It was a beautiful day in Canterlot. Princess Celestia had the sun high overhead, the weather ponies had arranged for a nice breeze, and everypony was out shopping. Melody and I were, too, actually. Part of our exercise regimen included eating the right sort of foods to do the most good. That was something I’d never learned.
Melody walked along beside me, looking at the various kinds of beans. “These are good for you after you do strength training. Just like the grains are good before you start any exercise,” she explained.
“Alright, well, what about other things? I’m a big fan of fruits.”
“Good for energy but you’ll still need these things before and after.”
“Ah, okay,” I replied, looking around at the various stands. One in particular stood out to me due to the rather large and rustic sign that had been built over it: Sprout Family Farms. “How about we try there?”
“Seems alright to me,” Melody replied as we wandered over.
A predominately white stallion stood behind the counter looking half asleep. His coat was particularly interesting because his legs and ears were black, which was a stark contrast to the rest of him.
His mane was a bit shaggy and an earthy brown tone. When we approached, he looked up and asked, “Can I help you?”
“Yes, please, we need exercise food. Have any legumes?” Melody asked.
The stallion behind the counter nodded. “We do. In fact, my family is quite good at growing them too.”
“The Sprout Family?” I asked curiously.
He blinked. “Yes, how did you know?”
I pointed up at the sign.
The stallion flushed a bit. “Oh, right. Well, I’m Harvest if you need anything else. For now, let me just get you those legumes.”
“Thank you!” I chirped while Melody shook her head, grinning at me.
It wasn’t long before we finished our shopping and were on our way.
“You’re sounding better,” Melody said.
“Yeah, you found the right help for me. It hasn’t been easy but I’m managing. I get sad sometimes, angry others, but the fact that everypony rallied around me has made it so much easier. Did you know Princess Celestia even sent me a note?
“My life is coming back together. I’d been focusing too much on the routine and just getting through the days. That is important, but I need to start living again. I just wish things had been different. Why did he have to attack you? If I had it all to do over again, I don’t think I’d do it the same way.”
“But you would!” Melody blurted out.
My ears shot straight up. “What? How can you say that?!”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean it like that. I just… Sunny, your first instinct was to protect. To go forwards. To help. That is who you are. You say you’d do it differently, but you wouldn’t. A different spell, less power? Sure… if you could. Regardless, I think you’d save me every time.”
It had made me a killer though. She was wrong. I wouldn’t do it again. I’d spare him. I’d… let him cut Melody? My head ducked. No, I wouldn’t. I’d blast him every time. It was the right thing to do with the wrong outcome.
What had Princess Celestia said to me? You have immense destructive power and don’t want it. Imagine what sort of pony you might be if you did. Perhaps your powers will someday be needed. Perhaps they won’t. In either case, the pony that seeks power is one to be feared.
Maybe my powers were needed. Maybe they had a purpose after all. If I’d learned one thing from this experience, it was that when you need help, the Royal Guard didn’t let you down. They took me into their hooves and helped me. If I’d been cool, calm, and collected in that situation I’d have been able to use less force, save Melody, and keep the pony alive.
That is what I needed! Not more magical training. No, I needed the kind of training Melody had. The kind that kept her calm and brave in the face of scary ponies that wanted to hurt her. Yes, my magic could be useful! It could help others safely.
It all suddenly made sense. My head came up and I looked at Melody. “You’re right. I would. I’d save you. I’d save anypony, but I’d do it right. I need to learn to do it right and now I’m going to.”
Melody looked at me in confusion. “What?”
“It’s time to do something that makes a bigger difference! To do that I’m going to need to be better in a hard situation. That way I can do the big work. I started small, now I’m ready. Melody, I’m going to enlist.”
The mare blinked a few times and then nodded with conviction. “Okay. Yes. The Guard can train you to be collected in the face of adversity. You can do this. I know you can. Let’s go down to the recruiters’ office. If you’re sure, that is. Maybe you want to talk this over with Dolly first?”
“I should, but no. She’ll agree. It is time I acted like an adult. Come on, let’s go do this. I’ll tell her when we’re done.”
“Alright, let’s get to it, then!”
We trotted off towards the Royal Guard campus together. It was time to take the next step in my life and, for the first time ever, I was completely certain what it was.
☼
Dolly sat across from me in her office with tears in her eyes. She hadn’t said a word yet.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She nodded a little before dabbing at the tears. “I just… well, I didn’t expect this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of you, but this is a surprise. A rather sudden surprise.”
“I know. I just… it seems right, right? Protect ponies, do the right thing, use my magic in a way that can help but controlled. So it never happens that way again.”
She smiled. “It does. You’ve just grown up so much in a short period of time. Now you’re going to go out into the world to be some sort of hero. It’s a lot to take in. What about your feelings? Are you well enough?”
