The Equestrian Honor Guard
Chapter 25
By Honored Service
"So am I not going to have to do hoof to hoof training since I don't have hooves?" I was walking in a simple formation with the rest of Saddle Company as we marched towards the designated training area. We marched in two rows of three. The unicorns in front, the Pegasus in the middle, the earth pony and the human in the rear. The company had decided that I was the other earth pony since I couldn't fly or use magic. #earthponyswag
"Oh no Honored, afraid to get your delicate human hands dirty?" Fast Skies turned and winked at me.
"No, I just don't want to have to show everypony up, with my insane mind blowing skills of a true warrior." And yeah, hooves were a lot harder and tougher than hands.
"Whoa, somepony's getting an ego." Short Blade called back from the front of the line. "You had better check that in before one of the instructors sees it. They love cracking egos. Especially the hoof to hoof one, Lightning Strike."
"Is he that tough?" I was a little nervous about this hoof to hoof stuff; I could do hand to hand, but that was for fighting humans, not four legged ponies. That could use magic. Who could also fly.
Hammer Strike turned to me, "It's not that he is tough, he's actually small by earth pony standards, it's that he is the best at what he does. He trained in Trottingham with many different masters in the hoof to hoof stuff."
"So he's a bad ass? We should get along just fine." Saddle Company entered the building right behind FoalTrot Company. Time to kick some flank as it twere.
"Oi listen up lil' recruits. It's my job as your instructor to make you angle to kick some arse and send bad ponies crying home to their mums. When in this buildin' I am your master and leader. Hoof to hoof is different from any other course here." This Lightning Strike spoke with some kind of British accent as he paced in front of us. Hammer was right, he was small. He must have been at least a head smaller than other earth ponies. But he must be good if he's in charge of the training for hoof to hoof.
"You will learn to counter and attack your combatant, along with how to avoid getting your flank smashed by some lil' wanker. Any questions?" he scanned the room looking for hooves. Upon seeing there was none, he stood in the center of the class. "Well then lets dive right in. Honored Service front and center."
I moved out of formation and stood in front of the short earth pony. He had a dark grey coat and a mane and tail that was the bright yellow white of lightning. His cutie mark was strange, it showed a horseshoe with a boxing glove? Wait how did ponies know what boxing gloves were, they wouldn't fir a pony, I mean I guess they could it would just be lose. What the hell logic?
"Sir Honored Duty reporting as ordered." I stood at attention.
"Aye I can see that. Drop the guard formal shit. You won't be doing it on the battlefield so don't be doing it in here. That goes for all you lil' recruits." he yelled at the formations of ponies behind me.
"Now recruit, I have had the joy to fight griffons, ponies, mules, even a changeling, but I have never fought a human. Now I hear you are a solider from your world?" He gave me a dead stare waiting for my response. I think I knew where this was leading to.
"Sir yes... I mean yeah I was."
"Great. Head to the left and into the ring mate, it's time to see what humans are made of. And this is a good way to see how that training of yours does against me." He gave a wicked smile and ushered the formations of ponies into some seating area that looked into a ring. Or more correctly an octagon. Fuck.
I followed some stairs down into the octagon and removed my shirt, pants, and my holster belt combo and found some shorts that were next to the entrance. That bastard had planed this from the time I came to the training camp. He even had some damn shorts ready for me to use.
Lightning Strike entered the ring opposite of me wearing a matching set of shorts. "Listen up Suise, rules are simple, no groin shots or strangling with your open claws."
"Hands."
"Hands, claws same thing. Use whatever technique you want to in this ring to survive against me." I nodded to him letting him know I understand these rules. "Okay Corporal, start his time and count the hits."
"Gottcha Lightning." Hey that was the same corporal from yesterday.
"Best of luck to ya' mate, you're goin' need it."
A bell sounded nearby and the match began.
