//------------------------------//
// Chapter Twenty-One: Crime and Punishment 
// Story: Princess of Shadows, Darkness, and Light 
// by jwizard 
//------------------------------//

Equestria, Canterlot Castle, 06-16-05 A.N.M., 9:22 A.M. (After Nightmare Moon)


The next day started early for both Rainbow Dash and Twilight, as each fully slipped into the duties of Regency.

Much to Rainbow Dash’s surprise, she found that she was well-suited for the business of rule, something that was more than a bit odd. As a mare of action, she would have thought that spending hours on end in meeting after meeting would be a chore. However, things were far different than she was expecting.

For starters, Celestia really didn’t do as much work as ponies thought. Because of the fact that Equestria was split into several autonomous regions, much of the running of the country was done locally. Canterlot was the seat of the Grand Assembly and High Council, but those bodies didn’t actually run the country. Instead, bureaucrats- both noble and commoner -were appointed by the Royal House to fulfill certain roles. The process was almost automatic.

In addition, Twilight was a demon when it came to paperwork; oddly enough, she had passed some of that ethic onto Rainbow Dash as well. Plus, Rainbow’s curious aspect as Alicorn of Light gave her the ability to be in multiple places at once at need, something that other alicorns could only do using Astral Projection. Using that all the time was mentally exhausting for the cyan alicorn though, so she only did so when there was a pressing need.

The only real issue was Day Court, which took up far too much time as it was the traditional time for the titled nobility to air their grievances. For centuries, Celestia thought it was the better part of valor to just let them complain, as most never had any real authority. However, Rainbow Dash agreed with Luna’s opinion about Day Court:

These foals made it out to be a colossal waste of time.

“Twi, tell me again why we’re wasting time going over a useless proposal like this?” Rainbow groused. The two were in what was usually Celestia’s conference room, going over a petition by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Twilight only frowned in response.

“I’m starting to really wonder that myself; Steel Hoof already knows that I’m not going to go over Celestia’s horn on this issue, so I don’t know why he’s bothering with this. Unless, of course, that this is yet another attempt to undermine my authority.” Twilight ran a hoof through her mane in frustration. “Steel Hoof thinks the same as so many of the older nobility; that we’re too young and naive to see through a ruse like this.” She took a pen and wrote down ‘vetoed’ on the bottom of the petition before stamping it. She then set it down with other similarly rejected proposals before turning to Rainbow Dash.

The cyan alicorn was busy reading yet another proposal, humming thoughtfully as she did so. She looked up at her partner. “Twi, this one’s actually pretty intelligent; the noble is calling for a census of all wealthy ponies in Equestria.” Rainbow floated the proposal over to Twilight.

Twilight frowned as she read it. “Huh, it’s not even written in flowery language; who wrote this?” She blinked, then grinned as she got to the end. “Seems like Bluey has learned a thing or two; this doesn’t have his name on it, but this is one of his peers. One of the good ones I would say.” Twilight wrote ‘approved for further consideration’ on the petition before stamping it. She then floated it back over to her counterpart. Rainbow took it with aplomb and did the same.

“One good proposal out of the fifty we’ve looked over this morning,” she said. Rainbow picked up the next one. She only glanced at it before snorting. “What a joke!” She vetoed it before passing it over to Twilight.

Twilight took one look at the petition in question and facehoofed. “Ugh, I don’t even know why she thought she could get that passed us. Good catch Rainbow Dash.”

Twilight was about to unroll the next petition when a scroll bearing the seal of EIS appeared before her. She unrolled it and read the brief note. “Bright Knowledge has sent word; you and I are needed in the High Court Audience chamber.” She turned to one of the Royal Guards-mares standing along the door to the conference room. “Send word to the Seneschal; Morning Court will be postponed until our business with EIS is confirmed.” She then gestured to Rainbow Dash. The two teleported to save time. Knowing Bright Knowledge, she would not have sent word like this if it wasn’t serious.





A pair of teleports later, Rainbow Dash and Twilight both found themselves in the Chambers of the High Court.

Even though the territories in Equestria were autonomous, the High Court in Canterlot had jurisprudence over all of the other courts in Equestria. The reason for this was simple; Justices were selected by the Royal House, but only after undergoing extensive examination by Priests of the assembled Essences.

