Sacred Vows

by MarieJustLeft

Rating: mature
Tags: Shining Armor, Sex, Profanity, Slice of Life, Original Character, Porn, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Comedy
Length: 6191

To earn an exclusive promotion, a pair of royal guards resort to extremely unprofessional methods of persuasion.

Buttercup Bloom, a klutzy, deeply-devout royal guard, is fighting a losing battle against a grueling heat cycle. Her partner, Juniper Jade, is an opportunistic loner interested in a mysterious, exclusive promotion, and is willing to do just about anything to get it. One night on guard duty, they each find the answer to their problem via one pony in particular, the prince they have sworn to serve and defend.

Part 1 of 7.

CW: Drunk Sex, Dubious Consent, Power Imbalances, Unrequited Affections, Religious Crisis, M/F/F Oral, Infidelity!

Published 2025-01-04 20:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2025-01-04 20:50:01 UTC

The Promotion

Steel boots came thundering over stone, as Buttercup sprinted down the castle’s winding halls. Her breaths came in frantic bursts, but she could not afford to slow down - she had been late to guard duty before, but never this late.

Snaking through sunbeams of golden light pooling in through the windows, Buttercup knew she should have wrapped up her confession a bit sooner. But the priest just had to take his time with each prayer.

She wiped some sweat off her brow. There was virtue in suffering, the holy books said, but this was getting to be a bit extreme. Since her heat cycle began three days ago, Buttercup had spent almost all of her free time in the chapel, desperately trying to cleanse herself of any and all sinful thoughts. But no matter how hard she prayed, no matter how many visits she made to confession, she could never quite beat back that gnawing itch inside her, nor the tightness in her chest or the way her brain seemed to be melting into mush more and more with each passing hour, when all she could ever think about was….was…

Buttercup blushed cherry red. Celestia, lead me not into temptation! She was drenched in sweat now from head to hoof, her blonde curls bouncing with each step. Her army-standard panties were soaked all the way through, as she leaked like a poorly-made faucet. The leather folds of her skirt were all that concealed the stains, though in her mind she felt as though she was naked anyway, like everypony she passed by could see exactly what was going on. I’m a disgusting, shameful sinner. Please Celestia, help me through this.

Her half-fastened armor jangled as she ran, the metal plates clinking in rhythm with her pounding heartbeat. I can make it! I can make it!

This would make her fifth tardy shift this month. Everything seemed to distract her - a chipmunk in the castle gardens that she absolutely had to feed, the release of a new album by Coloratura, or, to her shame, some horrible heat-induced fantasy. The slightest touch, the smallest glimmer of shame or desire was all it took to turn her blood hot and twist her stomach into knots, as she imagined herself in all manner of compromising positions, at the utter mercy of whoever that week’s crush happened to be.

She could be as creative as she would like, too, considering that she had no real-life reference to work with. She had to save herself, she had to, no matter what her body demanded from her.

She arrived at the throne room vestibule dead out of breath, leaning against a nearby wall for support. As she dragged her hooves forward, she nearly knocked over a mounted torch, before carefully readjusting it.

Up ahead were the great oak doors to the throne room, and inside she could see a hundred or more creatures gathered around, chattering and drinking from tall goblets of wine. Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor were there in the crowd of course, along with a variety of high-ranking aristocrats and foreign dignitaries, all those who had gathered for tonight’s royal gala, the Crystal Ball.

Buttercup’s shift partner stood idly by the doors. A pale lavender mare with dark purple bangs and piercings in her left eyebrow, in both ears, in her nose, and on her tongue, Juniper Jade was something of an anomaly in the palace garrison, with more misconduct charges than every other guard put together. This time she’ll get the boot for sure, ponies would always say, again and again, but somehow Jade always talked her way out of trouble.

Jade startled awake when Buttercup approached, nearly dropping her spear to the floor.

“Thought you were a no-show,” Jade said, yawning, “...You alright? For Luna’s sake, you look like you just ran a marathon.”

Buttercup winced at Luna’s name being used in vain. She was still too out of breath to reply, as she took her place on the other side of the door and adjusted her helmet. Then she lifted her head, suddenly, overcome with panic.

“Glamor doesn’t know, does she??” Buttercup stammered.

