Twilight Sparkle stared at herself in the mirror. She was never one to openly compliment herself, nor was she one to accept compliments without furious denial either, but she was at least able to admit to herself that she did a great service to the Royal Guard armor. The many months spent toning her body to a physical peak, all the while studying all a manner of spells in attempts to make herself even more useful to the cause had given quite the positive effect to her appearance. Her coat was washed and brushed to a lovely sheen, and her mane had been recently cut, now quite short at the backs and sides, with straight bangs across her forehead.

This is what she had wanted and had been training for her whole life. She had been drilled time and time again under the most intense and thorough pressure, she had been through survival training, sparring matches, and had completed just about every obstacle course that Canterlot had to offer ten times over, even setting the record for one of them. Why, then, did she feel like running and hiding behind her mother?

Almost as if on cue, Twilight Velvet peaked her head in and beamed at her daughter proudly. She squealed in happiness a bit and trotted lightly over to her blushing daughter.

“Ooh, you are dashing in that! Shiny wasn't wrong when he said you wore it like you were made for it.” her mother complimented her, stopping next to the tall purple unicorn, looking into the mirror at the two of them side by side.

“To be fair, the rainments are specifically designed and tailored to fit my measurements exactly, so it's more like that they were made for--”

“Oh hush and learn to take a compliment, kid!” Velvet snapped playfully, interrupting her daughter and earning her a light blush. “You know, I could hardly believe my ears when I heard my little Sparky Baby come up to me and shout “I want to join the Royal Guard like Shiny!” all those years ago. My little bookish nerd of a foal, wanting to join the guard? I never would have guessed! I had you pegged more for the “Librarian” archetype.”

“Yes, mother. I think all of your friends, as well as half of Canterlot have heard that.” Twilight said, rolling her eyes before adjusting her barrel-guard with a twinkle of mulberry coloured magic.

“Stop fretting over yourself, honey, you look fine.” Velvet said with a smile, pausing a moment before licking a hoof and adjusting a stray hair on Twilight’s three toned mane.

“It's my first day on the job, how can I not fret? What if I'm not right for it? Maybe I should have just became a librarian.” Twilight said, the confidence in her tone now wavering, as opposed to her stalwart deadpan tone from before.

“Why shouldn't you fret? Well, apart from the fact that Celestia hoof picked you on the first day of training?” Velvet said, a proud, motherly smile on her face. “You're even more talented at shield spells than your brother, and he got his cutie mark from casting one, for pony’s sake. You've read the guard manual top to bottom, you've remembered every protocol there is to remember and-- Stop that! And you've adjusted your armor about twenty times now, and that's just while I've been here!” Velvet said, semi exasperated at her daughter's over worried state.

“Look at me.” Velvet said, cupping Twilight’s face with a hoof and directing her towards her eyes. “You are going to be amazing out there, Twilight. I just wish Shiny could be here to show you off on your first day.

Just as she was about to roll her eyes, Twilight heard a knock at the door to her room and a short colt with a bold purple coat and a green mane walked in.

“Heheh, wow, Twilight! You look great in that!” Spike said, now rushing in with full fervor, stopping just before his big sister. “Uh, can I give you a hug, or are you gonna hit me for messing up your armor again?”

Twilight giggled and held a hoof out for the young colt, who happily accepted her embrace. They parted after a short while and Twilight turned back to the mirror to adjust her armor again. You never know, that brief hug could have thrown out the symmetry of her outfit by a whole two millimetres.

“Jeez, you're still worried about that? What if you get in, like, a swashbuckling fight with pirate assassins or something! You gonna stop in the middle to fix up your uniform then?”

“Why you…” Twilight pulled Spike closer with magic and ruffled the foals mane with a hoof. They were interrupted by the grandfather clock in the corner letting out a loud ring. Twilight’s heart raced in her chest, the inevitability of the days events growing closer to fruition.

“Oh Celestia, I'm not ready…” Twilight paced on the spot, biting her lip.

“Twilight? It's time to go!” Her dad called out from the living room and Twilight’s heart beat even faster.

“C’mon!” Spike grabbed Twilight by the hoof and pulled her away from the mirror at long last. She composed herself and began trotting out into the living room. Just as she arrived, there was a heavy knock on the front door, causing Twilight’s heart to plummet even further.

Of course, she'd known she'd be here. It was customary for Celestia herself to meet every new recruit at their home on the first day and take them to the castle, but knowing it was coming and actually experiencing it were very different things. While the Canterlot Guard was made up of over a thousand ponies, the Royal Guard was much more special. Only fifty ponies at a time inhabited the Royal Guard barracks, and most of the time, the ponies there had spent years training to be in their position, something which scared Twilight Sparkle even more. She had been hoof picked by the prime monarch of Equestria herself, Princess Celestia, during the tryouts. That was unheard of, and Twilight had most definitely checked. In all of the thousand plus years that the Royal Guard had existed, only two ponies had been hoof picked by Celestia, not to mention those two were FOUNDERS OF EQUESTRIA. What was so special about little old Twilight Sparkle from lower Canterlot that Celestia had decided warranted an immediate promotion up to the position of Royal Guard?

Her musings were cut short as her dad opened the door up, revealing a sight that no matter how many times she saw it, always managed to make Twilight’s jaw drop in awe and admiration.

Flanked by two guards dressed almost identically to Twilight, besides the fact that their armor was adorned with sun markings, indicating that they were the Sun Guard, the only position higher than hers, was Princess Celestia. She was just as radiant and beautiful as she had been on the day of the guard tryouts.
She came to a stop in the middle of the living room and looked down at Twilight with a soft, gentle smile that lit up the entire room when it was shown.

Princess Celestia was here. In her house. In her living room. Standing on her carpet. Smiling at her like an old friend.

“Hello, Lieutenant Twilight Sparkle.” she said, her voice as smooth as honey warmed by the sun itself. Twilight snapped out of her reverie and into a stiff salute, one that she had been practicing for this day.

“Good morning, Princess Celestia!” Twilight barked loudly, as she had practiced alongside her salute many times in front of the mirror.

Celestia giggled softly, sounding somewhat like her mother did when she was amused at something that Twilight or her brothers had done.
Usually something quite embarrassing. Twilight did not blush.

“At ease, Twilight. I do hope you are excited for your first day. You've been quite the talk of the barracks, I've heard. Your brother also speaks highly of you. Last time he was in Canterlot, he hardly spoke a sentence that wasn't praise for your achievements.” Celestia said with a pristine smile on her lips.

“Uh, y-yes ma’am, I do hope I will live up to your expectations.” Twilight said, falling out of her saluting pose to a slightly more relaxed, yet still attentive stance.

“I'm sure you will. Remind me, what exactly was it that you did to catch my eye at the tryouts?”

“Uh, th-that would be my sparring match, Princess.” Twilight said. Had Celestia really forgotten why she hoof picked her?

“Oh yes, the teleportation combat! My, I haven't seen a non alicorn pony use teleportation in centuries, let alone so easily cast it under the stress of battle. You should be proud of yourself. ” Celestia mused with a tone one might use when remembering old war stories amongst veterans. Twilight had to hold back a frown. Was the Princess trying to make her boastful by pointing out her achievements like that? “There's a reason why I decided to give you this assignment, Twilight. I believe you have the potential to do great things.”

“I pledge to serve you to my utmost potential and protect the kingdom with my life!” Twilight snapped to a salute once again.

Celestia giggled and waved a hoof at her.

“Oh, at ease, I say.” She laughed once more. “I have no doubt in your abilities, Twilight. In fact, I do believe I have more confidence in them than you do yourself.” Celestia said, turning toward the door again. “Say your farewells to your family, Lieutenant, and I shall await you in the carriage.”

Twilight saluted as she watched the monarch leave her house, ducking to avoid the top of the wooden door, and stepping into the carriage outside.

Twilight turned to face her family just as a fluffy purple blur slammed into her, gripping her in a tight hug.

“I'm gonna miss you, Twilight!” Spike said, rubbing his face against her fur and assuredly causing a mess of her carefully combed coat.

“It's not like I'm going forever, Spike. I'll be home to see you guys every once and awhile. Even Royal Guards get leave.”

“B-But I miss you already…” He said, sobbing into her chest plate.

“Sparky, I know we've said it a million times before, but we're both so happy for you.” Night Light, Twilight’s father, said, pulling her and her mother into a big family hug.

Stepping back from the hug, Twilight smiled at her family, happy tears threatening to burst from her eyes.

“I'll make you guys proud.” Twilight nodded, certain of her promise as she turned away from her family and follower the solar Princess out to the carriage.

“You already have!” Velvet called, just as the heavy wooden door to her childhood home shut behind her.

If she was being honest with herself, the carriage ride was what she had been dreading the most about this day. What in Equestria was she going to say to Celestia in there!? Would she just end up sitting there awkwardly, gawking as the Princess made fun of her stiffness and inability to relax? It took a beckoning wave from the door of the carriage to remind Twilight that she was already kind of sitting there, gawking. She snapped out of it and briskly made her way into the carriage, the door being shut behind her by one of the Solar Guard.

