//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: Do I have to get up? 
// Story: Equestria's Struggle: Chronicles of the 20th ERAD 
// by ZatGeneral 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 1: Do I have to get up? 

September 9th, 7th year of the Age of the Princesses
Recruit Tanky
20th Equestrian Royal Armored Division


        *B-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-RRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!*        

        Tanky awoke with a demented groan. She shut off her wind-up alarm clock, sat up, and looked at the time. 

“Seven thirty... seven thirty...”

Then it hit Tanky, she was going to be late! 

“Stupide piece of...GRRR! Why didn't you wake me up sooner!?!”

Infact, Tanky had simply slept through the first twenty minutes the alarm.

“Oh no! Oh no! I’m going to be late!”

Tanky quickly jumped out of her cozy bed, dashed into the bathroom where she showered, brushed her teeth and ate a breakfast consisting of leftover pizza. Tank then quickly threw on the uniform of the 4th Equestrian Imperial  Armored Division and dashed out of her hotel room, still dripping wet from her shower. She wasn’t worried about her being soggy though, her dash through the streets of Canterlot dried her up faster than any towel could. Plus it straightened her hair out so she wouldn’t have to comb it later. She ran through Canterlot’s Market district where she snagged a doughnut and left behind two bits as well as a very confused vendor, all in the blink of an eye.

Finally, she reached her destination, the Canterlot Royal Armor Academy. She puffed and huffed her way inside until she came to the doors of the briefing room. She stopped right in front of the doors, regained her breath and carefully snuck inside. Tanky was lucky, the introduction to ERAD had just started. She found a spot and stood next to a Pegasus mare. She looked around at the other ponies standing in the room, most of them were wearing the Imperial Army’s grey and blue uniform much like her own, some were wearing everyday clothes. Amidst the chatter of all these new recruits, she heard tapping on the microphone and turned her attention to the commanders on the podium. 

“As you all know, Equestria is on the verge of war. Equestria is ALWAYS on the verge of war. Equestria can never escape the shadow of war. BUT we are not some rabble of defenseless ponies! No! You are Equestria’s defense! Her shield, her sword, her wall of steel! You are her future! Many of you know what I am talking about, the attacks that left our northern states in ruins during the Six Weeks War, the assaults that forced us to abdicate our eastern provinces!  Each one of you represents the best. Many of you have proven your mettle in combat, some of you were chosen because of your potential. Regardless of your background, regardless of race, you are now what Equestrian’s should strive to be. You all will be the best of the best, the Princess’ chosen, our Royal Guard, Equestria’s Royal Guard. Good luck, and may our Princess’ favor protect us all.”

Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor, left the stage to a roar of applause when was only broken by Commander Kitsune.

“INSPECTION!!!”  

With Commander Kitsune’s one powerful word, the recruits of the Equestrian Armored Division stood to attention. The once thunderous applause was replaced with the sound of heels clacking together and the silence after.

Tanky watched as the Deputy Commanders and Field Commanders of the 20th ERAD walked down the rows and rows of recruits, inspecting each and everypony. Tanky began to feel uneasy. She remembered how it felt when the Sergeants in the Imperial Army were performing the same inspection, only this time it was with the Royal Guard and the panic she felt could not compare to the anxiety she was feeling now. 

Captain Basil, a stout Earth Pony stallion, walked up to Tanky and stopped beside her..

Oh Luna! He know’s something’s wrong! I’m not going to make the cut! Tanky’s heart began to race, she tensed up but she kept her composure. When Captain Basil wiped his hoof on her chest, she almost lost it.

“How do you do?” Asked the Captain.

“Good, Sir!”

        Captain Basil look at the contents on his hoof. “Is this chocolate?” The Captain’s stern look intimidated her.

“Yes Sir!” She blurted out.

There was a brief moment of silence between the two before the Captain gave an answer that stunned Tanky.

“I like your taste Private.”

Tanky let out a huge sigh of relief as Captain Basil walked off to inspect the other recruits. Then it hit her, ‘He called me a private... and not recruit!’ Tanky couldn't help but smile. She was now part of the 20th ERAD, one of the most prestigious armored corps in all of Equestria. She could see the look on her father’s face when she told him the good news. ‘Wait... that was it? All the Captain had to do was look at me and I’m in?... Meh beats having to plow through all that paperwork...’

