Stepping forth out of the now silent meeting chamber, the pony princesses and their human escort trot briskly along the halls, passing through a veritable maze of hallways and passage thoroughfares. Undaunted by the deceptively treacherous carpet hellbent on seeing them trip, they discussed fervently amongst themselves their next immediate course of action.

"So...what now?" Twilight eloquently asked, "I know we discussed that something needed to be done, but not how it is done specifically. How are we supposed to intercede in the civil war and hunt down all the rogue diamond dog packs?"

"First we need to organize the troops into a more active role. After, we may be able to send out groups to scout out the rogue dens and intercede in the civil war." Celestia replied

"Ah, but what about the means through this is accomplished my little sunshine? What of supplies, weapons, and means of transport? You were always so good at looking at the bigger picture, but unobservant of the finer details." added Farren, pausing for a moment to take a pull from his pipe, "At any rate, we must first see the state of the army before making any rash decisions. That reminds me, how has my army been in my absence dear niece?"

'Blush' did not do justice to describe the solar diarch's current state, it was as if the sun had come to reside in her very body as her face glowed bright with the brilliant radiance of a miniature red sun. Sputtering and almost falling over in surprise Twilight Sparkle bore witness to the second most important event in her life; her immortal and perfect mentor reduced to acting like a little filly who was caught doing something naughty and trying to hide it from her mildly disappointed father.

"..." As if sensing her discomfort most acutely, and also hearing her sputters of guilt, he suddenly comes to a abrupt stop, staring ahead, his face still and unmoving like the stones he stood upon. "Celesta, don't tell me...."

"Um...well, the royal guard has...become a little lax as of late, but that only is because of the unprecedented peace we've had for so many ye-"

"...How bad is it Celestia?"

"That's a very...difficult question to answer uncle, I mean, compared to the legends of old you honestly cannot expect today's regular farmer turned soldier to be able to come cl-"

"How. Bad. Is. It. Tell me." deep and smoothly sonorous was the demand. Yet in its dulcet tones lay a simmering anger that made the hall darken and groan in abject fear.

A moment of heavy silence followed, capped off with a deep sigh of resignation from Celesita, "...It would be best if I showed you uncle, this way."

The sun shone brightly down upon the open courtyard as the air was filled with the sounds of military drills, various verses of numerous marching cadences all mixing together into a dull beat. Thwack and bash, clash and crash rang through the sunny midday sun as weapons clashed on armor, or on other weapons. From somewhere in the throng of sweaty ponies came the faint shouting tones of a drill instructor laying low a fresh faced recruit with impunity. All in all, to most it was an impressive sight, truly a testament to the elite capabilities of the royal guard and their unwavering discipline and exceptional skill. However, there was one who looked upon this display of military might, and in his eyes there was naught but disappointment and a growing frustration.

"...Celestia, what has happened to my army?" soft and quiet was the question in its utterance, but the tone of the query was like the sharp stinging disappointment of a father catching his foal with their hoof in the cookie jar, multiplied by a trillion.

Looking up to her uncle, Celestia mounted a brave verbal defense, "We had to make changes to keep up with modern times uncle, with the extended peace we have had it has been millennia since Equestria has seen any sort of war."

But the impotent rage that boiled within Farren would not be denied. "I leave for a few decades and this is what our glorious army has been reduced to? Gold-clad prissy ponies with no combat training and barely any experience? What happened to the Steel divisions? The Bronze air brigade? The Black Iron Rangers? The Silver Mage division?! These look like a bunch of Gold Royals that you replaced with foals from prissy sissy noble houses and put into barely enchanted and poorly strengthened pure gold armor and called them elite guards!"

"Uncle, I can explain!"

"....please tell me you didn't do this to our generals as well."

"..."

"Im going down there Celestia."

"Uncle no!"

"Im going down there and I am going to set them right."

"Please uncle have mercy!"

"You cannot stop me little sunshine, I am going down there."