“Oh, she knows,” answered a voice from inside the throne room, just around the door. Buttercup felt her heart sink in her chest. Jade straightened up her posture.

Sergeant Glamor Gleam emerged from the throne room, a short mare with pink cheeks and a straight-cut mane.

“Dude. How long have you been standing there?” Jade laughed.

“If you paid any attention to your surroundings, you’d know,” Glamor snapped, “I wonder, who was the idiot that decided to stick the two most worthless, incompetent ponies in my unit on the same door shift?”

“It wasn’t you?” Jade snickered.

“Not another word,” Glamor snarled, “Don’t even bother with an excuse, Buttercup, I know it won’t be any good.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, I really am!” Buttercup exclaimed, “I’ll take an extra shift to make up for it! I’ll take two if you want!”

“Ugh, don’t start blubbering, Buttercup,” Glamor sighed, “Lucky me, tomorrow you two won’t be my problem anymore.”

“How’s that?” Jade asked, “...You mean the promotion? You think you’re gonna get it?”

Jade snickered, which only seemed to infuriate Glamor even more.

“Who else would they choose? You?” Glamor exclaimed, “You’re a pathetic excuse for a soldier, not to mention a degenerate freak. Fortunately we won’t have to put up with each other for much longer.”

“How should we celebrate?” Jade asked, smirking dryly.

“Funny. Actually you’ll have a lot of time to figure that out, Jade,” Glamor said, grinning wickedly, “Because both of you are going to take the night shift tonight.”

Jade’s smile fell off her face.

“But, ma’am, tonight’s the ball,” Buttercup said, softly.

“Yes, and you might get a view of it from the fifth floor. That’s as close as you’ll get,” Glamor said.

“Ma’am, wait,” Buttercup said, “Jade didn’t do anything wrong, she shouldn’t be punished because of me.”

“Service is not a punishment. It’s our job,” Glamor reminded, “If you two were any good at yours, I’d let you go to the ball. And it doesn’t look like Jade here is too upset, anyway.”

Jade shrugged.

“Night shift’s not so bad. Nopony will be around to bother me,” Jade said.

Glamor shook her head.

“Report to the family’s chamber at 8:00 P.M. And if you’re late this time, I’ll show you what a real punishment looks like,” Glamor warned.

“...Yes ma’am,” Buttercup gulped.

Forgive me, Celestia, for I have sinned.
Buttercup finished her prayers and rose from her bedside, before fixing the straps to her armor and fetching her helmet. She glanced at herself one last time in the mirror. Her exercise regimen had slimmed down her waist, though her ass and hind thighs were still much too big for her liking. She had changed her panties for the third time today, though she expected she only had an hour before these ones ended up soaked like the others. Deliver me from this evil, Celestia. Help me be strong. Help me not to give in…

To reach the royal family’s chambers, Buttercup first had to pass through the great hall, where the hundreds of guests were making their way into the ballroom. There were several guards on duty, standing at the edges of the hall with their spears pointed up in the air, but Glamor Gleam was not among them. She was here as a guest, with her foreleg wrapped around Sergeant Thundercrack. Thundercock, all the guardmares liked to call him. Buttercup knew she would never have a chance with a stallion like him. It was Glamor who was pretty enough and bold enough to draw in all the stallions. Ponies only seemed to notice Buttercup when she was screwing up. Which was most of the time, she thought, glumly.

Glamor did look gorgeous tonight, Buttercup acknowledged, all dolled up in a silky pink gown that made her look like a princess. That morning, Buttercup had picked a dress to wear tonight, and had practiced all the courtly dances using her pillow as a partner, but she knew no amount of practice would stop her from looking like a fool. It’s good I can’t go. They’d all just laugh at me. She could dress herself up and pretend to know what she was doing, but she knew everypony could see right through her. At least this way, she could save herself all that humiliation. Confined in her armor, she was not sure if it felt more like a prison or an escape.

Up a spiral staircase she arrived at the sixth floor of the castle. Everypony was downstairs, she figured, as all the halls seemed abandoned. Except for one, that was, where Juniper Jade stood with a mouthful of bubblegum, leaning against her spear outside the royal family’s bedchamber.

“You’re early,” Buttercup remarked.

