Crimson Feud

The two brothers were about to go through The Trial of the Royal Guard, and they were a little nervous. The brothers were at the front gate of the castle apprehensively waiting to see the princess up close. Then Crimson Shadow said to his brother, who was literally trembling with nerves.

"Calm down brother, you look like you're about to wet yourself,"

"I am calm,"

"Yeah I can totally see that," Crimson Shadow replied rolling his eyes

"I AM CALM OK!"

"If you say so there is no need to shout,"

As Crimson Blood was about to say something in reply, the castle gate opened.

"All of you ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. Some of you will make it and some of you will fail, but those of you who fail, will find your place in this glorious state. Unfortunately, there will only be a few of you who will achieve the esteemed position of a royal guard. And with that I bid you good luck and good will. Let the trial begin!" Princess Azure announced magnifying her voice with magic to carry over the twenty plus contenders. As she finished her speech, the group of participants walk through a side gate leading to an arena.

The two brothers stared in awe at the crowd, and then the princess spoke.

"The rules are simple, whoever can defeat the Minotaur, and whoever is still standing, will become a royal guard. But do not worry, he is your trainer and he will not kill you, he will only knock you out, and I'll teleport you to the infirmary. But know this if you are incapacitated you have failed. Work together and all of you will become a part of the guard. Good luck."

After the princess had explained everything to the participants, a great black steel gate lifted, and out the darkness a giant eight-foot tall Minotaur appeared, carrying a great hammer. That had been enchanted with magic to avoid any fatalities.

"NOW PONIES, WHO DARES ATTACK FIRST!" The Minotaur’s deep voice boomed.

After the Minotaur had challenged, the field erupted into chaos. Some ponies were working together some ponies were trying their luck solo. The ponies that attempted it by themselves failed quickly. Within moments, twenty became ten. The two brothers had stayed back to analyse the situation before engaging the Minotaur.

"Now brother he is rather slow so we have the advantage of speed-" Crimson Shadow was cut off by a shout of valour from his brother as his brother charged fool heartedly into the fray.

"NOOOOO!" Crimson Shadow screamed but it was too late; the Minotaur swang his hammer wide taking out his brother and another four in the same motion.

"WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S JUST THE THREE OF US NOW, A PEGASUS A UNICORN AND A MINOTAUR. SO WHO IS NEXT?!" The Minotaur said as he lifted up his hammer and placed it on his shoulder.

"What is your name Pegasus? I'm Crimson Shadow the unicorn beside you. Do not be fearful, I'm talking to you through your mind via magic." Crimson Shadow thought as he synced his mind with the Pegasus’s mind

"Okay Crimson Shadow my name is Whip Lash," Whip Lash said aloud. He was a blond Pegasus with brown eyes and a silver and gold mane and tail with a cutie mark in the shape of a black tornado.

"Don't talk aloud, just think what you want to say, and I'll understand you, we do not want the Minotaur to hear our plan."

"Okay..." Whip Lash thought

"Good this will be easier. Now my strategy is that you distract him and I levitate his hammer away from him and drop it on his head knocking him out. Can you do that Whip Lash?"

"It will be a breeze they don't call me Whip for nothing." As Whip Lash thought this he took off and started distracting the Minotaur. While Crimson Shadow concentrated on his task, and waited for the right time to take the hammer from the Minotaur.

In the next moment Crimson Shadow saw his moment to strike, and reaved the hammer from the Minotaur’s grasp. Before the Minotaur could realise, the hammer fell from its levitated state and dropped onto the head of the Minotaur. As it did, both Whip Lash and Crimson Shadow attacked at the same time, knocking the Minotaur out.

"Congratulations to the two of you, you have past the trial and now you will begin your training as royal guards." As the princess finished her statement, the crowd erupted into jubilation.

Crimson Shadow and Whip Lash welled up with pride. They had made it. They were royal guards in training.

Meanwhile, Crimson Blood was in the infirmary unconscious. After about an hour had passed Crimson Blood began to stir when he woke up his head was splitting. He could see stars he wondered where he was then his memories began flowing back to him he remembered the arena the crowd and the Minotaur. The last thing he remembered was his brother saying something then charging in and getting clobbered by the hammer. Then everything was blank after that.

Once his ears stopped ringing, he could hear rejoicing and the sounds of partying outside. He figured that the guards had been selected. He sat up and scanned the room for his brother, but could not see him and he figured that he must be enjoying the festivities. His brother would always keep optimistic, even in defeat; nothing would ever sour his mood. He lost his train of thought as he heard a door open. He looked to the direction the noise came from, and standing there before him was his brother adorned in fine golden armour.

"Where did you get that Bro?" Crimson Blood inquired of his brother

"From the Royal Armoury, I made it bro I'm a Royal guard in training" Answered Crimson Shadow with a bright smile still filled with pride from his new stature as a Royal Guard.

"That's... That's great bro; I'm happy for you." Crimson Blood said with an expression of defeat upon his face.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing,"

"I know something is wrong bro. I have known you for years, and that tone and expression mean's something is bothering you. What is it?"

"Nothing is wrong, I'm just sore from the trial that's all," Crimson Blood said as he put on a fake smile before putting a hoof to his head.

"Okay bro, when you feel better come and join the festivities."

"I will, I wouldn't want to miss your party," Crimson Blood said with a hint of envy in his tone

Crimson Blood closed his eyes as his brother left the room.