She grimaced as she pondered where she would sit, glancing around the cabin while sweat collected on her forehead.

“Would you sit next to me, Twilight Sparkle?” Celestia's voice called to her. On one hoof, she was glad to have the decision of where to sit made for her, but on the other, she had been invited to sit in the most terrifying seat possible. Right next to the Princess.

She slowly stepped over, precariously placing her rump on the red silk pillow next to Celestia. Huh. Soft.

“Are you excited for your first day?” Celestia said, her ever present smile on her face. Twilight shuffled a bit on her seat, trying to look anywhere but at the Princess.

“Y-Yes, Princess.” Twilight said with as flat a tone as possible. It just ended up coming out pathetically.

“Twilight, I do understand your want to be all professional in front of your Princess, but this ride is so you and I can get to know each other before silly things like formalities take pretense. Just relax, and while we are here, talk to me as you would one of your friends.”

“R-Right… F-Friends…” Twilight chuckled nervously, still averting her gaze.

“So, what is it that you do for fun, Twilight?”

Fun?

“Uh… Well, I read a lot. And study. I like books.” she nervously spat out the sentences in small clumps, fearing her stutter would return if she spoke for too long at a time.

“Ooh, I do love a good book. I find myself privy to a good romance every once and awhile, sometimes even one where the dashing hero falls in love with their quarry. I do so love it when everything works out in the end.”

“Y-Yes.” she fumbled with her barding as she sat.

“What books do you read, Twilight?” the Princess said, looking down at her.

“Uh, w-well, I like to read books about legends. The Mare in the Moon is one of my favourites.”

Celestia stiffened and her eyes widened at the mention of that particular tale, but Twilight was too busy trying to not be awkward to notice. Which, despite her intention, only proved to make her appear more awkward.

“I've read many different interpretations of the legends. Some say that Nightmare Moon was a an insect, born from the pits of Tartarus that could change her face, and a few of them say that she had to eat a pony to be able to change into them. Some of them say that she was actually a few different ponies that worked together to spread fear through the land, and their combined efforts became viewed as if it was a single pony. I think the most unlikely of all is those that say she used to be an alicorn Princess.”

Celestia had composed herself in the middle of Twilight’s speech and was now smiling down at the lilac mare as she talked.

“Oh? What makes you think that she couldn't have been an alicorn like me?” Celestia said, her smile unwavering.

“Well, because alicorns are a huge deal! There's only three in the entirety of Equestria, and that's you, Princess Cadance, and Princess Rainbow Glory. You'd think that history would remember another one of you walking around, right?”

Celestia turned away from the unicorn and smiled.

“You would think. Just take my word for it, Twilight Sparkle, things aren't always as they seem.” Celestia said, not a hint of that warm smile on her face. Twilight also turned away, deep in thought. What had the Princess meant by that?

“Anyway, I must admit that there was a reason why I decided to pick you specifically to join the Royal Guard, Twilight. I have a very specific task for you, a role which I have deemed you perfect to fill.” Celestia returned her gaze to Twilight, her smile once again joining her.

“O-Oh?” Twilight said, looking up with an apprehensive smile.

“It's about my niece’s daughter.”

“P-Princess Rainbow Glory?” Everypony knew about her. She was infamous for being what was possibly the least Princess-like Princess that Equestria had ever seen. Twilight herself had only seen her on very rare occasions, sitting in the background at formal events like the Summer Sun Celebration, occasionally greeting ponies at those events. She seemed to be a natural when it came to interacting with her subjects, but seldom did so.

“Yes. As of late, she has become… Accident prone. Despite the fact that she is a Princess, she doesn't feel like she wants to be one. She's been arguing with both Cadance and I about her role as Cadance’s daughter and a Princess of Equestria. She wants to become more independent and move from the castle to somewhere else.”

“Th-then how will she do her duties if she's not here?” Twilight stuttered out, unsure of where Celestia was going to take this.

“She's not going to be performing her duties because she will no longer be a Princess.”

“WHAT!?” Twilight shouted, quickly covering her mouth afterwards. “I-I'm sorry Princess!” she punctuated with a bow. “I didn't mean to shout, please forgive me.”

Celestia let out a low chuckle and placed a hoof on Twilight’s withers.

“It's quite alright, Twilight, I understand your shock.” Celestia continued as Twilight lifted her gaze to the Princess again, confusion still on her face. “It wasn't an easy decision, but I have decided to allow her to remove herself from royalty. She will no longer be a Princess of Equestria and will be able to become a citizen, just like you.”

“I… I don't understand, Princess… Where do I fall into all of this?” Twilight asked, her face full of worry and apprehension.

“Twilight,” Celestia returned her hoof to the mares shoulder. “You must understand, Rainbow Glory is very precious to me. Despite her wishes, she remains an alicorn, and therefore remains… A target.” Twilight froze, the pieces starting to place themselves together as the Princess spoke.

Celestia frowned, gazing out of the carriage toward the castle.

“In one week's time, Rainbow Glory will be moving away from the castle and to Ponyville, a small town outside of Canterlot. I can't let her go alone. I picked you because I want you to guard her, Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia sighed. “She is brash, she is young, she is admittedly foolish. She might want to separate herself from royalty, but I care about her as I would my own daughter, and that means I am scared for her life. She might want to be a civilian, but she has never been one before.

“P-Ponyville?” Twilight stammered, looking out at Canterlot castle with the Princess.

“Yes. You will be her personal guard. I have given her exactly what she wanted, a civilian life with a civilian job, working to control the weather around Ponyville with the weather team. She shall be in a subordinate position, and she will have simple duties and a schedule to adhere to. Your job is to protect her, while keeping her organised and helping her adjust to living differently. When she is ready, she may return to royalty, but until then, she will remain in Ponyville and you will be her protector.”

“Oh gosh…” Twilight muttered to herself.

“I understand if you do not wish to take on such a responsibility. You would have to move to Ponyville as well, and the responsibility I'm placing upon you is great indeed. If you refuse, you will still keep your position as a Royal Guard, working to protect the castle.”

“N-No, I…” Twilight stammered, looking up at Celestia to see her staring at her. “I accept, my Princess!” She said with another bow.

“Thank you, Twilight. You will have one week to prepare your belongings and say goodbye to your family. While in Ponyville, they will still be permitted to visit, so do remind them they'll still be able to see you.” Celestia smiled her benevolent smile again, unintentionally making the unicorn next to her feel a million times smaller than she actually was.

As they were speaking, the carriage had entered the castle grounds and they were now passing through the garden that decorated the entrance to Canterlot castle. Twilight had never really had much of an appreciation for gardening, but even she could tell that the garden had been taken care of by extraordinarily talented ponies. Colourful flower beds, arranged into patterns by colour were everywhere, surrounding beautiful statues and water features. There was even a huge bush expertly shaped to look like Celestia herself. If she were anyone but the Princess, she would seem incredibly vain to have something like that in her front yard.

Twilight sighed. It was a shame she'd only get to see these grounds for the short while she was here. She knew she must be ever vigilant during her shifts, but that wouldn't stop her from simply enjoying the sights around her. The castle itself was built with shimmering blue marble, polished to a perfect shine. The pillars were monstrous in size, reaching from the ground all the way to the fourth floor of the castle. The craftsmanship behind the castles design was an absolute marvel.

“Quite a sight, isn't it?” Celestia laughed as Twilight shut her mouth, which had previously been slack in amazement. The Princess fluffed her wings and sat up straight in her seat, looking out the window toward the bush sculpted in her image. “Never was a fan of that…”

“It's… It's beautiful, Princess. I've never seen it so close before, only in pictures.”

“My little ponies work so hard to make it look so beautiful. They truly are all talented. You'll find out soon enough just how talented the chefs are.” Celestia said with another giggle.

“I can't wait…” Twilight said, continuing to look out the carriage window. It was all so fancy! She was used to living in lower Canterlot, the least fancy and lowest economic class area in the world, so going straight from there to the castle itself was most definitely a shock to the senses.

The carriage shuddered a bit and slowed, coming to a stop before the enormous castle doors. They too reached a height almost three times that of Princess Celestia. The carriage door opened and Celestia stood from her seat, walking toward the door and out onto the castle grounds. Twilight followed close behind, remembering to adjust her posture as she was now out of where the Princess had deemed a “casual conduct” zone.

She was here. She was finally here. Her dream since she had been a kid, trying to follow in her brothers footsteps in becoming a guard, protecting both the Princesses and those she cared about. Serving diligently and humbly.

Suddenly, Twilight felt even more self conscious about herself. The Royal Guard was made up primarily of stallions, with a few mares here and there. They all stared, eyes fixed forward at attention, ready to jump to action at any moment. Twilight would soon be just like them, though her job now appeared to be somewhat different.

