Royal Guards: Dusk Fire

by Sychopomp

Enlistment

It was a Tuesday. I think it was a Tuesday, maybe a Wednesday... no wait, it was a Friday. Bah, whatever. What matters is that it has been a few days since I (forcibly) arrived and still nothing to show for it.

I have talked to almost every shop owner in the market district, talked to the train station, the cab company, the taverns, even the Canterlot Postal Service, but I've been rejected without even a second glance.

It's not like I could leave to find work elsewhere either. The nearest town, Ponyville, is almost a four days walk from here and I don't have money for a train ticket. I also certainly don't have the supplies for a march of that magnitude either. I need to find work here soon or I'll have no choice but to resort to begging for money on the side of the street, or worse- petty thievery. I don't really want to be behind bars in the first week of arriving here.

I shall continue my search I guess, not much else to do anyway. Other than practicing magic, that is. Thankfully, God loves me enough to turn me into a unicorn of all things, which is the best tribe of all ponies I will say. I mean, who doesn't like some magic? Levitation, transfiguration, pyromancy? Definitely that last one, I seem to be a natural at casting the good ol' fireball, if my cutie mark has anything to say about it. The others... Well, I'm still sputtering, but that's fine! Still learning my new body aftera--oof!

"Hey, watch where you're going, citizen!" Oops, sorry.

"Oops, sorry." I echoed my thoughts as I continued down the street.

What's my next move? Is there even a next move? Come on, God, give me a sign! I couldn't have been sent here, done the imaginable, only to die from starvation! What if-- wait a goddamn second. I turn around at break-necking speed to look at the Guardspony I ran into.

That's it! That's fucking it! Eureka! Why didn't I think of that sooner? I mean, I was a soldier before on Earth, I can just do that again. And it'll only for a little while too; just enough to get my bearings and save up some coins to travel. Absolutely perfect!

"Excuse me! Mr. Guard!"

---

It should be over here somewhere. The guard said that the military recruiting office was down this way. If only it had a giant sign that says 'Recruiting Office' on it. That would make my life eas-- oh wait, it's right there with a big sign. Fuck yeah. Alright then, let's get it!

Strangely enough, their recruiting station apparently has all the services combined in one building unlike Earth. Not sure what other services there are, other than the Royal Guard, so I guess I'll find out soon enough.

As I enter the recruiting office with some gusto, I am greeted with a standard, boring office with some desks, a dying plant in the corner of the room, and a book shelf with some random books on it. At one of the desks was a white, earth pony stallion with what appeared to be a navy blue service uniform on instead of armor. I have no idea what the rank structure here is, but he has a diamond with three chevrons above it on the shoulder of his sleeve.

The stallion had a bored look to his face as he aimlessly messed with a pencil until he saw me come through the door. At my entrance, his face beamed up a little.

"Well hello there, sir! How can I help you today?" The stallion sat up and quickly straightened his tie.

"Hey there, I actually came in here to see about joining up." I say as I trot up.

"Well you certainly came to the right place. Name's Sergeant Uplift." He stood up from his desk to give my hoof a shake.

"Uh yeah, nice to meet ya, Sergeant. My name is uh... Dusk. Yeah Dusk." I said sheepishly as the name popped into my head. I honestly forgot to give myself a new name since coming here, my human name wouldn't have fit at all. Oh well.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Dusk. Here, take a seat." He gives me a gesture toward the seat beside me with a hoof. "So, what service are you looking to join?"

I take a moment to think before realizing that, again, I have no idea what branches Equestria has other than the Royal Guard. "I'm... not totally sure to be honest. Could we perhaps go over them all?" I say.

"Yeah, sure. It can be a bit overwhelming if you're not sure. To start, we have the Army. The Army is our main fighting force and is trained for full scale combat. There are a plethora of jobs to be had in the Army, so don't think it's all just infantry. Next, we have the Air Guard, which is mostly aimed for pegasi, but other tribes are still allowed to serve. The Wonderbolts are actually a part of the Air Guard as well.. The Air Guard of course surveys the skies and supports our land and sea forces by air. Next, we have the Naval Marines which specialize in sea and land operations and help secure our ports. I happen to be part of the Naval Marines actually, so if you want to know more in-depth info about it, I'd be more than willing. Oh yeah, and lastly, we have the Royal Guard, which is our federal police force across Equestria. They of course also protect the Royal Sisters themselves." He placed the brochure he had in his hoofs down on the desk and pushed it over to me to read.

I take some time to mull over the choices. "I have to say, that was a lot to take in. This might sound bad to say, but what is the best thing to go with if I want... an easier time?" I cringe a little at my wording. Way to sound like a pussy.

"Oh... well, the Naval Marines are pretty hard-core, I think so anyway, and the Army is a bit high tempo soooo.... I'd say either the Air Guard or the Royal Guard. With the Air Guard, all you would be able to do as a unicorn is work with and support the fliers. Heard it can be tiresome working with the fliers though, they can be a little... brash. Plus, the contracts are long. The Royal Guard on the other hoof is basically what it sounds like. Lots of patrolling, guarding ACPs and gates, perhaps escorting the princesses around if you're stationed in Canterlot." He says with a little less enthusiasm.

