Royal Guard

My surroundings were peaceful. There was a refreshing breeze that lightly tugged at the loose edges of my clothes. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply; I held it for a moment and let out a content sigh.  I was in bliss. I looked over the cliff I was sitting on and observed the beauty before me. A bird zoomed by while another chirped in the trees. Below me was a canopy of trees that seemed to stretch on forever, and I could hear a river nearby.

I looked to my left and saw the girl of my dreams sitting and enjoying the view as well. A smile on her tantalizing lips. She turned to me, smile still on her lips, and I stared into those beautiful cerise eyes. Everything was said and done and all that remained was for me to take what I longed for. And taking it was what I intended to do. We leaned in toward each other, not a word spoken, and our lips connected. I felt warmth at first, but something was off. The warmth felt tangible, and it as if it was slowly being pulled away from me.

"I SAID, GET UP!" Twilight screamed, as she magically ripped the blanket off of me and launched me toward the floor.

"OH SHI-!" I yelled as I was torn from my dream, but was cut short as my face connected with the ground.

My blankets neatly folded themselves around my bed behind me as I got up rapidly. I was disoriented, confused, and angry all at once.

"TWILIGHT! WHAT ARE YOU?!" I yelled, but was once more cut short as she thrusted clothes that she had selected for me into my arms, and turned me around. As she pushed me toward the bathroom she commanded:

"The princesses themselves are coming to see you, so go wash up and look presentable."

With one final push I stumbled into the bathroom and had the door slam itself shut behind me. I was still confused, but now curiosity replaced anger and I took extra time into making myself look nice. Once dried, I looked at the clothes Twilight had given me and smirked. I sure as hell wasn’t wearing this combination. I made my way into the living room and watched as Twilight was on edge. She was extra jumpy and completed tasks with an unnerving speed.

"Twilight?" I asked, nearly whispering. "Are you -?"

"WHY AREN'T YOU DRESSED? I THOUGHT I GAVE YOU SOME CLOTHES!?" She questioned me, an uneasy tone in her voice.

"I sure as heck aren't going to wear that. If you want me to look nice, then let me pick out my wardrobe." I answered with confidence. "Besides." I added. "Don’t you want to explain what is going on and why you yanked me out of bed like that?"

She took a deep breath and pointed toward her chest. As she breathed out she straightened her arm. She seemed calmer now, and opened her mouth to speak:

"I'm sorry, I'm just really stressed right now. Get dressed and meet me in the kitchen. I'll explain everything there."

I did as she said, putting on a fancy shirt and pants. I looked myself over and smiled. I wanted to look nice without making it too formal and uptight. I met Twilight in the kitchen shortly, and pulled back a chair while asking:

"So, now that I'm all neat and shiny, you want to explain what is going on?"

Twilight set down the last plate, and took her usual seat across from me.

"In case you didn’t know already, you live in the Solar Empire under the rule of my mentor, Princess Celestia."

"Princess Celestia." I repeated while chewing on an omelette. "Fitting name." I added once I chewed over the idea in my head. "You mentioned something about you being her student. I'm guessing that’s how you know her, huh?"

"Yes, when I was little my parents signed me off to her magic school, and she took me under her apprenticeship after seeing a natural talent in me. Unfortunately, as I kid I wasn’t the most social and spend my time reading books and studying rather than making friends."

"Really, haven't noticed." I interrupted while very openly taking a good look around the library and all of its books. She gave me a hard scowl as I laughed. "Ok ok, I'm sorry. Please continue."

"As I was saying. The princess sent me off here to make friends so that I can further expand my knowledge on magic, and learn something about friendship as well. I have been writing to her about anything new ever since."

"Glad to know I'm not the only one new to friendship, but what does this have to do with me? And you said Princesses as in… more than one, right?"

"Yes, I was getting to that. Now in my latest letters I have included information on you and your progress as well. She took interest and wants to take her sister, Luna, and meet you today."

I let out a long whistle before continuing. "Wow, royalty has taken interest in me. This is going to be awesome, but might I ask. What makes them so special? With names like Celestia and Luna, surely they must represent something more than just royalty."

"Well, you see they aren't like everyone else. We all poses our own unique characteristics, be it magic, flight, or a strong connection with nature and general heartiness. There is a balance that we keep in check and maintains peace. The princesses, besides being nearly immortal and powerful, have all three properties as well."

"Wow." I breathed. "And their names?" I asked, leaning in close.

"Well their power helps keep night and day in check. Celestia controls the day, while Luna, her sister, remains princess of the night. In fact there was a struggle a 1000 years ago in which Luna wanted the night to last forever as her jealously of the day got the better of her. Celestia was forced to banish her to the moon."

