“Get up maggots!” barked a dark green earth pony stallion as he opened the door to the dormitory of the new recruits of the Equestrian royal army. Groans could be heard all over the room, except from the far left corner of the room where Dusk Flamer, a considerably young, dark grey, unicorn colt was sitting up, stretching. Dusk then got up, ruffled his dark red mane and promptly stood at attention by his bed.
“Wake up you filthy maggots!” The stallion shouted in a loud harsh voice, “And stand at attention by your bunks on the double!”
In a matter of minutes, everypony in the room was at attention by his bunk.
“Today is the day that you maggots prove your worth in the Equestrian royal army!” He barked, “My name is Hay Blight, but you maggots are only permitted to address me as General Blight. Am I understood?”
“Sir yes sir!” The recruits replied.
“For today`s agenda, you maggots will be enjoying the Equestrian royal army`s special; Hell Training,” General Blight said with a slight smile, “I can assure you, after today, at least a quarter of you will be whining like foals to be relieved of duty, a tenth of you might be accepted into the advanced course and the rest of you will remain maggots. But before that, let us enjoy a standard military breakfast.”
At this, some of the recruits sighed in relief.
“Follow me,” General Blight commanded, he left the room and the recruits filed out behind him. He led them down a large hallway into a humongous mess room with ten long oak tables, each table capable of seating twenty ponies. The recruits broke off from their line and filled up the three tables nearest to the entrance with earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns in separate tables. The rest of the tables were filled up with higher ranking soldiers with the generals furthest from the entrance to the mess hall.
On each table, there were twenty plates of questionable green goop and pulpy, old carrots. Many of the recruits made a face of disgust at the food, some even pretended to gag. Of those who did eat it, many of them were forcing it down their throats; one of two of them even threw up across the table. The only colt out of all the recruits who did not make a fuss or showed any outward signs of trouble ingesting the food was Dusk who ate the revolting food with ease.
After a while, the soldiers marched out of the hall in order of rank, generals first and recruits last. Some of the recruits, incapable of stomaching the harsh food, passed out in the mess hall and had to be sent home on account of ‘food poisoning’.
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Celestia’s sun beat down on the field with its full intensity in the midday heat, baking anything under it in a thirty-five degree Celsius temperature. The recruits lined up on the field outside the military training facility, sweating profusely. Encircling the field was a track and in the field, there were weights, hoops and other various training equipment. General Blight walked in front of the recruits.
“Now we will begin Hell Training,” General Blight said in a loud voice, then pointing to the track with a hoof, he said “we will begin by first doing twenty laps around the track and no flying.”
The recruits lined up along the extensive track and General Blight stood at the starting line. “On your marks,” He said loudly, “get set, GO!”
The recruits began running, they completed the first lap with ease but by the tenth lap, many of them began slowing down quickly and by the twentieth lap, all of them were exhausted. The dark green stallion approached the panting platoon. “Now how was that for your first exercise?” He said in a taunting voice, “Get up and split into earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns!”
The recruits, despite being tired and out of breath, did as they were told; soon there were three lines of ponies standing at attention on the field. The general then walked up to them, accompanied by four earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns.
“Alright maggots,” He barked “these here are my assistants for your training.” He pointed at the ponies accompanying him and then turned his attention back to the recruits. “For earth ponies, you will be lifting weights,” he said, motioning to the weights. “For pegasi, you will be flying through hoops,” he said, pointing at the hoops. “And for unicorns, you will show us what you can do.” He said “now don’t delay, begin!”
The first earth pony approached the stack of weights and easily lifted up eighty kilograms of weight upon his brown hooves, impressing the assistants as well as General Blight who nodded in approval. The first pegasus flew up to where the pegasi assistants were holding the hoops at varying heights. The red pegasus darted through all the hoops at Mach speed, garnering an applause from the pegasi recruits and assistants. The first unicorn stepped forth and his horn began to glow a dull orange. Soon, the ground beneath him rose up and began levitating. This got an approving nod from the assistants.
“Maybe this batch of recruits will produce many fine soldiers,” General Blight mused to himself.
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General Blight sighed and facehoofed as the rest of the recruits went about their training, many of the earth ponies could not even lift the standard weight of fifty kilograms, a large amount of the pegasi kept crashing into the hoops or missing entirely and almost all of the unicorns’ ‘unique’ or useful ‘magic’ were in fact either overused or useless. Many of the new recruits were already begging to be sent home.
