The Canterlot Gardens' Guardians

***The Canterlot Gardens' Guardians

Chapter One: Four Helping Hooves

Author: Technopony***

Pre-Reader/Editor: None

Canterlot Gardens: Main Atrium

*CRASH*

A simple clay vase crashed against a wall exploding into pieces.

"Calm down, Safeguard!" A beautiful white unicorn shouted, ducking just in time to dodge another vase. "There is really nothing to worry about!"

"What do you mean?!" Came the yelled reply from another white unicorn, almost identical to the one who had spoken before, "How can the Princess do this to us? Doesn't she believe in us? We've been doing this for over six thousand years. You'd think she'd let us alone, to do our jobs. A new pony would just slow things down. And you, out of everypony, should know how dangerous the gardens can get without constant upkeep."

"Really. You think we can do this alone? Remember how it was when the entrance to the Everfree opened? We were swamped with work! And if I remember correctly, you were all up for going to the Slender's for help!" The other unicorn, her name Advocate, replied, trying to keep herself calm, but mostly failing.

"That was most different!" Safeguard exclaimed indignantly, "They were like us, they weren't normal."

"So you're saying that in order to get help, we have to get somepony, or something, that's not normal? This place is crazy enough, the most unnatural place in Equestria, heck, the world, other than the Everfree Forest! We need at least some normal in our wholly unnatural lives!" Advocate replied.

"You know what? Fine. Tell me when the new pony gets here..." Safeguard said and turned away, walking from the room.

Advocate heaved a heavy sigh and looked down at the ground, seeing the pieces of broken clay littered around her hooves. With a snort, she used her magic to levitate the pieces into the air and then slowly made the rearrange themselves until they were in the shape of two vases, and finally using a simple spell to put them together again. Then she set them back into their places and walked out of the room herself.

Ponyville Equestria: Marketplace Bazaar

The sky over Ponyville was beautiful. A beautiful only a small town in the Equestrian countryside could create. In this town, everything was picturesque and elegant in a slightly outdated vintage sort of way.

Today was a bit different than most, after all, a Princess doesn't normally fly into town looking for somepony to come back with her to Canterlot. For some, this day was like a dream come true, for others, such as the slightly-eccentric Twilight Sparkle or the town mayor, Mayor Mare, this was a day of hidden disasters.

For one such as Twilight this was a problem because her friend and mentor was coming to town. Due to her own insecurities, she most likely thought it had something to do with her. Of course it wasn't, however. The world doesn't revolve around one easily distressed unicorn like the famous 'Element of Magic', no matter how much it seemed to her.

For the Mayor, well, the problem was wholly a security problem. After all, there was lots of 'What-if's' when it came to royalty. What if somepony tried to attack the princess? What if something went horribly wrong? As it were, most of these 'What-if's' were easily fixed and avoidable. If somepony tried to attack the princess, don't you think the royal guards would be able to help, or even, don't you think that she could defend herself? Or do you just think she's a weakling? And really, what could go wrong in a town like Ponyville?

The point is, not everything bad is going to happen just because you think it will.

In reality, the day would go smoothly. It was a simple visit, not for pleasure, per se, but for easily completed royal business. The one important question would not be 'What will go wrong?' or 'What could she be here for?' but 'Who would be leaving Ponyville to go live and work in Canterlot?'.

The big reveal was to take place not in the town square, but in the marketplace of all areas. The usual stalls had been moved out of the way, covered in tarps and pushed over towards the actual shops that lined the area. A stage-like area had been erected in the middle of the road. This was wholly unneeded, but as it was stated before, Ponyville wasn't exactly known for it's subtlety.

The princess herself had not arrived yet, but several platoons of royal guards had been sent ahead of time to make sure everything was safe. Once again, this wasn't exactly needed, but it was protocol for the government's military. Celestia was due to arrive in less than half an hour so most of Ponyville was already crowded around the stage. Or, really, a few feet back. They weren't rowdy, it wasn't in their nature, but they were pretty excited. After all, it wasn't every day royalty came to their town. Not to mention they were a bit more old fashioned than the rest of the country, like, say, Cloudsdale for instance.

Anyways, with a few minutes to spare, the last of the preparations were made. A few moments later and the sound of flapping wings was heard. The crowd quieted down and looked into the air. As they craned their necks to the skies, a shadow passed below the sun, darkening part of the group. As the crowd continued to look into the air, the shadow passed the sun and was visible. Up in the air was a brilliant gold chariot being pulled by three royal guard pegasi, wings adorned with golden armour.