As Twilight explained I sat there listening with great interest.

"Not too long ago, her magical prison was broken and Luna returned vengeful and angry. Our friends and I stopped her, and now she resides at the castle once more."

"That’s some history." I said.

"Yea, so I need you to get it together today. The princesses are very busy and we can't mess up on introductions."

"You don’t need to tell me about not messing up on introductions." I replied. Twilight opened her mouth to speak but stopped.

"Good point." She said. "Now finish up and meet us all at Sugercube corner, they should be here in a few hours and we have to set up dinner now."

"Dinner? That’s like 4 hours from now!" I exclaimed.

"Exactly! We don’t have much time. Now finish up and meet us there." She got up and put away her plates. I watched in disbelief as she walked out the door, quickening her pace slightly.

"I hope she's not running the others like she is me."

I thought aloud. I finished my breakfast and cleaned the dishes. Once finished, I double checked my apparel and set out toward Sugarcube corner. The weather was nice and the streets bustled with townsfolk. A few commented on my nice clothes and I thanked them. "Life is not as bad as my mind makes it out to be." I thought. A short walk later, and I arrived at the colorful building, its exterior made to appear as various tasty pastries.  I opened the door and was met with quite a sight.

All of my friends were there, and all of them seemed tense and on edge. Twilight was worked up again and the others expressed both concern for her, and shared a similar feeling of tension. It took a while for them to notice I was there and eventually I received a group hello.

Dam. These Princesses are starting to look a lot less kind and good, and more like harsh mistresses. I thought, as even Pinkie who was usually completely oblivious to the general feeling of a crowd, seemed tense while working on setting deserts and silverware. Applejack was in the kitchen preparing the none-sugary portion of dinner. Dash and Flutters were hanging decorations under Rarity's instructions, and Twilight was milling about with a checklist to make sure things were going as planned.

I decided to make myself useful and started helping around. Time flew by quickly and soon a loud assortment of trumpets played a distinct tune outside. Shortly after, two winged guards in golden armor rounded the entrance and took their places on opposite sides. They stood there, stone faced. A white princess with beautiful long hair walked in first. My eyes traces how her hair seemed to move on its own, showing off its blue, green, purple, and pink spectrum of colors. She wore a golden crown and necklace, both were complimented by her golden bracelets. I mimicked my friends and bowed on one knee before her, exclaiming:

"Princess Celestia I assume, it’s an honor to meet you."

"Thank you, the feeling is mutual."

She replied in a calm and soothing voice. Despite its warming feeling, it held authority behind it. I quickly glanced at her large, powerful wings and hornlike appendage before focusing on the second princess who entered. I stifled a gasp as she entered. She was deep sapphire blue, and her hair was light azure in color; it had its own lighter in shade aura around it, and small sparkles that resembled distant stars nested in it. She wore her own accessories, but they were black in color.

"Princess Luna, It is an honor." I replied, taking note of her height. She was taller than the other residents, but shorter than Celestia who excelled even me in height.

"Thank you. Pleased to meet you as well." She answered, I was surprised at how her voice although smoother than Celestia's, held a distinct authority; It felt much louder despite being said as quietly everyone else's.

After our introduction, the princesses shared warm greeting with my friends, who they were already familiar with. We took our seats at the table, and my interrogation began.

"So Artyom." Celestia began. She clearly shared a cautioned and curious feeling toward me. "Twilight tells me you are getting along well with my subjects. How are you enjoying our kingdom?"

"It's simply amazing. It truly saved me from the Insanity that was wherever I came from. I have my friends to thank for that, and would like to give you just as much credit for making this place as amazing as it is."

She seemed pleased with my answer, and it was Luna who questioned me next. She appeared more curious than cautious of me.

"This place you have described. Where is it exactly?"

"I wish I could answer your highness, but I truly don’t know. Wherever it is, there are no words to explain its horror, simply because there is nothing in it to describe."

Upon seeing a light dissatisfaction in my answer, I proceeded to describe my brief past and memories. I really didn’t want to mess up my one shot at being officially accepted.

"If that is the case, then I hope that we can provide the home you lack." Luna said. Celestia reaffirmed her answer with a smile and a nod. I was stunned. They were a lot kinder than I anticipated, and their lack of further questioning surprised me.

My friends mostly remained silent, and let the interrogation process continue; they all seemed to be pleased with how I was dealing with the princesses.