Twilight pondered for a moment about her new position. She was to be protecting Rainbow Glory, Princess Cadance’s precious daughter. Not only did she have such an incredibly important role, but that role would be taking her to Ponyville, away from the sprawling city she had grown up in and to a small little hamlet. She had visited there after her brother retired from the guard a few years back, and continued to visit every once and awhile to visit him with her family. He had apparently refused his offer of promotion in favour of taking a job as the town guard captain. It was a bit of a shock, but Shining had explained that he had met a stallion who came from there while at the Grand Galloping Gala and decided to move there to be with him while still taking a promotion from his previous position. If she remembered correctly the stallion he was with, Big Macintosh, worked on an apple farm and had been at the gala for an ill-fated attempt to sell Apple pies to the snobby nobles, who wanted nothing to do with his stall.

That fact made Twilight a little more confident about her daunting new role. She was moving away, but she wouldn't be completely away from family. A familiar face would no doubt keep her grounded in what was sure to be confronting.
She missed her brother quite a lot, so living in the same town as him again meant they would be able to catch up much more often, a thought that reassured her a little as she comprehended the situation.

Twilight stopped behind Princess Celestia as two guards opened the castle doors for her and they both walked in together.

“Twilight Sparkle? Walk beside me please.” Celestia said calmly, looking behind her at Twilight, who quickened her pace to catch up with the Princess.

“I'm glad you accepted my request, Twilight Sparkle. I truly am. Rainbow Glory has been…” Celestia paused. “Distant. She seems to resent her position, which is why I have been so eager to let her have her freedom. I do not want her resenting me for restricting her. I have no doubt she will find her purpose and eventually return, but she has a long life ahead of her. My niece wanted the same when she was young, and that allowed her to go out into the world and meet her betrothed, Firefly.”

Twilight knew of Firefly, as did the rest of the kingdom. She was an extraordinarily beautiful mare with a pink coat and a royal blue mane. She stood just as tall as Cadance, who while being an Alicorn, was only just a head taller than the average mare. Rainbow Glory was their child, who bore more of a resemblance the Celestia than either of her mothers.

Were they even related by blood? In truth, Twilight was a bit unlearned of the subject of the Royal lineage. Twilight had engrossed herself in science, ancient history, and magic rather than modern history. Cadence was not her biological niece, despite Celestia's referring to her as a niece, as Celestia had no sister. Certainly not one that was alive at the time of Cadance’s birth. Now that she was thinking about it, who was Cadance’s mother?

Now was not the time to think about such things, as Princess Celestia continued to talk.

“Rainbow Glory deserves this freedom to make her own way in life, and it is her responsibility to ensure she becomes a mature mare.” Celestia said as they continued down the lavishly decorated hall. Twilight was once again entranced by the glorious stained glass murals adorning the walls of the entrance hall.

“She, at this time, has no official schedule to keep and no official royal duties. She may be permitted to roam the castle grounds as she desires, though I must ask you to remind her not to interrupt any meetings, as she has a habit of doing. If she would like to leave the castle for whatever reason, she may do so, but please inform the captain of the guard that you are leaving. You are to accompany her and make sure she doesn't go off on her own.”

Twilight felt almost overwhelmed by all of this information. She had heard that Rainbow Glory was a bit of a hoof full, but hearing it from Princess Celestia cemented the truth of the rumors she had heard. She could only hope that her presence didn't annoy Rainbow Glory and cause her to act out in protest of having a personal guard.

They reached the end of the entrance hall that split in three directions, where they turned left. After only a short walk, she found herself stepping up a spiral staircase that lead to the upper floors of the castle, and she assumed, toward Princess Rainbow Glory’s living quarters.

Surely enough, after another short walk on the fourth floor, they reached a pair of doors that looked quite a bit more ornate than any of the other doors, flanked by two Royal Guards. They nodded to Celestia as she arrived and opened the door for her and Twilight to walk in.

“Rainbow Glory?” Celestia said, looking toward the open balcony door, where Twilight spied the silhouette of a pony through the thin curtains.

After a moment, a thin, short alicorn mare entered from the balcony and stood there, the light filtering in from the door and shining off of her coat.

Twilight was immediately entranced by what she saw. Here she was, the pony she had heard about her entire life and seen only a few times from afar, considerably less often than either Princess Cadance or Princess Celestia. Her coat was an incredible sky blue, and if it weren't from the shadows cast by her and the highlights from light hitting her fur, she would have blended in perfectly with the view behind her. Her mane was long, yet stylishly messy. Six distinct colours of the rainbow flowed through it, giving true justice to the name Rainbow Glory.

“Sup.” she said, and immediately, Twilight was broken from the trance.

Sup?

“Good morning, Rainbow Glory. I hope your morning has been pleasant.”

“Eh.” she said, leaning up against the frame of the doorway she was standing in. “It's been okay. As interesting as sitting around doing nothing can be.”

“There is always the library, Rainbow. You could entertain yourself with a book.” Celestia offered.

“A book? You kidding me? Only nerds read books, and I ain't no egghead.” She said, removing herself from her lean and moving toward the huge bed. She spread her large, sharp wings and took a single large leap, propelled into the air by the force of them flapping. She landed face first onto the bed and laid there, buried into the sheet.

“You are not and egghead.” Celestia stated, correcting the young mares grammar.

“Uh, yeah, that's what I said. Wake me up when it's time for lunch.” Rainbow Glory said, waving a hoof dismissively.

“No time for a nap now, Rainbow. I have somepony I'd like you to meet.”

She rolled over and looked around, right past Twilight and to the hall behind her.

“Where are they? They hiding behind purple chick here?” Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow in genuine confusion. Celestia stifled a laugh with a hoof.

“The guard is who I would like you to meet. This is Twilight Sparkle, newly appointed Royal Guard and your personal protector. Do you remember? We talked about this last night at dinner.”

“...” Rainbow stared at Twilight, her eyebrow still raised. “This is who you got?”

“Rainbow Glory, do not be rude. Twilight Sparkle has shown herself to be more than capable of protecting you.”

Twilight couldn't help but feel a little offended, but she kept her face flat of emotions and her stance neutral.

“Really? She looks a bit scrawny to be a Royal Guard.”

Twilight felt a little dejected at that. She thought she was at least a little fit…

“She is incredibly well trained in spellcasting, both defensively and offensively, and has passed the physical exam with flying colours. Enough of this. She is your new personal guard, and will be at your side at all times.”

Rainbow Glory let out a sigh and collapsed onto the bed again.

“Fine.” she said, pulling herself away from the bed and standing up. Her horn lit up with a magenta glow not all that different from Twilight’s and levitated a modest yet pretty tiara shaped like a thin golden laurel wreath onto her head. She walked toward Twilight and held out a hoof. Twilight stood there and stared down at the hoof, only understanding why she was holding it out when she wiggled it a bit.

She slowly lifted her own hoof and shook the young Princesses.

“It's nice to meet ya.” Rainbow Glory said with a smirk. “I'm Rainbow Dash.”

Celestia looked at Rainbow Glory with what could only be described as an amused smirk and shook her head. What was going on?

“That's not your name.” Celestia laughed.

“Well, not technically, but mum’s name isn't technically Cadance. It's Mi Amore Cadenza.” Rainbow Glory said, putting an overemphasis on annunciation when saying her mother's name.

“Whatever you wish, Rainbow. I'll let the two of you get acquainted. Lunch will be in two hours time. Twilight Sparkle, I'm sure you know what to do for the day, but today is mostly for you to get more acquainted with the castle and with Rainbow Glory. Report to the barracks at the days end, and I will talk to you then.” Celestia said as she turned toward the door and walked out. Twilight struck a stiff salute as her Princess left. When she was done, Twilight walked toward the door and turned around, facing the room and Rainbow Glory.

Rainbow looked at her and raised an eyebrow again, walking over and standing over on the other side of the door. Twilight tracked her with her eyes, staring back into the room when she went out of sight.

“So.” Rainbow Glory said. “What do you do.”

“I live to protect you, my Princess.” Twilight stated, standing stiffly.

“Uh, my name isn't “my Princess”, it's Rainbow Dash.” She said, moving closer to Twilight. “And I meant, like, what do you do for fun. I know what your job is, dude.”

What she did for fun? Why was she asking her this?

“I-I like to read, my pri- Uh, Rainbow Glory.”

“Ugh, I said it's Rainbow Dash. Emphasis on the “Dash”. So, you're a bookworm, huh? This is just like auntie. She gives me the guard I have absolutely nothing in common with. I suppose I can work with this” Rainbow “Dash” sighed again, stepping even closer to Twilight.

“I’m kidding, Guardy McGuardface. I'll play nice and try to get along. Trust me, if I only hung out with ponies I was like, then I’d never hang out with anyone. Ain’t nopony who can hold a candle to “The Dash”. So, Twilight, what else do you do?” She said, sashaying casually closer to her new guard.

“Um… I also like to do magic. I'm well versed in over two hundred and fifty different combat spells, as well as teleportation, colour manipulation, illusion, and around five hundred other utility spells.”

