> Angels Among Us
>  by Dash32
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot. A quiet, somewhat peaceful town. Home of the Friendship Games. Home of the Humane 7. At least it was...before the war.

The day started out normal. Sunny skies, cool weather. Not a cloud in sight. But all of that changed while the Humane 7 were spending their time doing their usual routine standing in front of the statue.

Each girl had a smile on their face and was laughing, until they heard a noise in the distance.

“Ya'll hear that?” Applejack asked.

Sunset Shimmer, the newest addition to the group took a second to listen. 

“I hear it too. What is that?” She asked.

The noises got louder and louder until the school yard was flooded by Humvee's and a Boeing CH-47 Chinook. Seconds later, a man garbed in digital camouflage exited the chopper and approached the girls.

“Can we help you?” Sunset asks.

“Yes you may. We need two girls by the names of Rainbow J. Dash and Jacqueline O. Apple.”

“That's us.” Applejack replied.

“You too need to come with us.” Said the man.

Rainbow Dash crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.

“Says who?” She asks.

“Says the United States Military. You two are being drafted.”

“Whoa whoa whoa whoa...drafted?! For what?!” Rainbow asked again.

“To fight in the war. The military is running low on good men and women. So the President has ordered a draft.”

“But...that means we'll have to leave everything behind. Our friends...our family...all of it.”

“I'm sorry. I wish it had not come to this. But this needs to happen if we are going to win this war and ensure the safety of this country.” He replied.

Applejack sighed in defeat.

“C'mon Dash. No use in arguin'. If'n the man says we gotta go. We better listen. Sir?”

“Please. Call me Admiral Stone.”

“Right. Admiral Stone. D'ya mind if we say goodbye first, since we don't know when we're comin' back?”

Admiral Stone got a sad look in his eye.

“I can't promise that either of you will come back at all. But take all the time you need.”

“Thanks.”

As he stood and watched, the two girls started saying their goodbyes to their friends. Rainbow Dash walked up to Pinkie Pie.

“Well. He he. I...uh...guess I'll see ya later Pinks. If I don't make it back...Pinkie Promise you'll never stop smiling.”

Pinkie Pie immediately grabbed Rainbow Dash in a bone crushing hug with tears pouring from her eyes.

“Oh Dash! Please come back! We'll all be super sad without you two! I wanna bake a big welcome home cake for you girls! Now go kick meanie butt!!”

“Pinkie...can't...breathe!! Need...air!!!”

Pinkie pie immediately released her friend and blushed.

“Oops. Sorry!”

Rainbow Dash smiled and hugged Pinkie back, gentler than Pinkie had done.

“I'm gonna miss you Pinks.”

“You too Dashie...”

Rainbow Dash let go and walked over to Rarity before giving her a smile.

“Well...heh...it's been fun. We sure got on each other's nerves didn't we?”

“Yes, quite.”

Rarity suddenly trapped her rainbow haired friend in a hug. Rainbow returned the embrace.

“Be safe darling.”

“I'll try Rares. I promise. Tell ya what. I'm only going to do this once because you're my friend. But how about when me and Applejack come back I let you make us some new outfits. Sound good?”

Rarity smiled and teared up.

“That sounds lovely. We'll all miss you while you are gone.”

“We'll miss you girls too. And we will do our damnedest to come back in one piece.”

“You'd better.”

Finally after what seems like an eternity, the two friends let go and departed. Rainbow stopped in front of Twilight, who had been clenching her fists to keep from crying.

“Like I just got done telling Rarity, we are gonna miss you girls.”

“You too. Please make it back.”

“I'm sure as hell gonna try Twi. I promise that.”

Twilights barrier finally broke and she let out heavy sobs. Rainbow Dash wrapped her in a hug.

“Hey hey...shhh. I'll do my best to come back. But even if I don't...don't let the grief consume you.”

Twilight sniffed and nodded before Rainbow Dash broke the hug and walked over to Sunset Shimmer.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” Sunset replied.

“So I guess this is it huh?”

Sunset fixed Rainbow with a stern glare.

“Don't ever talk like that. You'll make it back in one piece. You have to have faith Dash. I believe in you both just like you believed in me all those years ago. Just go out there, kick ass, and come back home. We'll be waiting for you.”

Rainbow Dash smiled.

“You got it.”

“Stay safe Dash.”

“You know I will Sunset.”

With nothing else to say, Rainbow Dash walked over to the only person she hasn't said goodbye to yet. Fluttershy was visibly shaking and heavily sobbing. Rainbow Dash frowned and tightly gripped her girlfriend into a hug.

“It's alright babe. Go ahead. Let it all out.”

Fluttershy buried her face in Rainbows shoulder and continued to cry. Neither said anything for a while until Fluttershy raised her head and looked into Rainbow's magenta eyes.

“P-Please don't go...please...” She whispered shakily.

“I wish I didn't have to Flutters. But you know how it works. If you get drafted you HAVE to go or else you get prison time. I have to do this babe. If I could I would stay here with you.”

Rainbow looked over to Applejack who was currently wrapping Rarity into a teary-eyed grip.

“We have to do this Fluttershy. And I swore a long time ago that I would do anything to keep you safe. Even if that means sacrificing my life for those I love.”

Both girls were in tears. Rainbow took a deep breath and continued.

“I promise, when I get back I am never leaving you again. I Pinkie Promise. It'll be okay Flutters. You won't even notice I'm away.”

“That's not true...”

Rainbow Dash cupped Fluttershy's face in her hands.

“I love you Flutters.”

“I-I love you so much Dashie...”

Rainbow started to tear up again.

“I want you to have something.”

Rainbow took out a pendant and opened it. Inside was a small photograph of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash as kids. It was the day Rainbow stood up for her against the bullies. Upon seeing the picture Fluttershy covered her mouth with one hand and held the pendant with the other.

“Oh Dashie! Please come back. It would tear me apart if you were taken from us. Please!”

Grasping her girlfriend in another hug she attempted to calm her down.

“It's okay hun. If I don't come back, remember this...I didn't go out without a fight, and you were always on my mind and in my heart. And if I don't make it back. Know that I love you and always have.” Rainbows voice cracked a bit as her eyes started welling up with tears.

“I love you too Dashie...”

After a few minutes the girls had said their goodbyes and were about to depart. But Applejack suddenly stopped for something else.

“Hey Sunset?”

“What is it AJ?”

Applejack removed her hat and places it into the redheads hands.

“Give this to Apple Bloom for me will ya? Just in case Ah don't make it back?”

Sunset tried to stop the tears from leaking out and nodded.

“I will AJ. You two just come home safe.”

“Thanks. Well, Ah guess we better get going. C'mon Dash.”

“Alright. Hey ‘Shy? Tell Scoots I said goodbye for me would ya?”

“I will Dashie...”

“Thanks...”

The two girls entered the back of the Chinook before taking their seats. As the loading door closed, Applejack and Rainbow Dash waved goodbye to their friends. The door closed and the helicopter took to the air and the Humvee's drove out of sight.
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next couple hours after their departure was  met with silence. Applejack looked over and saw that Rainbow Dash was really tense. Her hands were clasped together tightly, her jaw was clenched and her eyes as wide as saucers. Applejack placed a hand on her shoulder, making her jump at the contact.

“You alright, Dash?” She asked with a concerned look.

Rainbow Dash gave her a weak smile.

“Sure! W-Why wouldn't I be? I mean it's not like we're going into an area that has been marked extremely dangerous, only to put our lives on the line and sacrifice everything we know and love just to fight the people who control the area. Not to mention we might actually die! So yeah! I'm just peachy!” Rainbow Dash said as her voice got higher with every word.

Applejack wrapped her arms around her trembling friend and tried to comfort her.

“It's alright Dash. Ah'm scared too. Ah'd be lyin' if Ah said otherwise. And ya know Ah don't do that. Besides, who says we ain't comin' back at all? Who knows? Maybe you an' Ah will be so good that we can end this war together. Just the two of us.”

Rainbow put on another weak smile. A real one that time.

“Thanks, AJ. Don't know what I'd do without you.”

Applejack smiled back.

“Anytime Sugarcube.”

Admiral Stone walked up and began to give orders.

“Listen up! Over the course of the next sixteen weeks you two will be trained, tested, and beaten! You will be put into situations that test your ability to make judgement calls! You will wake up at 4am every single day and be ready for daily drills by 4:15 not a minute more not a minute less! There will be no whining, no moaning, no groaning, no bitching about the situation and no negotiations! You wake up at 4am, training from 4:15am to 4:15pm, lunch in the mess hall at 4:30pm, then you're free to do anything you wish from then to 8pm! Then it's lights out! You may only leave the base once every three months for two days! Anything past that will be considered insubordination and will be treated as such! Clear?!”

“Yes sir.” Both girls said together.

“I SAID IS THAT CLEAR?!!!”

“YES SIR!!!” They said again.

“Good.”

“Ready to land sir!” The pilot yelled.

“Put 'er down easy Sergeant!”

“Yes sir!”

Once the helicopter landed the loading door opened to reveal a military base. Men and women of every size and shape were scattered all over the base. Tents, Humvee's, choppers, and medical bays were in view. Off in the distance a landing strip could be seen. A series of jets taking off for aerial maneuvers.

“Welcome to Fort Campbell!”

Rainbow Dash gulped and started shaking again. Applejack placed a hand on her shoulder again. Rainbow stopped shaking and smiled. Admiral Stone and the two girls walked up to a woman in uniform. She's was as tall as Rainbow but more built.

“Staff Sergeant Fury.”

Ssgt. Fury stood at attention.

“At ease Staff Sergeant.”

The woman relaxed.

“What can I do for you Admiral?”

“We got two newbies joining us. I need you to show them to the barracks and get them settled in. Got it?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good. Best be getting comfortable girls. This is your new home for the next four years.”

Rainbow didn't like hearing that.

“FOUR YEARS?!!”

“That's right. That's the minimal standard for military service. You both will be assigned a division to join. I can't promise it will be the one you want the most, but regardless, you'll have to get used to it.”

“Staff Sergeant. Girls.” Admiral stone saluted the three.

Ssgt. Fury saluted back.

“Admiral.”

Admiral Stone walked away leaving them alone.

“Let's go newbies. Need to get you settled in before lunchtime.”

“Yes ma'am.” Applejack said.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed the woman throughout the base. On the way there, Rainbow Dash could clearly hear some of the people whispering about them.

“I don't like this place already.” She said.

“Don't worry about them. They're all talk and no bite. They try anything with you two, they answer to General Sentry.”

“Okay.”

A few minutes later they entered the barracks.

“This is where you'll be sleeping.”

The place was exactly like you'd expect the barracks to be. After walking through a single door, you found yourself in a really thin room with bunk beds lining both sides of the room. Small dressers in front of the beds.

“Mind showing us the mess hall?” Rainbow asked.

“This way.”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed the woman to a large building. Walking through the doors, it was exactly like a mess hall should be. A big empty room with tables neatly aligned through it.

“This is where you will eat lunch once a day everyday.”

“What do they serve here?” Rainbow asked.

“We're still trying to figure it out.” Responded the Staff Sergeant.

“That's reassuring.” Rainbow responded rolling her eyes.

After a silent ten minute walk, the three women arrived at a field with various obstacles scattered about the complex.

“This is where you will train each and everyday. If your muscles ain't burning then you're doing something wrong. You'll be out here before the sun even cracks that sky and you'll go until lunchtime. Got it?”

“Yes ma'am.”

“Good. Now that that's all taken care of I'll let you girls get settled in. Dismissed.”

Ssgt. Fury gave them a dismissing salute before walking away. Applejack and Rainbow Dash responded in unison.

Watching the woman walk away, Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack with displeased eyes.

“I hate it here already.”

“Ah ain't exactly thrilled to be here either Dash. But we might as well get used to it.”

“Great...”
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I'm scared AJ.”

“Ah understand Rainbow, Ah'm scared too. I ain't ever been in a situation like this before so Ah'm in the same boat as you.”

“But you've shot and killed things before haven't you?”

“Yes, but that's different. Puttin' an animal down is completely different than killin' another human being. Ah couldn't fathom doin' that.”

It had been fifteen minutes since Ssgt. Fury left them by themselves. Dash was still trying to wrap her head around the situation. Yes, both girls have dealt with death before, but neither girl had killed a person before. This was a whole new ball game for the two of them. After a while both girls were startled by the door to the barracks being slammed open.

“Shower time ladies! Move it!!”

“Ugh. That's going to get on my nerves really quick.”

“Keep it together Dash. We don't need to be causin' trouble just 'cause someone rubbed ya the wrong way.”

