> It's Raining Sunlight > by DoctorSerious > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 (Teen) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's Raining Sunlight Written by Doctor Serious Chapter 1: "Time and time again, you ruined it...". A young colt trembled down the back alleys of canterlot, smelling the filthy trashcans and homeless ponies, begging for some bits. He ignored all of them, just letting his thoughts control all his movements. He was a streetpony, filth as some ponies in Canterlot would call him. It was true, he is filth on the streets of Canterlot. He knew that all along, but never did he felt so lonely after the "incident" he encoutered 2 years ago. The gang he was with, were a bunch of misfits who hated every pony daring to talk bad behind their backs. Beating, robbing, breaking in, everything wrong in the book they did together. It was his only family and the only people who understood him. Any other pony would step back in disgust, just for the way he looked. A darkish green, with small white spots on his sides and a black line all around his eyes. And not to forget his cutie mark: Crossed baseball bats, but they came with a twist. A punching hoof was centered in the middle. A true fighter of the streets. All ponies gave him weird looks, but the gangmembers didn't seem to care. In fact, they even called him a true soldier for the better cause. Their cause. They raised him to fight on the streets, learned him how to lockpick any door, teached him about being a true stallion. They even gave him a name, the thing even my parents didn't gave him. His name was Batter Up, the stallion of force. A true family, even with a father figure in the midst of them all: Pace Maker. He was the reason he wanted to live on, his reason to fight for hisrights in life. He was strong, tough and intelligent, all in one package. But then that faithful day. The gang had their share of booze and mares. Of course he didn't, he was just an enforcer for the group. Not that he didn't try it, but he just got scorned. The beginning was alright, just like every other Friday. Suddenly, a flicker of light could be seen in the window. Batter Up could barely made out what it meant, but it was to late anyway. The royal guards came crashing in from all sides. The gang got surrounded quickly, all the guards taking a fighting pose. He didn't know what to do at this point, it all happened so fast. The gang started growling at the guards, trying to keep a defensive pose, but they were outnumbered. But they didn't go down without a fight. Many of the gangmembers jumped straight at the guards, unleashing a fierce battle. Batter Up got slammed by three guards, trying to overpower him. Unluckily for them, he was a force to be wreckened with. His muscle pushed each of them away. He fought fiercely, beating up as much as he could. But eventually he got overpowered and knocked out. The gang was caught, not all the members though. Some escaped, but some didn't even made it. They died of their wounds during the battle or after it. Batter Up never saw anypony die, but the first time made him feel weak inside. Not the blood, but he couldn't feel their presence anymore. In fact, the first few months, he cried in his cell because of the death he had witnessed. After 2 years he was released for unexplained reasons. Now he was nothing more than somepony on the streets, most of his gang still being in prison, some for life. A little glinstering appeared at the side of his eyes. Luckily they were masked by the blackness around his eyes. Before he got out, he learned something from Pace maker, a "powerful riddle" as he called it. "Breath slowly for moment It looks like it's raining like always But it's raining, and it's raining sunlight". Those words haunted him until he was sick of them. He tried everything to shake these words of, hoping to think straight for a moment. But they still stang deeply in his mind. so much so, that he started to hurt himself. More and more, but eventually they pain fainted away as his body hardened itself to the point he felt huge. He couldn't bear this feeling any longer. He couldn't take the words from Pace Maker, he couldn't see straight, he couldn't live any longer with himself. He pasted down more dark corridors with more homeless ponies, but a certain one caught his eye. It was an old one, his fur being torn from parts of his skinny body. "Youngster, you wouldn't have some bits on yah, he...?" his voiced cracked. Batter up saw how the old pony coughed loudly, hearing the sickness in it. Out of pity, he took his last few bits and gave them to him. "Thank you, you're the first pony that's been kind to me in many years...". A pleasent smile appeared on the old pony's face. Batter Up felt a sudden rush of warmth in his belly, coursing all the way through his body. What was this sudden feeling of happiness? He looked at the old pony and nodded slightly. "Mind if I sit beside you, sir?" he asked, trying to sound as polite as possible. "Sure, I don't mind..". He sat down and looked at the rich ponies walking by the alleyway. He snorted a little, seeing their so called "Pretty Clothes" or their "Sparkling Jewelry". He hated that. The old pony looked at him with an understanding grin. "I don't like 'em either, sonny. But you can't blame them on something they didn't do.." the pony said. Batter Up calmed down a little. He knew the old pony was right, he shouldn't blame his miserable life on them. A loud horn made him look up in suprise. He stood up and checked what was going on. "Leaving already..?". He looked at the old pony. "Yes, I'm sorry it's so sudden. Thanks for talking to me.". The old pony nodded with a smile. Batter Up knew what the horn meant, the Royal Guards were passing through, that happened from time to time. He wurmed his way through all the ponies, until he could see a messenger on a small platform. "Greetings citizens of Canterlot," he started with a loud voice. "The Royal guards are asking for new recruits to join our noble cause of protecting the princesses and our country." he explained. "Many of the guards have been retired, and we need new stallions to aid us. If you want to join, you can come to the castle. We will test if you are worth to start the training to become a true Royal guard-" he continued. He kept on talking about the tests