“Woah! Holy crap!” Twilight flinched a bit at her increase in volume and in the vulgarity of her words. She had never expected to hear something like that come out of the mouth of a Princess. “That's a lot of magic for a mare your age. How old are you?”

“T-Twenty one, your hi-” She stopped herself again. “Rainbow Dash.”

“Hey, me too! You know what? You're kinda cool, new girl. So, wanna see a movie tonight?”

“Wh-what!?” Twilight gasped out, a little louder than she had intended. “A movie?”

“Yeah, a movie! Celestia and my mum don't mind that I sometimes go off places at night and do shit. It's a little harder during the day because I get, like, ponies asking for my signature and stuff, but it isn't too bad after nine.”

What in the world was going on? Twilight’s mind was swarming with thought's, utterly baffled as to the situation she was in.

“D-Do you have any friends you would rather go with?”

Rainbow froze.

“Uh, hahaha, y-yeah, of course I do, but Celestia said that we should get to know each other, right?” Rainbow laughed out nervously and rubbed the back of her mane.

“Right...” Twilight said, still unsure.

“C’mon, it'll be fun.” Rainbow Dash looked up at her with pleading eyes. Twilight couldn't help but not she was quite a bit shorter than the herself, maybe by two thirds of a head or more.

“That may be so, b-but I'm not sure if it would be appropriate.”

“What? Why not?”

“I-I am your personal guard, your highness, not a friend.” Twilight said, returning her stare to the room and away from Rainbow Glory.

The Princess huffed.

“Twilight Sparkle, I order you to see a movie with me. And I order you to have fun.”

“Wha--!? B-But, I…” Twilight pursed her lips. This was an extremely odd situation, to say the least, but she couldn't disobey a direct order from the Princess, no matter how… Baffling the order was.

“I-I will check with Princess Celestia to make sure that she approves of this outing.”

“Yesss!” she jumped into the air with a flap of her wings and hoof pumped the air before landing back down with a loud thump. “Trust me, this one is gonna be great. It's about some sky pirate looking for an artifact which gives you eternal life! It's full of swordfighting and airboat chases and a whole bunch of whoopah!” she shouted, punctuated by swinging a hoof in a roundhouse punch. “Kick ass action! Trust me, you'll love it!”

Twilight wasn't sure how true that was.

“But I finish my shift at five pm. You said you couldn't go out until nine.”

“Uh, yeah. And?”

“I won't be on duty.”

“That's kinda the point.” Rainbow said, matter of factly.

“B-but…”

“If I wanted a random guard to “protect” me while I watch a movie, I'd ask some random guard.” Rainbow Dash said, stepping so she was directly in front of the guardsmare. “If you're gonna be my personal guard, I don't just want some guard that sits around and looks pretty all day. I want… Well, I want a friend.” Rainbow Dash said, looking particularly guilty at the end of her sentence.

Twilight stood there silently.

“Princess…” She started, her face only slightly betraying her apprehension. “Okay. Fine.”

Rainbow smiled widely and hoof pumped again.

“But I'm wearing my armor.”

-

The rest of the day went by uneventfully. Twilight stood guard in Princess Rainbow Glory’s room, listening as she went on about some other movie she had been wanting to see besides the one they had planned to see that night, and watched her as she napped after they had come back from lunch with Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance.

Twilight was left with her thoughts during this time. She was rolling with this confronting and shocking situation rather well. Usually she was prone to panic attacks, and maybe it was her over preparation, but she found herself comparatively calm. Granted, her mind was still racing in shock and confusion, trying to catch up with what she had gotten herself into, but she wasn't showing the usual outward signs of panic. The plan was for Twilight to ask permission from Princess Celestia when she came to debrief her after her shift. She only could hope that the Princess was not angry at her for entertaining Rainbow Glory’s request.

As the young Princess napped, Twilight observed her. She was very beautiful, far more beautiful than Twilight considered herself to be. No, Twilight was tall and athletic, with her mane cut short at the back and into flat, efficient bangs at the front. She wasn't concerned with looking nice, only with being practical.

“I don't just want some guard that sits around and looks pretty all day.”

What had she meant by that? Surely she didn't think… No, that's just a saying. There was nothing there implying that Twilight looked pretty. She wasn't pretty, she was a guard, one who lived only to serve.

She shuffled a bit on the spot. A frown appeared on her face. Would she really be okay tonight? Paranoia began to creep up in her mind. What if Rainbow Dash was attacked while they watched the film? What if she managed to be so incompetent at her job that she misplaced her during the outing? What if Rainbow Dash had the intent to get away from her and was inviting her out like this in an attempt to lower her guard?

She shook her head in an attempt to dispel the fears, but they took hold, turning her internal panic into a more intense one. What was she doing? Why was she accepting to go to a cinema with not only a mare she had just met, but a Princess of all ponies? Twilight had never even been to a cinema by herself, let alone go there with a friend.

She stopped shuffling as she saw Princess Rainbow Glory shift in her bed and her eyes flutter open. She rolled over with a yawn, stretching her hooves out as she finished napping. She mumbled an expletive as she pushed her way to the side of the bed and stood up, proceeding to stretch in a way that was similar to how Twilight herself would stretch before exercise.

“Hey, Twi. What's the time?” Rainbow Dash asked her, turning to her with a half asleep gaze.

Twi?

“It is…” she looked at the ornate clock in the corner of her lavish room. “Quarter to six.”

“Awww… That means your shift is over in like, fifteen minutes.” She said with an over exaggerated frown. “Oh well. I'll see you back here around nine, right?”

“Yes, my Princess.”

“Haven't I said it already? None of that “my Princess” stuff. Makes me feel like a massive snob.” she said, walking to a mirror and staring at her reflection for a few moments before ruffling her mane and smoothing it back out until it fell into its usual beautiful natural messiness.

“How do I look?” Rainbow turned to Twilight and smirked.

“Uh, v-very nice, Rainbow Dash.”

“And don't I know it.” she said with a wink, placing her tiara on with a quick flick of magic. Twilight’s face felt oddly warm. Rainbow returned to the bed and sat down.

“I hope you're looking forward to the movie tonight.”

“Oh, uh… I've never been to the cinema before, so I'm not sure what to expect.”

“What!?” Rainbow shot up with a start. “Never been to the cinema before? What have you been doing with your life!?”

“Studying and training to be a Royal Guard, mostly.”

“Well, tonight is gonna be awesome, ‘cos movies are awesome. Have you ever read an adventure book before?”

“I can't say I have a big interest in fiction, but I read Dracula when I was younger.”

“Okay, well, think of like, how you pictured those ponies in that. Big ol’ scary vampires and stuff. Now imagine that you don't have to imagine it! All these other ponies in a studio in Hollytree did it for you! You get to actually see all of the scary stuff, watch all the gore and really just feel how intense the tension is!” Rainbow explained, using large sweeping hoof motions to punctuate her point.

“It sounds… Interesting.”

“It's so much more than just interesting, it's exciting! Fun! Trust me, after tonight, you're gonna be hooked, practically begging me to take you to more.”

As she finished her sentence, the hour chime on the clock sounded. Twilight’s first day of working as an honourable Royal Guard was done. Or, almost done. She was still pretty sure that escorting the Princess to the theatre should count as work, but the prospect of not getting paid overtime didn't worry her.

“Well, Princess, I suppose I will meet you here at nine. If, that is, the Princess does not object to your excursion.” Twilight said, turning to the door.
“Uh, my excursion? You mean our excursion.” Rainbow Glory smirked and stood in front of the door. “C’mon, just hang around for a few minutes more.”

Twilight stopped, and had she had a lot less self control, she would have rolled her eyes at the prismatic Princess.

“I'm sorry, Princess, but-”

“Rainbow Dash. Not “Princess”.” she interrupted and frowned.

“I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, but I have to meet Princess Celestia for debriefing. Not only will our trip to the cinema not happen if I don't meet her to ask, but unfortunately for you, her authority overrules yours.” Twilight said, yet again controlling herself from exhibiting emotions, this time holding back a smug little grin.

“Ugh,” Rainbow stepped away from the door with an eye roll of her own. “Fine. But I'm making you have a jumbo Freezie Breezie tonight!”

“A what?”

“Nup, no spoilers! You'll find out what it is when we get there, and you have to finish it by the time the night is done, or… Or I'll make you follow me during my laps of the castle tomorrow!”

Twilight actually let herself grin this time. Even if she didn't manage to finish whatever this “Freezie Breezie” was, chasing Rainbow Dash through the castle grounds didn't worry Twilight at all. It would even give her a chance to do some cardio workout, a welcome thing if she was going to spend most days standing on watch in the Princesses room.

“Okay, Rainbow Dash. But now, I really have to go.” Twilight said, a genuine smile on her face. Why was she smiling?

“Awesome!” Rainbow jumped for joy again, smiling back at the guardsmare. “Oh, and Twilight?”

“Yes, your highne-- Rainbow Dash?”

“Thanks. For… You know, hanging out with me tonight.” Rainbow Dash smiled sheepishly, one of the few smiles the unicorn had seen from the young Princess that wasn’t filled with cocky overtones.

