The Griffon War

Chapters

getting drafted
On our way
At the Castle part 1: Judgement
At the Castle part 2: Evaluation

getting drafted

Applejack was in a small room with pale green walls and white trim. The floors were tiled and the room intself consisted of chairs along the wall, a small glass table with some magazines, and a front desk. She was at Ponyville Central Hospital picking up bandages for her brother's leg. He had sprained his hoof while apple bucking and had to rest it for a while. This included the bandages, ointments, and anything else that went along with it. A short, pale yellow mare with a red mane came up to Applejack, who was at the front desk, and handed her a roll of gauze and some cream. "Here you are Applejack, The cream should help with the swelling but that doesn't mean he can go around doing whatever because his hoof is normal sized again. I know how you two can be," Nurse Redheart said.

Applejack laughed, "don't worry, ma won't even let him leave the couch unless it's time for dinner or bed. He won't make it any worse than it is."

"Good," Redheart turned back to her desk and Applejack took her leave. When she stepped outside, Applejack was met with the distant noises of gunfire and battle. "Those raids sound like they're gettin' closer every day." Applejack walked down the dirt road, lost in thought when she bumped into a certain yellow pegasus. "Oops. sorry Fluttershy, guess ah should have been paying more attention to the road."

"No problem Applejack." the mare said, leaning down to pick up the suitcase she was carrying. "I should have been paying more attention as well."

"What's in the suitcase?" Applejack said leaning down to help carry it.

"Medical supplies. I'm being sent to Canterlot Castle. I'm going to a military outpost to become a medic. They're short on medics and heard about my amazing ability to nurse animals and ponies back to health," Fluttershy said.

"So yer leavin'?" Applejack asked with a sad look.

"Ya, I just wanted to get a head start to the train station. I don't leave till later, but I was going to get there early so there would still be somewhere to sit while I waited. It seems like more and more ponies are being sent in to fight or aid every day." Fluttershy said as they slowly walked to the train station together. "So how are things at Sweet Apple Acres?"

"Well, we just sent in another large shipment of apples to the military outposts, and it's been a bit harder to fill the orders because Big Mac hurt himself so it's just been me and ma. We just got another letter from Pa, he said the war was gettin' pretty ugly. They might even let him visit for a day or so because the Family Reunion is comin' up. Considering everything that's goin' on, ah'm glad I got something to smile about. Pa's comin' home soon, and in my opinion, Eighty years is plenty long enough for a war. Ah heard that they're expecting for it to end in at least a few more years."

"Don't they say that every year?" Fluttershy asked with a puzzled look on her face.

Applejack looked at the mare with a small smile. "Ya, but who knows? Maybe they're right this time."

"I wish I could be so sure of that," Fluttershy said as they climbed the few steps to the station platform. Fluttershy handed some paper work to the stallion running the ticket booth. He scanned the documents and handed the paperwork back with a ticket for the train headed towards Canterlot. Fluttershy took a seat on a nearby bench to wait.

"Well, ah better get back to the farm, ma's gonna wonder what happened to me if Ah don't get back soon. I'll come back before you go to say goodbye ok Fluttershy?" Applejack said with a sad smile.

"Ok, see you later then Applejack. And don't worry, Rainbow Dash should be here soon. She's going to sit with me until I have to go," Fluttershy said, knowing exactly what ran across the orange mare's mind.

"Alright then. Later Fluttershy," Applejack said before turning to leave.

"I hope Mac gets better soon, Applejack." Fluttershy said before Applejack left with a final wave of her hoof.

Applejack had just entered the gates of the orchard. She couldn't stop thinking about Fluttershy going off to aid in the war. Ah hope she can handle it. Ah mean, she's a strong mare but.... what if the sight of all those mangled soldiers is to much for her? What if the Griffons raid the outpost she's stationed at and she dies? Applejack shook those thoughts from her head as she approached the house. It was large and a nit run down looking on the outside. The paint in some places were chipping off, most likely from age. Applejack put her hoof on the knob and opened the door to see her family gathered at the kitchen table looking at something. "Ah'm back with Mac's bandages," she announced as she walked over to her older brother to work on re-bandaging his leg.

Granny smith walked over with a rag and a small bowl of water in one hoof and grabbed the ointment in the other. "Ah got this, you just get an ice pack and then we'll talk." The old mare began to expertly unwrap and clean the swollen leg as Applejack opened the freezer to grab an ice pack. She was met with a refreshing gust of cool air and an icy sensation when she grabbed the ice pack. The cool air of the freezer felt good because it was rather hot today. Applejack also opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water before returning to her grandmother and holding the ice pack in place as the old mare wrapped bandages around it to hold it against the swollen leg. Applejack opened the bottle and took a swig, relishing in the cool water running down her dry throat. Applejack handed the bottle to Big Mac as Ma handed him some painkillers. He popped the pills into his mouth and took a swig of water before handing it back to his sister.

Having finished with that, Applejack to a seat next to her older brother and looked at her ma and grandma. "So what did ya'll wanna tell me?" she asked. The two mares looked at each other before sliding the paper they were looking at over to her. It was a letter.

Dear Apples from Sweet Apple Acres,

You are hereby ordered to send another eligible fighter for induction into the Armed Forces of The Equestrian Nation, and for

them to report to Canterlot Castle by nightfall. They will be forwarded to an Armed Forces Induction Station.

Signed,

Princess Luna, Head of Military Operations

Applejack read the letter a few more times to make sure she was reading it correctly. "Who's leaving this time?" She asked, tears blurring her vision. she didn't want another member to leave. who, other than her and Mac, were left to leave.

Applejack's eyes widened as the answer dawned on her but she wanted to hear it for herself. "Me," her Ma said.

Applejack looked at her mother, there was determination and sadness written across the mare's features. Applejack knew one thing..... her mom was not going to fight in a war. As if out of instinct she blurted out, "No!"

"What?" Her mother asked, confusion crossing on everypony's faces.

"No! Your not going," Applejack said before she could stop herself.

"Applejack!" Granny Smith shouted. "I taught you better than this, this is childish behavior. Mac can't go, Ah'm to old, so who else is there?"

"Me," Applejack answered calmly. "I'll go, i'll go fight," she replied with the look that showed she wasn't taking no for an answer. Everypony here knew that look, It was one she had often made before.

"Out of the question!" Applejack's ma shouted, slamming her hoof on the wooden table, putting in enough force to leave a small dent on the otherwise smooth surface. Granny looked like she wanted to say something to the angry mare, but found it best to see where this was headed and stayed silent.

