The slightest tapping of hooves across the polished crystal floor caught the attention of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Her ear twitched, hearing the soft steps approaching her. She looked up from her reading and turned to greet her visitor. "Ah, yes, how may I--"

A lump formed in the mare's throat at the gruesome sight before her. A royal guard lay collapsed on the floor in front of her, light golden fur tarnished and ruined by the splashes of crimson adorning his coat. Burns and cuts decorated his figure and his strange phoenix-like wings appeared to be broken. His silver mane was tattered, and his vivid green eyes were wild and scared, unlike anything the purple alicorn had ever seen before.

"Sir! What happened?!" She shrieked, then called Spike for assistance. The purple dragon raced into the room with medical supplies and began working on the poor stallion. Twilight healed the more serious wounds and his wings, while Spike took care of the minor cuts.

After that was finished, she carefully sat the stallion on a pillow and offered him something to drink.

He shook his head. A weary look in his eyes, he cleared his throat.

"Your Highness--"

"Just Twilight is fine, good sir."

"My apologies, Princess Twilight."

The mare sighed. "Fair enough. Please...what happened?"

"Princess, I am sorry for you to have seen my like this. There is an emergency at Canterlot Castle." (To be continued)