Recruitment

Spike awoke early the next morning. So early, that even the sun had yet to arise.

He looked over from his basket to see that Twilight was still sleeping. This was a rare thing, him awakening before she did. Her face contorted into worry and discomfort. It made him feel bad that he was partially the cause of it.

Since he was basically alone with his thoughts, he decided to contemplate. His thoughts wondered to the choices he has made, as well as the ones he will make.

It's all for them. He thought in the end. As if those four words were all the reason he needed for the choice he made.

As silently as possible, he crawled from his basket.

The baby dragon took one last look around the room for anything to take. Spike knew that whatever he needed would be provided. But there was nothing against taking something of sentimental value.

He only took a picture of the mares, nothing else.

Spike looked over at the resting mare once again.

"Goodbye mom." He whispered so low, he knew she'd never hear while asleep. "I love you."

Spike arrived at the meeting post for the volunteers. He saw that the mares and stallions were still waiting idly for the arrival of more volunteers.

"Hello Spike." Shining Armor greeted. "Here to see the soldiers off?"

"Actually I'm here with permission from Twilight to join." He spoke with pride. "I can officially enlist as a soldier of Equestria!"

"Really?" Shining asked in shock. "You actually convinced Twilight?"

Spike lost the pride and began rubbing his neck bashfully. "Well...the Princesses showed and...." Spike began trailing off, hoping Shining wouldn't press the issue.

Luckily he did.

"Where is everypony?" Shining asked as he looked around. "Any of them to see you off?"

"No, I left while Twilight was still asleep." Spike answered as he looked away in sadness. "Didn't want to cause her any more stress than she had from last night."

Shining Armor nodded in understanding. He remember when he left to join the Guard, while his dad and sister had been watching pride, his mother was more...watery.

"I guess that's why we had to come as a surprise." A voice spoke from behind.

Shining Armor and Spike turned to see the main six, minus Applejack, who was seeing her brother off.

"What are...?"

"You didn't honestly think we'd let our little hero leave without a proper goodbye, did you?" Rarity asked.

Spike didn't say anything, he just smiled and rubbed away the tears that were forming in his eyes.

"Since we can't have a farewell party I made a farewell cake!" Pinkie spoke as she presented a whole chocolate cake. Grabbing a chunk with her hoof, she shoved it into his mouth. "Now make sure you listen to your Drill Sergeant and play nice with the other soldiers." She stated as she fed him another slice. "Unless of course the other soldiers want to cause trouble, then you have to kick their flanks."

"Alright that's enough cake for Spike." Rarity spoke as she pulled him away and began washing the chocolate off of him. "You're representing Equestria so make sure you're always at your finest."

"Enough of the mushy stuff." Rainbow groaned as she snatched Spike away. "He's off to be a soldier, not his first day of school." She turned to the baby dragon. "Make sure you come back at least twenty percent cooler, or I'll put you under my training."

"Don't try and scare him now." Twilight stated as she pulled Spike into her hooves. "I love you too." She whispered as she gave him a tight hug.

The ponies and dragon were all lined up in a single line, not like they needed another. No pony else decided to volunteer, not a good sign.

"Alright ponies!" Shining began loudly. "And dragon!" He added. "As I mentioned yesterday, all necessary items will be provided for you!" His horn began glowing and moved several booklet towards the soldiers in waiting. "This is one such item, this booklet contains the basics that you will be needing to know." They began reaching for the booklets, only for them to be pulled out of range. "This is your last chance! Go home now, or get on those chariots!"

Hesitantly, the stallions and mares began climbing into the chariots.

"Spike, you come sit with me." Shining called as he made his way towards another chariot.

The one they entered was empty, minus them. The pony pulling didn't count, he was too focused on his task.

"This is it." Spike said slightly nervous.

"So Spike, what do you know about the military?" He asked. "Not the stuff about it's purpose, I mean the fundamentals, the mechanics."

Spike wracked his brain for an answer, but he couldn't come up with what the stallion was asking for.

"Nothing." He answered.

"Well, unlike other nations, there is only one branch of Equestrian military." Shining began. "There used to be three branches, but they have not been used since the peace Equestria has been in under a united rule." He paused to rethink his statement. "Minus the odd, evil creature here and there. I won't bore you with the details of those branches you won't be entering, so I'll just give you the rundown." His horn began to glow as he summoned one of the booklets he had handed out.

Equestrian Army Ranks - Lowest to Highest

Regular soldiers -

Private-A hoof soldier.

Private First Class-A semi-experienced hoof soldier. No real authority, but shows exceptional skill.

Sergeant-Commanded squads made up of nine troops.