Tanky reflected on this new achievement she’d earned and then it dawned on her, this was only the first of many challenges she’d have to face. She disliked the fact that she would have to repeat training, she already had plenty of that in the Equestrian Imperial Army. The complexity of the Equestrian Military system made her head hurt a little just thinking about it. 

She remembered in basic training that the instructors told that the Imperial Army and the Royal Guard were two entirely separate entities. The Royal Guard was under direct control of the Princess and had far fewer regulations and bureaucratic red tape which had gotten her expelled from the Imperial Army. Ironically, the actions that got Tanky expelled were the same actions that caught the attention of the Royal Guard. She remembered the highly segmented days of her job as a gunner in the Imperial Army. She was part of an all female Earth Pony division. Tanky hated the division as she had other friends she’d made during basic training. She looked forward to working with her new comrades and not being weighted down with the tangled mess of bureaucracy.  

After the commanders inspected their new recruits, they began calling out names and splitting them among the different companies. Tanky saw a few of the recruits that were turned away because they cracked under the pressure and she understood why. Having the commanders of the 20th ERAD stare you down was harder to bear than any training she or any other recruit had experienced. She wondered why she was so nervous to begin with, it should have been any different than it was with the Imperial Recruiters but it was...

“Private Tanky! Report to C Company at once!”

The announcement broke her train of thought and she scurried over to the part of the room where labeled “C Company”.

         At least the Royal Guard has the decency to make finding your Company easier... Tanky thought to herself.

 She could see there were some Guard Ponies taking measurements for uniforms. When it was her turn Tanky simply blurted out her measurements.

“Bust: 24, Waist: 20, Flank: 26, Small”

The Guard Pony taking notes was stunned at how a grunt like Tanky could remember details like that.

“Private Smartmouth! Report to C Company at once!”

Although Tanky did not know what Smartmouth looked like at the time, she knew the name well enough. Tanky looked around for a bit and saw the Pegasus mare she stood next to during the introductions walk up to C Company’s side of the room. Tanky never thought that Smartmouth would be so tall and so graceful. ‘Daddy’s description of Smartmouth’s father seems to be a bit off...’ Smartmouth walked over to C Company in her Imperial Army Officer’s uniform, Tanky was impressed, Smartmouth held the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, Second Class. Tanky herself was a Lance Corporal before she was court martialed and expelled from the Equestrian Imperial Army. 

“HEY YOU! SMARTMOUTH!” Tanky shouted at the top of her lungs.

Smartmouth recoiled a bit, the sight of a small, red and seemingly angry Earth Pony startled her a bit. “Um... excuse me, do I know you?” 

Tanky started to walk closer to Smartmouth. “You don’t know me but I know you!”

Smartmouth backed away a little bit. “Um... um... Is there something you want from me?” The little red Earth Pony was now face to face with her, well, it was more like a really close proximity as Tanky only stood as high as Smartmouth’s chest. Tanky stood there for a few seconds, wondering if she should carry out the actions she so long desired.

Before Smartmouth could react, the little red Earth Pony had pulled her down and caught her in a bone crushing hug. “GUH! WHA!?!”

Tanky started to cry a little bit as she buried her face into Smartmouth’s chest. “Bless you! Oh Celestia bless you and everypony in your loveable family!” 

Smartmouth was confused, disoriented and on top of having a complete stranger hug her, she couldn’t breathe. “Guh... can’t... breathe... lungs...”

Tanky let go of Smartmouth and wiped away her tears. Smartmouth caught her breath during the brief interlude of peace. “Are you sure I don’t know you?”

“Well you don’t know me for say... but... well actually you wouldn’t know me at all. I’m Tanky by the way.” 

“Smartmouth, pleasure to meet you.”

“WOW! You are nothing like your father.”

Smartmouth seemed a little disturbed by the fact that this little red Earth Pony knew her father well enough to make a comparison. “My father? What do you know about my father? HOW do you know about my father?”

“Oh, my daddy is the commander of the big five-oh-one.”