“I'm happy to. I live to serve, and I'm sure any of your friends would do the same.” Twilight said, turning to leave, and missing the sad look on Rainbows face when she mentioned the word “friends”.

-

Twilight found her way to the barracks after a short while searching. It had taken her a few wrong turns, but eventually she decided to ask a nearby guard where the barracks was located.

“Sorry, first day.” She had explained.

The guard barracks, while still fancier than her home, was definitely the most practical part of the castle, and she like that about it. The walls were covered in perfectly polished weaponry, golden spears hanging alongside ornate metallic shields, the solar Princesses cutie mark emblazoned on its center

The bedding was made from materials not all that different to what she would see at home. Twilight had not been one for decorating her room, so the simple blue sheets and single white pillow on each bed was an almost homely sight.

Guards and staff members were idly chatting with each other about their days, a few of the now off duty guards stripped of their rainments, which confused Twilight a bit. Something had made her think that the Royal Guard would not associate with the rest of the castles staff, though she couldn't entirely piece together why she had thought that. Not that she really cared. She didn't have any interest in talking with these ponies, and after she had been debriefed by Celestia, she was going to seek out the guards library and bury herself deep into some book about the science of magic.

Just as she reached the lockers at the far end of the barracks, she noticed that all the ponies in the room had suddenly gone silent. Turning around, she saw all the guards in the room had shot up into a stiff salute, and seeing who had caused them all to do this, she did the same.

“At ease, everypony. I thank you all for your wonderful and exemplary service today. Enjoy your rest for the evening.” Princess Celestia said, addressing her guards as she made her way through the crowd to Twilight Sparkle, who saluted her again when she arrived.

“Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia offered another one of her benevolent, calming smiles to Twilight. “How did you find your first day? I do hope Princess Rainbow Glory wasn't too much of a hassle.”

“Princess Rainbow Glory was fine, your highness. She spent most of the day napping.” Twilight said, dropping her hoof away from the stiff salute.

“I'm glad. I must warn you, not everyday will be like this. Rainbow Glory is a wonderful, lively, and energetic young mare, but that energy can get her into all kinds of trouble.” Celestia giggled, presumably musing about a time that Rainbow Glory did just that. “Nothing else to report, Lieutenant Sparkle?”

“No, your--” She stopped, a hint of dread creeping up on her as she thought about the Princesses reaction to what Rainbow Glory had asked of her. “Actually, the Princess has asked something of me tonight. She would like me to escort her to the cinemas so that she may see a film.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow and Twilights paranoid mind made her stomach drop at the simple action.

“Oh, already?” She said, eyebrow still raised.

“P-Pardon, your majesty?” Twilight stuttered, looking up at the Princess before her.

“Twilight…” she said, her face looking a little more serious now, which did nothing to quell Twilights fears. “I must ask something a little more of you.”

“A-Anything, my Princess.” Twilight gulped.

“Rainbow is… Well, she's not exactly the most social of ponies. She seems to revel in attention, yet shuts herself away from others all day. She hardly talks to any of the castle staff and she's lost contact with all of her friends from when she was younger.” Celestia said with a sad frown. Rainbows slightly strange actions when friends had been mentioned before started to make sense to Twilight. She was used to not having any friends herself, that just came naturally with who she was, but Rainbow Dash was so…

“But… Well, she just seemed so friendly. So eager to talk with me. I have a hard time imagining a pony like her without a few friends.”

“Twilight, as you grow and mature, you'll learn that there are ponies of all types out there, and Rainbow Glory is just as much a pony as anypony else. Confidence and outgoing nature's do not always correlate with being able to make friends easily.”

“I'm s-sorry, my Princess, I d-didn’t mean to assume.” Twilight said, feeling like she was shrinking under the Princesses glare.

“No, it's fine, Twilight. Rainbow is just a very complex young mare. That's why I wanted to talk with you. She seems to have taken a shining to you, which is incredibly rare for her. I feel it may be partly because you are a fellow mare, as all of her personal guards have been stallions before now.” Celestia explained, the smile now back on her face. “As such, I've decided that you should, while of course remaining a guard and carrying out your duties, live in the room beside hers and attempt to also become her friend.”

“Wh-what!? I'm sorry Princess, but I am not the sure I'm the best choice for this task. I know nothing of being a friend, even less so than you say Rainbow Dash is.”

“And that is exactly why you also need this. You need to show yourself how to have fun, and just how important having a friend is.” Celestia said, her smile ever more confident than before now.

“B-But, Princess Celestia, I… I'm… I don't know if I c-can!” Twilight said, her voice becoming a bit more uncertain. “I've never had a friend before! What if I do something wrong o-or upset her?”

“Then you will work out your problems together. Trust me when I say, you will need to get to know Rainbow Glory better. You'll be spending the foreseeable future by her side in Ponyville, remember?”

“I guess so…” Twilight said, shaking her head. “Okay, Princess Celestia! I won't let you down.” She shot into another salute.

“It's not me you have to worry about letting down, it's only yourself. Now please, try to have some fun tonight.”

“Y-Yes ma’am.” She said, straightening her posture further and remaining in salute. Celestia nodded in reply and turned to leave. Twilight watched as she walked away, sighing a breath of relief when the Princess was out of the room. She looked around, noticing that quite a few heads were pointed her way, doing nothing to help her nerves and fears about tonight.

Nevermind that for now. She pushed the thoughts out of her head temporarily as she made her way over to the modest book case in the corner. Maybe catching up on some theory would distract her from her own thoughts.

-

Catching up on some theory did not distract her from her own thoughts at all. For the first time in quite a long time, the only thing that was stopping her from studying was her own thoughts. She couldn't stop thinking about what the Princess had asked of her before.

Making a friend was not only something that Twilight had never attempted seriously before now, but Celestia wanted her first friend to be a Princess of Equestria! Could they even ever be friends? Twilight had a job to do. She wasn't there to be Rainbow Dash’s friend, she was there to be what was essentially a glorified babysitter with an arsenal of spells at her disposal.

Rainbow Dash didn't seem to mind attempting to talk to Twilight in a fashion that was what she assumed friends would talk like. She was very open with her thoughts, and already, she had invited Twilight out to see a movie with her. Would Twilight stop being her guard when she was there? Would she be able to let herself?

Oh gosh, not to mention that she wasn't even going to be staying in the guard barracks at all. She was going to be residing in the room next to Rainbow Dash. Was that for Rainbows protection? Was it so that Twilight could jump to attention at any moment to protect the young Princess? That made logical sense in Twilights mind, though other thoughts made her think that her new living arrangements were for a slightly different purpose.

Twilight scoffed. She respected the Princess, but she was utterly confused as to what she had meant. Twilight didn't care for making friends, and she had no idea what the Princess was talking about when she said it was important that she be friends with Rainbow. Twilight had worked with ponies before, but never had she attempted to become friends with them. They were just colleagues, nothing more.

Her eyes drifted up from the book toward the clock. Fifteen minutes left. Fifteen minutes of being unable to focus on her book, fifteen more minutes of stewing in her thoughts.

Screw this.

She sat up from her bed, levitating the book onto the bedside table. Twilight wasn't going to sit here doing nothing for fifteen minutes. She would just have to show up a little early. Maybe Rainbow Dash would want to talk for a while before they left…

Gah! What was she thinking? Rainbow Glory is a Princess! Even if Celestia wanted them to be friends, heck, even if Rainbow Glory wanted to be friends, it just wouldn't work! Rainbow was a Princess, Twilight was a commoner. Those two types of ponies just don't work well together, no matter what way you spin it. Twilight had seen her brother attempt to become friends with Cadance back when they were in university together, but it never went anywhere. No matter what, Shining and Twilight were commoners. Not important, not special, and not worth the effort of being friends with.

Why then, did Twilight find herself still walking toward Rainbow Dash’s room? Was it because Princess Celestia had told her to try and be friends with Rainbow Glory? She was a guard, after all. She was to take orders from the Princesses and obey them no matter what. Not to mention, Rainbow Dash had asked in the first place for her to go with her, so that was yet another order compelling her to go.

That settled it, she was doing this because it was an order. She would try and be “friends” with Princess Rainbow Glory, but she would never truly be friends with her.

After the short walk to the young Princesses room, she paused at the door. It was currently not being watched by guards, which confused her a little. She supposed that even the Princess didn't need to be watched and protected constantly, but the idea that she was left in possible danger due to lack of a combat trained presence irked her a bit. She raised her hoof and knocked onto the door to the room.

There was silence for a good five seconds as Twilight stood there. Was the young Princess still at dinner? Or maybe she was napping? Twilight jumped in surprise as the door opened without any telltale sounds of hoofsteps on the marble flooring beforehand.

“Twilight!” Rainbow said, smiling widely as she hovered mid air, her sleek wings now outstretched and flapping rhythmically. Twilight had only partly noticed before how incredibly beautiful her wings were, the strong, athletic muscles now pumping to keep her aloft. Her feathers shone in the light of the sconces, blue pinions seemingly sharpened to a point. Did she groom them herself? It hardly seemed like a Rainbow Dash thing to do, but how else would she have gotten them like this?