themself. but Batter up wasn't listening anymore. A chance to join the Royal guards, it seemed quiet tempting. But he couldn't shake of the fact that they have killed his family, and put most of them in prison, including him. But then the words from Pace Maker began to make more sense: "Breath slowly for moment It looks like it's raining like always But it's raining, and it's raining sunlight". He knew what it meant. It meant to take a new breath of fresh air, seeing that the depression was there, but he also had a new hope to grasp to. His chance of a normal life, he could feel it. He smiled from ear to ear, and he took of to the castle, where a new life was waiting for him. To be continued > Chapter 2 (More teen) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2: Batter Up kept a steady pace as he galloped towards the castle. His mind was thinking about other things than the depressing stuff he thought of for so long. The new life he could get, all the mistakes he could undo, having his own family to raise. He smiled brightly at all these thoughts, but because he didn't had his mind on the road before him, he crashed into a group of ponies. He knocked some of them to the ground, others were knocked back a bit. "HEY, WATCH WHERE YOU PUT THOSE FILTHY HOOVES OF YOURS!" a mare screamed at him. "I'm very sorry ma'am, I should have looked where I galloped." he tried to say as polite as possible. But the mare didn't take any of it. In fact, she seemed more angry than first. "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!? YOU STREETPUNK, FILTH OF OUR BEAUTIFUL SOCIETY!". Batter Up stood there in all amazement, his eyes wide in suprise. The mare kept screaming at him, telling him that he was a life wasted, a mistake of nature, and so on and so on. He started to feel an familiar feeling in his belly. That feeling he got whenever some pony talked smack behind his back. One of the few things he learned to respond to. And that respons wasn't pleasant for the one talking. He took a step forward and looked into the mare's eyes. "Shut it, whore..." he snapped, losing his focus and letting his anger consume him for a moment. "WHAT!?". The mare looked at him with suprise and anger. He took a step closer and touched her nose with his own. "I said: Shut. It. Whore." he snapped again, but this time more fierce. The mare took a step back and looked at him with frightened eyes. "How... how could you say that to me...!?" she said, sounding a lot less powerful now. He walked right past her, not answering her question in the slightest. "HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT TO ME...!?" she screamed again, but this time with a tone of sadness. This time, he turned to face her, and his eyes told her the same thing: Shut it, whore. The group of ponies looked at him, suprised and a little frightened at first, but then three stallions stepped forward. "You don't expect us to take that from a streetrat like you, right?" one of them spoke with a demanding voice. "No one treats Miss Crowning like that and goes unpunished." the biggest one said. "We have to teach you a lesson about manners..." the last one said. Batter Up looked at them for a moment, then he spoke: "Ain't my fault this bitch has no respect and manners of her own...". The three stallions didn't take it lightly, as expected. They lunged themselves to him. Luckily he knew these sort of moves, outnumbered and surrounded. Oldest trick in the book. He ducked down and slided himself under the one with the least muscles. Quickly turning to his back, he kicked the stallion away towards the group, who crashlanded into one another. He quickly stood up and faced them again. The stallions weren't finished, he could tell. Probably professionals, not just some streetpunks who were so full of themselves. The strongest one, as far as muscles go, tried punching him with his hooves. Batter Up dodged the first one, the second he blocked with his left fronthoof. He pushed the hooves away and tried to preform a tackle, but then he felt a pain stinging in his left shoulder. One of the three stallions had a pocketknife and stabbed him with it. He kicked behind him, sending the stallion flying for a few feet. He got shoved by the stallion who he tried to tackle, but not before giving him a swift kick with his right backhoof. The stallion took the hit, but yelled in pain. Batter Up looked at him, seeing a trail of blood coming from his nose. Before the stallion could recover, he bashed his face another time, but this time with something far harder: his head. The second stallion collapsed on the ground. Only one remained. The last one looked at his two comrads, one in awful pain and the other knocked unconscious. He took a few steps back. "No... NO, DON'T HURT ME!" he yelled, and he ran of. Batter Up looked at him with disgust. Pfff, weak sucker... he thought to himself. He faced the remainding group. "I'm sorry for bumping into you, but I ain't gonna be sorry for the fact that I beated your 'Protectors'. Just be glad I didn't beat them to a bloody pulp.". He showed a little smile at them. "Take care." he said with a little bit of happiness. He took of, leaving the group of ponies in shock. One of them whispered to himself. "He could do what he just said, but he didn't... why didn't he...?". Batter Up finally got to the castle. Before he got there, though, he removed the pocketknife from his shoulder. Better remove it... he thought. Many young colts and stallions were waiting for the test they had to do. Many laughed, some trembled over their own words, because they were so nervous. He looked at them all, smiling a little. But not because he knew he could best them all, that thought never came in his mind. He smiled, because he knew that he could make a fresh start, just like all the other colts/stallions, that were waiting for their own chance to start a new life. A huge stallion came through the big castle doors and stopped on a platform. He quickly looked around, inspecting all the young colts and stallions. Batter Up felt an uneasy feeling when the stallion looked at him. He seemed to stare longer than usual. Then his speech began. "Dear young recruits, we, the Royal Guards, are happy to welcome you to the 'Training Of The Royal Guards'. All of you want to volunteer to become part of princess Celestia and princess