"Thank you, If only you could understand what that means for me. I hope to not let you regret that decision. But, there is one more thing I wish to ask. A… favor if you will." I was starting to get nervous. I noticed that I now had everyone's attention, and realized that asking a favor of both of the princesses was a bold move, given my current standing. I swallowed hard before continuing. "You see. I want to contribute to the community and not mooch of the kindness of my friends, but that would require a job." I paused a bit to rethink my next words. "There are so many places that are already filled, and my… difference makes finding one a difficult task." I stopped again in order to observe their reactions. Upon seeing Celestia smile slightly, I continued.  "What I'm trying to ask is… do you have a position I can fill?" I watched Celestia's smile intently.

"I'm glad to see that you are a hard worker and wish to contribute your part. I just might have a job in mind actually." She stopped there. She was teasing me and I knew it.

"Really?" I asked, leaning closer. "What… what is it?"

"Twilight tells me of your athletic ability. You were able to keep up with Dash during her vigorous training, help Applejack with demanding farm work, and passed Twilights tests with flying colors. She also tells me of how your fast thinking helped save Flutters when you were attacked by timber wolves, and how you were willing to physically stand up for Dash during your encounter with her bullies." As she spoke I gazed sheepishly at my friends, who all returned a reassuring smile.

"I couldn’t have done it without them to support me." I answered and prayed I was not blushing.

"Modest as well it seems." she continued. "Those qualifications seem to make you an ideal candidate for one of my personal royal guards. That is, if your friends here can vouch for you, and you wish to accept it."

I was speechless.

"Royal Guard! Me?!" I exclaimed looking toward my friends in disbelief. Things were changing rapidly for me, and remembering my luck only made my situation that much less believable.

 "He can sure kick some butt if he wants to." Dash said as she chuckled.

"He sure is a tough worker." Applejack supported.

"He sure passes all of my tests." Twilight vouched.

"He would be a nice guard." Flutters added.

"As long as he comes to me so that I can make him look the part." Rarity said, a supportive smile on her lips.

"And if he can still party with us!" Pinkie happily exclaimed.

I was beaming. Words could not describe how much I wanted to hug my friends.

"It seems that their decision is clear, but what would yours be?" Celestia asked me.

"I… I don’t know what to say. Yes! I would love to!"

The rest of the evening consisted of Twilight catching up with the princesses as my friends all celebrated my new job. Once finished, I followed the princesses outside and finally got to hug and thank my friends for what they had done for me. I got on their chariot-like vehicle as Celestia's guards took the front, and Luna's darker armored and bat-winged guards took the back. I wondered if they were actually going to escort us this way, but quickly grabbed the railing as they used their strong wings to propel us toward Canterlot, the capital and where Twilight's original home, and the royal castle were.

We arrived shortly, making a 4 hour long train ride into a 30 minute flight. I got off after the Princesses and deeply thanked the guards for the ride.

"Thanks for the ride fellas, I really appreciate it and hope I didn’t bother you too much." I was still an oddity, and the guards didn’t seem too keen on me. I wasn’t used to this sort of luxury, and I felt horrible taking that kind of advantage on them.

Luna's guards just waved it off; they seemed mad about something.

"No problem mate, glad to see our new guy has a sense of decency." Celestia's guards answered. They were pleased with my actions, and their judging expressions soon melted away. They actually didn’t seem mad to be gaining me as an equal.

As I jogged to catch up I couldn’t help but feel like I was part of some sort of argument the two pairs had with each other.

When I caught up with the princesses, Luna wished me a good day and congratulated me once more on my position. I thanked her kindly and promised to not let her down. We parted ways as she walked off into another section of the castle. I was left alone with Celestia now, and made multiple awkward circles as I followed her, in an attempt to take in as much of the scenery as possible. The castle hallways were long, and it felt like it had an endless string of rooms that promised their own secrets behind their doors.  I was eventually led to a room that had two wooden doors reaching all the way to the ceiling, blocking our path. With ease Celestia magically parted them and escorted me inside.  I once more stifled a gasp.

The room had huge painted windows littering its walls. Each one displayed what appeared to be a major event in history. There was a soft red carpet down the room's center that led to two beautiful thrones, side by side.  Huge decorated columns supported the vast ceiling above. I was distracted by the fact that my friends were on some of the windows, when Celestia called for my attention. I returned my attention to her and listened. She had taken her place on the larger throne now, and a guard that I had not noticed before, stood at attention next to her with a chest. Celestia cleared her throat while I took a knee, bowed my head, and brought a fist up to my chest. I knew what was coming.

"Do you, Artyom, swear to take the oath of the Royal Guard of the solar empire?" She boomed.

"I do."

"Then recite the oath after me. I hereby swear to protect all of the citizens of the Solar Empire regardless of their status and to enforce fair justice where it is required."

"I hereby swear to protect all of the citizens of the Solar Empire regardless of their status and to enforce fair justice where it is required." I repeated.

