By the end of the month, I had finally picked out twenty-four applications.
Even without any bias, the CMC still made it through.
If I had any bias, they probably would have failed. I didn't like the idea of them leaving their jobs for this. But Twilight trusted them almost as much as me, and they passed all of my tests with flying colors.
I just had to get used to it.
At least we would be living close together.
I wrote out their letters of acceptance, placed Twilight's new seal on them, and Spike sent them out to each pony.
I didn't even have to tell them not to respond to the letter. It would be impossible without knowing the spell that currently, only four ponies knew about. Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and I were the only ones that knew about it. Of course, I couldn't actually use that spell, but the theory was interesting.
When the appointed day came, everypony was (thankfully) all present.
I led them all into my newly established classroom, to explain how the Guard would function.
"As you may or may not know already, Princess Sparkle's personal guard is newly formed. As of right now, I am its only member."
A couple hooves immediately raised, but I knew what they were asking.
"Once you undergo the preliminary training, you are considered official Guards. As of right now, you are not. Questions will be answered at the end, however. Please refrain from asking them until then."
The hooves went back down.
This is actually easier than I thought.
"Since this Guard is so small, there are only two ranks, Guard and Captain. I am the Captain. However, if some of you show particular achievement or excellence, there is a third rank: Lieutenant."
"If you are wondering how these ranks translate to members of the Solar or Lunar Guard, well, they don't. We have no authority over any of them, and they have no authority over any of us."
"Pay is rather good. In addition to free food and lodging here in the castle, you will be given wages comparable to many civilian jobs. You could, if you wished, to live off of this money entirely, but I doubt you will want to. The food and living arrangements are quite good."
"Now, you may have some pretty good ideas of what to expect. Forget them. Don't get me wrong: your training will be hard. Very hard. But things work a little bit differently here. Except for official occasions, you will not call me sir. You will not call me Captain. You will call me by my name. It's Starry Night by the way, and Star among friends."
Several jaws dropped, then quickly closed again.
"In public, you will salute those that have a higher rank than yourself, which includes, me, the Princesses, and foreign ambassadors. In private, I want no such nonsense."
"I know that it is unconventional. But tell me, what is Princess Sparkle's title?"
About four hooves raised. I pointed to the first one I saw go up.
"The Princess of Friendship."
Somepony obviously did their homework. Not many ponies knew that.
"Very good. The Princess does not want an army. She wants ponies that represent who she is."
The confusion in the room lessened. But it didn't go away.
"Once you have completed your initial training, you will receive your armor. You will wear it at all times except for sleep. Don't worry, it's comfortable enough. Also, be advised that any weapons we may use are for show only. Once you have completed my training, you won't need to use any weapons."
"One last thing: I am your instructor. I did not hire instructors, because much of what I am teaching no instructor will be able to teach. Some of it, because it is to remain secret. Others, I just have not published yet. But I am your teacher. I will now take questions."
Almost all hooves were in the air.
I pointed randomly; there was no way to determine who raised their hoof first.
They seemed a little reluctant to speak. "What is it?"
"Well, I was just wondering, why did you dismiss some ponies just randomly? I know there were only a few positions, but it just seemed kind of unfair not to allow everypony a chance."
I smiled. "I think that the answer to that might resolve a few more questions. All of you must have noticed that I was blind."
Almost half the remaining hooves went down as as almost the whole class looked at me sheepishly.
"Now, this unfortunately has to remain a secret to the public, but you must know. I may be blind in both eyes, but I can see quite clearly. You see, before I went blind, I learned a technique called Magic Sight."
Another few hands went up.
"Unknown to most, this is not a unicorn-only spell. It is an actually rather simple skill that any average pony might learn. But it is difficult to master, unless of course, you have no other option."
"While this kind of sight has its limitations, it is quite useful in other ways. For example, I can see through walls if the object on the other side is magical enough. For example, I can see Princess Twilight right now."
Varying combinations of shock and interest went through the room.
"But to answer your original question, I did not dismiss those ponies randomly. I could not tell you this then, but the applications that I accepted were from ponies that had enough magic for the training that I intended for you to go through."
"So, you picked us, because we had enough magic?"
