//------------------------------// // The New Guard in Town // Story: Blue Skye's Story // by Skyfire Storm //------------------------------// August 1, 2006 Blue woke up in his hotel room, which he has booked after arriving in Canterlot. He went outside to look out of the balcony and sighed. The scenery in Canterlot was totally different from what he was used back in Cloudsdale, but Blue didn't really mind. It felt good to be out of Cloudsdale for the first time in his life, but he missed his friends and family back home dearly. But Blue wasn't here to mope around; he was here to sign up for the Royal Guard, and was shaking like a baby's rattle just thinking about it. What if they don't accept him? What if they do accept him, and he fails at it from the very beginning? All those questions went through his head as he tried to mentally prepare himself for the job interview. "Man up, Blue. It's just a job interview... it can't be that hard, can it?" Blue asked himself. "Nah, didn't think so." he replied to nopony in particular. After eating his breakfast and washing up, Blue left the hotel room and walked through Canterlot, trying to find the nearest recruiting station. He walked through the city and found a recruitment station, several blocks away from his hotel. Blue sighed as he reluctantly begun to walk towards the building. This job interview meant everything to Blue, and he wasn't going to let his nervousness get the better of him. Blue eventually managed to get the courage to walk into the building. He walked over to a mare sitting at the reception desk and tapped the desk with his hoof. The mare stopped typing on her computer and turned to face Blue. "Can I help you, sir?" the mare asked. "Ugh... I'm here to sign up for the Royal Guard." Blue explained, with a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Right then. Hold on, I'll be one moment." the mare said and opened a tray inside the desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. "Here, sign this. Alright?" "Sure thing." Blue replied and took the sheet off her, and a pen that was lying on the desk. He went over to a nearby sofa and sat down on it. The nervous Pegasus scrolled through the questions on the sheet carefully. The questions were mostly about himself, so the answers to them were quite easy to come up with. After writing the answers down, Blue handed the paper over to the receptionist, who read it. "So, you used to be a weather pony, huh?" she asked. "Yep. Most ponies in my family were for a few generations, including me." Blue explained. "What made you quit?" the mare asked. "Well, I just found the job boring and unpleasant at times... I mean, all you literally do is fly around and punch through clouds, although sometimes you actually get to make the weather. Then, it begun to get on my nerves, so yeah. I quit because I was angry with being a weather pony." Blue explained. "Ah, I see... Well, you're just like my cousin in Vanhoover." the mare said. "He quit his job as a weather pony because he couldn't stand it anymore, and well... he became a Royal Guard, here in Canterlot... although he's been transferred to Los Pegasus a year or so back." she said. "Anyways, I'll call the Captain and he'll interview you. Alright?" "Okay..." Blue replied, feeling nervous about being interviewed by the captain. The mare then called the Captain, who made his way down to the lobby of the building and opened the door. The Captain of the Royal Guard was a large, white Pegasus stallion, with a red mane and tail and a very intimidating body build. His name was Iron Armor. "Uh, Blue Skye. Is it?" he asked. "Yeah? That's me..." Blue replied. "Come with me please." Iron said and lead him to his office. "Alright." Blue said and walked into the office. It was furnished rather nicely and looked quite similar to his dad's office at the Weather Factory. Iron Armor sat down behind his computer screen and motioned for Blue to sit down as well. "Please, take a seat, Mr. Skye." Iron Armor said. "Sure thing." Blue replied and sat down on a chair facing Iron Armor. "My name is Iron Armor, but that's Captain Iron Armor to you." Iron Armor explained and outstretched his hoof. "Nice to meet you." he said. "Nice to