Royal Guards: Dusk Fire

by Sychopomp

Basic Training, Week 1: Basic Principles to Being a Basic Guard II

As the day came and went, we were marched from dinner chow and then were released back to our barracks for the night. In the morning, we were going to have our first real day of training, which had me super excited. For the others, not so much.

As we entered back into the barracks, both Sandy and Peach collapsed on the floor of the common room, groaning in pain and exhaustion. We had some mishaps during the day so we all had to push the earth a few times, all in our brand new armor. Along with all the marching, and having to carry all of our new gear, it certainly took everything out of everyone. I was a tired too, but I knew I was going to sleep like a log tonight.

"I am... so... tired. Today felt like it was going to last forever," Sandy said, laying on his back with his eyes closed. Peach, laying on her belly, just nodded in agreement. I couldn't help but laugh. "Y'all know its just the first day right? Hell, its not even the real first day of training yet. Tomorrow is gonna be even worse." The lost puppy-dog look they both gave me was enough to make me lose it.

"You're joking, its going to get worse?" Sky Jet said, looking at me in horror.

"Yessir! I don't know drill sergeant's game plan, but he's probably gonna make sure we hurt tomorrow. Maybe do laps in our armor or something. Probably practice more facing movements and marching or something as well." I say, removing my armor, placing down my gear, and jumping onto the couch.

Noble spoke this time, coming back from his room, his armor and gear left behind. "Yeah, Dusk is not wrong. Our first week should be all about learning discipline and military bearing, drill and ceremony, and learning the basics of the RG. Second week should be combat training, tactics, and patrol procedures. And the last week should be a week long field exercise. Once we graduate from here, we all will complete our specific job training." I was impressed that he knew so much. They didn't really go over it in the packet and my recruiter never really mentioned it. I also just forgot to ask. Also, I can’t believe training is only three weeks. That’s insanely fast. “Boom, right on the money,” I say putting my hooves behind my head.

"How do you know that? I don't remember them telling us what the training schedule was." Cinnamon asked, somehow reading my mind. Noble just shrugged. "Well, firstly, my family is a military family to be honest. My father served in the guard, his father served, and his father as well. My older brother also joined a few years ago too." Made sense, he had insider information. “Secondly, I was part of the Royal Guard Academy growing up and they went over everything we were going to be faced with during training.” He said, taking a seat on the other couch.

“They have an academy for that? You’d think there would be more recruits.” I say, a little confused at that. Noble gave another shrug. “Not everyone who went to the academy wanted to join the guard. A lot of the kids there were previous trouble makers who required a lot of… discipline. I was one of the few who wanted to be there.” I could tell Noble was definitely born into the world with his destiny already predetermined as a guard. Probably that weird Equestrian magic rearing its face. “That’s fair, I just find it surprising there’s only six of us here.” I say.

Now that I mention it, it’s kinda strange that the others even joined the RG. Usually, from what I understand, ponies follow the path of their cutie marks. It’s a bit surprising to see someone—somepony named Jelly Sandwich joined the guard in the first place.

“Alright I got a two questions for all of you. Why did y’all join up with the guard and what job did you choose?” I looked to Noble first. “I can figure that you joined out of tradition.” Noble just nodded. “Yep, it’s what I know and I like the prospect of becoming a commission officer one day. As for my job, I chose to be a sentinel.” Make sense, he definitely fits the role.

“Alright, what about you Sandy, why did you join up with the RG and what is your job?” Sandy finally gets up off the ground, taking off his gear.

“Well, to be honest, I didn’t want to be in the shop anymore. My parents own a sandwich shop here in Canterlot and it’s where I worked all my life. I kinda just wanted to get out and do something that doesn’t involve bread and condiments. I don’t figure I’ll stay in though, maybe just one contract. Oh and I chose to be a sentinel as well.” Ah, just to get away from home it seems.

“Hey that’s why I joined up too! My family owns a candy shop in Fillydelphia. Needed to just get away from it for a while, y’know?” Peach Ring said, still laying on the ground. Sandy just sighed. “Yeah, I love doing what I do, but it gets tiring when your hobby is also your job.” I never thought about that to be honest. You’d figure that if it’s your destiny, you’d be fine with doing it all the time, but I guess not. To each their own.