“I was wrong,” The general told himself, “This batch of recruits is not even going to produce ten decent soldiers.”
“What do you mean you’re not going to perform your magic?” he heard one of his unicorn assistants say. He walked over to where the voice was coming from to see a young, dark grey unicorn colt with a dark red mane arguing with the older unicorn assistant. “I said that I can’t perform my magic here,” Dusk replied calmly, “I never expressed any desire to not perform it.”
“What’s the problem?” General Blight asked.
“This here colt refuses to perform his magic for us,” his assistant explained. General Blight walked over to the young colt.
“What’s this?” He said, eyeing the young colt, “aren’t you a bit young for the military, son?”
“No sir.” Dusk replied.
“I think you are,” General Blight said, “but I’ll let you join if you’re magic is useful, so go ahead, show me.” The colt shook his head and said, “I’m sorry sir but my magic is too dangerous to be displayed openly.”
“What?”
“I said that my magic is too dan-“
“I caught what you said the first time you grubby maggot,” General Blight said in a dangerously soft voice, “I meant what kind of magic could a half-pint size shrimp like you pull off that could possibly endanger everypony in this entire field?”
“You’d be surprised sir,” Dusk said.
“I’m sure I would,” The general said in a voice dripping with sarcasm, “If you could perform anything that could even shock me I would be thoroughly surprised.”
“I really could sir,” Dusk said, almost cockily.
“Then show me,” The general said in the same soft and dangerous tone.
“No sir,” Dusk replied firmly. General Blight then yelled, “If you want to join this military, you’d better wisen up and show your useless magic already!” his sudden outburst caused all the ponies, recruit and assistant alike to look at him and back off. The colt`s answer was still a ‘no’. General Blight yelled again, flecks of froth flying out of his mouth, “I said perform your useless magic already!”
“My magic isn’t useless,” Dusk stated.
“I bet it is!” General Blight shouted, “In fact I don’t even believe that you can even USE magic yet!”
“But I ca-”Dusk began to say but was interrupted by the raging general, “No! No, you can’t even use your magic properly! You don’t even have your cutie mark yet!” General Blight screamed pointing at the colts flank and in deed there was no cutie mark. “Do you know what you are? YOU’RE WEAK! Weaker than twig on the ground! Weaker than a pane of glass! Weak. Weak! WEAK!” The general ranted out in a crazed manner, causing the bystanders to back off even further.
“I’m not weak,” Dusk said.
“WHAT?” the general snapped.
“I’m not weak,” The colt repeated, a hint of anger in his voice.
“NONSENSE!” The general yelled out, “You’re so weak; I bet you couldn’t even lift a leaf!” Dusk yelled back, “I’m not weak!” and as he did, his horn began glowing a bright red and the earth around him began to glow red as well. The general noticed this and backed away from the colt and out of the area of red earth before yelling “YOU’RE WEAK!”
Dusk yelled out in a blind rage, “I’M! NOT! WEAK!”
The ground around the colt exploded into a bright red energy that engulfed the colt and shot up skyward, forming a red beacon of magic in the sky, the assistants and recruits fled for safety in the military training facility while the general looked in awe at the raw power of the magic before him. The ground began to shake, catching the attention of all the ponies in the building, resulting in them to looking out of the windows at the red ray of magic in the field.
After a while, the magic subsided, revealing a humongous crater in the field, lined with burned soil and ash. The sky above it had been cleared of all clouds leaving the unclouded sky in its entire splendor. In the center of the field was the Dusk, extremely exhausted and panting for breath.
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General Blight slid down the side of the crater, into the center of it and approached the young colt. “Impressive I must say,” He remarked, looking around him, “You do have the raw power necessary for the Equestrian royal army but I’m not sure who would be able to train you.”
“I will,” A voice said causing the general to spin around. He saw a majestic white alicorn with a lustrous flowing pastel colored mane wearing a crown. “Y-Your highness!” General Blight exclaimed, bowing the princess before him, the young colt attempted to but he was too tired to do so. “Rise general,” she said in a calming voice, “I have heard your call for a mentor for this young colt and I would like to take him under my wing.”