"Ma, listen. Your needed here, your not a fighter and blood always made ya nauseous, and ah'm a lot stronger and faster because ah'm younger. If you remember how many street and school fights ah got myself into, I can hold my own in battle. Besides, you eyesight is starting to fail and the doctor said that when your older you will most likely go completely blind. What good is soldier that can't see?" Applejack said calmly and reasonably.

The mare opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again and sat down, obviously having lost this battle to common sense. Though she'd never admit it, Applejack had hit a nerve when she brought up the eyesight. She had a logical argument for everything except that last one that her daughter had reminded her about. Granny Smith noticed this and spoke up, "your right Applejack, her eyesight is a very good point, they'd send her back in a heartbeat when they found out about it." The old mare sighed before rolling the letter back up and handing the document to Applejack, "Go pack your bag."

Applejack nodded to her granny. "Thank you," she said before slowly heading up the stairs to her room, document in hoof, to go get her bags ready to the next train to Canterlot. She laughed at the irony of it all, "guess ah'm leavin' to Fluttershy. Maybe we'll go to the same base." Applejack then looked down at her flank, her blank, empty flank. She never knew why her cutie mark hadn't come. Her place was on the farm, she realized this when her father was sent off to fight. She was four years old when it happened and that's when she knew. Applejack began to pour herself into the family business, and take pride in what she did. Even found that she was really good at running a farm. Still her flank was blank though. Then something popped into Applejack's mind that made her laugh internally, what if ah get mah cutie mark in battle? Applejack giggled a bit at the thought as she walked into her room and slung an old, weather worn, dark green duffle bag onto her bed. She opened it and began to toss a few thing into it which consisted of a small photograph that was never framed, a small combat knife that her pa had sent to her for Hearth's Warming Eve, a couple pairs of hiking boots, a basic first aid kit, and her lasso. She knew that the lasso probably wasn't necessary but she always felt more comfortable having it with her, and the first aid kit was only there because she never knew when she would need a roll of bandages. Her ma always told her to be prepared for anything.

Once Applejack had organized everything to fit properly in the duffle bag she closed it up and swung it over her shoulders. Applejack walked down the stairs where her family was gathered in the living room waiting for her. Applejack hugged each of them, intentionally hugging her ma a bit longer, and turned towards the door. "Aj.... wait," her older brother said.

"Ya Big Mac?" Applejack said turning back to the stallion.

"Be careful out there, and if you see him, can ya say howdy to pa for me?" Big Macintosh asked.

"Promise," she answered before turning to leave once again. Then Applejack's ma ran up and hugged her again.

As she was hugging Applejack she said something, "can you promise me something sugarcube?" The mare asked.

"What is it?"

"Promise me you'll come back alive."

Applejack opened her mouth to answer when Granny Smith spoke up. "She can't promise something like that sweetie," the old mare said gently.

Applejack squeezed her ma tighter, she wanted the mare to tell her to toss the letter aside and stay, but she knew that was impossible. "Your right Granny, ah can't make a promise like that can I? I can promise this though, if ah am destined to die, then I ain't goin' down without a fight." Applejack squeezed her mom a bit harder, "I am not givin' up, and I am especially not gonna go down without a fight, because I will make it through this one way, or another." With that Applejack broke the embrace.

Applejack's ma returned to the couch and Granny Smith walked up to say her farewells. The old mare lifted up Applejack's hoof and placed something in it, the object felt cold and hard, some type of medal. "What's this?" She asked.

"They were your grandpappie's dog-tags. He fought in the war to and he and your pa agreed that when you showed that you were grown enough, they wanted me to give them to you, for luck. You showed us all that your officially grown up, and ah wish you the best of luck through this. Your gonna be our little war hero Applejack, ah can feel it." Granny Smith hugged Applejack once more and helped her pack her grandfather's dog-tags in her bag. Once this was done, Applejack said one last goodbye to her family and stepped out the door.

Applejack slowly made her way to the train station, uncertainty in her step, as if she just wanted to turn and run. Something managed to keep her moving towards the train station. Applejack walked over to the ticket booth and handed him her draft. He scanned the document for a second before sliding it back with a ticket for Canterlot. "Good luck out there," the stallion said with respect and admiration for the brave mare.

"Thank you," Applejack replied before turning to the bench that her friends were gathered at and headed over to them.

"Hey Applejack! Did you come to say bye to Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Originally, yes. Actually ah'm goin' with her now." Applejack stated.

Rainbow Dash's jaw almost literally fell to the ground. "Your leaving to!"

"Yeah, granny and ma showed me the letter when ah got home. Ma was gonna go originally, but ah stopped her, so ah'm goin' instead," Applejack explained.

"Whatever do you mean, darling?" Rarity asked with a confused look. "Didn't they already send your father to fight?"

"Yeah, they did."

"So then what do they need you for huh?!" Pinkie Pie asked in her usual overly energetic tone, she stopped bouncing immediately and took on a confused gaze.

"They need as many hooves as they can get, here's mah letter if'n ya don't believe me," Applejack said, holding out the document for her friends to get a look at.

Rarity levitated towards her so she and the three other mares could take a look at the letter, and sure enough it said that they wanted another Apple to come and fight. Rarity lifted a hoof to her mouth and began to tear up more than before, obviously taking the news that two of her best friends were leaving harder than everyone else. Rainbow Dash even had a sad glint in her eyes, she had a soft side that she would never admit to anyone about, but had none the less. Pinkie Pie's mane had lost it's poof and she sat down with tears welling up in her eyes. Fluttershy looked really sad as well, and even decided to lighten the mood.

"At least I have someone to sit with on the train now," she said with a small smile and her usually quite voice.

Rainbow Dash and Rarity were the next one's to recover, obviously the shock of the news finally sinking in, giving them the chance to calm down. "You will come and visit won't you darling?" Rarity asked.

"Whenever ah get the chance, and me and Fluttershy will write to ya'll every day, right Fluttershy?" Applejack assured.

"Oh yes, we will definitely keep you girls up to date on what we're doing. You will write us back won't you?" Fluttershy asked.

Pinkie Pie finally recovered and answered with a big smile, "Of course! And whenever you come to visit I'm gonna throw the biggest. party. EVER!"

The four other mares laughed and Applejack responded, "ah don't doubt that one bit, Pinkie. In fact, me a Fluttershy will hold you to it!"

The pink mare obviously felt better because her smile returned and she was jumping up and down again like the energetic mare she was.

The five ponies talked for what seemed like only a short while before the train arrived. "Ah guess that's us...." Applejack said, grabbing her bag.

