A few boring hours later, after Celestia was done with all her ruler work which consisted mostly of barking new orders and arranging better recovery conditions for Silverline, Chip got summoned to her private study.
It reminded him of his hive home – a stone interior with tons of books and clutter stattered about, with a heavy desk in the center. Celestia’s flowing mane cast small rainbows on the walls, which contrasted heavily with the mare’s serious face.
“Chip. I want you to listen to me carefully one more time,” she spoke, weighting every word, her brows furrowed. After a short pause she continued. “Can you tell me without a shadow of a doubt that Silverline is free of changeling control?”
“I wish I could, your majesty,” reluctantly replied the colt, bowing deeply. It was hard to discern anything in his state, and the changeling didn’t know the subject well enough to know how it acted before this whole mess.
“I suspected as much. As we stand now, there are two options. Either he really escaped and is telling us to immediately prepare for an invasion, or he is lying and is, in fact, a double agent now.” She bit her lip, her eyes stuck somewhere in the floor. The sun goddess sighed and looked Chip straight in the eye. “I need you to spy on him now.”
“Huh?” The changeling scratched his head at this. For him, the matter was simple. The wounded soldier was a potential liability. He should be terminated, both because he could be a traitor and was no longer fit for combat. Equestria had lots of stallions that could fill his place. “How, my Princess?” he cautiously inquired, deciding to not test his master’s judgment in her current state.
“That’s the part of the plan that I don’t quite like. But I see no other alternative,” sighed the Princess. “Hear me out. Maybe you’ll have a better idea yourself.”
“Silverline is a special pony. Not a regular soldier like these here, no. He is, or rather was, part of an elite force I used seldom, and only in dire need. They are highly trained ponies, veterans of many fields, their tradition and skills reaching back to the times I first founded their organization during the Disharmony Wars. Long story short, I’d wish for this particular colt to stay on our side,” grimaced Celestia, picking the stone floor with a hoof. “Now, the way I see it, he needs new recruits. His squad has been wiped, regardless of circumstances. The usual procedure is to select top guardsponies in the Kingdom and recruit them into the special corps. I’d like for you to be one of those recruits, Chip. Disguised, of course.”
“As you wish, my Princess,” replied Chip. He didn’t think much of the plan, and it was far better than his idea of sinking a fang or two in his throat to end his misery.
“There is one problem, and it worries me the most,” said Celestia, pacing slowly from wall to wall. “You have proved to me, and not once for that matter, that you know little of our culture. And that leads me to believe you know even less of our laws, traditions, politics…”
“Yes,” remorsefully replied Chip, allowing his ears to drop. Of course, he did read some books, but the Princess knew better. She was the leader here.
“Yes…uh,” sighed the regal mare, turning once again to look at the now sitting black colt. “I’m afraid I will have to put you through a crash course of guardspony duty. I just hope that my captain will be able to handle the likes of you. I ask of you, please,” said the Princess, coming closer and touching Chip’s cheek, “please take this seriously and do your best.”
“I have never done less than the best I can, my Princess,” assured the stallion, proudly displaying his black armored chest. If his ruler wanted him to become a guardspony, he would become the damn best watchdog the Kingdom has ever seen.
“I do not doubt that. But even with your supernatural abilities, will you be able to understand it all in just a month?”
“A month?” repeated Chip, deflating a bit. “Why so long, my Princess?”
“Long?” echoed the regal mare, surprise on her face. “Guardsponies are trained for years. Their bodies are strengthened, they are taught the law and various martial arts, as well as codes of behavior for those that deal with royalty. A month to fit that all into your head isn’t enough.”
Chip smirked. “Of course, a pony couldn’t handle it. But changelings are different, my liege. We adapt and learn extremely fast. We don’t live long compared to you, so we have to compensate. Do not worry…I assure you I’ll be as good as, no, better than whatever guardspony you can imagine!”