“The Five Hundred and First Royal Marines? Really?” 

“Yeah! Your father saved them at the battle of Gallopoli along with fifty thousand other soldiers.” Tanky’s eyes began to tear up again. Memories of the event always brought tears to her eyes. 

Tanky was just a filly, barely eight. Her father was rarely home often because of his duty as a Marine, a Royal Marine. She was listening to a live broadcast of the defense of Gallopoli. The Equestrians evacuated the many Ponies, Griffons and Mules living there and had begun to pull out. It was then that the Gators broke past the already thin defensive line. Soldiers that were not evacuated were left on the beach to die under orders from Admiral Sir Trottyon who was worried about the safety of his ships. He had good reason to retreat, the Gators wheeled up powerful artillery that pummeled the Equestrian Imperial Navy. When the reporter mentioned that several marine detachments including the 501st were left on the beaches, little filly Tanky couldn’t stop crying. Then a miracle happened, the reported began talking about one of Admiral Trottyon’s Solar-class dreadnoughts turning hard to starboard and steaming towards the beachhead. Captain Jack Foremast, Smartmouth’s father, practically beached his dreadnought and lowered ladders over the bow of the ship. The reporter was stunned at the maneuver. The EINS Radiant Dawn, withstood horrendous fire but fate smiled on the Radiant Dawn that day as the only the largest of the Gator’s artillery damaged the Radiant Dawn. When all hooves were aboard, all nine eighteen inch forward guns opened fire, dislodging the Radiant Dawn from the beach and she steamed home.
 
A week later, Tanky’s dad returned home to a grateful family. He told Tanky that he wouldn't have come home if it were not for the brave actions of the Radiant Dawn and her crew. 
Tanky was stunned by the fact that Captain Jack Foremast would be court-martialed within the month. Tanky, her mom, dad and the families of all fifty thousand rescued soldiers stood outside the courthouse in Phillydelphia to throw rocks and trash at Admiral Trottyon and his prosecutors. Despite overwhelming support from the populace, Cadence and Celestia, the Staff of Generals found Jack Foremast guilty of insubordination and expelled him from the Navy. However, almost immediately, Jack Foremast of offered a position in the Royal Guard as a Captain in the Royal Equestrian Navy. To this day, Captain Jack Foremast commands a Luna-class battlecruiser, the HIMS Radiance.

Tanky hugged Smartmouth again. “Oh thank you!”

“Uh... I hate to burst your bubble... but I’m not my father Tanky.”

“Shut up.” said Tanky with a stiff voice. “You are of his blood and deserve my thanks all the same.”   Tanky let go of Smartmouth so the Guard Pony taking measurements could do his job. 

“Well...” Smartmouth couldn't help but let out a small giggle. “I’ll be sure to give my father your gratitude. She was still a little uneasy as to how this little red Earth Pony knew so much about her family.

“ATTENTION!” The booming voice of C Company’s Drill Sergeant awakened every one of the recruit’s instinct to instantly form neat rows. 

Chief Warrant Officer Fourth Class Applejack began inspecting her new recruits personally. She started with the members in the very front of the block, that meant Smartmouth and Tanky were the first ones. She was carrying with her, every dossier on the new recruits.

“Smartmouth eh?”

“Yes Ma’am, that’s me.”

“It says here that ya were part of the 5th Airborne Division, 44th Rifle Company. Now why the hay would ya leave tha airborne infantry for tha tank corps?”

“I found that I performed better inside a tank compared to leading a squad in the open field.”

“And how the hay would a warrant officer like yerself know what it was like inside one of them tanks?

“I... err... commandeered a M5-85 after its commander was killed by a Gary-Stu(G).”

“And ya saved the 52nd airborne’s sorry flanks am Ah right?”

“Well... saved isn't the word I’d use...”

“Ya gave them enough time ta grab their anti-tank mines and disable that Gary-Stu(G). In other words, ya saved their sorry flanks.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Well shucks welcome ta C Company.”

“Yes Ma’am thank you Ma’am.”

Applejack strolled strolled over to Tanky, even though she knew what’s coming, she was still nervous.
“Tanky?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Ya were part of the Equestrian 2nd Imperial Armored Division before ya were court-martial'd?”