We slowly began to circle each other keeping some distance from each other. He was waiting for me to strike first, but I was sticking to my morals. I wasn't an attacker, I was a defender, a protector; a force of -
I hadn't even noticed that Lightning moved up and swiftly to his left and jumped. I saw him out of the corner of my eye before I felt a hoof make contact with my jaw.
SMACK
I stood there and lifted my arm to feel the spot that I had just been punched. I could already feel it swelling up. Lightning had retreated to opposite side of the ring, where he paced slightly. He had a look of slight confusion on his face, "Bloody Tartarus, that was a KO right hook. Thick skull mate, good on ya."
We began to circle again, but now that he had thrown the first punch, IT. IS. ON.
He lunged at me, but I was ready this time. I side stepped just as he flew by me. I lashed out with my right fist and connected into his side, just as he spun around threw out his left hind leg. We both connected at the same time. My punch and his kick. I staggered back shaking my head as he fell onto his side and groaned. He slowly got back up as I leapt at him.
He slid out of he way as I came down on the spot he was at with fist. He dashed around behind me and sprung at my in protected back. I dropped to my back just as he passed over me. I saw my opening and took it.
As he passed over me, he looked down into my eyes. And I looked up at him; and gave my trademark smile, flashing my teeth. With that I kicked my legs up Ito his gut and kicked him up and over into the side of the octagon.
CRASH
"Bloody, that's gonna hurt." Lightning coughed as he righted himself up and continued to stare me down. He had a look of furry in his eyes now as he watched me. He knew what I was capable of now.
He rushed forward and stepped left, I moved to right to avoid him, but I watched as I moved right he quickly spun and delivered a round house kick to my head as I tried to side step him.
CRACK
I saw he ground rushing up to meet me as I fell forward onto the floor. Damn, that was a Buck Norris kick. Get it?
"Oi, you alright human?" I opened my eyes to see a sweaty Lightning Strike standing above me. He extended a hoof to me. I took it gratefully as he helped me back onto my feet. I may have lost, but I knew how to lose with class.
"I'll tell you recruit. No one has ever hit me twice in this room. Except for Shining Armor, you're the first." He walked with me to the exit of the octagon. "You're training from Earth seemed to do alright here, just a few adjustments here and there and you'll be all set. Good match Honored." He stuck a hoof out to me. I took it in my hand and have him a hoof/handshake.
"I look forward to learning more from you Lightning." I may have been beaten, but I was glad it was by an instructor and not a true enemy. I wasn't an invincible human, but a humble recruit in traning to be a Royal Guard and then an Equestrian Honor Guard.
"And I look forward to teaching you mate." We both stepped back in front of the other recruits. The nearest one hoofed me my clothes, belt, and holster. I walked back to my spot among my company and received some smiles and nods from my friends.
"Now that I'm done playing around, we're going to pair up and practice some basic stances and counters. Honored, sit this out and get some ice for your head. That leaves us one pony short of even pairs. Ah you there, Hammer Strike, your flank is with me. Get on it wankers pair up."
For the first time since starting training, I saw a look of brief fear on Hammer's face. Priceless.
"I thought I said I didn't want to see you in here again." Joked Dr. Careful as he placed an ice pack on my swollen head.
"Sorry Doc, I just couldn't resist your charm and smile. Ouch!" I flinched as the ice pack was pressed down harder against my swollen jaw and temple.
"Oh sorry." He gave a fake smile. "Now keep that pressed there while I fill out some paper work."
The cream colored unicorn trotted to his desk and levitated a folder out and a pen over to it. "Now let's see, large bruising on the jaw and temple area of the head. Now how did this happen Honored?"
"Lightning Strike."
"Ah I see, hoof to hoof." I heard the scratching of a pen as he wrote down my information. The door leading into the room opened.
"I'll be right with you, I just need to finish with this recruit." Dr. Careful said without looking up from his paper work.
"Oh that's quite alright Dr. I'm here to see my little human anyway." I recognized that motherly calm voice anywhere.
