Sunset and Silver Spanner sat on respective chairs outside the castle with Celestia, Comet and Thunder standing at the entrance of the garden with spears as the two stood silently at attention.

“It is pretty nice out,” Silver Spanner commented and she flicked her mane aside as she shifted on her chair. It had been about a week since they had returned from Cloudsdale. She never thought she’d say this, but she had missed Canterlot. Mainly her parents and Twinkleshine, naturally.

Both her parents had unsurprisingly both accepted the gifts she had gotten them, her father receiving a book on Cloudsdale architecture and her mom getting some dress Celestia had helped her pick out. Something about it being a traditional pegasi dress or something along those lines.

Twinkleshine had gotten a pair of hats from both Sunset and Silver Spanner each. She was the hardest to buy for. At least the other few friends the two had were easy to shop for.

Cadence had quietly returned back to the Crystal Empire to run her own kingdom. Coincidentally enough, a certain sergeant in the royal guard apparently requested a week off at the same time and was allegedly seen on a train with Cadence, but Celestia didn’t care enough to investigate that further. Not her business what her guards did in their free time as long as it wasn’t illegal and painted Equestria in a negative light.

“I hear White Lightning, Sprinkle Medley and Cotton Cloudy are moving out of the castle soon into a cloud house a few blocks away from here,” Silver Spanner continued and glanced at Sunset. “That true?”

Sunset gave a brief nod before stirring her tea. Celestia and Sunset had both offered the the trio two spare rooms in the castle before they managed to get permits to build a cloud house above Canterlot. Celestia may or may not have thrown some of her royal weight around to expedite the process.

Being Princess did have it’s benefits, after all.

“I believe Sprinkle is at work, Cotton is at school so we should only see Whitey,” Sunset answered and bit into a bagel. Sunset and Silver Spanner had spent practically every waking moment with the three unless they were at work or school respectively. Sunset was admittedly surprised at how they were already pretty decent friends and White Lightning knew her way around plenty of jokes.

“Ah excellent,” Celestia’s ears perked up slightly at a pale blue royal guard pegasus with a bright blue mane and brown eyes trotted into the garden with a desert tan with a matching tan mane. “Right on time.”

Sunset and Silver Spanner both shared a quick confused glance as the two new guards saluted Celestia.

“Meet Cobalt Blue, Arctic Breeze and Mythic Hazel, specialists in the Guard,” Celestia introduced the three guards. “I’m personally assigning the first two to Silver Spanner as her guards. Mythic Hazel will be assigned to White Lightning temporarily.”

“Why in Equestria do I need guards? I’m like the least likely to get ponies coming after me,” Silver Spanner protested and shifted to look at the two guards Celestia had pointed out. “Can I ask them to do anything for me?”

“Within reason, yes,” Celestia frowned slightly. “It’s an honor to get assigned guards. Most don’t get any. You can’t order them to commit treason or anything obviously. I have a vested interest in yours and White Lightnings friendship with my daughter.”

Silver Spanner was about to ask why before remembering that Celestia wasn’t always forthcoming with explanations most of the time.

“If I wanted to order them to go home and be with their families, could I?” Silver Spanner wanted to know and Celestia hesitated.

“You can if that is your wish,” Cobalt answered and nudged her helmet straight. “Only one of us may go though. We will meet you at the CSGU every morning, escort you to classes and anywhere else in the day before we escort you home. Your wish is our command, ma’am.”

“Huh. Not entirely sure how to handle this,” Silver Spanner glanced at Sunset who shrugged. “I forgot you’ve been born with guards following your every step. Me, not so much. Thank you, Princess Celestia.”

“You are welcome. I understand this is a bit of a surprising change, but I firmly believe Sunset can help you get acquainted, and myself as well if you ask me. My doors are always open for you as the same for White Lightning, Sprinkle Medley and Cotton Cloudy. These three will answer to Sergeant Comet Chaser as she is the highest ranking in the room,” Celestia explained before pausing. “Outside of myself and Sunset, of course.”

“So there’s a gaming convention in Manehatten in five months,” Sunset started casually after White Lightning landed behind her, the guards lowering their weapons after a moment. “I was thinking me, you, White, Sprinkle and Cotton came come with. Paid by me, of course. I know you three are still settling in and Silver Spanner is uh stingy with bits.”