Luna's personal protector of the peace in our land. But before you can become one of us, you must prove yourself in the fields of strength, endurance, agility and intelligents. When you pass each of these test, you will be accepted to the Royal Guards as a new recruit. But before we start, there is something else to becoming a Royal Guard. Once you're in, you cannot get out, unless you retire or you are dismissed for a period of time. Is this understood!?". All the ponies were quiet. "IS THIS UNDERSTOOD!?" he yelled triumphantly. "YES, SIR!" all the ponies yelled out in an loud, but praising voice. Batter Up screamed with them, feeling a passion in his chest. Finally, his chance to shine with the rest of them. Pace Maker, you truly helped me... he thought to himself. All colts and stallions made a line and followed the huge stallion, who was a general. Batter Up saw what sort of training they were talking about. Dummies who were used for sword practice and archery, dumbbells for strength training, courses for agility, sparring sessions for endurance and with a glimp, he saw a library as well. At a sudden point, they stopped. "I will ask an individual to come forward and preform the task I tell him to do. If he succeeds, he will pass. If he loses, he either tries to score at the other challenges, or he leaves immediately. You there, the one with the mix of red and pink, come forward.". He pointed at a colt. The colt slowly walked forward, getting more and more nervous the more colts and stallions stared at him. He had to show his strength by pushing a builder from one line to another one, which was pretty far away. And he had to this in a certain time. They all could see he wasn't the strongest of the bunch, but he still showed some impressive strength. He passed the challenge, and many of the ponies congratulated him. After a few more colts and stallions trying their best, some passed, some left and some stayed for the other challenges. At last, it was the turn for Batter Up. He stepped forward and took his place behind the rock. But before he could push, the general stepped in and looked at the builder. "This is no rock for you, we need a better one to fight your...'style'." he said, almost trying to sound intimidating. A new rock appeared, almost twice the size of the first rock. Batter Up knew the first one would take some strength to push, but this one took loads of it. But he wasn't going to turn down this challenge, not when he could get a chance. "START!" one of the soldiers yelled. He started to push the rock, feeling it sliding over the ground. It was heavy, heavier than anything he ever felt. It took so much energy just to move it a small bit. More...More...More... I have to keep it up... He kept pushing and pushing, feeling more sweat dripping from his body with each time he pushed. The rock kept moving closer and closer, but his body got weaker and weaker. The general had a slight smile on his face, but it was unclear if it was of impression or pleasure to see Batter Up suffer some. Batter up kept pushing and pushing and finally made it to the line. He staggered a little, but kept his balance. The general walked towards him and nodded. "He has passed..." he calmly said. Batter Up felt much better after hearing that. The rest of the tests seem to go pretty smoothly. He wasn't the best, but he was good at all categories. But he wasn't accepted just yet. "All of you that remained, are material for Royal Guards, but there is one last thing before you can start." the general started. "Each one of you have a reason to join us. But without knowing this reason, or even you for that matter, will make us suspicious around you. So we will talk to you all to hear more about yourself. We won't talk to you all today, because many of you want to rest.". That was true, Batter Up was exhausted after all these tests. "Some of the Guards will take you to the sleepingquarters, where you can rest for the time being. Until then, you are dismissed.". 'Dismissed...' Batter Up thought. He liked that word. He felt less like a streetpony and more like a Royal Guard now. The sensation felt good in his head, as the word kept repeating. Once in the sleepingquarters, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep in an instant. He got a step closer, to becoming a real Royal Guard. To be continued. > Minichapter 1 (Mature themes) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- MiniChapter 1: A small nudge woke him up. But he was somewhere different, somewhere unknown. It was a bedroom, but designed with weird colours and beds hanging from the wall and the ceiling. "Where am I?" he asked, but all he got was silence. That was for a few seconds, until he heard a voice, a feminine voice calling out to him. "Take me..." the voice kept on calling to him. He walked towards on of the many doors, opening it slowly. Then he saw her, a beautiful mare laying on a red, heart-shaped bed. She gave him a seductive look as he walked into the room. "Finally, a true stallion... come here, big boy~" she started talking more seductive than first. Batter Up saw her stroking her own figure, which was so amazingly curved, he started to get consumed by lust. He shook his head wildly and looked at her for a second. "W-who are you?". He tried to speak straight, but some words staggered as she stroke the lower parts of her body. "I'm an angel, can't you tell, big boy~?" she said with the same alluring gaze and tone in her voice. She stroke between her hind legs now, letting out a soft moan. Batter Up walked towards the bed, not knowing what got into his mind. "You've... been w-waiting for m-me?" he asked, worrying a little. The mare showed her backside to him. "Of course, you silly. You don't think I want any other stallion to rut me all night, do you...?". He couldn't believe what he just heard, a mare as beautiful as her wanted him to put his stallionhood into her and take it to the max. He sat beside her on the bed now, shaking a little and blushing profusely. He felt her hooves wrapping around him, one dripping with an unidentifiable wetness. "You even feel like the perfect stallion..." she said, as she slowly moved her hooves down, now almost touching his stallionhood. He couldn't stand it any longer now, he became hotter and hotter with each touch of her hooves. He then suddenly leaped on