“Yes I was.”

“Huh... that’s gotta be a mistake... it says ya were an ace...why the hay would those Imperial Army folk court-martial an ace?”

“That’s not a mistake Ma’am. I had thirty six confirmed kills before they court-martialed me. Eleven tanks, sixteen jeeps and trucks, eight AFVs and one airplane. ”

 “An airplane?”

“It wasn’t intentional.”

Applejack couldn’t but chuckle a bit. “It also says here that ya like ta back-sass yer command’n officer a lot.”

“You should expect that Ma’am.”

“Heh! Ah like ya already. But just one more thing-”

“You don’t need to worry about me disobeying orders like it says I did on my file...”

“Ah don’t need ta worry ‘bout that sugar plum. Ah know ya did the right thing, what Ah need ta know is if yer will’n ta do that again.”

“You can count on it.”

Applejack gave a small nod and continued down the line.

-        -        -

Applejack’s inspections took a fairly long time but afterwards she dismissed her new recruits for the afternoon. Judging by the noises coming out of Tanky’s stomach, she assumed it was a little past twelve.

“Ya’ll go enjoy yer lunch now! BUT! Ah want ya’ll back here by seventeen hundred ya hear?”

“Hey Smartmouth? You want to get something to eat?”

        Smartmouth was completely unsure if she should follow this little red Earth Pony around. However, her own rumbling tummy made her reconsider. “I’d be glad to. Did you have a place in mind Tanky?”

        “Have you ever been to Five Gals?”

        “I’ve heard about them but I’ve never actually been to one of their restaurants. What kind of food do they serve?”

        Tanky was stunned. She didn’t need to say anything related to being stunned because her face practically had the word “STUNNED” written on it with bright neon colors and a giant arrow pointed to said bright neon colors. “Wait... you’ve NEVER been to a Five Gals Burger Joint...? Have you been living under a rock?...”

        “Umm... No... I just never thought of going to one...”

        “Well! I know where we’re going to for lunch!” 

        “Wait! Wait!-”

        Before Smartmouth had a chance to coerce Tanky into a more thorough discussion, Tanky grabbed her arm and started to drag her to the nearest Five Gals restaurant. Tanky’s strength was commendable, Smartmouth couldn’t resist. 

“Eep!”

 “Oh come on! You’ll love it!” said Tanky as she dragged Smartmouth out of the Academy and out onto the streets.

“Ponies are looking at us Tanky! Please stop!” 

“Well they can bite my sweet Earth Pony ass.”

The walk wasn’t very long, about a block or so. Tanky and Smartmouth entered the restaurant only to find that it was nearly empty.

“I thought you said Five Gals was really popular.” questioned Smartmouth.

Tanky looked at a clock mounted close to the entrance. “It’s fourteen-twenty two, good thing we came after the lunch rush.”

Tanky ordered a cornburger (the patty is made of fatty corn) and topped it lettuce, tomatoes and extra cheese. She also ordered a large fries with a fountain drink. Smartmouth on the otherhoof, just stood there staring at the menu.

“Are you going to order something Smartmouth?” 

It was a good thing there was nopony there, while Tanky was already digging through her meal, Smartmouth only just ordered. Her meal was light compared to Tanky’s. It consisted of a small hayburger with lettuce, onions and pickles and a small fries.

“Wow this is really good.”  said Smartmouth after she took a bite out of her burger. 

“I told you, but next time try not to take such a long time ordering.”

“Well you can’t rush perfection.”

“Oh please don’t force us to come after the lunch rush everyday...”

When Smartmouth and Tanky return to the Academy they were in for a surprise. Commander Applejack stated that they would begin basic infantry training.

Tanky seemed worried. “Wait... I thought we were training for the armored corps....”  Tanky’s training back in the 4th Equestrian Imperial  Armored Division consisted mainly of pushing and pulling wooden levers, playing with mock tank set ups and shooting potatoes out of fake guns at moving plywood targets. She once again felt anguish beginning to build in her gut. It also could have been the extra cheese acting up in her stomach. 