I just hope you’re right, thought the worried Celestia. Only you have a chance to save Silverline and the heritage he represents…
* * *
“Atteeeention!” shouted a white unicorn stallion. He wore a purple and gold armor chest piece and a helmet of the same color, adorned with a crest of electric blue hair. His name was Shining Armor, and the changeling was fairly certain he heard it before. But where? And from who?
Everypony, including the changeling wearing a red stallion skin, puffed out their chests and stood there motionlessly. Chip was quite excited to be honest – he barely got to know the captain and already they would play a game that he knew from his books. It was called “Simon says”. Shining Armor didn’t follow the rules exactly, but being a Captain and wearing such fancy armor, the changeling concluded that he was the one that makes up the rules.
“As you may know, my name is Shining Armor. You will call me either Captain or Captain Shining Armor. Is that clear?” he asked in a loud voice, directing a hoof at a colt right of Chip.
“Sir yes sir!” barked the soldier, earning himself a displeased grunt from the captain. Noticing his mistake, the recruit corrected himself, shouting: “Sir yes sir, Captain Shining Armor sir!”
“Better!” lightened up the white pony, inspecting the troops given under his command. He paused in front of Chip, staring him down with most unwelcoming eyes.
“What are you looking at, yellow belly?” spat Shining Armor, closing in the distance between their faces. Should the unicorn advance any closer, he could effortlessly poke out Chip’s eye.
“Sir, Captain Shining Armor sir?” asked the changeling in a confused tone. Celestia told him that the captain was made aware of his presence and that, apart from regular training, he would receive additional lessons from the white pony. Did Shining Armor not recognize him?
“You don’t look like a soldier to me!” barked the captain. “You look like a hillbilly stallion, brought here straight from the muddy fields and thrown here as a prank!”
Everypony around fought to suppress giggling and evil grins. What gives? thought Chip, unable to do anything besides staring back into his ‘superior’s’ blue eyes.
“Look at yourself! You came here to Canterlot thinking guard duty is just drinking and complaining near the town gates? Well, you were wrong!” continued Shining Armor, his steel gaze actually managing to irritate the changeling.
“This is serious business! We are the royal guards of Equestria! We have served the Princesses ever since this damn Kingdom was united under that banner!” yelled Shining Armor, forcibly turning Chip’s head towards a flag flapping in the wind. Under his skin, the masquerading colt was ready to bear his fangs at the insolent pony’s behavior.
“So I ask you again – the hell are you doing here, coming from the dirty fields and spreading mud all over the pristine castle floors, huh?”
Chip risked a glance down. He noticed his hooves were as clean as the next pony’s.
“Look at me when I’m talking to you, pony!” barked Shining Armor, slapping Chip across the face with an armored hoof. The strike wasn’t exactly hard, but it did turn his head and produce a nice wet slap that everypony else regarded with delight. “Now, don’t make me ask your stupid face again! What did you come here for?!”
“To be a royal guardspony, Captain Shining Armor sir!” barked back Chip, displeased and angry at the colt before him. If it wasn’t for Celestia’s explicit orders, the changeling would already gleefully be watching the ‘pristine white floors of Canterlot’ run red.
“Finally! Sweet sun, took your brain damaged flank long enough!” sarcastically replied the captain, laughing out loudly. “That’s right! You are here to become real stallions! No more running to mommy or cowering under your blanket! This is real business! This is about protecting the very Sun and Moon! You are here to give your lives so they can peacefully devote theirs to the well-being of our country! Remember that, and be proud of it! Be proud of being the royal elite of the guards!” he yelled, earning a round of cheers from his ponies.
* * *
All the new recruits were in high spirits while entering the cool barrack interior. All except a sulking Chip, who at the moment was allowing his imagination to murder the smug Shining Armor for the twenty-seventh time.
Once the introduction was done, the Captain toned down with the shouting a bit and showed his colts around, introducing them to the local field medic, Lovely Ladybug, and the smithy who preferred to be called Smithy.