"Yeah, I guess we need to go now," Fluttershy said; grabbing her own bag as well. "Goodbye, girls," she said getting off the bench.

The five friends had one last group hug before Applejack and Fluttershy turned towards the train. "We'll miss you," Rarity said as the mares boarded the train and gave one last wave of the hoof goodbye. Pinkie kept shouting bye and Rainbow and Rarity kept waving as the train began to move. Applejack and Fluttershy kept waving until Ponyville, and their friends, dissipated into the hazy distance. The two mares seated themselves once more, across from each other and sat in silence for a little bit.

Fluttershy was the first to break the silence by asking, "just out of curiosity how come your family wasn't there? If you don't mind me asking that is."

"They had chores to do, and with Big Mac's leg an' all, they couldn't come down with me to say goodbye. We said our farewells before ah left the farmhouse, ah just hope everythin' goes alright while ah'm away."

"Oh. ok," Fluttershy said. The two mares talked about everything and nothing to pass the time on the way to Canterlot.

thank you to CowgirlVK for taking the time to proofread this story, I really appreciate it. You guys should check out her page, the stories she writes are really fun to read.

On our way

The landscape zoomed past Applejack's eyes as the train finally picked up full speed. Her and Fluttershy had been drafted into the army and were on their way to Canterlot Castle. There, Princess Luna would evaluate them, then send them off to the military outpost that their skill set would prove most valuable. Applejack could see that Fluttershy looked a bit nervous. Rightfully so, seeing as they were going to war. She decided to find out, "Fluttershy, you look a might nervous. You wanna talk about it?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just, what if i'm not everything Luna expected and I let everypony down," the yellow mare said with worry.

Applejack ran her hoof across the smooth, leather seat, looking Fluttershy in the eye. "That's just silly, your not gonna be everything Luna expected."

"What?!"

"Your not because your gonna be more than she expected."

"You sound so sure of it," Fluttershy said, her gaze turning to the window and the constantly changing scenery beyond it.

"Ah am, it's your special talent Fluttershy," Applejack assured with a glance down at Fluttershy's cutie mark. It was a white nurses hat with a light pink cross on it. The cross matched the color of the yellow pegasus's mane. "Ah can't name anypony at all, who is more ready for this than you. You got nothing to worry about sugarcube."

Fluttershy looked up at Applejack with a shy smile on her face. Fluttershy opened her mouth to say something when a small grumble emanated from her stomach. Applejack giggled, "how about we go get some grub?"

"That would be nice. I was in such a hurry to get to the train station that I guess I forgot to eat breakfast."

"It happens. Let's go," Applejack said, leading the way to the next car over. She pulled some bits out of her bag, so they could pay for whatever it was they would order. Applejack and Fluttershy walked up to the small bar; they were greeted by a nice unicorn, mare. She had a light grey coat, and a pale yellow mane tied back in a bun. Her cutie mark was a skillet with eggs in it.

"So, what'll it be?" She asked.

Fluttershy told Applejack what she wanted and the farmer nodded, walking up to the mare. " two cucumber sandwiches with lettuce and tomatoes please," she told the mare, who nodded and turned around to prepare the requested food. Applejack and Fluttershy took a seat at the bar. this car wasn't to different from the previous one aside from what was in it. The seats had tables between them for somepony to eat at, and the bar was simple. The stools were made of a crimson color leather, and were surprisingly comfortable. The counter was made of some type of wood. Applejack liked how simple the design was, she never was a big fan of anything super fancy.

The mare came back with two plates levitating behind her, each containing a sandwich, and placed them in front of Applejack and Fluttershy. Applejack dropped a few bits on the counter. The mare looked confused for a moment and slid them back towards Applejack. "Don't ah need to pay for the food?" Applejack said looking at the bits.

"No, your going to the military right? You don't need to pay."

"How did you know we were goin' to the army?" Applejack asked with a suspitious gaze.

"Everypony on this train is going," the unicorn said motioning to the area around them. "You two are medics in training aren't you?"

"Fluttershy is, ah'm goin' in to fight," Applejack told her.

"Oh, sorry. I just figured that you were both going as medics. Not to many mares go in to fight," the unicorn said.

"It's alright," Applejack said, taking a bite of her sandwich. It was delicious, "This is really good."

"Thanks, it is my special talent, what's yours?" She asked.

"I'm really good in the medical field," Fluttershy said.

"That's cool, it will definitely come in handy with your medic training. what about you?" The mare said looking at Applejack.

"Actually, ah don't have mine yet. I'm Applejack by the way, and this is Fluttershy," Applejack said glancing at her quiet friend.

"Well, I guess you still get the thrill of figuring it out."

"Guess ah will, whats your name?"

"Me? I'm Sunny Days, nice to meet you."

"Well it's nice to meet you to Sunny Days, your a great cook," Fluttershy said.

"Thank you Fluttershy, I wish you two the best of luck, it was nice talking to you two but I better get back to my job." Sunny Days turned and walked over to a stallion who was waiting to order.

"You to," Applejack said before turning back to her sandwich. Her and Fluttershy finished up the rest of their meal and went back to the other car.

When they stepped in a stallion looked their way. "What are a couple of mares doing here?" He said in a disgusted tone. His comrades started snickering a bit at their friends crude comment.

Applejack ground her teeth in annoyance and began absentmindedly scraping her hoof on the floor. She had been undermined like this before but this time it was especially annoying, "try none of yer business, mister," she said in an equally disgusted tone.

"Oh, so you think your a wise guy eh? I hate wise guys," the stallion said. He had an olive coat a brown mane.

"Ah think mah business is mah business not yers, so shove off ya bozo," Applejack spat.

"Oh, so you think your so tough, huh. Prove it, right here, right now."

"This is a waste of time, ah don't get involved in pointless fights."

"Oh you will fight me."

"And if ah refuse," Applejack shouted defiantly, she was losing her patience fast.

"Well, this guy here will have no problem hurting your little friend there," the stallion said. Applejack looked behind her to see that a unicorn from the stallion's group had teleported behind her and grabbed Fluttershy.

Applejack slammed her hoof against the floor, "Leave her out o' this! She did nothin' ta ya'll!" she barked.

"Perhaps, but you did. So I'll tell you what, fight me and if you win, we'll leave you alone. If I win, well, we won't."

This stallion had strained Applejack's already short temper to the breaking point. She snapped. Applejack stood stock still, quivering with rage, "Ya wouldn't dare."

"Oh but I do. Nopony messes with me and gets away with it. Nopony," the stallion said with a glare equally as filled with rage as Applejack's. "Mares like you don't belong here. Or are you a medic?" The stallion asked with a threatening voice.

