=Helios 7=

>Canterlot had been recovering from the attack by the griffins.
>By the grace of all that was good in the world, the damage was mostly superficial and casualties were low.
>Less than a hundred citizens had lost their lives.
>Most of the city infrastructure was intact.	
>The guards had been helping refugees from their damaged homes and setting them up in shelters across the city.
>Another lucky break was that the platform suspending Canterlot above the valley below hadn't been broken.
>A bit shaken up from the explosions, but not broken. The masons were repairing now.
>If that was a lucky break, then you had also caught a blessing.
>By some miracle, Grogar's cage hadn't been damaged at all.
>If it wasn't for him being bound to the city and feeling everything it felt, the Necromancer wouldn't have even known there was an attack.
>You walked through the city, helping direct reconstruction efforts.
>Next to you walked...another matter.
>It had been three days since you and Princ-
>Since you and Celestia had spent the night together.
>You had almost been caught by the morning servant, but Celestia was able to teleport you back to your room before she got in.
>What followed were the two most awkward days on the job you had ever experienced. 
>How do you go about guarding someone who was moaning your name the night before?
>You remember asking her where this was headed, just as you remembered her almost sad response.
>"I...don't know, Anonymous. I'm not too certain about much these days. But...I know that I would like to...continue to be close to you, if you would have me."
>Of course you had said yes.
>You had to stay close to her.
>It was your job.

>Celestia and you continued to walk through Canterlot, helping rebuild where you could.
>There was hardly a need for a bodyguard today, not with the city still on high alert.
>Today you would help build.
>Sometimes you would secure an overhang as Celestia held it up.
>Other times you would be the one holding things up as Celestia reached inside a broken structure to retrieve a filly that had been caught in it.
>What seemed to help the most however, was simply her being there.
>You could see the looks of adulation and thanks pouring out from the citizens as Celestia did everything in her power to return them to their way of life.
>You had been seeing many different sides of Celestia recently...
>You had almost seen a furious Celestia when she made an emergency trip to Gryphus to confront the new Thane.
>Fortunately, he was quick to declare his predecessor a madman and promise to keep his distance from Equestria as a whole.

>The two of you were now in the southern plaza near a relief cart.
>You were handing out food, water and blankets to everyp0ny who wasn't in a shelter yet.
>There were reports of things getting rather hectic at some of the other relief carts, but not here.
>Here, ponies were lined up in an orderly fashion and were content to wait their turn for food.
>You chalked it up once again to Celestia's presence.
>"Here, this should help you through the night, please be safe My Little Pony." Celestia said.
>"Bless you Princess..." The mother says as she trots back to her children.
>The last of the supplies handed out, Celestia trotted up next to you.
>Out of sight from the refugees, she leaned forward and nuzzled the side of your face.
>"Thank you Anonymous...I couldn't have done this without you."
"O-of course, Celestia."

>Celestia lead the two of you out of the plaza.
>You turned your thoughts inward.
>You really weren't too sure about this...
>She was your boss, the pony who not only paid you, but dictated what you did with your time on the job.
>Hell, she was your monarch! She had the ultimate power over if you could even live here or not!
>And you had slept with her.
>Celestia had said that she could not be in a relationship. 
>She had said that the citizens of Canterlot and possibly all of Equestria couldn't accept a monarch 
>Why would Celestia risk her reputation over you?
>You weren't that special, just a bodyguard.
>Was she really risking her reputation?
>Maybe this was just a night of casual sex and there was nothing to worry about.
>You admit Celestia is...attractive.
>Any hang-ups you had about species had long since been left behind, she was just another person now.
>Another immortal, sun raising, royal person...
>...
>You weren't really helping your nerves here.
>Celestia had also said that she was going to do more for herself and "never let you down".
>But what the hell did that even mean? She had never let you down before.
>And why should she worry about you?
>She was the sun.
>You were just a guard.

>You sigh.
>A guard...
>You start to wonder on the significance Shining Armor played in your current situation.
>Celestia had taken you into her bed just after Armor had died.
>There was no doubt that the two of you were just trying to make each other feel a bit better in such dark times, but was that it?
>Was Celestia's current mood towards you affection that had always been there? 
>Or was it just a response to losing someone dear to her and trying to fill the void?
>It was absolutely no secret that the two of them were close, they were family.
>Hell Shining had been close to almost everyp0ny in the castle.
>Celestia had said she failed him, you figured she blamed herself for what happened.
>But she also said she would never fail you, and that was more interesting.
>Was she only doing this because she thinks she MIGHT one day fail you?
>Is she trying to give you what she thinks you want before it might happen?
>And why the hell is sleeping with you the first thing she decided on?
>You're so wrapped up that you don't notice Celestia has stopped until it's almost too late.
>She was staring up at the gradually setting sun with a mournful expression on her face.
"Celestia?"
>Her head lowers and her eyes flick over to you. "It's time, Anon."

-Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA6zTRqKuRM-
>The sun was setting over Canterlot's walls, casting the area in harsh shadows.
>The perfect setting for a funeral.
>Princess Cadence was there, but she refrained from giving a eulogy.
>You and several of Shining's friends in the guard had each given a short one, detailing his strength and heroism in the attack.
>As shining was lowered into his plot in the royal gardens, another stallion took his place next to the Celestia at the podium.
>"And so it is that with great honor that I name Dapper Thunder the new Captain of the Guard." She said.
>Dapper was a good guy, he'd take good care of the guard.
>Seven unicorns took position and fired off bursts of magic into the sky as the casket was lowered.
>As the bolts passed through the air, three streaks flew out of Wonderbolts stadium and passed over the ceremony.
>As the guests begin to file out, you are able to catch Princess Cadence before she leaves.
"Princess..."
>She turns to you, her eyes red and puffy from tears shed and her lip trembling.
>Anything you could have said then just seemed so...pointless, making the words die on your tongue.

"I'm...so, so sorry..."
>Cadence shakes her head. "It's not your fault, Anonymous...The griffins attacked and Shining tried to defend the city..."
>Her head perks up a bit and she now wears a teary smile. "I know that Shining would have been proud of his final act..."
"What...will you do now?"
>Cadence looks out over the city. "I must return to the Crystal Kingdom...But I may decide to take some time to myself soon."
"You deserve it, ma'am."
>Cadence smiles at you.
>"Be safe, Anonymous." She says before she turns and walks away.
>You stare at her for some time, eventually hearing the sound of hooves behind you.
>"I weep for her." Celestia says.
"I can't imagine what she's going through..."
>You bristle as Celestia rests her head on your shoulder.
>Cadence vanishes into the castle tower, leaving you and Celestia alone in the garden.