"Wait uncle! Let us first meet with the General before you pass any judgement! Please? For your niece? ...Uncle?"

He had stopped, standing ramrod straight staring ahead blankly. Before him down the hall stood a unicorn with blond mane harshly berating a poor maid for an assumed slight. Among the sparkling blued marble halls, the royal purple carpets and tapestry this stallion's bright white coat shone in sharp contrast. It was almost funny that this seemingly regal noble in appearance possessed such a sharp and high voice, if not for its use in the harsh verbal lashing of the castle staff.

"Gah! You've poured boiling hot water all over me! Can you not watch where you are going?!" came the shrill cry from the stallion, his fur damp and steaming from his surprise bath.

Ashamed at her actions the maid begged in a wavering voice, "A thousand apologies your majesty! I did not mean to do it! Please forgive me!"

"Stupid maid, I could sack you for this! I am Prince BlueBlood, heir to the throne of Canterlot! I could have you thrown in the dungeons for this!" however, once finished with his tirade he leaned over close to the maid mare, whispering something into her ear. At once her eyes bulged open in astonishment and abject horror, before dulling over in grim acceptance. She nodded somberly, picking up her now empty bucket and walking off with dull hoof steps. Seemingly satisfied with himself, the prince then turned around to discover his unintentional audience.

"Ah, auntie, I um, I did not see you there. It is all taken care of, forgive me for my outburst. I was understandably not in the right state of mind."

Looking at her nephew with a neutral expression, Celestia then replied, "It is fine nephew, but please go have your burns looked at, I worry for you. Do try not to antagonize the castle staff so severely, they do not deserve such hostility."

"By your wish, Auntie. Now, if you would excuse me; I shall take my leave." With that, the prince walked off to the left, entering a side passage through a wooden door.

Satisfied with how the encounter played out, Celestia turned to her companions to suggest they move along, however her words failed to reach her lips when she noticed her uncle's troubled expression.

"Uncle, is something the matter?" she asked instead.

"No...it is fine, let us be away. You said we were going to meet with your 'General' as you put it?" shaking his head, Farren began to move again setting a brisk pace.

"Yes, we are off to see our royal guard captain general. His office is due south in the castle's barracks, come along."

Within the palatial halls of Canterlot castle there are departments and various wings to house all the various employed ponies charged with the upkeep or some other service within the castle; be it from maid to the most steadfast guard. Now the trio had just entered the prestigious and militant halls of the Royal guard barracks when they were almost blown back out into the main corridor by shouting so loud, only the Royal Canterlot Voice would be louder.

"YOU SHIT-SMEARED PILE OF BULLSHIT, WHEN I SAY YOU DO EXTRA PT, YOU WILL MAKE YOUR TROOPS DO PT UNTIL THEY FUCKING DIE! I WILL NOT ASK AGAIN, BY CELESITA'S HAIRY KALEIDOSCOPE BEARD I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR YEARS! I MAY BE SOON TO BE RETIRED BUT THIS OLD WAR HORSE CAN STILL BEND YOU OVER HIS KNEE AND PADDLE YOU RETARDED! DO I MAKE MYSEL-..."

It was at this moment that Celesita herself, resplendent in said beard, strolled through the door with a confused Twilight and a mirthfully grinning human in tow.

"I heard someone mention my beard, did you need something General?" Celestia softly inquired.

What greeted them was an odd sight to put it lightly. Within the spacious yet spartan barracks with its rows of bunk beds all prim and proper, there stood two stallions somewhere halfway down the rows of beds. On the right was a gold clad royal guard captain with a bright red helmet plume. Standing on the left was an old grizzled stallion with an older set of armor, worn and beaten from years of use, it was made of a strange black metal and seemed to drink in the light. With his black plumed helmet discarded on the cot behind him it was clear to see his silvery white coat, and his fiery red mane dulled with age. In the usual military fashion he had cropped his mane short into a sort of flattop, but had allowed for bushy sideburns to grow in. What was most noteworthy was the distinct triple line scar running down underneath his right eye, giving the old pony an air fierce and serious determination.