"Ah am here to fight for Equestria, and who says that a mare can't fight? Ah bet ah could beat ya'll in a fight any day." Applejack said with a smirk. She knew what this stallion was trying to do. He was trying to cloud her mind with anger so she would be wreckless in the fight. "Now are ya gonna fight me or are we gonna sit here talkin' the whole train ride."

"That's it!" The stallion charged at Applejack, she responded by stepping to the right and letting the stallion crash into the wall.

The stallion got back up and ran at Applejack with his right hoof raised, aimed at her face. Applejack dodged to the left and threw an uppercut at him, hitting the stallion square in the jaw. It was shortly followed by punch to the stomach. The Stallion stumbled back, regaining his balance, he threw a punch at Applejack's face, leaving a red mark on her cheek. Applejack charged at the Stallion, bashing her shoulder into his chest.

He went crashing to the floor, tumbling out of control. Applejack sprung towards him, punching him square in the eye. The stallion recoiled in pain and managed to throw the mare off. Applejack landed gracefully on her feet and charged once more, this time with a hoof raised, she swung with another uppercut that landed square in the stallions chest and continued with an onslaught of punches, equal in force. The stallion managed to throw a few punches of his own, each landing in places like Applejack's face and chest. Applejack jumped back and kicked the stallion in the chest. He responded with a few kicks to Applejack's legs, causing her to fall to the ground.

The stallion jumped on the fallen mare and slammed his hoof into Applejack left shoulder thrice before she struggled free. Applejack threw herself at the stallion, her eyes burning with rage. The stallion threw himself at Applejack, and as the two earth ponies made contact, Applejack overcame him and sent the stallion through hell before she felt a force dragging her off of the stallion that was also throwing punches of his own, fewer making any contact but all equally as strong as Applejack's. He was being dragged the opposite way. It took a moment for Applejack to clear her raging mind as she realized what was happening. Two unicorns had pulled the fighting ponies apart. Applejack looked behind her to see Sunny Days using her magic to keep Applejack suspended in the air. She looked over to see a tan colored unicorn holding the stallion suspended in the air, just out of reach. Applejack was breathing heavily, looking around to make sure Fluttershy was alright. She was relieved to see that the unicorn was pulled off of Fluttershy and pinned to the ground by a pegasus. "What are you doing Applejack!" Sunny Days said, her eyes filled with fear. She lowered Applejack to the ground and released her hold on the farm mare.

Applejack looked at the stallion, who was still suspended in the air, still trying to throw punches at Applejack. "He threatened Fluttershy!" She hissed viciously, throwing herself at him once more, only to have her tail grabbed in Sunny Days's magical grip once more.

"Calm down!" She yelled. Applejack went slack and dropped to the floor, seething with rage.

"And you think I'm a BOZO!"

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Ya are! ya asked fer it, shoot, ya challenged me ta it, and don't ya even think of touchin' Fluttershy! Or ah'll do it all or' again! And no, ah ain't sorry! Ya deseved ever bit o' that!"

Sunny Days, the unicorn, and the pegasus all looked shocked at the news of how this train brawl started. The pegasus was the first to recover, "He said what!" Sunny Days looked at Fluttershy, who was quaking with fear, her eyes wide like saucers and her irises the size of a seed.

"Yes," she finally squeaked out, "Applejack only fought because he threatened me. If He hadn't-" She glanced around shaking. "She would have just walked away."

The stallion glared at Applejack, he was covered in blood and bruises. The pain was starting to set in as well, now that the adrenaline was leaving his system. "That mare is crazy!"

"Ah'm only crazy if ya threaten me, or anyone ah care about, and right now you are far from something ah care about. Ya can drop dead for all ah care! Ya'll will not threaten me or anyone else again ya here, or you'll answer ta me!" Applejack yelled. The pain was starting to set in on her to, Applejack started to quiver. Her shoulder screamed with pain when she put weight on it, and her body was sore all over from the countless number of punches the stallion was able to land on her. Sunny Days noticed this and walked up to Applejack, pressing her body against Applejack's shaking figure so she wouldn't fall over. The pegasus was trying to calm Fluttershy and the other unicorn had finally released the stallion. He was noticeably worse off than Applejack because the second his hooves touched the ground and the magical hold on him was released, he collapsed. Both earth ponies were breathing hard. Fluttershy, having recovered from shock, ran over to Applejack. The pegasus walked up to the stallion, glaring at him.

"Honorable soldiers fight honorable battles. You are no honorable soldier and whoever it is that evaluates you will hear of this." The pegasus turned to walk away.

"What about that crazy mare! She fought to!"

The pegasus turned his head to look at the stallion on the floor, "she fought so you wouldn't hurt her friend. Your a disgrace to the equestrian nation if your going to fight ponies in your own country without reason! The fight's out there not here!" The pegasus said, pointing his hoof for emphasis.

"I am not a disgrace! It's that mare! Mares can't fight, they shouldn't be aloud to come unless they are medics!"

"They obviously can fight because this mare," the pegasus said, "kicked your bucking ass."

The stallion lowered his head, grumbling. Applejack couldn't help giggling at the stallion. He had been so tall and threatening a little bit ago, and now he was acting like a small filly when they were told 'no'. "Serves you right, and as promised you will leave me and Fluttershy alone," Applejack declared.

She turned around and walked away. She didn't want to be in the same passenger car as this sorry excuse for a stallion, starting battles over something petty like name calling is just plain stupid. Dragging others into it, well that's even more stupid. Applejack was disgusted, a filly was more mature than this guy. She walked, with Sunny Days's help, back over to the car she had just come from. "Thanks for defendin' me back there," she said to the pegasus.

"No problem, anypony willing to put him in his place deserves my defense. I'm Lightning Shield, by the way."

"Applejack, nice to meet you Lightning Shield," Applejack said. This was the first time she was actually able to get a good look at the pegasus, he had a pale blue coat and a light brown mane. His cutie mark was a wooden shield with a symbol on it.

Lightning Shield noticed her quick glance at his cutie mark, "neat huh?"

"Why wooden? Ah mean, isn't that the weakest kind of shield?" Applejack asked.

"It's a shield because I'm stronger on defense than offense. The shield is wooden because it shows that i'm modest and humble. The symbol stands for honor, so I only fight the honorable battles, like defending you for instance. Man, you sure were brave to fight," Lightning Shield said, running a hoof through his mane. "Anypony else would've just backed down when they felt they were gonna lose," he added.

"Ah was a bit to upset to care about whether or not he was strong enough to beat me." Applejack winced as pain shot through her shoulder, she had put a bit to much weight on it and stumbled a bit. Sunny Days caught her then led Applejack over to a seat. "Thanks Sunny Days," she said.