“Didn’t have anywhere else to be,” Jade said, shrugging.

“...Look, I’m sorry that you have to do this. It’s all my fault,” Buttercup said.

“Don’t beat yourself up about it,” Jade smiled, softly, and Buttercup wondered what she found so amusing.

Jade wore dark eyeliner and a dark shade of lipstick, and her bangs were sticking out from underneath her helmet. She was more fit than Buttercup, however, with a tight waist, wide hips, and firm, muscled legs. Buttercup was considerably softer and heavier in the rear, to her chagrin.

Before Buttercup could open her mouth to speak again, her ears perked up to the sound of shouting from the other side of the door. Buttercup glanced over her shoulder, and then back at Jade, who seemed unphased. She could hear Cadance’s voice, and Shining Armor’s too.

“Should we go in?” Buttercup asked.

“We’re soldiers, not marriage counselors,” Jade said.

Buttercup sighed, feeling similarly anxious. She tried her best not to eavesdrop on the argument.

Jade shrugged, leaned on her spear, and rubbed her eyes.

Just as Buttercup assumed her position on the other side of the doorway, the door was thrown open. Shining Armor and Cadance clambered out beside each other. He wore a deep purple doublet with a golden trim and a rose sash, and she wore a sparkling pink gown that hugged her hips and reached just above her hooves. The scowl on the prince’s face made Buttercup tense up, while Cadance seemed to be on the verge of tears.

“Get it together, or we’re not going,” Cadance said, with a shaky voice, “Shining. I mean it. You’re overreacting.”

Buttercup gulped. They spoke as if the guards were invisible.

“OK, you know what? We’re not going,” Cadance said.

“Stop. We’re going,” Shining said, grabbing her roughly by the foreleg, “C’mon.”

Buttercup did not like how aggressively Shining had grabbed Cadance, dragging her away down the hall.

Buttercup sighed in relief once the couple had disappeared down the hall, and Jade returned to chewing her bubblegum. After a few minutes of silence, however, Jade abruptly turned to enter the bedchamber, swinging the door open and waltzing inside. Buttercup paused for a moment, thrown for a loop. She spun around, nervously glancing over her shoulder and sticking her head in the door.

“Uh, Jade…what are you doing?” Buttercup asked, nervously, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

Jade threw her spear to the ground and approached the royal bed. She fell face-first into the fabric, and grunted, satisfied.

“Taking a nap,” Jade explained.

“B-But that’s the royal bed!” Buttercup squeaked.

“Mm-hm,” Jade grunted, burying herself under the covers.

“You can’t do this! Come back!” Buttercup urged, still whispering.

“Nopony’s gonna come up here tonight,” Jade murmured, turning onto her side, “I don’t know what those two could be so mad about. They get to sleep on this mattress!”

Buttercup wavered by the door. She was exhausted after today, and taking a rest made for quite the temptation. But Buttercup was no stranger to temptation. Buttercup! You have to be good. You have a job to do.
Buttercup sighed and retreated back outside, returning to her post.

For five hours, Buttercup had managed to stay awake outside the bedchamber, with only the sound of Jade’s snoring to keep her company. She could hear the distant, muffled sound of music from the ball down below, a murmuring reminder of what Buttercup was missing out on.

She thought she was imagining it, when she heard the sound of somepony’s hoofsteps echoing down the hallway. Buttercup roused herself, and darted back into the bedchamber to shake Jade awake.

“Jade! Get up! Somepony’s coming!” Buttercup stammered.

Jade groaned and waved Buttercup off, bundling herself under the covers.

“Jade!!!” Buttercup hissed, glancing over her shoulder, nervously. Jade sighed and dragged herself out of the bed, following after Buttercup like a zombie on a leash.

They returned to the hallway just as Shining Armor arrived. Buttercup’s eyes widened at the sight of him; his doublet was crumpled and half-unfurled, and his sash was sagging over one shoulder. His mane was tousled and his eyes were bloodshot, and he reeked to high heaven of wine and liquor. Buttercup’s nose wrinkled, as she could taste the alcohol from his breath, stinging her airways. We all succumb to vice once in a while…Who am I to judge him?

“...Sir?” Buttercup said, glancing from Shining to Jade, who seemed to still think she was dreaming.