Everypony was chattering and struggling for the best beds and spots when Shining Armor came inside, his helmet removed, revealing a short mane the color he wore on his helmet’s crest.
“Supper is at 1900 hours. Be late, and you don’t get to eat. We’ll have some evening exercises at 2000 hours, so don’t take too long eating. Ponies that show up late will do double time and twice as much. Lights are out at 2200 hours and we start our day with morning exercises at 0500 hours.”
Everypony, save for Chip, gave out some form of understanding grunt and resumed their bickering for a comfortable bed.
“You. My office. Now,” finished Shining Armor flatly, pointing a hoof at Chip.
The room pretended not to notice this, but as soon as the changeling’s brown tail disappeared behind the door frame, excited whispers and giggling commenced. Everypony was happy that the captain already found somepony to shout at and unload frustrations on, in addition to providing some pretty amusing gossip material.
* * *
Chip was happy too. If the captain wanted to have a go at him alone, in his own office, he hoped to Celestia the castle hired good cleaning services. He’d have Shining Armor spread all over the walls, as equally as possible, preferably beating him up into a bloody pulp beforehoof.
The two ponies marched across the training grounds and into a tower, watched all the time by several ponies off duty. Word spread fast around Canterlot, especially the staff, so everypony already recognized the poor soul that got on Shining Armor’s bad side simply because he existed.
The white stallion led his recruit up the stairs and into a room that looked like his office. There was a merry fireplace crackling near the north wall (a perfect place to bake some Shining Armor shish kebab ) a bed in the corner (maybe it had springs in it? They would be most useful) and a large desk with lots of paper and quills on it (Chip could practice hoofpainting even after the ink was gone!).
The Captain stopped in the middle of the room and closed his eyes, allowing his horn to glow a shade of purple. It kind of reminded him of Twilight’s magical aura. An aura he hasn’t seen in some time now. Maybe he should visit her now that he was well? Maybe she already had an answer for him? Or maybe she threw away the letter without even reading?
The changeling’s space out was interrupted by a pink bubble washing over him, a spell he did not recognize. He was now trapped inside with Shining Armor, surrounded by a rather firm looking barrier. Not that it mattered. The spell would fade away after removing his horn anyway.
“Redberry,” started Shining Armor, addressing the changeling by his fake name, “let me start off by apologizing for shouting at you so much. Sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt you too much with my punch? I tried hard to make it sound right, but using some force was necessary.”
The sincere and embarrassed expression of the stallion before him made Chip loose his battle hardiness.
“Huh?” was all the changeling could muster.
“Alright, let me start from the beginning. As you know, I am Shining Armor, Captain of the royal guard. And as far as I know,” said the white stallion, pointing at Chip, “you are Redberry, somepony who needs to learn the ins and outs of a guard’s duty in less than a month. Correct?”
“Uh-huh,” murmured Chip, still taken aback by this sudden change of tone. Little by little, his red coat became more intense on his cheeks. All the murderous thoughts he had up until now made him blush and mentally bash himself for not thinking straight.
The words that followed should have been obvious for Chip. “I had to make up a story that would justify you meeting me at strange hours. Ponies around here aren’t too sharp, but they ain’t stupid either. This is military work after all. Sorry, but I thought that it would be more believable if I simply had a go at you, rather than favoring you for no apparent reason.”
“Yes. Of course,” mumbled Chip, his embarrassment reaching new heights with each second. Celestia was right – he knew nothing about politics and intrigues. It seemed that being a changeling didn’t grant him special powers in that regard. He might have had a good instinct about it, but experience was what mattered in these situations. Experience and knowledge of who you were dealing with.
“So, I hope that since we have that cleared up, we can begin proper. I’m not such a bad colt once you get to know me, I promise,” chuckled the stallion, extending a hoof in a friendly gesture.
Chip accepted and shook his arm, excitement coming back to him in waves of questions he wanted to ask.
