Since I was a kid, I felt in myself that I would make a really good mercenary. Not because I had a killer instinct, but because that was the only way to prove to everyone that I wasn't a failure. ''You are useless!'', ''You can't make something right!'' or ''You are the weakest colt I've ever met, Arold!'' was my daily routine. You can imagine their faces, when I told them that I had filled out the registration form for the military academy. I left them speechless! I knew it is was gonna be hard, but I was training from a young age, so I wasn't afraid of what would happen.
The day has come.
<> My mother was worried beyond reason, I had to interrupt her.
<> If she hasn't stopped, I would never be able to join the ''R.R.R'', the prestigious institution of civil protection! <> I said that to reassure her, but if she listened what I told her, she would know that there are no permission to visit a family member before one year of service... Poor mom, she's gonna be so lonely... Since dad has died, what is she gonna do, alone...
<> That might be some kind of psychic link between her and me, but I never had that kind of connection with my father. He wasn't a distant man, on the contrary, but as a member of the Wonderbolts, she was absent, frenquently absent. Speaking of which, it's amazing that the Wonderbolts persisted that much. My father was a big fan of that famous Wonderbolt... What was her name? Mmmh.... Rainbow Rash? Rainpow Dash? I don't remember, but the most disturbing, is that she outlived him, she even came to his funeral.
Anyway, as I said: the day has come, it's time for the bird to leave the nest. The road'll be hard, dangerous and full of obstacle, but it is worth.
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<> I couldn't believe it, I was going to face my destiny! That was the most beautiful day of my life (following the day I put a firecracker in the toilet bowl before the pricipal sits on it, at the university... Of course). I was walking to the entrance, when somepony came from the hall and collided with me.
<> as soon as I shouted, he turned back to face me.
<> My eyes headed to the place concerned. There was indeed a bag, on the ground, near a wooden seat.
<> I replied, while following him, <>
<> He asked.
<> I requested with a quiet convincing tone.
<> He said, a little bit embarrased.
<> And we entered the main wing as two childhood friends...
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The corridors was full of ponies from everywhere; pegasus from Cloudsdale, horses from Saddle Arabia, earthponies from that good-old Ponyville and even unicorns from Canterlot! That wasn't gonna be a piece a cake. Groups has already be formed among the rookies: The offensives, including the one that doesn't fear to have blood on their hooves; The defensives, that prefer to wait the enemy to eliminate it ; And the supportives, who can handle both situation to help their teammates.
The choice was hard.... Maybe too hard, because neither I nor my partner joined one of them.
<> I mumbled.
<> my pegasus friend was really concentrated about this choice, it looked like the most important of his life. He was really nervous, maybe I could calm him down.
<> The important when you want to calm somepony, is to look peaceful... But inside, I was way more nervous: That's a very important choice. ''If I don't go in the good band, I'll be ridiculous! But, even in the good one, something could go wrong and, after all, which is the good one?!'' My thoughts weren't very helpful... I should follow my own advice sometimes....
<> I sighed, <> I pointed a large round desk, where a very attractive mare was sitting among binders, folders, and communication device. charm did not let my young friend indifferent.
<> At this speed, we would go to the senior category....
<> I took his place, in front of her face.... << Miss, could you pleeeaaa....>> Damn.... It's, it's like I was falling in her deep gaze... That was like lying on a cloud... I could stay like this whole days... But she didn't let me the opportunity to.
<> She resumed serious for a little moment. <> She continued.
<> We were totally mesmerized by her eyes, but we still managed a nod, as two morons Tier. <> Were the only words that came out of our mouths. She sniggered a cute laugh that only have mares, and indicated the path on our left.
<> And we trotted down the hall, without detaching the regard from what for us was the love of our lives.
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After wandering around in the hallways, we found ourselves in front of a white door with a square window with the inscription: ''projection room''. Someponies were talking behind it. So, we entered, not without a hint of anxiety.
The place was full of the ponies that we saw before the main wing. Next to us, a projector pointing at a screen held on a blackboard. We took a seat, waiting for something to happen.
<> Unlike Jason, I didn't noticed that I was holding a sheet bundle, with lot of things written on it.
<> I had no ideas of the reason why I was holding these forms. My friend took the bundle and began to inspect its contents.
<> He summarized what he was reading, <> We checked the clock: 11:57. <>
I was intrigued. <> I asked him.
<> He replied.
<> When I said that it wasn't gonna be a piece of cake, I didn't know what I was talking about!
<> Jason didn't seem very upbeat about this concept. I had the same opinion. <> I didn't need to hear the full listing, so I stopped him.
<>
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The room was filled with the intermixed talks of its occupants, until somepony came in several minutes later.
<> The instructor was tall, square shoulders, and his red uniform enhanced his silvery coat. He took off his cap, and throw it to a unicorn of the first row that was talking with the pegasus next to him. He was caught unaware.
<<You, go out, and take your buddy with you, Equestria don't need tattletates to be protected. But, as long as you are there, could you kindly put my cap on the coat rack?
That'd be lovely!>> We have been warned, no talking allowed during his instructions. Jason and I were terrorized.
<> Our blood ran cold and all rookies rose like robots, shouting :
<> He seemed delighted.
<> He advanced to the door of the local and opened it. <>
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Mister Crugg led us to the backyard of the academy that host a parcours of obstacles, including wall climbing, crawling and coordination trials. We could already hear ponies swearing...
<>
<>
But everypony hadn't the same view.
<>
<>
<> The instructor took a red libreto. <> We didn't believe what we heard. <> He waited a little minute. <> I doffed my shirt and obeyed. He went behind us and bond our hooves. <> The instructor pushed the first recruit to the ground. <> The pony was shocked.
<> Mister Crugg raised him and removed his bond.
<>
<> The instructor was exasperated.
<> He left the academy, and we did the parcour, the hooves attached.
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