//------------------------------//
// Chapter Nine: Princess Celestia's announcement 
// Story: Maids of Honor 
// by Foal Star 
//------------------------------//

Mop Head woke up the following morning, and she rubbed her instead with bags under her eyes and then stretched her hooves over her Head. She suddenly needed to use the bathroom and rushed over and gnashed her teeth upon seeing a line of maids waiting outside the bathroom. The unicorn gritted her teeth and then stomped off, seeing there was no point in trying to get to the front of the rest of her fellow maids. Mop Head trotted down the hall as she was rather angry that she had to go to use the bathroom down the aisle. But it wasn't too bad seeing the other maids who frequently use it was done mainly by now, being much more efficient in getting ready for their duties. She then took a shower, fixed her makeup, and tied her mane in a braid. At this point, all of this was second nature to her. She squeaked out loud as Soapy slammed into her wrapping her hooves around her midriff with a smile as she chirped, "hello!" 

"Oh, hey, Soapy! Long time no see!" Mop Head chimed as she turned to face her fellow maid. 

Soapy trotted over next to her and hugged her; she then assisted in fixing up her friend's makeup as the mare sighed "so what's going on, sweetheart? It's been a few days since we last spoke to each other."

Mop Head looked upward with a sheepish smile. It said, "I'm sorry, but I've been trying to get to the bottom of this issue with Princess Celestia turning her guards into maids. Hopefully, this is all coming to an end soon."

Soapy Suds was busy polishing up her friend's makeup as she added, "I hope so too; you look utterly exhausted, let alone being so antisocial recently. Hopefully, we can have a girl's night out when this is all over."

Moppy threw her head over Soapy's shoulder and said, "oh yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea." They held themselves in each other's embrace; then the two broke off as Soapy said, "well, I gotta go get to cleaning Princess Luna's bathroom."

"Right, I have three newbies to teach," Mop Head sighed as Soapy snickered behind a hoof and said, "Oh I heard, the three guards that snuck out to a rave last night?"

"Um, Hmm," Mop Head mumbled as she still felt terrible for them despite sneaking off to party while they were supposed to be on duty. But it was too late, and she had to teach the new maids their responsibilities. She then trotted back to see that the rest of the former guards were dressed in uniforms and fixed their hair. The white-coated pegasi were working with each other getting themselves ready. Meanwhile, Sea Star was helping her sister's mane with a curling iron. Also, Storm Cloud was sitting at the far side of the room as she was working on her short mane and tail, seemingly content to be alone. Mop Head then turned her attention to Orange Julius (who was having difficulties braiding her mane alone), and she seemed embarrassed. Mop Head could relate with her seeing she had her mane in a braid when she was turned from a royal guard to a maid. After getting her hair done and her maid uniform on, she turned to see all three new maids and cleared her throat, "alright, I know I tried to explain things as best I could; my name is Mop Head and as you know, I am in charge of the Maids of Honor but hopefully this won't matter soon. If everything goes well, you should only be maids for a day or two."

"You sure!? You better not be lying to us!" Storm Cloud shouted as she smashed her hoof on the ground.

Leamon Tart patted her curly mane and said, "I don't mind too much but would like to be  stallions as soon as possible."

Orange Julius nodded as Moppy adjusted her uniform and said, "I know, but as I explained last night, we know why Princess Celestia is turning her guards into maids. I sent others to get Twilight to help save the princess before she completely brainwashes her. We need to be patient and give them time. So I'm going to ask you to be on your best behavior and do your duties well."

"Yes, mam!" The other maids all chimed as they performed curtsies; they all did it at once as Mop Head raised her Head and adjusted her little maid's cap and said, "alright, let's go!" They headed out of their dorm and towards the kitchen for breakfast. 





As the other maids were eating breakfast, Amber and Silky Apron were heading back after a long train trip and were somewhat exhausted. Amber was feeling rather anxious as she was wearing her new uniform from Rarity, as did her friend Silky. Luckily it was early in the morning with Princess Celestia recently raising the sun, and she was trying to get to the castle as fast as she could. 

"Come on, stop being so nervous!" Silky Apron exclaimed with a smile as she nuzzled into her friend. "These uniforms are so cute! How can you not love them!?"

Amber rolled her eyes and said, "I think you forget we have to save Equestria while wearing these ridiculous uniforms."

"So what? That's not a big deal! Come on!? We're saving Princess Celestia's life! Keep an eye on the prize, and we'll be living the easy life soon!" 

Amber gave a somewhat reluctant nod as she seemed to be still disgruntled; she just focused on getting back to the palace. The two eventually made it through the grand hall where Princess Celestia was yet to hold court, which was odd, seeing she was rather late. Silky Apron was thinking the same thing as she commented, "this isn't good; you think maybe she had another appointment?"

"Probably getting orders from Aqua and her minions," Amber grumbled under her breath; they then made their way through the castle towards the kitchen to where they assumed their other guards turned maids were at the moment. They then entered the kitchen, where their fellow maids all got up in unison and started coming over to them. The mares all started to introduce themselves, with Amber shouting, "woah! Woah! One at a time!" 