For the first few decades after Luna’s Fall, Celestia continued to hear each and every case personally. However, that soon became unwieldy as more and more territory came under Equestria’s control. Plus, it had always been the intent for there to be a separate judicial system, one that was outside noble control. Having Justices that were appointed- rather than elected officials -meant that there was no risk of them being compromised due to a contrary political belief.

More than just the High Court operated out of these chambers though. It was also where the offices of the Equestrian Intelligence Service could be found.

Rainbow Dash saw that Sunset Shimmer was waiting for them with a neutral expression. She raised her brow, but didn’t comment as the orange alicorn led the other two into Bright Knowledge’s office.

During their journey to the Crystal Palace, Rainbow Dash had come to realize that there was more going on with Bright Knowledge than being a pocket spy. It came as no surprise to her when she discovered that Bright Knowledge was in charge of EIS, though Celestia was unaware of her pegacorn nature when the appointment was made.

After her consternation at learning that the pony she named as its chief was a closet pegacorn, Celestia realized the benefit of having an alicorn in charge of Equestria’s intelligence. Plus, this was the only way she could honor Bright Knowledge as an alicorn, as she categorically refused to be crowned as a princess.

Bright Knowledge’s expression was as neutral as Sunset’s as the three alicorns approached her desk. Once they were all settled, she sighed before placing a manilla folder before Twilight. “Princess Twilight, I would have sent this evidence through the normal channels if it weren’t due to its sensitive nature. I am afraid that it is quite serious; so serious in fact, that the Council of Eight has already ordered the arrest of the remaining accused.”

Twilight opened the folder with trepidation. As she read its contents, her expression paled. When she finished, she swallowed before looking up at Sunset with a beseeching look. Sunset shook her head. “I’m sorry Twilight, but it’s already been confirmed. What’s there is all too true.”

Rainbow Dash frowned. “Um, what happened?”

Twilight just sat there in shock. Sunset ran a hoof through her mane before answering the cyan alicorn. “At nine minutes past eight o'clock this morning, the head of Valiant Armor was found on a post in the front yard of the Manor House of House Librania. The report came on the heels of confirmed evidence that the late former Lord was involved in the business of slavery, in addition to the full measure of Clan Method. In addition, Royal Guards-ponies have arrested Aegis Armor for suspicion of murder, as what witnesses we have found said that it was Valiant Armor’s own brother that killed the late former lord.”

Bright Knowledge nodded. “We already had some evidence of both, but not enough to confirm anything. However, the actions of the former Lady Lily Leaf of Stalliongrad were enough to confirm what was already suspected. A number of the retainers of both former nobles has turned State’s evidence to avoid petrification.” The lilac alicorn sighed. “As you might have guessed, since both of the accused are connected to House Armor, I had the unenviable duty to inform Lord Aegis Armor of what evidence we had gathered. He now awaits Justice, though not for murder. Equicide, yes, but not murder; you all know as well as I do that had Princess Luna found this out, she would have done the same.”

Sunset shook her head. “Luna may have done some things that were borderline illegal in the past, but she wouldn’t have done something like this.” Rainbow snorted.

“Sunset, you’re right, but you’re also wrong. She’d have had the dead pony arrested, tried, convicted, and then would have removed his head. What’s worse, is if he was somehow found not guilty, she would have claimed Alicorn Justice on him and took his head anyway.”

At this point, Twilight was able to collect herself, though she was still pale. “What Rainbow Dash said is true; Luna has nothing but contempt for slavery; she’s executed her own commanders that were involved with such things before.” She shook herself before turning a level gaze onto Bright Knowledge. “Was the evidence you had against my uncle conclusive?” The lilac alicorn nodded grimly.

“As I have already mentioned, my ponies have been watching them for some time. Like with all criminal activities that the Five Families have been involved with, there was never much to go on.” She tapped another, much thicker folder sitting on her desk. “However, what we have recently found out gave us links to prior evidence.” Bright Knowledge sighed. “Aegis Armor did not seem all that surprised that his own brother had been involved. Angry; very angry in fact. No surprise though.”

Twilight lifted the second folder and started going through the documents. As she read, the purple alicorn nodded a few times. After a few minutes, Twilight set the folder down before shaking her head. “Not only were my surviving grandparents guilty of the Clan Method of brainwashing, but that my own uncle was involved with slavery. Pleasure slavery! The only thing that has kept him alive since Luna’s return was the fact that highly placed nobles were involved in keeping it a secret!”