Hm... I'm not trying to make a career out of this. Just a short contract, make some bits, and then continue on my merry way. The Air Guard seems kind of boring... also, I'm not a pegasus, so I don't need some flying pricks giving me attitude all day. The Royal Guard sounds a little boring too, but its at least it sounds easy. Yeah, no, not the Air Guard.

"How long are the Royal Guard contracts?" I say, pulling myself out of my thoughts.

"It depends on the job you're looking to get, but the lowest we can start you off with is a two year contract as a sentinel. After that there are longer-term contracts in specialized fields that require schooling." Oh, perfect!

"Sweet, what would I do as a sentinel?" I ask.

"What infantry is to the Army is what a sentinel is to the Royal Guard. You would guard areas of interest, maybe the Equestrian border, the castle, and so on. Being that you're a unicorn, you can also choose to be part of the Mage Corps and work as a combat mage specialist, but that would cost you an extra six months of training and another year on the contract."

Alright, that sounds cool as fuck, I can't even lie. Three and half years isn't terrible... I think. I can learn to do some magic and all I have to do is guard shit. Easy fucking money. I've already spent six years as a soldier on earth, how hard could the little pony military even be?

"Alright, a combat mage specialist sounds cool. How much will I be making? After tax."

"Well, after training, you'd start off as a Levy, so maybe around 400 hundred bits a check, so about 800 bits monthly, but you'll make more as you go up in rank. Oh yeah, and as a combat mage, you get a nice hefty bonus of 5,000 bits too. You can choose to do it as a lumpsum or in payments." As he says this, the Sergeant pulls out a folder with some forms inside.

"Well damn, alright. Where the fuck do I sign?" I say with excitement.

He gives me a credulous look, but continues to grab all the paperwork. "Alright. I just need you to fill out these forms along with a copy of your birth certificate and proof of citizenship." Oh fuck.

"Um... a birth certificate and proof of citizenship? I, uh, I don't really have those anymore to be honest, sir. I kind of don't have anything right now." Couldn't lie my way out of that one. He stares at me for a second before sighing.

"Don't worry, we can get that situated. I can put in a new order for those documents for you once you sign up. What's your full name and date of birth?" He asked me.

Fuck!

"Well, my full name is... uh... Dusk..." I try to quickly think of a name until I remember my flank, which happened to be a wand with fire being casted out of it. How convenient. "...Fire. Dusk Fire."

"Alright, Dusk Fire. And for your birthday?" Dammit, I don't even know what the year is here!

"Uh, November 3rd?" I say hesitantly.

"Alright, what year?" He asks, writing it down on a form.

"Uh well I'm 25, so..." I say, hoping he would know.

"Okaayy... so then you're born in 975?" Yes!

"Yep!" I say a little too loudly. He just gives me another look and continues on with the questions. He asked me things like where I was born and what my education level was. I gave him bullshit answers of course, saying I was an orphan and made it through basic schooling. After maybe about an hour of questions, some simple tests to check my education level, and some more background about the customs and courtesies of the Royal Guard, he gave me a stamp on my folder and told me to get with him tomorrow after I did my medical exam.

"After they do the physical, there shouldn't be much more to do to get you sworn in. We'll go over it tomorrow."

"Alright, thanks Sarnt! I'll see ya tomorrow morning then." I say as I walk out of the door.

"Yep, see ya later, Mr. Fire."

Now to look for the hospital. Red cross... red cross... Oh there it is!

---

Well, that was certainly something I didn't miss. I gave a shiver after recalling what the physician had done. I hate physicals, especially when they get... well, physical. I think a look is good enough.

Anyways, I didn't have much left to do and my packet was more or less completed. All I had to do now was get with Sergeant Uplift tomorrow and I was golden. Man, I get to be a combat mage, that's so cool. I didn't miss the military back on earth very much, but this felt different, it was actually exciting! Maybe it was cuz of ponyland? Bah, who cares. I just need some money and this is a good way to fulfill my time here.

Well, time to find a nice, cozy alley to sleep in tonight. Hopefully I can get immediately sent to basic training after signing so I can have a bed and some real food. Being homeless fucking sucks. See, this is what they don't tell you about when reality warping into a cartoon dimension!

Oh well, time to get some shut eye. Let's hope shit goes well for me.

Comments

[GreenLion]

The beginning is quite fast and interesting.

[Nonnyaddic69]

Intersting and good story so far followed fav and liked

[angel d ammo]

ok i like that a good story with human pony in the guard

[Gohot]

Good start.

[Silent Wing]

Thankfully, God loves me enough to turn me into a unicorn of all things, which is the best tribe of all ponies I will say. I mean, who doesn't like some magic?

I say: Who cares about magic when you can fly instead?

Though besides that, interresting even if a bit fast paced start. Would have preferred it to be a bit slower and maybe see his initiall reaction upon finding out what happened to him, but hey, it's your story and so you set the rules. Thought, this won't stop me from voicing my opinion in future chapters.

[Lysander Shadowheart]

Interesting start. You've certainly peaked my interest.
Liked and tracked.