“What job did you choose? Sentinel as well?” I asked, looking at Peach. She shook her head. “No, I chose to be a supply specialist. I think I’m supposed to work with the quartermaster or something.” Oh that’s interesting, didn’t expect that. “That’s pretty cool, I’ll make sure to stay on your good side so I can get some extra goodies!” I joked. Peach just giggled. “We’ll see about that.”

Peach finally gets up and looks over to Cinnamon and Sky Jet. “What about y’all?” Cinnamon seems a little hesitant, but speaks up anyway. “I really like to sing, it’s a great passion of mine, but there’s not much I can do with it back in Hollow’s Peak. My family is not… well off… so I joined the Royal Guard as a way to make some money and get out of Hollow’s Peak. Like Sandy said, I probably won’t stay passed my contract.” Her expression changed and for a moment she was silent. Then she got up and started walking to her room. “I’m going to head to bed, today was exhausting. I’ll see you all in the morning!” As she left, the room got a little awkward, so I interjected.

“Well, I suppose we can figure out what job she signed up for later. What about you Sky?” I ask. With everyone looking at him, he froze for a moment, then used his wings to cover his face. “Um… well, I tried to join the Air Guard, but they wouldn’t… they wouldn’t take me. So I tried with the Royal Guard instead and they let me join as a sentinel.” I gave him a look. “Why wouldn’t they take you in the Air Guard? You’re a pegasus.” He just looked away in embarrassment. “I’m scared of… heights…” I blinked. Then I felt a laugh creep up my throat, but I resisted it as best as I could. I didn’t want to be an asshole, but man is that ironic.

A pegasus that was scared of heights? A PEGASUS.

“I see… Well, you shouldn’t run into any high heights as a Royal Guard!” I say, trying my best to be encouraging.

“So then why did you try to join the Air Guard? That doesn’t make much sense to me. You also seem very timid and cowardly. I’m surprised you joined up at all.” Noble said bluntly. I was caught off guard by his nonchalant demeanor saying this, as well as Peach and Sandy. We all looked at each other awkwardly. Sky Jet just hung his head a little bit. “I don’t know…” he said, almost whimpering.

“You don’t know why you joined? How do you not know? Why are you here then?” Noble lifted a brow. I thought it was funny at first, but Noble is being a jackass right now.

“Hey man, cool it down. It’s not that serious.” I say interjecting on Sky’s behalf.

“I’m just asking. We had to do a lot of corrective training today because of him. I’m just not sure being a guard is the right fit for somepony like him.” A door slammed as Sky Jet ran into his room causing all of us to look into the hallway.

“See?” Noble said, his expression not changing.

I looked back at Noble with a glare. “We’re a team, Noble. Regardless of whose fault it is, calling peop—ponies names and being a jackass doesn’t help. We all make mistakes.”

Noble just shrugs. “I’m just saying, we all saw how he was today. He’s a nervous wreck. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want somepony like him on my team, or watching my flank. He’d sooner run than fight.” I got closer to him.

“He’s here to train like the rest of us. Not everyone here has had the same experience and training that you have. You’re judging him before even knowing him.” Noble didn’t seem to care about my words as he just shakes his head and starts to walk to his room.

“It’s not hard to tell the kind of pony he is. He’ll probably quit before the end of training anyway.” His expression didn’t change much as he walked by. It was actually quite unsettling. I hardened my glare at the back of his head.

“I was like him, once upon a time, Noble. Couldn’t level an eye or speak louder than a mouse. But ponies change. He just needs to be encouraged and pushed out of his shell. Not belittled. You said you wanted to be a commissioned officer? With your current attitude now, you’ll never be a leader.” I thought this guy was cool, but if this is his real personality, then we’re gonna have some problems.

Noble didn’t look back at me, but he did pause for a moment before entering his dorm with Sky Jet. I didn’t know the kid, but to blatantly say those things in front of him like he wasn’t even there was disgusting.

I softened my eyes and looked over to the other two ponies in the room. Their eyes were wide and a bit shocked at the surprising interaction. I just sighed.

“I think it’s best if we all checked out early. We’re gonna have to wake up at the ass-crack of dawn anyway, might as well head to bed now.” I made my way into the room, Sandy following me. I gave a goodnight to Peach and to Sandy before laying in my bed, not thrilled about having to wake up early tomorrow morning.