Twilight turned her attention to the Guards-mare standing at attention. “Corporal, inform the Commander; I’m stepping up the timetable. I want the rest of the conspirators arrested by the end of the day. We can no longer afford to wait on this.” The pegasus mare saluted before leaving. “Bright Knowledge, gather the necessary items and have them brought to the Courtroom. Once you’ve done that, have soldiers of my Dusk Guard escort Andromeda Titania- she is of this moment stricken from the Rolls and Book of House Sparkle -to the nearby holding cells. I have a few things that need preparation before the Ritual.” She then teleported away. Bright Knowledge excused herself to do what was asked of her.

Sunset frowned. “I was under the impression that a petrification doesn’t require any special items, other than the official Scroll of Records,” she said. She then noticed that Rainbow Dash had paled just as much as Twilight had earlier.

“Petrification doesn’t, but there are a few that are needed for the Ritual of Exile,” the cyan alicorn said faintly. She was once more forced to levy her poise as an alicorn in order to continue. “Twi’s gonna have to use one of the worst Rituals out there on a member of her own family.”

Sunset blanched as she realized what Rainbow Dash meant. “Y-you mean Exalia Equus?”she asked faintly. Rainbow nodded.

Of all the Rituals in existence, Exalia Equus was perhaps the most savage and brutal Ritual that had ever been developed. The Ritual was simple; using the power of the Primal Star, the Ritual did exactly what its name implied. Anyone who had the Ritual performed on them was separated from all of Equus, unable to interact with others. The only way such an individual could interact with everyone else would be to do with those charged with watching over the Unwilling Exiled; the Guardians of the Lost.

When the Ritual of Exiles was originally considered, the ancient Magi had wanted to temper it with at least some mercy. One of the ways was to allow the condemned individual to still have familial connections in order to temper the disconnect. In fact, the first version did that, only to have the three daughters of a sociopathic pony be drained of their life force to fuel their father’s return. After that, the Ritual was redesigned in such a way that severed any and all ties the condemned had forged.

It went even further; outside of special records, only those present and the direct family- if any -of the accused would remember that the condemned even existed. As such, the only ones who knew how many times that Celestia had been forced to perform the Ritual were a bare hoofful.

All of this flashed through her mind as Sunset shuddered. “But why? Why would she even consider it?! Petrification, even death would be preferable to that!”

Rainbow sighed heavily. “If it were any less, it would be those two. In this though, Twi’s gonna follow the Founder’s Law. Look, I know it’s harsh; Twilight knows it too! But in this case, her hooves are tied.”

Sunset sighed heavily. “This can’t be easy for her; to have to render Judgement like this on her own grandmother of all ponies.” Rainbow scowled.

“I know what Twi’s thinking right now, and as far as she’s concerned, Andromeda Titania is no longer her grandmother; the same goes for the late, unlamented Valiant Armor. By doing what they’ve done, they’ve destroyed whatever familial bonds they ever had.” Rainbow sighed again. “I just hope she’s able to hold herself together after this.”

Sunset frowned. “You sound as though this is an area of concern, Rainbow.” Rainbow nodded.

“There’s been a few times in our journey where Twi’s thaumatic signature has altered due to both fear and anger. I’ve been hoping we were passed all of that, then something like this happens.”

Sunset gave her friend a stern look. “All we can do is be there for her. No matter how much she denies it, this is still going to hurt. Making this kind of decision is never easy.” Rainbow nodded firmly as the two made their way to the Main Courtroom of the High Court of Canterlot.





One would think that a pony of Andromeda Titania’s age would show it; however, there was nothing that showed that she was any older than her daughter despite being past forty when Twilight Velvet was born.

Another incongruence was why such a fragile-seeming mare would need to be held under guard by no less than twenty Guards-ponies. One would have been surprised to learn that she had cause grievous injuries to half a dozen of the highly-skilled Royal Guards that had been sent to arrest her. It was only after the Commander of Twilight’s Dusk Guard had arrived that they were able to subdue her. Against a stallion that had instruction in high level combat magic by both the Princess of Friendship and the new Prince of the Crystal Empire, even a mare skilled as Andromeda stood little chance.

In spite of all of this, Andromeda Titania acted as though it was her that had been wronged. “You brutes have no idea just who you have falsely arrested,” she said for the umpteenth time. “I am a highly regarded noble, and you have no right to treat me like this.” The mares and stallions- except for their Commander -simply ignored the bound mare.

Commander Orpheus snorted in anger. “Keep on deluding yourself bitch; the only reason why you’re able to talk now is because none of those sent to apprehend you were killed. You would be hobbled far worse if any had died.”