"No problem, call me Sunny," the unicorn said with a wave of her hoof.

Fluttershy set her medical bag on the table and opened it. She pulled out some bandages and pain killers and got to work on fixing up Applejack's shoulder. She grazed her hoof over the shoulder, feeling around to assess the damage done to it. "It's dislocated, can somepony help me set her shoulder?" Fluttershy asked.

"Sure, I will," Lightning Shield said, walking up to Applejack and grabbing her hoof. "Brace yourself, it's gonna hurt."

"Wouldn't be the first time," Applejack sighed. Lightning Shield gave her a confused look. "What? I've had my share of run-ins with a pack of Timberwolves. You tellin' me ya haven't?"

"Can't say I have, anyway, let's get this shoulder set." Lightning Shield shoved his hoof into Applejack's shoulder and pulled on her foreleg until he heard a pop, indicating it had gone back into place.

"Gah!," Applejack screamed, rubbing her shoulder and wincing. "That feels a lot better, thanks."

Fluttershy nodded and got to work, tightly wrapping bandages around Applejack's tender shoulder. The bandages ran across Applejack's chest and her entire upper foreleg. "There you go Applejack, maybe we can get a professional healer to cast a spell to fix that up when we get to Canterlot, but that will have to do for now."

"Thanks Fluttershy, it already feel a lot better than before. Speaking of Canterlot, how far is it?" Applejack asked.

"Not to far, maybe another half hour unless something goes wrong." Sunny Days answered. "If I were you though, I'd be more worried about what the princess and captain think about your little train brawl. That stallion comes from a long line of honorable, and respected soldiers. They won't take to kindly to you beating the crap out of him."

"Honorable huh? Must have skipped his generation cause that jerk probably doesn't have an honorable bone in his body!" Applejack exclaimed, slamming her hoof on the table.

The four ponies laughed at Applejack's comment before Lightning responded, "I don't doubt that. If anything it's him that should be worried about what's gonna happen, all we need to do is explain what happened to whoever is waiting at the station for us before he does, and we're in the clear."

"Well, this has definitely been an eventful ride. I know this is the most excitement I've had in a long time, but next time leave the fighting for the battle field will ya?" Sunny Days said.

"Will do, sorry about that by the way."

"No problem. You guys want some water?" Sunny Days asked going behind the counter.

She was answered with collective 'sures' and 'yes pleases' from the concerned party. Sunny Days placed four glasses on the counter and filled each with water. Fluttershy walked over and grabbed two glasses before returning to applejack and handing her a couple of small pink pills and a glass of water. She popped the pills into her mouth and took a large swig of water, the pills taking action almost instantly as the worst of the pain dulled into a constant, tolerable ache. "Thanks," She said taking another swig of the cool water as she began to calm down and start breathing at a normal pace again.

The four ponies sat at the table talking and taking slow sips of their water. "So what now?" Lighting Shield asked.

"Don't know, but ah sure how we are sent to a base far, far away from that stallion!" Applejack growled painfully.

"We can only hope," Fluttershy sighed. Applejack looked a bit surprised at the usually quiet mare's blunt remark, and it hadn't gone unnoticed by the yellow pegasus. "I hate him just as much as you do AJ, he was just awful to us and you were right to put him in his place."

"Yer right Fluttershy, he needed a good whack to his ego, he was standing to high up fer his own good." Applejack said with a nod. The other two ponies burst into laughter at the strange exchange of words.

For the next half hour the for ponies got to know each other, talking about where they were from, about they're family, and about the strange things they did as kids. Applejack even told them about the day her dad got sent in to fight. They talked about a few other things as well until they heard the conductor shout, 'All ponies on the train, we have reached Canterlot, please exit the train!'

"Well, that's us," Lightning Shield said, "maybe we'll see you again, Sunny Days." With that, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Lightning Shield scooted out of the seat to leave.

"Count on it," she said, watching the three ponies leave the car. "Good luck out there!" Sunny Days called as the door to the car shut.

Applejack grabbed her duffel bag and slung it over her uninjured shoulder and turned back to the two pegasi who were holding their bags as well. "Need some help with that bag?" Lightning Shield asked.

"Nah, ah got it," Applejack replied as the three ponies turned to the exit.

When the three ponies stepped out of the car they were greeted by quite a surprise. Not only had the captain, Shining Armor, come to greet the newbies, but next to him was none other than Princess Luna herself. Everyone was staring, jaw-dropped, at the lunar alicorn. "Better get over there and explain your bandages to them, it seems they haven't gone unnoticed to either of those two," Lightning Shield said.

Proofread by CowgirlVK, please go check out her page guys... she is a great writer.

At the Castle part 1: Judgement

Applejack had just gotten off the train and was now standing face to face with Captain Shining Armor and Princess Luna. They were looking a bit confused at her. More specifically, they were looking a bit confused at her bandaged foreleg. "Better go explain that bandage to them." Lightning Dust whispered to Applejack as they both slowly walked up.

"I wasn't aware that anypony injured was sent!" Shining Armor said. "Care to explain yourself?"

"Ah wasn't injured when ah got on the train... it happened during the train ride." Applejack answered calmly.

Shining Armor raised an eyebrow when the stallion Applejack tussled with came up. "Sir, that mare is crazy she attacked me for no reason!" He exclaimed, leaning against his friend for support.

Applejack glared at the stallion. "No reason?! There was to a reason!"

"Enough of this!" Princess Luna said, stepping between the squabbling ponies. "The two of you can give me each side of the story back at the castle. For right now though..." The Lunar Alicorn charged her horn and a teal blue light encased both ponies' injuries and dissipated.

Applejack rolled her shoulder to find it completely healed. "Thank you Princess Luna, ah will gladly explain myself when we reach the castle."

"I expect that you do, this is not a good start for either of you, and will reflect badly on you in the near future. Right now, I deem neither of you as respectable ponies., I pray that you prove me wrong, for your sake." Luna turned away and began walking towards the coaches that were to take all the recruits to the castle.

Applejack, Lightning Dust, and Fluttershy were escorted to one of the coaches. Once they were inside it, the door was shut and the three ponies were left to wait. "So, who do ya'll think is gonna be evaluatin' us?" Applejack asked.

"I don't know, me and you might be evaluated by some senior officer or something. I heard that we would have to fight three different ponies for one part though," Lightning Shield responded.

"All three at once!"

"No, separately."

"Oh, good." She sighed, greatly relieved.

