//------------------------------// // Boulder Bucking // Story: Time and Masks // by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof //------------------------------// "Fall in!" At the Drill Sergeants command, Dinky -- as well as the other recruits -- moved to stand in line, shoulders straight and eyes forward. They held the position as Drill Sergeant Stonehoof walked past them, looking at them from the corner of his eye as he passed. "I hope you're ready to hurt," Stonehoof said. "Because today were are working on hoof to hoof combat. This time, it's not against any stuffed dummies. No. This time, the dummies will be each other. That's right. Today, you will be pairing off and facing a live partner one on one." One of the ponies in line, a pegasus, made a noise in their throat. As soon as he did, the Drill Sergeant was in front of him. "Something the matter, recruit?" "Well," the recruit said, "with all due respect, Drill Sergeant, this is hardly a fair exercise. I mean I grew up in The Dragon's Kitchen and had to learn pretty young how to fight. None of the other recruits could possibly stand against me... sir." "You really think so?" Stonehoof asked. He moved back. "Step forward." The recruit did so, his wings giving a slight flicker. "Recruit Dinky Hooves, step forward." Dinky did as she was told, stepping out of line. She pressed her jaws tight, almost painfully so, to keep from grinning. She had a fairly good idea of what was going to happen as she had seen similar issues with previous classes when she was training. The major difference was that it was usually Stonehoof himself who handled the recruit. He had mentioned that he might have her do it instead, but she did not actually expect it. "Tell you what," the drill sergeant said, "if you are able to defeat this recruit," he motioned to Dinky, "I will allow you to skip the combat training and hit the mess hall early. But, if she defeats you, then you will have to report for latrine duty. Acceptable?" The recruit looked at the unicorn now standing beside Stonehoof. She was somewhat on the short side, and kind of on the slender side. Looked more like the type that would run or use magic than actually fight. The filly would probably go down after one solid hit. It really seemed like it would not be a fair fight. Still, the opportunity to skip the combat training and be the first to eat was a very tempting prize. "Agreed, Drill Sergeant." "Alright then. No magic. No flying. This is unarmed combat only. A pony wins when the other surrenders, is knocked out or-" "Look out!" Dinky shouted. The young mare threw herself at Stonehoof, knocking the earth pony aside. Before any other ponies could react, a large chunk of stone flew through the air, passing where Stonehoof had been a moment ago. Instead, it struck the recruit and knocked him back. The remaining ponies turned to look at the source of the rock. Standing not far away was what looked like an earth stallion statue. The proof that it was not an actual statue was that it moved. The stallion was larger than average, looking down at the other ponies. The entire form looked more like it was made of marble that had been shaped and polished instead of flesh. From the spot they landed, Dinky and Stonehoof were getting back up. Dinky stared at the approaching statue, her mind already working to draw magic and ready it for a spell. Drill Sergeant Stonehoof brushed himself off as he stood. He grabbed his hat and put it back on before turning to look at the marble stallion. "Who the buck are you supposed to be?" Stonehoof asked. "Stone Breaker," the living statue responded. "Stone Breaker?" the drill sergeant said, his tone turning mocking. "What's the matter? Couldn't think of Rock Bucker? Or did you just not want everypony to know how much you love bucking big hard rocks?" He stepped forward, straightening. "You must have a head full of rocks to think it's a good idea to come into the guard training grounds alone." Stone Breaker let out a snort. Rearing up on his hind legs, the intruding pony slammed down his front hooves. A large stone burst from the ground with the impact. Before the stone reached the upswing, Stone Breaker spun around and kicked it with a one hoof. Dinky jumped to push the Drill Sergeant out of the way. At the same time, she used her magic to throw a shield bubble up around her. Stonehoof was pushed clear, the stone leaving him untouched. It hit Dinky's shield straight on, rock and protected mare both flying back until crashing into some trees. "Fall out!" Stonehoof shouted. "Get out of here and someplace safe! Move!" He moved to push his way back up, watching as the remaining recruits fled. Head low and eyes narrow, he turned to face the assaulting stallion. "What's the matter, Sarge?" Stone Breaker asked as he moved to circle around the other stallion, "Don't want the recruits to witness you getting turned into pony jelly?" "My job is to train them so they don't get killed. That doesn't mean I'm going to put them at an unnecessary risk when some madpony comes busting in and starts threatening to throw a boulder at them." Dinky felt a throb in her head from where the magic absorbed the impact of the rock. Shaking off the sense of dizziness, she looked around her. The shield was holding for the moment, and it was surrounded by debris including trees, branches, and rocks. Step one: check the structure around me. Slowly, Dinky pulled the shield closer to her, shrinking it down in size. She watched the debris as it moved in and finally stopped. The shield shrunk a little more then vanished. Dinky let out a sigh as the space held instead of collapsing. Step two: check self for injuries. The buzz in her head had faded, so there was no ache from that. There was an ache in her back from being thrown around, but it was minor. Nothing was broken, and there were no cuts or scrapes. Step three would have been to get some place out of sight where no other ponies could see her, but that was already taken care of. Next would be getting into costume. That made her a little uncertain. Her new Mare-Do-Well costume was not ready. She had finished sewing the main portion of the outfit, so there was something for her to wear. She even finished the hat. The problems were that the boots were still be worked on, the cape was not made, and the spells had yet to be worked into the outfit. The cape was more for a dramatic effect, so not having it was a minor issue. The lack of the boots and not having spells worked into the costume reduced the protection she had. That would mean a greater risk of injury, so she would have to be extra careful. A stallion made of stone that could throw boulders was probably not the best choice as a first opponent to confront without full protection. No. No excuses. Start making them now and you'll keep making them. Ponies are in trouble and I'm going to do something about it. Closing her eyes and concentrating, she focused her magic. The dark blue aura of magic enveloped her horn and began to spread outward until encompassing her entire body. With effort and magic, Dinky teleported the costume directly onto her. First she opened her eyes, and found that she could still see. Everything had a tinted color to it. That let her know that at the very least the mask was in place. Turning her head she gave her body a quick once over. Everything seemed to be in the proper spot on her. Taking a slow breath, she cleared her mind and tried to picture the layout of the training grounds. She tried to figure out where she had last seen Stone Breaker and the best spot to be unnoticed until she was ready as well as not to bump into something or wind up impaled. Once again she focused her magic and concentrated. This time, she teleported herself. With a burst of dark blue magic, she vanished from inside the rubble.