Sergeant First Class-Second in command of a Lieutenant with no Second Lieutenant present.

Junior Officers -

Second Lieutenant-Lieutenant in a mandatory tour of duty before completing his training. Second to a Lieutenant.

Lieutenant-Second in command of a platoon, squad leader. Commanded platoons composed of four squads (36 troops).

Commander-Commanded companies made up of four platoons (144 troops).

Captain-Commanded regiments made up of four battalions (2,304 troops).-second in command of a specialized platoon.

Officers -

Master Sergeant - (For specialized units.)

Warrant Officer - (In charge of logistics and armament for a battalion)

Senior Officers -

Major (Second in command of a colonel, or in charge of a specialized platoon)

Colonel (In charge of a Battalion - 4 in each brigade)

General (In charge of brigades - There are 3 for each force.)

Critical Officers -

High Commander (Master of Force - Air Force, Land Force, Magic Force, Copper Force - pony reserve force.)

Chief of Arms (Master of the Equestrian Armed Forces)- Role of Princesses, or Prince in rare cases.

Field Marshal (Optional Rank, awarded for extraordinary feats. This rank is the highest in Equestrian Military.

"The way you move through rank is with experience and with your actions during each task." Shining explained. "Though a field promotion or one personally granted by Royalty is the exception. Still, a pony can be a soldier for several years and not move a single rank. Or a recruit can move through several ranks in under a year."

"How is that fair?" Spike asked.

"It's not, but you won't put someone good with a sword but dimwitted in charge of another would you?" Shining asked. "A soldier has his place. Be it a fighter, a leader, or just a extra pair of hooves." He motioned towards the volunteers. "Ponies like them, who have no call for fighting, don't usually move higher than Private First Class. Can't put a baker in the army and call him an Officer, though it's not impossible."

Spike thought this new information over. It was simple, yet so effective.

"Why are they called regular soldiers?" Spike asked. "Does it have to do with the Royal Guards and Wonderbolts?"

"Yes and no. The Royal Guards are just that, protectors of royalty, not that they really need it." Shining answered, while whispering the last part. "And the Wonderbolts are actually more like show ponies, though many have enlisted. There skills will be well used as a Special task force, such as search and rescue."

"The Shadowbolts?"

"The same, but more for subterfuge based tactics."

"Who are the High Commanders?" Spike asked.

"Currently, there are only two." Shining answered. "Spitfire, former head of the Wonderbolts, has been chosen as the High Commander: Master of Air Force. It was an easy choice seeing as she trains the greatest flyers in Equestria."

"Is the other magic?" Spike asked.

A single thought flew threw both their minds at that moment. I'm sure Twilight would love to meet him or her.

"Yes actually." Shining chuckled. "Sir Fancy Pants. The only High Class Arch-Mage in all of Equestria." (I'm not sure why I chose him, people usually pick him as some former high level magic user, retired from active duty. It was easy to go with.)

"Huh." Was all Spike said. "Would have thought it'd be Twilight herself, or even Discord."

"Well, Royalty have there own positions." He answered. "And Discord..." The Prince didn't know what to say until something caught his attention. "We're here."

"Where is here?" Spike asked as he looked from the other side.

"Tarturas on Earth."

The place that Shining Armor was talking about, the training grounds, was not what Spike had imagined.

Spike and crew were now arriving at the camp like base were they would be training. The fly had been silent for the other volunteers since there was not much to talk about.

As they landed Spike saw more chariots, full of what he assumed were more volunteers from the other cities and towns. There were some ponies he recognized, and same he didn't.

Once every pony had finally arrived they were instantly lined up.

"WELL LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE HERE!" A strong voice shouted. "YOU HAVE TO BE THE MOST PATHETIC BUNCH OF RECRUITS I'VE SEEN YET!" Every pony and dragon turned to see the one who was shouting. A green Unicorn in the standard armor outfit walked and studied them. He was bigger than Big Mac and had an angry look to him. His cutie mark was a muscle rippling foreleg. "I AM YOUR DRILL SERGEANT, YOU WILL CALL ME SIR, AND NOTHING ELSE!" He stated. "DON'T BOTHER TRYING TO TELL ME YOUR NAMES BECAUSE I DON'T CARE, YOU'RE WHOEVER AND WHATEVER I CALL YOU." He paused to gouge their reaction."MY JOB IS TO TURN ALL YOU FILLIES INTO SOLDIERS OF EQUESTRIA, IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?"

"SIR, YES SIR!"

