The summer training session was quickly approaching. We’ve been out of school of about a month and so much has changed. First: Spitfire and Soarn’ moved to Cloudsdale. They decided to try and make the team that Soarn’ was talking about. We wanted them to stay and find some ponies here to join them, but there is a lack of pegasi, or at least a lack of talented pegasi.
Octavia, Vinyl, and I officially moved into an apartment. It took some time to convince my mom to let me move out. I’m thankful my grandfather was there because he was the one that hammered in the final nail. She didn’t take it easy though. I had to attend every dinner and she tried her hardest to make sure that I don’t leave.
I feel a little bad. Vinyl and Octavia split the down payment and I’m skipping out on the next two months of rent. They said they could handle it, with Vinyl finding work at parties and other social events and Octavia still set from her Applewood performance. I promised them to pay the two months after I get back from Royal Guard Training. To make up for it, I convinced my mom to buy us the furniture we needed.
Speaking of Octavia, we’re doing great. We’ve been feeling more like a couple, much to Vinyl’s demise. The two of us have been going out on dates, flirting at dinner, and sharing a bed every so often. We did have separate rooms, but we couldn’t resist. We’ve even made love once.
It was the morning of the first day of Royal Guard Training. According to the rules, I have to live on their grounds. That means that this would be the last morning in a while that I get to wake up with Octavia. I wanted to cherish the moment as long as I could. I held her as close to me as I could and tried not to wake her. Something I learned about her is that once she’s awake, she’ll immediately want to move around.
“Morning,” She said after turing towards me, I went in to kiss her, but she pulled away when our lips met. “Golden, you don’t want to kiss me when I have morning breath.”
“I love your morning breath.”
“Liar. I don’t even love my morning breath.”
“I love everything about you.”
“I’m going to miss this,” She said as she got out of my bed. “Are you sure you have to leave today? Couldn’t you wait until the fall?”
“If I’m going to pay my share of the rent, then I have to get a job. Plus, royal guards get paid well. If I start working now, I can take you on more dates.”
“I don’t need more dates. We could spend nights here, making dinner and reading to each other.”
“Sorry, Octy. I have to do this. It’s my destiny.”
“Okay, but at least let me make you breakfast.”
Since we moved in together, Octavia has become somewhat of a care taker. She does most of the cooking and cleaning around the apartment. We ask her all the time if she needs help, but she tells us to relax. If we want to surprise her, we’ll do her chores, but I really have to twist Vinyl’s arm to even make a sandwich for her. Nevertheless, Octavia could always do it better.
“I’m going to miss this,” I said as I took a bite of a waffle.
“Glad you like them.”
“What smells so good?” Vinyl asked as she came out of her room.
“Octy made breakfast before I left.”
“The academy starts today? Finally I get some sleep without listening to you two rutting like monkeys.”
“That was one time,” Octavia said. “And for the record, we weren’t that loud.”
“You weren’t on the other side of the wall. So, are you going to miss your snuggle buddy, Tavi?”
“You’re just jealous because that colt form a week ago hasn’t stopped by.”
“There’s a reason for that. What about you? Are you going to miss your ‘Octy’?”
“I’m going to be surrounded by colts 24/7. What do you think?”
“I think you’ll be in paradise. Anyway, I’ve been meaning to talk to you two about something. Since Golden is skipping out on the rent and Tavi is spending most of her nights in Golden’s room, why don’t we get a new roommate?”
“What?” I asked.
“Well, Tavi would move into your room and we would have a fourth pony to help us with stuff like rent and bills.”
“Did you have a pony in mind?”
“No, but we can put an ad in the newspaper and we’ll ponies lining up.”
“What do you think, Golden?”
“I’m not going to be here for the next two months. Whatever you two decide, is fine.”
“Please Tavi.”
“You just want some pony on your side when we’re making decisions.”
“That’s an unintended perk. Please Tavi.”
“Fine, but we’re going to interview ponies until we find one that we both like.”
The three of us talked a little longer. Afterwards, I packed a small bag for when I’m on leave and put on the uniform they gave me.
This whole thing seemed like a dream come true. Ever since I saved Cadence from that run-away cart, I dreamt of joining the royal guard. Everything I’ve done to protect my friends, from pushing that creep of a colt against the lockers senior year to just telling that colt to back off freshmen year, has gotten me excited for this day.
Octavia and Vinyl walked with me to the castle. I didn’t have much in my bag. Just a few pairs of pajamas and some clothes for leave, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to need it.
“Are you sure you can’t wait until fall training?” Octavia asked me.
“Let him go, Tavi. If he waits now, then who’s to say he won’t wait again?”
“You’re just saying that so you can start spending his guard money.”
“I have to do this Octy. You know it’s my dream to join the royal guard.”
“I know, but I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you too.”
“Ladies,” Princess Celestia said as we approached the castle, “I’ll take it from here.” Celestia has a very serious look on her face. It was a look I haven’t ever seen, something that just screamed authority.
“Good luck, Golden,” Vinyl said as she patted me on the back.
“I’ll write to you as often as I can,” Octavia said. She gave me a kiss on the cheek and the girls walked off.
Celestia didn’t do anything until she was sure that the girls were out of sight. She studied me, making sure that everything was perfect. When she finished, she smiled and hugged me.
“I’m so proud of you,” She said as I hugged back. “After these two months, you’re going to be a stallion.”
“Thanks, mom,” I said as we let go.
“I want you to know that there is nothing I can do for you. You’re going to be on your own.”
“I know. I’m ready for whatever comes my way.”
“Good. One more thing. Captain Iron Side will not go easy on you. If anything, he’s going to expect more out of you than any other pony there. You can’t give in for a single second. When he sees a single crack, he will jump on you.”
“I’m ready for whatever he has to throw at me.”
“I hope so. I’ll probably see you around. Good luck.”
I walked past Celestia and made my way to the training area. It was a little weird walking down the castle halls. There was this strange feeling of knowing where to go, but being lost at the same time. Ironically, there were a few ponies that were lost, but I helped them.
Finally being able step on the training grounds as a future member of the royal guard. There was an obvious division between the guards and military.
There are three main branches of the Royal Guards. First, there are the detectives. These ponies are a little more behind the scenes. Their job is to figure out who committed a crime and bring them to justice. Second, there is the military. Their job is to protect Equestria form any dangers. There has been some argument over the abolishment of this branch, but they have proven themselves to be diplomatic towards the dragons and griffons. Finally, there are the Guards. Their job is to protect Canterlot. They are the first responders to any problem Canterlot has. And today is the day Shining and I join them.
“Line up Guards!” Captain Iron Side shouted. “My god, this is the best we could muster up? It is up me to make sure this sorry group of foals and make you into the best Canterlot has to offer. These next two months will be the longest, most grueling months of your life. You are going sweat from every part of your body. You are going to feel pain in muscles you didn’t even know you had. God damn it, if half of you don’t go crying home to your mamas then I’m not doing my job. Do I make myself clear?"
“Yes Sir!” We said in unison.
I didn’t know what he had planned for us, but I knew one thing was true. This was going to be the longest two months of my life.