//------------------------------// // Chapter 23 - Training // Story: In the Royal Guard // by J8ck78 //------------------------------// Starlight stood in the foggy courtyard in full Guard recruit armor. It lacked the crests of normal Guard, and it also lacked any real ornate design. It had been long past 0500, and Charger and Lieutenant Spirit looked down during a break and saw her still standing there. "I thought Sarge was supposed to train her." said Charger "I have faith in my old friend Private." said Spirit, "I'm sure he has his reasons." "Yes. It was to get a sandwich." said David "What!?" said Spirit The two Guards turned around to see David walking up holding a sandwich in his wing a few bites already taken out of it. "What is the meaning of this!?" said Spirit, "Sergeant! You were supposed to-" David cut him off laughing and took another biet: "I'm just screwin with ya." "Then what are you doing then Sergeant." "Half the time we stand around for no good reason. I was out here at 0500 and told her to stand at attention." "Oh. I get it." said Spirit "Well, why'd you just leave her?" "We stand at attention on Guard for hours straight. You know full well Private." said Spirit, "If she can stand at attention for this long, she can pass on to further training." "Oh." said Charger, "Yeah, I remember that part of training now." "In truth, I forgot she was down there for like a hour and remembered when I was making this. I might want to go get her." said David as he finished his sandwich and flew off toward her. Charger and Spirit watched on as he landed behind her and she turned her head to see who it was. "Why'd you look?" "Sorry sir." said Starlight snapping back "I don't care if your sorry! Why'd you look!?" "I was curious as to who it was!?" "Oh you were curious!?" "Yes sir!" said Starlight weakly "Despite the fact you were ordered by a superior to stand at attention!?" yelled David "Yes!" she said on the brink of collapse "Good. You're alert. Most Guards now would be on the verge of sleeping. Shows you're alert." "Excuse me sir!?" said Starlight now annoyed, "Then why did I-" "DON'T. CALL. Me. sir!" said David cutting her off and going right in her face, "I am a Sergeant in the Royal Guard and you WILL address me as Sergeant or Sergeant David. Are we clear?" "Yes sir, I mean Sergeant! I mean Sergeant David, I mean-" "Alright enough before you pass out. Sheesh!" said David He walked around her eyeing her armor looking for the slightest issue in it. Much to his dismay he couldn't find any off hoof but he wasn't done. "Alright then. Captain Shadow has informed me that she expects allot from you. Since I'm training you means if you fail her expectations I fail, well then, Recruit you've also made my hate list." Starlight gulped at that. Just another enemy she could add to her large list. David then walked off to the side and grabbed a old saddlebag and lifted it with his hoofs and flew over. "This.....is......200 pounds of weight!" he said with a struggle He flew over and dropped it on her back. Starlight, already struggling a little under the weight of her armor, nearly fell over at it, but managed to hold herself up. "That right there is the average weight of a Guard Pony. Armor and all. Now, Seeing you haven't fallen over means you can carry it. Can you?" "I think so sir, I mean Sergeant!" "Good. Follow me!" He trotted off toward the door and Starlight took one step and nearly fell over, but she took her first step. "That's it! Put one hoof in front of the other!" sang David Mockingly, "And soon you'll be walking across the floor!" She did just that and walked over to him as he opened the door. He walked in and through the palace struggling just to stand, let alone walk. The halls were quiet and she at least had the rest that no one would see her struggles. David opened up another set of doors into a second courtyard and stopped. "Now then, you can carry one. Being you're a Unicorn, how strong is your magic?" Starlight didn't have the energy to answer. "Well? You going to answer? You best or else I'm really going to give you hell!" "Strong Sergeant!" she bleated out "Good. Now, I'm going to walk the entire way back, you are going to use your freaky magic to carry the weight, and yourself back to the previous courtyard!" "WHAT!?" asked Starlight "I didn't ask for your comment Recruit! Get to it! In a fight and your legs are broken or wounded, you can use your telekinesis to carry you, and a wounded comrade back to friendly lines! Get to telkenetting!" Starlight snorted at the made up word and began to charge up her magic. She centered it around her whole self and began to rise. not a moment later it was too much and she collapsed, magic and all. "Poor performance! That is basic entry level for the Guard and you couldn't even preform that!" "I never thought about joining the Guard!" said Starlight "Recruit, let me tell you something!" said David walking up next to her, "It's not about what you think anymore. It doesn't even matter what I think. All that matters is what the Captain thinks! If she doesn't think you're worth it to be in the Royal guard you will be sent to tartarus.....or the moon. Which ever comes first! Now get on your feet and move it!" Starlight struggled to her feet and used her magic once again to lift herself up, and failed pathetically. "It's going to be a long day." said David, "If I can can make a Guard out of you it will be too soon!"