Smartmouth on the otherhoof was excited to see what kind of training she’d receive from the Royal Guard. Smartmouth had the history with the 5th Infantry Division and was confident that she was ready for whatever training that the Royal Guard was going to put her though. 

Applejack led her new recruits to a rather plain looking obstacle course. It was a textbook obstacle course with rope swings, monkey bars, tire loops and ladders. Of course this was all the recruits could see from their angle. 

“Alright ya’ll, listen up! This here is a simple course. Ya’ll try yer best ta get through it and no flying or magic if yer a Pegasus or Unicorn.”

Tanky was now completely confused. “Okay... I KNOW I was picked to join the 20th Royal Armored Division... Does the Royal Guard switch things up so infantry divisions get tanks and the armored divisions don’t?” She looked at the obstacle course with woe churning in her stomach. “Ung... I really shouldn’t have stuffed myself...”

Smartmouth looked at Tanky with some concern. “You haven’t run an obstacle course before Tanky?”

“No... all we did for training in the Imperial Armored Division was shoot potatoes at targets... I mean there was basic training where we did push ups and stuff but never anything meant for infantry!”

“Oh dear...”

“Now there here course is timed, so ya’ll better get yer flanks across the finish line faster than a bullfrog on a greased grill in the middle of July. Any questions?”

Private Clover raised her hoof. “Um, do we have time to change into our combat uniforms Ma’am?”

“Ya afraid ta get yer Imperial dress blues dirty Private Clover?”

“Ehh... Yes Ma’am...”

“Then what the hay are ya doing with the Royal Guard? If yer afraid of getting a little dirty then Ah suggest that ya stay with them Imperial Army folk, ya hear?”

Clover panicked a little. She had sweat starting to form under her 2nd Airborne Infantry beret. “Sorry Ma’am!”

Tanky couldn’t help but raise her hoof. “Why are we running an obstacle course if we’re supposed to be an armored division Ma’am?”

“Just because we’re an “armored division” doesn’t mean ya’ll shoot rocks at dummies. Ya’ll are recruits of the Royal Guard, the best of the best. Them fella’s in the Imperial Armored Corp don’t even train ya ta use guns! Ah’m here ta make sure ya’ll can act like trained soldiers if yer tank gets disabled... That and it’s fun ta watch ya’ll run the course.”

Private Chalkboard raised her hoof as well. “Is there a specific time that we have to reach for?”

“Nah, ya’ll just gotta improver yer time the more ya run this course.”

Tanky, in a moment of panic, let out a burst. “We have to run this course multiple times!?!”

Applejack simply gave a nod of her head. “Eeyup, ya’ll ready ta go?” She held up her stopwatch as the recruits prepared themselves. “Alright. GO!”

The recruits took off as best they could. It was clear to Applejack that most of them have never run an obstacle course. Several of the mare recruits tripped because they didn’t know how to run in their dress shoes. The first obstacle was easy enough, it was a really simple rope swing that the recruits breezed through without trouble. Tanky had some issues reaching the swing when it came to her due to her... small size. She looked over the edge and realised that it was a long way down with a nasty puddle of mud at the bottom.

Smartmouth was about to swing across herself but noticed Tanky’s dilemma. “Do you need help Tanky?”

“No, I just have to time it right...”

“You sure? You really look like you can’t jump the distance.”

“Then what the hay do you want me to do?”

“I have an idea Tanky, but you may not enjoy it.”

“Oh yeah? Well lay it on me, I can take it!.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“Alright then...” Smartmouth wrapped her forehooves around Tanky’s small waist and threw her up and over the ledge. Tanky’s small size only made it easier for Smartmouth to chuck her a good distance.

Tanky was completely caught unprepared when she saw the rope swing in front of her face. She quickly grabbed it and looked back at Smartmouth. “NOPONY TOSSES A EARTH PONY!!!” Her face began to turn more red than usual. 

Smartmouth couldn’t help but giggle at Tanky’s predicament along with some of the other recruits. “How about you swing to the other side?” Smartmouth lept over the platform, grabbed another rope and landed on the other side with her usual grace just as Tanky fell flat on her face next to her with a distinctive *SPLAT*.

“I swear... I’ll get you for this...” mumbled Tanky with her face flat against the wooden boards.