"I think you both will do great," Fluttershy added. "You're the strongest pony I know AJ, and you, Lightning Shield, well your special talent is defense, that's got to count for something right?"

"Yer right Fluttershy, we got nothin' ta worry 'bout.," Applejack said. She looked out the window and felt a slight jolt in the wagon, "Looks like we're leavin'." She said, looking down at her still bandaged shoulder. "Guess ah can take this thing off now." Applejack grabbed the end and started to twist the bandages off. Once the gauze was removed Applejack looked down to find a perfectly healed shoulder. "It's as if it never happened," she said, admiring the princess's hoofwork.

"You would never have guessed that fight even happened," Lightning Shield said dumbstruck.

The three ponies sat and talked about evaluation and basic training for the rest of the ride to the castle. Once they got there, Luna and the stallion were waiting outside the coach for Applejack. "Come with me Miss Apple." Luna said before turning to walk away. Applejack gulped and nervously followed the princess.

"Nice knowing you.," Lightning Shield said in a joking whisper as she passed.

"Oh, haha, she ain't gonna kill me over a fight Lightning," 'at least ah hope not', she thought. Applejack wasn't about to let that last part slip as she quietly followed the princess though.

Applejack and the Stallion glared at each other the whole way to the throne room and almost ran into Princess Luna when she stopped at the massive doors. "Miss Apple, please wait out here. I wish to get Mister Pell's side of the story first," Luna said, looking at the farm mare.

"Of course, princess." Applejack wanted to object but she knew that would only cause more problems and walked over on the bench to wait. Luna nodded and led the stallion into the throne room.

"Now, Mr. Pells. Who started the fight?" Luna questioned.

"It was that crazy mare! She threatened that if I didn't fight then her and her friend would attack me! That's why my other friend restrained that little yellow pegasus. Once we did that, I was forced to fight anyway. On top of that she called me a bozo!”

"Is that so?" She pushed, trying to make sense of it.

"Yes ma'am, I tried to walk away but she wouldn't have any of it. We made a deal, if I won she would leave me alone, and if she won she wouldn't. I feel threatened and you can easily tell she gave me a beating for I was far worse off that her. Can't you see that I'm the victim here?" The stallion said, making puppy eyes and tearing up. 'I've got this in the bag. Whatever happens to that mare, it will be hilarious all the way through.

Applejack couldn’t help but worry about what was going to happen. What if ah get put on kitchen duty fer a year? What if Luna kills me? What if Celestia banishes me tah the moon fer a thousand years? Alright, those last two probably wouldn’t happen. Celestia has never banished someone to the moon before and Luna only had you executed if absolutely necessary. As true as that was though, a year of kitchen duty would not be a good way to start off.

Applejack was about to get up and stretch for a bit when Princess Luna and the stallion came out the door. "Mr. Pells, wait out here while I speak with Miss Apple." She said. Applejack got up and followed the princess through the large doors into the the throne room. It was large with a red carpet up to two gold, cushioned throne and had white tile floors complete with large stain-glass windows along the walls. Applejack was admiring the colorful windows when Luna's voice pulled her attention back on why she was here. "Miss Apple, Mr. Pells tells me it was you who started the fight with threats and name-calling, is this true?"

"Only some of it, yes ah did call him a bozo, but no, ah did not start the fight. What did he say ah threatened him 'bout?" Applejack asked, entirely confused about what was going on.

"He says you threatened two things. One was that you and your accomplice would harm him and his companions. The second is that if you fought and won you would harm him again," Luna stated with her ever expressionless gaze.

Applejack sighed, "Well, if you flipped the positions of both then he was half true about it."

"Please explain." Luna said with an eyebrow raised in a now questioning and suspicious gaze.

"Well, those threats happened yes, but it was actually him that said them. He said that if ah did not fight him, his pal would hurt Fluttershy, and if ah won the fight he would leave us alone and he wouldn't if ah had lost," Applejack explained.

"Alright then. Mr. Pells also informed me that he attempted to walk away and you refused, is this also a lie?"

"Yes, it was actually me who tried to just walk away, but he said that he would hurt Fluttershy if ah did and ah couldn't do that. I would give mah life fer mah family or good friends."

Luna nodded thoughtfully, "Alright, now that I know how this fight played out, I would like to know exactly what was said that led to this dishonorable brawl." She sat back in her throne and waited to hear the explanation.

Applejack recalled everything. What the stallion said in the first place, which led to her calling him a bozo and so on until she finally got to the part where they were pulled away from each other.

"So, this is what happened... exactly?" Luna said.

"Yes, princess," Applejack answered.

"As both I and my sister are your witnesses?"

"As you are both mah witnesses. Ah swear to you, that this is the honest truth."

"So if I were to put both you and Mr. Pells under a truth spell your answer would remain the same?"

"It would," Applejack assured.

"So be it," Luna said, she nodded at a guard to call the stallion in. When he came up, Luna began explaining. "I have heard both stories and both of which are drastically different. So I am going to place you both under the truth spell. You will not be aware so it is completely normal to come out of it, not knowing what was said or done." The stallion looked around nervously as Luna's horn took on a teal aura that engulfed both ponies, once it dissipated both ponies had a teal sheen over them.

Luna walked over to Applejack and asked about the train brawl once again. She repeated her last answer, just as she claimed she would. Something felt off though. Applejack looked over to the stallion when Luna asked him how it happened. His answer went along with Applejack's, though worded a bit differently she noticed. 'o'course, now ah know what's wrong here. Ah thought Luna said ah wouldn't be aware of what ah was doin'... so how come ah am?'

"Thank you for your honesty," Luna said releasing the spell. Luna walked over to the stallion, "Mr. Pells, you have brought shame to your family name. I cannot send you back home for we need the troops, but this will affect what you do. As for you Miss Apple, you will get kitchen duty for a week once you are forwarded to the base.” Applejack nodded, at least it wasn’t a year.

"What?! What did I do!" The stallion exclaimed, jumping up with his jaw agape.

"Ya admitted to it ya low-life liar!" Applejack spat.

The stallion hung his head and walked out of the throne room. As he walked out, Celestia, Shining Armor, and Twilight walked in. "What was all that about Luna?" Celestia asked.

"There was a fight on the train between him and this mare here. There was no honor to be had in that fight, as Mr. Pells decided to provoke it with threats," Luna explained.

"Really?" Twilight asked. She was a Lavender unicorn with a pencil crossed with a wrench in front of a gear for a cutie mark. The pencil was blue-violet and the gear was deep grey. The wrench looked like any other one... silver.

"Yes, really. You may leave now Miss Apple," Luna said.