“I can't promise anything”

Without another word, Rainbow Dash walked out with an angry expression. Applejack rubbed the bridge of her nose in irritation.

“Oy...”

Applejack broke into a jog to keep up with Rainbow Dash until they got to the showers. As soon as they walk in their eyes were bombarded by nothing but naked women within every square foot of the shower room. Both girls turned a deep red in embarrassment.

“Uuuuuuuh....” Rainbow mutters.

“Hooboy.” Applejack replied wishing she had kept her hat.

Applejack walked up to one of the women and got her attention.

“Uh, pardon me. But are there any closed stalls we could use?”

“Nope. Whatcha see is whatcha get.”

“Oh. Well, alright then, Ah'll let ya get back to it.”

Applejack, having avoided looking at anything, kept her hand shielded over her eyes just enough to where she could still see where she was going. Hand still over her eyes, she walked back over to Rainbow Dash.

“Well it looks like we ain't gotta choice. We're gonna hafta shower in front of each other.” Applejack sighed.

“Shit...”

“Let's get this over with. Ah wanna be done as soon as possible.”

“Same.”

Without another word, the two girls began removing their clothing until they were as naked as the day they were born. They silently looked each other over and blushed before quickly averting their eyes.

“Nice abs...” Applejack said, still deep red.

“Thanks...uh...nice tits...” Rainbow replied and quickly realized how that sentence sounded.

“Uh. I didn't mean it like that... I just figured, y'know, I should say something back...”

“S'alright Dash. Ah appreciate the compliment. No matter how it sounded.”

AJ and Rainbow Dash smiled at each other, but it didn't make the situation any less awkward.

“Well, what do we have here?”

AJ and Rainbow Dash turned around to see who the voice belonged to. There, in all her naked glory, was the legendary Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts Air Force.

“Oh my gosh!!! AJ, do you have any idea who this is?!!” Rainbow practically squealed.

“Well, if Ah remember faces right from the ones ya showed me back home, Ah'm gonna say this is Captain Spitfire of the world famous Wonderbolts?”

“I'm guessing you ladies are fans?” Spitfire asked amused.

Jamming a thumb in Rainbow's direction, Applejack replied.

“She is, Ah don't pay attention enough to know a whole lot about ya.”

“Is it true that you hold the record for the most enemy kills and the most POW rescues in any military history?!” Rainbow asked, practically fangirling.

“Well, yeah, it's true...but it's not exactly something to be proud of.”

Rainbow finally snapped out of her stupor and blushed.

“Oh...right. My apologies ma'am.”

“Ugh...please don't call me ma'am. Makes me feel old.” Spitfire smiled.

“Heh...right. Wait...how old are you?” Rainbow asked.

“You say you're my biggest fan. I'm sure you can figure it out.” She replied.

“Well let's see...you signed up for the military shortly after your eighteenth birthday. You've been in it for roughly thirteen years. So that would make you...thirty-one?”

“Smart kid.”

“She usually ain't that good with numbers.” Applejack smiled.

“Oh shut up. Like you're any better?”

“Ah have ta be in order ta deal with the farms stocks an' revenue. Otherwise it wouldn't be a business and my family would be broke and homeless.”

“Fair point.”

“Well it looks like Skittles here is going to be taking orders from me for the next four years.” Spitfire smirked.

“Wait, you mean—”

“That's right. Welcome to the Air Force newbie.” Spitfire said holding out a hand, which Rainbow Dash shook immediately.

“It's a pleasure to be working with you ma–I mean, Captain.”

“Likewise. I'll see you on the field.”

Spitfire walked away, leaving Applejack and Rainbow Dash in silence. Until realization hit.

“Wait a minute...did she just call me ‘Skittles’?!
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I'm telling you Applejack! I do NOT look like a damn bag of skittles!”

Rainbow and Applejack had just finished their shower and were on their way back to the barracks. Applejack rolled her eyes.

“The only way you could look anymore like a bag of skittles is if you had red skin.”

Applejack unscrewed the cap off of a bottle of water she was carrying with her and took a drink. Rainbow Dash smirked evilly.

“In my defense, I know people would just LOVE to taste the rainbow. Just ask Fluttershy.”

Applejack choked mid-drink and coughed madly, her cheeks flushed deep red.

“D-Dammit Dash Ah did not need ta hear that!!”

“Bahahahahahaha!! Too easy!!! Hahahahaha!!”

Applejack glared at Rainbow as she kept walking. Soon they entered the barracks and plopped down on their respective beds.

“Ugh...”

Silence.

“I miss the girls already AJ...”

“Me too Dash. Me too.”

“Why did WE have to get called into this?”

“Both our names were on the ballad, Dash. We signed the papers when we turned eighteen remember?”

Rainbow Dash grunted angrily.

“Stupid government mandate.”

“Yeah.”

“AJ?”

“Yeah Rainbow?”

“If there was one thing you could choose that you regret. What would it be?”

Applejack took a moment to think before taking a deep breath, and letting it out with a sigh.

“Ah regret leavin' ya'll after losin' the rodeo a few years back. It was right foolish of me. Ah shoulda just fessed up instead of trying to hide it.”

“Yeah well, we still forgave you.”

Applejack smiled at the rainbow haired girl.

“What about you?”

Rainbow Dash frowned a bit.

“I regret not accepting my dads apology before he passed...”

Applejack felt her heart sink at the sudden confession.

“I remember when I came out to my parents. When I told them I was gay...I got mixed reactions. Mom was proud that I had the courage to tell them. She said as long as I was happy, then so was she. My dad on the other hand...he didn't take it as well as she did. He just kinda stayed quiet and I asked him what was wrong. He said...”

Rainbow Dash started tearing up trying to hide her sadness.

“It's okay Rainbow. Ya don't have ta continue if ya don't want...”

“No. I have to....”

Applejack nodded and waited for her friend to continue.

“H-He said I was a monster. A freak....an abomination...that all I needed was some dick and that would steer me on the right path. I told him that I knew what I was doing and I wasn't interested in guys. B-But...what he said next really hurt me...”

Applejack sat patiently, now sitting up on her bed with a look of concern. Rainbow Dash bit her lip and steeled herself for her next bombshell.

“H-He said...‘Then you are no daughter of mine.’...”

Applejack gripped her bed sheets with anger. Gritting her teeth she could feel her temper skyrocketing.

“I...I ran out of the house crying. Came back a few hours later but I didn't talk to him. I didn't want to see him. Didn't talk to him for months. Eventually I got my own apartment. Got a job and everything. A couple of months go by and I hear knocking at my door. And wouldn't ya know it...it's my dad. S-So he starts rambling on about how he was in the wrong...how he should have never said those things to me and practically begged me to forgive him.”

Rainbow started sobbing quietly to herself.

“I-I was still so mad at him...I just...shut the door in his face and walked away. Never heard from him again...until about another six or seven months go by and I get a call...I-It was my mom...s-she called to tell me that dad had passed away in his sleep...had a heart attack or something...and...for the first time in over a year I showed true emotion towards him...I just crumpled to the floor and started screaming and bawling...”

Rainbow looked up at the blonde cowgirl with tears in her eyes.

“I-I never got to say goodbye...I never got to talk to him again because I was too stupid to put aside my anger and forgive him...I'll never get the chance now...”

The rainbow haired girl finally started sobbing louder. Applejack quickly moved to her and wrapped her in a hug. Rainbow immediately accepted.

“Oh sugarcube...ah'm so sorry....Ah know how ya feel...not about the gay thing...but Ah know what it's like ta lose people ya love...even if ya might not want to love them fer somethin' they did. If ya ever wanna talk about somethin' that's eatin' ya up. If ya got somethin' on yer mind ya need ta get out in the open. Ah'm here for ya.”

Rainbow sniffled and took a few minutes to get her emotions under control.

“T-Thank you AJ...”

“Anytime honey...”

A few seconds later the doors of the barracks opened and Staff Sergeant Fury's voice echoed through the building.

“Lights out ladies! We got a early start tomorrow!”

She walked off without another word.

“Well. Ah guess we should be gettin' ta bed.”

“Yeah...”

Both girls slipped under the covers of their respective bunks. Rainbow Dash took the top one, while Applejack took the bottom one.

“Night Dash.”

“Night AJ.”

Within minutes both girls were sound asleep ready for tomorrow's training.
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning was going to be a tough one. Four in the morning was too early to get up, even for Applejack. And yet, she was the first one awake and dressed by 3:30am. After having the next half an hour free to her thoughts, Applejack was suddenly startled by the door flying open and hitting the wall with a bang. The sudden sound woke everyone else up from their slumber. Admiral Stone walked in already dressed and ready.

“Rise and shine maggots! It's time to get your asses in gear! Let's go let's go! Up! Get up!!”

Applejack stood at attention by her bunk before she realized there was one person missing. She nervously elbowed the bed in an attempt to wake her rainbow haired friend.

“Dash...wake up. It's time to get to work!” She mumbled quietly. Rainbow mumbled in her sleep.

Applejack frantically tried to wake Rainbow from her slumber, to no avail. After everyone else was up and dressed they all stood at attention by their respective bunks. Admiral stone walked down each aisle, inspecting their beds and uniforms. He walked by each nervous recruit without a word, but stopped at Applejacks bunk. He looked at her, making the farm girl gulp nervously before he looked up at the sleeping girl in the top bunk. His jaw flexed as he looked back down at the farm girl.

“Step aside, Private.”

Applejack gulped and took a step away from the bunk. Admiral Stone stepped up to the bunk before grabbing the edge of the mattress and flipping it over, knocking Rainbow Dash out of the top bunk and to the floor.

“WAAH!!” She yelped, startled by the sudden movement.

“Get up you lazy sack of shit!! There will be no sleeping while I am in your vicinity! Do you understand me?!”

“Sir, yes, sir!”

"I can't fucking hear you!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“Get up and get dressed, Private.”

“Sir, yes, sir!!”

Rainbow Dash quickly got herself dressed before taking position next to Applejack and standing at attention. Admiral Stone gave her a hard glare before pacing up and down the room from one end to the other.

“My name is Admiral John Stone. Until further notice I will not only be your senior drill instructor, I will be your worst nightmare. From now on you will speak only when spoken to. And the first and last words out of your filthy little cum dumpsters will be Sir and ONLY Sir, do you understand?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!” The recruits sounded off.

“Bullshit, I can't hear you, sound off like your a soldier and not a fucking toddler!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!!” They sound off again.

“If You ladies survive these next few weeks in Hell, you will be a weapon by the time comes for you to be sent out into the Lazarus Pit. You will be another pawn added to the board and nothing more! But until that day, you are NOTHING. You are lower than even the lowest form of life on Earth. From this day forward you are not to even be called human fucking beings. You are nothing but worthless, sniveling, embarrassing pieces of shit. Because I am a hard ass, NONE of you will like me, but the more you hate me, the more you will learn that the enemy is NOT your friend. I am hard but I am fair. There is no racial bigotry here in my beloved Corps. I do not discriminate against spear chuckers, Jews, Dagos or Bog-Trotters. Here, you are all at the same level of wasted garbage scattered over the earth. And my orders are to weed out all of you pussies who do not pack the gear to serve under my instructions. Do you understand that?

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Bullshit, I can't hear you!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!” 

Admiral Stone stops in front of a heavy built, African American man before staring him in the eye.

“What is your name, scumbag?”

“SIR, PRIVATE KALE, SIR!!”

“Bullshit, from now on you are Private Dickweed. Do you like that name?”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“Well there is one thing that you won't like, Private Dickweed. They do not serve koolaid and bottles of Hennessey on a daily basis in my mess hall.”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

Suddenly one of the other Privates from the other side of the room mutters under his breath.

“This guy is old enough to be my grandfather...”

“Who said that? WHO THE FUCK SAID THAT?!! WHO'S THE SLIMEY WORTHLESS LITTLE SHIT COCKSUCKER DOWN HERE, WHO JUST DUG HIS OWN FUCKIN GRAVE?!!”

Everyone stays silent.

“NOBODY, HUH?! THE FUCKING EASTER BUNNY SAID IT THEN!! I SWEAR TO JESUS I WILL PUT YOU ALL THROUGH PT TRAINING UNTIL YOU FUCKING WEEP FOR MERCY!! I WILL PT YOU UNTIL YOU ASSHOLES ARE BEGGING AND CLAWING TO GET OFF MY ISLAND!!”

Admiral Stone grabs one of the Privates by the collar of his shirt.

“WAS IT YOU YOU WORTHLESS LITTLE FUCK, HUH?!!”

“Sir, no, Sir!!”

“YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT, YOU LOOK LIKE A FUCKING WEASEL!! I BET IT WAS YOU!!”

“Sir, no, Sir!”

Finally the Private that made the comment speaks up.

“Sir, I said it, Sir...”

Admiral Stone let's go of the Private and walks up to the perpetrator.

“Well, well, the truth comes out. We got ourselves a fucking comedian in our midst! I like guys like you. I may even let you come down to my parents place to fuck my mother!”

Admiral Stone suddenly hits the young man in the stomach, knocking the air out of him and causing him to fall to the floor.

“YOU LITTLE SCUMBAG!! I GOT YOUR FUCKING NUMBER!! YOU WILL NOT LAUGH, YOU WILL NOT CRY, YOU WILL NOT SPEAK UNLESS SPOKEN TO! YOU WONT EVEN FUCKING BREATHE UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO! NOW GET UP, GET ON YOUR FEET!! You had best unfuck yourself or I swear to Jesus I will SHIT in your cornflakes!!”

“Sir, yes, sir!!

“What's your name, scumbag?!”

"Sir, Private Jackson, Sir!”

“Bullshit your names Private Pussypuffs! Do you like that name?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Private Pussypuffs, why did you join my beloved Corps?”

“Sir, to kill, Sir!!”

“So you want to be a killer?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!!”

“Let me see your war face!”

“Private Pussypuffs” hesitates at the last statement.

“Sir?”

“Did i st-t-t-tutter junior?! LET ME SEE YOUR WAR FACE!!"

“AAAAAH!!!”

“What the fuck was that?! Come on! Let me see your real war face!!"

“AAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

“Holy shit i think my bunny slippers just ran for cover, Private! You may want to become a Marine, Private Pussypuffs but you are on the wrong track for that!! Work on it!"

“Sir, yes, Sir!!” 

Stone walked back over to the soldier he grabbed previously and stared him down. 

“What's your excuse?”

“Sir, excuse for what, Sir?”

“I'M ASKING THE FUCKING QUESTIONS HERE PRIVATE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Well, thank you very much. Can i be in charge of my own platoon for once?!"

“Sir, yes, Sir!!”

“Are you nervous, Private?”

“Sir, I am, Sir!”

“Do I make you nervous?”

“Sir...”

“Sir what? Were you about to call me a jackass?!”

“Sir, no, Sir!!”

“How tall are you, Private?!”

“Sir, Six feet even, Sir!!”

“Six foot even, I didnt know they stack trash that high! Are you trying to compesnate for something here, Private?! HUH?!"

“Sir, no, Sir!!”

“Bullshit, I think you have been cheated! Where the Hell are you from anyway, Private?!

“Sir, Nevada, Sir!!”

“Holy dogshit, Nevada? Then you may have heard that there was a fire at UNLV that destroyed over a hundred books in the library! Did you hear anything about that?!"

“Sir, no, Sir!!”

“It turns out that the real tragedy was that over half of them hadn't been colored in yet!!"

“I bet you are the kind of guy that if he were locked in a room by himself he'd roll his turds into little balls and eat crayons for lunch out of boredom! I will be watching you!”

Admiral Stone walked up to a heavy set man in uniform struggling to keep a smirk off his face.

“Did your parents have any children that live?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“I bet they regret that. You are so ugly you could be a modern art masterpiece! What is your name, fatbody?!

“Sir, Johnny Vale, Sir!”

“What the fuck kind of name is that?! You sound like your name could be used as a brand of womens perfume!! Do you wear perfume Private Vale?!"

“Sir, no, Sir!”

“That name sounds like royalty! Are you royalty Private Vale?!

“Sir, no, Sir!!”

“Do you suck dicks?!”

“Sir, no, Sir!!”

“Thats a bunch of horse shit, I bet you could suck a football through a catheter!!"

“Sir, no, Sir!!”

“I don't like the name Vale, only faggots and reporters are called Vale! From now on you are Ricky Retardo!"

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Do you think I am cute, Private 'Tardo?! Do you think I am some kind of comedian?!"

“Sir, no, Sir!!”

“Then wipe that shit eating grin off your face right now before i take it off myself!!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!!”

Private Vale struggled to keep a straight face.

“WELL, ANY-FUCKING-TIME, ASSHOLE!!”

“Sir, I am trying, Sir!”

Private 'Tardo, I am gonna give you five seconds to wipe that stupid-looking grin off your face, or I WILL RIP OFF YOUR ENTIRE FACE AND SKULL-FUCK YOU!! ONE!! TWO!! THREE!! FOUR!!! FIVE!!"

“Sir, I can't help it, Sir!”

“BULLSHIT! GET ON YOUR KNEES ASSHOLE!!!”

Private Vale obeys and falls to his knees. Admiral Stone puts a hand up.

“Now choke yourself.”

Vale wraps his own hands around his throat and starts to choke himself.

“GODDAMN IT, WITH MY HAND YA FUCKIN' JACKASS!!”

Vale attempts to grab Admiral Stones hand and pull it to his neck.

DON'T PULL MY FUCKING HAND OVER THERE, FOR ALL I KNOW YOU'll USE IT TO JACK YOURSELF OFF WITH!! NOW I SAID CHOKE YOURSELF!! LEAN FORWARD INTO MY HAND AND CHOKE YOURSELF!!"

Vale leans into Admiral Stones hand, who starts squeezing his throat. Private Vale's face turns red from lack of air.

“ARE YOU THROUGH GRINNING LIKE AN IDIOT?!!”

“S-Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Bullshit, I can't hear you!” 

“S-Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Bullshit, I still can't hear you!! Sound off like you got a pair!!

“S-SIR, YES, SIR!!

“One more chance, Private! Or I swear to Jesus I will choke you so hard you'll put the Smurfs to shame!”

“S-Sir, yes, Sir!!”

“That's enough, get on your feet!! Private Vale, you had best square your ass away and get with the program or will fuck you up so bad the EMT's will put you out of your misery themselves!!"

“Sir, yes, Sir!!”

Admiral Stone walked over in front of Rainbow Dash and glared at her.

“What's your name scumbag?!”

“Sir, Private Rainbow Dash, Sir!!”

“Holy shit, just when I thought names couldn't get any more fruity!! Private Dash are you a faggot?!”

“Sir?!”

“Are you deaf, Private Dash, I asked you a fucking question!! Are you queer?!!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!!”

“Private Dash, why did you join my beloved Corps?!”

Rainbow Dash glares a bit but keeps her resolve.

“Sir, we were drafted, Sir!!”

“We, who's we?!”

“Sir, Private Apple and I, Sir!”

“Are you and Private Apple fuck-buddies, Private?!”

“Sir, no, sir!”

“Bullshit, I bet your fingers are so far up her pussy you could use her as a hand-puppet!!”

“Sir, no, Sir!”

“Are you dating anyone Private Dash?!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Not anymore, Private! I'm willing to bet your girl has already moved on and fucked six other people by now!!”

“Sir, she would never do that to me, Sir!”

“How the fuck would you know that, scumbag?! You aren't even there for her when she probably needs you the most!!”

“Sir, because I trust her, Sir!!”

“We'll see about that Private!”

Admiral Stone looked away and started glaring at Applejack.

“What the hell are you doing here you inbred fuck?!”

“Sir, Private Dash already told ya, Sir!”

“Are you being smart with me, Private?!”

“Sir, no, Sir!!”

“What's with the accent, Private?!”

“Sir, what accent, Sir!!”

“Don't you play dumb with me Private, I asked you a fucking question!!”

“Sir, Ah was born in the South, Sir!”

“So was I but you don't hear me speaking like I never made it through grade school! You need to enunciate your words, Private!!”

“Sir, Yes, Sir!”

”Are we all clear on what's what, recruits?!”

“Sir, Yes, Sir!!” Everyone yells.

“Bullshit, I can't hear you! Sound off like you got a pair!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“Well what the fuck are we all standing around for with our thumbs up our asses!! Get your worthless asses out on the course AND START TRAINING!!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Dismissed!!”

With the final word spoken, the nervous recruits made their way out onto the field to start the day.
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After everyone got outside they began their training, beginning with push-ups, sit-ups and other forms of exercise. After stretching out their limbs they lined up in formation as per Admiral Stones orders.

“Before you begin your training I will take you on a ten mile journey to Hell around this camp! You will not like me on this journey! You will not make a fucking sound while we are on this journey! The only words I should hear out of your worthless mouths are repeated after me! Do you maggots understand that?!

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Bullshit I can't hear you! I SAID DO YOU UNDERSTAND MAGGOTS?!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!”

“If I hear one single semblance of a complaint out of ANY of you along this hike I will make you ALL sprint back to your barracks naked as a jaybird and make you do it AGAIN!! Do you maggots understand?!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“If any of you worthless pieces of garbage fall down on this journey, we will not wait for you! You will get back up and pick up the pace or be left to die! Do you understand that?!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Repeat after me! Mama and papa were laying in bed!”

The recruits all sounded off in unison.

“Mama and Papa were laying in bed!!”

“Mama rolled over, this is what she said!”

“MAMA ROLLED OVER, THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID!!”

“Ah, gimme some!”

“AH, GIMME SOME!!”

“P.T.!”

“P.T.!!”

“Good for you!”

“GOOD FOR YOU!!”

“Good for me!”

“GOOD FOR ME!!”

“Mh good!”

“MH GOOD!!”

“Up in the morning to the rising sun!”

“UP IN THE MORNING TO THE RISING SUN!!”

“Gotta run all day 'til the running is done!”

“GOTTA RUN ALL DAY 'TIL THE RUNNING IS DONE!!”

“Al-Baghdadi is a son of a bitch!!”

“AL-BAGHDADI IS A SON OF A BITCH!!”

“Got the blueballs, crabs and the seven year itch!”

“GOT THE BLUEBALLS, CRABS, AND THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH!!”

As they all sound off, both Applejack and Rainbow Dash struggled not to laugh at the lyrics to the silly song. They managed to keep it under control.

After three hours of nonstop jogging Admiral Stone finally stopped.

“Alright that's enough!”

The recruits stopped and struggled to catch their breaths. Only Applejack and Rainbow had barely noticeable signs of fatigue.

“You all are the sorriest excuses of infantry I have ever fucking seen! My eighty-four year old mother can jog faster than you scumbags!”

After looking around a bit, he notices something.

“Where the fuck is Private Tardo?! Where is that fat ass shit stain?!!”

Private Pussypuffs spoke up.

“SIR, HE FELL BEHIND, SIR!!”

“What the fuck do you mean he fell behind Private Pussypuffs?!!”

“SIR, HE COULDN'T KEEP UP AFTER THE LAST TWO THOUSAND YARDS, SIR!!”

“Private Pussypuffs have you not heard of the phrase No Man Left Behind?!”

“SIR, I HAVE, SIR!!”

“Then why on Gods green fucking earth would you leave his fat ass behind?!!”

“SIR, I WAS ONLY FOLLOWING ORDERS, SIR!!”

“You are a disgusting piece of shit Private Pussypuffs!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

Admiral Stone looked behind and saw Private Tardo struggling to make it to the group. He clenched his jaw and sternly walked up to the struggling man.

“PRIVATE TARDO WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!!”

“Sir!...I...got tired...Sir!!” He said between heavy breaths, his shirt dark and damp with sweat. His face looked like it'd turned into a waterfall.

“YOU GOT TIRED, ARE YOU SHITTING ME, PRIVATE TARDO?!!”

“S-Sir, n-no Sir!!”

“Private Tardo you had best square your ass into shape before you find my size thirteen shoe up your fat ass!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack silently watched this. Only they had made it through the hike without totally soaking themselves with sweat. Private Tardo eventually made it up to the group and stood at attention. Admiral Stone walked to the front of the group, catching their attention.

“The next part of your exercise is the obstacle course! If you maggots cannot make it through this course there is no way in the Devil's Hell you are going to make it on the battlefield! You will go up two at a time and make it through this course before the next two proceed! We will do this over and over again until you ladies feel like your arms and legs are about the fall off your body and crawl up your asscracks! Do you maggots understand that?!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Go! Private Johnson, Private Dickweed! You're first!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!” They both yelled before quickly climbing up the first obstacle, a rope climb leading up to a platform at the top with another rope on the other side to rappel down.

After they quickly covered the obstacle it was time for two more to go over.

“Private Dash! Private Apple! You're up! Move it you fuckin' milkshakes!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

Both girls quickly ran up to the ropes and scaled them like a spider retracting up its web. They both made it to the top in less than ten seconds and ran across the top of the platform before sliding down the rope.