The first two white-coated pegasi names were Dusty Feathers, and the other was Broom Handle, both rather hilarious names. At the same time, she knew Sea Star (who was hoofing her and Silky a cup of tea). The other three were much shyer with the chubby yellow earth pony, a curly orange mane named Lemon Tart, and the cute orange warth pony with her mane in braids named Orange Julius. The moody gray-coated pegasi is nicknamed Stormy. Amber was somewhat angry, though, having her attention fixed on Mop Head and shouting, "you were supposed to keep Princess Celestia from turning more guards into maids!"

"Yeah, I have! I've been keeping her occupied and having her attention away from the other guards. It's not like I can be there with her twenty-four seven," Mop Head growled as she threw her mane back and asked, "so how was the trip? Was it successful?"

"Yes, it was; we got Twilight to help us, so we did our job," Amber snapped back. 

Mop Head rolled her eyes as she admired their new uniforms and said, "well, it seems you have and much more."

Amber started to grumble and curse while Silky Apron chirped, "yes, we have! Aren't these so much better than those stereotypical maid uniforms?" 

"Yes, they are, and we could get a good word in with Rarity if she makes us new uniforms," Silky added as she went on the tables to show off the uniform to the others. 

Then they all heard Princess Celestia's voice boom across the castle, "may I have the Maids of Honor all come to my chambers? I have something important to discuss! I repeat, all of the Maids of Honor, please report to my chambers immediately!"

The mares were all somewhat concerned as they all started to talk together in hushed whispers. Mop Head got up on the table and shouted, "Everypony, listen up! Just stay calm and collected. We should all go to Princess Celestia and see what she needs us for. So keep your heads high, and let's move!"

Mop head's fellow maids all scurried off with the swish of dresses echoing across the halls as they all trotted together. She wondered what Princess Celestia wanted from them as she led her fellow maids to the princess's chambers. 





The head maid alongside everypony curtseyed as they approached the princess. The mare was lying on her bed with Aqua wearing a toga nearby. Mop Head could feel sweat forming on her forehead, wondering if the leader of the sirens knew that she and her fellow maids knew more than what they were letting on. However, Princess Celestia gave them all this plastered smile as she proclaimed, "hello everypony, I think that you all know Aqua?"

"Hello Aqua," many of the maids chimed at once. 

Aqua performed a curtsey as she flashed them a smile and said  "yes, I thank many of you for coming to our spa. It's been helpful to us as we have lost our home to the evil tyrant Storm King and we've been seeking a home with your ponies."

The other maids all blinked, looking somewhat confused as they were rather surprised that Aqua had just exposed herself. Mop Head looked over at the princess of the sun and then asked, "Princess Celestia can you elaborate?"

Princess Celestia continued, "today, I wanted to announce that we will be holding a great banquet to welcome the Sirens into Equestria! It will be held within a week, and I want you to ensure it's perfect!"

The maids of honor looked at each other with unsure looks, with Mop Head clearing her throat and asking for all of them. "Many of my fellow maids wish to return to the stallions and their station as guards? Is there any way we can have that done sooner?"

Princess Celestia's gaze narrowed towards the newest maids and growled, "well, for you, Amber, and Silky Apron, you can return to stallions if you wish to. But as for the others, they all have a week until their punishment is up. Besides, with you as maids, you can provide extra security with your former training as my royal guards are still intact to ensure that no one tries to harm the Sirens in any way."

"Yes, Princess," Mop Head mumbled as she lowered her head while seeing that Aqua was smirking. She then turned her attention to Amber with Silky keeping a hoof on her.

But that was also when Princess Celestia noticed their new uniforms as she slowly trotted around them, seemed to be rather impressed by the outfits, and asked, "where did you get these?"

"Oh, Rarity made them!" Silky exclaimed as she twirled about in her's. "What do you think!?"

"Oh, it's lovely. I will be sure to have Rarity come by to have her make uniforms for all my maids!"

Amber growled as she seemed to hate this idea, but the princess continued, "also, she will make you all personalized gowns for the less formal part of the ball."

The red-headed pegasus wanted to scream, but Silky placed a hoof over her mouth and quickly said, "oh, that does sound lovely; thank you, princess."

The princess of the sun flashed Amber a smirk, then threw out her wings and proclaimed, "well then, that is all! Please go about your duties, and if you have any questions, you can always come to me!"

The rest of the maids curtsied as they trotted off with their heads bowed and rushed out of the room as fast as possible. 





The rest of the day passed rather quickly as the maids were busy keeping the palace clean and making sure Princess Celestia was comfortable (while learning more about this "banquet"); later that evening; the second the maids were getting off shift, Amber shouted, "So there goes all our plans!?" 

Every other maid grumbled in agreement as Mop Head tapped a hoof to her chin. "Not exactly; in fact, this can prove useful in getting the sirens out of the spa allowing it to be wide open for Twilight to take down the statue of Princess Celestia."

"So…until we do this, we gotta be all girly and stuff?" Silky sighed as she lay down on one of the beds. 

"I guess so…" she turned to the new recruits (including the two white-coated pegasi) and said. "I apologize for getting your hopes up. I didn't know that this was going to happen."

The rest of the maids seemed to give each other unsure looks. Then Storm Cloud said, "Hey, we all don't want to be maids, but we got a swarm of evil Sirens brainwashing the princess and trying to take over Equestria. At this point, us being maids doesn't sound that bad."

Mop Head smiled as she came over and held out her hoof. "Well, I have to say all of you did such a good job as maids, and I think we all will have to learn to live together."

Everypony just looked at each other as the maids were unsure how they would last for a whole week.