Andromeda snorted. “Oh please, spare me. If you had done so, my granddaughter would have had you dealt with.” Orpheus snorted, this time with dark amusement.

“I happen to think differently; had any of them died, my Sovereign would have had you under so many bindings that you’d scarcely be able to piss yourself.” The sable unicorn gazed at the haughty mare levelly. “It’s only at her further pleasure that you’re even alive now; as it is, you should have lost your head along with your son in law’s father for your crimes. Were it up to me, you would already be dead.”

Even these words didn’t register to the haughty mare. “So you say; well, your Sovereign isn’t here to say otherwise, and I would think that you would be more cautionary as to saying such things. I know my granddaughter far better than you do, and she is one that will always do what is right and proper.”

Orpheus smiled grimly. “Oh, there’s no doubt of that; which means that she will either take your head or Exile you, as that is no more than what you deserve.” Andromeda simply snorted; not even this could get past her narcissism, though she did decide that further words were a waste of her time.

A few minutes later, a knock at the door heralded the arrival of Bright Knowledge. Andromeda made no gesture of surprise at the arrival of the lilac alicorn; in fact, she acted as though Bright Knowledge was still the lilac unicorn she had acted as for so many years. Then again, that was hardly unusual; the lilac alicorn in question had long mastered any number of perception filters to appear differently to those around her. None of the ones she commonly employed had the vulnerabilities that the ones Luna often used either; the only risk was that they required a more complicated setup, and used up a lot of mana. Not the most conserving of spells.

Bright Knowledge gazed impassively at the hobbled unicorn. She had had little trust for this mare for a long time, having suspected her of grievous acts years ago. Her only regret in all of this was not having any evidence to act on those suspicions. “Andromeda Titania, it is time for Judgement to be heard concerning your actions. I do hope that you have made peace with Harmony, and may She have mercy on your soul.” She then gestured to the stallions around the unicorn.

Andromeda made to fight them, but Bright Knowledge had triggered a paralytic lock aura, making it impossible for her to move. In addition, she also triggered a First Class thaumic barrier as well, preventing Andromeda from being able to channel any mana into the prepared unicorn runic she had in reserve as a means of escape.

Normally, neither one of these things would be necessary; however, the alicorn had had experience with ponies such as this. Andromeda Titania was one of those rare ponies that possessed a narcissistic personality disorder. In her case, it was severe enough that she should have had her right to bear and raise foals removed, never mind the position that she had held for so many years. Nothing happened however; her mother had ensured that the doctor that had made that ruling lost both her reputation and her life. That was one of a number of things that had EIS watching the leaders of House Titania for many a year.

The Guards-stallions surrounding her escorted a completely haughty and unrepentant Andromeda Titania to the main Courtroom. Once they were there, all of her restraints were removed. Andromeda smiled inwardly. How foalish. Before she could make good on her escape- and raise the army of mercenaries that she still thought they didn’t know about -a high level thaumic barrier canceled out all of her prepared runic.

Andromeda snarled inwardly as she looked to where Twilight was standing. For the first time in her life, she suddenly felt something that she never felt before; fear.

Twilight’s expression was cold as she gazed at Andromeda. “Andromeda Titania, you stand accused of High Crimes against Equinity, and against All of Worth.” A beam of harmonic energy passed over the mare from the Priest standing next to the princess. The Priest nodded impassively, confirming what was already known. Twilight’s expression got colder as she continued.

“As has been confirmed, whether or not you plead guilty to the charges before you doesn’t matter; your guilt is confirmed. Judgement will now be rendered.” Twilight’s impassive expression bored into the mare standing in the middle of the runic circle that now graced the floor of the Courtroom.

Andromeda’s heart began to beat with a sense of heavy fear as Twilight’s presence as Alicorn of Magic bore down heavily on her. “Let We assembled hear the charges that you are guilty of.”

The Bailiff on her other side cleared her throat before speaking. “Andromeda of House Titania, you stand guilty of the Clan Method of foal-rearing, the Clan Method of blackmail, and the Clan Method of Status. You also stand guilty of no less than sixty-seven counts of Murder in the First Degree, and sixty-nine counts of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the First Degree.” The pegacorn mare stopped for a moment to let all of that sink in before continuing.

