The Equestrian Honor Guard

by Honored Service


The Cutie Crusaders

The Equestrian Honor Guard
Chapter 15
By Honored Service


I awoke to see the sun cutting through the heavy canopy of the Everfree forest. Even though I had almost been eaten by some of its natural creatures, I would miss the forest and its dark, gloomy setting. The Everfree was where I had been born anew in Equestria. It was dangerous and full of adventure; something that I had longed for, but I knew that I would have to leave it. I needed to continue my new life with the ponies, not the creepy forest.

I rolled up the bedroll that had been my bed for the past 9 nights and clasped it to the top of my backpack that was lacking a lot of the original supplies I had started off with. Looking around at the makeshift camp, I collected the few remaining belongings I had with me: my backpack, rifle, belt, holster, tactical vest and Army uniform. That was everything I had in this world. I was able to hold everything I owned on my person. It was a sobering moment to say the least.

Even though I knew I had few worldly possessions, I knew that great things were bound to happen to me. I was Equestria’s only human and that had some meaning behind it. I was going to discover what it meant to be an Equestrian Human.

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“Thanks again for letting me borrow this pot to hold the protein drink Zecora. It really came in handy. The Apples have room for me in their home, so I’m not really going to need it anymore.” I was returning the clay pot back to the zebra, just as I had promised to do. I owed her more than she knew. Zecora had given me food, a suitable camp sight, and had healed me from a horrible wound that I had sustained from those damn Timber Wolves.

“Think nothing of it friend; I am glad to have met you in the end.” Zecora was hard to understand sometimes with her constant rhyming, but she always spoke true. I hoped that I would see her around Ponyville more often. She was a good friend and I hoped to repay her someday for her many acts of kindness she provided to me. I waved goodbye and headed off down the path towards Ponyville.

I came out of the Everfree and stepped into the warm sunlight that poured down from the heavens. The whole world seemed to emit a joyful vibe as a strolled down the dirt that lead to a farm nestled in the surrounding hills. I could see the tops of the apple trees bearing their delicious harvest, ready to be picked. I mean bucked. Ha-ha got to start adapting my vocabulary to match the local residents I would be living with.

The road leading into Sweet Apple Acers was just as the show had depicted. A white fence stretched its way along the front of the farm with a sign post displaying a large apple wrapped in a vine pattern. So this is it, my new temporary home. First had been the fire circle and stars. Second had been the lean-to in the forest. And now it was a guest bedroom with the Apples. I was making progress. And progress is good.

“Well howdy there Johnson!” Applejack came trotting up next to me from the apple orchard. She came up to my chest with her hat on. Ponies weren’t that much smaller than humans, about 4 ½ to 5 feet tall, mid chest level. Well except for the Princesses. Princess Celestia was a good foot taller than me.

“Hey Applejack. I hope I’m not too early.” I slung my rifle over to my other shoulder and continued to walk with the orange coated earth pony.

“Nah. Y’all are right on time. Is that all ya’ got?” She gestured to the backpack that was strapped to my back.

“Yes, this is it. I wasn’t really given a warning to pack before I was transported here.” I laughed at my little joke. Applejack just smiled politely and nodded.

“Well we’ll get you settled in the room. I know Applebloom has been excited as a pig in a mud hole to see ya’. She’s out back with her other two friends.” Applejack climbed swung open the screen door leading into the apple family abode.

I followed her in taking in my surroundings. I was finally getting a good look at my favorite pony’s home. So awesome.

The walls were adorned with lots of pictures and newspaper clippings that involved the Apple family one way or another. ‘Apple Helps Save the Day’, another read, ‘Most Dependable Pony’; it was a very family oriented home. I continued to follow Applejack down a hall to the last door on the bottom floor. She pushed in on the oak door and it swung open to reveal small cozy room. A double bed rested against the wall with a dresser across from it. Another door lead to what I guessed was the bathroom.