Despite his present condition, Buttercup had always found the prince handsome. How he was muscled and hearty and full of vigor, and how when he smiled his eyes did too. He was kind and gentle and fierce and always made an effort to get to know each and every one of the palace guards, even a loner like Jade or a screw-up like Buttercup. More than once, while praying in the chapel, Buttercup had dreamed of her wedding day, and often she pictured her would-be husband as cut from a similar cloth to the prince, tall and hard and fierce and unafraid. He was everything she wanted, everything she needed. She had gotten so many chances to admire him, in passing, that she could imagine every detail each night before bed, the curves of his muscles, the position of his mane, and most of all, his…She could not say the word, even in her mind. But she could not shake the image in her head, the prince’s blue-grey shaft that so often dangled under his chest freely, fearlessly. She could never allow herself to stare for long, for fear of being caught. But she knew at least that it was as long as her own forearm, though not quite as wide. Stallions were a mystery to her, beyond what she knew from mares’ gossip. What makes it get bigger? Does it hurt when it gets hard? In high school she had heard of some mares letting stallions stick it in their mouths, or another, even fouler place. The thought made Buttercup tremble with fear. We are all vessels of Celestia’s grace. We are not to debase Celestia’s gift to us, we are not to ever indulge in the unnatural. But as much as she believed that, why did it feel so natural to wonder what the taste was like? Because I’m a sinful wretch, that’s why. She felt another wave of heat rush through her veins, and by then her panties were drenched all the way through. Celestia, please, please help me…I can’t take much more of this!

Standing there, staring at Shining Armor, all she could think about was him and his….his….cock. Oh Celestia. I said it! Great. Now I have to go to confession before bed!

Cock,she thought again, as if her own mind had turned against her, Shining’s cock. You want it. Every part of you wants it.

NO, Buttercup yelled in her head, He’ll never be yours! He’s married to Princess Cadance. And he’s my prince! We could never…Oh Celestia, take these wicked thoughts away! Please!

“Jade Junicup,” Shining mumbled, glancing between the two mares.

The prince lost his balance then, tumbling right into the pair’s hooves. He was much heavier than either guard was prepared for, and it took a considerable effort to steady him.

“The bed,” Jade grunted. She had finally woken up, Buttercup supposed.

Together, they dragged the prince into the room, before dumping him onto the bed with a heavy thump.

Jade and Buttercup took a step back, catching their breath. Sprawled out on the bed, Shining Armor’s chest and gut were on full display, as well as his….lower regions.

Before any sinful thoughts could cross her mind, Buttercup blushed and turned for the door. Then she glanced back at the prince, who seemed to already be sound asleep, and she felt her heart flutter in her chest.

Jade caught Buttercup’s gaze, and a smirk found its way to her face.

“What’s that look?” Jade asked.

“What look?”

“That look. I know that look. Y’know, I was getting the same idea,” Jade said, “I knew you weren’t really Miss Innocent.”

“I don’t…No, I…I don’t know what you mean,” Buttercup stuttered, “You can’t possibly be…He’s our prince!”

“Nopony will know,” Jade laughed, before trotting over towards the bed, “He won’t remember a thing.”

Buttercup shook her head, horrified.

“No, this is wrong, this is…” Buttercup said, though Jade seemed not to have heard. I couldn’t! He’s not even awake, let alone that he’s a prince…

Buttercup’s eyes wandered back over towards him. She had never gotten to see a stallion like this, not ever this close.

It can’t hurt to…Touch it once…Just once…

Buttercup’s legs were shaking. She joined Jade and together they knelt down beside the bed. Jade watched with a lustful little grin as Buttercup’s eyes stayed fixed on Shining’s lower half.

Just one touch. Then I’ll get up and go. I’ll confess it tonight. Everything will be fine.

Buttercup slowly inched her hoof closer and gave his balls a gentle nudge, tracing them with her eyes as they shifted around her touch. Her hoof glided upwards, softly, to the foot of his sheath. She took a deep breath in through her nose, as she inched her snout closer towards him. She could smell the warm, musky, slightly sour smell of his balls, that made her heart stop in her chest and her bones turn to jelly. She traced her hoof around his sheath, in and out of the fleshy folds where his soft cock lay hidden inside.