“OUT-FUCKING-STANDING!! YOU SCUMBAGS CAN LEARN A LOT FROM OUR NEWBIES!! THATS EASILY THE FASTEST IVE EVER SEEN ANYONE SCALE THIS OBSTACLE! NEXT TWO PRIVATES, QUICKLY! GET OVER THIS GODDAMN OBSTACLE, MOVE IT!!”

Two more privates quickly scaled the obstacle before two more start climbing the rope. Shortly after Private Pussypuffs and Private Tardo stepped up.

“NEXT TWO PRIVATES, QUICKLY, HURRY UP, GET UP THERE!! PRIVATE PUSSYPUFFS, ARE YOU A KILLER?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Let me hear your war cry!”

“AAAAAGH!!!”

Admiral Stone directed his attention to Private Tardo, who was struggling to make his way up the rope.

“QUICKLY, GET YOUR FAT ASS OVER THERE, PRIVATE TARDO!!”

Private Tardo tried to climb up the rope, only to slip and fall on his back before trying again.

“OH, THAT IS RIGHT, PRIVATE TARDO!! DON'T MAKE ANY FUCKING EFFORT TO GET TO THE TOP OF THE FUCKING OBSTACLE!! IF GOD WANTED YOU UP THERE HE WOULD HAVE MIRACLED YOUR ASS UP THERE, WOULD HE NOT?!!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!!”

“GET YOUR FAT ASS UP THERE, TARDO!!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

Again Private Tardo struggled to make it to the top.

“WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU ANYWAY?! I BET YOU IF THERE WAS SOME PUSSY UP THER ON TOP OF THAT OBSTACLE, YOU COULD GET UP THERE, COULD YOU NOT?!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“YOUR ASS LOOKS LIKE ABOUT TWO HUNDRED POUNDS OF MELTED RUBBER, TARDO!! DO YOU KNOW THAT?!!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!!”

“GET UP THERE, FATBOY, QUICKLY, MOVE IT UP, MOVE IT UP, VALE, MOVE IT UP!! YOU CLIMB OBSTACLES LIKE OLD PEOPLE FUCK!! DO YOU KNOW THAT, PRIVATE TARDO?! GET UP THERE!! YOU ARE TOO SLOW!! MOVE IT, MOVE IT!! PRIVATE TARDO, WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT FALL DOWN!! THAT WOULD BREAK MY FUCKING HEART!! QUICKLY, UP AND OVER, UP AND OVER!! 

Once again, he struggled to climb up the rope.

“WELL WHAT IN THE FUCK ARE YOU WAITING FOR, PRIVATE TARDO?! GET UP AND OVER, MOVE IT, MOVE IT, MOVE IT!!”

Private Tardo made it halfway up the rope before he stopped, gasping for breath.

“ARE YOU FUCKING QUITTING ON ME?! WELL, ARE YOU?! THEN QUIT YOU SLIMEY FUCKING WALRUS-LOOKING PIECE OF SHIT!! GET THE FUCK OFF MY OBSTACLE!! GET THE FUCK DOWN OFF MY OBSTACLE, NOW!! MOVE IT!!”

Private Tardo slowly climbed down the rope and walked to the back of the line.

“I AM GOING TO RIP YOUR BALLS OFF SO YOU CANNOT CONTAMINATE THE REST OF THE WORLD!! I WILL MOTIVATE YOU, PRIVATE TARDO, IF IT SHORT-DICKS EVERY CANNIBAL ON THE CONGO!!”

After two hours of going through the obstacle course Admiral Stone ordered that they go on another jog. Once again Private Tardo fell behind, leaving Private Pussypuffs to help him.

“WHERE THE FUCK IS TARDO?!”

“Sir, back here, Sir!!”

Admiral Stone looked back to see Private Pussypuffs assisting Private Tardo with the jog. Tardo was moving at more of a tired walk than a jog.

“PICK 'EM UP AND SET 'EM DOWN, TARDO, QUICKLY, MOVE IT UP! WERE YOU BORN A FAT SLIMEY SCUMBAG, YOU PIECE OF SHIT, PRIVATE TARDO, OR DID YOU HAVE TO WORK ON IT?!! MOVE IT UP, QUICKLY, HUSTLE UP! THE FUCKING WAR WILL BE OVER BY THE TIME WE GET OUT THERE, WONT IT, PRIVATE TARDO?! MOVE IT!! ARE YOU GOING TO FUCKING DIE, PRIVATE TARDO?! ARE YOU GOING TO DIE ON ME?! DO IT NOW, MOVE IT UP, HUSTLE IT UP, QUICKLY, QUICKLY, QUICKLY!! DO YOU FEEL DIZZY?! DO YOU FEEL FAINT?! JESUS H. CHRIST, I THINK YOU'VE GOT A HARD ON!!”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack managed to finish before anyone else and watch the rest of the recruits complete the jog. After everyone crossed, Admiral Stone stood in front of them again.

“LISTEN UP YOU SCROUNGY LITTLE TURDS!! WITH THE REMAINING TIME WE HAVE WE WILL DO EXERCISES IN PLACE!! NOW DROP TO YOUR FACES AND GIVE ME THREE HUNDRED!! NOW!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

Everyone immediately got down to the ground and started doing push-ups. For the next few hours they did various pull-up, sit-up, and push-up related exercises. Finally after what felt like an eternity, training was done.

“ALRIGHT! LUNCH TIME YOU FUCKING MILKSHAKES!! GET OUT OF HERE!! DISMISSED!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

Admiral Stone gave them a salute, to which they all immediately returned before turning on their heels and walking toward the mess hall.

Rainbow Dash rubbed her sore joints.

“Ugh...I thought it would never end...”

Applejack nodded in agreement.

“Yeah...Admiral Stone was bein' a little rough on Private Vale dontcha think?”

“Maybe a little. But he's just trying to toughen him up. Can't have wimps in the military...”

“Ah guess so...”

“Anyway...lets get something to eat...”

“Yeah. Ah'm gettin' pretty hungry myself...”

“Alright. Let's go!”

And with that the two girls made their way to the mess hall.
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack and Rainbow Dash finally made it to the mess hall and grabbed separate trays to hold their food. They remained silent as they made their way through the line. Rainbow Dash cringed as the lunch lady dumped a chunk of yellow slop down onto her tray.

“Um...ma'am? What is this?”

The lady grinned evilly before replying.

“Dig in and find out. If you figure it out I'd love to hear it myself.”

Rainbow felt sick to her stomach as she gulped.

“T-Thanks...”

The woman replied innocently.

“Enjoy...”

Rainbow walked over and grabbed a cup of water before she walked to one of the tables and sat down. Applejack sat by her soon after.

“I wanna go home AJ...”

“Ah know Dash. Ah do too. But we can't. We get court marshaled if we leave...”

“Ugh...stupid government mandate.”

Rainbow scowled at her food before scooping up a small chunk and taking a bite. She instantly regretted it as she gagged and almost vomited from the taste. Applejack ate hers with no problem.

“How the hell can you eat this crap?!”

Applejack shrugged.

“Ah've eaten worse than this...”

“Ugh...suddenly I'm not hungry.”

Applejack glared at Rainbow a bit.

“Eat it, Dash. Ya need yer strength.”

“It's disgusting! There's no way I'm eating that crap!”

“Eat it, Dash...”

“No!”

“Ah said EAT IT!!”

Applejack yelled and kicked Rainbow hard in the shin, making her bite her lip and grunt in pain.

“Agh! Alright alright! I'll eat it! You don't have to kick me!”

Applejack grinned and leaned forward a bit.

“Ah dunno. Ah think it was kinda fun...”

Rainbow scowled at her green eyed friend and pulled her legs up into the seat.

“Don't even think about it...”

“Too late...”

Rainbow rolled her eyes.

“I hate you sometimes...”

“Ah love ya too, dear...”

Applejack giggled at Rainbows annoyance. Rainbow sighed deeply.

“So...what do you think it'll be like? Out there I mean...”

Applejack frowned and stared down at her food.

“Ah dunno. Probably hot...it probably ain't gonna be pretty...”

“I...I don't want to hurt people Applejack...”

“Ah don't either, Dash...at least we ain't gonna be the ones ta shoot first. The United States Military only shoots as a defense. Even if it means takin' other people's lives...”

Rainbow Dash sniffed and rubbed a tear out of her eye.

“W-What if I don't come back? I can't do that to Fluttershy...it'd break her heart...”

“Ah know, Dash...It'd break mine too...you and Ah have been friends since we was kids. Ah could never imagine what my life would be like if Ah didn't have ya around ta pester me, or vise versa. Ah'm sure it'd hurt the other girls somethin' fierce if ya weren't around no more...”

Rainbow clenched her hands tightly and struggled to keep her voice even.

“W-What if we lose YOU...I don't want to lose you...I c-can't...”

Applejack leaned over and wrapped her rainbow haired friend in a tight hug.

“Ya won't lose me. Ah'll be by yer side 'til the end. That's an Apple Family Promise...”

After a while of sitting in silence the two girls finished their meals and made their way to the barracks. For the next couple of hours they talked about various topics, until curfew came. By this time the other recruits had made their way back to the barracks and were chatting amongst themselves. Suddenly Admiral Stone walked through the doors.

“ATTEN-TION!!”

The recruits immediately quit talking and stood at attention at their respective bunks.

“It's lights out maggots! Tonight, you little shits will sleep with your rifle. You will give your rifle a girl's name. Because I hate to tell ya fellas, but this is the only pussy you people are going to get. Your days of muching on the ol' fur burger are over. You are married to this piece, this weapon of iron and wood. And you will be faithful. PORT, HUT!”

Each of the recruits pick up their rifles with their right hand before grabbing the lower part of their weapons with their left.

“PREPARE TO MOUNT!”

Each of the recruits took a step back on either side of their bunks. Applejack placed her rifle on the side of her bunk on the top. Rainbow Dash remained still.

“MOUNT!!”

Everyone quickly rolled onto their bunks on the bottom while everyone else jumped up to the top bunks. The rifles remained at their right sides.

“PORT! HUT!”

As part of the night exercise, the recruits picked up their rifles with their right hands and held the other end with their left hands.

“Pray!”

The recruits close their eyes and recite the prayer they were taught.

“This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him. Before he shoots me. I will. Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy. But peace. Amen.”

Admiral Stone nodded a bit.

“Goodnight, ladies.”

The recruits responded in unison.

“Goodnight, Sir!”

Admiral Stone turns around and walked out before acknowledging one of the recruits by the doorway.

“Hit it, sweetheart...”

The recruit nodded and turned off the light.

After a few minutes of silence Rainbow speaks up.

“I hope four years goes by quickly, AJ...”

“Ah do too, Dash...Ah do too...”

“I just...I really don't want to have to use this gun...”

“Deep down...Ah don't think anyone WANTS to use their gun, Dash...but we owe it to our country ta protect them. It's why we're here...”

“I...I know...”

“Get some sleep Dash...we'll talk more tomorrow...”

“S-Sure...”

“Night, Dash...”

“N-Night...”

After a long time of silence, both girls finally slipped to a deep sleep, awaiting tomorrow's training.
> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once again, Applejack was awake and dressed in her uniform by 3:30am, leaving her alone to her thoughts. She sighed deeply as she thought, only to be met with silence. She rolled onto her side and looked down at Rainbow Dash's sleeping form. She bit on her lip trying not to think about the worst. Suddenly the door opened and Admiral Stone walked in with his knight stick in hand. He picked up a trash can and started banging the inside of it. The sudden noise caused all of the recruits to wake up and jump out of their bunks before starting to get themselves ready for the day.

“Reveillez, reveillez, reveillez! Drop your cocks and grab your socks, today is Sunday! Divine worship at 0800! Get your bunks made and get your uniforms on!! Police call will commence in two minutes! Private Cowboy, Private Pussypuffs!

Private Cowboy nodded.

“Sir, yes, Sir!

Private Pussypuffs nodded as well.

“Sir, yes, Sir!

“As soon as you finish your bunks, I want you two shits to clean the head.

“Sir, aye-aye, Sir!”

They responded in unison.

“I want that head so sanitary and squared away that the Lord Jesus Christ himself would be proud to grace the seats with his holy ass.

Again they responded in unison.

“Sir, yes, Sir!

“Private Pussypuffs , do you beleive in the Lord Jesis Christ?”

“Sir, no, Sir!”

Admiral Stone tossed the trash can away.

“Private Pussypuffs , I do not believe I heard you correctly!”

“Sir, the Private said "no, Sir", Sir!”

“Why, you little asshole, you make me want to vomit! You god-damn satanist heathen, you had best sound off that you love the Lord Jesus Christ, or I am going to stomp your brains out! Now, you do love the Lord Jesus Christ, don't you?!”

