//------------------------------// // Drafted // Story: Journal of a Soldier // by SulliedInk //------------------------------// Day 1 Man! I really can't believe it! I've been selected as a royal guard for her majesty herself. This is really great! I can already see my future ahead of me! All of the glory, fame, and mares swirling around me like bees around flowers. Mother has given me this journal so I may chronicle my adventures. I really look forward to our time together! Oh look at that! They're calling me already. This, dear journal, is the first day of our lives together. This is the beginning of my journey. *** Day 3 The train to Canterlot is really slow today. Yesterday, I got to meet our captain. He was a really nice colt, and assured me training wasn't that hard. After all, I am the famous Dash Blade! I've earned quite the reputation back home. He was genuinely impressed by my skills. I cannot wait for what lies ahead! And there's the train. I'll have to keep writing later then. Here's to victory! Here's to the rest of our lives! *** Day 6 Almost a full seven days here at the castle. Training wasn't that hard. I'm already on top of my squad, so they're transferring me somewhere else. Might as well. It's not like anything exciting ever happens at the castle. *** Day 7 We did it journal! We've survived seven days of training. The higher we climb, the harsher the tasks. I look at my snow white fur covered in mud, and think to myself; it really is great to be part of something big. Every day, I wake up seeking new adventures. This power I now have as a guard... It's something I've never felt before... Is this the feeling of might? Is this the pride one feels after escalating the ladder? I know I'm a great athlete and thinker, but this is much greater than what I've felt before! This is... Wonderful. There is no use hiding my joy and excitement journal. I certainly hope things get even better, for all of us. *** Day 9 Yeah! Nine whole days since I've left home! For the first time, a higher-up acknowledged my work. Sure, I've been climbing a ladder, but only as a guard. Right now, a sergeant has added my name onto a list of people Celestia is considering to promote. Think about it; I've only been here for nine days, and I'm already getting a promotion! Better go; after all, I don't want to make an even better impression on the higher-ups. *** Day 10 Today, I heard nasty rumors of disease killing thousands of ponies somewhere far away. The comments I heard from other ponies were less than appropriate for the moment. They didn't feel an inch of disgust, nor sympathy. They upfront told me it wasn't our problem. Yeesh! What jerks! I hope this job doesn't turn me into a monster. Day 10 (Night) Whew... I'm too tired to write... After the ceremony, we were partying... It was awesome! But so much booze... And the food... Delicious... Umph... Now I'm stuffed... Good night Journal... *** Day 11 At lunch today, I was discussing this disease problem with the sergeant and some other elites. Everything went by so fast. I had already climbed up the ladder. Anyways, they said the higher-ups were on their hooves, ready for any sign of serious outbreak. We started talking about our families back home, and what goals we aspire to. When lunch time was over, I was still left haunted with a very important question. I asked the sergeant if this job would turn me into a monster, and he replied: "Well kid, lemme tell y'a this; no soldier ever comes out with clean hooves. Never." I started having real fears. *** Day 12 Nothing but bad news journal. Apparently, this mysterious disease is spreading fast. It's only a matter of days before it reaches Equestria. I personally don't believe any of these rumors. I fell like this is just some tactic employed by the higher-ups to scare us. Every day, I see the guards below and above me treat these affected ponies as garbage. We were thousands and thousands of miles away. We are Equestrians. We are under the care of Celestia and Luna. We have the strongest military. (After all, I'm in it.) We are better than these other people...right? Oh dear Celestia... I'm starting to become like them. Journal, only you can know of this moment. Only you can know of these feelings journal. Day 13 (Midnight) We've been called on duty journal! For them having to wake us up so late at night must mean there is something important! I'll see you later journal. Right now, it's time for some action.