Her eyes widened as his cock began to emerge from the sheath, growing bigger and bigger and bigger, as large as her forearm. When the prince’s cock had finally stopped growing, all Buttercup could do was stare in awe. She was practically drooling, and her panties were now so wet they felt heavier than her armor.

Every part of her wanted this, needed this. She softly dragged her hoof along the prince’s monster, clean and sturdy like his very own royal scepter. She glanced over at his soft white coat and his hard muscles underneath, and his wild blue mane, and his huge horn and his piercing eyes that were staring right back at her….Wait. WAIT!

Buttercup gasped and nearly fell back to the floor, as she noticed Shining’s eyes were wide open.

“My prince! I-I-I didn’t, oh my Celestia, I…” Buttercup stammered.

Jade’s smirk stayed right where it was, while Buttercup began to tear up, trembling like a dog left out in the cold.

“No no no no no I’m so sorry oh Celestia please,” Buttercup whispered, burying her face in her hooves.

Shining coughed and cleared his throat. He sniffled, yawned, and scratched at his stubble, and blinked a few times to rouse himself.

“That was good,” Shining grunted, drunkenly slurring his words, “...Cady’s never gentle like that. You know what I mean? She…She’s never like that. Hey, don’t, it’s OK…It’s OK…You’re not in trouble…You’re not…” Shining began laughing, deliriously, while Buttercup whimpered into her hooves and began scrambling up to run out of the room.

“Wait,” Shining said, still laughing, “I didn’t dismiss you.”

Jade raised an eyebrow. Buttercup’s jaw dropped. I’m going to be executed. I deserve it, I do! Oh Celestia, I’m a whore! A wicked whore!

“My prince?” Buttercup squeaked.

Jade licked her lips.

“Cady, she…” Shining said, “You know what she’s done.”

“No, we-” Buttercup attempted.

“We’ve heard rumors,” Jade interrupted, lying on the spot, pretending to know what Shining was getting at, “We refused to believe any of it.”

“But you’ve heard. It’s rich, yeah, isn’t it? This, *hic* paragon of Equestria and love and duty and all the while she’s…she’s…”

“We know better than to doubt our princess’s virtue,” Jade insisted.

“Virtue,” Shining scoffed, “You’ll find more virtue in the dungeon privy than in Cady. She’s been at it for months. Servants, guards, ambassadors, all under my nose…”

Buttercup’s jaw dropped again in horror. She glanced at Jade, who was fighting back a smirk.

“She gets to have her fun,” Shining said, “Y’know, so, why can’t I? I should…I should get to too…”

“Sir, it would hardly be appropriate for us to-” Jade cooed, teasingly.

Shining shut her up with a raised hoof.

“Oh, once I’m awake, you get cold hooves?” Shining laughed, “Unless you *hic* want, ah, to be out on the streets tomorrow, I…I would advise *hic* finishing what you started…Both of you. That’s an order. And…and don’t stop until I say…I want…I want Cady to come back and see.”

Buttercup glanced at Jade, terrified, while Jade was still smiling.

“If she catches us…we’ll be c-court martialed…We’ll be b-banished, we’ll be-” Buttercup said.

“Orders are orders,” Jade sighed, feigning misery, “Don’t get scared. This is what you wanted the whole time.”

No, that’s not true! Is it? She did not even notice herself still savoring his smell. Did it taste as good as it smelled? If she refused, everypony would find out what she did, and her career would be over. But were her earthly concerns really worth more than the fate of her soul? It’s too late, I’m wicked, I can’t be saved! Buttercup clawed at her mane and sniffled, panicking. She wanted to speak reason to herself, she wanted Celestia to send her a sign, to give her courage, but all she could think about was cock. It was right there, waiting for her lips. Buttercup, don’t…Don’t….Oh no….

With a last, futile attempt at self-control, Buttercup tried to clear her mind…but she had already lost all resolve. The heat had overpowered her completely, and she was entirely enslaved to her primal desires. I don’t have a choice. Oh Celestia, forgive me. Forgive me! I have to have him!

She slid down between the prince’s hind legs, with Jade beside her, together taking in the prince’s sweaty musk. I can smell his whole day. Jade reached his balls first, licking at his hairs while Buttercup pressed her lips against them, gently.

