//------------------------------// // 29 - Trail, Part 4 of 10 // Story: The Last Cutie Mark Crusader // by Jatheus //------------------------------// Duster didn’t believe the asinine nature of what he was hearing, “You've got to be kidding me.” "I'm telling you, it's true!" Quickbeam insisted. "Why else do you think it's such a mystery?" "What are you two going on about now?" Jewel asked. Duster and his squad were in their training barracks for the last time as cadets. They had all passed muster, and they were going to have a small ceremony for their graduation. Everypony in town was excited about this as it coincided with some of the first fruits of the cadet's gardening as well. A party with food was a tradition that was becoming scarce in Equestria. "It's dumb," Rolling Thunder offered. "Apparently," Gunnysack began with a sigh, "Quickbeam here is convinced that Drill Sergeant J has been keeping his actual name a secret this entire time." "What does it even matter?" Moonsliver asked. Duster was getting his new dress uniform on. They were so starched and stiff that they nearly stood upright without a body filling them. Unlike their normal everyday garb that was a dark blue, their formal wear was white with blue trim and insignia of their rank. "Okay, I'll bite," Jewel said in an exasperated tone. "What's his name?" "Jasione," Quickbeam said with a smirk. "I stand corrected," Rolling Thunder turned to Quickbeam, “you are dumb." "Can it!" Locknload called out. He looked rather formidable in the new uniform. The events that led up to their graduation had secured him the rank of sergeant. Duster couldn't help but admire his abilities. Locknload seemed like he had been born for combat. He was at home while in the fray, very much like Duster was on a farm. "I'm telling you, Jasione," Quickbeam whispered as they all finished straightening their uniforms and checking for lint. "It's a kind of flower." When they left the quiet of their tent, the training grounds were already flooded with cadets marching to the ceremony. Duster's thoughts kept returning to the night of the attempted coup. Initially, it had been only when he slept, but now it was almost constant. He would see that soldier in front of him, the one that he killed. Moments before it was like a monster that threatened to kill his sister, but the moment Duster got the upper hoof, that soldier transformed into a frightened pony. They must have been about the same age, both having enlisted to be on the same side, fighting to save Equestria. The fear in his eyes was like a mirror. Duster wondered whether they might have been friends if they had met differently. "Are you still not marching in your formation?" Drill Sergeant J shouted loudly as he approached from Duster's right. The squad halted and saluted. Duster felt instantly tense, like a tightened rubber band. The donkey got directly into his face and screamed, "How dare you go to graduation and forget the first thing I taught you. That reflects poorly on me! Do you want to make everypony think that I didn't teach you how to walk?" Something inside Duster snapped. Perhaps he'd been overly influenced by Quickbeam and his ridiculous mannerisms. Maybe he’d just had enough of the donkey yelling at him for little provocation. Whatever the cause, Duster quietly replied, "Sir, no sir, Drill Sergeant Jasione, sir." Drill Sergeant Jasione looked as though he'd been struck in the face. The silence that followed was one of the most uncomfortable that Duster had ever experienced. He immediately regretted having spoken those words. "Very well, cadet. Honest mistakes happen," the donkey replied in a manner that can only be described as extremely polite. To say that the entire squad was completely dumbfounded would be an understatement. "Carry on." Nopony moved as the drill sergeant turned and began walking stiffly away. Duster was just breathing a sigh of relief when Quickbeam ruined it. "Thank you, Drill Sergeant Jasione, sir!" he called after the donkey. Duster was turning to warn against pushing their luck and was stunned to see the drill sergeant already face to face with Quickbeam, pushing him backward. "I don't like you, cadet!" Drill Sergeant Jasione bellowed at Quickbeam. "I have never liked you. That sort of cocky smugness will get ponies killed. You're a coward and a fool, and if it was up to me, you'd spend the entire war digging latrines! Get down and give me fifty push-ups; now!" Sheer terror was emblazoned across Quickbeam's face. Without so much as a moment's hesitation he dropped down and began performing the demanded penance. "Sir," Duster heard himself speak, unsure if it were wise, "I don't understand, sir." "What would that be, cadet?" "Sir, I'm only confused about your reaction," Duster said, still uncertain. The others silently stared ahead, ignoring the situation. "It's very simple," Drill Sergeant Jasione said, his gruff voice sounding a bit softer somehow. "I started the rumor about my name on the second day of training. In all that time, you are the first to be brave or foolish enough to say it to my face. I respect courage. This loudmouth only said it after he saw you get away with it. I don't have any place for cowards." "If I may; I grant you he is foolish, but I saw him in combat when the coup was attempted. He is no coward, sir.“ The donkey eyed Duster thoughtfully until Quickbeam finished his push-ups. It was almost like an understanding had been achieved. "Carry on," was all he replied. The ceremony itself was a pleasant experience after how grueling the training had been. Quickbeam was dismayed to have somehow managed to get grass and mud stains on his new white dress uniform, to the amusement of the rest of the squad. The first of the food crop had indeed come in, so there were oats and fresh green hay in plenty. This drew out the entire town. After the commencement, the mayor made a brief thank you speech on behalf of the citizens of Ponyville. It was directly after this that the feasting began. Duster smiled to himself, remembering when the amount of food would have been considered paltry, but the last year had seen many changes across Equestria. It rendered the perception of their meal a proper feast.