I came around her desk and looped my forehooves around her. “They’re frazzled, but they’re getting there and I’ll have to keep going to group during my training. They have that, though. It is perfectly fine with them.”
Dolly held me tightly. “And where is training? Where are you going? Just up to the campus here?”
“I wish, but the officer’s academy here is extremely exclusive. I’m going to one in Baltimare. They’re going to teach me to be a guard and a leader all at once. The recruiter thought that would be a better fit since I was a graduate of the School for Gifted Unicorns and all.”
The older mare brought her forehooves to my cheeks and smooshed them. “A leader. Sunny Day, setting the example for other ponies. What a crazy world... but I know you’ll be great. You’re always your best when you put your mind to something. I’ll miss you, though. It has been nice having you here with me.”
My nose wrinkled as I fought back tears. Suddenly the idea of leaving Dolly was frightening. We’d been together a while now. She’d been here for me in the good times and bad. She’d even given me a real job and started teaching me the business.
“I’ll come back!” I gasped softly. “I’ll find a way to be a guard here in Canterlot.”
Dolly whispered, “It’s okay, sweetie. I’ll be here. I know you’ll come back.”
We held onto each other for a while. This felt as much as an end as a new beginning.
With a soft sigh, Dolly wiped her eyes and stood, holding onto my hoof. “Alright, enough feeling sorry for ourselves. You’ll be back soon enough. Let’s go tell everypony.”
“Okay, we can do that.”
Together we went out into the Mare Contraire where the staff was preparing for the evening. Dolly cleared her throat. “Girls, if I could have your attention. I’m both sad and proud to say that our girl Sunny will be leaving us. She’s going to try something new and will be joining the Royal Guard.”
For a moment they all stared at us in shocked silence. I’d be shocked, too. Finally, Emerald Eyes smiled. “That makes sense. You’ll do great Sunny, I know it!”
“Yeah! You walked into the worst of it already and came out strong. You can help ponies,” Lollypop put in.
“Don’t forget about us when you’re a superhero, Sunny,” Pearlsie said.
“I won’t, I promise! I’ll just be going to training for a while and then hopefully I’ll be back to tell you all about it. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Every one of you has been a huge help. I’ll miss you!”
Dolly looped a hoof around me. “Now don’t get me started with the tears again. Come on, let’s have a celebratory drink!”
“Okay, but you’re buying!”
She grinned. “That’s my girl.”
☼
“Diddle, I’m home!” I called when I got in. There was no reply. “Diddle?” She should have been home by now.
Her door was closed but it was way too early to be in bed. I wandered over and set my hoof on the handle, but stopped before turning it. From the sounds of it, Diddle was in bed already and she wasn’t alone.
I snickered and went to my couch. It was time to play the waiting game. I started to flip through the packet the Royal Guard recruiter had given to me. I was going to Officer’s Candidate School in Balitmare.
In fourteen weeks, I would be transformed from Sunny Day, junior bartender, into Lieutenant Sunny Day, Royal Guard officer. That almost seemed like a joke. It was something I really wanted, though. I wanted to do something that mattered and what could matter more than protecting ponies and keeping the peace?
Then there was the added benefit of belonging somewhere. Being friends with Melody and Strong had shown me how important belonging was. The Royal Guard wasn’t a job, it was a life. A life I wanted.
The door to Diddle’s bedroom opened and she backed out while saying, “I’m go get us some water. I’m worn out.”
I waited for her to close the door before I said, “Hi, Diddle.”
She shrieked in surprise and jumped into the air, hovering near the ceiling. It was her go-to scared move. “Sunny! Oh my gosh, you frightened me. Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
The door to the bedroom creaked open and a blue mare poked her head out. “Everything okay out here?”
Diddle wiggled a hoof. “Yes, just my roommate being sneaky. I’ll be back in shortly.”
“Okay.” The door closed again.
I grinned a bit. “Sorry, Diddle. Dolly let me off early. I need to talk to you but it can wait until after you’re done. By the sound of it, things are going exceptionally well.”
The mare’s cheeks turned bright red and she flew over to the kitchen to start getting the promised water. “Yeah, things are fun. Uh, are you sure you don’t mind waiting?”
“Nope, I’ll be right here.”
She nodded and carried the water bottles toward her bedroom. “Okay, we’ll talk later!”
“Sounds good, have fun!”
The door closed and I turned back to my packet. There was a lot of preparation to do. Lots of studying, too. Thankfully, I had Melody who’d help me out for the next few days before I headed off.
It was time for a nice, boring evening of learning. At least, I thought so until the door to Diddle’s bedroom creaked open and the mare poked her head out. “Sunny.”
“Yup?”
“Uh, my friend Candy and I were wondering if you’d rather just be in here instead of being out there.”
My ears stood up straight. “Yeah?”
“Yeah…”
Studying could wait a couple hours more. After all, it might be a while before I could have this sort of fun again. I hopped up and trotted over. “I’d rather be in there.”
