Children of the Guardian

Chap 14

A normal pony would have trembled at the thought of seeing the Royal Advisors. They were the ponies that made rules and created the ways of enforcing them. They were the voices in Princess Celestia's and Luna's ears. They shaped Equestria how they wanted it to be shaped. Yes any normal pony would have been terrified, but David was no mere pony.

He was a stallion and a human, though as he walked down the path towards the advisors quarters his heart began pounding in his chest. No pony in all of Equestrian history had ever opposed or even questioned the advisors, and he was going in to fire every single one of them. (The advisors were formed shortly after Luna's banishment.) David thought to himself as his hoofsteps echoed on the marble tile as he walked through the castle.

Even though the castle was full of activity David had learned early on how to shut out everything around him and only focus on his thoughts. So even at the height of the rush in the castle everything was as quiet as the middle of the night.

(They were a way of preventing Celestia from becoming a dictator with her new power. Now with Twilight on the throne and me by her side we don't need them anymore, and I won't have them controlling my children's lives behind my back.) He thought as he reached the hallway which lead to the advisor chambers.

The path to the chambers branched off from the main hall and was only a short walk farther to reach them. As he began walking that path however the ever present shadow of doubt crept into his mind. It was true that the advisors were not needed ever since Luna's return but they still held a lot of power. Power that was very much visible in the groups of ponies who hated having David so close to Twilight in the first place, for fear that he would become a king.

(It's so easy to see. If I get rid of the advisors then Twilight and her rule take backlash for my decision and spur more Anti-David parties. On the other hand if I do nothing then they get away with making rules and decisions without Twilight or I's consent.) He thought as he continued walking down the lonely path to the chambers.

(The lonely path of resistance, or in this case it might be rebellion. Either way I'm walking it.) He thought as his hoof reached up and began turning the door to the chambers.

"Ye even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for my God is with me." David prayed silently as he entered his own version of the Lion's Den.

As the door gently swung open with a creak his muzzle was immediately assaulted by a strong fragrance. It burned his eyes and made him wince in disgust but he then noticed that the smell was coming from burning incense rods that were in the middle of the chambers. Braving the smell and possible chance of throwing up he walked inside and shut the door behind him.

"Royal Advisors I must speak with you!" He shouted as loud as he good with his Royal Canterlot Voice which upon finishing he realized wasn't a good idea since he now had to take a deep breath of the foul fragrance in the air which caused him to cough. As he was finally able to catch a breath he noticed the advisors coming down the stairs to the main room of their chambers.

Each one of the fifteen of them wore a different color cloak that colored their entire body; the only visible part of them was their muzzles which David guessed added to their imposing appearance. The elder of the advisors in his dark red cloak stepped forward.

"Welcome Guardian! To what do we owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?" He said kindly.

"Angelos it has been a while." David said smiling and shaking the pony's hoof.

David had given the head advisor the name Angelos because the stallion reminded him of a strong willed character from a video game he had played back home.

"Indeed it has Guardian. I am sorry if the dragon's blood fragrance offends you. It helps to sharpen one's mind when meditating or casting spells." Angelos said readjusting the leaning incense rods.

David had indeed heard of dragon blood incense. It was not actual blood but a dark red plant that grew in dragon territory. It was very valuable and was traded all over Equestria for many uses, one of them being incense.

"Angelos we need to talk." He said walking over and taking the aging advisor aside.

"Let me guess my friend. You've come to remove us from power correct?" Angelos said quietly.

David's eyes shot open.

"How did you…?"

"It's not important how I know. What is important is that you realize what you're doing. I understand that you want your children to have free lives. I want this as well." The wise advisor concluded sitting down on a nearby chair.

"Angelos… I'm sorry it has to come to this, but I can't have the advisors running my children's lives anymore. I have no choice but to remove the advisors from their positions... even you."

David's heart was ripping in half. Angelos was one of Midnight and Sunlight's favorite advisors. He may have been old but he was like a grandfather to them. He told them stories, played with them, and spent time with them when David or Twilight couldn't.

"Angelos I want to keep you here. The children love you and you always consulted with me before you took any action."

"But you are afraid that if I stay that the others will wonder why I was chosen, and this will affect you and the princess's regime." Angelos interrupted.

David nodded as the old stallion sighed, and then suddenly chuckled.

"You are truly what this kingdom needs David." he said happily.

"What do you…?"

"The days of the sister reign are over, and the time for a new era has arrived. You are not doing this merely for your children but to preserve and create a new regime for Equestrian history. I see this new regime as a new light to cast out the darkness that lingers from the past. I can assure you David that I hold no grudge against you, and neither should the other advisors. Our duty is not to question decisions but to influence them, and what you're doing now is the sign of a true leader." He concluded taking David's hoof.

"Remember this however… If you ever need me in any way, shape, or form. Come to me and I will offer you all the advice and assistance I can. I am loyal to Equestria and to you Guardian." Upon finishing this Angelos stood and bowed to the floor in front of David.

(Damn it… why do I have to get rid of the one good advisor who actually cares about the decisions he makes.) David thought as he and Angelos rejoined the advisors.

"Advisors… I have come to inform you that your services are no longer required." He said his voice struggling to form the words.

"This is not a removal of obstacles; rather it is a change in regime. I feel that the time for advisors is over, because the best advisor is experience. I will miss each of you." He concluded nodding to them.

Although the sounds of grumbling and complaining could easily be heard the advisors knew better than to question the Guardian. After all none of them knew what else he could do to them, and he had always treated them well. David watched as the advisors headed back up the steps to gather their things.

However as they did he caught Angelos's cloak. "Angelos gather your things and report to the throne room." He said quietly.

"Why?"

"I think I found a way to keep my kid's favorite old stallion in this castle without attracting too much attention. You may not be able to be an advisor, but I could always use a nice guardian for my children."

The red cloak fell off the stallion's head revealing an aging brown stallion with a gray mane. He had clear green eyes that sparkled with wisdom and a smile now crossed his face. "Of course Guardian." Next Chapter: Chapter 15 Estimated time remaining: 32 Minutes