top of her, giving her a hungry look. The mare looked suprised for a moment, but then quickly kissed his cheek. "Take me... take me all the way..." she calmly said, but this time with an emotional gaze. "Don't worry, I won't disappoint you..." he said, smirking a little. He brought his hips forward. He felt her marehood soaking wet against his most private spot. She moaned a little under him. "You like my soaking wet slit...?". Those words made Batter Up gulp for a moment. "Y-yes." he stammered a little. Her hind legs wrapped around him now. she pushed him down, sliding him into her. They both gasped loudly for a moment, then looked in eachother eyes. "Do it, Batter Up..." she said with the same alluring tone she used early. "H-how do you know my name...?" he asked, but before he could get an answer, he felt something hit his face. "WAKE UP, YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A COLT!". He woke up, nearly jumping out of his bed. It was just a dream, he thought. "Finally, you are awake... now get moving or else I will kick you out of this castle with your sorry ass!" a soldier beside his bed said. He got up slowly and followed the soldier to the talk, atleast he hoped it was. To be continued. > Chapter 3 (Teen) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3: Man, so much rewriting on this chapter, and still not satisfied... Ooh, well... Enjoy The courtyard was empty. Most of the colts and stallions were still sleeping, but Batter Up wasn't sleeping anymore. He was awake, following a Royal Guard. "I guess it's my time for the talk, right?" he asked. The Royal Guard looked at him with an angry expression. "Don't ask questions, just follow me...". Batter Up figured he wasn't gonna get an answer, so he shutted his mouth, until he could get a clue what was going on. After a short walk, they arrived at the library. Batter Up looked at it, still amazed about it's size. And he remembered from yesterday, it's even larger on the inside. He foolowed the stallion into the library. Once inside, he felt an uneasy feeling creeping in his stomach. Not misplaced, as he saw Guards everywhere. His eyes widened with suprise, not even the 'incident' had this much Guards. "Welcome, young colt...". An familiar voice came from the corner of the room. The general stepped closer, looking at him with a sinister smile. "It's good to see you here, please take a seat on that chair over there, so we can talk...". He pointed at a chair surrounded by Guards. Batter Up gulped at the sight of it, it reminded him too much of the 'incident'. "N-n-no that's alright, I-I'll will just stand, thank you!" he nearly yelled. The general stood in front of him now. He was way taller than he was, with almost twice the muscle. "What's that, do I hear fear in your voice, recruit...?" he asked, with again, the same sinister smile. Batter Up backed up a little trying to escape the gaze, but suddenly felt him hit something. Two Guards stopped him from moving any further. "What are you hiding, recruit?" the general asked him, but this time without the smile. He was serious now. "N-nothing, sir. It's just that.. ummm... I feel uneasy when many ponies are watching me." he tried to explain. A big lie, sure, but maybe he would take it. "Ooh, that would explain it..," the general said. I think it worked... Batter Up felt a little more confident now. "But..,". "B-but what? You don't believe me, sir?" Batter Up said, trying to sound as convincing as possible. "I don't think that's the case here. You have something about you that gives you away...". The steps towards him became bigger and bigger. "And that thing is... we know you". Suddenly the two Guards behind Batter Up wrapped their hooves around him, keeping him in place. The suprise froze him for a second, but after that second, he started squirming wildly. "HEY, WHAT IS THIS-" he tried to yell, but before he could finish his sentence, a powerful hoof crashed into his stomach. He felt his insides getting smashed, causing him to lose the air from his longs. He gasped loudly as the flock of air escaped his mouth. "Don't think we are a bunch of idiots, recruit. We know more about you than you think..." the general said while cleaning the hoof he punched him with. Batter Up felt like he could throw up any moment. He gasped for air, coughing loudly under his heavy panting. "So, ready to talk about 'it', now?". Batter Up looked up at the general, still gasping, panting and coughing loudly. His expression turned into a depressing face of not only physical, but mental pain as well. He fell to his knees. Please, not anymore, I don't want to go back. I can't, I won't, I shouldn't... Tears appeared at the sides of his eyes. The general tilted up his head to face his own. "What's that? Losing your 'cool' suddenly?" he mocked. "Please, sir, I want to talk, but not with all these Guards around. It... hurts." he said with his full honesty. The general looked him for a moment, then commanded with a flick of his head, that all Guards should leave. Many seemed suprised, but none disobeyed. After all had left, the general helped him up. They both sat down. "Okay then, as I did my part of this 'deal', I expect you do the same.". Batter Up looked at him with a bit of anger, but they quickly turned into innocent eyes. "Thank you, sir. This really helps.". "Cut the crap, I want to know why you are here." the general said emotionless. "I'm... I'm here to join the Royal Guards, sir.". "I understand that, but why does someone like you want to become a Royal Guard?". Batter Up looked at him with sadness in his eyes. "I can't stand it anymore, I felt so horrible after what happened-". "Two years ago? I know all about it." he said crossing his front hooves together. "Ooh... then you know about our gang..." Batter Up replied, sinking into a deeper depression. The general stood up and looked through the windows of the library. "More than I wished for, but we Guards have our duties.". "But after those two years, I began to reconsider my life, and after I heard about the recruitment, I thought I finally found a new life.". The general let out a sigh, then looked back at Batter Up. "This is way different than your usual life. And even though you proved yourself during the tests, I can't let you simply join, because of your background." he explained. Batter Up quickly stood