"Uh sure, but can ah ask ya somthin' first?" Applejack asked with a confused gaze.

Luna raised an eyebrow before responding. "What is it?"

"Well, uh, ah could hear and remember when ah was under the truth spell. The only thing ah couldn't control was what ah said, but that stallion acted like he couldn't remember a thing."

The four ponies looked shocked and their jaws' almost literally hit the floor. "How? You were under Luna's spell!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Ah ain’t sure," Applejack replied honestly.

"Well, I will look into it." Luna said finally recovering from the shock. "Twilight, could you please escort Miss Apple to one of the guest accommodations. Miss Apple, someone will come to get you when dinner is ready, your evaluation is tomorrow."

"Sure Luna," Twilight said leading Applejack through the doors and into the massive hallway. "Right this way Miss Apple," Twilight said, turning a corner.

"Ah shoot, ya can drop the Miss Apple stuff, just call me Applejack,” she said.

"Alright, Applejack, then you can call me Twilight."

"Say, why was everypony actin' all surprised that ah still had control of mah thoughts under that spell?"

"Well, only one other pony ever had a strong enough mind to be aware while under that."

"And who might that be?" Applejack asked curiously.

"Princess Celestia, not even I'm aware while under that spell."

Now it was Applejack's turn to be surprised. "Are you sayin' the only other pony in all of Equestria that is able to still have some control is Princess Celestia herself!?"

"Exactly," Twilight said as they rounded another corner.

"That makes no sense, what-so-ever."

"You’re right, it doesn't. Maybe it's nothing."

"Ah hope your right, somethin' doesn't feel right about this."

"We're here!" Twilight said as they stood in front of the door to a guest room. She opened the door using her magic, the door beaming in a reddish pink aura as it opened to reveal a simple room. There were two bunk beds, one on either side of the room. There was also a small door leading to a bathroom in another corner. Three mares were already in the room, fighting over who got which bunk.

“I am not sleeping on the top, you hear me?”

“Then take the bottom!”

“No way! You snore!”

“Then go sleep on the other bed!”

“Fine! Livy, take the top.”

“Alright, alright,” a white pegasus said as she grabbed her bag and flung it on the top bunk. The other mare slammed her bags on the bed in a way that said, ‘this is my bunk and don’t come near it’.

“Hey, I know you, you’re the mare that got into a fight with that stallion.”

“Yup, that bozo needed tah shut up.”

“So, what’s your punishment?”

“Ah’m on kitchen duty fer a week.”

The white pegasus nodded, “That’s not bad, well I’m gonna sleep before dinner because I don’t know about you guys, but I’m tired. Oh, I’m Sky Wishes by the way, what’s your name?”

" Ah’m Applejack, ah guess ah could take a nap to, ain't got much else to do." Applejack noticed that her bag had been brought in already and checked through it quickly to make sure everything was there. Nothing was missing. Applejack remembered that she had not had a bath in a while. She had been busy trying to make up Mac's share of the work and most nights she would stay out late, come back and eat a cold dinner, then sleep. Applejack had been to exhausted every night to bother with a shower so she opted on taking one now.

Applejack walked into the bathroom and took a nice hot shower. When she got out and dried off everyone was already asleep. She nodded and grabbed her duffle bag throwing it onto the top bunk with ease before climbing the ladder to the top and falling asleep.

Applejack woke up to a knock on the door. "Come in!" She said getting up. The other girls woke up to and the door opened with Twilight standing in it.

"Dinner's ready," she said, patiently waiting as the girls jumped off the beds.

"Alright, let's go." Applejack said as they walked to the door.

The girls, Applejack and Twilight walked through the large halls and talked until they reached the dining hall. A bunch of tables were set up around the large room and everypony was sitting at tables waiting for their meals. Applejack looked around for Fluttershy and Lightning Shield until she saw them at a table near the center. She walked over and sat down with them and Twilight went to sit with the princesses and Shining Armor. "Hey Applejack, how did it go?" Lightning Shield asked.

"It went alright," Applejack said, recounting everything that happened and leaving out the part where she had some resistance to Luna's spell.

"Well, all's well that ends well," Fluttershy said as meals were placed in front of the three ponies. They all thanked the server mare as she turned away to bring somepony else their dinner. She did of course flash a quick smile that didn't go unnoticed by the concerned group.

"Bet it has been a while since she heard those words." Lightning Shield said as he began to shovel the plate's contents into his mouth.

Applejack laughed. "Ah bet it has; not a whole lot of ponies think about little things like that." She picked up her fork and began to eat her meal. "This is good," Applejack stated after swallowing a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

"Oh yes, it's delicious." Fluttershy nodded. She was stabbing some salad with her fork and taking small bites out of it.

After a few minutes, Twilight walked over with her plate of food. "Mind if I join you?"

"No problem," Applejack answered. She tapped the empty space next to her for Twilight to come sit. "So, why are ya here?"

"My brother, Shining Armor asked me to let them talk in private. I'm sure it's nothing though." Applejack and Fluttershy stared at Twilight with shocked expressions on their face. Lightning Shield dropped his fork onto his plate and his jaw dropped to the floor. Twilight looked at the three dumbstruck ponies curiously, "What? Is there something on my face?"

Lightning Shield cleared his throat. "Captain Shining Armor, the Captain Shining Armor? The most important figure in the military aside from Princess Luna herself; is your brother?!"

"Ya, why is that... oh," Twilight laughed, "whoops, I forgot that it might sound surprising. He's just like any other pony to me I guess, sometimes I forget how important he is in the eyes of the country. Don't treat me like I'm above you though ok? I hate it when ponies do that."

"If you say so." Applejack answered finally finding her voice and taking another bite of her dinner.

"So, do any of you have family in the military?" Twilight asked.

"My uncle left to join last year." Lighting Shield said.

"I have a cousin that went and became a field medic." Fluttershy answered quietly as she took another bite of her food.

"Mah pa left to join when ah was a filly only 'bout four years old." Applejack answered proudly. As much as she missed her dad she couldn't help but swell with pride when she talked about him.

"Wow, that's a long time, what's his name? Maybe I know him," Twilight answered as she held a dinner roll.

"His name is Cortland, Cortland Apple. You heard of him?" Applejack asked somewhat interested in knowing if she knew him.

"Cortland Apple? He's really your dad!" Now it was Twilight's turn to be surprised.

"Well yeah, so you've heard of him ah take it?"

"Heard of him? Applejack, he is stationed in the same base as me. He's one of their best soldiers. I knew there was something familiar about you, you look a lot like him. You have the same eyes and your coats are quite similar. He has a red mane though." Twilight described Applejack's dad perfectly.

