Rising the Ranks

Lightning Blitzstar is new recruit in the Canterlot Royal Guard! Not just for any guard, she was entrusted for protecting the princesses and the capital! This was the best day of her life. And today she would start. After checking in, she made her way to the barrack to where the other guards are. She was trotting to get fitted for her armor. It would be a rough life in the beginning but she was living her dream. It was finally accomplished! All the training really did pay off. She arrived at the barracks and was taken over to the measurement station for her suit of armor. Most of the armor she found was much bigger then her, all made for stallion guards. She saw she was being eyed by the other guards in the barracks because she was a mare. Have they not seen one before? Well... they were all stallions.

Lightning saluted. “Lightning Blitzstar reporting for duty sir!” The other guards nodded. Finally, some respect.

The guard captain walked up to the rookie. “Welcome recruit, I hope you will obey our code of honor.” She was fully armored for her first day on the job. Golden armor encrusted her hooves, shoulders, and helmet. In other words, she was a fighter and ready to serve. She trotted over to the captain for her first assignment. The captain told her that she was supposed to go see the princesses for her first assignment. Since she was a rookie, Lightning couldn't be a true guard yet so she was an errand mare. Most of the errands would be coming from Princess Celestia and Luna so they can become closer to their protectors. She quickly trotted over to the throne room and bowed down before Celestia.

Lightning admired the beautiful white alicorn in front of her. “Princess I am here for my first assignment!”

Celestia kindly said to her, “Guard, please come closer so I can get a better look at you, my new stallion guard. You look so handsome.” Lightning's face blushed.

“Your majesty, I am actually a mare not a stallion. Sorry for the inconvenience.” Lightning said sheepishly. Was this the way to talk to royalty?

Celestia took a better look at the new guard and apologized for the misunderstanding. Okay, one part of the problem was solved.

The alicorn asked her to meet her at the royal library in two hours. Was it bad? Lightning felt a nervous twinge in her stomach feeling that she upset the princess. I hope I don't get banished. Especially on my first day.

The captain was outside with a couple of scrolls in his magic. "Here are some more errands that you have to do." Oh boy.

Two hours later she arrived at the library, hoping that she was not in trouble. The anxiety was clawing at her the whole time. She nervously entered the chamber and saw the princess in there waiting for her. A warm smile greeted Lightning as she breathed a sigh of relief. She trotted over to the table where Celestia was reading a ancient book. If only the grey pegasus had a horn.

Lightning waited outside the door. “You wanted to see me princess?” She blew a piece of her blue mane out of her face.

Celestia chuckled. “Come here and sit with me.” She patted the velvet pillow right next to her. How special. Lightning was never close to royal. But the princess!?

Lightning did as she was told. “Princess, what do you want to talk to me about?”

“Lightning dear, please have no fear. I do not have any bad to say. I am actually surprise that you actually said you were a mare. It was a surprise to Luna as well.” Celestia answered.

Lightning asked, “Why are you surprised to have a mare in your guard? There are more mares in Equestria than stallions.”

“I have not had a mare in my guard in the last hundred years. I am surprised that a new recruit would be a mare. Honestly, I was relieved when you joined”, replied Celestia

Lightning asked, “Surprised? How?" Was Celestia being sexist?

Celestia said, “I am proud to have a mare on the inside of my guards. Mares are not typically built for fighting. How about being a spy? If you will be my spy, I will make you third in command in the guard. Easy peasy. I heard there was some trouble going around in these walls.”

Lightning agreed and she was promoted to a new rank on the first day. This was awesome! She was told to keep an open ear for plots in the guards, both the day and night ones. Celestia said that Luna's guards were not happy, and wanted to bring back Nightmare Moon. If she got word she would run straight to Celestia or Luna. The mare was so excited for her new position in the guard. She ran back to the barracks to show her medal of rank improvement to the other guards. They were so jealous and wanted to be in that position. Most of them worked years, barely having any importance. Today was perfect.