getting up and making your way to your room Steel remains in her chair.
"Goodnight Steel, see you in the morning."
>"Goodnight sir."