"Ah your majesty!" The doctor dropped to floor and bowed. I gave a salute and a simple bow.
"Howdy there Princess Celestia!" I walked over to her while keeping the ice pack against my head.
"Doctor, would it be alright if I borrow this patient from you!" The princess smiled and looked at the trembling stallion.
"Oh course Princess, I'm finishing his paper work anyway." He turned and looked at me. "And you keep the ice on that, and try not to get hit there for a couple days. I mean it when I say I don't want to see you in here again Honored."
As I walked out with the princess I turned and said, " At the rate I'm going Doc, I'll see you after every training course."
The princess and I walked through the infirmary and out onto the street. Ponies stopped and bowed or saluted to her as we continued to walk to the massive doors leading into the back of the castle.
"So would you care to explain why you have reported to the infirmary twice in less than 24 hours?" Celestia raised and eyebrow at me. She had a slightly annoyed look on her face. "Are other ponies treating with hostility?"
"Oh nothing like that your highness."
"Johnson, we have been over this, Celestia please."
"Of course Celestia. The first time I cut myself on the razor wire on the obstacle course," I rolled up the sleeve on my shirt and showed her the freshly stitched cut, " And this time was for ice after sparring with Lightning Strike." I pulled the ice pack away to show her the bruised jaw line and temple.
"And how did you do?" She asked as we passed through the doors leading into the throne room.
"Well I passed the obstacle course in 1 minute and 26 seconds. And I landed two hits on Lightning before he round house kicked me into oblivion."
"Wow." The princess was taken back my already impressive feats. "I remember humans being tough but I guess I forgot how tough. I'll need to write to Twilight and let her know how you're doing."
"Thank you princess. I would appreciate that. To know how my friends are doing." We walked past the throne room and up some Starks leading to a tower. We reached a door that had drawings on it held in place by tape. The pictures showed a crescent moon and stars. While another drawing showed a white alicorn with a big red x over here. And after translating the writing I saw that it read, No Tia Allowed. How mature Luna.
I looked up at the princess. And gave her a 'what the fuck' stare. And gestured to the door.
"My lovely sister and I had a slight disagreement about something so she is now pouting. I was hoping you could help solve this situation." She lightly knocked on the door.
"GO AWAY SISTER WE KNOW IT IS YOU!" I was almost blown back by the shouting the came from the room.
"Sister, please calm down. I brought Johnson here, so he can end this little argument."
The door slowly cracked opened and One dark blue eye peered out into the hallway. I waved at her and door open up to allow us entrance into princess of the night's room. As we stepped into the room, Luna stuck her tongue out at Celestia.
"So what seems to be the problem?" I could feel the tension in the room as Luna shut the door.
"We... I designed armor for you to wear upon completion of your Royal Guard training, but Tia said she didn't like it. So she then designed her own armor after me and says we're using here design. And it's not fair!" Luna sat down hard and crossed her forelegs in front of her.
"Well why can't I just keep my current armor that why there is no arguing?" I liked my current armor and duster, it suited me well.
"NO!" Both princesses shouted at me at the same time.
Luna plodded forward and poked a hoof against my chest. "We... I have designed an amazing suit of armor and we... I want you to wear it." Her horn glowed a light blue and a piece of paper levitated itself to me. I snagged it out of the air.
On it was a masterfully drawn picture of myself (looking as gorgeous as ever) wearing a suit of armor. It was crafted much like an ancient Roman solider. The suit itself was drawn to be crafted out of a dark metal that was colored on different spots with blues, black, and purples. All dark colors of the night. The helmet had a large frilly top that was colored with blues with specks of white in it. Just like Luna's mane.
"I told you that he wouldn't like it." Celestia's horn glowed yellow and a second sheet of parchment flavored through the air and levitated in front of me. "Mine is clearly more suited for him."
This armor was constructed much the same way. Ancient Roman style. But this design was colored with bright oranges, yellows and gold. The frilly top of the helmet was red. Both princesses waited with large eyes and smiles on their faces to see which one I liked best.