“Sir, negative, Sir!"

“Private Pussypuffs, are you trying to offend me?”

“Sir, negative, Sir! Sir, the Private believes that any answer he gives will be wrong! And that the Senior Drill Instructor will beat him harder if he reverses himself, Sir!”

“Who is your squad leader, scumbag?”

“Sir, the Private's squad leader is Private Dickweed, Sir!”

“Private Dickweed!”

Private Dickweed stopped making his bed and ran over to Admiral Stone before stopping in place and saluting him.

“Sir, Private Dickweed reporting as ordered, Sir!”

“Private Dickweed, you are fired. Private Pussypuffs is promoted to squad leader.”

“Sir, aye-aye, Sir!”

“Disappear, scumbag.”

“Sir, aye-aye, Sir!”

Private Dickweed quickly ran back to his bunk and resumed his business.

“Private Tardo!”

Private Tardo ran up and stopped in front of Admiral Stone before saluting him. 

“Private Tardo reporting as ordered, Sir!”

“Private Tardo, from now on Private Pussypuffs  is your new squad leader, and you will bunk with him. He will teach you everything. He will teach you how to pee.”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Private Pussypuffs is silly and he is ignorant, but he has got guts, and guts is enough. Now you ladies, carry on.”

Private Pussypuffs, Private Dickweed, and Private Tardo all sounded off in unison.

“Sir, aye-aye, Sir!”

“Meet me outside in 1500 hours, scumbags!”

Everyone responded with a loud affirmative.

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“Private Apple! Front and center!!”

Applejack quickly ran up to Admiral Stone and stopped in front of him before saluting him.

“Sir, Private Apple reporting as ordered, Sir!”

“Private Apple, you and Private Dash have accomplished something that no one else has been able to do in all my years of being a drill instructor. You impressed me. You two make a helluva team!”

“Sir, yes, sir! Dash and Ah have been friends since we was kids! We always push each other to our limits while always having each other's back, sir!”

“Which is why I'm pairing you both together! From this day forth you will not leave each other's side! You will watch over one another! I was recently informed that Captain Spitfire is pushing to have Private Dash in her squadron! I will see to it that wherever she is, you WILL NOT be far behind!”

“Sir, yes, sir!”

“Dismissed!”

Applejack saluted him again and walked back to her bunk where Dash was still getting ready.

“What was that all about?”

Applejack smiled.

“Looks like we're gonna be partners, partner.”

Rainbow Dash broke into a huge grin before pumping her fist in the air.

“Aw, Hell yeah!!”

“Private Dash! Stop talking and get back to work!!”

“Sir, yes, sir! My apologies, Sir!”
> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After getting their bunks made and getting themselves dressed, the recruits reported outside as ordered and sat themselves in a row of bleachers. Admiral Stone paced back and forth in silence while fixing them with a VERY uncomfortable stare. After an intense couple of minutes he finally he spoke up.

“Do any of you people know who Charles Whitman was?”

All of the recruits stayed silent.

“None of you dumb motherfuckers knows? Private Cowboy?”

“Sir, he was that guy who shot all those people from that tower in Austin, Texas, Sir.”

“That is affirmative. Charles Whitman killed twelve people from a 28 story observation tower at the University of Texas. From distances up to 400 yards. Anybody know who Lee Harvey Oswald was?”

Private Dickweed immediately raised his hand.

“Private Dickweed?”

“Sir, he shot Kennedy, Sir.”

“That is right, and do you know how far away he was?”

“Sir, it was pretty far. From that book "suppository" building, Sir.”

The last comment earned a quiet snicker from the rest of the recruits, including Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

“All right, knock it off. 250 feet. He was 250 feet away and shooting at a moving target. Oswald got off three rounds with an old Italian bolt action rifle in only six seconds and scored two hits, including a head shot. Do any of you people know where these individuals learned to shoot?”

Private Pussypuffs immediately raised his hand.

“Private Pussypuffs?”

“Sir, in the Marines, Sir.”

“In the Marines, outstanding! Those individuals showed what one motivated marine and his rifle can do. And before you ladies leave my island, you will all be able to do the same thing! Now, unfortunately. I was watching the early morning news a little while ago. And found out that our OWN people were attacked on our OWN soil! By another one of our own American citizens! This was at a concert in Las Vegas where one confirmed gunman and a second suspected gunman fired into the crowd! At this point in time there are fifty-eight confirmed casualties, with another five-hundred and thirty injured! These two gunmen are a disgrace to the United States of America, and a disgrace to humanity! The confirmed gunman has been shot dead. The other is being hunted down as we speak! THAT is the true definition of a terrorist! Our job is to go around the world and stop people like that from repeating attacks on this great nation on multiple occasions!”

Rainbow Dash visibly tensed up with anger at the news. Applejack noticed and placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. Rainbow took a deep breath and sighed.

“Private Dash! Do you have something you'd like to say to the rest of the recruits?!”

Rainbow Dash gave Admiral Stone a soft glare before standing up straight.

“Sir, I was just thinking to myself that it's a shame one of our own people would kill so many others without a second thought, Sir! And that the men responsible should rot in the depths of Hell, Sir! I just wish I had been the one to put a bullet in him, Sir!”

“Is that all, Private?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

Admiral Stone nodded and she sat back down.

“I hope all of you heard that! THAT is exactly what patriotism is! Putting ones life at risk in order to protect other fellow Americans and to protect our freedom! You all could learn something from Private Dash here!”

Rainbow Dash smiled a bit, earning a pat on the back from Applejack.

“Alright! Now that that's all taken care of, you turds will start with standard pull-ups for today's exercise! GO! GO! GO!”

Everyone took off in a dead sprint until they made it to the pull-up bar.

“Quickly, ladies! Assholes and elbows! Move it out, get up there, move it, move it, move it, move it! Quickly, m'kay, get up there, hurry up, move it up, move it up! One for the Commander.”

Another private stepped up to the pull up bar. They did two pull ups before dropping to the ground and going to the back of the line. Private Pussypuffs grabbed the bar and pulled up.

“One for the Corps, get up there, pull!... I guess the Corps do not get theirs... Get up there, Tardo! Pull, pull, Tardo, pull. One pull-up, Tardo! Come on, pull! You gotta be shittin' me, Tardo! Get your ass up there! Do you mean to tell me that you cannot do one single pull-up?! You are a worthless piece of shit, Tardo. Get out of my face!... Get up there, Dickweed!

Private Dickweed stepped up and did a few pull ups before dropping to his feet. Rainbow Dash stepped up and grabbed the pull up bar. She took a deep breath and pulled herself up over the bar. She successfully did thirty five pull ups before she dropped to her feet, drenched in sweat and gulping in deep gasps of air.

“OUT-FUCKING-STANDING PRIVATE DASH! PRIVATE APPLE!! YOU'RE UP!!”

Applejack stepped up to the bar and started pulling her body up and over the bar. She started struggling when she got to thirty two. Thirty three...thirty....four....th-thirty....five.....t-t-thirty...s....s-six! After the thirty sixth pull up she dropped to her feet gasping for air and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

“WELL DONE PRIVATE APPLE!! NEXT!!”

Applejack walks to the back of the line and smirks triumphantly at Rainbow Dash, who gave her an annoyed glare. After what felt like an eternity Admiral Stone yelled.

“ALRIGHT THATS ENOUGH! Call it a day! Go get some water and hit the bunks!

“Sir, yes, sir!”

“At ease, Privates! Dismissed!”

All of the recruits immediately walked away. Rainbow Dash stretched her limbs, groaning a bit as her joints popped, relieving the stress. The sound made Applejack cringe slightly.

“Ya gonna make it partner?”

“I'll live...”

“Ya did mighty good out there today...”

“Not good enough...you did more than me.”

Applejack rolled her eyes.

“Dash...not everythin' is a competition. Ya don't gotta be good at EVERYTHIN' ya do...”

“Speak for yourself...”

“Oh come on, Dash...jes' cuz ah did more pull ups than ya don't make ya a loser. Yer all different kinds of awesome!”

Rainbow Dash smiled.

“Thanks AJ.”

Applejack smiled and silently followed Rainbow to the barracks. After a few minutes of walking they made it to their bunks. Both girls settled into their respective bunks and slowly drifted off to sleep.
> Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning all of the recruits were fast asleep waiting what is sure to be a tiring day of training. Oddly enough even Applejack was asleep. Until Sgt. Stone walked in that is...

“ATTEN-HUT! GET YOUR ASSES UP AND STAND UP ON YOUR FOOTLOCKERS FOR INSPECTION!! HANDS UP, EYES STRAIGHT!”

Without missing a beat every one of the recruits jumped out of their beds and stood up on their footlockers in two separate rows with their hands outstretched, palms down. Sgt. Stone slowly walked up and down each aisle, searching for any imperfections. He pointed to the fingernails of one of the recruits.

“Trim 'em up, Wolverine.”

He walked up to another recruit and pointed to his feet.

“You competing in a swamp monster impression competition?”

"Sir, no, sir..."

Sgt. Stone pulls out his baton and grabs te private by his neck

"DID I TELL YOU TO FUCKING TALK?!"

"S-Sor, no, sir!!"

"I CANT FUCKING HEAR YOU!!"

"S-SIR, NO, SIR!!"

Sgt. Stone finally releases the man, glaring at him as he continues wtth the inspection. He walked past a few more recruits before pointing to another recruits foot.

“Pop that blister.”

He finally made it to Private Tardo's locker, which he immediately noticed something.

“... Jesus H. Christ! Private Tardo, why is your footlocker unlocked?!”
“Sir, I don't know, Sir!!”

“Private Tardo, if there is one thing in this world that I hate, it is an open and vulnerable footlocker. You know that, don't you?!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“If it was not for dickheads like you, there would not be any thievery in this world, would there?!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

“GET DOWN!!”

Private Tardo quickly stepped back and off of his footlocker.

“Well now, let's just see if there is anything missing.”

“Ho-ly fuck...”

Sgt. Stone reached into the footlocker and pulls out buttered biscuit. He slowly brought it out of the footlocker, looking at it in disgust, holding it out at arms length between his thumb and forefinger.

“What is that? What the fuck is that?! WHAT IS THAT, PRIVATE TARDO?!!”

“SIR, A BUTTERED BUSCUIT, SIR!!”

“A buttered biscuit?!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“How did it get here?!”

“SIR, I TOOK IT FROM THE MESSHALL, SIR!!”

“Is chow allowed in the barracks, Private Tardo?!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

“Had chow EVER been allowed in the barracks, Private Tardo?!"

"SIR, NO, SIR!!"

Are you allowed to eat buttered biscuits, Private Tardo?!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

“And why not, Private Tardo?!”

“SIR, BECAUSE I'M TOO HEAVY SIR!!”

“Because you are a disgusting fat ass, Private Tardo!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“Then why did you hide a buttered biscuit in your footlocker, Private Tardo?!”

“SIR, BECAUSE I WAS HUNGRY, SIR!!”

“Because you were hungry...”

Sgt. Stone slowly walked up and down between the rows of recruits, holding the biscuit at arms length.

“Private Tardo has dishonered himself and dishonered the platoon! I have tried to help him, but I have failed as a Drill Sergeant! I have failed because you have not helped me BECOME a better Drill Sergeant! You people have not given Private Tardo the proper motivation! So, from now on, whenever Private Tardo fucks up or does something only a fucking MORON would do, I will not punish him, I wil punish all of YOU! And the way I see it maggots, you owe me for one buttered biscuit! Now, get on your faces!!"

Everyone immediately dropped to their hands and knees. Rainbow Dash stared up at Private Tardo with a hard scowl on her face.

“Open your mouth! They are paying for it, you eat it!”

Private Tardo opened his mouth just in time for Sgt. Stone to shove the biscuit in.

“Ready, EXERCISE!!”

Everyone immediately started doing push up after push up. Rainbow Dash never took her eyes off of Tardo as she scowled hard at him for putting them through this. Rainbow whispered quietly to Applejack. “I'm gonna hurt him, AJ...”

“Keep it together, Dash...”

She whispered back.

“NO TALKING!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

They both yell together.

A few minutes later Tardo finished the biscuit.

“ALRIGHT THATS ENOUGH! Get your asses outside before I drag every last one of you out there!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

Without another word all of the recruits quickly got dressed and ran outside to begin their day.
> Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the next few weeks, everyone trained harder than ever. Day in, day out. And it seemed like with each passing day things only got worse for Private Tardo. After the incident with the biscuit everyone held him down and beat him with bars of soap hidden in pillow cases. Finally, it was time for the recruits to be assigned to their squads. Sgt. Stone stood proudly in front of his recruits.