up and looked at him, tears flowing from his eyes. "NO, I CAN'T GO BACK ANYMORE! I WANT TO SHOW MYSELF! EVEN IF I'LL NEVER GET HIGH UP, I WANT TO START A NORMAL LIFE!" he yelled on the top of his longs. The general looked at him with suprising eyes. "I... want to raise my own family and live in peace..." he stammered over his own tears. "That's what's important to me...". A painful silence fell over the library. After perhaps twinty minutes, the general spoke. "You... seem different than the others..," he began. "Not just in the tests, but in life as well. Truth to be told, I came from the streets.". Batter Up looked at him with a glimp of suprise. "Luckily, my father found a job as a Royal Guard, and thanks to him, I became what I am today." the general spoke. "I'm suprised to hear somepony who was just like me.". "I'll give it some thought. Until then, I want you to train as hard as you can. I rather have a pony who's doing something useful than one who wastes all his days being nervous.". Batter Up started to smile with all amazement. "Thank you, sir! I won't turn you down!" he said, sounding way happier than when the talk started. "Yeah, yeah, leave now before I lose my patience...". He galloped towards the library door. But before he left he quckly turned around and asked: "This talk, is just between us, right, sir?". The general gave him a little smile. "My lips are sealed". Batter Up felt his body flowing with new energy. He truly had a new chance now. And again, the words of Pace Maker ringed in his head: "Breath slowly for moment It looks like it's raining like always But it's raining, and it's raining sunlight". He kept on galloping, but before he got back to the sleepingquarters, he stopped. He wasn't tired right now, in fact, he felt right awake. Quickly looking around the yard gave him some ideas. He quickly gathered what he needed. "Okay, time to get to work...". He trained the whole night until the first few colts appeared. His muzzle was sweaty and his mane was completely ruined. Luckily, none of the colts and stallions cared at this point. Most of them searched a place to wake up a little. Some others were talking about things, but Batter Up didn't catch most of it. A bell rang, it was time for breakfast. All ponies stormed inside, many were nearly starving to death. Batter Up followed them. They all got some sloppy food that didn't really look like food, more like something a madscientist would create in his spare time. He sat down on a table with some other ponies talking about their lives before joining the Royal Guards. Some told about how they were lazy before they joined, others told about a special somepony that they lost and so on. At certain point some started to cry a little. Batter Up saw that the circle of ponies talking went straight towards him. At last it was at him who was suppose to talk. "I don't wanna talk about it." he simply replied. "Aaw, come on, just tell us why you are here. All of us did." they all said, sounding like a choir. He stood up, ready to bring the plate back. "Sorry, but I prefer to keep it to myself.". As he walked away, he heard one of the ponies talking between his coughs. "*CoughCough* Egotist *CoughCough*". He stopped for a second, wanting to turn around and see who talked behind his back. But he knew he had to leave that life he lived and quickly continued to walk. After bringing his plate, he went outside. The morning sun started to shine brightly now, throwing beams of sunlight into the courtyard. Batter Up covered his eyes as a beam shone in his eyes. It felt warm, filling him with new energy. And as he looked, he could have sworn he got hit by the brightest of all sunlight. An uneasy, little smile appeared on his face. He didn't knew if he was ready for all that was about to happen, but he knew he was gonna give it his best. Be ready, Royal Guard, because here comes the newest recruit! Another bell meant the training was about to start. He didn't knew which training it was, but he took whatever they threw at him. He galloped after the other recruits. After a short sprint, all ponies got ordered to get in a line. A sergeant looked at the line, inspecting every pony in it. His eyes were cold and emotionless, something you would inspect from said sergeant. Sometimes he yelled at certain colts or stallions to straighten up or stop looking so retarded. Some of it was pretty funny, but Batter Up wasn't about to let his weird sense of humour get him in any trouble. Finally, the training began. As expected, some of them were the same as the tests, only this time they continued on way longer than usual. Batter Up felt his body hurt more and more, after all, he had trained all night. After a long time, perhaps taking the whole morning, the training ended at the end of the afternoon. Most ponies were exhausted, but the drill sergeant didn't care one single bit. He bcame more and more fierce after each part of the training. "You mares are a lot tougher than you look. But that doesn't mean I'll let you off the hook. Time for the last part of the training for today.". "Thank Celestia, I don't know how much longer I can take it..." Batter Up whispered to himself. "The last training for today is something special. We don't usually do this, but sometimes it's entertaining for me." he chuckled at his own joke. Talking about malicious pleasure... The drill sergeant show them a ring on the ground. "This, for all you idiots, is an old sparring ring. We don't use it all that much anymore, but because you all did so well, you're all gonna show what you're capable of.". Batter Up looked at the ring in pure HORROR. The sweat starting dripping from his forehead. He didn't want to fight so quickly, he couldn't control it yet. "You, the dark green one with the baseballbats on his flank, you start first." the sergeant demanded. Just his luck. He slowly stepped into the ring, panicking more and more with each step. The drill sergeant named another pony to come forward. As he looked up, he looked straight into the eyes of a stallion. "Heh, afraid already? Come on, let's just get this over with so I can finally take a nap..." he said, standing taller with each word he said. "Alright, you may begin NOW!". The sparring session began. To be continued. > Chapter 4 (Teen) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before we