“B-But y-your highness,” General Blight stammered, “why are you here first of all and secondly why would you take him under your wing?”
“For your first question, I was surveying Equestria when I saw this colt’s amazing display of magic and for your second question; I find it to be my duty to raise such magic potential to its finest.” Princess Celestia replied, then turning to the colt, she asked, “How would you like to be my personal apprentice?”
“I… would… love to…” Dusk replied between pants.
“Splendid,” Princess Celestia said happily, “Now may I please know your name?”
Dusk stood up shakily and said proudly, “My… name… is… Dusk Flamer.”
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The sun was setting when Princess Celestia arrived back at her castle in Canterlot in her chariot. She looked to her left and saw her newly appointed apprentice, Dusk Flamer, sleeping peacefully after expanding a large amount of his magical energy. She had a knack for recognizing magic potential when she saw it and what she saw that afternoon was definitely not a fluke.
“Your highness,” Said a white unicorn stallion, worry very evident in his eyes, his blue mane with streaks of light and dark blue flowing in the dusk wind, “Where were you? The castle guard was worried.”
“I’m sorry Shining Armor,” Princess Celestia apologized, “I was just out on a ride around Equestria.”
Shining Armor sighed. “Your highness, you know that you’re supposed to inform me or at least one of the royal guards before you leave the castle,” He said, “I’ve told you many times before.”
“I know but it sort of… slipped my mind I guess.” The princess said, giggling a bit. Shining Armor was about to say something but instead sighed heavily and shook his head slowly. He peered into the chariot and saw the sleeping colt.
“Who is he?” Shining Armor asked. “He’s my new apprentice,” Princess Celestia said, “He has great magic potential,”
Shining Armor shrugged, picked up the sleeping apprentice, threw him on his back and returned to the castle. The princess followed him. They entered the huge stone hallway, leading to the Princess’s throne room. In front of the two huge doors leading to her room stood two pegasi guards.
“Bring him to the spare sleeping quarters,” Princess Celestia commanded.
“Yes your highness,” They responded promptly, taking the sleeping colt from Shining Armor and brought him to the one room in the far left tower of the castle. The guards entered the room, dumped the colt on the bed and departed quickly so as to not miss dinner.
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When Dusk Flamer opened his eyes he saw that he was on a plush red bed and lying on an incredibly soft red feather pillow. He quickly sat up trying to remember what happened previously, then it came back to him, he had become the personal apprentice of one of the most powerful ponies in Equestria. He leapt up and exclaimed “YES!”
Then he looked around his new lodging, it was a smallish circular room with a huge window to the right of his bed. The bed itself was a canopy bed without many trimmings to make it seem less ‘girly’. To the right of the bed and underneath a window, was a bedside table on top of which there was a lamp and a glass of water. Beside the window was a wooden door with the sign ‘bathroom’ on it. To the left of the bed, was a large wooden door presumably the main entrance to the room. Directly across from the bed was a huge closet. Next to it stood a large cupboard filled with an assortment of food ranging from bread to fruits. The center of the room was covered by a large red carpet. The room smelt strongly of cedar which is what Dusk presumed the furniture was made of.
Dusk stretched, cracking his bones, then approached the closet and opened it. The closet was filled with his clothes from the dormitory at the military training facility. The closet also had a mirror fixed in the door. Dusk looked in the mirror at himself; his unkempt red mane, his light blue eyes and his dark grey fur. He ran a hoof through his mane to make it look a bit more presentable then went over to the cupboard and made a sandwich using bread and all the items he could reach from his short height.
After he was full, he walked out the door and saw that it led to a long spiral stairwell. After he carefully descended the staircase, he walked into the hallway and saw a white unicorn stallion with a blue mane.
“Umm… excuse me good sir?” Dusk asked in his politest voice. The stallion turned and saw the young colt looking at him.
“Yes?” the stallion replied.
“I was wondering… where is the princess’s room? I need to talk to her.”
“Ohh… you’re the new apprentice,” the stallion said, “Allow me to escort you there, my name is Shining Armor, what’s yours?”
“Dusk… Dusk Flamer” Dusk responded.
“Well then Dusk, let’s get on our way,” Shining Armor said motioning down the hallway. He turned and began walking down the hallway, the colt trotted happily after him.