"NOW I ALREADY DON'T LIKE YOU BUNCH AND WHEN THIS IS OVER!" He had a cruel smile. "YOU WILL HATE ME." He lost the smile. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR OPINION OF ME!" He stated. "MY JOB IS ONLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL MAKE IT THROUGH, IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?"

"SIR, YES SIR!"

"NO, IT IS NOT!" He snapped. "AS YOU ALL KNOW, EQUESTRIA IS SO OUTNUMBERED IN THIS WAR THAT WE HAD TO TAKE IN YOU STRAYS AND WE'RE STILL OUTNUMBERED! I DON'T EXPECT MANY OF YOU TO SURVIVE THIS WAR AND I DON'T EXPECT THOSE THAT DO TO COPE WELL." He began marching up and down the ranks as he eyeballed the recruits. "HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR GETTING YOURSELVES INTO?" He asked. "HOW MANY ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE LIFE AND LIMB? I BET SOME OF YOU JOINED FOR SOMETHING LIKE GLORY OR RESPECT!" He continued. "IF YOU STILL HAVE LEGS TO WALK, WINGS TO STILL FLY, STILL HAVE YOUR HORN, THEN YOUR LUCKY." He looked away. "BUT MOST OF ALL, IF YOU STILL HAVE YOUR WITS...then you are blessed."

The recruits didn't know what to say, they had a feeling that 'nothing' was appropriate.

"Sir?" Somepony spoke up, bringing him from his thoughts.

"ARE YOU ALL READY TO WHATEVER EQUESRIA ASKS OF YOU, EVEN SACRIFICE LIFE AND LIMB?!" He asked.

"YES SIR!"

"ARE YOU READY FOR ANYTHING?" He asked.

"YES SIR!"

"ARE YOU STILL READY FOR ANYTHING?"

"YES S-"

"WRONG!" He shouted as he smacked the nearest pony, a stallion Spike didn't recognize, he fell and didn't get back up. "YOU'RE NEVER PREPARED FOR ANYTHING UNLESS YOU PREPARE FOR EVERYTHING, UNFORTUNATELY WE CAN'T DO THAT." He sighed. "THE TRAINING HERE WON'T BE WHAT THE FULL COURSE IS FOR THOSE WHO SPENT THERE LIVES TRAINING FOR MOMENTS LIKE THIS." He began explaining. "I almost feel sorry for you." He whispered. "YOUR TRAINING WILL BE RUSHED, BUT IT WILL COVER THREE BASICS OF OUR MILITARY. COMBAT, SURVIVAL, HARMONY!"

The ponies and dragon tried to piece the last one together. They understood the combat and survival, but Harmony? War was the opposite of that, the Princess had told him herself.

"EACH OF YOU WILL BE ORGANIZED AND EQUIPPED WITH THE NECESSITIES, THE STANDARD TOOLS AND ALL THAT." He stated. "ANYTHING ELSE IS A LUXURY AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, THIS IS TRAINING FACILITY, NOT A SPA RESORT." He stopped his march and turned to them. "NOW LET'S MAKE YOU ALL PRESENTABLE."

Spike was in line with a bunch of other stallions and mares.

"ALRIGHT PONIES, JUST BECAUSE WE'RE IN DESPERATE NEED OF YOU DOESN'T MEAN WE NEED TO LOOK IT." T

Each of them were placed in a chair with a pony behind them with a pair of clippers. Everypony had their mane cut very low, but left enough on the side to look like a miniature Mohawk.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" A stallion behind Spike asked. "Oh, I know."

The stallion's horn began to glow as the scissors enlarged until they were shears. He placed them onto Spike's top spine and clipped it. The dragon watched as it fell to the ground.

That don't feel right. He thought.

It didn't hurt, there were no nerves in his spines, but he did feel it...leave him.

Each of them were lined back up.

"NOW THAT WE HAVE YOU ALL LOOKING PRETTY, WE'LL BE GOING TO THE PLACE YOU ALL WILL CALL HOME FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS."

They were brought to a strong looking barrack. It was large and...sterile, there were no defining features to the place other than it's emptiness. It was obviously designed as a necessity with no comfort in mind, maybe to motivate the ponies to do their best as leave as soon as possible.

There were a total of twelve bunk-beds, six on both halves of the barrack. In the far back was a door that led to the bathroom which held one shower head and toilet for each of them.

"Excuse me, sir?" One of the mares spoke. "Where will the ladies be bunking?"

"YOU WILL ALL BE BUNKING UNDER THE SAME ROOF, KEEP YOU ALL EQUAL AND ALL THAT MESS." He answered as if he hadn't cared and he probably didn't. A few stallions began leering at the mares in the room, some of which returned with obvious bedroom eyes. "THERE WILL BE NO HANKY-PANKY UNDER THIS ROOF, UNDERSTAND." It wasn't a question. "YOU GOT AN ITCH, WELL TO BAD FOR YOU THERE AIN'T AN OINTMENT."