The chariot slowly descended, circling down and down until finally going in for a roll down the stage before coming to a stop. From the carriage stepped a large white, regal looking Alicorn, her muted rainbow hair flowing unnaturally as if it were in a nice breeze, though none was present. Adorning her hooves were beautiful golden shoes, and atop her head was a golden tiara with a small diamond on it's crest. The princess truly was regal, a remnant of an age long past... a remnant that had lived through many ages.

The princess stood there on the stage, looking over the crowd. In her head she was a bit surprised, even though she shouldn't have been. She had been to this town many times and each time she had been here she had a similar thing happen to her.

"Hello, my little ponies." Celestia began, at a loss for words, "Thank you for such a... warm welcome back to your beautiful town."

And with that, the crowd began to cheer. Celestia looked over them, not losing composure, but inwardly rolling her eyes.

"Alright, alright,  calm down everypony." Celestia said, clapping a hoof on the stage and then waited for the cheering to calm down. After a few seconds the crowd was once again quiet. "While this is a really nice welcoming party, it is a bit... over the top..."

The crowd looked up at the stage, some seeming a bit heartbroken.

"If you all will please excuse me, but I have to speak with the Mayor." Celestia said, finally having enough and walking down off the stage, followed by two of her guards.

As she left the stage, the crowd slowly parted with the help of some of the guards and finally Celestia was free... At least for a while. She made her way from the marketplace and towards the town square where the Mayors house and office was located.

Ponyville Equestria: Town Square; The Mayors Office

Celestia had been waiting in the Mayors office for just a few minutes when the elderly mare came through the door.

"Ah, there you are, Ms. Mare." Celestia said, standing up to greet the Mayor.

"Ah, yes. Princess Celestia. So nice of you to drop by our town." The Mayor said, dipping her head in a short bow. "Sorry about the welcoming thing... But what can I do for you today?"

"Of course. It was alright." Celestia replied, letting a small smile come over her face. "The reason I'm here is to see somepony. One of the residents from your town."

"Oh, really? Is everything alright? Nothings wrong, right?" The Mayor asked.

"Oh, yes, nothing is wrong." Celestia replied, immediately soothing the Mayor's worries.

"Alright then." The Mayor said, looking relieved. "So who's the... lucky pony?"

"It's a mare, a local gardener who sells roses at the marketplace. I believe her name was... Roseluck." Celestia explained.

"Roseluck... Roseluck... Oh yes. I remember her. Cream with two-toned pink and red hair. How soon do you need her?" The Mayor asked, after taking some time to remember which mare the name belonged to.

"Well... As soon as possible would be great, but whenever she's ready will be fine."

"Alright, I'll have her here in a few moments."

With that, the Mayor left to get Roseluck.

Celestia sat herself back down and began to wait. She closed her eyes for a moment and waited, just listening to the sound of the world.

Minutes later she heard the door open once more and her eyes flashed open in time to see the Mayor walk in, being followed by a slightly confused cream colored earth pony.

Celestia stood to greet the two. "Ah, hello. You must be Roseluck."

"Er... Uhm... Yes." Roseluck replied, at a loss from words. She had never been this close to royalty in her life and it was both amazing her and slightly scaring her.

Celestia repressed a chuckle and replied, "It is nice to meet you."

"You too... Princess." Roseluck said, smiling a little as she got over her initial shock.

"So, I guess you are wondering why I asked you to come here?"

"Um... yes, kinda."

"Well, I can't get into it too much here, but I've come to take you to Canterlot. We need your help." Celestia explained.

"My help? I'm just a simple gardener? How could I help you?" Roseluck asked incredulously.

"Well... Exactly. You are a gardener. Anyways, I've said enough. I take it you need time to get ready?"

"That would be... nice."

"Alright, you have an hour to get ready. Then we have to go."

With that Roseluck left the house to begin packing some things to take to Canterlot. She was very confused, but she couldn't  say no the the princess.

And so, an hour later, Roseluck was walking out of her house, saddlebags full of necessary objects, and towards the royal chariot. The princess had promised an explanation on the ride, so she was expecting that.

What she didn't expect, however, was that she wasn't going to be coming back to Ponyville anytime soon.

End of Chapter One