“Today, you people are no longer maggots. Today, you are marines. You are part of a brotherhood. From now on, until the day you die, wherever you are, every marine is your brother. Most of you will go to Afghanistan. Some of you will not come back. But always remember this: marines die, that is what we are here for. But the Marine Corps lives forever. And that means, you live forever.”
Sgt. Stone looked at a clipboard of all the privates' names he had brought with him.

“Pickett!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“0300, infantry. Toejam!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“0300, infantry. Adams!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“1800, engineers. You go out and find mines. Cowboy!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“0300, infantry. Taylor!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“0300, infantry. Joker!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“4-12, basic military journalism. You gotta be shitting me, Joker! You think you are Mickey Spillane? Do you think you are some kind of fucking writer?!”

“Sir, I wrote for my high school newspaper, Sir.”

“Jesus H. Christ, you are not a writer, you are a killer!”

“A killer, yes, Sir!”

“Ricky Retardo!”

Private Tardo didn't respond. Instead he stared on with a spaced out look on his face.

“Ricky Retardo!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“You forgot your own fucking name?! 0300, infantry. You made it. Perkins!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“0300, infantry.”

“Apple!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“0300, infantry. Nice work. Dash!”

“Sir, yes, Sir?”

“7-18, Air patrol. You're mission is to solely watch Provate Apple's back while the team does their job, and provide air support if necissary. Capiche?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Good. Outstanding work Marines! You came into this base nothing but worthless scumbags with no hope of making a name for themselves, but you came out as some of the finest soldiers the world has ever seen! I'm proud to have had the honor to train each of you! Now get some shut-eye. We've got a few days before you all get shipped out into the lions den. Goodnight ladies!”

Everyone responded in unison.

“Goodnight, Sir!”

“Private Joker! You're on night watch!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

Sgt. Stone walked out of the barracks into his own room. Private Joker shut off the lights as everyone got into their respective bunks. Within a couple of hours almost everyone was asleep. Applejack was still wide awake and was in the middle of writing a letter.

‘Dear girls, Ah realize this is the first letter Ah've written since Dash and ah arrived here at Fort Campbell. Things have jes' been a bit crazy. But guess what? We jes' graduated training! We're officially Marines! Well...Ah am at least. Dash is servin in the Air Force under th' command of Captian Spitfire. We ship off to Afghanistan in a few days. So Ah thought Ah'd write ya this letter in case we don't make it back...as somethin' ta remember us by. We really miss ya girls...Ah...we hope we get to see ya girls soon. Oh and Dash says 'Hi' and that she loves ya Fluttershy. Well...guess Ah better hit the sack...gotta be up n' early tomorrow...

Love, Applejack & Rainbow Dash'

Applejack finished her letter and placed them under her pillow before laying down and staring at the ceiling. Private Joker was still doing his rounds. After making sure everyone was asleep he made his way to the head...but something wasn't right. He slowly opened the door, rounding the corner only to find Private Tardo sitting on one of the toilets, a rifle leaning up against it. He also had a loaded magazine in his hands. Private Joker shined the flashlight at Private Tardo, causing him to look at Joker and smile deliriously.

“...hi Joker....”

Private Joker paused, looking down at the magazine in Tardo's hands.

“Is that...live ammo?...”

Tardo looked back up at Private Joker and smiled once again.

“Five-Five-Four millimeter...full...metal...jacket...”

Staring at the magazine, Private Joker said slowly.

"John...if Stone catches us in here...we'll both be in some deep shit...”

“I AM...in some deep SHIT!”

Private Tardo stood up quickly and grabbed his rifle.

“LEFT SHOULDER! HOAH!”

Tardo quickly spun the gun before placing it over his left shoulder.

“RIGHT SHOULDER!!!”

He spun the gun around once again before placing it over his right shoulder.

“LOCK AND LOAD!!”

Tardo bent down and picked up the magazine before inserting it into his gun, and pulled the locking mechanism, loading a round into the chamber.

“ORDER! HOAH!!”

Tardo grabbed the rifle with his right hand and placed it on the ground on his right side, butt first.

“THIS IS MY RIFLE!! THERE ARE MANY LIKE IT BUT THIS ONE IS MINE!! MY RIFLE IS MY BEST FRIEND!--”

The noises coming from the head caused the rest of the recruits to wake from their slumber. Some of them slowly walking toward the head. The door to Sgt. Stones door opened and he stormed out. Upon seeing his recruits out of bed he yelled.

“GET BACK IN YOUR BUNKS!!”

He then barged into the head to investigate the commotion.

“WHAT IS THIS HOLY DOG SHIT?! WHAT IN THE NAME OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH ARE YOU ANIMALS DOING IN MY HEAD?!! WHY IS PRIVATE TARDO OUT OF HIS BUNK AFTER LIGHTS OUT?! WHY IS PRIVATE TARDO HOLDING THAT WEAPON?! WHY ARE YOU NOT STOMPING PRIVATE TARDO'S GUTS OUT?!"

Private Joker immediately stood at attention.

“Sir, it is the Private's duty to inform the Senior Drill Instructor that Private Tardois in possession of a fully locked and loaded weapon, Sir!!”

Sgt. Stone slowly turned and walk toward Tardo, holding his hand out.

“Now you listen to me, Private Tardo, and you listen good. I want that weapon, and I want it now. You will place that rifle on the deck at your feet and step back away from it...”

Private Tardo just stared and grinned at Sgt. Stone, not acknowledging him at all. He then picked up his rifle and aimed it at Stone.

“WHAT IS YOUR FUCKING ISSUE, FATBODY?! DIDN'T MOMMY AND DADDY TAKE YOU TO DISNEY WORLD ENOUGH WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?!"

*BANG*

Private Tardo pulled the trigger, the bullet rocketing out of the barrel and slicing through Sgt. Stones chest and heart, killing him instantly. Sgt. Stones cold, lifeless body collapsed to the floor. Private Joker stared at the body in horror before looking back up at Private Tardo, who then aimed the gun at him.

“Easy, John...go easy, man...”

After a few seconds Private Tardo finally lowered his weapon and took a seat back on the toilet. Private Joker, stunned by fear, watches on unsure what to do. Private Tardo places the butt of the gun on the floor, leans forward and places the barrel in his mouth.

“NO!!!”

Too late, Private Tardo pulled the trigger, sending a second bullet out of the gun and through his head, killing him instantly and splattering his brains over the wall. Private Joker can only stare at both lifeless bodies in horror. Some of the recruits coming into the head to check out what happened. Rainbow Dash slowly peeked in and immediately felt sick to her stomach at the scene before her. Applejack placed a hand on her shoulder.

“C'mon, Dash. Nothin' we can do fer them now...”

“I-I think I'm gonna be sick, AJ...”

“Ah know Dash. C'mon. Let's jes' get ta bed...”
> Chapter 12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning the medics had worked on removing Stone and Tardo's bodies from the head. Everyone stayed silent, unsure of what to say. Once the bodies were removed from the area someone walked in. The man was built closely like Admiral Stone was, but he was younger. He had faded yellow skin and dark blue hair with a bit of gray in it. He had a look of both sadness, and seriousness etched across his face.

“Alright Marines! Fall in line!!”

Everyone immediately lined up at his orders.

“Now I know what happened last night was tragic. Admiral Stone was a good friend of mine. However, we cannot let that distract us from achieving our goals. Private Tardo unfortunately did not have what it took to survive in the Marines! With that being said, I am General Sentry, and I will be you're replacement drill instructor! Do not think that I will take it any easier on you than Stone did! I can personally guarantee that you WILL NOT like me by the end! I am not here to make friends! I am here, to train you into the killing machines you are!! I am not a fun man to be around but I AM FAIR!! You are no longer black, or white, or yellow, or red!! You are now green!! You are now light green! Or dark green!! Do you understand?!!”

Everyone immediately sounded off.

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

General Sentry looked over to one of the Marines standing a few feet down from Dash and AJ.

“Jenkins!”

Private Jenkins straightened up and responded immediately.

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“You the maggot who's father served in Iraq?!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“Outstanding!! Did he have the balls to die there?!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

“TOO FUCKING BAD!! Did he ever talk about it?!!”

“SIR, ONLY ONCE, SIR!!”

“GOOD!! Then he wasn't lying!!”

General Sentry stayed quiet for a second before continuing.

“You eyeballin' me, Private? ARE YOU?!!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

“ARE YOU IN LOVE WITH ME JENKINS?!!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

“OH, YOU DON'T THINK I LOOK GOOD IN MY DRILL INSTRUCTORS UNIFORM, JENKINS?!!”

“SIR, THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR LOOKS AMAZING IN HIS UNIFORM, SIR!!”

“OH, SO YOU'RE A FAGGOT AND YOU LOVE ME THEN, HUH?!!”

“SIR, I'M NOT GAY, SIR!!”

“DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND, JENKINS?!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“GUESS AGAIN MOTHERFUCKER, JOKER'S BANGIN' HER RIGHT NOW!!! GET ON YOUR FACE AND GIVE ME TWENTY FIVE FOR EVERY TIME SHE GETS FUCKED THIS WEEK!! DOWN ON YOUR FACE!!!”

Without another word, Jenkins dropped to the ground and started doing push up after push up. 

“Now to the rest of you, do you have what it takes to be the meanest, the cruelest, the most sadist unforgiving motherfuckers in God's cruel kingdom?!!"

Everyone else immediately responded.

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“Will you be able to one day say, "Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the show of death, I will fear no evil, for I am the baddest motherfucker in the God damn valley?!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“We shall fucking see...”

After about two hours of giving the rest of the recruits a lecture he told Jenkins to stop.

“Jenkins, get on your feet!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“What does a footlocker looks like Jenkins?!!”

“SIR, A FOOTLOCKER IS A SMALL CONTAINER USUALLY KEPT AT THE FOOT OF A SOLDIERS BED!!”

“Did I ask for the definition of a footlocker, Jenkins?!!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

“Then draw it on the fucking chalkboard!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

Private Jenkins took the chalk and started to draw his best interpretation of a footlocker. General Sentry responded with disgust.

“What in the fuck is this?!”

Jenkins responded immediately.

“SIR, IT'S THE RECRUITS DRAWING OF A FOOTLOCKER, SIR!”

General Sentry shook his head disapprovingly.

“Jesus, Joseph, and doggy style Mary! THAT is a pile of horse shit!!”

“SIR, THE RECRUIT HAS NEVER BEEN GOOD AT DRAWING, SIR!!”

“WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU IN MY PLATOON THEN?!! ISN'T MY PLATOON SUPPOSED TO KNOW HOW TO DRAW?!!”

“SIR, THE RECRUIT DOESN'T KNOW HOW THE PLATOON IS SUPPOSED TO WRITE, SIR!!”

General Sentry grabbed Jenkins by the throat, causing him to weakly fall to the ground.

“OF COURSE THE RECRUIT DOESN'T KNOW!! THE RECRUIT DOESN'T KNOW BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SAID SHIT TO HIM ABOUT IT!!!”

After a few seconds, General Sentry let go of Jenkins's throat before smacking him on the back of the head.

“Alright shit for brains!! Tell me EXACTLY where you're skivvies and running shoes go!!”

“SIR, THE RECRUIT CAN'T CONCENTRATE WHEN THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR IS BEATING HIM ON HIS HEAD, SIR!!”

“YOU CAN'T THINK WHILE I'M GIVING YOU A FEW LOVE TAPS?!! HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO FIRE YOUR RIFLE, WHILE GRENADES ARE GOING OFF IN YOUR FACE?!! THE FUCK ARE YOU EVEN DOING HERE?!!”

Private Jenkins turned to look back at General Sentry.

“SIR, I GOT LOST ON THE WAY TO COLLEGE, SIR!!”

Pure rage filled General Sentry's eyes as he quickly bashed Jenkins's head off the chalkboard, making Rainbow Dash and Applejack flinch, and knocking him unconscious.

“ANYONE ELSE WANNA GET SMART WITH ME?!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

Everyone responded in unison.

“THEN GET OUT OF MY FACE!! Staff Sergeant Kazinski is waiting for you maggots for your weapons training.”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

They all responded before quickly running outside to the training area. There a tall but well built man was waiting for them.

“Good morning ladies!”

“GOOD MORNING, SIR!!”

“Now! Before we get started! Have any of you sizzle dicks ever held or fired a sniper rifle?!”

Nobody raises their hands or says a word. Kazinski shakes his head.

