Aleksandr

Chapter 8: Medic!

"Bring it, horse." Enraged, the bat-pony charged at me, looking to take me down in one blow. He stood on his hind legs, and assumed a fighting stance. He aimed his hoof-strike at my head, which I dodged with practiced efficiency. He was an offensive fighter. He was looking to make the first move, and the last. I, on the other hand, was not. I tired my enemy out, and when they are worn down, I go in for the kill. He continued to throw swift punches at me, one actually hitting me, although it was just a tap. He got a little cocky, and decided to throw heavier punches at me. This made him vulnerable. His strikes were slower and sloppier. He was nowhere near hitting me. I was like a Spanish bull fighter; I let him charge at me, then moved from his path at the last second.

"C'mon! Is... Is that all you got?!" He panted. He was showing signs of fatigue. His punches were weaker, and slower. Seeing this as my chance, I intercepted his next punch by grabbing his hoof. I pulled him forward, and brought my elbow down on his hoof. I heard a sickening crunch, and saw his leg bend at an unnatural angle. He fell back, and was screaming in pain, clutching his hoof to his chest.

"Aleksandr is the winner! He has ended Shadowhunt's winning streak! Medic!" Shining announced to the crowd of guards present. Some cheers and boo's were heard, and Shining approached me. I gathered my equipment, and dressed myself. He led me off the field, and through a hallway. Then, I was holding back my anger for him, not wanting to make a bad impression out in public. We were alone, and I let my anger resurface. This bastard stripped me of my rank. He won't walk away unharmed. I pistol-whipped him in the side of the head, and pinned him against the wall by his neck.

"Listen, you son of a bitch! You openly insulted me in public by stripping me of my rank. I am a sergeant of the Red Army. Do you know how many Nazis I've killed, how many bodies I've crawled over, how many comrades I've lost to get to where I am now?! How dare you make me a Private! This is a slap... No, a fucking rifle-butt to the face in terms of honor! What if you were wrongly demoted from captain? I doubt you would like that. Now, allow me my original ranking, or I swear, there will be hell to pay for you..." I said, pressing my knife to his throat.

"O-okay, okay! Let me go! You can be a sergeant! I'm sorry!" He choked out.

"Yes, thank you." I said, smiling triumphantly. He coughed, and dusted himself off. Glaring daggers at me, he led me to the training grounds. There were ponies of all shapes and sizes practicing different skills. I wanted to scare them. Make it known I am better than them. I fitted my gas mask, removed my Sturmgewehr from my duffle bag, and shouldered it. Some trainees looked up at me, but quickly returned to what they were doing, obviously not wanting to incur my wrath. Shining led me to an steel-grey pony, observing the recruits' performance.

"Hello, Iron Clad. How are the recruits faring?"

"They are doing an average job. Nothing new. Is this Aleksandr?" Iron replied.

"Да. The one and only. A pleasure to meet you, Iron Clad. I assume you will be showing me the ropes, correct?" I said, voice muffled by my mask.

"Likewise. Yes, but judging from what I've heard, and saw at the sparring match between you and Shadowhunt, you will not need additional training. I will simply be telling you the rules. We will begin later today, after lunch. I look forward to seeing you then." We parted ways, and I dropped off my bag at my room. I removed my Nagant's scope, and used it as an infantry rifle. It's familiar weight in my hands comforted me, and reminded me of home. Ah, the memories I've had with this rifle. Slinging it to my back, I headed down to the kitchen for lunch.

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Finishing my meal, I checked my equipment, which consisted of my Nagant and Tokarev. letting my mask hang over my shoulder, I speed-walked down to the training grounds. Finding the earth-pony from before, he began my 'initiation'. This was just laying down some rules for me.

"First, do not attack unless attacked." He began. "Secondly, you must protect the princesses at all costs. Thirdly, you must refrain from using deadly force, only use it as a last resort. Finally, respect your peers. Any questions?"

"No, I understand. It is an honor to serve here." I replied, saluting.

"Good to hear it. Oh, and one last thing, the captain put in an order for your new uniform. It will be made to your specifications. He said something about it being an altered copy of what you are wearing as of now." Nodding, I walked away, looking to find something to do. I found a crate of empty bottles, in addition to an area free of those annoying ponies. I set the bottles in a row about 100 meters away from me, and took aim with my rifle. Inhale slowly, exhale as you fire. Relax your muscles, depress trigger slowly. I recited the words that have been burned into my head since boot camp. As I fired, a bottle exploded, sending bits of glass in all directions. I cycled the bolt, and repeated those actions another four times. I reloaded, and after putting the fifth round into my rifle and closing the bolt, I noticed I had a small audience. Some of the maids and guards had come to watch me 'work my magic' with my rifle. I was a pretty good shot, even without a scope. Some of the other recon snipers envied me, but respected my skill with a rifle. Some of the ponies applauded when I fired, impressed by my marksmanship. Not wanting to waste anymore rifle ammo, I holstered it, and swept up the glass shards with a broom I found. Maybe they'll 'warm up to me' faster than I thought.