start, sorry for taking down this story. I had to fix some problems, and I hope you people can enjoy it a little more now. Enjoy the story. Chapter 4: The battle had started, both ponies circling around eachother. Batter kept his eyes on his opponent. The muscles of the stallion were large, so taking him out with strength was out of the question. But before he could think further, the stallion lunged at him, slamming in to him. He crashed into the ground, feeling a pain sink in his left hindleg. "Heh, that's all you have? When you were pushing that rock you seemed to have atleast some power, but I guess my muscles scared you." the stallion said, grinning. Batter quickly jumped up, ignoring the pain and growling a little. The ponies around them started to encourage both of them. "GO GO, WE WANT ACTION!". Both ponies looked around, seeing more and more joining the yelling. "Don't worry, my loyal fans. I will take care of this loser and then you can carry me on your backs!" he yelled at them, sounding more like a king than a recruit. Batter couldn't stand this, but he didn't let it get to his head. "Come on then, I've got better things to do..." he whispered. The stallion turned and just grinned at him. "Yeah, let's do this. Ooh and by the way, the name you will be screaming after this battle is Rush, don't you dare forget it.". After that sentence, Rush lunged himself again. Batter quickly dodged and used his recover to lunge himself in the ribs of Rush. He clashed painfully into Rush's side, hearing some sort of breaking noise. "AAAAAAH!". The stallion yelled loudly as he felt his ribs getting smashed. He stood there for a moment, coughing a little. He looked at Batter, his eyes glowing red with anger. Then the battle didn't became a sparring session anymore, it became a full out war. Rush screamed at the top of his lungs. Batter felt himself taken aback by this sight, his legs weakening under him, knowing what he had done. Rush came back with all his front hooves, punching and slashing away at his face. Blocking them proved useful. But after a little while of only blocking, Batter's arms became weaker and weaker. He either could take them, until Rush lost all his energy, or he could risk his arms being crushed under the great strength of his opponent. And neither seemed pleasant. A hoof nearly hit his nose, but luckily he dodged it just in time. but this was shortlived as he felt the other fronthoof crash on his nose. Pain coursed to everwhere in his face. He felt on his back, luckily catching himself before he hit his head on the ground. "You think it was funny to hit me in my side!? Huh!?" the stallion yelled at him, while stepping closer and closer. "Look, I didn't want to do this anywa-", but before he could finish, he felt a hoof landing in his belly. "SHUT IT! YOU PATHETIC PIECE OF SHIT!" Rush yelled straight in his face. Batter's eyes looked at him with suprise, but then became the same emotionless eyes he had used for so long. The stallion held him down now, keep giving him haymakers to the face. Blocking didn't work this time, as each hit was more and more powerful than the last. Batter looked around him, everything seeming to go in slow motion. All the ponies were yelling at Rush to finish him of, or how big of a wimp he was. He got a glimp of the drill sergeant, looking at him in disgust: Why are you here? Suddenly he felt more hooves slapping him across the face. All went black, and all that could've been heard was: LET'S GO! Batter's eyes became huge again, and then turned into a firey red colour. He grabbed the head of Rush and gave it a headbutt. Even though Rush was a unicorn, and the horn did hit his forehead, he didn't care, he didn't care one bit. Another painful yell came from the stallion, but it was cut of when another headbutt knocked him off. Batter quickly stood up, his eyes, mind and body filled with anger. Rush quickly stood up as well. "YOU... YOU SON OF A BI-" but now it was his time to shut his mouth, as Batter's front righthoof crashed into his mouth. But it wasn't done just yet, his hindlegs wanted some attention as well. He made a swift roundhouse kick with his left hindleg, right across the cheek of the stallion. Some of the ponies started to stop yelling, but just stood there, looking how the tide of battle seemed to turn slowly. Batter felt his muscle tighten with each moment he looked at his opponent. Anger and hatred consumed all the emotions flowing, and seemed to push them further away with each passing second. But Rush wasn't finished just yet. He growled loudly under his pain and became a even bigger threat when he saw a piece of wood laying around. He quickly scooped it up with his teeth and smacked away with it, constantly growling louder and louder. Batter became more angry as well, focusing it all on Rush, not the piece of wood. He kept stepping closer and closer, until the piece of wood coulnd't hit him anymore. Then he let his anger take full control, his eyes widening as wide as they could, his muscles growing to their limit, and finally, his body becoming as hard as a rock. He grabbed the piece of wood and hurled it to the side. Some ponies took at step back at this sight, they all saw what was about to happen. All ponies went silent. Rush looked in suprise, but before he could react, he got hit with every imaginable punch, kick or slash. Batter lost it, his thoughts, his mind and his control, unleashing it all on the stallion. After many and many punches, kicks and slashes, Rush lay there, blood dripping from his mouth, nose and his fur. "Oooowww..." he stammered under Batter's now sweaty body. Batter panted a little, but at last he looked Rush straight in the eyes. "What was that you said earlier? I was suppose to scream your name? How about you scream my name?" he said with a devilish undertone, looking at the now beaten up stallion, shaking a little. "B-but I don't know your name...". "Ain't that a shame?". He wrapped one of Rush's hindlegs and twisted it, so he could hold it in a submission. Rush started to look desperate now. "Please, I promise I will never to this to you again... just please don't-". "Spare me the details, now feel the pain I felt FOR SO BUCKING LONG!" Batter screamed and pulled the hind leg all the way to it's breaking point and beyond. He felt the leg snapping in his hooves, feeling the blood boil as well. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!". All ponies jumped back at the scream, and many gasped as they heard the leg snap. After a moment of the scream and the cries of Rush, Batter let go of the leg and stood up. He looked at the stallion for a moment, before realising what he had done. "Ooh my dear Celestia, I'm so sorry!" he rushed as quickly as he could trying to sound aspologetic as possible. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Rush kept screaming in pain, trying to crawl away further and further. "YOU MONSTER, YOU BROKE MY HINDLEG! YOU...YOU..." he stammered, but finally able to speak the last sentence: "PATHETIC EXCUSE OF BIRTH!!". It became quiet. Very quiet. For some it seemed like quite a weak sentence, but it struck Batter Up like lighting. After all, he didn't knew who were his parents. But the feeling became worse when some ponies sounded like they agreed with Rush. He looked around as all of them gave him angry looks, except for the drill sergeant, he looked at him with disinterest. "B-but... he attacked m-". "DON'T TRY TO SOUND INNOCENT!" one screamed at him. "YEAH, YOU COULD HAVE JUST SAID THAT YOU WANTED HIM TO STOP SO NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, BUT YOU JUST HAD TO BEAT HIM UP, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF LOOKING COOL." another snapped at him. Many joined them with insult after insult. They kept piling up. The nurses came and picked Rush up, bringing him to the ER they had in the castle. Many of the ponies joined Rush, others walked away, still talking about what happened. Some snapped at Batter one last time and then left. After it was quiet again, Batter stood there, still dazed of the insults he had. He felt so lonely now, almost to the point he wanted to cry. The drill sergeant walked up to him. "Just ignore those weaklings, private, you showed some true power there." he said, still sounding emotionless like the first times he talked. "Decent job.". "Thanks..." was all he could reply. He calmly walked to the sleepingquarters, feeling sleepier than ever. "Why did it had to happen today? I... I hurted him so bad..." he whispered to himself. He tried to avoid as much eyecontact as possible, succeeding most of the time. But the times he did look, all he saw were angry and frightened pony eyes. The ones he learned to hate, but now suddenly started to fear. He finally got to his bed, skipping his dinner completely. He didn't want to eat, all he wanted was to sleep and wake up the next morning, discovering that this was just his imagination playing tricks on him. But at the same time, he knew he had bucked it up, losing himself into his old lifestyle again. Dammit, I did so well the first days, and already on the second day... He couldn't handle it anymore. He yawned loudly and fell to sleep, hoping it couldn't get any worse. To be continued. > Chapter 5 (Teen with Mature words) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5 When the sun rose the next morning, a group of ponies were up already. They all stood at the side of a certain bed. All waititng for the pony to wake up. After a little wait, his eyes starting to blink at the morning sun. Batter slowly awoke, still feeling heavy after the bad sleep. He couldn't close his eyes properly the whole night. After he had awaken fully, he saw all the ponies standing around his bed. "Huh...? What's wrong?". But before he got an answer, some of the ponies shoved him out of the bed. He crashed onto the floor, causing him to realise what was happening. All ponies surrounded him, giving him a angry look. One of them gave him a swift kick in the stomach. He gasped as the pain flew through his veins. Many more joined the first pony as they kicked Batter as powerful and as much as they could. Everywhere, kicks flew at the now terrified pony. He tried to protect him, but they're were too many. The pain was unbearable now, feeling like all your muscles were smashed and all your bones were crushed. The beating continued, until finally a Royal Guard came in, hearing the noise. "HEY, ALL OF YOU STAND BACK!" the Guard yelled. They all looked up and took a step back. Batter lay there, shivering and bloody. The Guard looked at him with slight concern. "You okay?". Batter tried to stand, but failed as the pain made all his limbs feel like solid rock. He looked at the ponies one last time, seeing them all grin. And then all went black. He woke up in the ER, still feeling the pain coursing through his body. The nurses were busy looking after others, but one stood at the side of his bed. "Don't try to move, or else the bandages may get loose." she said with concern. Everything was dizzy at first. Things swirling in the distance, voices sounding more like gibberish and his body felt like it was on a boat... when it was storming. But before he had regained his consciousness, he heard a voice. "Rock, please let me stay with... him... he can't live without... his...". Then a spray of red appeared before his eyes and he sat up, gasping loudly. "Ooh dear! Please stay calm, sir." the nurse said as she tried to lay him back down on the bed. "No, please, don't touch me..." he said, trying to sound calm. "Please, sir, it's my job to take care of you and I don't want you to open your wounds.". But he didn't take it. "No! The training will start soon! I can't come late, or else I will lose it all!" he exclaimed, jumping out of his hospital bed and running towards the door. Some nurses turned around to stop him, and so did some Guards. But Batter was outside in a flash, running towards the group of recruits. "Okay, young ones, today we will be practicing with weapons. I presume none of you ever hold a sword before." a rather young Guard explained. None of the ponies held up their hooves. "As expected, but not to worry, I, Sir Gural, will teach all of you how to properly wear a weapon.". He took the sword he had hanging beside his side and unsheated it in a flash. Many ponies were looking in amazement as the stallion hacked away at a group of training dummies, increasing his speed everytime. At last, Batter had catched up and stood behind the group of ponies. He couldn't see what was going on, but at the sound of the other ponies, it must be amazing. Suddenly, a stallion bumped into him, opening a wound and filling his side with terrible pain. "What the buck are you doing here? Weren't you beaten up by us this morning!?" he snapped rather loudly. "Please, leave me alone. I'm here to train, nothing more." he calmly replied, trying not to cry under the sheer pain. The stallion gave him a grumpy sniff and went back into the group. The demonstration had finished, and many of the ponies were clapping at the young stallion. "Thank you, you're too kind~" he said, bowing down at the group. "If you train hard enough, you will be able to use weapons like this sword in no time. But for now, all of the grab a wooden sword from the weapon rack and started practicing on the dummies. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT spar yet. You're all still inexperienced, and I don't want any crying pony telling me that the other had hit him. Now, you may begin!". All ponies ran towards the weapon rack and took a wooden sword. They started looking at it, mostly disappointed it wasn't a real one. Batter took his own sword and started slashing at the wooden dummy. The Guard was right... he thought. It's kinda hard... After the weapon training (and the many ponies who had to go to the ER, because they didn't listen to the Guard), there were the usual thing like powertraining, the running course and teaching in the library. "Please, don't let there be a sparring session..." Batter whispered to himself. Too bad, there was one. It wasn't him in the ring however, just two stallions trying their best to impress the crowd, but most of them laughed at how inexperienced they were at fighting. The night had struck Equestria, and many of the recruits returned to the sleepingquarters after dinner. The training was way more exhausting then yesterday. Batter had a terrible day, almost being unable to breath and sometimes he even blacked out for a moment. Many of the wounds had opened up as well. Luckily, the trainers always seemed to care about his well being, even if they sometimes sounded more like scolds like: "Stand up, recruit! I've seen ponies with broken legs walk better than you!" or "What the hay are you doing!? Yesterday you were atleast active!". Atleast they noticed him, others just ignored him. He didn't go back to the sleepingquarters, he stayed outside, looking at the sparkling moon. The courtyard was quiet, only some talking could be heard from some of the Guards, chatting about the usual things: Lifes, children, marefriends or their husband. Batter continued to walk, his thoughts drifting of. Many were about the times with his gang, the 'incident', the times in jail and... that mare. The mare he saw in his dreams, the one willing to let him rut her all night long. She looked like someone he new, but the points were vague. He couldn't see her face, her cutie mark or even the colour of her fur. Thought after thought, he walked through the courtyard. Hoovesteps could be heard. He turned around. The general stood there, looking at him with a stern look on his face. He knew what he had to say. "Look, sir, I'm sorry about what happened to that stalllion. But I couldn't control myse-". But his halfhearted protest was cut of as the general spoke a unique word: "Batter Up...". "H-how do you know my name!?" he asked with concern. The general stepped closer to him. "Didn't you heard what I told you when we talked in the library? I know all about the incident that happened two years ago. I even know all the names of the gangmembers who survived or didn't run away.". Batter suddenly remembered it. "But why did you remember my name? I was just-". "An Enforcer?" the general quickly spoke, smirking a little. "Yes...". "Look, Batter Up, I believe the fact that you try to show you are Royal guard material, but after everything I've heard about what happened, it starts to look like you don't have the right attitude. I mean, breaking a stallion's leg, just because you're angry? Running out of the ER while you had to heal, causing shock to many of the patients and nurses?" the general asked in a scorning voice. All Batter could do, was looking at the general with the biggest concern he ever felt. This could be the end for his career. "For these sorts of things I can arrest you even!," the general exclaimed with pure anger. "But at the same time...". He started to calm down. "I did get a lot of instructors, complimenting about your commitment. They were impressed at how strong, quick and smart you are.". Batter looked up in suprise, the instructors were talking about him that way? "In fact, the one who sounded most impressed was the drill sergeant, he said that your fighting skills were... astonishing." the general said, sounding a lot less angry now. "That's quite impressive, considering it coming from him..." the general laughed a little. "Yeah, never knew he had a soft spot for a stallion!" Batter laughed. The general started to laugh a bit harder, which caused Batter to laugh louder as well. After a little while, they both laughed rather loudly. "HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Batter laughed as tears of joy rolled down his face. But soon they stopped, as one of the Guards ran towards them. "General, General!" he yelled. The general quickly turned serious again. "What is it, soldier?" he asked. The soldier quickly catched his breath. "We've got some problems in Canterlot, sir! A group of thugs are vandalizing some stores in on the west side of the city!". The general shook his head. "Those same guys again, why don't they ever leave...?". He then looked at Batter. "Soldier, I want you to join me on this mission. We don't have much time, so we better start moving." he said, giving him a slight smile. "Yes, Sir!" Batter Up replied in a confirming voice. Then they both took of, together with the Royal Guard. My first mission, just on the second day~ Batter Up could hardly hold his squeak as he followed the general, now accomponied with a group of Guards. After a long time galloping, the arrived at the carnage. Many ponies were laying to the walls, scared stiffless as the group of thugs continued to vandalize any and all stores they could get their hooves on. Some took the owners out and beat them up, while others took all the bits, food and jewelry. "HALT! YOU ARE ALL UNDER ARREST!" the general spoke. The group of thugs looked at him with unpleasent eyes. "Make Us...". To be continued.