//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: Training Day (Part 1) // Story: The Protectors of Harmony // by Delta Blade //------------------------------// Chapter 12: Training Day (Part 1) August 6, 2558 0823 hours Cloudsdale Rainbow Dash`s cloud-house Rainbow Dash awoke to the headache of a hangover. She sat up dizzily and put her head in her hooves. “Ahhh…” she groaned. “Too much cider. Maybe if I get up, walk arou-” She froze, for as she moved to exit off her mattress, she felt the slightest tug on her abdomen. Somepony`s hoof was there, but who`s hoof? She lifted the blankets. It wasn’t a hoof. It was the arm of some unknown creature with five more little appendages coming off the end of it. She looked behind her and saw the face of the alien that was holding her. It began to move. In shock, she gave a small squeal as she fell off her bed, wings flapping uncontrollably. The alien awoke to her squeal and the sound of her hitting the floor. Rainbow backed away a little as the extraterrestrial sat up in her bed. It wore some sort of armor, had black mane, and had tan-colored skin. They made eye contact, and instantly the events of the previous day flooded back into their minds. “That wasn’t a dream?!” the human exclaimed. “I wasn’t dreaming?” asked Rainbow as though she hadn’t heard the human in front of her. “Oh my god.” “Oh my Celestia.” They made eye contact once more, and Private First Class Ogden Jenkins got off the bed and slowly walked over to the cyan mare. He knelt down to her, and after a few more seconds of looking into her large, magenta eyes, he reached out and gently put a hand on her cheek. Rainbow shut her eyes and softly gasped at his touch. “Easy,” said Jenkins soothingly. “I not gunna hurt you.” He then put his other hand behind her head and brought her in for a hug. “Sorry for startling you,” he said. “S`okay,” Rainbow responded as she returned the embrace. “I wasn’t scared though.” “Sure you weren't,” said the PFC sarcastically. “I wasn’t!” “Are you kidding? You should’ve seen the look on your face! It was hilarious!” The two began laughing jovially as they let go of each other, glad to have their disquieting morning encounter with each other behind them. “By the way,” started the cyan pegasus, her headache now having been startled out of her. “About that rematch.” Before the marine could react, she grabbed him by his arms, flew him over onto the bed, and started tickling his neck. “Ahahahaha-quit it! HeheHAhaha!” “Oh? Are humans the ticklish kind?” said Rainbow as she continued her torture. “Hahahokay, alright, that’s it! Game on!” said Jenkins before he quickly turned the tables on his cyan tormenter by grabbing the front of her neck and using his legs to flip the two of them over. Now Jenkins was on top of her. “Rainbow, you’re about to learn one of the many things that fingers can be useful for. This one being that they`re good for TICKLING!” The marine began his torture by attacking her neck, just as she had attacked his. “Gahahahahaha! Oh Celestehahaha! Stop Stahahap PLEASE!” “Who`s the ticklish one now?” boasted the PFC as he moved one hand down to her belly. “No NO nahat there! Anywhere but there!” said the cyan pegasus as she as she rolled over onto her face. Rainbow was having a wonderful time, despite what she was saying (and the fact that she was losing). “Do you surrender?” asked Jenkins. “Never!” shouted Rainbow into her bedcovers. The human then went for her armpits. “GAAhahahahokay! Okay! I give, I GIHIHIVE!” Only then did Jenkins finally stop. He got off of her and lay down next to her. Rainbow brought her face out of her bed covers and laid her cheek on them, now smiling playfully at the human next to her as she audibly breathed in and out, trying to catch her breath. Jenkins smiled back as he felt her breath on his face. He reached over and stroked her rainbow mane. “You know,” started Jenkins. “You`re the only one of your kind that I've seen with this rainbow-colored hair.” “It`s called mane,” said Rainbow. “And rainbow-mane is extremely rare.” “I could imagine. Who were your parents?” “Oh they both had rainbow-colored mane too,” she said. “It runs in the family, and I really don’t know where it started. I feel it`s been something that`s made my family really unique.” “Sounds like somepony had a happy childhood,” said Jenkins. “Can`t say the same for myself though.” “Why not? Didn’t you have nice parents?” “Not really.” “Did you even know your parents?” said Dash in sarcastic disbelief. “Unfortunately yes.” “What d`ya mean?” “Well, just my father mostly. You see, my mom died giving birth to me.” “*gasp*” “I know, and as a result it was pretty rough growing up, as you could probably imagine.” “Why? Didn’t he try to take care of you?” “Oh absolutely, it`s just that, he was a bit of a jerk. Okay, a lot a bit.” “What?” “It must have been the death of his wife that had gotten him so naturally riled up. I'm pretty sure he blamed me for her passing, and he wasn’t gunna blame himself. By the time I'd turned 17 I had grown so sick of the guy that I couldn’t have been happier when I was forced to enlist into the UNSC.” "Why were you forced?” “Obviously because of my father…partially. ‘Why don’t you join with me?!’ I asked,” Jenkins made a grumpy face, and in a gruff, old man`s voice said, “‘`Cause I'm too old!’ he responded. ‘Ya know there`s an age limit! And you`re just old enough to sign up!’” Rainbow giggled slightly at his impression. The marine returned to his normal voice, “‘Well I was going to enlist anyway! `Cause guess what?’ I said. “I'm too old for your shit!’ and I ran out the door.” “Wow. You were pretty rebellious.” “As if you weren't; I can tell.” “But what was the big rush? Why was there so much urgency to join?” “Because the Covenant had reached Earth, my homeworld, and people everywhere were enlisting to defend it.” “Ah, so you had to do it, huh?” “Yep.” The two sat in silence for another minute. “So about your rainbow mane again,” said Ogden. “You said it was rare?” “Oh yeah,” Dash responded. “I said it`s one of the things that make me feel special.” “As if you weren't already,” flirted Jenkins. “You know I've also noticed how your ears twitch as they pick up sounds. I think that`s really cute.” “Thanks,” said the cyan pegasus as she wrapped her hooves around the PFC`s arm, closing the gap between her and her new, interstellar friend. “Rainbow, I wanna thank you for your hospitality. We may not have a whole lot in common, but you`re real nice for letting me stay anyway.” “No problem,” said Dash, snuggling a little closer. “No problem at all.” The two stared at the ceiling in silence for another minute, until a crackle from Jenkins` helmet radio sitting on the nightstand disturbed the stillness. “…Jenkins, come in…” “Sorry,” said the marine as he got off the bed. “I gotta get that.” “What is it?” asked Rainbow. “It`s my squad,” the human responded as he put the helmet on. “They`re probably wondering where I am.” “Oh.” “…Come on marine, answer me…” Jenkins knew that voice, he`d heard it through helmet microphones long enough to identify it anytime he heard it. “Go Sergeant.” “…Goddammit marine! You gave us a scare…” “Aww, did you actually miss me Sarge?” “…Shut up Jenkins, and tell us where the hell you are…” “Is gunny there?” “…Yeah, and reading you loud and clear…Where are ya?” “Umm…Hold on,” he turned to the cyan mare. “Rainbow, what`d you call this place again?” “Cloudsdale.” “I'm in a floating cloud city called Cloudsdale, sir. One of the equines was kind enough to show it to me.” “…Ya mean that flying one with the Rainbow-colored hair? Looks like you made things up with her after all…” “…Shifty, get off the line…” “…Aye sir…” “…You too, Sidney…” “…Aww, c`mon mate…” “…Sid-ney!...” “…Aye sir…” “Sounds like you`re all together. I assume the Corporal`s there too?” “…Oh damn, you got me…” “Where are you guys, gunny?” “…In a pelican, now heading for this cloud city you`re in. We`ve been looking for you all morning! Since 0600 actually…” “What for?” “…We`re heading to Ponyville to train with the Princess` royal guard…” “What? Why?” “…Hell if I know. All I do know is that we`ve gotta head back to the Infinity and change out of these Hazop Uniforms and into our regular infantry uniforms before heading to the training area…” “Understood sir.” “…And Jenkins?...” “Yes, sir?” “…What were you doing with that pegasus?...” “Oh, um, well, I uhhh…ahem, what I mean to say is–” “…Out with it Jenkins! It`s awkward already, so you might as well say it…” “I slept with her, sir.” Laughter erupted on the other end. “Okay, I know what you`re thinking, and in my defense–” “…Jenkins, I don’t want to know…” “…Looks like they made up a little more than I thought!...” “…Shifty? Remember when I told you to stay off the line?...” “…Yeah?…” “…Well consider that a standing order…” “…Aye sir…” “Well, looks like someone`s pissed this morning.” “…Please, who doesn’t get a little cranky in the morning? I'll just be happy once you’re on board. I want your things together by the time we arrive…” “Aye sir.” Turning off his microphone, Jenkins turned around to face Rainbow. “Hey Dash? I'm gunna have to leave soo–” Now realizing that the cyan mare was nowhere to be seen, “Dash?” “In here!” she called from a closet at the end of the room. “I gotta go soon. My guys are coming to pick me up.” “Really?” said Rainbow as she came out wearing a blue and yellow colored suit with a pair of goggles strapped to her forehead. “I gotta leave too. How about that?” “Whoa, where are you going?” “To Wonderbolt practice.” “Wonderbolt?” “The Wonderbolts are