Friendship Doesn't Always Fix Everything

Long ago, Equestria's fate rested on the shoulders of one mare and her friends. Time and time again they had proven themselves to be fierce protectors of their home even as years passed, and the threats became more dangerous. As their circle of friends grew, so did their power and understanding of the new magic that they wielded. More dangerous and clever villains rose up to try and test their limits and break away what made them who they were. It was through the Magic of Friendship, that these ponies succeeded time and time again against countless villians.

One day, however, the young mare had to fill her destiny and claim the throne that was now passed down to her. Twilight's adventures through the lands however, had left her as anything but naive. She understood the potential threats that lied just on the outskirts of her borders. However, she also knew her friends wouldn't be able to keep fighting forever. She needed to come up with a solution that could help handle the bigger problems that even her young students might not be able to fight off. An elite force not too unlike the Wonderbolts that her dear friend, Rainbow Dash was now the leader of. Of course this decision would be met with opposition which was why she sat in her throne room now, listening to the many arguing voices from diplomats and friends alike. She looked around at them slowly growing bored and thus annoyed at the petty arguments that have thus far dismissed her from speaking. It wasn't until Fluttershy's own frustrations over not being heard caused her to lash out, her own husband wincing as she did.

"EXCUSE ME!" Fluttershy's voice cut through the arguments that quickly cut silent upon hearing her voice suddenly a deafening tone. Fluttershy quickly gathered herself before continuing, "Please, Princess Twilight has asked us all here to discuss the matter, perhaps we should let her speak." Twilight made sure to make yet another mental note to ask Fluttershy how she collects herself so quickly.

Every head in the room turned to her and Twilight almost wished she could hide in her wings. No, she was a Princess now and believed very deeply in the cause she was about to bring forth to them. This was something she fully believed would one day be necessary for the future of every kingdom, and the many generations to come.

"Some of you may recall our travels that we took years ago when we had to fight the Storm King." Princess Twilight had hardly begun.

"Are you saying we are a threat to this kingdom?!" A tall lavender hippogriff puffed his chest out in anger, joined by a proud griffon. Twilight resisted the urge to roll her eyes as both races seemed to always outdo the other. The diplomats were about to get out of hand again.

"Of course not, darling." Rarity's voice rang out like a dozen clear crystal bells cutting through the sudden squabble. Twilight was thankful yet again for another friends intervention. "We are simply pointing out that our journey to find your magnificent kingdom, was met with plenty of peril."

"I simply wished to be able to protect our lands from evil forces such as the Storm King and Tirek from happening again. We don't know when another attack will happen like that again, and with our nations united I simply believe that this is the best way to protect all of our nations. Our people have been more united under a banner of friendship than ever before and I wish to keep it that way. I wish for our soldiers to come from everywhere, to help further diplomacy in all lands, and to help ensure a safer future for generations yet to come. That is all." Twilight said calmly having taken a moment to calm herself down. She was still Twilight afterall.

"What would we do, if such things were to happen though? If nations, within your ranks, turn against us in a jealousy for power, like King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis?" He hissed, eyeing the other diplomats with guarded suspicion. His wife rested her hoof on his paw to try and reassure him.

"That is something that I am willing to risk, and face when the time comes." Twilight smiled to Discord. Seeing him being so guarded was a good sign, knowing most of it was out of fatherly protection for his unborn children reassured her that she was taking a step in the right direction.

"This isn't just for our protection, but for the protection of our children as well." She smiled looking to Fluttershy again, her friends swollen stomach was hard to miss. Rarity looked up to Twilight and saw the hidden pain in her eyes.

"Well, what will you call them? You obviously won't be calling them the Wonderbolts and Shadowbolts. You kept those reserved to the Pegasi and now Batpony teams." Rainbow Dash beamed with excitement.

"Whoa there nelly, she was just gettin to that." Applejack assured her best friend. Even she could see Rainbow's stomach was swollen too, despite how much she tried to hide it.

"Excellent question Rainbow," Twilight was thankful for the distraction, "There will, again be two separate divisions: The Solar Knights and The Lunar Rangers. Each division will specialize in different forms of combat and are obviously named after Princess Celestia and Princess Luna respectively." Twilight smiled down to the diplomats as her horn glowed showing off the emblem to each faction on the banners that hung to either side of the throne.

To her left, the banner unfurled to reveal colors of white and gold, a large sun matching Celestia's cutie mark shone in the background behind a headshot of a pony if full plated armor. To her right, the colors contrasted drastically, with dark blue accenting the background as Luna's cutie mark, a crescent moon, outlined the masked outline of a pony with what seemed to be black fur. The mask was a dark purple bringing out the fullness of the image. It was very clear from both banners exactly which faction would do: one would be for subterfuge, the other brute force.

"These two factions will be much like our own Royal Guards but for the world. We will use them in times of great distress, in times of need whenever your lands call for our aid these soldiers will be ready. We already have a large specialized team ready. We need only your support and the support of your citizens." Twilight smiled to them all. The other diplomats all agreed and took with them multiple fliers to post in their own cities. Twilight sighed and Spike regarded her with caution.

"I know that sigh very well. What's wrong?" His normally booming voice was barely above a whisper.
"I pray I will never have to use them."