//------------------------------// // Trained in weapons now // Story: One Way Trip // by SoulSpirit //------------------------------// I was awake, but that doesn’t mean my eyes were open. I tried to move, but my usual effort wasn’t cutting it. Is it me, or are the blankets heavier than usual? I also felt warmer this morning than most other mornings, even if only half o those mornings started with me waking up in a bed. This is different though. Opening my eyes, I found a butter yellow mare hugging me in her sleep with a wing over me. Awkward. I felt myself blush. I have to wake her. “Fluttershy, wake up. It’s morning and I have to get ready for ready.” I said, trying to poke her awake. Though I’m not sure what I’m getting ready for. Her eyes fluttered open and she let out a small “Eep” as she realized the situation we were in. “S-sorry.” she apologized, getting off of me and the bed. “It’s fine,” I replied, getting out of bed myself and stretching, releasing a loud groan. “Let’s not mention this past this point. Now, if I were you, I would get going. I would imagine Twilight’s already awake and looking for you.” “Y-you’re right.” then she left. “Alright! I guess Tia will want to see me.” of course I wasn’t talking to anyone in particular, being the only one in the room. I should take a shower. I made my way to the bathroom. I had forgotten how big it was. I decided to focus on the shower before it got to me. Using my magic, I turned on the shower. Looking around, I noticed a rather large supply of shampoo and conditioner, but no soap bars. Oh, right, I’m a pony now, soap bars are a human thing. Using my magic, I grasped a bottle of shampoo and what looked like a luffa. I’m not going into detail of washing myself, just that if felt alien to me. Right, first time bathing. I must have stunk. How come no one said anything? It didn’t take long to dry off though. Upon leaving the bathroom, a royal messenger entered the room. He was about to speak, but I beat him to it. “Let me guess, Celestia wants to see me?” he nodded. “How did you know?” “I was sort of expecting it. I was about to go see her anyway. You can tell her I’m on my way, or you can leave her guessing.” he smiled “Nice to see that you recovered, Sir.” I nodded and he took his leave. After making sure I was completely dry, I went to the balcony. I didn’ own a brush, so brushing my mane first was out of the question. I lit my horn, preparing the execute a teleport. I guess I’ll take the Princesses example. Upon executing the spell I evaporated only to materialize on Celestia’s balcony. A now startled Celestia, who was still standing by her dresser that had her royal attire on it, asked: “Why did you do that?” “Is that not what you’re supposed to do? That’s what I gathered from you and Lulu always entering my room through the balcony.” I smiled, satisfied from taking my chance to be a smartass to Celestia, but it was time to get to business. “You needed to see me?” “Well,” she began, approaching to accompany me on the balcony after putting on the royal attire. “I’m not calling Luna a lier, but I couldn’t believe the news that you were already awake.” I snickered. “Never know, I could be a fake. I already had to deal with being assaulted by a pair of lunar guards that thought I was an imposter.” her expression got more serious. “Yes, Luna told me about that. Even if it was self-defense, that would also be resisting arrest. However, the guards said that they would push any charges after learning that it wasn’t really you, so you’re safe.” “Glad to hear it.” “Also, Shining is still ready for you when you are ready to begin training, but don’t keep him waiting.” “Thanks for telling me. Anything else?” “No, you can find Shining in the training grounds.” “Okay, see ya.” I said as I departed. The training ground wasn’t that busy. It only had twelve occupants including Shining Armor and myself. The other ten looked to be a mix of other soldiers with various rankings. I just arrived myself when I saw them standing in attention, all lined up on the opposite side to the grounds. They were all looking at me expectantly, so I just trotted over to see what was going on. “Captain, how’s it going?” and in a whisper, I added: “And why am I the center of attention?” he gawked at me in surprise. “‘Why’? You mean you don’t know? You just woke up from a coma and now here you are walking out and about as if nothing happened.” “You mean that’s not normal? I wouldn’t know, never been in a one before this one. Anyway, Celestia told me you were ready for me, but from the looks of it it looks like you have your hoofs full.” Ha! Look at that. I didn’t say hands. “Actually, they’re here to help. Before we begin, I have to see what you can do.” “With ten?” “Why not? I heard that you managed to knock out two of Princess Luna’s best lunar guards quick