"Listen princesses, both of these are really good. But Luna, yours looks like it is designed for a night guard, and Celestia yours looks like it is made for a day guard."
Celestia coughed, "Dawnguard."
"Whatever same thing, the point is that I'm neither one of those. The Equestrian Honor Guard is commanded by both of you. So the armor, if I even wear any, needs to be designed by both of you together. Working together. I'll leave you to it." With that, I bowed to the princesses and saluted while making my way to the door. As soon as it closed I waited to hear how my speech went over with the royal sisters.
"I want it to have a cape!" Celestia hollered at her sister.
"Please sister, those went out of style before I was on the moon!" Luna retorted in an equally loud voice.
"Ah sisterly love." I said while walking down the hallway back to the training camp. It made me happy to see that the all powerful leaders were normal behind closed doors.
I reached the barracks and headed to the flag at the back that had the large S on it.
I opened the door only to be tackled backwards onto the ground by Quick Flurry.
"Honored all you alright? Word got around that Celestia came and took to the castle and that somepony's heard lots of shouting and screaming. We thought you were being tortured or something! You should have seen Fast Skies, she was freaking out the most."
Form inside the barrack I heard Fast Skies, " No I wasn't! I was just worried that we would lose our number six! That's all nothing else."
Quick Flurry just rolled his eyes and shock his head. "So what happened?"
"If you get off of me and let me walk into the damn barrack I'll tell everypony what happened."
Quick Flurry stepped off of me and trotted into the barrack. I followed after the excitable Pegasus and shut the door behind me. I walked over to bed and collapsed on it, still holding the now melted ice pack against my head. I heard the shuffling of hooves an opened my eyes to see all Hammer Strike, Short Blade, Fast Skies, Battle Plan, and Quick Flurry all packed together around my bed.
"Ugh fine." I sat up and the ponies gathered in front of me like children getting ready for a story. "The princess just wanted to check up on me. I have been in the infirmary twice in less than 24 hours so she just wanted to make sure I wasn't being harassed by scary ponies like ya'll."
A collected series of "Ohhhs" was heard from the group of squad mates.
"Wait, but somepony said that they heard shouting and screaming was coming from Princess Luna's chambers. What was that?" Short Blade asked while looking at me.
My turn to finally be a troll. "They did." I looked at him and winked, while flashing a smile. All the stallions were quiet for a second and then burst out into laughs and other suggestive noises. Even Battle Plan got the joke and laughed along too. Except Fast Skies, who made a scowl and trotted off to her bunk.
I noticed her acting upset and followed her, leaving behind the group of rowdy stallions.
"Hey Fast Skies, are you alright?". I asked standing next to her bunk. She had her back to me and rustled her wings while tucking them against her sides.
"Yeah. Just fine. Something didn't sit right al lunch that's all." she still didn't turn around.
"Okay, we'll I hope you feel better, Sky." I walked away back to my bunk not noticing that Fast Skies had rolled over and watched me walk away while mouthing 'Sky'.
"Come on everypony, time for final formation." Short Blade called out. We all scrabbled from our bunks and ran outside were we all lined up outside of our barrack. Every other company was also outside as Captain Shining Armor and the drill Sergeants following behind him. He was checking to make sure that each company was accounted for and no ponies were missing.
He got to our company and stepped up to me. "I heard about what happened with Lightning. Good show I was told. I look forward to training you Honored Service." He saluted me. I was so stunned that I almost forgot to salute back. An officer never salutes a lower rank. I must have really impressed him.
Royal Guard training was turning out to be tough, but I was actually enjoying it, except for the new scare and bruised head, I was passing with flying colors.
Yo, what's going on y'all? I'm hoping that you're enjoying the story so far.
For those that have been paying attention, i start the military college in 3 days, so you will see a decrease in chapters, but have no fear, i will still be writing and still posting.
Peace-
Johnson