Platoon 42

The Royal Guard Academy. 11:43 A.M, 8th October.

Shining Armor pushed aside the double doors that led to Classroom 14. He gazed inside and spotted a lone teacher, sleeping contently at the back of the room. He slowly entered, still examining his surroundings. The walls were lined with bookshelves and those posters that they put up in schools to make it look like the students put in effort. There was a collection of empty desks and chairs ordered in rows and columns, forming a grid pattern across the room.

The front door creaked open slightly, and a stallion with a pale yellow coat and short brown hair peaked in, he smiled with his mouth half-open for know discernible reason. Beside him, another stallion with shining white fur and a glossy, blonde main appeared. "Psst." He whispered.

Shining Armor glared at him for a moment.

"Shiny! Is it safe?" He hissed.

"Sh! Rock, Ace, get back outside!" Shining Armor replied quietly. "And I thought I told you not to call me Shiny in the last chapter!"

"It's easier than writing out 'Shining Armor' every time you're referred to!"

The teacher mumbled slightly and shifted, he opened his eyes and yelled, "Ah! Baboons!" His eyes darted around wildly and rested on Shining Armor. "Sorry, night terrors. Now, what can I help you with?"

"You're Professor Gilbins? Right?" Shining Armor asked warily.

"In-deed I am!" The professor replied eccentrically. "And who are you, exactly?"

"I am Shining Armor."

"Are those ponies with you?" He gestured to Rock and Ace, who waved back innocently.

Shining Armor sighed. "Unfortunately."

"Well! Do come in! Please, take a seat!" The professor yelled exuberantly.

Rock and Ace glanced at each other, then trotted towards Shining Armor.

Gilbins examined the trio. "You would be Platoon 42, yes?"

Shining Armor cleared his throat. "Yes, sir."

"Where are your other members?"

"Sparks is on her way and I'm pretty sure Peter is-"

There was a sharp bang, a "whoops, sorry" and a thud like someone smacking into a door from outside.

"Oh, there's Peter."

"Sorry I'm late." Said the nasally voice of a colt with a light grey body and short, messy black hair.

"About time, Peter." Said Ace. "Where are your glasses?"

Peter felt his face. "Oh, dang, I knew I'd forgotten something. No wonder I couldn't see where I was going."

Suddenly, an orange-bodied mare with frizzy purple hair appeared through a blast of violet magic. She held a spanner in her mouth, wore laboratory goggles over her forehead and was covered in what appeared to be motor oil. She spat the spanner onto the floor. "Did I miss anything?"

"Sparks, you look even worse than usual." Ace grimaced. "What on earth is going on with your mane?"

"This is how I always have my mane."

"Oh, yes. I just forgot how terrible it looked." Ace smirked.

"Hilarious." Sparks said, utterly emotionless. "Oh, by the way, I think you chipped a hoof."

"Wait, what?" Ace asked urgently, checking his hooves, causing Sparks to giggle.

"Are you all quite done?" Gilbins asked, twisting his head around to stare at them all.

"Yes, sir." Sparks cleared her throat.

"I suppose you're all wondering why you've been summoned here."

The five ponies nodded simultaneously.

"Well, actually, so am I."

"But I thought you called us here?" Peter asked.

"No. I did." Said Scarlet, appearing from the shadows.

All ponies turned to face her, then Ace said, "How long have you been standing there?"

Scarlet looked at her watch. "Fifty four minutes. But that's not important. I have good news for you."

"We're getting promoted?" Shining Armor asked.

"No."

"We're getting a raise?" Sparks wondered.

"No."

"They're doing half price on pedicures at the castle spa?" Ace suggested.

"No."

"Carrot." Said Rock.

"Carrot?"

"Carrot." Rock repeated.

Shining Armor rolled his eyes. "Rock can be a little... away with the stars. If you know what I mean."

"I like the green rabbits." Rock said gleefully.

"Yeah, most of the time he's got no idea what's going on."

Scarlet shook her head. "It matters not. I'm here to tell you that Princess Celestia has selected your platoon to be entered into more advanced training courses."

"Really?" Shining Armor asked. "Are you sure you've got the right platoon?"

"Yes, I couldn't believe it at first either."

"But, why us?" Peter wondered.

"We've gotta have some sort of storyline, right? Anyhow, as of this moment, you all officially begin training. Myself and Professor Gilbins will be your mentors now."

"Hello!" Gilbins yelled.

"Wow, this is amazing. Almost as amazing as my hair." Ace remarked, stroking his mane.

"You seriously want us?" Sparks asked, still grinning.

"Of course I don't want you!" Scarlet exclaimed. "But the Princess insists."

"Does that mean we get to hang out with the cool kids?" Peter asked nobody in particular.

"Have you seen yourselves? Nobody will want to 'hang out' with you. You're a rag-tag group of moronic buffoons... and Sparks."

Sparks bowed.

Shining Armor smiled and to the rest of the platoon said: "This is it guys. This is our big break. We're finally in."

"We're real guards now!" Peter squealed.

"As if I wasn't good enough before!" Said Ace.

"Finally, we can be seen as something more than a group of amateurs." Sparks gazed upwards in wonder.

"Carrot." Rock insisted.

The others stared at Rock. "Yes, Rock." Shining Armor agreed. "Carrot."

Rock nodded and smiled knowingly. "Carrot."

"Woah, woah, woah!" Scarlet yelled. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. You're not real guards yet, you have to pass your certification exam."

"And when will that be?" Shining Armor asked.

"Three days." Scarlet confirmed.

"Three days?" The ponies yelled.

"Only three days to learn everything about being royal guards?" Ace asked, dumbfounded.

"We have to wait three days?" Sparks moaned. "I could do that exam with my eyes closed!"

"Hey!" Ace exclaimed. "It's my job to me smug, stuck up and generally arrogant."

"With all due respect, ma'am. That isn't enough time!" Shining Armor protested.

Scarlet shrugged. "Not my orders, kid. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a stubborn princess to speak with, good day... and good luck." She said, as she disappeared behind the door.

"Don't worry, everypony!" Gilbins reassured them. "I'm sure you'll have great fun! Even if you don't pass. Which is very likely."