The Equestrian Honor Guard
Chapter 29
By Honored Service
************************The Changeling Hive*************************8
“In only a few short weeks we will march through the streets of Canterlot and bring with us a new rule to the land of Equestria. For far too long us Changelings have been shut away in these caves and tunnels, and now with my newfound power, the time has come to end the tyranny of the ponies!” Queen Chrysalis stood atop a large plateau and spoke down to her massive army that waited patiently for its chance to once again cause destruction and mayhem to the pony world. The crowd of insectoid like ponies cheered and screamed with joy and pent up rage as the Queen nodded to her subjects and walked back into the opening of a large gave that was sprucely decorated with rugs and strange objects that resembled insect models.
“That went well Queen. They will be ready, just as we will be ready. Apart we failed with our plans, but together we shall succeed and watch Canterlot burn to the ground. And Equestria will know our might and tremble at our name.”
In a voice that had two tones, one female the other of a deep bass, the name, “Queen Nightmare”, rang out through the cave and spilled across the land causing the celebrating army to shudder under the evil hisss that came with it.
************************Back in Canterlot*************************************
“Oh come on Honored just once, for me at least?” Fast Skies pouted looking up at me.
“No, I won’t do this! It is wrong on so many levels I wasn’t made for to do this!” I wasn’t budging. Sky had been barking up this tree all day and there was no way in hell I was going to do it.
“It will be fun, I promise. And it feels like nothing else in the world.” She spun around and leapt into the air and landed softly next to me.
“Do we have to go so fast?” I gripped the metal bar in front of me and shifted my position.
Sky trotted behind me and tightened the harness that was around my chest. “Of course not Honored…. But that’s the only way!”
“Wait what-----AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” I felt her back legs kick me and I stumbled forward right over the edge of the cliff. The hang glider I was gripping on was struggling to support my weight. Sky had said it would be strong enough but I was having a lot of second thoughts right now. I could see it now in all the papers, ‘Equestria’s only human dies when marefriend tries to get him to fly’, fucking terrific.
The wind was rushing by my face and the air was stinging my eyes as I fell faster and faster towards the ground which was coming up to greet me rather quickly. I heard a voice next to my ear screaming. It was Sky shouting something. I turned to look at her. She was falling with me, her wings tucked in at her sides and her mane and tail were wiping around behind her as she dropped with me.
“Pull up on the damn bar!” She shouted again. Oh right I needed to control this thing. I yanked up on the bar and the hang glider responded by coming out of its death fall and leveling out. So that’s why she had wanted me to wear the harness, so I didn’t get jerked out when I pulled up, that smart mare.
“And you can stop screaming, you're not falling…” Sky gave me a deadpan stare as I closed my mouth and blushed in embarrassment. Free falling to my death wasn’t exactly my favorite thing.
I looked around and saw that I was flying! Well gliding, but same thing. From this height I could see Ponyville and the Everfree forest spread out as far as the eye could see. Behind me the city of Canterlot was just waking up on this Saturday morning. The air was cool and crisp as it blew by me. The hang glider dipped a little as I eased up on the bar. I quickly readjusted my grip so I won’t spiral downwards out of control.
“See? Didn’t I tell you this would be fun? Nothing in the world compares to the feeling of flying!” Fast Skies did a loop de loop around me and pulled up in front of me flying backwards. She smiled and did another back flip.
“Pfffft, show off.” I rolled my eyes and continued to look around. It truly was something else. Being up here was amazing. The sights and the feeling of such freedom was simply breathtaking.
Fast Skies and I had been dating for two weeks now and to say I was enjoying would be an understatement. She was the one that made me do all this crazy adventure stuff. She had been pushing for this hang gliding session for days now and I really wasn’t to set on trusting my life to some cloth and metal bars. But somehow that damned crazy mare got me too. And I'm glad I listened.
“Thanks for doing this Honored, I just wanted you to know what it’s like being a pegasus. And I enjoy flying with you.” Sky turned around and leveled out next to me as we continued to just glide along taking everything in.
“Well thanks for getting me up here Sky. It’s truly something else.”