Gosh, Twilight, what are you even saying? You hardly know a thing about the Princess and already you're making judgement on her character.

“Good evening, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight smiled, the admiration banished from her mind.

“Oh, and good evening to you, my lady.” Rainbow said mockingly, landing to the ground before curtseying in an over exaggerated manner.

Twilight totally didn't laugh. She was a professional. Professionals do not laugh while on the job, especially not at the antics of her Princess.

“You're a bit early, Twi. I kinda pegged you for a “shows up perfectly on time” kinda girl.” Rainbow said, walking into the room, allowing Twilight to follow after her.

“I decided to come a little earlier so that I might assist you in preparation.” Twilight said, watching as Rainbow Dash looked into the mirror for a moment before ruffling her mane, the strands falling messily around her horn.

“Preparation? We're going to see a movie, not going to some super fancy get together. Preparation involves me making sure I bring the bits to pay for snacks and making sure that a certain purple unicorn is here too.” Rainbow Dash said with a playful wink.

“Th-that’s… well, I must remind you that you are still a Princess, and so we must devise an escape route shall we-- you be attacked.” Twilight frowned, trying to put on her most serious face.

“Twilight, we live in Equestria. This place isn't exactly known for its populace hating royalty. Hell, they even praise Auntie Celestia like she's some sort of goddess, so I doubt that some upset civie is gonna attack me.”

Twilights frown faltered for a moment.

“Well, that m-may be true, but I don't see the harm in making an emergency plan, just in case something…”

“Exciting?” Rainbow offered.

“Life threatening happens.”

Rainbow sighed, looking up at Twilight with a defeated smile.

“Alright, Mrs “Don't let Rainbow Dash Die”. What top secret super awesome plan do you have if we get attacked?” Rainbow grinned, taking a seat on her enormous bed.

“I have spent almost the entirety of my magic using life casting and honing my teleportation spell. With my current abilities, I can transport myself up the fifty kilometres away, as long as I know exactly where I'm teleporting to. With you along as a “passenger”, so to speak, I can take us twenty kilometres away. If I ever fear for your life, I will cast the spell immediately, taking us back to this room. I apologise in advance, since teleportation over long ranges can be nauseating for those who haven't teleported before.” Twilight explained, her tone flat and lecture-like.

“Fine, I can live with that. And I guess I will live with it if I actually do get attacked, since you'll be saving me.” Rainbow grinned yet again and pulled herself up from the bed. “Well, might as well get going now. The movie starts in about an hour, so if we leave now, we can grab some junk food at the candy bar.”

“Candy bar?”

“Yeah, it's like a bar that sells candy. How do you not know what-- oh wait, that's right. Never been to a cinema before now.” Rainbow said, nodding in recognition of the fact. Twilight almost braced herself to be insulted by the Princess for being such a shut in, but it never came.

“Alright! I'm pumped! This movie is gonna kick ass!” Rainbow said, shooting up into the air and doing a flip before landing on all fours and swishing her hair with a shake of her head.

“Was that really necessary?” Twilight raised an eyebrow at the young Princess.

“When you're this awesome? It's always necessary.”

-

Soon enough, Twilight found herself walking down the streets of Canterlot with Princess Rainbow Dash by her side. She had to admit, the night sky was one of her favourite things to look at. Art had never been too much of an interest to Twilight, but the stars felt like an all new kind of art, one that she could appreciate not only for beauty, but for the scientific nature of such an incredible phenomenon. All of those stars in the distance were suns just like Equestria’s own, but just like the Badlands and the Everfree Forest, they were completely wild. Free of magical control, unlike the one they saw bright in the sky every day. What lived out there? Were there other creatures as smart as those on Equestria? There had to be. The universe was infinite, and throughout the entirety of that infinity, there had to be.

Suddenly, Twilight thought of the cosmic scale of the universe and how infinitesimally small she was compared to it. Twilight felt very very alone all of a sudden.

She brought her thoughts back to the city they were walking through. It was truly a wonderful sight at night. Tranquil, peaceful, and most of all, beautiful. Most ponies had gone to bed, or were safe and inside their homes. There were still a few ponies walking the streets as Rainbow and Twilight were. A few of them stopped and stared at Rainbow, exchanging whispers with each other or simply just looked on as the young Princess walked by with her fully armored companion.

Twilight kept a flat expression but couldn't help but notice that Rainbows expression, which quite confused the unicorn. Why did she look so… Sad? Twilight had heard the rumors before. Rainbow Glory was true to her name, and she revelled in the glory and attention she received. Why was she acting like this tonight? Even more puzzling was why she decided to leave the castle at this time of night.

It hardly mattered. Twilight shouldn't pry into her actions. She was a Princess, and a guard like her had no business involving herself in her affairs.

“W-We should be close now!” Rainbow started, quickening her pace a bit. Twilight followed in suit, and after they turned a corner, Twilight stopped in awe at what she saw. Bright flashing lights filled her vision, iridescent bulbs lining the side of a huge neon sign. On it were the words “Canterlot Moving Pictures”, flanked by what seemed to be glowing film reels.

“Pretty nifty, right?” Rainbow Dash said, nudging her awestruck guard in the side. “You really weren't kidding when you said you've never been to a cinema before. Jeez, filly, we gotta get you out more.”

“I-I go outside, just not to the cinema… A-And never at night before.” Twilight stuttered, an embarrassed bush on her cheeks. Rainbow simply chuckled in amusement as she trotted toward the building.

Twilight pulled herself out of her stupor in time to watch Rainbow disappear into the luminous building, chasing after her Princess as she left her line of sight. She caught up as Rainbow stood at a bench just inside the entrance to the theatre.

“Two adults for “Buckaneers of the Burning Sky”, please.” Rainbow said, pulling six bits from her saddle bag.

“Do you have proof of age for--” The stallion began to say, freezing in shock when he saw that it was Princess Rainbow Glory asking for the tickets. “M-m-m-muh-m-m-my Princess!” he finally squeaked out, bowing so fast that his forehead almost slammed right into the counter.

Rainbow sighed in frustration and rolled her eyes.

“Two adults for “Buckaneers”, please.” She repeated.

“H-h-here you go, p-Princess Glory! F-free of charge!” he stuttered, pulling out two tickets and sliding them across.

“No, dude. Not free of charge. Take the bucking bits.” Rainbow said, her expression quickly changing to a harsh snarl. Terrified to upset the young Princess, he nodded silently and shook noticeably as he put the bits into the till.

“W-would you like any r-refreshments?” He said, his nervousness still showing just as clearly as before.

“Yes, we would like to buy some refreshments.” She grunted. The stallion wandered over to a separate counter, behind which were a few machines with bright soda brand stickers on them.

“Wh-w-what may I get you this e-e-evening?” He said, stopping behind the counter and giving the two mares a grin so plastic it could have melted under the heat of the popcorn machine.

“We’ll get two jumbo Freezie Breezies and a large popcorn, please.” Rainbow said, her face flat and empty.

“Of c-course, right a-w-way!” He stammered, shaking nervously as he attempted to prepare her order. “Wh-what flavors would you like the Freezie Breezies, m-my p-Princess?”

“Hey, Twi, what flavor you want?” Rainbow said, turning to the taller mare.

“I… I'm not too sure. What do you recommend?” Twilight said, forcing herself to be less of a stuttering mess than the pony serving them, despite her instinctual reaction to do so.

“Well, there's a new banana flavour out, so I'll get that, but you should probably just go with the safe bet and get cola. Cola’s always good.”

“... Cola?”

“... You're kidding, right? You've had cola before.”

“...Yes.” Twilight deadpanned. Her cheeks burned red under the bewildered gaze of the Princess.

“Alright then. Cola flavour it is.” Rainbow turned to the stallion behind the candy bar and started counting bits as she levitated then from her bag.

“... Ten, eleven, twelve, and… Thirteen!”

“Th-thirteen bits!?” Twilight gaped. “Princess, that's like, an hours pay!”

“Uh, yeah, and I'm not a guard. I can afford this stuff.” She smirked dismissively. Twilight thought about mentioning how she would soon be separated from her royal duties and would most likely be not receiving any money from her mother or aunt, but decided against it for the time being. Maybe this is what Celestia had in mind when she assigned her to Rainbow.

“She doesn't know anything about what living outside the castle is like, and so she needs someone to teach her, protect her, and if need be, to rein her in if she endangers herself.”

Twilight really couldn't see why she was picked for this role. She was hardly adept at being a part of society, most ponies found her unrelatable and distant. She was a realist, if only in her head and she rarely voiced her opinion. She was simply a poor choice for this job, and Twilight had no idea why she had been chosen.

While she was thinking, the stallion had finished preparing their drinks and popcorn, and Rainbow was now holding out two absolutely enormous looking cups of frozen slushy drink, one yellow and the other side dark brown.

