//------------------------------// // Pomp and Circumstance // Story: The Three Guards // by BarbarianBrony //------------------------------// On the Canterlot streets was a celebration, one that happens once every two years. The streets were lined with vendors selling their wares and performers showing off their various talents. Musicians, acrobats, jugglers, and magicians were everywhere and the streets were full of laughter. Everypony was excited and having fun while relaxing from a hard days work. It was time to recognize and celebrate the graduating recruits of the Royal Guard Academy. The party was to congratulate the new guards once it was over. All the shop owners were excited since this would add plenty of bits to their pockets over the next few days while the celebration went on. But everyone on the streets knew the real ceremony was happening in the castle were the Oaths were being taken. The Grand Chambers were full of esteemed ponies today for what could be more important the induction of the newest members to the Royal Guard of Equestria. Nobles and elites from all over came to examine those who were deemed worthy to join the ranks of the Guard. Gently in the background, was a orchestral band playing a soft but uplifting tune to try and add some tranquility to the affair. As always it was a ceremony full of pomp and circumstance in which all could revel in the moment.Slowly the quiet whispers died down when Celestia took her throne. Alongside her was the Captain of Her Guard, Shining Armor, who held a scroll containing everypony’s name and their new positions. He cleared his throat and began the opening of the Ceremony. “Welcome all who gather among us to witness those who have shown through hard work and study that they are willing to defend the wielders of Sun and Moon. At these times we proudly stomp our hooves to welcome our new brothers in arms to our ranks. We all know that being here and serving her are tasks that will not be taken lightly. Things will come that others may shy away from, but we will stand to defend that which we swore to uphold. We make the Oath and do not take it without knowing that until we are released from it we must follow it without hesitation. Each of these who stand before us have sworn the Oath many times, but now it will be sworn for all to see. As I call your name you will step forward and be given your new armor to signify where you will serve, and you will swear the Oath to Her Highness for all to see.” Celestia smiled gently as she rose to award their armor. “Silver Shield.” Finally the day is here. The day where I am no longer a recruit, but a full fledged member of the Guard. Buckler excitedly thought to himself as he watched a silver unicorn walk up, kneel to swear the Oath, and receive his armor. His wing kept twitching with anticipation as another was called. I know I will make the Celestial unit; how could I not being number four in my class. I worked my way up from barely getting in, to no doubt serving in Celestia’s personal squad. With there only being two options when being assigned to the Guard. You were either a basic Palace Guard or you were assigned to the Celestial Unit. How could I not be assigned to it? He watched nervously as Knightly was given the golden armor of the Celestial Unit. Knightly was the third in class and there was no doubt in Buckler’s mind where he was going to be assigned. “Buckler.” He jumped slightly as his name was called. Buckler quickly kneeled and swore the Oath without hesitation. “As breath flows through my lungs, I will continue to fight. Under the darkest of days, and beneath moonless nights. I will protect the Sun and Moon, with all of my might. My duty is to Equestria, and every one of its plights.” He rose to accept his armor, but Celestia did not have any armor for him and only nodded at him. He froze in panic, What? Where is my armor? Did I not really pass? This must be a nightmare! Shining Armor cleared his throat and motioned for him to return to his position with his comrades. Buckler immediately followed his Captain’s silent orders. He trotted slowly back to his position and would not look at his fellow graduates, in fear they were mocking him. No one had ever not been given armor at their graduation. Time seemed to have stopped for him as one by one people received the new positions except him. As soon as the Ceremony was over he quietly walked to the Captain’s office crushed and ready to face whatever punishment laid out for him. He had been in here only once before and it had not changed at all. Shining Armor’s office was large in size but crammed with bookcases and other furniture. He looked at the bookcases and saw countless books on past wars, battle tactics, and combat casting. Also displayed proudly were several pictures of the Captain’s sister Twilight Sparkle. Often Buckler wished Twilight was still here. They had been friends until she was enrolled at the Gifted Unicorn School and he at the Academy. He remembered her always nose deep into books often bumping into walls while walking and reading simultaneously. She showed him so much about the night sky and its vast beauty that he often camped out overnight and basked until his mother dragged him home. He turned and sat at the desk recalling how his present situation was no excuse to escape into his past. He stared at the old map pinned across the entire