“Follow me Service, we can ride some upward drafts back towards Canterlot so you don’t have to carry the glider up to the city.” She winked and tilted her right wing and dipped off to the right. I shifted to the right and followed suit. I could get use to this flying stuff.
*****************************************************************
“Okay now you need to slow down or you’re going to hit the ground to fast.” Sky tried to give me advice but I could only see the ground behind the castle getting closer really fast.
“And how do I slow down!” I yelled back to the red mare who was rushing from side to side trying to offer me advice.
“Flare your wings!” She called up to me.
I simply turned and stared at her giving her the ‘are you kidding me’ look. The wings on this glider were fixed. I was simply and scientifically speaking, fucked.
As the ground came closer I unhooked the harness from the hang glider rig and prepared to jump. I leveled out about 5 feet above the ground and wait for it, wait for it, now!
I let go of the glider and shoulder rolled onto the ground. It wasn’t the most effective way down, but I hadn’t gotten too badly hurt, just maybe a bruise.
“There see, I had it perfectly under control!” I put my hands on my hips and stroke a heroic pose.
CRASH
I slowly turned to see the back end of the hang glider sticking out from a large stained glass window that was on the castle. And I think I recall seeing that window in the-
“HONORED SERVICE!” Boomed a loud voice. A pissed off motherly voice.
-throne room. Shit.
“And once you finish picking up all the pieces, then you can go back to the barracks. I will personally let Captain Armor know why one of Saddle Companies’ members isn’t at the formation.” Princess Celestia hadn’t really been mad about the window; she had even said she was looking for a reason to get a new one. But she was more upset that I could have hurt myself hang gliding, but in reality I thing she was just annoyed that I had scared her and caused her to upturn an ink well on her 2,000 year old book.
I reached down and picked up another piece of the seemingly millions of pieces that were scattered around everywhere in the throne room.
“Sorry again Honored, if I had thought ahead to landing… well you wouldn’t be here.” Sky was hovering outside of the broken window. She had explained to the Princess why I had been flying but I took the punishment. Flying had been worth it to spend an hour or two just picking up pieces of glass.
“It’s alright sky, don’t worry. Head back to the barracks and I’ll be there whenever I finish up here.” I waved good bye to her as she left. That mare, I swear she’ll be the death of me.
*********************************************************************
So maybe 2 hours had been a far off estimate. 5 hours later and I was finally done picking up all the damn glass. At least it’s all over now. And I won’t be trying to land anywhere near the castle again.
I began pulling on my regular armor and noticed the wear and tear training has put on my outfit. All the armor was still attached, but new scratches and dents covered the chest piece and arm bracers. My duster was now faded and had new cuts and holes in it, which I did always try to sew up, but I wasn’t talented in sewing. Even my rifle and pistol were now scratched up and worn, while practicing at the range weekly had cost me ammo. My original 225 rounds had dwindled to only 150 or 5 magazines of 5.56 and my original 75 pistol rounds and dropped to 45 rounds or 3 clips.
The only thing that hadn’t changed was the sharpness of Bad Bertha, who could still cut through just about anything with ease.
“Honored you almost ready man, this is it!” Short Blade was bouncing next to me. He was acting more like Quick Flurry now, but given the circumstances I could see that. “Well why aren’t you more excited human?” Short Blade asked while sitting down as I laced up one of my combat boots.
“I am Blade, it’s just y’all are done with your training after this and get to go be guards, and I still have another 4 or 5 weeks of advance training with Shining Armor before I'm done. Remember, Equestrian Honor Guard?” I finished lacing up my boots and draped my duster over my body covering most of my chest rig and holster.
“Well at least you'll have a high rank right?”
“Yeah I will. But with that rank comes more responsibility and rules, no more clowning around with you and Quick. No more chess with Battle Plan. No more discussions with Hammer Strike. And certainly no more time with Fast Skies. I’d be so busy with being an elite guard that I wouldn’t have any time for her, and shed find somepony else!” I sunk to my bed and placed my head in my hands.
