Royal Guard Program

The audience chamber of Canterlot Castle held the rhythmic stepping of Princess Celestia’s pacing. Walking back and forth, there were no other forces besides her, as she wished to be alone from any of her royal guards. Deep in her thoughts, she was clearly troubled by something. So much so, she failed to even notice the grand doors opening. Walking through them, her sister and equal, Princess Luna. The night alicorn could tell there was something bothering the sun alicorn.

“Sister…is something the matter?” Luna asked, walking over to her sister. “When I read your summons, I was quite perplexed.” Summoning a small scroll to her hand, she opened it. “You mentioned a concern regarding some of your royal guards. What did you mean by this?”

“Exactly as it says.” Celestia replied, now noticing her sister. Turning her head to face her, it was obvious that there was something so heavily concerning the alicorn that she seemed to have small bags under her eyes. “I have learned some terrible news.”

“Please, sister. What can it be?” Luna asked, her own face now showing a look of worry for her elder sister’s wellbeing. “What news has left you in such a state?”

“It is my royal guard.” Celestia explained, her words sounded heavy and full of distress. “Not all, but some have been rumored to have engaged in…activities unbefitting any respectable pony, let alone a member of my Royal Guard.”

“I too have noticed a strangeness in the dreams of many of the guards. Including that of my own.” Luna commented, nodding along as she looked at her sister. “But first tell me what you’ve heard, so we know it is similar.”

“It has come to my attention that a number of my Royal Guards have engaged in sexist and sexual misconduct.” Celestia explained, taking a breath as she spoke. “A number of the mare servants have been harassed, and at least one has faced worse. What pains me the most is I had to hear about it through rumors.”

“But these could just be rumors, right?” Luna asked, but her words changed as she saw the saddened look on Celestia’s face. “You confirmed the rumors…didn’t you?”

“I did, and I’m heartbroken.” Celestia said, taking another long, sad sigh. “But I am uncertain what to do. Such a crime must be punished, but I long forbade the public execution, and imprisonment has never worked.”

“I understand.” Luna said, pondering a possible solution. “I think I have an idea that could help, and I can include my own observations.” Leaning in, she began to whisper something in Celestia’s ear. The alicorn’s eyes opened a little more as she listened.

“I see…but do you think it can work?” Celestia asked, but felt a little more reassured when she saw Luna’s confident expression. Nodding her head, she tried to feel better. “Alright, I will leave preparations and such to your better judgment.”

“That you, sister.” Luna nodded, placing a hand on Celestia’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. All I need from you is to gather some of the best and some of the worst.”

It was now a few hours later in the day, closer to noon when Celestia and Luna were standing before a small group of guards. A mare and stallion of each variety of ponykind. Each was a member of the Royal Guard, and were standing in attention. While the sun princess was nervous over how this would play out, her sister remained confident. Standing between the two of them was a small pedestal, accompanied by a glass bottle of a strange, multi-colored liquid. Taking a deep breath, Celestia looked out at the eight guards that were gathered.

Crimson Vision, a tall and muscular brown earth stallion with stone gray short mane. Maverick, a slender looking red orange unicorn stallion with a shoulder length gray white straight mane. Nimbus Fog, a slightly porty turquoise pegasus with nearly shaved short yellow mane. Moonstone Wing, a short but athletic looking greenish blue thestral with a dirty yellow short mane. Each of these stallions stood ready for whatever orders their princesses were about to usher, though it was clear none of them knew what was going on.

Bubblegum, a short but strong looking dark yellow earth mare with an endowed chest and long pale brown mane. Azure Shadow, a tall and petite dark blue unicorn mare with a tied back two tone green and light blue mane. Ty Mist, an athletic and smug looking red pegasus mare with three tone yellow, green, and brown mane that she held together on one side of her head. Midnight Petunia, a short crimson red thestral mare that had a much smaller chest but a wider pay of hips, topped with a metallic gray mane tied in pigtails. These mares stood in attention like their stallion counterparts, but were just as uniformed and confused.

“Now, I know you are all wondering what we have called you eight here.” Celestia explained, taking a step forward. “It has come to our attention, that there have been…concerns regarding the gender and misconduct within the ranks of the Canterlot Royal Guard.” Crimson and Maverick tense up a little from her words. “Now, despite this, Princess Luna has persuaded me to offer a different form of punishment.” Gesturing with a hand, she let her sister step forward.

“It has equally come to my attention, especially through many dreams, that some of you were curious about what it was like to be the opposite gender.” Luna explained, speaking a little more directly. Her cold eyes sent a sudden shiver throughout the spine of the eight present guards. “That said, while this is purely an optional…correctional and educational program. Both Princess Celestia and I highly encourage you all to consider your options.”

There was a pause for a moment. While most of the guards present were in the category Luna had mentioned, the few that were part of what Celestia was talking about were more than a little worried. What if they didn’t take whatever they were talking about? Would this mean they were going to be called out for what they did? Would they be imprisoned? Banished? Publically shamed? These questions flooded their minds as they were unable to tell what to do next.

‘Well, it seems your plan is working.’ Celestia complimented, her magic allowing her to speak directly into Luna’s mind. ‘The guilty guards are quite terrified.’

‘I am glad you approve.’ Luna responded in kind, her magic sending her thoughts to her sister. ‘But this is only the beginning.’