meet you too as well, Captain." Blue replied and shook his hoof. "So, you really want to be a Royal Guard, Mr. Skye?" Iron asked. "Yes, I think I do want to be one." Blue replied. "I've been wanting to be one since I was a colt." he explained. "Oh, that's nice." Iron replied. "But it says here you were a weather pony before you came here. Is that true?" he asked, while looking at the sheet. "Yes, Captain." Blue replied. "I've became a weather pony because I wanted to know what it's like being one, plus, the job seemed interesting at the start. It's not like that now, believe me." he explained. "I see." the Captain replied. "Well, being a Royal Guard is a tough and physically active job... but I see already that you have an impressive physical build. If I did sign you up as a recruit now, then you would start off as a conscript. If you surpass mine or the drill sergeant's expectations, I'll promote you to a higher rank. Alright?" Iron Armor asked. "Yes, sir." Blue replied. "So, do you want to join the Guards?" Armor asked. "Yes sir." came the reply. "I'm ready at whatever challenge you throw at me." "Excellent. See? You're already off to a great start, Blue Skye." Iron Armor praised him. "Here at the Royal Guard, we like stallions who are determined and have the necessary discipline." "Thank you, sir." Blue replied. "So, when do I start?" he asked. "You'll start next Monday at 0700 hours and you'll meet my nephew Shining Armor beside the Guard Outpost, which is two blocks away from here. He will introduce you to the basics of being a guard." Iron said. "You'll notice him easily." "Alright then..." Blue said. "Thank you, sir." "My pleasure. See you next week." Iron replied. "You can leave now." "Bye, sir." Blue said and walked out of the interview room. A grin begun to form on Blue's face as he walked towards the exit, and it was noticeable by the mare at the reception desk. "So, how did it go?" she asked. "It went better than I thought it did..." Blue replied. "I can see, Mr. Skye..." she said and smiled at him. "Have a nice week." "You too. Bye." Blue replied and walked out of the building. As Blue walked down the road towards the hotel where he stayed at for now, he couldn't help but feel not only relieved, but overjoyed. The interview with the Captain went far better than he expected it to go and he was going to start a new job as a Royal Guard in almost a week's time. He could only imagine what his family and Meadow would say when Blue wrote his letter to them. Life was going great for our hero, just the way he wanted it. A week later... Blue woke up early morning after almost a week of jumping between hotels in Canterlot. He looked out of the window of his hotel and smiled. The city was beautiful at night, especially at dawn and dusk, when it's bright lights could be seen from miles around, but oddly enough, this reminded him of his precious marefriend, Meadow Breeze, who he'd left in Cloudsdale. Meadow was easily the most beautiful mare he'd ever meet, and not just because she looked pretty. She was the best friend Blue could ever ask for; she helped him through tough times, she gave him advice whenever he needed it, she helped him become a better stallion. Blue was just like that to her. They both loved each other and nothing could come between their love. Blue wanted to come back to Meadow and be with her, but he was now a Royal Guard and his duty was to protect the Princess and Equestria. Blue was only concerned with that right now; being a good Royal Guard. He sighed and went to the restroom to clean himself up, before eating some cereal he bought at a local store. After he was all done, Blue left the hotel where he was staying in right now and made his way to the Outpost, where he was supposed to meet this 'Shining Armor' guy that Iron Armor talked about before. About twenty five minutes later, Blue arrived at the Guard Outpost and looked around to see if Shining Armor was anywhere. It was still about 6 AM, meaning Blue still had an hour left until the training begins. He went into the cafeteria and bought himself a cup of coffee. As he sipped the coffee, he noticed a large white Unicorn stallion walking into the cafeteria. He had a purple mane and was