"No, I let the ones who had enough magic submit an application. I chose you based on other reasons."
"Like what?"
"Some of it was your statistics. Stuff you put on your application. But that was only half the story. You see, I talked with each applicant. Talked with each of you. That mattered far more than your application statistics."
"So, that was actually an interview?"
"In a way, yes. But I didn't want you to treat it as one. You see, I didn't just want ponies with skill, I wanted ponies with personality as well. The Princess deserves no less."
"If that answered your question, are there any more?"
Only a couple raised this time, and I pointed to the pony who raised their hoof first.
"You said we would wear our armor at all times. Where is yours?"
Oh. Right.
"Actually I am wearing it. It isn't standard-issue. I wanted you to see who I was before I activated it. You see..."
I released my will over the gem, my magic flowing into it.
My armor suddenly sprung from the torc, covering my body. Almost the whole class jumped in alarm, including my old friends, the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
They hadn't seen me with it on, had they?
"...I actually do have it on."
Another ten or so hooves went up.
"No, unfortunately, you aren't going to have one of these. It is literally one-of-a-kind, and it is what the Princess based your armor off of."
They went back down again.
"However, your armor isn't going to be standard Royal Guard armor, either."
I brought out a set from behind my desk.
"Although it looks quite similar, and in fact is based heavily off of the Royal Guard design, it is quite a bit different. Traditional Royal Guard armor has an enchantment that changes your appearance, and an enchantment to prevent manipulation by telekinesis. This armor has the same enchantments, but has quite a bit more protection. It protects against foreign teleportation, and most forms of mind manipulation."
One hoof raised. It was Dinky.
"How are that many enchantments possible? The metal wouldn't be able to hold that many."
"A very good question."
I pointed to Twilight's emblem on the breastplate: a small, six-pointed amethyst.
"The enchantments are actually on this gem. The metal holds no enchantment. This central point of magic is actually very useful, but that is a lesson for another time."
"Anypony else have a question?"
One last pony raised their hoof tentatively.
"I don't mean to be rude or anything, but...how will you teach unicorns magic when you're a pegasus?"
"Actually, that's a very good question. I'm glad you asked it. Before Twilight asked be to become a guard, I was a magical researcher. I studied all kinds of magic. Unicorn magic, pegasus magic, and earth pony magic. Yes, earth ponies and pegasi are just as magical. Although pegasi cannot do unicorn magic, I assure you, I know more about unicorn magic than most unicorns do. But if you are so worried, I will give you a demonstration."
And with that, I levitated a pencil off of my desk.
One could almost taste the silence.
I set it back down carefully, being sure that it didn't explode.
"Now that, actually, is officially impossible. And quite difficult. But I believe it might alleviate some of your concerns."
"Any more questions?"
There was one more, from the same pony.
"If you were just a magical researcher, what prompted you to join Twilight's guard?"
I smiled. "I'm not exactly your normal magical researcher. I take a more...active approach."
"I'm pretty sure you recognize the name Rainbow Dash."
Lots of nods, as well as an "Of course." from Scootaloo.
"Well, she trained me. Taught me the Sonic Rainboom."
Several shocked stares.
"And then I found out how to improve it. And then I taught it back to her."
A pony raised his hoof.
"How exactly could you improve the Sonic Rainboom?"
"I made it easier to do. And then I found a way to silence it. How to cross the sound barrier without making any. The point is, I could probably ace any test on strength and dexterity. That is one reason that Twilight asked me to be her guard. Another reason is that she trusts me completely. And the last reason? Princess Celestia kept pestering her to get a guard already."
Several stifles chuckles went around the room.
"Oh, and another thing: Twilight does not like to be referred to as 'Princess Sparkle' or even 'Princess Twilight'. She usually prefers just 'Twilight'. While we are in the presence of the public, however, they expect something different, and we are going to give it to them. In the viewpoint of others, she is Princess Twilight Sparkle, or just Princess Sparkle, and that is how we are going to address her while anypony is around, excluding the castle staff and her personal friends. So, any last questions?"
There was one last pony with their hoof up.
"Yes?"
"When does training start?"
"Right now, actually."