Casus Belli I: Shining Armor`s Last Battle

“Listen here you mules. Ever since earth ponies and unicorns are allowed to join the royal guard our army became weaker and I have the impossible mission to make you greenhooves into stallions that earn the terminology “soldier”. Since the changeling invasion…. YOU THERE IN THE SECOND ROW, WINGS ARE FLAT ON YOUR BODY WHEN A CAPTAIN GIVES HIS SPEECH… anyway since the changeling invasion there was no real threat to Canterlot. Do you know why? Because every foe shits himself when he sees the brave stallions of the royal guard. But by the look of you I would say you couldn`t even bring an earthworm to shit itself. What are we gonna do about that?” The royal guard captain, a pegasus pony of course, faced a scared unicorn private in the first row.

“We will train to be good soldiers. We will be teached how to attack our enemies and how to defend our princesses. We will learn…”, the private replied.

“Wrong answer!” the captain screamed.

“The first thing you will learn is the history of our great general Shining Armor. Why? Because you can`t be a good soldier unless you are dedicated to this job like he is. You will be ready to give your life and the lives of your fellow stallions to safe the princesses. You will learn to face death without questioning the orders of your superiors. And when you die on the battlefield you will receive the greatest honor of them all. The death in your duty to protect princess Celestia! Do you understand that?”

“Yes, captain” the privates replied shy.

The captain, a veteran too old to fulfill the duty of the royal guard himself, used the motivation speech from old times. Nowadays there was no real danger for the guards. Merely police than soldiers only a few lost their lives since the great changeling invasion. And of course the royal guard was nowadays much more than Celestia`s bodyguards. They were responsible for the wellbeing of all Equestria as well as the safety for the two other princesses Luna and Cadence. But the captain knew his privates. He knew what he had to say to reach them and to prepare them for their duty.

“You all know Shining Armor. A brave private once who was one of the best in the whole battalion. When general Nightfall went rogue with three battalions of the night guards to help Nightmare Moon overthrowing her sister he was one of the first who volunteered to fight outside of Canterlot to delay Nightfall`s army. And after the ambush he was one of the last who returned into the safety of Canterlot Castle, two wounded royal guards on his back. For this heroic act he received the Golden Hoof and was promoted captain immediately. Do you believe in general Shining Armor?”

“Yes, captain!”, the privates replied. Even though this reply was still as silent as their first one some of the recruits had shining eyes hearing the heroic war stories of their leader.

“After that he fought in many smaller battles. Thanks to his tactical understanding only a few fellow stallions died in this time. But then came the changeling invasion under Queen Chrysalis. The changeling invasion was on the day of Shining Armors wedding. Do you think he invited them?”

“No, captain!”, the privates laughed.

“The changeling invasion was a hard time for us. Chrysalis and some of her agents infiltrated the palace right before our eyes. Believe me privates, I was there. When the force field broke down no one was prepared. We lost so many brave stallions that day. We failed our duty to protect Canterlot and the princess. It was a dark day for the royal guard.” The captain remained silent for a few seconds remembering the time and paying once again respect to all his fallen friends. “When all seemed lost Shining Armor recreated the force field. This time it was filled with the wrath of the royal guard. This time it was stronger than before. Strong enough to defeat Chrysalis and her army and push them away. For good! Shining Armor defeated the whole changeling army and left them shattered so that they will never threaten Celestia again. Do you believe in general Shining Armor?”

“Yes, captain!”, the privates replied. All of them had shining eyes now listening to their superior officer and his stories.

“Shining Armor protected Equestria from all foes. And he will protect it in the future too. From now on it is your duty to help him with that mission! So let me ask you. Will you fulfill your duties as royal guards? Will you protect Canterlot? Will you protect the princesses? DO YOU BELIEVE IN OUR GENERAL?"

“Yes, captain!”, the privates shouted.

“Shining Armor is a hero and a true leader. Under his command the royal guard fulfills its duty. Under his command Canterlot will not fall. Und his command WE WILL SUCCEED! So follow the orders and the rules of the royal guard for the glory of Celestia. AND WHAT IS THAT FIRST RULE?”

“NEVER RETREAT, NEVER SURRENDER! OUR LIVES FOR THE PRINCESSES”, shouted all the privates enthusiastic.

“Good, good”, the captain smiled satisfied, “and now move your plots to the training fields!"