only the greatest flyers in all of Equestria,” said Rainbow as she trotted up to Jenkins. “And I recently became one of their Captains!” “Wow, congrats! You must be quite the athlete.” The sound of a pelican`s engines came, coming ever closer. “Oh! Sorry, wish I could stay and chat but,” he leaned down and kissed her on the nose. “Gotta go!” Dash brought a hoof up to the spot on her nose where Jenkins had just kissed her moments before, watching him as he jogged to the door and leaped into the pelican. As the aircraft pulled away, the marine turned back and gave her a quick, two-fingered salute in her direction. When it had left, Rainbow finally realized that she had been blushing. She gave a sassy smile to herself before flying outside. . . . August 6, 2558 0830 hours Aboard Pelican Delta 337 Five miles outside of Ponyville Fireteam Icebreaker was strapped in their seats inside their pelican transport, now changed into their regular infantry uniforms. Gunnery Sergeant David Alvarez, Sergeant Alex Thompson, and Corporal Marcus Williams wore the white chest-plates, shoulder pads, leggings, and helmets worn by all Noncommissioned Officers, while Private Oscar Morgan and Private Eugene Phillips bore the grey, green, and tan uniforms of regular infantry. Only PFC Ogden Jenkins stood out among his comrades; he wore a large radio on his back, used for contacting fire support teams in the area, along with a grey helmet with a white stripe going down the middle of it. He was the first to break the all encompassing silence that had befallen the inside of the pelican. “So you guys all slept on the Infinity last night?” asked Jenkins. “Nah, we were just giving you a hard time,” said Corporal Marcus Williams. “Truth is, we all slept with somepony.” “Really?” “Well, all of us except for gunny. He actually was on the Infinity.” “Okay, so let`s go down the line here. Who`d each of you sleep with?” “The one named Rarity invited me into her boutique in Ponyville,” said Corporal Williams. “Fluttershy brought me to her cottage,” said Sidney. “Pinkie Pie, god that name is way too cheesy,” said Shifty. “She took me to her home in this bakery called: I think it was ‘Sugar Cube Corner?’ Yeah, that was it.” “And the orange one named Applejack took me over to her farmhouse over at ‘Sweet Apple Acres,” said Sergeant Alex Thompson. “Was nice to be back on a farm again.” “So what were you picking on me for Sarge?” asked Jenkins. “You basically did the same thing I did.” “Yeah I know, I know. Like we said, we were just givin` you a hard time is all. I mean, they were all so drunk! How does non-alcoholic cider make anything so intoxicated?” “I know right?” said Jenkins before his whole Fireteam joined him in buoyant laughter. “So the reason gunny`s so pissed is because he had to spend all morning flying this pelican around to pick us all up,” whispered Shifty to Jenkins, as they were strapped in right next to each other. “Also, I think he might have had another dream last night about that drop he made six years ago.” “New Mombasa?” Jenkins whispered back. “That`s the one. I'm starting to think that memories like those keep him up at night.” “How do you think he made it outta there?” Just then, the two marines suddenly became aware that gunny had heard almost every word. He was strapped in the seat across from them. They looked at him, glanced back at each other for a moment, and then looked back at his face again. “In a captured phantom,” he said, answering Jenkins` question. “Made it out just before a Covenant assault cruiser glassed the whole damn coastal highway.” Jenkins and Shifty looked back at each other, and then decided to just shrug it off and continue looking straight ahead. “We`re here,” came the pilot`s voice over the helmet radios as the pelican`s ramp began to come down. The sight that greeted them was a large, hilly landscape covered in bright green grass. In the distance ran a modestly large river, Ponyville looming just beyond. In the sky rose Celestia`s bright, yellow sun and, seeming only mere inches away, one could just make out the cluster of clouds known as Cloudsdale. As the pelican touched down, the sight of Gypsy Company, as well as an equally large force of Royal Guardsponies lay before the marines. As Fireteam Icebreaker dismounted from their pelican, along with a few other fireteams from other pelicans, Gypsy Company Commander Captain Robert Peterson arrived in the passenger seat of a Warthog, which stopped near the edge of the congregation. The Captain Stood up on his seat and faced his marines. From his elevated position, he began his briefing. “Alright men! Listen Up!” he began in his authoritative voice. “Castle and Shadow Companies are currently training up in Canterlot. Castle has been assigned 24/7 guard duty of the Capital, while