Sunset decided saying stingy was a lot better than saying Silver Spanners family had money problems occasionally and the unicorn gave her a grateful nod.

“I’ve been looking at hotels already since this morning. And rooms for our unexpected growing group of royal guards,” Sunset mused and tapped on the table. “Hey, Whitey.”

“Sup Sunny, ayo Silver, how’s it going?” White bumped hooves with the pair and stretched out her wings. “Woah, lots of Guards. Did I stumble in on some sorta top secret stuff? I live for that shit, huge conspiracy theorist.”

Celestia chuckled and shook her head.

“Anyway, I’m so game for a gaming convention. See what I did there?” White stole a donut hole from Sunset. “Mine now, thanks.”

“Have at it. Silver Spanner has been complaining she’s been gaining too much weight,” Sunset rolled her eyes and poked Silver Spanners stomach. “Even though we say she’s being ridiculous and looks fine.”

“Hooves off the tummy,” Silver Spanner grumbled and blushed a faint red before swatting Sunset’s hoof away. “Yes, I said tummy White. Don’t even speak.”

White Lightning snickered and licked her lips. Teasing can come later she supposed. And it would come later, she can guarantee that.

White Lightning almost never gave up a chance to mess with her friends. Ever. It was her thing pretty much. The only pony she deemed was off limits was Celestia. Being tossed into Tartarus was not Whites idea of a good time.

It was really hot and fiery all over, a bunch of evil criminals that White didn’t really want to be around. Or at least she assumed it was hot down there.

For all she knew, it was nice and sunny with beaches and palm trees. But it probably wasn’t.

“Anyway,” Celestia coughed into her hoof. “I will let you three make your plans. Come with me, Sergeant and we will discuss you new guards and quarters in my room over tea.”

Sunset idly waited for her to leave before turning to face the other two.

“Now that she’s gone.....”

White Lightning had a feeling she was going to be here for a long time.

Author's Note

Name: Cotton Cloudy.

Age: 7(currently)

Mane Color: Light Blue.

Coat Color: White.

Eye Color: Purple.

Motto: The sky is the limit.

Bio: Cotton Cloudy is the baby sister of White Lightning and is very similar in coloration to the older pegasus, leading many to spread rumors she's secretly White Lightnings daughter. Cotton Cloudy is a quiet pegasus by nature but once she knows you, she is very friendly and affectionate.

Cotton Cloudy secretly knew about her older sisters relationship with Sprinkle Medley, opting to keep quiet about it to protect her sister. She often can be found flying around Canterlot with the two or playing in various spots of Canterlot.

She currently attends school in Ponyville and is a close friend of Dinky's, Button Mash, Alula, Diamond Tiara, Sweetie Belle and Noi. She is a decent student and generally liked by her classmates. She often likes to eat her lunch inside the classroom with Miss Cheerilee instead of on the playground like most of her classmates.

Cotton Cloudy is currently without a cutie mark and an honorary member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders alongside Dinky and Noi.

She looks up to her sister and Sprinkle Medley greatly, often going to the two for advice on personal issues. She currently lives in Canterlot during the school year and first week of summer before returning to her parents for the rest of summer.

She enjoys reading and playing soccer. She was hidden alongside Dinky and a few other foals with Sprinkle Medley during Nightmare Moons return in a basement of a house. She was away in Cloudsdale during the changeling invasion, reading about it a week later in a newspaper.

Cotton Cloudy was allowed to fly with Soarin after her older sister got to spend the day with Soarin, Misty Fly and Spitfire. She is widely liked by the other Wonderbolts and is Wave Chills protege, often attempting to mimick his flying style.

She later is in the crowd watching Twilight's duel with another unicorn and is later seen cheering for the other unicorn. Cotton Cloudy enjoys magic shows and is a close follower of Trixie. She later helps Flitter and Berry Punch set their differences aside to help clean up Canterlot after a storm.

Abilities: Cotton Cloudy is highly intelligent for her age and kind.

Weaknesses: She is understandably naive and has only average strength for her age. Hates needles and doctors.

https://manebooru.art/images/1308191