Buttercup winced at the taste, but carried on, dragging her tongue up the shaft all the way to the tip, where she stopped. She circled the tip, and took the first few inches in her mouth gently. She bobbed her head up and down, and, without realizing it, her hoof reached down to rub her clit through her ruined panties. She increased the speed, hammering his head against the back of her throat again and again, all while Jade worked on the prince’s balls, lapping up beads of sweat, kissing and biting softly and sucking with such force that even Shining could not keep himself quiet, grunting and moaning under his breath. He reached to pet Jade’s mane, as if she was a well-behaved cat, and the sight of it made Buttercup jealous for some reason, as if she also needed his approval.

Buttercup moaned like a whore, sucking on his shaft, up and down at a faster and faster pace. Her face was bright red with shame and humiliation, but she couldn't bring herself to pull away. She was utterly enslaved to sin, caught in some devilish snare. She could not think a single thought, and she could not find the strength to pull away.

Just as she began to lose herself to the heat, her ears perked up, at the distant sound of hoofsteps echoing down the hall outside. Buttercup turned pale. Cadance! It had to be her, nopony else had clearance on this floor this late!

Frantically, like cornered prey, Buttercup began slurping and sucking as fast as she possibly could, while Jade kept on worshipping his balls. Her snout was buried right against his shaft, sniffing and breathing in his sweaty stink.

Buttercup whimpered and moaned, as she felt Shining’s cock harden in her mouth. I’m doing it right, aren’t I?? Please please please hurry! Cum! CUM!

At last, Shining’s cock began to erupt, just as Buttercup lifted her lips off his tip. Shining grunted as his hard cock shuddered and pulsed, before pump after pump of sticky off-white cum began jetting out from the tip into the air. Shining dowsed Buttercup’s face in cum, blinding her in both eyes, clogging up her nose, and smearing her makeup. Jade, too, also fell victim to the prince’s liter-load; her mane was soaked and matted, and some of the cum had even collected in her nose ring. Most of it landed in her open mouth, however. Buttercup gasped, partly disgusted, partly shocked, and, above all, hornier than she had ever been in her entire life. I did it! I did it!!

Buttercup retracted a trembling hoof from her soaking-wet pussy, caught her breath, and listened again for the hoofsteps outside. They were closer, definitely closer, and louder, much louder. Shining had fallen back into the bed and shut his eyes, exhausted.

“Quick!” Buttercup whispered at Jade.

Jade giggled and wiped her face off with Shining’s bedsheets, while Buttercup used her own foreleg, frantically wiping her face. Buttercup rushed to grab her helmet and spear, and Jade’s helmet and spear too.

Buttercup leaped out into the hall with Jade beside her. Their helmets were misadjusted and their coats were both damp with sweat, and they arrived just in time to come face to face with Cadance, who had just rounded the corner.

Princess Cadance seemed to have had her fair share of drink that night as well, though not anywhere near to Shining’s extent.

“Ah, corporals, I’m sorry I forgot to say hello earlier, I was a bit distracted,” Cadance said, before her nose began to flare, “...What’s that smell?”

Buttercup and Jade shared a nervous look.

“Are you both alright? You look a bit…” Cadance said, studying the pair. Both girls’ eye makeup was partly running down their cheeks, and there remained a few thick ropes of cum stuck in their coats and manes that neither had been able to wipe off. Cadance seemed unwilling to accept the evidence of her eyes or nose, however.

“Stay right here,” Cadance commanded, in a more serious tone, before making for the door.

Buttercup and Jade stepped aside to allow Cadance through.

Buttercup’s heart was beating out of her chest. She shut her eyes, waiting for Cadance to scream or cry or sentence them both to death. Jade, meanwhile, seemed utterly unbothered, wiping some more cum off her face and licking it all up.

Buttercup did not look back into the room, and neither did Jade. She could only stand there wallowing in her shame. What have I done? Oh Celestia….What have I done??

Cadance returned in the doorway. Buttercup’s eyes were full with tears, while Jade kept her composure.

“It’s late,” Cadance said, “You should both get some sleep.”

Buttercup gasped in fright, as if she had heard something else, something much worse. Jade had to help lead Buttercup away from the door, as she was otherwise frozen in place.