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They arrived at the great wooden doors that led to Princess Celestia’s throne room. The guards made way for Shining Armor and opened the heavy wooden doors for them. Dusk was in awe as he surveyed the huge throne room. In the throne room, there were a lot of stained glass images of the past victories of the princesses over evils such as discord. In the center of the room was Princess Celestia sitting on her throne, guarded by two pegasi and unicorn guards both decked out in gold armor. The path from the door to her throne was lined with red carpet with gold lacing and design on it.
When the two of them walked in, Princess Celestia looked up and smiled. Shining Armor gave the princess a crisp salute and said, “Good morning your highness,”
“G-Good morning p-princess,” Dusk spluttered as he was still in awe of the throne room. “Good morning gentlecolts,” Princess Celestia greeted them, then looking to Dusk she asked, “So, are you ready for your first day of training?”
“I most certainly am!” The colt replied enthusiastically, practically bouncing up and down, his red mane flowing up and down as well. “Good to hear that,” Princess Celestia said, smiling, “Now follow me,” She got up and began to walk out of the throne room. A Pegasus and a unicorn guard started to follow her until a glance from Shining Armor told them otherwise. The princess left the room with Dusk essentially bouncing after her.
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The princess brought him to a large library and explained, “This will be your studying room, almost all of your theory lessons will be held here,” Then, leading him to a big bay window at the far end of the library, she said, “There, is where you can use your magic during practical lessons.” She turned and looked at Dusk who was shifting uncomfortably at the mention of ‘practical lessons’. “Don’t worry,” She reassured the colt, “I’ll set up a barrier that will contain the brunt of your magic.” At this, the colt brightened up and beamed at her, his blue eyes wide with the hunger for knowledge, grinning from ear to ear. “I see that you’re ready for your lesson,” Princess Celestia said, giggling, she could not remember the last time she had such an enthusiastic apprentice.
She sat on a couch under the window and Dusk sat next to her. Then she began to explain to him how to control magic, how it came into existence and the mechanics behind its power. Afterward Princess Celestia brought him outside to allow him to try to control his magic.
After lessons, Dusk was free to wander around the castle and explore as he wished. As he was walking around the castle compound, he was suddenly slammed in the shoulder by a speeding white pegasus colt. “Ohmygosh! I’m so sorry! Are you alright?” The winged pony asked in a concerned voice.
“Yeah, just peachy,” Dusk said, trying to pop his shoulder back as it had been dislocated in the crash. It soon popped back into its socket and Dusk winced and gritted his teeth at the pain. “I’m so sorry about that,” The pegasus apologized, his yellow eyes full of remorse and guilt.
“It’s fine, really,” Dusk said, rubbing his shoulder, “So what’s your name?”
“My name is Storm… Storm Whipper,” The young white pegasus said, scratching his azure blue mane nervously, “I’m the princess’s messenger around the castle.”
“The name’s Dusk Flamer, nice to meet you,” The dark grey unicorn greeted, offering his hoof in friendship. The pegasus gladly reached forth and shook it warmly. “Pleasure to meet you too.” He said enthusiastically, then he looked at Dusk’s flank and saw that his cutie mark was absent. “Umm… you don’t have your cutie mark yet?” Storm asked as politely as he could.
“Yeah but it doesn’t bother me though.” Dusk said.
“Hey it’s cool, I don’t have mine either,” Storm said, tuning to show his blank flank.
“Hey wanna go grab something to eat in the royal mess hall? I heard that they have tulip sandwiches.” Dusk asked.
“Buck yeah!” Storm exclaimeded, as the both of them made their way to the royal mess hall.
Soon the two of them began to hang out more and became best friends as they got to know more about each other such as what foods they liked, their struggles and what the other looked for in a fillyfriend.
Dusk learned a great many things during his lessons with Princess Celestia and as a result became a brilliant student and began to work in the royal guard despite still being a colt. Shining Armor was skeptical at first as Dusk’s magic potential was only exceeded by his own, but later did not mind when he grew closer to Dusk, becoming his good friend and senior.
Dusk’s life seemed to be perfect with the exception of him not receiving his cutie mark yet. But he did not mind that, all he cared about was becoming stronger to fight for and protect the princess. Then, two years later, when Princess Celestia received a request to enroll a young filly into her school for gifted unicorns…