“Oh, just remember this. Outside this room, outside this bubble to be more precise, I am the angry and bad Captain Shining Armor that hates you. Please remember that, okay? I will shout at you, probably force you to do a lot of stuff you don’t deserve et cetera,” said the pony, apology in his eyes. “Know that I don’t have anything against you, and once this is all over, once your mission is over, maybe we could grab some cider or something.” The word cider made Chip feel a bit bad to the stomach, but he didn’t let Shining Armor notice that. “I could even introduce you to my fiancée and sister. I’m sure you’d like them, they are both great mares.”
Chip smiled and nodded. Maybe this wouldn’t be a total disaster after all.
Nice Shining Armor speech, very authentic.
I like the idea of a Drill Sergent Shining Armor. Give him a side you just want to slaughter rather than the usual, he's an awesome big brother who happens to be military as well sense.
1652163
Ohhh, don't worry
Hee, Chip needs to realize that pony espionage is quite different from Changeling tactics. Tactical intelligence maneuvers and ploys are quite different for creatures that can't simply alter their entire appearance in a moment's notice. It takes more cunning and guile, requiring one to think many steps ahead in terms of covering tracks and making things look natural and unsuspicious.
It's Chrysalis' weakness as well, and it may be possible to exploit her own arrogance in certain subtle but eventually devastating ways.
1652180I get the feeling that Chip is still going to hate Shining Armor's guts for by the end of boot camp.
Ok, so, I spent almost a whole day reading through this.
Yeah, in one sitting.
It's one of those stories that you really want to like - There's potential and Chip can be awesome in his own ways.
I just can't though.
From words misused to random Tense changes to completely and utterly brain shaking out of character-ness... There are chapters where there is Tempo; good tempo, and everything flows. Then there are moments when someone does something so out of character to the point it stings.
I'm not here to tell you to stop - First off, I never finish what I start, and that makes me feel downright ashamed - But I do want to poke and prod you, tell you that you need to stop and look over this all. There's potential, but right now it seems a bit broken, disjointed, and not in a fun way like a story of a broken mind from first person. It's just that, as I read more and more, the writing isn't improving all that much...
I'd pause to pick out cases to show you, to try and tell you what i mean, but there are just so many. I urge you to read over what you've written once or twice, altering anything that seems rocky or flow breaking, because what I see here reminds me of when I fail to look over my work.
In any case, I ramble. There's much here to applaud, for it takes dedication to make this much, go this far.
I hope you continue. Best of luck.
This is getting interesting, if only Shinning Armor knew that he have a changeling under his command or that Chip already meet Twilight, also how would Cadence react to Chip, so many great possibilities.
1652274
Thanks for the input!
You are, of course, correct -- I had my better and worse days while writing this, trying to keep to the quota of fast updates. Once this finishes, I will probably look it all over and change it. In some ways.
I'm not really a writer, so I have no idea how I can actually improve >.> I try and read others and get ideas from that, but I can only get as far when riding the self-study tide.
Thanks for your honesty, have a nice day!
Gee, I bed Chip will be in a BIG surprise when he finds out who Shining is related to.
Your dad.
Gets a million and
Give him a high five for me!
1652550
What about me?
1652561 Yes, you get one too...wait...HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET BACK TO ME SO FAST
1652570
*sniff* ... I check back every 5 minutes or so to see if someone hates the story
Full Metal Jacket crossover in disguise? Can we have one of the recruits go mildly insane and try to off Shining? Please?
1652726
Unfortunatelly I didn't watch that anime But it still might come up as the story goes on xD
Nonono, the movie! The one with R. Lee Ermey the Drill Instructor.
1652818
Doesn't ring a bell either. Won't watch it, will be more natural that way. For now
No way that would end in anything but hilarity.
speakinggump.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Whats-Your-Sole-Purpose-In-This-Army.jpg
Shining Armor: Redberry! What is your sole purpose in this army?
Chipberry: To do whatever you tell me, drill sergeant!