wall behind Shining Armor’s desk. It looked like it had been there for several generations. How many ponies had it seen come into this office? Only one of them had not been good enough to be given a position. Eventually Shining Armor walked into the office looking surprised at what he saw. Buckler was from the looks of it in a deep pit of despair, but with no obvious reason to it. “What seems to be the problem, Private Buckler?” he asked softly. Buckler froze, when had the Captain walked in? “Sir, I have come for any and all punishments I deserve. I somehow failed to make it into any unit. I don’t know what I did wrong, but I trust your judgment for not assigning me anywhere and I came to turn in my uniform.” Shining Armor chuckled softly, “You know better than that, Buckler. Only the Princess can remove that uniform from you. Is that what is bothering you or is it the absence of my little sister?” Buckler was shocked “What makes you think I was missing your sister?” “Well the fact that she has been so absorbed in her studying that she hasn’t written to either of us in several months. I saw you glance at her picture and stare off for a few minutes. Oh and the fact that you are still easy to read like a book. But my main concern is why are you so depressed? You are a full fledged member of the guard, by all means you should be ecstatic.” he said while studying the younger stallion. “THEN WHY DID I NOT GET ASSIGNED?” roared Buckler finally cracking under the stress and frustration. His wings were lifeless against his ashen coat and his whole body shook in anger. “What did I do wrong to not earn your approval?” he hissed while reining in his anger. “Wrong? Who said you did anything wrong? You…” he paused looking over Buckler’s shoulder. Buckler looked up and saw the flowing multi colored mane that moved with an unseen wind. Princess Celestia! He quickly dropped to his knees not daring to look at anything but the polished floor. “Forgive me your Highness I am sorry that I failed you in any way!” he quickly said hoping to earn some form of forgiveness from the ruler of all Equestria. “Rise, my faithful Guard.” She gently commanded. “You have not failed me at all.” Her voice was like silk so soft he could not help but give into its soothing coaxing. He rose slowly to his hooves but could not look at her face. “Why would you think you failed me?” she asked softly. “I was not assigned to any unit. Therefore I am not worth putting anywhere. I swore the Oath thinking that all I had worked for was about to be realized. Instead I am the only one in the history of the guard who has never been awarded a position to serve in.” he said rapidly as he continued to stare at floor. “Captain? Why did you not explain it to him beforehand?” Celestia chided now looking over at him. “I apologize, Ma’am, but what with the ceremony and still having to keep everything running while shorthanded. It slipped my mind. I was about to tell him of my blunder, but you graced us with your presence before I could explain.” Shining Armor stated. “Ah I see,” she chuckled “my apologies, Captain, I understand that you have been stretched thin lately. However that shouldn’t be a problem anymore now.” “Yes, Princess. I will get the privates into their positions as smoothly and quickly as possible.” Shining Armor said shuffling through the papers on his desk. “Don’t forget to have everything prepared once the last of the renovations to the northern tower is complete. The new guard barracks will need to be stocked for Buckler and the upper chambers will have to be addressed as well.” Celestia reminded Shining. “The Royal Architect sent word earlier that the renovations should be complete within a week, however he needed to speak with you about the decor since you seemed to have left out those details in your blueprints.” Shining Armor said as he showed her the architect’s letter. “I will go take care of that in a little while after we have finished here. I think that he is worried that I won’t like his choice in paint or something silly like that.” She said laughing lightly, “But we still can’t just have poor Buckler here all by himself that won’t do for a true unit and he might die from boredom in the next couple of weeks.” “Well if what you are saying is to come true, Your Majesty, we will need more than just him. At least one more, but no one can really be asked to volunteer for this. I was thinking of asking Lieutenant Ace Feathers but I don’t know if he will agree to be transferred. He is far too stubborn to give up his position.” “Excuse me, Your Highness, but what are you talking about?” Buckler asked looking between the two of them after having slightly regained his composure. They both turned and looked at him. The Captain looked like he was trying to carefully word what he was about to say as if he had to hold back some things. “I am sorry, Buckler. You won’t be given your position until after the Summer Sun Celebration has been completed in Ponyville.” Shining Armor admitted with a sigh. “Why so long, Captain?” he asked. “What is so special that requires me to wait till then?” And what about all the other things you two were discussing? he thought to himself wondering what exactly that they planned to do with him that would involve the northern tower. “Why, that is simple,” Celestia said smiling with a far-off look, “Your assigned spot is in the Lunar Guard.”