Both stallions turned to Celestia and saluted her, "Well your Highness," the older pony began, "There is one thing..."

"Oh no you don't old timer" interjected the younger captain, "Do not try to bring the princess into our argument, my decisions as royal guard captain in the area of training and maintaining my men's equipment is absolute, my word in this matter is law."

Disdainfully sneering at the older pony the captain then glanced at the others briefly, before looking back to the older pony who was now glaring at him. If looks could kill, the captain would have been nothing more than a fine mist. Snorting derisively, he continued his tirade.

"Face it 'General'" he said, somehow infusing the word with much contempt, "we have both read the same law books, and it does clearly state that; 'In the matter of training, supplying, and maintaining a division of the guard the guard division captain is given full authority to decide what is best for his troops...' Chapter 3, subsection 15, paragraph 25. It is law."

Convinced of his total victory, the captain then stood there with his nose held high in snobbish contempt, and his face aflush with a smugness not seen anywhere but on the most sleazy of nobles. An uncomfortable silence spreads across the room as the 'General' sits there fuming at him, with Celestia and Twilight silent, unable to interject.

"Now, if you would excuse me, I must report to the Princesses. You are dismissed. Go, and take that scrapheap you call armor with you, your past your prime old timer, I don't know why our beloved princess keeps you ar-"

"Chapter 10, subsection 22, paragraph 2; 'In the event that a guard division captain is abusing their authority, deemed incapable of leading the guard division, and/or deemed unworthy of their position by either their guard division or by the Arbiter of the Grand Army of the Equestrian Royal Guard, the Arbiter or the eternal princesses have full unalienable authority to relieve the captain of their post and choose a replacement for the position.'"

Everypony in the room turns to face the seemingly forgotten figure standing a bit behind the two princesses. He stood there with arms crossed and a stern expression on his face. Walking forward he stands before the guard captain, his sizable figure causing him to loom over the sneering pony.

Looking up into his face, the pony captain just sneers and pretentiously continues, "And just what in Celestia's name are you? Some sort of mutant freak of nature? Magic experiment gone wrong? Anyway you don't have any authority to boss me around. You hear me? I know the guard manual inside and out and your fake law has no weight here. And in Chapter 12, subsec-"

"Do not cite the old laws to me, little colt. I was there when they were written."

Captain Sharp Wit's entire tirade was brought to a grinding halt as those words were uttered, the room darkened slightly, and the floor trembled softly at the presence of this being, who now stood there with eyes ablaze in bright emerald fire. As sudden as the coming of this frightening being came, so to did it go. In an instant the room brightened once more and Farren had settled back down.

"By the powers vested in me by my position as Arbiter; Solar Guard Captain Sharp Wit, you are hereby relieved of your duties indefinitely, if you have a complaint in this sentence you are allowed to appeal to Celestia or Luna and the courts to plead your case. I have said my piece, you are dismissed."

Without a sound, the former captain silently stumbled out of the barracks, sans his armor of office and his badge. For just a few moments, the room regained a calm silence as tension faded out of the room. Walking over to the older pony, Farren then pinned the captain badge onto the peytral of the General.

"General, I am reinstating you into the guard and promoting you to Solar Guard Captain with the capacity under my orders to become a temporary general for the army on the whole. Do not disappoint me."

"Very well sir," standing up a little straighter, the older pony seemed to grow younger by the second, "what do you need?"

Author's Note

GAAAAAAAH I AM DONE!!!!

Sorry everyone, I have been busy, Im graduating high school very soon so the new chapters are going to be coming slow. I am splitting this chapter into two parts so expect the second part soon.

Constructive criticism is welcome and checking for those pesky typos are a must. Thanks much~

Addendum: Giv me moar OC's, I need my fix.