“Hey, Dusk?” Sandy said through the curtain. I turned over from facing the wall and onto my back. “What’s up?” I say.

“Why did you join the Royal Guard?” Oh yeah, I didn’t get to tell everyone my reason. Noble had to ruin the mood by being a prick.

“Believe it or not, I was actually homeless.” I heard Sandy sit up on his bed. “Wait, what? You were homeless?” I gave a soft laugh.

“Yessir! Wasn’t very fun taking showers in fountains and eating trash. I desperately needed the money, so I joined up.” I couldn’t see Sandy, but I could hear his silence.

“Dang, sorry, bro. Well, if ever need anything, my family and I can help you.” How generous. Actually, now that I think about it, I think I tried to apply for a job at a sandwich place but they denied me. I wonder if it was the same shop.

“Nah, it’s all good man. I work for the Equestrian government now! I appreciate the sentiment though.” We both laughed for a moment before we settled back down.

“What job did you pick? Sentinel as well?” Sandy asked.

“I almost did, but ended up choosing combat mage specialist. Sounded pretty cool and has a cool sign-on bonus.

“I thought about that too, but I don’t know how useful sandwich making magic is to the guard.” It was my turn to sit up. “Brother, sandwich making magic sounds like the most badass thing I’ve ever heard!” We both laughed as we concluded our conversation with some more jokes and went to bed for the night.

---

Just as I predicted, it was the ass-crack of dawn when our drill sergeant came into our barracks screaming for us to come out. We all lined up outside our doors as he approached us. He then told us we had 2 minutes to put on our armor and meet him outside. This of course was impossible so once we made it outside, we had to do push ups until everyone made it outside with their gear on.

Sky Jet happened to be the last one out, still throwing his helmet on. I could feel the annoyance radiate off of Noble like an oven as he looked to Sky Jet, but he just looked away and ignored him.

The day continued on with training this as we did a bunch of running and exercises, movement drills, and some marching. Towards the end of the day, we also went to the arms room and were each assigned a spear to hold. We would have to take care of and maintain these weapons throughout our time in training. When not in use, like when sleeping, we had to place them on a secured weapons rack in the common area of our barracks and one of us had to hold onto the keys for safety and security.

Although I elected myself, Cinnamon Song was chosen by the drill sergeant to hold the keys. I felt a little dejected but Cinnamon let me lock up the rack for the night which was nice.

The drill sergeant also made us do patrolling guard, which was the same thing as fire guard on earth. We would take turns throughout the night for two hours starting at 2000 hours all the way up to 0400 hours patrolling the barracks, both inside and out. Whoever didn’t pull guard that night would start it the next patrolling guard shift. I was given the first shift at 2000 hours, and both Cinnamon and Peach were off patrol tonight. Wasn’t a bad deal, but it was only 6 hours of sleep for those who did the patrol which sucked. Could be worse though.

Overall, although tiring, it wasn’t a bad day. I could tell that after last night, Noble Conquest kept to himself and Sky Jet did his best to not even breathe near him. That would need to change in the future as it was detrimental to have them beefing, but for the moment, I thought it would be best that they just don’t interact with one another for a while.

Hopefully the rest of this week is eventful. I heard we will be doing some fun stuff like obstacle courses and some medical training. Here’s to hoping!

Comments

[Anonyme]

Hoofties

[Aiwhisper]

Interesting so far. And starting right before the Summer sun celebration? I love how the MC is just an average dude who has accepted his fate as a fresh pony.

[TrashBoat]

It's an interesting... start, although I think it could have been shortened to a single long chapter or two where we could have gotten more plot and character interactions.

Still, I have some expectations. I'm suffering some dissonance about the world presented because of the cover haha: the fanart is by Equestria Prevails, an artist whose style I personally appreciate and who has a sort of lovely worldbuilding around his works; closer to the show canon of the first two seasons and the classic idea of an Equestria where “despite what it may seem, ponies are mostly kind and naive creatures”, so I was during the first few chapters doing some mental gymnastics about whether the focus on the world could be the same and the direction of the story.

Anxious to see your journey. I would suggest that future chapters have more background as to the path to be taken, some string to follow. So far it seems limited to a few easy interactions without much foresight beyond “living the military life” spread over three chapters whose space I feel could have been better utilized and with a stronger hook.