Buttercup did not sleep a wink all night, opting instead to pray, pray, and pray some more. None of it would do her much good, she thought. I’ve committed a mortal sin. My soul is forfeit. Forfeit!!!

She was the first to rise that morning in the mares’ barracks; everypony else was slower to get up, as most were still hung-over from last night’s festivities. Jade was the last out of bed, though was ready by reverie all the same; she did not seem to care to curl her mane or fix her makeup or wash up for the morning, content to join the morning inspection line with a frazzled mess of a mane and two heavy, unflattering bags beneath her eyes.

Glamor Gleam arrived at the barracks a few hours after first light, right on schedule, sipping from her coffee mug that read Top Bitch, a prank-gift from her old squadmates. She carried that mug around as if it was some badge of honor.

Buttercup’s platoon had formed two lines, one alongside either row of bunks, and Buttercup herself had stuck herself in the middle, hoping that her exhaustion would not be noticed.

“At ease,” Glamor said, without sparing a single glance at the lines. All the soldiers relaxed, except for Buttercup, who tensed up. Something was wrong.

Glamor took her time to speak, smirking softly as the dwindling silence broke down Buttercup’s resolve.

“Corporal Jade,” Glamor said, “Corporal Bloom.”

All eyes in the line turned towards one or the two, and some began murmuring to each other, loud enough for Buttercup to hear. Late again, some said. It was nice knowing you, came another.

“Both of you are to come with me,” Glamor continued. Buttercup paled.

Buttercup glanced at Jade, who was yawning and chewing on a granola bar, indifferent.

“...Today, please,” Glamor snarled.

“Can it wait till after breakfast?” Jade asked, earning some incredulous snickers from the other guards.

“Don’t get cute with me. Let’s go,” Glamor barked.

After a few moments of silence, Jade sighed and stepped forward out of the line. Buttercup scampered along after her.

“The rest of you, stick to your schedules,” Glamor said, before turning back to the door, as Jade and Buttercup trailed behind her.

Buttercup wondered where Glamor was leading them. The dungeons, probably. Or maybe the gallows!! Oh, Celestia, just please don’t make it painful!
“Relax,” said Jade, gently. Buttercup did not mean to appear so frightened. She took a deep breath.

“You’re gonna be fine. I promise,” Jade assured.

“How can you know that?” Buttercup whispered.

Jade bit her lip, as if she wanted to answer but could not.

“Just trust me,” Jade said.

Glamor led them up to the royal throne room, that vast, glimmering hall, which was empty except for Shining Armor. The prince sat slumped atop the throne, half-awake, hung-over and drained of color.

“Glamor, stay outside,” Shining said. Glamor’s smirk fell off her face. She must have thought she’d have gotten to spectate.

“My prince,” Glamor managed. She spun around and shot a nasty glare towards Jade’s way.

Glamor trotted out of the room, and the doors shut behind her. Shining gave a sigh of exhaustion as soon as the doors were closed, and glanced at the pair, bitterly.

Buttercup considered falling to her knees and pleading for mercy, but she stayed as she was.

Shining Armor wiped his eyes, which were darting between the two of them. He held his head in his hoof, and shielded his eyes somewhat, as if to conceal himself.

“...I don’t remember much of last night,” Shining said, “...But my wife’s informed me that…possibly…I acted in a way unbefitting of a prince…That there was possibly a…a lapse of morals.”

Buttercup felt like fainting. How could she have so easily succumbed last night? It was right that she be promptly punished. Oh, Celestia. Forget what I said earlier. Make it painful. I should suffer for what I did.

Shining cleared his throat, anxiously.

“If I….If I said some things about Cadance…Things that’d have called her virtue into question…It should go without saying that if any of that was to spread around, she’d…She and me, we’d be ruined,” Shining said, “You understand this, yes?”

“We would never betray your trust, my prince,” Jade said.

“I want to believe that,” Shining said, “...I do. But Cadance, she…She’s made it clear that she’d feel better, safer, if both of you were out of the city.”

Buttercup was paralyzed, and so Jade had to nod her head for the both of them, understandingly.

“But,” Shining sighed, “I don’t want to punish you for a situation I forced you into.”

Buttercup flinched.