“It could be worse, you could be one of those sorry recruits.” Smartmouth pointed to some of the recruits below who had to climb out of the mud puddles because they missed the rope swing.

Tanky let out a light sigh and looked at the obstacle ahead, a large rope ladder, apparently made from a fishing net, lay before her. Tanky and Smartmouth ascended the net together. Smartmouth’s long legs made it difficult to maneuver while Tanky’s shorter stature allowed her to traverse the net with ease. 

Tanky noticed a green Earth Pony with a red mane had gotten herself stuck in the net. She looked back a bit and looked at Smartmouth again. “I’m going to help go help that pony.”

“You sure about that Tanky?”

“I can’t leave a fellow Pony behind, besides, doing this kinda thing was what got me kicked out of the Imperial Army.”

Smartmouth gave a Tanky a smile and climbed down a little to help her untangle the green Earth Pony.

“Thanks” said the green Earth Pony as Smartmouth and Tanky untangled her. “I’m Chalkboard by the way.”

“Nice to meet you Chalkboard.” said Tanky and Smartmouth practically at the same time.

Chalkboard was both glad and confused a little. “Why did you stop to help me? Aren’t you two worried about getting a good time?” said Chalkboard as she ascended the net with Smartmouth and Tanky.

“Well stopping to help other ponies was what got Tanky kicked out of the Imperial Army, why would she stop now?”

“And what did you do to get into the Royal Guard... uh... I don’t know your name.”

“It’s Smartmouth and... well... I just received a letter one day after the Six Week War was over.”

Tanky couldn’t help but interrupt. “I’m fairly certain that you were selected when you yelled a cowering tank crew into submission and hijacked the M5-85.” 

“Oh please!” said Smartmouth barely containing her laughter. “It was hardly a hijacking. More of... borrowing without consent... Besides, the M5-85’s commander wasn’t exactly fit for duty at the time of my borrowing.”

“So you hijacked an M5-85 Smartmouth? Wow... All I did was slip my old Type S1E9 in a ditch to make a bridge.”

Tanky was impressed to say the least. “Really? You used a one of those buckets to make a bridge Chalkboard?” 

“Yeah! I read in the manual that.. well... any Neighjing Consortium tank can climb out of tough spots really easy because of the exposed tracks in the front.”

When the three of them reached the top of the net, they looked back to see how many other ponies were behind them. It turns out that Tanky and Smartmouth weren’t the only ponies to show compassion for their comrades. Those ponies who tripped or fell into the mud below the rope swings had help from others still on the platform who pulled them out of the mud. Up ahead was a series of tires that ponies had to jump through. Beyond the tires were five thin planks that the recruits had to walk across and keep their balance. A rockwall they had to climb after the planks obscured the rest of the course. There were only a few ponies ahead but they were alone and having difficulty. The three mares looked at each other, gave a quick nod and made their way through the rest of the course.


-        -        -

All the recruits made it to the finish line and not a single one of them was without some form of mud on their clothing. Applejack was impressed about how all the recruits finished within a close time. Although it took them nearly half an hour to finish the course.

“Well... do ya’ll want to hear the good news or the bad news first?”
The recruits talked amongst themselves for a bit before Private Jammy spoke out for the group. “The bad news Ma’am.” His voice was full of pride and without the least bit of worry.

Applejack sighed a little. “Given that ya’ll took nearly half an hour ta finish this here course... ya’ll failed ‘cept fer three of ya.”

The recruits seemed unmoved, they knew that they wouldn’t finish with a good time because of their efforts to aid fellow soldiers. Only a few recruits ignored their comrades and blitzed through the course. 

“The good news is that this here time... doesn’t matter.”

The recruits were stunned by this Applejack’s statement. 

“Ya see, this was a trust exercise from the get go. Ya’ll did exceptional, except for you three...”

The three recruits Applejack were talking about were also the most easy to identify because they had the least amount of mud on their uniforms.

“Ya’ll are members of the Royal Guard now and ya’ll need ta be able ta trust ‘n help each other out. Ah learned this lesson a few years back and it seems ya’ll know it too. Get yerselves cleaned up and report back here at six-hundred hours fer arms training. Dismissed!”



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