Shining Armor: God damn it, Redberry, you're a goddamn genius. That's the most outstanding answer I've ever heard, You must have a goddamn I.Q. of 180! You are goddamn gifted, Private Redberry!
1652818
Shining Armor: Holy Jesus! What is that? WHAT, the FUCK is that, Private Redberry?!
Chipberry: Sir, a jelly doughnut, sir!
Shining Armor: A jelly doughnut?!
Chipberry: Sir, yes, sir!
It's good, but it doesn't stay in one place long enough. Just as it feels like he will develop a deep relationship with someone, Chip is yanked away. I would like to see him stick around long enough to get somewhere with somebody.
1652180 *Next chapter* Shineing Armor was Dead his blood splated the walls as the changeling walked down the halls in happyness.
Teh end
1655837
War. War is a bitch. Makes you do stuff you don't wanna.
1656573 War, war never changlings... dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/lolface_Queen_Chrysalis.png
1656934 Or does it?... The war has changed... Or has it?
1657407>>1656934
For now, this is more or less a cold war. But come to think of it, it could be spring over there
This is how it always starts.
First, apologetic, then shouting, then they get closer, go drinking together, meet each other often and before you know it, they have sex, completely forgetting about their relatives as they ride into the sunset.
If my theory will be proven false, I will take this story, edit it to my liking, save it and never publish it.
Yes
1657508
Don't take my story away I kind of like it
Also, as far as I know Chip isn't 'drawn' towards colts. Yet
1657527
I like that 'Yet'
Makes me feel fuzzy
Remeber Author,
We will be watching
Also since you have such a cute avatar and live in Poland, I might not take it
1657549
Aww, thank you! *moment of silence* Wait, was that a clever insult?
1657558
The world may never know
Or atleast, you
...You know, I think that it'll be fun when Shining hears that Chip switched bodies with his sister...
"Ich kann habbe sex mit diene sweister?"
"NEIN!"
1658096
Chip: I was inside your sister:
Shining: *gasp*
Chip: Don't worry, we both didn't like it that much.
Shining: *jaw dropped to the ground*
Chip: But hey! Maybe it works better with colts! Wanna give it a try?
Shining: *runs for the hills*
1658167 By Celestia's teats, what I wouldn't do to be inside Twilight...
1652584 You sir, have low self esteem. BE HAPPY! BE STRONG! AND WRITE ON! I mean, look at my story. I should be the one with no self esteem
1658306 Be sane?
So, I read all this in... a day.
You have a good grasp on awkward situations and psychological torture, good sirs! And I can tell you're having fun with it.
damn chip! thats all you would do you? i'd have hung him and desecrated his corpse.
1658947
1660859
Maybe I'll rewrite that later on. Now that I look at it, it really seems like I went the easy way to push the plot further.
Forgive me, please?
This story.... its wonderful!
This story is wonderful. Great job.
1667934>>1667943>>1667945>>1667947
Thank you, 4-fold
1668228 No problem. (You earned a moustache)
1652274>>1652359
Polished this off in an evening and while I did enjoy it quite a bit there are some problems in the story. Though I'm not really seeing what Gluestick is pointing out. At least for OOC-ness the only thing that really caught my attention was Celesita, but 'trollestia' is just as a legitimate interpretation of her character as is anyone else. Tempo is something he does need to work on but is a smaller portion of the real issue of story 'flow'. Again I don't see it as a big a problem as you do though..
For a fimfiction fic it's decent enough. This story should probably only be broken into 1/2 or even a 1/3rd as many chapters for flow's sake and the transitions could use a bit of work but where do you see the OOC problems and the 'numerous' flow/pacing/tempo problems?
1673273
Thanks for the constructive criticism! I'll get down to fixing this stuff once it finally ends. This is both the perk and downfall of a story that has no plan and just...goes on
I had too much fun imagining Shining Armor with a buzzcut yellin "ATTENTION!"
Nice! Not to retract from canon, but it's nice to have a Captain that's not apparently a dudebro...