“Oh come one Honored, is this any way for an Equestrian Honor guard to act?” Short Blade walked in front of me and poked me in the chest. “What’s this.” He pointed at the large red primary feather still tucked in the button hole on my duster.
“Sky’s primary feather.” I looked up at my unicorn friend.
“Exactly, that means she ain’t leaving you until one of you are dead. So suck it up and let’s get out there for our final training course run and knock the horseshoes right off the Drill Sargent’s hooves!” I stood up and looked down at Short Blade.
“You're damn right Blade! Let’s go get Saddle Company up to the top three on the score board!”
This was it, the final run through. A massive obstacle course was spread out across the parade field. Walls, pits, crawls, and jumps you name this course had it. There was no time limit, your company got points based off of how quickly and correctly your company completed the course. You could use any tactic you wanted so long as it dint involve flying around or skipping a course, so pretty much free reign to do anything. And for the last 5 years, Trot Company always won first place. But this year Saddle Company would make an appearance on the score board.
*********************************************************************
“Saddle Company your time starts…now!” The Drill Sargent blew on the whistle and our 5 pony 1 human member company sprinted out towards the rope wall.
I was the fastest at climbing so I was supposed to reach the top and then help pull the others up and over it and drop down behind them once everypony else had finished this wall. I jumped up and pulled myself up the way with amazing speed just as I had done so many weeks ago when I first started the training camp. I reached the top and reached down and yanked Short Blade over the top, and he began climbing down the other side. I repeated this process for everypony except for Fast Skies who when I pulled over I quickly ran a finger down her spine which elected a gasp and an angry glare but also a smile. Once everyone was halfway down the rope wall I followed suit until I jumped off the rope wall and shoulder rolled (making sure not to use the bruised one from hang gliding) and continue on to the next course.
We reached a large pit that was filled with green goo. That goo would harden like a rock if it left the pit so one had to cross it without touching it or else you would be slowed down for the rest of the course. I quickly got to thinking and hatched an idea.
“Battle Plan, use your bow when I tell you to.” We were all in full armor and gear which meant whatever we had, we could use. I sprinted back to rope wall and unsheathed BB and sliced away a long length of rope. I'm sure I could hear the Drill Sargent cursing me from across the field. I ran back to the group and tied one end of the rope to the arrow Battle Plan was holding and the other end to a post that was outlining the pit.
“Alright Battle, let it fly!” I yelled while giving him thumbs up. I ducked and slid under him as I heard the ting of the bow string release and the thump of the arrow striking something across the pit.
“Quick, you’re the lightest and fastest, get over the rope quickly and secure it for us heavier ones!” He saluted and shimmed across the rope.
“So you're calling me fat?” Fast Skies said while cocking her hip to one side. She had a playful smile on her face.
I was about to retort when Hammer Strike spoke up, “Now is really not the time for this love birds.” We both blushed but nodded to the earth pony who turned to watch Quick Flurry jump off the rope and land on the other side.
But his jump caused the arrow to come unstuck from the post and begin to slide towards the green goo pit.
“Quick, grab it!” Battle Plan screamed while pointing at the arrow that was about to drop into the goo.
With a dive and dive, Quick just barely caught the last feather of the arrow in-between his teeth and pulled back onto land. He quickly trotted over and wrapped the rope around the post and secured it with a knot. He waved at us to begin coming across.
“Alright; Sky, Short, Battle, and Hammer Strike get across this rope! GO! GO! GO!” I stood next to the rope and waved them across as they shimmed along the rope.
“Space out some guys! If you don’t the rope might snap into the goo!” Now that they were properly spaced out they continued till they reached the other side, at which point I followed suit and hand over hand pulled myself across the rope. Upon reaching the other side, I jerked the knot out and let the rope slide into the green pit.
Everypony stared at me. “What, you want another group using it?” A collective group of, “Ohhhh,” followed.
WE raced to a series of jungle gym like monkey bars that really just required your company to maneuver them without touching the ground once you started. A Drill Sargent was nearby to insure that if you did touch the ground, it would be recorded.
“Everypony across!” Hollered Short Blade. Everypony but Hammer Strike leapt onto the bars and continued swinging and grabbing their way across the bars.
