Author's Note

Shining Armour's POV

An Order is the Prologue: 2

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”Pinkie Pie, what a lovely coincident?” I exclaimed as the pink mare stepped up to me, where I stand prim in my guard’s uniform.

“Greetings, Shining Armour. It sure is a great day, isn’t it! You were concerned about how well certain elements are prepared to stand tall and face danger in protection of those we love and hold dear, in the name of Celestia and Equestria!” she prompted, as if she had truly known my inner feelings.

“We may have a brass army; but what good is it, when none is prepared to step up and command in the moment of urgency and great need? I was pondering if we are to initiate an organization to match the Wonderbolts of Clouds Dale. For now, I was considering to name it Horns and Hooves; yet, I do need some further insight here!” I responded on her words.

“At least I know you are prepared to stand tall, in protection of those you love and your Princess. You would be the ideal leader, stationed in the core of the Crystal Empire. In order to achieve your goal, you need a means to test the mettle of your new recruits!” she prompted.

“I can’t stand idly by and see my love fall dead on the ground, any way you put it. I can’t deny the logic, I am stationed at the core of the Crystal Empire. Just like the clouds of Clouds Dale is the apex of the Pegasi, these crystals are the apex of our Unicorn brothers!” I responded.

“No, you couldn’t, and you can never do that. It was here we faced King Sombra, and defeated him!” she responded.

“I have the means for the first test, and a list of the Unicorn Stallions you are to test in the coming weeks!” she pointed out.

“A means by which you can see if they are up to the test? I am eager to test the first recruits you line up for me!” I responded.

“As a matter of fact, I do have it right here; but you will apply this to them as they step into the room, one Stallion at the time. I will explain the details further in order for you to prepare in time to initiate the first one!” she pointed out, firmly.

“Naturally, I intend to have your sister Twilight Sparkle and the Princess of Friendship to assist you, she just so happens to have experience with the spells in question. Some of which I imagine you may have some experience with!” she put forth.

“That does sound enticing, both in legitimate and not quite so acceptable ways. Yet, she is experienced in a wide range of magic on a level I will never get close to. If you are putting it like that, I am not entirely sure I like the sound of it, but I am listening!” I responded.

“She is both your sister, and an Alicorn Princess. As a Unicorn Stallion and the Captain of the royal Guard, you are the one most fit for this task, and she is not just the element of magic, capable of duplicate numerous spells just by observing them in use. She has seen and manipulated the spell I had in mind, so she will be able to apply it on the recruit at will; without any harm coming to him while eliciting certain feelings in the process. Naturally, I will submit the final item, in time for the first test. From experience, the good Prince will be arriving here shortly!” she pointed out, with a sly grin.

“When you mentioned the good Prince, are you by any chance referring to Blueblood?” I suggested.

“He is a Prince and a Unicorn, the first on the line of your candidates. I hope you don’t have a problem with it, or handling him!” she merely responded, more in a passing as if it had been obvious.

“As the Captain of the Guard, I should have no problem in seeing him stay in line. I may not be his best friend; but I can handle him, as well as having him in the same room!” I responded.

“This is the room, in which you are to test them!” she explained, as she had escorted me to the small room in the top of the tower.

“There is the desk, I take it. That is where the examination is to be performed by myself and my assistant Twilight Sparkle. I am missing something, right!” I prompted.

“Your assistant, Twilight Sparkle will be sitting behind the desk, most of the time. This test will be harsh on the recruits, I must warn you. Sadly, some of them may not just fail, but break in the process. I expect Twilight Sparkle to be the ideal in picking up the pieces and put them back together; at least enough for a nurse to be able to care for them, when you are done. War is harsh and never very forgiving in nature, something you should have some experience of!” she pointed out.

“Please, Pinkie Pie, don’t remind me of that time; it is something I wish never to recall, ever again. That is harsh, alright; I hope your recruits will hold up well enough to walk out the door as I am done with them, after the test!” I pointed out.

“If they are not fit enough, maybe we are better off, without them. Harsh as that came out. Yet, to the once who are cheering on you after the ordeal; I am going to throw a party, the likes they have never seen before!” she explained.

“That was rough on them. No remorse on your part? Although I do know you have been right there, facing many of the worst Villains that has set hoof on the Equestrian soil in Equine memory; including Discord, Nightmare Moon and Queen Chrysalis. Not to mention the name of which I wish never to hear of!” I suggested.

“Discord has plagued Equestria both in history, legend and resent time; we all know of him and what he was capable of. Thankfully, Nightmare Moon is a legend of which we speak only to scare little fillies and colts, while only a few of us ever had the fortune to see her in the flesh. As to Queen Chrysalis, I expect her to be another sore memory, one you would avoid!” she pointed out.

“One final detail, here is the item you will be applying towards the test. It is all they will wear as you test them!” she explained, as she looked the white Unicorn deep in his blue eye.

“Just that innocent looking item? Wait, that is a special tube!” I responded, as it dawned upon me what she had in mind; as he nodded, which made his short blue mane fly freely for a moment.

He looked at me for a long moment.

“When applied to a Stallion, it will grant you full access to him in the manner you may have experience of from a certain Princess. There will be no physical signs of the test, at any time; yet the memories and the experience may be a very different matter!” she explained.

“Now you are holding something back, are you not? The way you put it, it came out too clean!” I responded.

“Oh yeah. There is always the chance of one small detail, in which case it will show in a month or two. Just imagine the good Prince explaining this to the Ponies of his court?” she giggled.

“No ropes, but using only this. Am I to mount him for you? While my sister Twilight Sparkle is watching?” I inquired critically.

“She is to hold him in place, while observing his reaction; then she will help him up and pick up the pieces, if and when required, in order for him to make it to the nurses!” I explained.

“I will need to speak to Cadence, before I can perform; then I will need several days between the tests as well. I guess I am lucky to be on top?” I prompted.