Exiled soldiers

A day has passed in Canterlot since the Element bearers had been told of Warden's history with Celestia and Nightmare, and now the two alicorns and the other five bearers were waiting in the throne room for word on what was happening with Rainbow. Rarity had accepted the stipend from Celestia, though it was with pressure, and was dressed much more modestly than the day before. Though the outfit was still a little risque, showing ample cleavage and side breast, and a knee length skirt with a cut design down the right side. Celestia never understood those types of designs, to be honest. Still, it could at least be considered acceptable for the lowest tier noble mare that just wanted to have fun for a night.

As for Cadence, she was there as well, but under watch. The reason being that the vision Celestia had last night was a rare one, where any alicorn would see a portion of the vision. As such, Cadence had seen one as well, and Celestia had asked her to be brought to the throne room, an inhibitor ring at the base of her horn, and, as she and Shining had been corrupted to their core-so much so it would have been much more merciful to kill them-she showed no shame in that, but rather sad that the guards, Promethean soldiers-which, to be fair, did sound like stallions, weren't raping her. Even this long after the Heart had been destroyed, a counter to the corruption within Shining and Cadence could not be found.

"So, how well do you think it's going?" Sunset asked. "We haven't heard anything since it started a few hours ago."

Cadence scoffed. "I still don't see why they're letting a mare get the same status as a stallion," she said, showing no part of the old her was left.

"Shame we don't have a spell to help her and Shining," Nightmare muttered only loud enough for her and Celestia to hear.

"Agreed," the solar alicorn replied. "Perhaps Warden can help if everything works well with Rainbow. After all, their technology is much more effective than our magic is when it comes to curing sickness."

"Let us hope, then," Nightmare said.

"So, do you think Rainbow's going to like like the others?" Sunset asked the other bearers.

"Probably," Rarity. "Though I do hope she is allowed to add color to it. The fact they all are just one of three colors? So bleak and disgusting to look at."

"That might just be because of the metal, Rares," Applejack replied. "That can't exactly be helped."

"Then why not paint on them?"

"Well, maybe it'd stop them from working properly," Fluttershy said in just barely above a whisper.

"I just hope Rainbow will want a party to celebrate this," Pinkie said, her usual smile on her face before the doors to the room opened, with Warden and a compliment of Knights walking through, a single Soldier being behind Warden.

"Did everything go well, Warden?" Celestia asked.

"Indeed it did, Majesty," Warden said with a small bow before moving to reveal the Soldier, which, the mares noticed, had blue coloring and had Captain grade armor.

"Rainbow Dash?" Nightmare asked.

"Yes, Princess," the Soldier said with Rainbow's voice.

"Being placed into an Armiger has her having to follow certain protocols, including how to respond to royalty," Warden said, heading off a question he knew was coming. "I know of no way to alter it." Not without a human here, that is.

"Does she still like parties?" Pinkie asked.

"Yeah, I do, Pinkie," Rainbow replied. "I just won't be able to eat or drink anything."

"I'm afraid that will have to wait, however," Warden said. "One of my scouting groups has picked up a human signal, a distress signal, to be precise. It may bring your former ally. As such, I will be sending Soldier Dash to help locate her and, if it is needed, spot for a sniper. She will be back by week's end, however."

"Oh," Pinkie said as her mane and tail slightly deflated. That is, before it went back to its normal. "Then that just means I get more time to plan it!"

"Can't wait to see it, Pinkie," Rainbow said. "So, I guess I'll see you all later." With that, she and the Knights left the room.

"If you all would leave us, we wish to discuss something with Warden," Celestia said.

"Of course, princess," Rarity said, and she and the other bearers, as well as Cadence and her escort, left, leaving the two alicorns and the Warden.

"What do you wish to discuss, Princess?" Warden said.

"Warden, you can drop the titles," Celestia said before sighing. "What you did with Rainbow. Could it be used to help fix Cadence and Shining Armor?"

Warden was silent for a time before he replied. "Perhaps," he said. "But the process would destroy their physical bodies, and they would need to be put into Armigers if it worked. And I do wish to point out that if the spell is in the deepest parts of their minds, then we will not be able to do anything, and their imprints, all which will be left of them, will have to be kept stored away."

The two alicorns looked at each other, having a silent conversation in the span of a second. "If those are the risks," Celestia said, turning to face Warden again, a tear in her eye, "then please, do what you can."

Warden bowed his head. "I will, Celestia."