Diddle pulled the door open and I trotted in. This would be a pretty great send off!
☼
The Spearhead Tavern was in full swing. Royal guards had filled the place, as usual, to have a drink or two after duty. The evenings were always the busiest, especially around dinner time.
I was crowded into a booth with Melody, Strong Wing, and Soarin. It wasn’t really my plan for how I wanted them all to meet but you have to work with what you’ve got! React, adapt, and overcome! Plus, it is hard to be friends with benefits with a stallion in another city.
Melody levitated another round onto the table and clapped her hooves together. “Tomorrow is the big day, Sunny. Are you excited? Scared? Nervous?”
“All of the above. I’m ready to do something like you all do. To really make a difference. It is going to be neat.”
Soarin smiled. “Plus, OCS isn’t too bad. I’m sure Melody and Strong here had to go through a whole lot worse in basic training.”
Strong Wing snorted and replied, “Sir, are you actually admitting it is harder to be enlisted than commissioned?”
“Only where other ponies can’t hear.”
That yielded a few chuckles from my friends. I’d learned that there was always a little bit of rivalry between enlisted and commissioned ponies. When it was all said and done, I’d be one of the latter.
Melody surrounded her mug in her magic. “Well, in either case, I know Sunny will excel. She’s a motivated gal and I’m excited to see her in armor. Plus, when you’re out in Baltimare, you’ll have to get with Helping Hooves and try to push them to the same level we have here. Anyway, to Sunny and her first big steps into the world!”
The others lifted their drinks. I did the same though a bit nervously. “To Sunny!” they cheered.
“To me,” I replied.
My first big steps into the world. That made this sound a lot scarier.
☼
Dolly, Emerald, Lollypop, Diddle, Dilly, Melody, Soarin, Strong Wing, and, surprisingly, Apple Polish were all at the Canterlot train station to see me off. It was a far bigger crowd than I’d ever expected.
It was perfect. The exact way I’d want to leave. I’d arrived in Canterlot with only my mother to drop me off. It was scary and lonely. Of course, the School for Gifted Unicorns had done a pretty good job of making me feel welcome.
Now I was off to start over again, but this time I knew I had a place to come back to. There were a bunch of ponies here for me if I needed them.
Dolly primped my mane a bit and nuzzled my cheek. “Now you be a good girl for the instructors and don’t make any trouble.”
“Yes, Mom,” I replied before nuzzling back.
Emerald grinned at me. “Be that just above average pony that I know you are.”
“Thanks…”
Diddle flew over and squeezed me tight around the neck. “I can’t believe you’re leaving! I’m going to miss you so much!”
My hooves wrapped around her and I hugged back. “I know, I’ll be back, though. I promise.”
Once she let go, Melody stepped in. “You’re going to be great. I just know it. Just do what you’ve been doing. One hoof in front of the next. Push forwards.”
“I will. I’m going to be just like you and Strong.”
She nodded and kissed my cheek.
Soarin bumped his hoof against my chest lightly. “Don’t change too much. You’re great the way you are. Plus, when I come to visit Baltimare on work I hope to recognize you.”
I grinned. “Oh yeah? Alright! I’ll see you when you do. I’ll just be in more armor and you’ll have to call me ma’am.”
He snorted. “No, I’ll still outrank you. We told you, Navy lieutenants aren’t like Guard lieutenants.”
My eyes fluttered. “I’m not talking about military rank, stud.”
He turned bright red and I giggled.
Finally, there was Apple Polish. She looked her usual sour self. She took two steps closer to me, looked me up and down, and said, “You’re a surprising pony, Sunny Day. I was pretty sure you were loose, flighty, and without direction.”
Her lips curled up in a smile. “I was right about two of those things, but that’s okay. You’re turning out to be a wonderful pony and I’m proud of you. I wish you the best of luck with your new career.” She offered her hoof.
I took it and eagerly shook. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
Behind me the train whistled and the conductor called, “Everypony onboard, please! We’ve got a schedule to keep.”
“Well, everypony… I guess this isn’t goodbye. Just see you later. I’ll be sure to send you some letters. Thank you for everything!”
As I stepped into the car they all waved and shouted various versions of see you later. I lingered there to watch them as the train pulled from the station and started to head down Alicorn Spire. Here I was, off on another adventure. I was alone but, in truth, I wasn’t that scared. After all, I was on my way to becoming a member of the Royal Guard.
One of the perks of being a guard is that you’re never really alone. No matter what is happening, you’ve got brothers and sisters around you. Ponies that understand you. Ponies like Melody and Strong Wing.
Yes, I might have said “see you later” to my Canterlot friends, but now it was time to grow my world a bit. It was time to make a difference for Equestria. It was time to turn the page and start a new chapter in my life and that was okay with me.