“C’mon, Twi, take it.” Twilight blinked. How long had she been holding it out? “We're gonna miss the previews.”

-

The movie was everything Rainbow Dash had promised her and more! Twilight felt her heart beating at every tense moment, her heart soaring when the protagonist swashbuckler her way through hundreds of evil skeleton pirates, her stomach fluttered at the joy of seeing her finally get the girl in right at the end of the movie and as they sailed into the sunset on their stolen ship.

Not that she would ever condone somepony stealing an airship.

The extremely large drink that Rainbow had bought for Twilight lay half finished for most of the movie, the unicorn taking small sips of it whenever she wanted to wet her pallete. It was quite a moreish taste, but she could only deal with it for so long before it became too much for her and she had to slow down. Rainbow had seemingly forgotten about her previous threat to make Twilight follow her as she did laps of the castle, or at least if she did remember, she had let her guard off the hook. Not that Twilight would have minded anyway, Rainbow was her Princess, and she did as her Princess asked.

After the movie, they found themselves walking through the mostly empty streets of Canterlot together. It was mostly silent, only one or two ponies passing them by as they strolled carelessly side by side. They talked jovially of the movie they had seen together, about their favourite parts, or about who they liked the most. It was lighthearted conversation that you would hear any two normal friends talking about. Neither of them knew what they sounded like right now, but remembering back on this moment would most likely shock them.

“Oh mare, did you see that flip she did where she like, kicked off the rafters mid flip and slammed into the pirate captain? That was so totally awesome!” Rainbow said, her eyes twinkling with unbridled excitement. Her face pulled into a wide smile and she did a small flip of her own. “Ugh, she was just so… I can't even find the words to say how absolutely cool that was!”

“Unprecedented? Formidable? Unbeatable?” Twilight offered.

“I only understood the last one, but yes to all of them! Gosh, I wish I was that cool.”

But you are that cool.

… Where did that come from?

“Y-yeah, well not everypony has the freedom to go on adventures everyday like she did. Sky pirates haven't been around for centuries, so good luck getting swept up into some sort of world ending adventure.” Twilight giggled. Right now, the pretense of guard and Princess had been forgotten, if only temporarily, and she let herself enjoy the moment.

“Yeah, I guess so… Hey, I'm a Princess anyway. If I got into any adventures, my mum or aunt would come swooping in to “save” me.” Rainbow spat. Twilight was silent. The Princess simply mentioning her title had flicked the proverbial switch in Twilights brain. That's right… Twilight was nothing more than her guard. She could never be friends with a Princess.

No matter how much she really wanted to.

“Yo, Twi, you okay? You went silent on me.” Rainbow stepped in front of Twilight and came to a stop, forcing the unicorn to do so in return. “Everything okay?”

“Y-yes, my Princess.”

Rainbow scoffed.

“Hey, I said not to call me that.”

“B-but you are a Princess, you--”

“I'm not a Princess! Especially not after we go to Ponyville, then I'm a free mare!”

“B-but you'll still be an alicorn, and all alicorns are royalty whether you--”

“I don't care what I am!” She shouted, her teeth gritting together. “You're just like my aunt, you know that? I thought you were starting to relax, starting to treat me like a normal mare, maybe even like a f--” She stopped, her eyes starting to fill with tears.

“I…” Twilight started, her words failing her. “I-I'm sorry, Rainbow, I…” She looked up into Rainbow Dash’s glimmering eyes, the warm orange of the street light reflecting off the glazed surface of her eyes. The hues of the moon and the lamps filtered through her fur to give her a wonderful, almost sunset against a blue sky like appearance. It was almost breathtaking for the young guard.

“Just… Forget it, Twilight.” Rainbow said, hanging her hair and walking past her. Twilight lingered behind for a moment before following just behind, no longer feeling like she had the right to walk by her Princesses-- Rainbows side.

Neither of them said another word before they parted ways at the door to Rainbows room.

-

Twilight sighed to herself as she lay down on the bed. Somehow, Celestia had managed to get a perfect reading on Twilight and had designed her new room next to Rainbows with startling accuracy as to her wants. There was a huge wall on the far side of the room that was lined with bookcases, all filled to the brim with many, many texts. The double bed in the middle of the room wasn't too big, nor was it too small. The sheets were a simple nighttime blue, the only decoration being a small crescent moon toward the bottom left of the duvet cover.

Celestia had left a single guard on duty outside Rainbows room who directed Twilight to her new sleeping quarters and spent a short minute showing her where things were. There was a cupboard in the corner for Twilights personal belongings, and a slightly smaller one next to it that was made specifically for storing her rainments. The guard had showed her that there was a direct access to the balcony where she could walk across and reach the Princesses room should the Princess ever need her help in an emergency. Not that she would need it, she simply need cast a teleportation spell and she'd immediately find herself within a meter of the Princess.

Rainbow… I'm sorry.

Twilight covered her face with her hooves. She had messed up, bad. The worst part is that she had to go out of her way to mess up. Without even having to try, Celestia's request of her was coming to fruition, and she was slowly getting to know the young Princess, which could naturally progress to friendship, Twilight assumed. This was why Twilight never had any friends. She was always so dumb, so “logical” that she failed to see the obvious signs ponies were giving her, and even as to miss the signs she was giving herself. Princess Celestia would be disappointed in her.

She groaned in frustration and slammed her pillow into her face.

“Idiot, idiot, IDIOT.” She shouted into the pillow, her voice muffled by the soft down inside the pillow slip. She couldn't even appreciate the luxury of having feather pillows, she was too busy deprecating herself.

There was a knock on the door and Twilight gasped. Who was that? Maybe Princess Celestia had come to berate her for being such a failure of a mare and guard. She'd go down in history as the guard who lost her job faster than anypony before her. She got up from her bed and walked to the door to open it, yet when she did so, there was nopony there. Did she take too long? She hadn't taken that long to respond, so whoever it was must have been incredibly impatient. Just as she was about to shut the door, she heard the knock again.

She only realised now that the knock hadn't come from her front door. It came from the balcony. She spun around and saw the silhouette of somepony who could only be Rainbow Dash. Her mind still on tonight's failure, Twilight considered not opening it at all, only to dismiss those thoughts. Something could be wrong and Rainbow Dash might need her help.

“Twilight?” She stopped her approach as she heard Rainbows voice, raspy and raw. “I-I'm sorry.”

Why in Equestria was she saying sorry? Rainbow hadn't done anything wrong. Twilight was the one at fault for treating Rainbow Dash’s requests so lightly. She stepped away from the front door, closing it with her magic.

“Is that you? I h-heard something.”

“I'm coming, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight sighed, walking over to the balcony door and opening it with a flourish of magic. Rainbow Dash stood in the moonlight, her face illuminated dimly by the light of the full moon. Twilight felt herself oddly short of breath at the sight, her heart racing once more, as it strangely always did when she saw Rainbow like this.

“Hey.” She said, the husky smoke of her voice trailing out, reaching down Twilight’s neck and stealing even more air from her lungs.

“Hello, R-rainbow.”

“Thank you.” She said with a half smile. There was still sadness in her voice and even more in her eyes. “For, you know… Calling me Rainbow Dash this time.”

“I… I shouldn't have called you Princess before.” Twilight said, managing to pry her eyes away from Rainbow, if simply to avert her gaze from the enchanting eyes of the mare in front of her. A stiff breeze blew across the balcony, throwing the curtains up into the air temporarily. “I-it's cold, Rainbow, come inside.”

The young alicorn nodded and followed Twilight in. Rainbow herself also had to admit that the ponies designing this room had done a great job. The decor in the room was simple, yet pleasing to the eye. It wasn't particularly remarkable, yet it was studious, organised, and beautiful. It embodied Twilight to a T.

Twilight stopped and smiled as she watched Rainbow Dash admire her new room. Twilight spent this fleeting moment admiring the sky blue mare herself. No matter how many times she saw her, it was breathtaking and intoxicating. Her fur, her mane, her eyes, all of them together making a mare that personally, Twilight thought was even more beautiful than Celestia.

Her heart began to race again. Why? Why was the sight of the Princess giving her such a strange biological reaction? Was she jealous of her? No, that made no sense. Twilight knew she could be moderately pretty if she tried. Her mother had spent hours dolling her up for a school dance, and Twilight knew she had looked nice then, yet she decided to wash away the makeup and don her dress suit instead.

No, Twilight wasn't jealous of the blue mare's looks. It was simply admiration of her natural beauty. Rainbow Dash was a pretty mare, and there was nothing wrong with admiring beauty. Even as she thought that, she knew that it wasn't the entire truth. There was something missing, something she wasn't getting.

“Geez, they really got this place right.” Rainbow said, her voice needing only just be above a whisper, the silence and stillness of the night letting her voice carry. “Auntie must think you're pretty damn special to give you your own room right next to mine.”

“I-I'm not special at all.” Twilight said, sitting down on the bed heavily. Rainbow looked at her and frowned, walking over to the bed before sitting down next to Twilight.