wearing Guard armor of some sort. Blue could notice that this was the Shining Armor guy that Captain Iron Armor talked about. "Uh, Blue Skye?" Shining Armor called out. "Yes? That's me." Blue replied. "Hi, I'm Shining Armor. Nice to see you here on your first day on the job." Shining Armor explained. "I'll show you around the Outpost and give you some info on how to be a good Royal Guard." "Okay..." Blue replied and got up off his chair. "Come. Let's go." Shining Armor said and walked out of the café, with Blue following him. "You're the new guy, right?" he asked. "Yeah." Blue replied. "My uncle told me about you. You were a weather pony before you came here, is that correct?" Armor asked. "Wait. Iron Armor is your uncle?" Blue asked. "I mean, he's a Pegasus." "Yeah, our family has distant Pegasi roots." Shining Armor explained. "Cool. And yeah... I was a weather pony before." Blue replied. "Nice. I know a couple of weather ponies myself..." Shining Armor said. "But for now, I'll show you around, so you can get to know the place a bit better, alright?" "Alright then. Lead the way." Blue said. After giving him a tour of the outpost, including the barracks and the mess hall, Shining took Blue back to his hotel so he could bring his bags to his barrack. "Any problems and you can tell me or any of the higher ranks, alright?" Shining Armor said. "Alright then... Thanks for the little tour." Blue replied. "You're welcome... now go to your barrack and put your bags away, alright?" Shining Armor said. "Right. See you, Shining." Blue replied. "Oh, and once you've put everything away, go to my uncle's cabin. It's the one behind the barracks on the left as you go in. He'll tell you what to do. Alright?" Shining asked. "Sure thing." Blue replied. "See you later, Armor." "Bye Blue." Shining Armor said and went towards the castle, where he was meant to patrol for the day. Blue sighed and walked over to his barrack, carrying his suitcase. He opened the door of it and walked inside. The barrack seemed comfortable enough inside, with two bunk beds on either side of it. Blue tossed his bags onto the vacant bunk bed and put his suitcase underneath it. "Hey!" shouted a voice from behind. "Take that out from under my bunk bed and find yourself a different bed, whoever the hay you are." "Uh... sorry." Blue replied and turned around, noticing who the voice came from. It was a white-furred and blond-maned Pegasus stallion, who did not look happy. "I just thought it was vacant." "Well, it's not." the stallion replied. "Go find yourself another bed and quit wasting my time. Wait a moment, are you the new guy?" he asked. "Yep." Blue replied. "Now, if you excuse me... I'm trying to get settled in here." "Like I said, you're not taking my bed." the stallion replied. "Go find your own bunk to sleep on." "Alright, jeez..." Blue said. "No need to get so peeved on me." "Your own bunk bed, no questions. I'm a higher rank than you are." the stallion replied. "Sure, sure... then why do you still sleep in a room full of recruits?" Blue countered. "Shut up, you." the stallion simply replied. "You're just jealous of me..." he said and smirked. "Who would be jealous of you?" Blue asked, grinning. Before the stallion, called Spear, could react to Blue's comment, another Pegasus stallion trotted into the bunker. He was a muscular gray stallion who had a black mane, reassembling Blue's old friend, Thunder. "Hey, Spear." the stallion begun. "Leave the new guy alone." "Sure thing..." Spear said and walked outside, but not before turning and glaring at Blue. Blue cringed. "I hope he wasn't causing you any trouble." the gray Pegasus begun. "Spear is usually like that towards new ponies, but once you get to know him, he can be a great friend." "That's good to know." Blue started. "Hey, haven't we met before?" "It's possible." the stallion replied. "I've seen you several times around Ponyville..." "It's that you look a lot like an old friend of mine, Thunder." Blue explained. "You mean... Thunder Storm?" the Pegasus asked. "Well, it's not just our looks that are similar to each other's. It's also our names." "Okay then... What's your name?" Blue asked. "Thunderblast." the stallion replied. "Sounds cool. I'm Blue