[SRY]

Dude's already been part of the shitshow, pony basic is going to be a breeze for him.

Also, even ponies gotta have an equivalent to the E4 mafia.

[Sychopomp]

12160532
I’m just writing to get it out of my brain. I’m not very good at it so thank you for the information. The art is just a stand in I found online that I’ll change eventually.

[Sychopomp]

12160568
100% they do haha

[Scottish-Otter]

This I can enjoy. I like stories where the Mc ain't stuck in the everfree or ponyville and instantly meets the mane six. Plus I like the idea of fire mage for a character.

[Den_345814]

I've been wanting to read a fanfic like this for a long time and finally found it!
Thumbs up in advance!

[npetelle]

Nice story! Definitely going to keep up with it, keep up the great work.

[Gohot]

Not bad.

[Gohot]

A bit sad.

[Khasir]

My guy I am....... LOVING this story, Keep it up!

I kinda wanna know a few more things about Dusk before he got turned into a pony life

Also did you tell us how old he is? cuz I wanna know.

Btw No glaze, but this is my favorite story right now. Keep up the great work dude.

(:

[Flash point]

Just with the cover you caught my attention, I'll come back when there's more content. For now, it looks very promising.

OC ✅
Human ✅
Now Pony ✅
Magic ✅

[TronicsM]

12161155
castle crashers, ES MOMENTO DE REZAR

[TronicsM]

Me encanta que el OC no sepa nada de MLP y que no sea lo clásico de "celestia/twilight me acogieron"

[PlayBitz]

Nice! Awesome to see new recruits learning the motions!

Specially the Mustangs! OORAH!

(My character is within the special forces but by no means am I and want to make sure proper respect is paid to those that do serve.)

[Mix-up]

Interesting story far and it's good to see a HiE joining the guard without being a OP character from the start. It's nice to have a protagonist who already has military experience and joining in again in another nation. Having a diverts cast of characters around it, it sounds like they have plenty of room to grow as persons. If you are ever looking to comm a cover art you can look me up . Best of luck on your story dude.

[Major Matko Kolac]

Looks fun and interesting so far
Hope there is gonna be more soon
(But no rush, better to have a nice chapter when its done than a sloppy one as soon as possible)

[Titus Constantine]

Just found this and read all the way. Good stuff so far! I was in navy boot camp (dipped out in the first week) so yeah, I'd have to say pony military would be paradise compared to that shit. And only 3 weeks?!?!??. Keep it up!

[Titus Constantine]

Also I like the general vibe of this, Fire is just trying to bullshit his way through, making stuff up as he coasts along (as we saw in the first chapter), can't wait to see how he gets around this when the five other royal guard recruits get curious. (Only 6 people in bootcamp at once? Definitely paradise!) I couldn't help but notice a couple grammatical errors in the chapters though, and to me it doesn't exactly make sense that Dusk, despite being isekaid into Equestria not even for a month, has learned every ounce of their vocabulary and says "ponies" rather than "people".

[ImClinicallyDepressed]

Slight gripe is that dialogue from different characters aren't separate, but that's pretty much it. The story looks sick!

[Den_345814]

12162094
guardsman ✅✅✅

[Wild Zontars]

I like this. Doing the fun and useful kind of human-turned-pony shenanigans instead of becoming an OP delinquent!

[Jenonen]

Sychopomp,

This story brought back some funny memories for me. I served in the United States Navy for 8 years and was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer First Class. The parts in the story where the drill sergeant made Noble and Dusk keep doing push-ups despite them knowing the facing movements brought me right back to Recruit Training Command where everyone suffered if one person screwed up. I also really love how the main character, Dusk Fire, despite having to lie about their origins, goes out of his way to defend the nervous Sky Jet from Noble's harsh judgement; I was a lot like Sky Jet myself - Timid, quiet, ran away from my problems, but I eventually grew into a stronger person thanks to the military, and having the opportunity to lead others allowed me to experience how wonderful it is to see your recruits reach their potential. Thanks for the nostalgia.

Very respectfully,

Jenonen

[Vailen]

I have a feeling Dusk is going to be the squad leader and Nobel is going to hate it.

[ThunderBasilisk]

Absolutely loving this story so far!

[Alduin904]

Watch mc become the greatest royal guard in equestria but he just need the money now he is on a pedestal