“Ah hope ya’ find this to your liking. Ah know it ain’t much for what ya did and all-“

I raised a hand to silence the hard working pony. “It’s perfect Applejack. Thanks for opening up you home to a relative stranger. I’ve been sleeping outdoors for over a week; this is like heaven to me.” I looked down to her and smiled, trying to show her that I really meant it.

“Well shucks Johnson. Applebloom trusts ya, so it’s easy for me to trust ya’. Y’all get settled in, and ah’ll call ya’ for lunch.” She turned and walked back down the hall awayr from my new room.

I sat the backpack on the bed and opened the back. Well let’s unpack and get moved in.

After 5 minutes, I had already emptied the backpack and sorted everything into the dresser. Considering that I only had the uniform I was wearing as clothing, it would be beneficiary to take Rarity up on her offer and get some new clothes. I could imagine that I was beginning to stink, even if I did wash the thing nearly every day.

I hung the tactical vest on the corner of the bed and rested the rifle against the head board next to where I would be sleeping. I kept the belt with my holster and BB on, deciding that without my weapons, I would be nearly useless. I was naked without them.

I was about to sort through my meager belongings again, when I heard laughing and giggling coming from the window next to the dresser. Looking out, I saw the CMC running around with their little red capes on in the backyard of the house. Time to go have some fun.

I walked out of the house only to be attacked by three adorable fillies.

“Johnson! See ah told ya he was moving in with me!” Applebloom ran around my legs dodging and weaving inbetween my steps and Sweetie Bell and Scootalo ran along beside me.

“That is so awesome Applebloom!” Scootalo jumped into the air as her wings made a buzzing sound.

“You are so lucky! Rarity said that he could have stayed at our place, but she said something about it being scandalous or something.” Sweetie Bell pouted a bit.

“Well Sweetie Bell, I’ll be coming by tomorrow, because your sister is helping design me some more clothes.”

Scootalo stopped in front of me with a questioning look on her face. “Why do you wear clothes anyway? Do you have nasty scales?”

“No, it’s because he has secret alien weapons under ‘em” Applebloom jumped onto her hind legs and motioned holding a rifle. “Like the big fire stick he used at the duck pond! Pew Pew!”

Sweetie Bell collapsed pretending to be hit by invisible bullets. I swear that id I stayed her any longer I would get sick from the levels of cuteness these 3 were producing.

“If you want to know the real reason, I’ll tell you.” I crouched down to the ground so I was on their level. I waved them in closer. The three ponies inched closer. I waved them closer again. They scooted closer.

“The real reason I wear clothes is…” I looked around acting to check if to see if we were alone; “Is because humans don’t have cutie marks. And I don’t want anypony to know that.”

I stood back up and watched the girls all smile up at me.

Applebloom spoke up first. “Johnson, we are all blank flanks too!”

Sweetie Bell and Scootalo nodded to each other and turned sideways so I could see their blank sides.

“While I’ll be, I guess I’m not the only one!” I knew that I was just messing with the 3 of them, but they were having fun thinking they were helping me break out my shell or something like that.

“In fact, ah bet we can make you an honorary Cutie Mark Crusader.” Applebloom waved the other two fillies into a huddle. I could hear them whispering to themselves and occasionally looking out of their circle to look at me, and then dive back into the discussion.

Applebloom coughed and trotted up to my legs. I took a seated position in front of the little foal so she stood at my eye level. “We will welcome ya’ into the Cutie Mark Crusaders…if you can complete the initiation ritual.” She gave a sideways glance to Scootalo and Sweetie Bell who both giggled.

“Oh boy, here we go.”

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I found myself hiding in a bush alongside the road leading towards Ponville from Sweet Apple Acers.

“Are you sure about this Applebloom? I mean I’m still pretty new around here, what if I offend her or something?” I wasn’t exactly 100% into this initiation ritual I had to do. But I didn’t want to see these 3 fillies pout. God help me if I see them pout.