Skye." Blue replied. "Nice to meet you." Thunderblast replied. "We better skedaddle. The drill sergeant wants us to do fifteen laps around the track." "Fifteen laps?!" Blue gasped. "How big is the track?" he asked. "It's pretty darn big..." Thunderblast replied. "I'm pretty sure you can handle it. Come on, let's go." he said and trotted out of the bunker. "Sure thing." Blue replied and trotted out of the bunker after him. "Alright sissies! You are all going to be running fifteen laps around the track today, no exceptions. Those who mess around will do more, alright?! So don't play any games with me." the drill sergeant explained, before noticing Thunderblast and Blue Skye coming towards them. "Sir, we've had a little---" Thunderblast begun, but was cut off by the drill sergeant. "QUIET! Both of you!" he shouted at Thunderblast and Blue. "Both of you will do two more laps... Is that clear?" "Yes sir!" Thunderblast replied. "Uh, sir yes sir!" Blue replied and turned to face his fellow Royal Guard trainees, who giggled to each other. Blue glared at them. "Go, you sissies!" The drill sergeant shouted to the guards, who trotted off towards the track, which was behind some trees. "Is he always like that?!" Blue yelled to Thunderblast, who was already on the track and running at the highest speed he can possibly go at. "I'm sorry, but yes!" Thunderblast replied. "He's a drill sergeant, and they usually do that!" "Darn it!" Blue yelled and trotted onto the track, trying to catch up to Thunderblast. "I feel like I'm gonna have a hard time being a Guard..." "It's not hard, trust me. If you surpass the Drill Sergeant's and the Captain's expectations, it'll be a lot easier for you." Thunderblast yelled. "Try and keep up!" "Sure thing." Blue replied and trotted towards Thunderblast, who was now nearing the halfway point of the lap. As Blue trotted towards Thunderblast, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. "Huh?" Blue asked and turned around, but somepony tripped him up. He looked forward and noticed it was Spear, who simply saluted him and laughed, before flying off towards Thunderblast. "HEY! YOU'RE CHEAT---" Blue replied and tried to get up, but was trampled by the other Royal Guards and faceplanted into the mud. He groaned and pulled himself back up and dusted himself off. "Sissy! YOU'RE SLACKING OFF AND I DON'T LIKE THAT!" shouted a voice from behind. Blue turned around and noticed who it was. It was the drill sergeant, who was angry. Very angry. "Sorry si--" Blue started, but was immediately cut off by the angry drill sergeant. "Twenty press-ups for talking back!" the drill sergeant shouted. "Press-ups?" Blue asked. "Make that twenty-five." the drill sergeant replied. "But---" Blue countered, but was interrupted again. "Thirty." the drill sergeant said and smirked. "Do them now." "Fine." Blue said, finally giving in. "You know what? Make that fifty. I don't like your attitude." the drill sergeant said. "Ugh..." Blue groaned and got down onto the ground and begun to push up. Several minutes later, he was done and he tiredly got up off the ground. "NOW GO AND JOIN THE OTHERS!" the drill sergeant shouted. Blue did as he was told and trotted at speeds he hasn't trotted before, despite being tired from all the press-ups he had done. Eventually he managed to reach the other stallions, who were on their fourth or fifth laps already. "HEY SPEAR!" Blue shouted from behind. "Wha--Where did you come from?!" he shouted and tripped on a stone which was lying in front of him. This allowed Blue to overtake him and return to his original place behind Thunderblast. "Oh, no you don't." Thunderblast replied and chuckled, before trotting off even faster. Blue sighed and trotted after him, but noticed that Spear is rapidly approaching him. "Hey Blue!" Spear shouted from the back. "Oh, darn it. Not you again!" Blue groaned. Spear flew over to Blue and landed beside him. "What do you want, Spear?" he asked. "This!" Spear shouted and tried to trip him up, however, Blue's left hoof grabbed his just in time and pulled it down, bringing down Spear. "Woah." Blue replied and trotted faster. "You're gonna be sorry!" Spear replied and tried to get up. This was enough for the drill sergeant to notice... "HEY! BLUE PEGASUS! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" the drill sergeant yelled. "Oh... that?" Blue replied, and turned to face Spear, who was trying to get up. "Sorry..." "SORRY ISN'T ENOUGH! YOU NEED DISCIPLINE!" the drill sergeant shouted to him. "YOU DO FIVE MORE LAPS." "Wait!" a voice shouted. "It wasn't Blue's fault!" It was Thunderblast. "ZIP IT, THUNDERBLAST OR I'LL HAVE YOU JOIN BLUE!" the drill sergeant yelled. "No seriously. Spear is the one behind all this. He's the one that's causing Blue trouble." Thunderblast explained and turned to face Spear, glaring at him. "I trust Spear more than I trust you and that Blue guy!" the drill sergeant said. "Yeah, but---" Thunderblast said, but was cut off by the drill sergeant. "No, buts. Both of you, go!" the drill sergeant said. Thunderblast and Blue Skye did as they were told to, leaving Spear and the sergeant alone. "Thanks for... helping me." Blue said, panting. "It's nothing. I couldn't let him bully you like that." Thunderblast replied, also quite tired. "You're doing pretty well for a newbie." "Thanks..." Blue replied. "So, is Spear always like that?" "No, most of the time he's actually quite calm and friendly, but he doesn't like new ponies too much. Like I said, however, he'll warm up to you eventually." Thunderblast explained. "Eventually..." Blue said to himself. Several hours later... It was nearing the end of the day and Blue, Thunderblast and Spear returned to their barrack, and in order to avoid humiliation by Spear, Blue pretended to go to sleep. When everypony else in the barrack was asleep, Blue quietly went down from his bunk and sat down beside the wall of the bunker. He took out a pen and a piece of paper and begun writing on it. Dear mom, dad, Firestorm, and Meadow I have great news. I got accepted as a recruit into the Royal Guard. Sounds great, doesn't it? Well, yeah, sort of. It'd be far better, if only the drill sergeant wasn't so rude and I wasn't humiliated by a fellow Guard, but as a Guard, I have to get used to it. I know this is gonna sound pretty childish, but I met a new friend there as well. He's called Thunderblast, and no, he's not the Thunder I knew in Elementary School, but he looks similar to him. Talking about the Thunder from Elementary School, I'm actually in luck; he works at the same outpost that I'm at. However, since he patrols the city, I haven't yet seen him. I hope to see him someday, but only time will tell. However, even though I'm pretty happy as a Royal Guard, I still miss you all like crazy and I hope to see you sometime soon. Love, Blue Skye Blue then finished writing and yawned, before folding up the sheet of paper and putting it under his pillow, so he doesn't forget to take it to the mailbox tomorrow morning. As Blue prepared to go to sleep, he noticed Spear was up and was looking up at him, smirking. "What is it, Spear?" Blue asked, groaning. "I was looking at that letter you were writing to your mom and dad..." Spear explained. "You were looking at that letter?" Blue asked. "Yeah, I mean, grow the hay up. That isn't mature in any way..." Spear said. "Yeah, sure... I bet you do write letters to mommy and daddy as well." Blue replied, grinning. "I don't. Do you see me writing letters to my parents?" Spear asked. "I don't---" Blue replied, but was cut off by Spear. "There's your answer, momma's boy." Spear replied. "Don't you dare call me "momma's boy"." Blue replied, with a serious tone in his voice. Although Blue had the strongest relationship in his family with his mother, he hated when other ponies commented about it. "What are you gonna do, 'momma's boy'?" Spear asked, mocking Blue's face. "Ugh... Spear, don't push it." Blue warned him. "Shut up, momma's boy." Spear replied. "Ugh, just go to sleep Spear." Blue replied. "Sure thing, momma's boy." Spear said and chuckled. Blue groaned and went to bed. Although Spear was a major obstacle in becoming a Guard, I still didn't give up on my dreams of becoming one, no matter how much he humiliated me. However, little did I know that the next big challenge, not only in my career as a Royal Guard, but also in my life was coming up and I wasn't even the slightest bit prepared for it.