That caused a few stallions to snicker, bad idea. The Drill Sergeant turned a cold eye to each of them, shutting them up fast but not fast enough.

"Oh, somepony must think I'm a comedian huh?" He asked only to be greeted with silence. "What, none of you think I'm funny?" He asked almost sincerely, none took the bait. "Here's a riddle, what wishes it was dead but doesn't have the luxury?"

"Ugh, is it-" The stallion never finished.

He was headbutted by the Drill Sergeant and fell to the ground unconscious.

"THE NEXT ONE OF YOU THAT OPENS HIS BUCKING MOUTH!" He answered. "GOT IT?"

"SIR, YES SIR!"

"LISTEN AND LISTEN GOOD." He ordered. "YOU WILL NOT LAUGH UNTIL I SAY SO. YOU WILL NOT CRY UNLESS I SAY SO. YOU WILL NOT SO MUCH AS BLINK UNLESS I GIVE THE OKAY, UNDERSTOOD?!"

"SIR, YES SIR!"

"YOU WILL HAVE THE REST OF THE DAY TO YOURSELVES." He shouted. "SOCIALIZE WITH YOUR NEW COMRADES OR WHATEVER, I DON'T CARE, EVERYTHING WILL BE PROVIDED TO YOU SO DON'T BOTHER ME, UNDERSTAND?"

"SIR, YES SIR."

"DISMISSED!"

The Drill Sergeant left the barrack, making sure to slam the door on the way out. Everypony, Spike included, let out a sigh of relief.

"I call top bunk!" Lyra stated as she made her way towards an empty bunk.

Spike had tried to socialize with a few ponies but many were too... focused. All he could get were simple answers or ones involving military.

"SURPRISE!" A voice shouted as a pair of hoofs wrapped around him.

Spike felt as if his heart was about to pop. He turned and saw a pony he didn't recognize, a Pegasus. From the colorful badges she wore, she had rank. Private First Class.

"Yes sir, ma'am?" Spike asked.

If it wasn't from her differences, Spike would have sworn he was staring at Pinkie Pie. Her coat was all white, but her mane was yellow. Her cutie mark was three balloons, just like Pinkie's, but they were all purple.

"I'm Surprise." She introduced. "I've seen that you're having trouble so I'll help you." She spoke. "You are to head there to get your supplies." She pointed. "After that, you are to get acquainted with... whoever, you'll need all the friends you can get." She warned. "They could be the ones that save your life, or let it end."

With that the Pegasus flew off.

Shows out of nowhere, gives vague but helpful advice, then leaves as if nothing happened. He thought. Either Pinkie grew wings or multiplied...again.

Spike was about to do as he was told but was stopped. Not by a pony, but by a sight, but a griffin.

He was doing incredible and complicated looking routines. They were very graceful but each move looked calculated to the second. Even the heavy armor did't seem to make much of a difference. Spike hadn't been this mesmerized by an air trick since he met Rainbow Dash.

Once the tricks were finished the griffin came down and Spike went meet him. Up close Spike saw the armor was just a helmet and breast plate. Spike also saw that 'he' was a 'she', a she that he was familiar with.

"Gilda." He spoke aloud, this caught her attention.

"What do you want dweeb, I..." She paused as she scanned him. "Wait, you look familiar, have we met?"

That's right He remembered We never met personally.

"I'm Spike." He put his claw out to shake. "We haven't been introduced, but we've met."

"Where?" She asked, ignoring his claw.

"In Ponyville." He answered.

"Your from that place?" She asked in disgust. "Nothing but dweebs there."

He ignored the insult. "I'm Twilight's assistant and a friend of Rainbow Da..."

He was cut off by the sudden lack of air. Gilda had grabbed Spike by the throat and lifted him from the ground.

"Listen dweeb." She growled. "I don't want to hear about those ponies and especially not Rainbow Crash, got it?" He struggled, but he got the 'yes' out. She dropped him when he did. "What are you doing here anyway?" She asked. "Did they send you over for that friendship crud?"

"No." He answered sorely as he rubbed his neck. "I joined the Equestrian army, I want to fight."

"They let a baby fight in the war?" Gilda asked skeptically. "I'm starting to think I chose the wrong side."

"I came here to train like you." He stated slightly offended. "That way I can help."