with nothing but basic spells and your hoofs. I have also heard that you survived in the EverFree Forest for a few days under the same conditions. Basically, you’re NOT average.” I was tempted to tell him that I had forbidden magic by my side when I was in the forest, but then deemed it unnecessary. “So you want to see me fight?” “Yes.” he nodded to a few guards who stepped forth. “Take on these three, then we’ll see from there. “Sure, but no callouts from the spectators though.” said spectators nodded in agreement. Shining gave the three another nod and they came running at me. I teleported away before they could reach me. As predicted, none of the spectators looked behind them. While hiding, I targeted one of my opponents, grabbing them by the armor I began making him dance. A few of the guards in front of me snickered. I stripped the guard of his armor and kept the armor in the air. I tapped the guard I was behind and whispered: “That could have been you, so stop laughing jerk.” as everypony’s attention turned to me, I levitated the armor onto myself as I walked out of cover. Before my opponents could resume their charge, I slammed a rock with my magic onto the head of the one I stripped, knocking him out. “Simple trick.” “Then show us one that’s not.” demanded Shining. “Sure, how about two for one?” I executed a teleportation spell, taking me into the air above them. They were looking around in confusion, trying to find me as I dove down and landed on the head of one. Before he fell through, I decided to experiment. I jumped off his head to the side, the force of the jump form my hoof pushed the head I was on toward the other guard, causing their heads to collide, causing them to collapse. They tried to get back up but they fell back down in their attempts. “Experiment successful. I actually didn’t expect to pull that one off.” “I’m impressed you did.” Shining added. “I can see that you need no help in unarmed combat.” he turned his attention to the rest of them. “You are all dismissed, and take those three to the infirmary.” “Yes, Sir!” they shouted in a salute before going about their duties. As they left, Shining lit his horn and teleported a supply of weapons and sheaths onto the ground in front of me. “Are these the weapons we ordered?” I asked, taking a closer look at them. “Yep, so get suited up.” he stood there and watched me in amusement as I got caught up on my excitement. Using my magic, I equipped the empty sheaths. There was four that wrapped around my legs, one for each. Then there was one that went around my barrel. I know what goes where now. I thought after some figeting. I got giddy after the sheaths were on. In the mound of weapons were lots of daggers. They went into the sheaths on my legs, six for each. Then there were two sets of twin swords. Each set hung on their own side of my barrel. When all of that was on, I felt totally badass. “To be honest, you look wicked.” Shining noted. “That’s how I feel.” I agreed. “You know teleporting is going to be harder when you have all that on, right?” we both chuckled. “Alright, this is how it’s going to work. You are going to train your hardest. If something seems easy, we’ll move on to the next there won’t be any breaks as long as you can keep your eyes open and able to use magic. Sorry, but not even to play Butler for the Princess.” now one would call him crazy or a workaholic, but I also think that that’s the best way to do it. “Sure thing. Sounds like the best option to me.” “Knew you would understand.” using his own magic, he drew his spear. “You begin now.” Shining Armor isn’t a lier. Training was intense but effective. It would take too long for the day-to-day details because it was a week-long training session. By day two, I learned to be a light sleeper no matter what. I had to because, on night one, he got the drop on me. Day three, I mastered throwing knives by having to keep him at bay for god knows how long. I had to sneak around to retrieve my knives every so often. Thank goodness that night had a scheduled break, we had to sharpen our weapons and eat. Day five was when things became hell. I used up all my knives and only had my twin swords. Long battles wiped, or cut I should say, me into shape and highly sharpened my reflexes to a point I didn’t think was possible. Those conditions had me master the twin swords by night six. I didn’t bother with a single sword. Mastering the twin swords should give me some skill in single blade use. Training ended on day seven. Shining and I were in the infirmary having our cuts checked, and Red Heart was not happy though she didn’t complain too much. “You know, you’ve become a fighter I can be proud of. I would fight alongside you on the battlefield any day.” Shining told me. Although I was happy to hear it, I still passed out from exhaustion thinking: I did it.