Everything was packed up and ready. Dinky looked around the room one more time. It all seemed so different now.
For most of her life, this room in Canterlot had been her home. Although more like a second home would be more accurate. Her first home was still the farmhouse back in Ponyville. Still, this is where she had lived most of her life. Where she slept, studied, and worked hard for something she could not help but think was crazy.
Now it was done and she was moving on. She had graduated from the Academy for Gifted Unicorns and was now going out in the world. Some day another pony would move into here and be the next student to one of the princesses. Today, it was full of boxes that she had packed and a couple of bags. The boxes would be set in storage until a place to move into was found. The bags would be coming with her.
Checking the clock, she found it was about time for her to get going actually. Grabbing her bags, she left. The young mare walked through the castle, looking around at it all as she went. Dinky could still remember how big it all seemed when she first arrived. She thought it would be impossible to know where anything could be and take forever to get there. After more than a decade, there were still places she had not explored.
Two guards stood at one of the doors. She gave them a salute as she passed, smiling. Neither responded other than looking at her since they were on duty and were limited in their options. Satisfied, she continued on past them for the doors, leaving the castle. She would likely be back, but it would no longer be her home.
"Not staying around to see the new recruits?" a deep voiced called out, getting her attention.
"No, Drill Sergeant," she said in her normal voice. Her body shifted without her thinking, standing at attention as she straightened up. "I am actually heading for the station now. I have a train to catch."
"You know," Stonehoof said, "technically you never did complete the training program."
"Not my fault that it got cancelled." She started to walk along the path. The sergeant quickly fell in step beside her.
"I have to admit, this whole thing has been very strange. Never had a student of Celestia's, never had a foal, and then one day I end up with both, even if for only half the day. I have had a few recruits come back through once or twice, but it was rare. Next thing I know, seeing the same face again and again.
"It was all something I wasn't used to, but I'm glad to be a part of it. Watching you grow and develop, seeing you become a very skilled and competent soldier... It's a shame you aren't joining the guard proper. You could probably become a captain someday."
"Captain Dinky?" She shifted, seeming to think about it before shaking her head. "No. Doesn't sound very military. Besides, I'd probably have to prove myself to the troops."
"Only at first." He let out a sigh. "Look. I'm not normally the one for getting soft and sentimental. My job is to toughen ponies up so they can stand the hardships of combat or the tedium of guard duty. That being said... If I ever have a daughter, I hope she is a lot like you."
The comment made Dinky blush, smiling slightly.
"Now if you'll excuse me, Miss Hooves," the soldier stated, "I have preparations to make for a new class of recruits." With that he gave a salute of his own and turned to leave.
The young mare continued to walk toward the gates, turning her head to watch him leave. She gave one last smile before looking away. Dinky paused as she stopped at the gates, looking at it. Taking a deep breath, Dinky stepped forward and left the castle grounds.
The walk from the castle to the train station was quiet and peaceful. Well relatively speaking. After all it was the middle of the day and a weekend. There were a great many ponies out and about, enjoying the day. There was a hum of activity and conversations going on all around her.
As she reached the station, the intercom system came on, announcing the arrival of the train from Ponyville. Quickly, she made her way to the platform. There were very few other ponies waiting. The young mare shifted excitedly as she saw the train coming into view. She could barely contain herself as it came to a stop. Once she caught sight of her target, she ran.
"Ruby!" Dinky cried out as she approached the red unicorn. The two pressed against each other, nuzzling gently.
"How was the ride?"
"Fine," Ruby replied. "Got your ticket?"
"Yeah.... Are you sure about this? I mean you got accepted to one of the best educational hospitals in Manehattan. Wouldn't you rather go there instead of-" she stopped as a hoof covered her mouth.
"I'm sure." Ruby pulled her hoof away and began to walk. "I have put a lot of thought into this. I'm not going to lie, the chance to be with you is a large part of it. We've been dating for a year and known each other for so much longer. It will be nice to spend time with you for more than a week at most.
"Besides, I looked into it and asked around. The hospitals there are pretty busy. I can help a lot more ponies there than in Manehattan. It's not like I need to go to the best hospital to learn the best methods anyway. I mean I've been studying medicine for over a decade with one of the most intensive teachers in Equestria."
"That's true." Dinky began to chuckle. "I bet that you actually know more than some of the doctors who have been practicing for years."
"There's another reason." The red mare pointed a hoof at her lavender-gray friend. "You're going to need somepony to keep an eye on you. A pony that knows something about medicine and first aid. That way when you get hurt and need stitches, or bandages, or have a limb popped back into place, you don't have to go to the hospital and make some excuse."
"Awww," Dinky gushed. "That's the sweetest thing anypony has ever said." She fluttered her eyelids. "I had no idea you cared so much."
Ruby let out a noise that was a mix of annoyance and amusement. Before she could retort, the call for boarding was announced. At the sound, the pair ran to the platform as quick as they could. The two boarded quickly, finding seats in one of the back cars near the cargo hold. Dinky sat by the window, looking out through it, and Ruby pulled a book from one of her bags.
Slowly the train began to move. There was a slight lurch as it started to move forward. With it, Dinky Hooves and Ruby Pinch started to ride away. One part of their life was now being left behind and the two would soon be heading off to another part with new adventures.