Sweetie Bell patted me on the back. “You can do it Johnson; you just need to wait for the signal. That’s all. When Scootalo has her in position, just scare her somehow. It will be priceless.” She rubbed her fore hooves together like an evil genius plotting a well evil scheme.

“Ok, but if I get bucked or hurt in anyway-“

“Shhhh she’s coming” Applebloom shoved a hoof into my mouth to silence me, before I could give away our location to the target.

I watched as Scootalo crested the hill being followed by Rainbow Dash. Aw shit. I had to prank the Queen of pranking. Well at least it wasn’t Pinkie Pie.

“It was over here in this ditch Rainbow Dash! But it was to fast for me to catch, so I figured someone as quick as you could get it.” I had to give it to that filly, she sure knew how to get Rainbow Dash’s attention.

“Rainbow rubbed a hoof across her chest. “Yeah, I could see that. So where is this bug?”

Scootalo pointed to the ditch opposite from where Applebloom, Sweetie Bell, and I were hiding. Oh God, I had to scare her. Hahaha somehow starring down the maticore had seemed easier than this.

Rainbow Dash flew over and landed in front of the ditch sticking her head down into it. “I don’t see anything squirt.”

“Oh it’s there, just keep looking Rainbow Dash; I really want to see you get it.” Scootalo pointed at me and nodded.

I slowly crept out of the bush and stepped lightly on the sides of my combat boots to avoid making as much noise as possible. I was almost right behind the rainbow manned pegasus. I slowly extended my hand till it was hovering right over Rainbow Dash’s back. With one finger, I traced down her spine till she slowly turned around.

“Boo.”

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” She tore off so fast, that I was thrown backwards by the force of her take off. I raised my hand to my head to feel that my short hair had literally been blown backwards by the power of her wings.

The three little devils that acted like innocent fillies were rolling on the ground laughing. Scootalo was wiping a tear from her eye.

“That was amazing Johnson. You are definitely in.” She hopped up onto my left shoulder, while Sweetie Bell climbed onto the right one and Applebloom gripped onto the front of my chest, holding onto the breast pocket.

“Yup, ah say that Johnson is now a member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

“I for one second the motion.” Came the response of the whir unicorn from my right side.

“Here, here.” Echoed a third from my left side.

“Welcome to the group Johnson. We all have a gift for ya’ back at the farm. Let’s get a move on!” Applebloom pointed a hoof off towards the direction of Sweet apple Acers.

“I’m going to have to carry y’all all the ways back; aren’t I?” Three nods confirmed this burden, but somehow I think I would manage this extra cute weight.

I was given directions to the Cutie Mark Crusader’s club house that was tucked into the corner of Sweet Apple Acers. I carried them into the clubhouse ducking low to avoid hitting my head on the celling. They jumped of me and stood in front of me waiting for me to take a seat.

“Please sit, and close yer eyes!” Applebloom commanded.

“And no peaking either!” Sweetie Bell added.

“Okay I promise.” I covered my eyes with the palms of my hands and waited for the okay to open them. I heard some shuffling around and something tip over. I started to lift one palm up.

“Hey no peaking!” Scootalo called out.

I shut my eye closed and covered it in the blink of an eye.

“Okay you can look now.” All three voices sang out to me.

I removed my hands and opened my eyes to see Applbloom, Sweetie Bell, and Scootalo all holding a patch up to me. It was the Cutie Mark Crusader patch. The little filly rearing up on its hind legs in a heroic pose. But the patch wasn’t on a cape, it was on a piece of Velcro.

“Rarity said something about that material on your arm being something like this. So I figured that we could make you a patch to fit there.” She pointed at the spot on my left arm that held the patch from my old battalion at the military college. I gently pulled that patch off and placed it in my chest pocket. And in its place I put the insignia of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

I smiled at the girls as we all headed back to the farm house. It was nearly lunch time, and I was starving. Time to get some apple treats.


































Credit to this awsome military brony for the actual patch seen above. I want this one and the Celestia one for my uniform for next year. I’d be able to get away with it as a sophomore.