Platoon 42

The Canterlot Castle Throne Room. 10:36 A.M, 8th October.

"With all due respect, you're highness, this is never going to work!" The lieutenant pleaded.

Celestia studied her.

"I'm not saying I don't totally and utterly support you're judgement, believe me, I do, but I think this plan is a bit too far fetched."

Celestia examined her.

"I mean, we're talking about putting the fate of all Equestria into the hooves of a group of amateurs."

Celestia analysed her.

"We'd be much better off if we sent in a properly trained, experienced platoon."

Celestia inspected her.

"Ma'am?"

Celestia investigated her.

"You haven't said a word so far, and we're running out of synonyms for 'studied'."

Celestia looked up and shook her head slightly. "What? Oh, were you still talking? Sorry, I blanked out after the word 'with'."

"That was the first word I said."

"You're point being?"

Both ponies stared at each other for a while.

The lieutenant sighed. "I don't think you're quite understanding where I'm coming from."

Celestia shook her head. "Start from the beginning again, I'll try to listen this time."

"I was saying that-"

"Nope, you've lost me."

"Oh, for the love of lemmings... This. Will. Not. Work!"

"To be honest, I don't understand where the concern is."

"Well, let's start with-"

"Sorry, you've lost me again."

The lieutenant put her head in her hooves. "Why am I even here, anyway?"

"I was beginning to ask myself the same question. But as a princess, unfortunately it's my job to listen to everyone's opinion."

"Thank you, your majes-"

"Even if their voice is horrifically aggravating."

"Yes, that's all good but-"

"And your's is pretty annoying-"

"Would you be quiet for five minutes?" The lieutenant yelled.

Celestia studied her again. "Are you trying to tell me something, by any chance?"

The lieutenant paused for a moment. "For the sake of our friendship and mainly the fact that attacking a princess is punishable by death, I'm going to ignore everything that has just happened." She began walking towards the door. "Let's pretend I've only just arrived." Disappearing behind the door, she called in: "Let's take it from the top."

The lieutenant trotted into the throne room. "You called for me, your majesty?"

"Yes, I need to speak with you urgently." Celestia replied.

"About what, ma'am?" The lieutenant asked.

Celestia looked up. "Hang on, I've forgotten it now."

"Oh, for goodness sake..."

"One moment." The princess reassured her, pulling out a script. "What line are we at?"

"I've just said: 'About what ma'am?'"

"Hang on." She said, scrolling through the pages. "Hang on. Hang on. Hang on. Hang on. Here we are. Wait, no, hang on..."

The lieutenant examined her watch.

"Hang on, nearly got it. Ah, here it is!" She cleared her throat. "I'm afraid Equestria may be in grave danger!"

"May be? As in there's a chance it isn't?"

"Well, I say 'may be', I mean I'm ninety five percent sure it is in danger."

"What about the other five percent?"

"Budget cuts."

"Oh, I see."

"Let's just pretend that we are definitely in danger right now."

"But, your majesty, what could possibly pose a threat towards us? I mean, we've already survived four seasons!"

"Didn't you read the introduction? This story's about Shining Armour and his friends in their early days as royal guards."

"Wait a minute, are you telling me that Platoon 42 are the heroes you choose to save Equestria?" The lieutenant asked, somewhat mortified.

"Apparently so." Celestia replied, scrolling through the script again.

"With all due respect, your highness, this isn't-"

"Wait, we've done this already." The princess interrupted.

"Oh, yeah, true."

"The point is, in three days, an apocalypse will come, and Equestria will be under attack."

"You're making this up as you go along, aren't you?"

"Yep. Anyhow, I know that Shining Armour and Platoon 42 are the perfect candidates to step up and protect us. They will all take on important roles and discover who they really are inside, what they're meant to do, who they're meant to be."

"But, Princess. How do you know this?"

"Because I've read the script! Now, mysterious lieutenant who's name has not yet been revealed..."

"My name is Scarlet."

"Oh, really? Wow, that's so much easier than writing 'the lieutenant' every time you speak. Literallyt, I must have Googled it at least seven times by now. What was I saying? Oh, yes! Now, Scarlet, I have a very important task for you. I believe that you are the one who shall train these ponies to perfection."

"But, how do you-"

"Script."

"Of course."

"Remember : three days, end of the world, milk."

"Milk?"

"Yes, we're out of milk, could you pick some up from the grocery on your way back?"

"Fine."

"Now, leave me, I have other important matters to attend to!"

"Yes, your majesty. I accept this role with honour. I hope that one day I can look back at this moment in pride, knowing that I was selected for such an-"

"Yeah, whatever, would you hurry up? Clock's ticking."

"Oh, right." She galloped to the door.  "I won't let you down, your highness!" And with that, she was gone.

Celestia stared at the space where Scarlet had been for a moment, then pulled a small metallic object out from her mane.

"Just dropped super-important task on bunch of noobs, lol xD." She typed. "#FIMFiction, #Platoon42, #Let'sDoThis."