“None of you?! Jesus Christ we have a lot of work to do. Because THAT is exactly what we are doing today! Each of you will be handed a loaded Model 82A1 Barrett sniper rifle! You're mission is to kill me! My mission is to kill you! And I'm good at what I do!”

One recruit raised his hand.

“So we're using real ammo?”

“No dumbass, paintballs. The fuck kind of question is that?!”

Without another word he put his hand down.

“Now! In order to engage your target, you must first be able to SEE your target! But your target must NOT see you! Chavitz!”

Suddenly a man wearing a ghillie suit stood up from the thick brush, making the recruits chuckle, even Rainbow and Applejack. Kazinski's face never changed from his serious look.

“You laugh, you die. Scratch your nose, you die. You shift your weight to take a piss, you die. You wanna shit, you better shit in your pants.”

The last part earned a quiet laugh from Rainbow Dash as she tried keeping it together.

“Still kinda cute, huh, Private Dash?”

She coughs and shakes her head*

“N-No sir...”

Staff Sergeant Kazinski went back to talking about the ghillie suit.

“This suit will hide you. You become tree, a rock. You are mud, sand, and dust. Still funny?”

Rainbow Dash shook her head.

“No sir...”

“Good. Then let's move on. Each of you will suit up in a ghillie suit. You will be given ten seconds to hide in any location you can find. If you are found, you are considered dead and you are eliminated for the day!”

Rainbow raised her hand.

“I thought we were using the guns, Staff Sergeant?”

“Are you questioning my methods newbie?!”

“N-No sir!”

“Then let's go! GO GO GO GO!!”

Each of the recruits scrambled to grab a ghillie suit and find a place to hide. Everybody was found within minutes. Even Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

“Private Dash you have got to be the worst sniper I have ever seen!”

“Why sir?”

“Have you looked in a mirror lately? You don't exactly blend in to anything.”

This earned a snicker from everyone else, including Applejack, who got daggers glared at her by her rainbow haired friend. Applejack took a breath to calm down and chuckles.

“What? It was funny.”

“Shut up, Applejack...”
> Chapter 13
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Look, all I'm saying is that if I wanted to get bitched at every second of every day, I'd go back to school!"

The training session had come to an end after countless hours of sniper training. Applejack and Rainbow Dash had been found each and every time. With the death of Stone still heavy on everyone's mind, the mess hall was fairly silent, with the exception of a few chatters here and there.

"Dash, it's his JOB ta get on ya about tiny details. They don't got no room fer screw ups or lazy people in the military. Ya oughtta already know that..."

Rainbow Dash sighed and rolled her eyes with annoyance.

"Yeah I guess you're right..."

Rainbow Dash and Applejack get to the front of the line where they received their...ahem...lunch for the day. Rainbow Dash merely stared at the slop in disgust as she had done countless other times. Sighing in defeat, she and Applejack took their seats.

"I swear it's like they're TRYING to kill us with this shit..."

Rainbow said with contempt as she lifted her spoon, only for it to snap back to the tray into the slop.

"It ain't that bad. They're jes' buildin' up our endurance ta worse conditions is all..." AJ said before digging into her own food.

"You get no say on this. You grew up on a farm. You're used to eating shit..."

Dash said with a grin, only to get a face full of slop that had been catapulted from AJ's spoon.

"Oops...hand slipped..." AJ responded with a dry smirk before she continued eating. Rainbow Dash wiped the gunk out of her face before rolling her eyes and settling down to eat her food before it decides to crawl off her plate.

After a few minutes of sitting in silence the two girls hear a commotion from outside. Their curiosity sparked, both girls leave their piles of mush on the table to go see what's happening. Exiting through the doors their vision is blocked by a large crowd of people cheering, yelling, and laughing at something. Pushing through the crowd, they finally get enough clearance to see the issue.

Two recruits were on the floor just outside the mess hall. One of them had the other in a headlock while the other threw several elbows into his attackers ribcage.

"KICK HIS ASS, JOHN!!"

"C'MON TREY GET OUT OF THE HOLD!!"

"C'MON FIGHT LIKE A REAL MAN!!"

We're some of the comments the girls could make out through the noise. The man that was put into a headlock was starting to turn red in the face, so as a last resort he did what everyone else would have done in his situation. He lowered his head just enough to where he could see his attackers arm. And bit down hard.

"AAAAAGH!!!" The other man yells as pain shot through his arm before letting his opponent out of the choke hold. Immediately taking the opportunity, both men scramble to their feet with fire in their eyes. Both men staring at each other with anger.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack look at each other in confusion before looking back to read the names of the recruits. Langstrom and Hayes. Both men are Private First Class rank.

"C'mon Trey! Take a swing! I fuckin' dare ya! Gimme an excuse, come on!" Private Hayes says with anger as he balled his fists, raising them up to his face. Private Langstrom takes a deep breath before taking a big step forward and swinging his left arm, catching his opponent in the jaw.

"Oof!" Private Hayes grunts as he's nearly knocked to the floor, but manages to catch his footing at the last second before swinging a right, then a left, then a left again, then finally a right, catching Private Langstrom in the cheek, ribcage, cheek, cheek again, then the stomach, before Private Hayes falls to one knee, a line of blood trickling out of his nose.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!" A voice yelled out.

The crowd immediately goes silent and parts a bit, showing a very pissed off General Sentry. He takes three large steps forward and glares down at the two men. Without lifting his eyes away he mutters in a calm voice.

"Every last one of you have three seconds to remove yourselves from my proximity before I haunt you all in your nightmares tonight..."

Nothing else had to be said as everyone minus to two fighters scrambled away to get back to their barracks. Everyone but AJ and Rainbow Dash. Their curiosities peaked, they turn like they're heading to their barracks, only to stop and hide behind a nearby wall, listening in on the conversation about to be held.

Crossing his arms, General Sentry stared down at the two men with a stone cold stoic expression, expecting an answer.

"W-We can explain General..." Private Hayes starts to say before being cut off.

"Did I ask you to speak, Private Hayes?"

"N-No sir..."

"Then shut the fuck up..."

"S-Sir, yes, sir..."

"Now...you have one minute to explain what the fuck I just walked up to...make it quick..." General Sentry says with a cold lifeless voice.

"W-We were fighting, sir..."

"No shit? Really? I thought ya'll was havin' a tickle fight or some shit. I'm not a fuckin' idiot Hayes. Now, what were you fighting about?"

"H-He stole my deodorant..." Hayes says pointing at Private Langstrom.

"You're such a fucking liar!"

"I never said you could use my deodorant in the first place and you just up and-"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!!" General Sentry yelled with fury laced into his voice. Both men immediately stopped talking, knowing when they're beaten. He stares down at the battered Langstrom before turning his attention back to Private Hayes.

"Stand up, Private..."

"S-Sir, yes, sir..."

Without another word, Private Hayes stood up and stayed silent for his own sake. General Sentry helped Private Langstrom off the floor before inspecting his bruised face.

"Hmm...not too shabby Hayes. You got him pretty good..."

"Thank you, sir..."

"What did you do to him to get him this way?"

"I uh..." Hayes said before clearing his throat.

"I-I um...I had him in a chokehold and I punched him a few times..." came the mans a response.

"Well ya gave him a helluva beating..."

"Thank you sir..."

"That wasn't a compliment recruit. Despite you opening up a can of whoop ass on Private Langstrom. You failed to do one thing..."

"What's that, General?"

"You failed to knock out your opponent. You see...you landed a couple good hits. But none of them were correctly timed or coordinated. You see...if you want to make sure your opponent goes down..." General Sentry said before spinning on his heels and landing a haymaker across Hayes temple, knocking him out in a single punch.

"AGH!" Hayes grunted as he fell to the floor before losing consciousness.

"You go for the temple..." General Sentry said before turning back to the battered recruit.

"Get out of my sight. Go get yourself cleaned up..."

"S-Sir, yes, sir..." Langstrom said before quickly turning and walking away.

As he watched the recruit leave he took a deep breath and looked down at the unconscious Hayes.

"You alive down there?..." He asked with a cold expression as he gently kicked the Private in his ribs to make sure he didn't overdo it, receiving a pained groan in return.

"Yeah you're fine, c'mon get up..." he said before lifting Hayes off the floor and slapping him across the face.

"WAKE UP AND GET MOVIN', NOW!!"

"S-Sir yes sir!!" A now awake and alert Hayes said before stumbling away while trying to keep from seeing two of everything.

After a couple seconds of silence, General Sentry finally sighed.

"Let today be a lesson to you two...don't, fuck with me... or your asses will be grass, and I'll be the lawnmower..." he said before walking away, leaving a wide-eyed and speechless rainbow Dash and Applejack motionless behind the wall. He knew they were there? How?

"AJ?...I think I've finally found someone I'm afraid of..."

"M-Me too, Dash...me too.."

"I-I guess we'd better get moving before we end up like Hayes..."

"Good idea..."

With nothing else needing to be said, the two friends quickly made their way to the barracks where they would remain for the rest of the day.
> Chapter 14
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the weeks go by, Rainbow Dash and Applejack do their best to stay out of trouble and avoid General Sentry’s fury after the incident. Hours and hours of endless training, lunch, training, showers, bunks, repeat. It had started becoming a routine for Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and the other recruits.

Finally the time came where it was time to send more troops into the battlefield. Rainbow Dash, despite everything she says trying to deny it, was more than a little nervous about going out into the field. In fact, some would say she was scared shitless. But she wasn’t about to let her best friend see her in a vulnerable position. So she did what she always did in times of stress. Jam out to her favorite tunes on her iPod. One of the few possessions they were allowed to have on them. At least she WAS doing that last time Applejack checked on her almost two hours ago. Applejack on the other hand was busy writing another letter to the girls letting them know about what was going on...


‘Hey girls, it’s AJ again...uh...there ain’t no easy way ta say this...so Ah’ll just say it...Dash and Ah are goin’ ta war. Ya read that right. In less than forty eight hours we’ll be out on the battlefield with the rest of ‘em. So uh...if...this is the last ya hear from us...remember we loved ya’ll more than ever...and...and we didn’t go down without fightin’. You can bet on that. Dash says hi by the way. She doesn’t show it but, Ah know she’s scared. Hell Ah’m scared too...but now ain’t the time fer’ bein’ yella-bellied. Now is the time to stand up fer what’s right. Ta protect our country even if it means givin’ everythin’ up in the process. Ah...WE love ya girls...say hi ta Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo fer us will ya? Let them know we’re safe. Fer now. A-Anyway...Ah better get ta bed. Lord knows Ah won’t be gettin’ much sleep fer a while...’


With the last parting word, Applejack sets her paper aside and lays on her back. Staring into seemingly nothing but the bunk above her, she thinks about the things in life that could have or have led to her current situation. What did she do to get the military’s attention? With a resigning sigh, she props herself up on one arm and leans out from her bed a bit. Waiting a moment to think about whether bothering her friend was a good idea, she sighs and whispers out*


“Dash? Ya awake?”


No response. Not even a stir. After waiting a few moments Applejack lays back in her bunk.


‘Must be asleep...’ She thought to herself.


Suddenly a couple of seconds later she heard the top bunk stir and creak as her Rainbow haired friend hung her head down over the bunk.


“What’s up AJ?...” she whispers back.


“Can...Can Ah level with ya, Dash?...”


“C’mon AJ...we’re pals! You know you can tell me anything...” she responds with a grin that never ceases to warm Applejacks heart.


“Right...well...the truth is Dash...A-Ah’m scared. Ah hate showin’ it, and Ah hate ta admit it...but Ah’m genuinely scared. Ah dunno what we’re in for...h-how long until we’re both shot dead or captured?...”


A bout of silence filled the air of the barracks for a moment as neither girl said a word. Finally, Rainbow Dash lowers herself to the floor as quietly as she can and sits in the bed next to her country friend. Slinging an arm around Applejacks shoulders, she takes a deep breath and stares out the window*


“Look...Between you and me? I’m scared too... i mean...I know I don’t show it because I’m awesome at hiding it...”


A roll of the eyes from Applejack to her friends boasting.


“But yeah. I’m scared. No...I’m terrified. I’ve been in fights before but...nothing to this extreme. I’ve never KILLED anyone. And you’re right. I don’t know when or if we’re going to be killed on the spot or captured by the enemy. But we can’t let that get to us. Our country needs us to defend it. We’re the only thing keeping THEM out of the states and killing everyone in sight. It’s okay to be scared. But we can’t let that fear control us when there’s people out there that need us to protect them...”


Surprised and touched by Rainbow Dash’s words, Applejack smiles and pulls her friend into a hug, nearly squeezing the life out of her already blue skinned friend before she pulls back.


“Thanks Dash...Ah needed that talk...”