"I swear to set out and become an example of excellence, and a beacon of light wherever darkness may find itself over this kingdom."

I repeated her words once more.

"Good. Do you, Artyom, swear to do anything that is necessary for the safety of the royal bloodline, the people it governs, and your fellow protectors?"

"I will give my life if necessary." I responded, realizing how devoted I actually was to my home and its people. How devoted I was despite the fact that I only gained acceptance in my little village.

"Then I Knight thee a Royal Guard of the Solar Empire." She finished and magically opened the chest that the guard, my    co-worker, presented. She lifted out a custom made chest plate and helmet, both were made of gold. They were eye catching, and I realized that my initiation was planned beforehand. I graciously accepted them and put them on, along with a sword that was small for me and resembled more of a dagger.

"Please arrive tomorrow and I will give you your shifts, and introduce you to the rest of the guards." Celestia instructed me.

She had arranged transportation back home, and I awkwardly marched my way to the chariot. The armor, although amazing in every way, was very awkward and bulky. It didn’t fit me well at all, and its separate plates restricted movement and made me vulnerable. I took it off once I got home and once more thanked my new comrades as they commented on I was an anticipated new recruit; I wasn’t sure if that was a threat, but I took it positively anyway. If they wanted someone to pick on, then they picked the wrong guy. I had one more destination in mind and I jogged to it in hopes of making it before the sun set.

I arrived at a simple building. "The Black Anvil" as it was called by the sign outside. I walked in and instantly had a familiar smoke attack my eyes, I coughed a few times before my lungs adjusted to the smoke. Behind an anvil stood a rusty colored male with shaggy brown hair, and a hornlike appendage; he appeared to be aged slightly but his physique didn’t show it.

"Rusty!" I exclaimed. "I have a favor to ask."

He looked up and smiled. Dusting off his gloves he replied:

"Well look who it is! Congrats on the new job my friend!"

"Thanks Rusty, How'd you know?"

"The whole town is buzzing about its very own royal guard, that and the armor kinda gave it away."

We shared a laugh. Man I liked Rusty. I saw him struggling with some heavy equipment in the rain one day, and after helping him out, started to hang around a bit. He liked the fact that I knew how to work with metals to a degree, and was shocked when I told him I had no prior experience. I told him it was my knowledge of weaponry, but never fully answered his questions on what kind. I wasn’t ready to give away such dangerous things. Over some time we became good friends.

"Look Rusty, I love this armor. It's great and all, but it's way too dam bulky and the helmet is too big and uncomfortable. The sword handle is stunning, but the blade is too short and weak. Think you can help?"

"Anything for you my friend."

"Thanks."

We spent hours customizing my armor.  He removed all of the plates and readjusted them to my measurements. Rather than plate on plate the suit now had plates that were supported with a tough leather behind them, giving me amazing flexibility. He removed a shoulder plate, and reshaped my other one into a rounded, roof-like structure rather than the dome that it was before. Now I could utilize both my arms without my armor hindering me. My helmet was also readjusted and sat on my head comfortably. It resembled a roman helmet, and had blue fur above it. Finally, he replaced the weak short metal with a heavily reinforced steel that had a dark tone to it. As he finished, I took a few moments to look at my new appearance in his large mirror.

"Well I'll be damned Rusty, you even kept all of the small details on the plates." I was glad that he accepted swearing more than the others, and even did so himself from time to time.

"It sure was a pain in the ass, but it's a big role and you better look the part. Remember, if anyone asks where you got it done, you know in what direction to point em."

"Of course my friend." I laughed as I removed my hand off his shoulder and walked out into the night.

"Hey, what about the left over pieces! These are some valuable materials!"

"Keep them. You earned them, and it's the least I can do for such craftsmanship." I replied.

When I got home I nearly gave Twilight a heart attack.

"JEEZ! You look so intimidating in that thing!" She yelled at me while I was having a hard time holding back my tears after laughing. "Anyways, it seems that you got it remade, looks nice." She added.

"Thanks Twilight. I had Rusty fix it up for me. Now I can actually move, and quite well too."

"I'm sure." she said and caught me off guard with a quick and strong hug.

"Wha… what's up?" I asked, returning the hug.

"Nothing, I'm just so proud of you." she answered, nearly bringing a tear to my eye and forcing me to hug her tighter.

"Well it’s late, and you have a big day tomorrow I'm sure, so let's get some rest."

We retired to our beds and I set my armor on my new armor stand, another surprise from Twilight that earned her a hug and many thanks.

I thought about how great it was that I was a somebody now. I thought of all my progress, the friends I've made, the decisions I made that got me to where I was today. All the struggles I had to go through. I smiled. I was a somebody now, and not just anybody.

I was a Royal Guard.