Iron Bars
By
Spartan RDash
I approached the O.C.I.O building with a huffed chest, a stone cold stare in my grey eyes, and a helmet full of confidence. The name is Iron Bars, on account that my cutie mark bore the two iron bars that belonged to anypony under the rank of Captain. I pushed my combat helmet up a bit and walked into the lobby of the O.C.I.O.
Approaching the receptionist, I cleared my throat. She looked up at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Can I help you, sir?” she asked.
“I have an appointment scheduled,” I replied simply.
“Name?” she asked.
“Bars. Captain Iron Bars,” I said my voice filling with militaristic pride.
“Please have a seat Mister Bars. Miss Sparkle will be with you shortly,” the receptionist said. I gave a crisp salute, turned on my hooves, and walked to the seats. However, I didn’t see the need to sit, so I stood at attention, eyes forward, my features turning to stone.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a giraffe walking out of the hall, his long head hung low. My eyes followed him as I watched his difficulties with exiting the office.
Heh, giraffes. What was he thinking? I asked myself. A cough caught my attention.
“Mister Bars?” asked another female voice. I traced the origin to find a purple alicorn looking around the room for the next appointment.
“Here, ma’am,” I spoke, saluting.
“Right then…follow me Mister Bars,” she told me. I followed directly behind her down the hall and pass a door that said ‘T. Sparkle’ on the window.
So she’s the infamous ‘OC Rejection Machine…’
The purple alicorn sat behind the desk and she motioned for me to sit.
“With all due respect ma’am, but I’m fine at attention,” I told her. An eyebrow raised and she sighed.
“Alright, so be it. State your reason for wanting entrance into Equestria, Captain,” she said, placing her hooves together on the desk.
“Well ma’am, in my studies of Equestrian war and past conflicts, I noticed that the military technology used at the time, and even right now, is a tad bit outdated. I figured that I’d come to Equestria and help give some insight into improving the military’s power,” I told her. She merely continued to scan over my form with cold eyes.
“It says here that you were raised to follow orders to the letter, am I correct?” she asked looking up.
“Yes ma’am. Always follow an order, never look for a shortcut,” I replied.
“Uh-huh…says you were trained at Zebrican Military Academy. Care explaining that?” she asked, her eyebrow raising once again.
“My parents were both Zebras. They had found me as a little foal somewhere on the border between Equestria and Zebra Territory. So, it was the only other place I could go once I enlisted,” I told her.
Her eyes looked into my grey ones, and the stare was causing my drab green coat to ruffle a bit.
“Also says you lost your parents during training,” she said, her voice dipped in coldness. I bowed my head a bit, causing the forward lip of my helmet to cover my eyes.
“Yes. And if it’s all right, I’d prefer not to go into details. But I can go into details about my military career, ma’am,” I said, looking up again. She merely nodded to let me go on.
“After graduating, I received my cutie mark, and that was when I graduated as a Captain. I’ve been on over twenty mission and engagements in a span of three years.” My voice started to raise as my pride filled every vocal cord. “I’ve received two Purple Hearts, one Armed Forces Service medal, and one Medal of Honor, and-”
But I was cut off with a raised hoof. “Mister Bars, I think I’ve heard enough,” she said.
My voice got caught in my throat. Here we go. Final evaluation. After I get in, I’m going straight to Canterlot and show those Royal Guards a thing or two about new military power.
“As much as we could greatly use your military know-how and leadership skills, given your background and experience…” she said tapering off. Oh no… I thought. “I’m afraid we can’t have you enter,” she said slamming my forms with a red stamp that read DECLINED in bright red ink.
Something in my mind snapped, and I lunged forward across the desk, attempting to get my hooves on her. “NOW LISTEN HERE SPARKLE! YOUR MILITARY NEEDS MY INTELLIGENCE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS IF YOU’RE GOING TO SURVIVE ANY FUTURE ENGAGEMENTS!” I roared.
Twilight merely looked at me with a blank stare. “If you read further into the history books, you would’ve seen that we didn’t engage in any violence whatsoever when it came to military action. We negotiated peacefully with the opposing army and we will continue to do that. Now, if you’ll just let these security guards take you out. It’s been nice meeting you Mister Bars,” she said placing my form in the garbage as two guards took me by my forelegs and dragged me behind them down the hall.
“YOU PIECE OF EQUESTRIAN FILTH! ONE DAY, YOUR ALL GOING TO BURN BECAUSE YOU TRIED TALKING YOUR WAY OUT OF A FIGHT! YOU’LL ALL SEE! MARK MY WORDS! YOU’LL RUE THE DAY YOU DENIED CAPTAIN IRON BARS INTO EQUESTRIA!” was all that the office heard as I was dragged outside, and thrown back across the border.
“Always wrapped up in their accomplishments and hopes of improving our military…” Twilight said to herself. “NEXT APPOINTMENT!” she yelled siding the next OC forms onto her desk.