After explaining everything that transpired back in the gardens and more talks,the Sentinels were once again walking through the lavish hallways of the Canterlot castle with Shining Armor and the pegasus guard; who introduced himself as Sergeant Silent Wing by their sides.
The Princesses had assured them that the Sentinels would be allowed to stay as long as needed within the Equestrian borders, and were given the closest quarters to the gardens so that they could get to their weapons and equipment faster in case of trouble; although after noticing what their weapons were capable of after witnessing the recording, they made the Sentinels promised that they would never use their weapons unless on emergencies which the Sentinels immediately agreed with;thanks to their basic ROE protocol. Twilight and Cadance also revealed themselves to be Shining Armor's sister and wife respectively; much to the Sentinels' surprise.
They also mentioned they will be briefing the generals and top military advisers, who had been very intrigued by their presence and obviously wanted to know more about them; in a militaristic way. Twilight had taken her excuse to return to a town called Ponyville; due to some issue with a band of minotaur thugs led by a minotaur called Iron Will. Although Shining Armor and Gideon insisted they could go with her in case things get dicey, she turned the offer down; stating she could handle it herself, but Gideon had handed her a tablet so she could contact them in case things went wrong.
Gideon's mind was filled with endless train of thoughts until he felt a tug on his leg.
"Hey Gideon, are you okay?" Shining Armor asked.
"Y-yeah I am fine, just trying to get things straight in my head that's all." He replied.
"Look, I am sorry this happened to you guys." Shining Armor said, but Gideon dismissed it.
"No worries mate. It feels good to be out from the war..." Gideon replied "from killing..."
"I agree" Silent Wing spoke up with a heavy but sympathetic voice "As peaceful as Equestria seems like, we royal guards also have to deal with wild beasts from the Everfree Forest; not to mention rogue dragons and rebellious Griffon troops." he said. "I lost a lot of my friends while dealing with them."
"We are sorry to hear that Sergeant" Mitchell replied; earning a smile from the light-gray pegasus.
"I am not trying to be rude here" Joker said to Shining Armor "but are you sure your sister should go without any protection? because even in our world's fairy tales, Minotaurs are dangerous."
Shining smiled "I appreciate your concern, but Twily's a diplomatic mare; she could handle herself." he paused "Besides, the royal guards stationed there could handle them in case things went wrong."
"I hope you are right" Joker replied 'I have a bad feeling about this...'
Shining smiled, and they proceeded down the halls. The walk was quiet and uneventful, save for a few guards who shot them curious glances and castle maids running around; tending the castle grounds. On the way back to the gardens, they passed by two guards flanking a certain blonde alabaster unicorn stallion wearing a tuxedo collar. The guards nodded in acknowledgement but the the blonde unicorn just shrugged them off with arrogance.
"I can't believe my aunts decided to give these hideous mutant apes shelter in our gardens!" the arrogant stallion said with an annoyed tone. The Sentinels ignored the insult and kept on walking, once they were far enough Joker was the one to express his annoyance.
"Wow what a dick!" He said with an annoyed tone.
"Please forgive us for the inconvenience, that was Prince Blueblood" Silent Wing apologized "He is Princesses Celestia and Luna's distant nephew. Calling him spoiled would be an understatement." He said.
"Yeah, I noticed" Joker replied
"He is just a kid" Mitchell stated "He's got a long life ahead of him, sooner or later he will learn his lesson." he continued with a charismatic tone.
"When the hell did you became so inspirational?" Joker smirked "Your brain's molecules got fried or somethin'?"
"Probably" Mitchell joked, they chuckled and kept on walking towards the gardens.
After ten minutes of walking through the hallways, they finally arrived at the gardens. Nothing seemed to be out of place, the Sentinels were all clad in their MultiCam uniforms with no weapons or combat gears other than their standard issue Atlas 45 and MP443 Garachs on their respective holsters, eating lunch ,and chatting with the guards. Just another peaceful afternoon.
"There you guys are!" Ilona put down her meal and ran towards them with Captains Mcknight, Summers, and Menendez in tow.
"So, how did it go?" Captain Menendez asked.
"Nothing special, gave 'em a little history lesson that's all." Gideon replied as they walked to their encampment with the guards in tow. "We've got a shit-ton of intel to go through, but I'll tell ya after lunch. The audience really did a number on me." he chuckled.
After lunch, Gideon, Mitchell, Ramirez, and Joker, briefed them about the outcome of their audience with the Princesses; much to their relief that they are not going to get kicked out of the castle, and the probability of being integrated into the Royal Guards. But when Gideon told them the business with Twilight, they done their weapons and exo-suits in seconds; ready to go when needed.
"You guys" Shining Armor chuckled while walking towards the battle-ready humans "I am sure it's unneces--"
*BEEP* *BEEP*
Suddenly Twilight's distress beacon went off in the Sentinels' tablets and computers.
"Fuck me!" Gideon said while activating his tablet; with Twilight's panicked face coming up on the screen with royal guards running frantically behind her with spears and swords; probably to combat whatever's causing her to contact them.
"Get the Princesses!"he bellowed. With that, two unicorn guards teleported away and returned with the Princesses moments later with concerned expression on their faces.
"Major! can you hear me?!" Twilight asked with a distressed tone.
"I can read you loud and clear Princess!" he replied "Are you alright?"
"I-I am okay" she replied "But half of our Royal Guard has been defeated and the Minotaurs are--" the transmission was cut off when a blast engulfed the background.
"TWILIGHT NO!" Cadance exclaimed hysterically before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.
"Get her to the infirmary!" Shining exclaimed, with that two mare unicorn guards levitated her in their magical grips and took her back to the castle.
"Princess" Gideon said while walking towards Celestia who seemed to be shocked as well.
"We are ready to go on your word..."