I looked back and saw the large blue Earth pony just standing there. “Come on Hammer, we need you!”
“I can’t, I can’t swing like that, I'm too big!”
“I’ll be right here to help you Hammer!” With my encouragement, Hammer Strike began to slowly maneuver the course. We were losing time on this, but everpony had to cross the finish line together or your company was forfeited.
We were nearly done when I turn and see Hammer Strike slip from the bar. “No!” I shout and I jumped to catch him before he hit the ground. I grabbed his foreleg with one hand and the bar above us with the other. It felt as if I was being stretched in to. Hammer was a big mother fucker.
“Hammer, I'm going to swing you, and you're going to have to land on the other side, okay?” I grunted as he began to slip. He nodded. I slowly began to swing him back and forth till I felt he had enough momentum to clear the other side.
“1, 2, 3!” and on three I threw the large earth pony to the other side. He skidded onto his back and sat up. I made my way back across the bars and jumped onto the other side. “Let’s keep moving everpony!”
We raced towards the final obstacle, the log carry. A large log at least 10 ponies long was resting on the ground. A company had to get the log from one end of the field to the other. Without dropping it or coming to a rest until they cross the finish line.
“Hammer and Blade, you'll be the ends. Quick, Battle, Sky, take the middle. I’ll be behind you Blade!” We all got onto opposite sides of the log and got ready to pick it up. “On my count!” Blade yelled.
“1”
“2”
“3”
We all heaved and picked the log up until it rested on our backs. I had to bend over significantly so that I was on level with the ponies. “Lets…urgh….move forward!” We lurched forward at a steady pace as we carried the massive log to the other end of the field.
“I…urgh…don’t….think I can…. Carry it much longer!” Fast Sky grunted out through clenched teeth.
“Come on Sky, we only got a few more feet to go, just think about flying with me!” I called back to the struggling mare. “Were nearly there, just a few more feet!”
The finish line was coming up, only about 50 feet away. With a final push of adrenalin, we all crossed the checkered black and white line. The log rolled onto the ground with a massive thump. We all fell to the ground as well panting.
“Saddle Company, your time was 12 minutes and 36 seconds.” We all gave weak cheers and stayed collapsed on the ground panting for breath.
**************************************************************************
Princess Celestia and Princes Luna both stood on a large platform looking over the new batch of guards that had just finished their training. I stood out the most, not because of my size but because of my armor. It was brown and black, while everpony else was covered in gold and blue armor of the Royal Guard. We all stood still and faced straight ahead waiting for the princess to begin her speech.
“I stand here before you and I see so much. Weeks ago you came with the aspirations to become Royal Guard, and here you are. Full-fledged Royal Guards. I am so proud of you my little ponies, and my little human. You have all passed the training and so I commence to you Captain Shining Armor, your newest batch of Royal Guards.”
Shining Armor took that stage and saluted the princess. Everpony in the audience stomped their hooves as he stepped center stage. “And now I’ll give the results of this year’s final obstacle course run times. Trot Company with first place at 10 minutes 12 seconds.” Damn and I thought we had actually beaten them. Oh well we still had a great time. Trot company took the stage as Shining Armor placed a ribbon on their armored chest pieces.
“Saddle Company in second place with 12 minutes 36 seconds!” There was a thunderous round of applause as we all moved up on stage next to trot Company and Shining Armor placed a silver ribbon on us. My first ribbon in Equestria.
“And in third place, Clydesdale Company with 13 minutes 43 seconds.” More applause as that Company took to the stage to receive their bronze ribbons.
Sky brushed a wing across my back and I placed hand on her shoulder. We had made it. Our Royal Guard Training was complete.
We all marched together back to our barracks to back out things and move to our new barracks located in the Canterlot Castle. I was still going to be a part of Saddle Company, just on reserve till I finished my next 4 weeks of advance training. Hopefully that will go just as well as this training.
************************************************************************
“Soon Queen, soon. Everything will be ours. And that will happen very soon. Nothing can stop us once we begin, Not even the human will be able to cope with the awesome power we wield."
*************************************************************************