“...But, my prince, it was us who-” Buttercup attempted, before Jade stomped on her hoof to shut her up.

“Us who live to serve you, my prince,” Jade interrupted, before sending Buttercup an icy glare, “We know you weren’t yourself. You didn’t mean to make us compromise on our honor…None of us want this to become any bigger of a problem than it already is.”

“Right,” Shining agreed, “I do have to transfer you both, Cady insists on it, but…I don’t want this to look like a punishment, so…The promotion in Canterlot. It’s yours.”

Buttercup’s jaw hit the floor, while Jade struggled to fight back a victorious grin.

“My prince, we…we…” Buttercup stuttered.

“We would be honored, sir,” Jade said, bowing. Buttercup was dumbstruck. I failed. I gave in. And I get promoted for it? This is insane!

“Although, there’s Glamor to consider,” Jade said, and Buttercup could detect the spiteful delight in Jade’s voice.

“There’ll always be next year,” Shining sighed, “...You should know, you won’t be the only ponies under consideration.”

Jade’s smirk began to fade.

“Every garrison in every major city in Equestria is submitting a candidate,” Shining informed them, “The selection process is…rigorous, to put it mildly. But if you make it through, you’ll get to serve on Princess Celestia’s very own personal guard.”

Buttercup felt like fainting. She had only been in Celestia’s presence on time, and could hardly bear to open her eyes, too awestruck to speak or move or do anything at all.

Jade seemed to notice Buttercup’s anxiousness, and she quickly stepped forward.

“Could we have a second to discuss it, sir?” Jade asked.

“Sure,” Shining said, lounging back in his throne, taking advantage of the moment to rest his eyes.

Jade practically dragged Buttercup outside the doors.

“You lied,” Buttercup hissed, “Shining didn’t remember what we did, and you lied.”

“Yeah. Thereby landing us the most exclusive promotion in the grand army. You should be on your knees thanking me,” Jade said.

“The promotion’s what you wanted all along, isn’t it?” Buttercup demanded, “You used him! You used me!”

Jade sighed and glanced at the floor.

“What do you want me to say?” Jade said, “I saw a chance so I took it. I had no idea that you’d join in. I did what I did for my career. You did it because you’re -”

“Don’t,” Buttercup interrupted, horrified, “I can’t believe you. Since when have you ever cared about your career?”

“Maybe I’m getting tired of being a loser,” Jade said, “Aren’t you?”

Buttercup glared at her, and sighed, defeated.

“Cheating won’t make us winners,” Buttercup said.

“No, but it will give us a chance,” Jade said, “I got us our shot. Now we have to take it.”

“What makes you think either of us will stand a chance against all the other ponies who got picked? Ponies who, by the way, actually deserve to be there?!”

“I got us this far, didn’t I?” Jade smirked.

“Jade. You can’t sleep your way to the top,” Buttercup said.

“First of all, yes, you can. Second of all, I have more tricks up my sleeve than sex. Sex is just more fun,” Jade said.

Buttercup sighed, disapprovingly.

“You think you made a mistake, OK, maybe you did,” Jade acknowledged, “But good can still come from it. You can prove to everypony that you really do deserve to be there. You just have to give yourself a chance. And don’t be so hard on yourself. I know you enjoyed yourself last night.”

Buttercup shifted the weight on her hind thighs, as another wave of heat ran through her. Sucking the prince’s cock had not quenched the fire inside her, if anything it had heaved gasoline on top of it. She was sweating bullets and red in the face, and Jade could tell as plain as day what was going on.

“You can beat it,” Jade said, deciding to humor Buttercup’s fanatical desire for self-discipline, “It’s worse now, isn’t it? Well if you come with me to Canterlot, you’ll be able to prove that you’re stronger.”

Buttercup bit her lip and glanced over her shoulder. Her legs began trembling as the memory of the prince’s cock flooded through her. I can beat this, Buttercup thought. I can prove I’m stronger.

She eyed Jade, whose grin began to widen.

Jade and Buttercup returned to the throne room, startling Shining awake.

“Well?” Shining asked, “What’s it going to be?”

Jade glanced at Buttercup, who wanted nothing more than to disappear off the face of the earth. Jade smirked.
“You’ve got yourself a deal, your highness.”