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// Chapter 4: A Tear in the Ranks 
// Story: Black Nightshade The Night Guard Origins 
// by Black Nightshade 
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It had been 3 days since Black had the small talk with the Drill Sergeant and since then, a lot of the Cadet's had been whispering almost every day: once she caught a stallion ask, while she was punching a bag full of foam why she wore tight exercise clothes while training. Another time she was rudely asked if her eyes were contacts by a stallion who wore the uniform of a Tech Analyser.  From the training room, to the cafeteria, she swore she heard one of the Cadet's ask from a table a little ways away.

"Doesn't she drink blood? I didn't think she could eat food like us "normal" ponies!"

Even though this made her angry, she held it in, only telling Swift who told her exactly what Black thought as much, to just ignore them and go somewhere else.

"Why has the Sergeant been shooting me looks today? I'm not in trouble am I?"
Black said to herself, shifting uncomfortably in the Night Guard Armour and looking at her other Cadet's, a slight smile on her face.

The Cadet's had now progressed to the Night Guard Armour Training, wearing armour with no wings so they can focus on their last ground combat before upgrading to the Winged Armour and the Arial Combat Training. 

Black looked over the armour one more time: The helmet was designed to look intimidating, with a purple hue and a Waxing Gibbous moon phase on the front. The points were styled to look like Bat Pony wings and  the chest plate was adorned with 4 sharp points and in the middle was a large slitted eye, showing the changes to the wearer's eyes. Along the front and back legs, were multiple guards with a purple cross like shape, and bulky shoulder plates. On their back, draping past their left leg, was a small cape with the Lunar Republic crest emblazoned. 

'Like the mark on my flank... what does it mean?' Black thought to herself when suddenly, a stallion wearing the same armour, but carrying the helmet in one leg, gave a crisp clear of his throat, making the cadet's snap to attention.

"Alright Cadet's, welcome to the first of 5 days of Armour Training. As you can see, the Armour alters you somewhat but don't worry, the changes aren't permanent." said the Instructor who was holding a Guard's helm under his hoof. Just as he was about to demonstrate how to place the helm, a hoof from the fourth row shot into the air.

"Yes Cadet?" said the Instructor and the Cadet, an Earth Pony with a chestnut coat and blonde mane stepped out of line.

"Well Sir..." he started and cleared his throat before finishing with "Does that mean that Batty is out then?"

Several Cadet's started to laugh, and Black started to shake. She had had enough of being teased and was about to rush towards him but Swift held her back by the base of her large wings. 

"Black! Ignore and move? Ignore and mooove…" said Swift, but her words fell on deaf ears.

"You want to rumble big boy? Cause I've had enough of the name's, the questions on my attire, and my EYES!" She stared at the Tech Analyst, who was walking into a tent with a Laptop on the sign above with a black moon on the lid.

"Whatever. Your just a Cave Dweller who will NEVER, be a Night Guard!" said the Cadet, getting in Black's face.

A chorus of gasp's and whispers arose from the Cadet's. 

"Silence! Quiet everypony!" said the Instructor but no-pony was listening.

Black was livid! Her eyes were so tight, the pupils were in the white of her eyes. it is offensive where she came from, to be called a Cave Dweller. "What... did...  you... just... call... ME!" Black said, her fangs extended and were digging into her lower lip.

"You heard me, I called you a Cave Dweller! Cause isn't that where you came from?" said the Cadet and Black prowled forward, like a predator.

"You and me, the Combat Ring, 5 minutes!" said Black, tapping the Cadet in the armoured chest and flapping her wings, turned away, and walking back in line. The Cadet, with a shocked look, was about to move forward and say something, when 3 Instructors got between the both of them, one holding the Cadet back and the other two blocking Black from moving or attacking.  

"Umm... okay, Practice is canceled! Cadet's, meet the Sergeant in his tent in 1 minute! NO excuses!" said the Instructor, as the both of them were going to protest. 

"Oh and one more thing... if any of us hear that racist slur EVER again, you'll be immediately sent home, and will not be allowed to be re-enrolled! Is that understood?" said the Instructor and Black and the Cadet both nodded. 

"Good, now get moving! The Sergeant doesn't like to be kept waiting." said the Instructor and trotted away. Black watched him walk, his armour clicking and clacking as it moved around his body.

"Well, let's go... I don't want to keep the Sarge!" said Black, taking off the helm and holding it with her large wing. "Come on, hustle Cadet!" Black said, her voice trailing off.

With a huff, the Cadet rolled his eyes and followed after Black, grumbling all the while.