"Like me?" She asked. "Please, I'm Private First Class." She spoke, laughing. "I'm just here to teach these dweebs a few routines before heading back into the field." She motioned to the Pegasi scattered watching them. "You on the other hand are just a newbie dweeb."

"Oh." He sighed. Spike wanted to make a remark about her rank being at the bottom, but decided against it. "Well...why did you join?"

"What is this, an interrogation!?" She asked tensely. "I joined the pony army, big whoop!" She snapped. "You all should be happy to have me on you side!"

Gilda's out burst had gained the attention of a few ponies around. They began surrounding the two expecting a fight to break out. One of the ponies happened to be the Drill Sergeant.

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?" He asked

Both Gilda and Spike froze.

The Drill Sergeant eyed the two, he focused on Gilda. She flinched under his gaze, Spike noticed. She must not be on their good side at the moment he thought.

"WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED THAT YOU ARE IN THIS?" He asked as he glared at the griffon. "AT THIS RATE..." Spike began to tune him out as his advice assaulted him.

He remembered Surprise's words. 'They could be the ones that save your life, or let it end.' Spike involuntarily grabbed the black gem hanging around his neck.

I need friends, not enemies. He thought.

"It's my fault sir." Spike stated cutting the Drill Sergeant off. "I caused this."

This caught both by surprise. The Drill Sergeant knew it was Gilda and was confused, so was Gilda. She was sure he'd let her take the heat, it's what she would have done.

"WELL THEN ROOKIE!" He bellowed. "YOU NEED TO BE PUNISHED!"

"Punished?" He asked terrified.

"YOU DIDN'T THINK WE'D GIVE YOU SPECIAL TREATMENT DID YOU?" He asked. "Oh I know exactly who you are, Spike, hatched by Twilight Sparkle, the former student of Princess Celestia and now a Princess herself. WELL THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING HERE!"

Spike gulped, he knew he was in trouble.

Spike was exhausted, the Drill Sergeant had made him do several strenuous training exercises. Running, push up, pull ups, et-cetera. As soon as he had finished one he was put on another until he collapsed. They only let him rest while in the up of a push up position.

Now he was in the bunker, he was to stay in there with the rest of his platoon. His bed was uncomfortable and he was lonely. They even told him that he would get no supper.

Every pony was now asleep but him.

Well, no time like now. He thought as he pulled out a quill and piece of paper.

"SURPRISE!" For the second time that day Spike almost jumped out of his scales. "How are you doing...Spike was it?"

"Yes, it's Spike." He answered as he held his chest. "I think you'll finish me before those Changelings get the chance."

There was a pause before they shared a grim and awkward laugh. Poor choice of words.

"I saw what you did." She stated kindly. "It was a nice thing to do."

"Thanks." Spike said. "I just remembered what you told me about needing friends."

"Make friends, a comrade can harm just as much as they can help." Surprise spoke.

"Yeah, I..." He didn't get to finish.

The barrack doors burst open as Gilda barged in. She gave a glare at Surprise before ordering her out. The griffon turned her attention to Spike.

What is she...?

His thoughts were cut off by her assault. The griffon clamped a claw over his mouth and held him down. The strength was enough to both silence and freeze him in fear.

She leaned in showing a angry face.

"Listen dweeb." She growled silently. "I don't know what you're pulling but don't think I owe you anything!"

With that she released him and left. He watched her leave and she hadn't so much as looked back.

What was that about? He thought.

Deciding not to focus on the griffin, he went back to his letter. He looked over on the bed and felt something, looking at it he saw two large objects.

Two large diamonds.

They were still covered in dirt. Obviously a sign of just being dug up. He didn't care, they were food, they were something to eat.

"Like I said." Surprise spoke as she leaned into the barrack. "They can help or harm."

He quickly and silently ate them, they weren't enough to satisfy him but they would hold him over.

It was time for him to finish his letter.

Dear Elements of Harmony

I have began the training of a soldier and I hope you aren't still upset Twilight. I want to make you proud and protect you all. The Drill Sergeant is a slave driver but I feel he means well. I...

I think I've made a friend... He thought about it. And something at least something close to one.

Love Spike.

Spike let out a small breath of green fire and turned the letter to ashes. He gave a small smile as he watched the ashes fly to their destination.

Now it was time to sleep.

Author's Note

1) Once again, I know little about the military. These ranks are from a fanmade MLP website, though I did add on some extra to them. Here. It was either that or Star Wars, easier to follow, but very little ranks.-Like six of them.
2) If you have anything to say, let it be constructive or nice. Anything else, you can keep to yourself.
3) If anyone can come up with a proper training regime for Spike, that would be greatly appreciated.