“In addition to those heinous crimes, you stand guilty of an uncountable number of counts of Child Abuse, Child Endangerment, and Child Slavery. You also stand guilty of the Crimes of Treason against Equestria for the crime of Slavery.” The mare rolled up the scroll before her. “There are far too many counts of her crimes to list here, Your Highness.” This last was said to Twilight.

Twilight’s gaze hardened. “I hope you are able to understand the severity of your crimes, Andromeda Titania. The loss of your status as a member of both your House- and mine own -is the least that would happen for even one charge of slavery. In times of old, you would have been as dead as Valiant Librania is for just one charge.”

“However, I feel that even the mercy of death is something that you simply do not have a right to; you have shown that you have no mercy, no compassion in that cold, selfish soul. A fate most fitting for one such as you has been decided. You are to live out the remainder of your natural life in Exile from all of Equus.” Twilight turned to the Priest next to her. “Prepare the Ritual.”

The Priest nodded to three of her fellow Priests. These three all held one of the Ritual items; the Book of Knowledge, the Sigil of Wisdom, and the Scepter of Understanding. Each one of these objects were tied to both the Ritual, and to the Eternal Guardians of Knowledge.

The three Priests each stepped onto one of the four Cardinal points on the sigil. Twilight herself stepped onto the fourth, just in front of Andromeda. The mare in the center was unable to move or think; Twilight’s presence as an alicorn had rendered her completely silent. Even so, she was still unmoved in her right, knowing that even this would have no effect.

She was about to find out that her time was up.

Twilight summoned Starfall without a word, and held the bound sword aloft in a ritual pose. Bands of mana started to coalesce on the blade as the three Priests began to intone the words of the Ritual.

As the Ritual began, all present could feel the Power of the Primal Star as She made Herself known.

Starfall began to glow as the Priests finished chanting. Twilight leveled the bound sword and pointed her at Andromeda. He tone harsh, Twilight finished the Ritual. “Let all know that the pony before Us, Andromeda Majestica, has been Judged, and found unworthy of the Name she was born to. She will be unknown to all for her crimes; her name will not be Anathema, for one cannot make one that is both Forgotten and Unknown Anathema.”

“By the Sacred Heart of Harmony, I do sever you from Equus. By the Power of the Primal Star, I do separate you from Time and Space. By She of Knowledge, She of Wisdom, and She of Understanding, let all of your works and all of your Power be undone. You are now ~sic~ among this world. Let this Ritual be Bound by She of Creation, and He of Justice!”

With the final words spoken, Andromeda became encased in a bubble of pure light. Three harsh flashes flared before the bubble dissipated. As it cleared, Andromeda was still present. However, her expression was one of a pony that was completely broken.

When she was much younger, the now-Exiled mare had taken steps to ensure that not even Exalia Equus  would be able to work on her. She now realized that they had failed, for when Twilight was finished, it was as if those very bindings had never existed.

Far, far worse however, was the additional level that her granddaughter had added to it. Though the Ritual did call for the Power of the Primal Star, the only requirement for the Triad was the use of the Ritual objects tied to their Aspects. By Calling on them as she had, Twilight had made it so that Andromeda lost everything. Her thaumatic pathways were undone; it was as if she was born without any. All knowledge of magic- indeed, all knowledge of anything save the most basic of reading, writing, and arithmetic -was also removed. In addition, her ability to comprehend such things- and any wisdom that she had acquired in her life -were cut as well.

In short, Andromeda Majestica no longer possessed even the basest of skills; instead, she had been rendered to the level of slavery that she had placed so many into.

Truly, she had suffered a fate far worse than death.

‘No more than what you deserve,” Twilight said as she turned away. Andromeda collapsed to her knees, sobbing. However, not one pony present had any sympathy for her. She soon faded away as if she had never been.






Hour later, Sunset Shimmer stared at the form of Twilight as she sat in front of the Solar Throne. She had borne witness to the Ritual, but that wasn’t a concern.

What was was the actions of the Princess of Friendship afterwards. She was cordial and polite, but it seemed as though there was something broken. When she asked Rainbow Dash, the cyan alicorn didn’t answer; instead, she simply went over to the purple mare and gave her a hug.

Even this seemed to have little effect. Sunset had considered using her authority as an alicorn to cancel Day Court, but Twilight wouldn’t hear of it. Sunset watched as her friend listened to the last petitioner of the day. After the mare finished speaking, Twilight smiled before agreeing to the proposed action. It was actually a fairly wise one, as it was a proposed amendment to improve living conditions along the border with the Minotaur Confederacy.

