Kingdom Of Everfree

The time they've all been dreading comes... The fights.

Shining Armour claps his hands and rubs them together, a huge enthusiastic grin upon his face. "It's time for your last trial. You are going to fight me for two minutes. If you are still standing, you will be welcomed into the guard with open arms."

Flash gulps hard. "If we're still standing!?!" It comes out as a terrified squeak.

"Don't worry, you are quick and smart. He won't even hit you." Royal reassures him. "Much," She mutters under her breath.

"But you hit me... Several times." They wince as a big blonde stallion goes down.

"Stay on your toes and try to stay on the defense. You only have survive two minutes, not take him down." Royal advises.

"What are toes?" He asks.

"Flash Sentry, you're up. Grab a weapon." Shining Armour orders, patting a creme colored mare on her back with a brisk 'Congratulations'.

"It means to stay fleet of hoof, be quick, agile and wary." Royal explains as he slowly approaches Shining Armour.

"Begin!" Another Captain orders, standing with his group of successful new Royal Guard Earth Ponies.

The other groups finished early and the Captains decided it would be educational for the newbies to see how others fight.

And to start up another round of bets on who'd win, Royal or Shining Armour.

Royal's ears flick with annoyance as she catches a whisper on how bad Flash was about to get his ass kicked.

It doesn't surprise her when Flash doesn't get his ass handed to him. Instead he goes hoof to hoof with Shining Armour and holds his ground. Dodging and retreating from certain strikes while counter attacking at others. All though he doesn't get a hit in and is hit a couple times himself, he does cause a small sweat to break out on Shining Armour's mane line.

Royal claps him on his back before he takes his place amongst the other new Guards.

Fourteen minutes later, Royal is finally called.

"You are not going to go easy on me, are you?" Royal asks as she pulls a wooden broadsword from the rack and turns it in her grip.

Shining Armour smiles like a predator that just caught it's prey. "From what Twily told me, I don't need to."

"Begin!"

They circle each other, each taking quick swings to test the waters.

Suddenly, Shining Armour dashes at her, sword out. He goes for a vertical swing to which Royal raises her sword accordingly, only for Shining to duck and go for a lightning quick jab.

Royal twists and the motion causes every pony to cringe at how inpony and painful it looks. She brings her sword down at the same time, expertly striking a pressure point.

Shining pulls away, his sword dropping as his left arm goes limp. He looks down at the still and paralyzed appendage, wrinkles creasing his brow as the onlookers gasp.

"Thirty seconds!"

Shining slowly bends down and picks up his sword with the other. He stays in that position for a moment, looking at the grass. In the next second he's behind Royal, his sword raised and his body glowing with his magic.

On instinct, Royal swoops down on one hoof with the swing as the other comes up and back in another quick move.

"Time!" The Earth Pony captain calls the second Shining flies over the rings line from the brutal blow. "Royal wins through, Time and Ring Out!"

His words and Shining's sprawled body registers in her mind. "Oh shit! Are you okay?!" Royal fusses over him, healing his bruised back.

He slowly sits up, pain etched into his visage. "Yeah, I think the body enhancement spell kept my back from being shattered." He groans as the other captains help him stand.

"I have to be strong and rely on instinct," Royal says, rubbing her neck awkwardly. "It comes with the whole controlling magical creatures shtick."

He straightens his back, telling the other Captains silently to back off, and walks stiffly to Royal. "I owe you an apology."

Royal's worry turns into confusion. "Whatever for?!"

"For underestimating you and for cheating during our bout."

"You didn't cheat." Royal says.

"I used magic. I am training Pegasus Corps, magic is against the rules." He holds his hand out. "Congratulations. You weren't here for the other training, but you've passed the final tests with the highest scores. With this achievement you get to choose your sigil. Lunar Guard or Solar Guard."

Royal takes and shakes his hand. "Thank you, Sir. I would like to be placed in the Lunar Guard."

"Nay, Imagery, you are the first Guard the Twilight Guard. You are to report to your new post tomorrow in Ponyville to watch over my student." Celestia declares, landing gracefully with her sister.

Royal immediately kneels, "It would be an honor, thank you your Majesties."

"Rise and receive your new armor." Luna commands as a black mare with red eyes steps forward with her new armor.

It's made of hundreds of different plates of platinum, made to fit snugly. The trim of the armor turquoise and Twilights Cutie-Mark is emblazoned on the shoulder plates, back, and chest. The edge of the wing guards sharpened to blades. A purple cape, also with Twilight's Cutie-Mark, signifying her post as Captain is folded neatly on top.

Royal takes it and bows.

"Flash Sentry, Autumn Breeze, and Foalan. You are also members of the Twilight Guard," Three more Bat Ponies step forward to hand them their armor. "Rest, say goodbye to family, and pack your things. At noon, you leave for Ponyville." Celestia and Luna open their wings and fly away, their entourage following.

Flash Sentry stares wide eyed down at his armor.

Foalan slaps him on the back. "You did spectacular buddy. Better than me! Though suspect that's from practicing with Roy. Wait, I'm sorry, with our Captain." He chuckles and wraps Royal in a bruising hug. "Good job!"

"Let her go. You know what happens when she hugs back," Autumn Breeze chuckles. "Don't want those muscles to go to waste because you're paralyzed.

After Foalan steps away, Autumn grabs Royal forearm, Royal returning the gesture. "I couldn't imagine a better Captain, or anyone I'd rather follow."

"I couldn't imagine a better Mare to have my back." Royal replies.

"Aww," Flash coos, "You two are so cute."

"Don't make us hurt you." The two threaten as the rest of the new guard are given their posts.

"As your new Captain the first thing I want to do is establish rank. Autumn Breeze, you are my second in command." Royal assigns.

"What?! But, I'm your best friend," Flash pouts.

"And Autumn Breeze is my second in command," Royal says with simple finality.

"Shut down by the Roy Bomb!" Foalan bellows.

"You heard the Princesses. We leave at noon. Go pack and say goodbye. Bring your things to my room in the morn at 11:45 sharp. I'll teleport your baggage to the guest rooms of the castle."

"Yes Ma'am!" They click those hooves together and salute before turning and leaving.