“Well, I think you're special. And I'm the Princess, so my opinion apparently matters more.” Rainbow said with a half hearted smirk. Twilight wasn't convinced by it, but she remained silent.

“It was a joke.”

“I know.”

“Geez, tough crowd, huh?” She smirked again. Twilight chuckled this time. “There we go.”

A silence fell upon them as they sat, looking out at the moon from the still open balcony door. Twilight fiddled with her hooves as she wracked her brain with things to say.

“I'm sorry.” Rainbow started. She fiddled with her own hooves. “I… Look, you didn't deserve what I did before. You're a guard, you're supposed to be professional and stuff, calling me a Princess is kinda in your job description. I should expect that sometimes you're gonna have to call me that, especially if we're in front of Auntie or mother.” She held back a scoff at the mention of her mother.

“I should be thanking you for calling me Rainbow Dash at all. What Auntie says is true, my real name is Rainbow Glory, and the only reason my mother gets to be called Cadance is that her name is Prench and kinda convoluted. I just wanna be called “Dash” because it sounds cool, and I'm… I'm not cool.”

“I think you're cool.” Twilight said quickly, immediately averting her gaze from Rainbow.

“You… You're not saying that just to cheer me up? I mean, like, I totally chewed you out back there. I'd get it if you were upset with me for at least a little bit.” She said, her voice low as she rubbed a foreleg sheepishly.

“No, Rainbow Dash. It's the truth.” Twilight let herself smile, returning her eyes to the rainbow maned Princess, who was now staring back at her. “I think you're the coolest pony I've ever met. Not that I've met that many ponies, but that's beside the point.” Twilight smiled at her warmly.

“Aw jeez, Twilight…” She chuckled nervously, her wings trembling as she ruffled her feathers.

“I should be the one saying sorry. I know you don't really like being a Princess, so I shouldn't have been so insensitive. We were… We were having fun, and then I went and ruined it.”

“N-No, you didn't ruin it, you were just doing your job.”

“Maybe, but that doesn't mean I should have done it. I think I kinda know how you feel. You grew up as a Princess, always expected to do something about it. I grew up as the daughter of an astronomer and a writer, and both of them expected their smart little girl to grow up to be just like them. They've warmed up to it now, but my mum was absolutely horrified by the idea of not only her baby girl wanting to become a royal guard, but both of her very intellectual offspring seeking a career in what she saw as a very non-intellectual field.”

“Wait, you have a sister?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

“No, a brother. He actually went to school with Princess Cadance. I think they used to talk during class, but they never became friends.”

“Ah.”

“Anyway, I just want you to know that even though I might be a guard, I do respect your wishes. I get how you feel. I understand what's going on in your head. Well, kinda, I don't think I'll ever absolutely understand fully, but I know enough to respect why you don't want to be a Princess.”

A comfortable silence settled down upon the two mares. Rainbow smiled at Twilight, her thanks and appreciation on her face as clear as the blue sky that she reminded Twilight of so much.

“So.” Rainbow said, breaking the silence. “A week, huh? Then we're off to Ponyville.”

“Oh gosh, I know.” Twilight giggled and buried her face in her hooves. “Did you pick that place?”

“Hay no.” Rainbow laughed. “I wanted to go to Cloudsdale, where the Wonderbolts HQ is! I could swear, I was this close to convincing mother to let me go there, then you just had to go and be all awesome in tryouts. Can't exactly have a unicorn living in a cloud only city.”

“Well, I actually know a cloud walking spell that lasts about half a day. It tires me out too much to cast it constantly, but we could go there for a day, if the Princesses approve.”

“Really!?” Rainbow gasped, her eyes lighting up and her smile splitting her face with childlike joy, bouncing up and down in her seat. “You mean it!?”

Twilight giggled at the over enthusiastic and foal-like reaction that simply the idea of visiting Cloudsdale gave the young mare beside her, and she couldn't help but nod. The thought of being able to bring a smile to Rainbows face brought a smile to her own, and caused little bubbles of warmth rise in her belly.

“Yes, Rainbow, we can visit Cloudsdale.”

“Yes, yes, yes, yes! You are like, the best guard ever!” Rainbow said, rushing forward and throwing her forehooves around Twilight. She stiffened up for a second at the sudden contact, and her mind was immediately flooded with thoughts of how unprofessional it was to hug the Princess, but those thoughts were dispelled faster than they came. It was this train of thought that upset both her and Rainbow Dash before, and she wasn't about to let that happen again anytime soon. She returned the hug, squeezing the young alicorn lightly and reveling in the warmth of her body against her own.

The bubbles in her stomach doubled as she breathed in, the soft scent of rain and lavender wafting from the Princesses mane into hers. Her heart began to race as the bubbles exploded into butterfly's, the contented warmth in her belly so absolutely wonderful and calming. She subconsciously hugged the alicorn a little tighter and to her surprise, Rainbow did so in turn, a soft, high pitched sigh escaping her lips.

Eventually they parted, somewhat reluctant as they did so. Neither would have admitted it in that moment, but something had begun with that simple hug, something that neither noticed, and wouldn't for some time yet.

“Twilight, I… Thank you. For everything. For coming out with me to see that movie.” Rainbow smiled sheepishly, her cheeks dusted a pale pink in the light of the full moon. “It meant alot to me.”

“I should be thanking you for making me come. I had a lot of fun tonight.” Twilight smiled back, her own blush not going unnoticed by the other mare. “I haven't had that much fun in… Well, I can't really remember when. So, thank you.”

“If… I mean, I know it's dumb, and we only really just met today, but I haven't gotten along with anypony as easily as I got along with you today, and I think I'd really like it if… If I called you my friend?” Rainbow asked, her voice both apprehensive, yet filled with hope.

Twilight stiffened a little. A friend…

“I… I'm not a good friend, Rainbow.” She murmured, averting her gaze again. “I mean, I'm nerdy and weird, I don't really get a lot of the social graces everypony else seems to get naturally, and to be honest, I've never… I've never had a friend before. I don't know how to be one.” She finished just as she felt her eyes begin to glaze up. She blinked away the tears before they came.

“Really? But you're so… Awesome.” Rainbow said incredulously. Twilight giggled.

“Me? Of all the words I've heard ponies describe me as, awesome is not one I've been called before.”

“Now that I find hard to believe.”

“Well, it's true, and it's noponies fault but mine. I shut myself away for so long and just kinda ignored anypony who tried to be my friend until I was so bad at talking to other ponies that I couldn't make a friend if I tried. So, I just didn't.”

“You don't… Seem too bad talking to me. Should I take that as a compliment?” She said with a smoky chuckle.

Twilight hadn't even realised it until now, but Rainbow was absolutely right. She didn't feel awkward talking to Rainbow now. There was something so approachable and kind about the Princesses personality that she didn't even realise she was opening up to the Princess until after she had already done it. Could… Could this work out? Could she actually be friends with the Princess?

“Twilight, I'm… I'm not actually as cool as you might think. I talk hot shit and act all aloof and stuff, but that's just an act really. You're not really that different from me. I… I've never had a friend before either.”

“I… I'm sorry. B-But you have so many ponies who admire you!”

“Those ponies aren't my friends, Twi. They're… Fans, I guess is the best word. They like me for what I am, not who I am. It's part of why I hate being a Princess so much. I'm not really a pony to them, I'm a Princess. They admire me, but they don't admire me. I've tried to be friends with ponies before, but they always end up trying to kiss my ass, or trying to use me. I thought I had a friend once, but it turned out she only was friends with me so she could brag about being friends with a Princess, and she ended up blabbing to a magazine about my personal life.”

“Rainbow, I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't know.”

“No, don't be, you couldn't have known. At least now you know why I really hate being called Princess, right?” She said, a sad smile on her face.

Twilight couldn't hold herself back, and she pulled the sky blue mare in for another hug. She held her tight, feeling the heartbeat of her new friend against her barrel. Rainbow sunk into the hug, burying her face in the crook of Twilight’s neck. This time, it was Rainbows turn to breath in the strangely alluring scent of the other mares mane.

Hmmm… Blueberries.

They parted again, but this time, Twilights forehooves remained on the Princesses shoulders.

“I will… No, I want to be your friend, Rainbow Dash.”

Tears welled up in Rainbow Dash’s eyes, but this time, she let them flow freely, and wrapped her hooves around Twilight for the third hug that night. She didn't care about looking cool, she didn't worry about her appearance, because right now, the fact that she was a Princess had truly been completely forgotten by both of them. Twilight didn't fret about her being a commoner, Rainbow didn't worry about being used for social status. Twilight didn't think about Princess Celestia asking her to be Rainbow’s friend, she only thought that she had truly made a friend that night, and in turn, Rainbow didn't think about all her failed attempts to make friends before, she only thought about the fact that she had made a true, true friend.

Author's Notes:

Also, I have no idea about anything to do with military rankings, so if Lieutenant is the incorrect title for Twilight, please forgive me. It doesn't really have any bearing on the story, but whatever.