After the petition was approved for review by the currently absent Rainbow Dash, Twilight looked to Sunset. “Mares and gentlecolts, today’s session of Day Court is at an end. The next scheduled is in three days. Have a great weekend.”

Sunset was about to join up with Twilight, only to see that she had already teleported away. She frowned. “I don’t know what’s wrong; she’s not acting at all like the Twilight I remember. I just wish I knew how to help.”

Sunset made her way to the nearby conference room; there was still a few details to go over concerning the upcoming raid on the rest of the conspiracy. The orange alicorn smiled in relief at seeing her mother waiting. She trotted over and gave the larger alicorn a hug.

Sunset broke off the hug and then looked at Hope. “Mother, I don’t know how to handle all of this. Twilight’s not acting like herself, and Rainbow Dash won’t say anything about it when I ask her. I don’t know how I’m supposed to advise a pony when I don’t even know what’s wrong.”

“That’s because there really isn’t anything we can do about it,” said a voice from the door. The two alicorns turned to see that Rainbow Dash was standing there. She walked over to sit next to Sunset before continuing. “That’s why I didn’t answer you earlier, Sunset. Right now, Twilight’s operating on alicorn reflex, and will likely continue to do so until the raids later on tonight.”

Hope nodded. “I suspected as much. Her ego is far too robust to be permanently affected by this, but this sort of thing is never easy.”

“You see Sunset, there comes a time in every alicorn’s life when they truly learn that Evil knows no boundaries. It’s different for each of us; for Twilight, the idea that Evil, true Evil could lie in the heart of a member of her own family is one that she ever allowed herself to contemplate.”

“Some might call her stupid for having such a belief, but it is simply a form of naivete that is all too common. When it happens to a mortal creature, it often causes a loss of innocence. For an alicorn, it changes how we view things. Twilight is coming to grips with that part of our nature that caused so many pegacorns to go feral in the past.”

Sunset blinked. “Is she blaming herself?” Both Hope and Rainbow shook their heads at that.

“No, and she shouldn’t have to. What she’s dealing with right now is what happens when pegacorns and alicorns are forced to render Judgement. The fact that it was her own family has just made it that much harder.” Rainbow Dash put her hoof on Sunset’s withers. “I know you wanna help Sunny, but all we can do now is wait. Twi will come around soon, and will be acting just as goofy as she ever did.”

Sunset frowned at the cyan alicorn. “You sound as if you’ve already dealt with this.” Rainbow nodded.

“When we went North, we were attacked by mercenaries hired by the conspiracy we’re about to deal with in order to kill us. Well, Twilight anyway; I was just a bonus.” She waived her hoof airily. “Anyway, when they went after Twilight, I snapped. Coming down from it, I felt- betrayed. As though a part of me had taken over and made me a monster.” Rainbow Dash shuddered at the memory.

“It’s part of our instinct; as pegacorns, we’re genetically predisposed to be guardians, protectors of those less fortunate. It is more controllable for alicorns, but no less apparent.” Hope sighed.

“For most of us, this has always been at one remove; however, for those who have had a sheltered life, when the Face of Evil rises among those we love, it causes a paradigm shift; a reordering of our thoughts that takes some time to sort out.” Hope sighed. “At least we’ve long since learned the signs, and can prevent her from going feral. Feral pegacorns are bad, but they have nothing on a feral alicorn.”

Sunset fell silent for a few minutes before sighing herself. “I guess all we can do is just be there for her.” The other two nodded.

Rainbow Dash was about to speak when Searching Scroll, Celestia’s Seneschal, arrived with Commander Orpheus of Twilight’s Dusk Guard.

One would think that Orpheus, with his sable coat and dark blue mane, would be a better fit for Luna’s Guard. In fact, he didn’t start out to become a Guard-stallion at all. He was like Twilight in that he had a scholarly bent. However, combined with a tactical mind, it made him a perfect it to lead Twilight’s cadre of elite Guards-ponies.

“Princess Rainbow, Royal Advisor Sunset Shimmer, we’re on time or the raids. They're just waiting for the arrival of a royal to start.” Rainbow perked her head up at that.

“Well, that’s my cue. I was tapped for this by Luna, seeing as my ‘Bolts are on point for the raids.” Rainbow teleported away with an azure flash. Orpheus turned to Sunset.

“We’d best get ready as well, Advisor.” She nodded, following him to the waiting carriage.