Shadow will be on the front line 24/7. As for us, we`ve been split half-and-half. Only half of our company will be out fighting at a time, the time of which we are not sure of just yet. During this time, the other half will be guarding both Ponyville and Cloudsdale. After today`s training, you will find out which platoons will be assigned guard duty, and which will be shipping out, understood?” “AYE SIR!” “Good. Now I suppose you`re wondering why you need this training. The reason, is that Captain Lasky wants to make sure that we are comfortable fighting what is known as an Equinoid species, or horse-like species, in what is now about to be known as hand-to-hoof combat. These royal guardsme–er guardsponies, are here to instruct you on how to handle yourself the event that a changeling catches you without a weapon or with just your knife. Listen to what they say, and we can all come out of this a little more confident in our abilities.” “AYE SIR!” “Alright, now you`ll be doing hand-to-hoof combat training until 1300 hours. At that time,” he pointed to the woodland area to the north. “You`ll all need to head over to the Everfree forest. Once there, all platoon commanders are to meet me at the tree line for a briefing on the field training exercise that we are going to do there. Everyone understand?” “AYE SIR!” “Good. Now get to it marines!” said Captain Peterson before sitting back down in his seat. “AYE SIR!” The Warthog then sped off toward the Everfree forest tree line. “Alright Alpha Platoon!” called Lieutenant Daniel Dietz, who was standing about one-hundred feet away next to a royal guard officer, and an entire platoon of royal guardspony subordinates right behind the two of them. “Fall in around us!” Alpha gathered in front of the group as Bravo through Delta Platoons did the same in front of other royal guard platoons throughout the field. Lieutenant Dietz was wearing his officer`s cap and had his M6D holstered on his hip. “Men, today marks the first and last day of your hand-to-hoof combat training,” said the young LT. “So pay attention and learn well.” “AYE SIR!” . . . August 6, 2558 1254 hours Outskirts of Ponyville Hand-to-Hoof Combat Training Grounds “Man!” said Jenkins as he took a moment to catch his breath, beads of sweat visibly rolling down his face. “Hard to believe we`ve been doing this for almost four and a half hours, huh?” “You think you`ve got this down?” said his unicorn trainer. “Yeah.” “Good, `cause here comes your final test.” Noticing that the unicorn was looking past him, Jenkins looked over his shoulder to see a royal guard sergeant and the Lieutenant Dietz walking over to them. The LT held in his hands a digital clipboard to check off the progress of his marines; due to the look on his face, it seemed that all was going well. “How`s his progress Corporal?” said the Sergeant. “Oh it`s great, sir,” said the Corporal. “I have to say, you humans are really fast learners!” “Good,” said the LT. “`Cause the Captain wants us over by the Everfree Forest in–” checking his digital wristwatch, “–literally five minutes! So let`s get this examination through with quickly.” “Alright,” started the sergeant. “Here`s what we`re going to do. In the next five minutes, you will have to perform for us six different takedowns; two with your knife, two with your gun, and two with you bare hands. Got it?” “Yes sir,” said Jenkins. “Let`s start with bare hands,” said the Lieutenant. “Aye, sir.” “Okay,” started the sergeant. “He tries to buck you in the chest, how do you react?!” Ogden`s royal guard trainer immediately spun one-eighty degrees and let his two hind legs loose, but the PFC had already sidestepped to the right, following up by swiping the unicorn`s two front hooves out from under him. “That`s one,” said the royal guard sergeant. “Now if he comes at you with his spear?” The downed guard got back on his hooves and grabbed his spear that was off to the side and got in a ready stance. He then thrust it forward at Ogden`s chest, but the human had sidestepped again, this time to the left. He moved forward past the spearhead and grabbed the unicorn`s horn and pulled it forward, off-balancing the royal guard. Immediately after, Jenkins used his right leg to trip the unicorn onto the ground and on his back. The marine held him there with a hand clasping his horn to the ground and his right knee on the royal guard`s chest-plate, his left hand raised in a fist, ready to strike if the subdued pony made any sudden move to escape. It had all happened within mere seconds. “And that`s two,” said the LT. “Well done Private. Now take out your knife. It`s time for your two knife takedowns.” “Wait,” said the sergeant. “What`s that?” Everyone looked to where the sergeant was pointing, which was at Jenkins` hand, currently grasping the