“Heh...a-anytime...” Rainbow stammers as she tries to work out the kinks in her neck from the ‘Hulk Hug’.


“So...forty eight hours...then it’s off to the Devils sandbox...”


“Eeyup...”


“Man...that’s going to suck MAJOR balls...”


“Eeyup...”


Any chance we can ditch this place and high tail it home?”


“Nope...”


“Damn...”


“Ah wish there was Dash. Believe me Ah wish we could just say ‘Ah quit’ and run home with our tails between our legs. But..unfortunately that ain’t how it works. So...only thing we can do is suck it up and deal with it for as long as we can...”


“Right...that General Sentry is a bit of a dick though, right?” Rainbow asked in a joking manner, shooting a grin to her friend.


“Heh...alright maybe just a bit. But it’s like Ah said a while back...he has ta be a hard ass to harden US up. Ain’t no room fer sissies in the military. Which reminds me. Ain’t ya gotta report ta Captain Spitfire tomorrow?”


“Yeah. Says we’re going over the basics of how to operate a jet one more time before we take off...afraid one of them is going to go into ‘Limp dick’ mode as she calls it and forget EVERYTHING we’ve learned.”


“She’s got a good head on her shoulders. She’ll keep ya safe.”


“I hope so...”


“She will Dash. She’s been doin’ this fer a while now. She won’t let ya down...”


Rainbow Dash smiles tiredly at Applejack before pulling her into one last hug.


“Thanks AJ...”


“Anytime, Sugarcube...”


“Will you two shut the hell up?! Some of us are trying to sleep!” One of the recruits calls out from somewhere in the barracks. Rainbow Dash scowls angrily and balls up her fists.


“How about I come over there and put my foot in your ass?! How would you like that?!”


“Dash, calm down. He ain’t worth it.”


“No AJ! I’m not going to just sit her while he–!”


“GET BACK IN YOUR BUNKS BEFORE I COME IN THERE, UNSCREW YOUR HEADS AND SHIT DOWN YOUR NECKS!!” General Sentry calls out angrily through the door of his own room.


“S-Sir, Yes, Sir!”


Rainbow Dash and Applejack quickly get under the covers of their respective beds, if anything to avoid having their atoms rearranged by General Sentry. Taking a deep breath she looks down and whispers down to her friend.


“Goodnight AJ...you’ll do good out there. I know you will.”


“Goodnight Dash. As long as Ah have ya watchin’ over me, Ah know Ah’ll always be safe...”


With those parting words, both girls turn over in their bunks and let the warm embrace of slumber overtake them in a matter of minutes.
> Chapter 15
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Two days later’

This was it. No more playing around. No more jokes. No more bullshit. It was time to get serious now. Applejack and Rainbow Dash rose bright and early and got themselves ready to go on their very first mission. To say both girls were nervous was...well...an understatement.

As they got their packs together and gathered everything they’d need for their journey. They both looked at one another and gave each other a small smile, as if to reassure the other that all would be okay. But the silence said it all. Both girls could feel the fear practically radiating from the other as tension rose. As they gathered the last of their needed items into their packs, they both cast each other one last glance before embracing each other in a tight hug. One of those hugs that was slightly painful, but neither girl cared and neither one wanted to let go, lest it be the last they ever see each other...

“Y-You be safe now, ya hear?” Applejack said, her voice shaking with fear. Rainbow Dash gives her a small nod in return and responds with tears in her eyes.

“Y-You too...y-you’d better come back...”

“I-I’ll do my best Dash...”

Just then, the door to the barracks slams open as General Sentry and Captain Spitfire walk through in full uniform, their faces as cold as ice.

“Alright, listen up! Each and every one of you have trained hard for this moment! Every waking moment of the last few weeks has led you here. I’m not going to lie to any of you. Some of you probably won’t make it back...but this is what soldiers do! We lay down our lives to protect our home! Our freedom! Our very way of life! Without us, there is NOTHING standing between Uncle Sam and the savages in that God forsaken country that would rather see America burn to the ground! I want you to know I’m proud of all of you for making it this far! It has been an honor to have you in my Corps. Now it’s time to see what you’re really made of! We are Marines, are we not?!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“DO THE MARINES BACK DOWN IN THE FACE OF DANGER?!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

“DO THE MARINES GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT?!”

“SIR, NO, SIR!!”

“ARE YOU READY TO PUT IT ALL ON THE LINE FOR HONOR, INTEGRITY, AND THE FREEDOM OF THIS GREAT NATION?!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“THEN LETS GET IT DONE, MARINES!!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

“ALRIGHT! Now that all that is out of the way, Captain Spitfire here is here to brief everyone about the shit storm of a country you all will be heading into today! Show her the respect she deserves and you will all be okay! Listen to her, and she’ll get you all home safely! Captain Spitfire, you have the floor.”

General Sentry nods over to Captain Spitfire as she nods back and takes a few steps forward.

“Thank you General...As General Sentry said, I’m proud of how far you have all progressed in your time here! But the easy part is over now! Today, you all ship off to Afghanistan! For some of you, this will be the last time you ever see each other. For others...for others you’ll have the grace of God on your side! And you all have my solid word, that I will do my damndest to bring you all home in one piece! Those of you that don’t...i will personally make sure to inform your families myself. I will see to it! NOW, I hope your packs are big enough for your balls! Because you’re gonna need ‘em when we get to the hot zone! EVERYONE CLEAR?!”

“MA’AM, YES, MA’AM!!”

“GOOD! Then let’s go! Plane leaves at 1630!!” She says before spinning around on her heels and walking out with her hands folded behind her back.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash cast one last look at each other before they both make their way to the plane. As the large grey fuselage of the C-130J came into view, both girls could hear their hearts hammering in their ears. Applejack looked over to Rainbow Dash, who was staring wide eyed at the large quad-engines passenger plane, and noticed her hand shaking with fear. Forgoing her own fear, Applejack reached down and grabbed Rainbow Dash’s hand in an attempt to calm her down.

“Easy Dash, we ain’t their yet. We’ll be okay. Jes’ gotta watch out fer each other...”

Rainbow Dash casts a glance to her blonde friend and manages a smile.

“T-Thanks AJ...”

“Anytime, sugarcube...”

Both girls made their way onto the plane and took their seats before strapping themselves in, while a flurry of other newly released marines and airmen make their way on board as well. Once everyone had taken their seats the cargo bay loading door slowly closed, allowing everyone to cast a final look at the place they call home. As the engines of the plane start up, Applejack sees Rainbow Dash visibly flinch and gulp as the plane starts to move.

“First time flyin’, Dash?” Applejack asks with a smile.

“Y-Yeah...”

“Mine too...”

“Hope you all ate breakfast this morning! It might get a little bumpy...” Captain Spitfire yells with a smirk as she fastens herself into her own seat.

As the plane lifts off, Rainbow Dash leans her head back as far as she can in a desperate attempt to calm herself in any way she can. For the majority of the flight, everyone remained silent, save for the occasional small talk from the other soldiers. As time passed, nightfall approached and that meant one last bit of sleep for everyone before they dive headfirst into the pits of Hell.

Even as the plane ride made it extremely difficult for anyone to catch any sleep, most of them managed any way they could, even Applejack and Rainbow Dash managed to catch a few winks. Mere hours later, the pilot comes on the intercom, with a voice WAY too cheery for being early in the morning and for going where they’re going.

“Gooooood morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the U.S. Shag-n-bag! My name is Captain Jonathan Forsythe and I will be your pilot for the duration of this flight! As always it’s an honor to have you aboard the FINEST C-130 the United States Military has to offer! This beautiful beast is equipped with fully loaded 105 millimeter gun, wing mounted Hellfire missiles, several infrared countermeasures, AAAAAND a full storage unit of flares in case evasive maneuvers are needed. If you look to your left and right you will see the familiar faces of those you trained with! Remember those faces and trust that they will keep you safe as I’m sure you would do for them! Now you may hear the sound of something bouncing off the fuselage of this aircraft, that is because we are currently taking fire from a small group of ISIS forces just below us as we go in for a landing. Not to worry though as it takes more than 30 caliber rounds to penetrate the hide of THIS monster. Right beside me is my copilot, Staff Sergeant Dale Chipmann! Sergeant Chipmann you DID inform our guests below they were on a game show didn’t you?” He asks, keeping a joking tone the entire time.

“Awww shoot you know what? Must have slipped my mind Captain Forsythe!”

“What a shame. In any case, show our contestants what they’ve won today!”

“My pleasure!”

Seconds later everyone hears the turrets of the plane moving to a different position.

“Looks like they all win the same prize! A body full of lead!” The copilot tells before a loud ‘BRRRRRT!!’ Can be heard from inside the plane. Both pilots of the plane cackle wildly and address everyone else in the plane.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA!! There they go! Looks like someone spilled a bunch of ketchup everywhere!” Captain Forsythe says with an audible grin on his face.

Applejack lets out a gulp before looking toward Rainbow Dash, who had begun to look VERY pale.

“I’m gonna be sick, AJ...” she says weakly, her eyes filled with horror.

“I-It’s Alright Dash...j-jes’ be glad we can’t see ‘em...”

Captain Spitfire unbuckles herself from her seat and stands up before turning around in front of everyone.

“LISTEN UP! I know that this was a less than pleasant welcome to Afghanistan. But I’m going to have to ask you all to suck it up! These people have to deal with this every single day of their lives. We as Americans are fortunate that we’re not in the same situation. You should also count yourselves lucky that today is not the day you will be seeing combat! We’ve gotta get you all settled into your new homes first! As such it will be no different than the barracks back home during your training. The only difference between here and there is that sometimes, we DO take fire from the enemy at our base! In which case we will act with efficiency and defend ourselves to the best of our ability! Private Dash! As I’m sure you are aware when we go out into The Pit, you will be under my watch, and Private Apple will be under yours, am I correct?!”

“MA’AM, YES, MA’AM!!”

“GOOD! Then you and here are to be within sight of each other at all times if you are not being briefed by me! Is that understood?”

“MA’AM, YES, MA’AM!!”

“Alright! Buckle up, people! It’s about to get rough!”

Captain Spitfire sits back down in her seat and buckled herself in as the plane descends, coming in for a less than smooth landing as bullets continue to ricochet off the planes exterior, only to stop when they are within the safety of the compound.

“Thank you for choosing U.S. Shag-n-Bag! Your one stop flight for all your military needs! We welcome you to Afghanistan and hope you enjoy your stay!” Captain Forsythe says jokingly, making Spitfire roll her eyes.

“Can it, dumbass!”

As the cargo loading bay door lowers, everyone is immediately assaulted with the harsh 120°F heat radiating from the sun, in addition to the blinding light.

“Here we are! Your new home until further notice! I will take you to the man that runs this place and he will tell you where to go! Those of you that are with me, you will meet me in the west wing at 0530 tomorrow morning, am I understood?!”

“MA’AM, YES, MA’AM!!”

“Very good! Follow me!”

Everyone follows the woman in a single file line, staying out of the way of the other soldiers who had been there for a good long while. Some of them paid them no attention. Others looked at them with sorrow in their eyes. A select few of them stared the new blood down like meat on a stick, waiting to be devoured. It didn’t take long for their journey to come to an end.

Captain Spitfire came to a stop in front of a door to a semi large building. She knocks on the door only to be met with a large gruff voice from inside.

“ENTER!”

She opens the door and confronts an older man in uniform, a cigar in one hand, his other hand placed firmly on the table where a map is displayed, a clear look of frustration on his face. Captain Spitfire walks up to the table and salutes the man, getting his attention. He looks up at her and the look on his face is replaced with one more stoic.

“At ease, Captain.” He says calmly. Captain Spitfire lowers her hand to her side.

“What can I do for you Captain?” He asks, starting down the new blood behind her.

“General Jackson, we have some fresh recruits ready for deployment. I was ordered to assign the ones necessary to you so that you may take over and brief them on the situation. I will take my Airmen with me tomorrow and leave the rest with you.”

“Thank you Captain Spitfire. Dismissed.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” She says before turning on her heels, nodding to the new recruits and walking out the door.

“So, you sorry bastards are the newest addition to the United States Military, huh?”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!” Everyone replied.

“God, help us...” He said before walking out the door and looking back at them.

“Well then...let’s get a move on. I got shit to do. LETS GO!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!”

Without anything else to say all of the new recruits, including Applejack and Rainbow Dash, follow the man out as he directed them where they would be staying.

“Guess there’s no turning back now...” Rainbow Dash says quietly, to which Applejack smiles somberly and shakes her head.

“Nope...were stuck here...”

“....Fuck...”