unicorn`s horn. The corporal was apparently trying to cast some magic spell, but Ogden`s hand appeared to be blocking the magical flow through the horn. “Whoa,” said the LT, who then began to take a quick video of the phenomenon with his digital clipboard. “Now that`s interesting. Let me just save that real quick…there! I'll send that to the Captain later, see if he can get Infinity Science on that. Now pull out your knife Private.” “Aye, sir,” said the PFC, standing up and pulling his combat knife out of its shoulder harness. “Okay,” said the sergeant. “He tries whacking you with his spear.” The royal guard corporal swung his weapon from the right, but Jenkins caught it with his arm before it struck his head. He then quickly pulled on the spear, pulling its royal guard handler with it, as he brought the handle-end of his knife on the spot where the corporal`s heart would be, due to safety reasons, and thereby avoiding any fatal puncture of the royal guard`s hide. “Good, very good,” said the sergeant. “I like you humans; you`re fast, agile, and sharp. Personally, I don’t think the changelings stand a chance.” “Assuming they even get the chance to stand,” said the LT. “Hah! Good one.” “Okay private, on to your next one.” “Aye sir.” The guard then came at Jenkins, attempting to stab him in the chest with the spear. Jenkins, with his free left hand, deflected the oncoming spearhead to the right while his opponent`s momentum continued to force the unfortunate guard forward. Jenkins sidestepped to the left and stopped the royal guard in his tracks by placing the blunt end of the knife blade on his foe`s neck, covering his throat. “And that`s a kill,” said Lieutenant Dietz. “Good work, now with a gun. First, your pistol.” “What do you do in a situation where a changeling is trying to choke you from behind?” said the royal guard sergeant. Jenkins and his trainer got into position; the royal guard corporal wrapped his two front hooves around the marine`s neck. Because hooves can`t grip each other very easily, it was almost effortless for Jenkins to pull them apart, thus releasing the guard`s grip on his neck. Ogden then sidestepped to the left and then put his right leg as far between the guard`s two legs and elbowed the equine to the ground. The marine then pulled his M6D out of its holster as he turned to face his downed opponent. With the royal guard corporal on his back and Jenkins now pointing his pistol at him, the first of Jenkins` two gun-takedowns was complete. “Okay private,” said the LT. “Well done. Now get your rifle and do one more.” Jenkins then helped the corporal to his feet before picking up his MA5D assault rifle. “Now, in this situation,” said LT Dietz. “You`re in close quarters, and just as you`re about to round a corner, he grabs your rifle and starts trying to wrestle it out of your hands. What do you do?” Jenkins then raised his rifle, and then his royal guard trainer came in from his right and grabbed the barrel of the weapon with his two bare hooves. The marine then elbowed the unicorn across the face with his right arm, grabbed his horn yet again with his right hand, and pulled it straight down, thus tripping the equine over the human`s leg and flipping him over onto his back. Jenkins then stepped away from his downed adversary while pointing his rifle at him. His test was over. “Well done soldier!” praised Lieutenant Dietz. “You got him off of your weapon, subdued on the ground, and got back to your tool. You made space for your weapon so you could shoot him.” “Thank you sir,” said Jenkins. “That technique of making space for your weapon,” said the royal guard sergeant. “Is actually more effective than any other martial arts technique I've ever seen. It`s just so fast and simple.” “Yeah, well centuries upon centuries of warfare will teach you a thing or two,” said the LT. “I can see that.” The LT then regarded his digital wristwatch once again. “Right on time,” he said before shouting to everyone. “Time! Time! Time! Fall in men! Time to start heading over to the forest!” “AYE SIR!” “Alright, let`s move.” Jenkins, the royal guard sergeant and corporal, and Lieutenant Dietz then began their march towards the Everfree Forest. “Jenkins, go form up with your squad,” said the LT. “We`re going to jog over to the forest. Spread the word that we`re going to be singing the UNSC marine corps cadence.” “Aye sir,” said the PFC as he turned and headed back toward the congregation of humans and ponies following close behind. “And you two,” said Dietz, referring to the guardsmen grunts before him. “You guys should probably head back to your royal guard regiment as well.” “You got it,” said the sergeant. “C`mon corporal.” “Yessir,” said the subordinate, following his superior back to their formation like a terrier follows his master.