"Wow Applejack, I didn't know your dad was that good," Fluttershy said.

"Me neither. Ah knew he was good and all, but that good?" Applejack couldn't help but be surprised at how well a higher up knew her pa so well.

"Talking about Cortland Apple huh?" There was another voice behind the four ponies and they turned to see Shining Armor behind them.

"Yeah, this is his daughter Shining." Twilight said pointing at the orange farm mare.

"His daughter huh? Well she definitely looks the part. Are you here to be a field medic?" Shining Armor asked Applejack.

"No, ah'm comin' tah fight. As far as ma medical prowess goes, the most ah can do is keep ya from bleedin' to much before a real medic can look at ya." Applejack answered with a chuckle.

"Well it makes sense, your dad definitely set standards I expect you to be able to live up to if you're becoming a soldier though."

"Better be prepared then because ah plan tah give it mah all at the evaluation."

"Good, I will hold you to it to," Shining Armor said as he turned around. "Good luck,Also you can come back now Twily."

"Nah, I want to stay here." Twilight answered as she took another bite of her meal. "I'm having fun."

"Alright." With that shining Armor walked back over to his table.

The four ponies finished their meal and talked until the plates were taken away and everypony was dismissed to their rooms. When Applejack entered her room, she walked over to the bunk and opted to get a good night's sleep as it would probably her last truly restful night for a while. Once again the other girls were already asleep.

Luna was pacing around the throne room and mumbling to herself.

"Are you absolutely certain about it Lulu?" Celestia asked.

"No, It's just a hunch but how else could she have been able to resist the spell as much as she did? The only pony I've known to be able to be fully aware while under that spell is you Tia. It's the only explanation I have right now." Luna was still pacing around when Celestia put a hoof on her shoulder.

"How about you take a seat before you wear a groove into the tiles Lulu." Celestia said when Luna stopped pacing to look at her sister.

Luna and Celestia took a seat on their thrones and began talking once more. "What do you think Tia?"

"I think this mare is somepony to definitely keep an eye on, but if I'm correct then that's not the only thing you're talking about."

"Then you'd be right, there is only one reason that somepony like this would show up in our midst so suddenly."

"And what would this something be Luna?"

Luna sighed, "This war is about to get a whole lot uglier."

"How much uglier?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I can guarantee you that what it is now will seem like a mere taste of what it will really become when it does."

"So you truly believe that one of them has returned in the form of that orange mare?"

Luna was quiet for minute. "I do," she finally said.

Celestia sat back with a solemn expression on her face. "I find this hard to believe, but if you're completely sure then I think you will agree when I say we should keep an eye on her."

"Indeed, I can assure you that Miss Apple has no idea what she is."

"Do you think there are others?" Celestia asked.

"No doubt about it, if there is one there are usually two more. Who they are though I have absolutely no idea."

Proofread by CowgirlVK

At the Castle part 2: Evaluation

Applejack's eyes slowly opened as light seeped from the window into her room. She rolled over to face the window and snapped her eyes shut as the direct light hit her face. She squinted and blinked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She quietly climbed down the ladder and made her way to the bathroom. She turned on the faucet and started splashing water on her face. She had just grabbed the soap bar when Sky Wishes walked in. "Thought I was the only one that got up with the sun."

"Ah grew up on a farm, we get up this early every day." Applejack lathered some soap onto her hooves and began rubbing it into her face. She passed the bar soap on to Sky Wishes and splashes it away with the cold faucet water. As Applejack walked out of the bathroom the other two girls woke up. Applejack grabbed one of the towels and dried her face off. "Mornin' gals."

"Hey Applejack." The two others went about their business. upon finishing, the four ponies heard a knock at the door.

"Comin'!" Applejack called as she made her way to the door. She opened the door to a stallion in his uniform, most likely the senior officer there to tell them that breakfast was ready. "How can ah help you?"

The stallion looked a bit surprised. "Well, I was here to tell you it was time to wake up but it looks like you beat me to it.," he said with a chuckle.

"Looks like it," Applejack continued to rub the towel on her damp face.

"Well, hurry up because breakfast is in ten and I was asked to come get you."

"Do they do that with all the recruits? Sending somepony to lead them to the dining hall?" Applejack asked.

"Yes actually, they did the same with me."

"Alright, well we're gonna be a minute so yer welcome to step in," Applejack said opening the door wider and tossing the towel in the hamper. The stallion stood just inside the doorway as Applejack quickly grabbed her hair ties and brush. He watched as the four mares quickly finished and were done in, quite literally, one minute.

"When you said a minute you weren't kidding were you?"

"Nope, we can be quick when we need to," Applejack said as she followed the stallion down the long hallway.

The stallion laughed. "Well that'll definitely be helpful when you go to basic training. The sergeant will have you running around like a madpony from the brink of dawn till midnight sometimes."

"Then she's in for quite a surprise if she ain't used to ponies bein' able ta keep up."

"That's for sure," Sky Wishes pitched in.

"She isn't, she's used to complaints so I think you guys are gonna get along just fine." The stallion stopped at the large doors, "We're here."

The doors were opened and Applejack thanked the stallion as she walked over to where her friends were. "Mornin' ya'll," she called happily as she made her way over to the table. She looked at the three other ponies at the table and only Twilight seemed actually awake.

"Applejack, how are you so awake! It's too early." Lightning shield whined as his head dropped to the table to make a point. Fluttershy also looked tired, her eyes were droopy and her head sagged.

"Applejack is used to waking up with the sun." Fluttershy said as breakfast was put in front of the four ponies.

"It's true, workin' on a farm 'll do that to ya," Applejack said, as she thanked the server and took a bite of eggs. The server smiled as she floated mugs over to the four ponies and filled each with some coffee. She then left some creamer and sugar there for them.

Lighting Shield looked at the coffee and grabbed the creamer and sugar, hastily stirring it into his coffee. He took a large drink of it, "Oh thank Celestia! Coffee!"

The three mares at the table laughed, "Don't get used to it Lightining, there's no coffee at the bases..” Twilight said.

Lightning shield looked at Twilight and then down at his coffee. "I'm gonna die," he stated.

The three mares laughed again and the four ponies dug into their meals. Breakfast was over soon and Twilight went with her brother as Applejack, Fluttershy, and Lightning Shield were escorted to different rooms for evaluation.

Applejack was sitting in a large training room, in one area there was a large circle. Probably an arena for hoof to hoof combat. Another corner had the uniforms and bulletproof vests along with basic medical supplies. Most likely another part of the test. Applejack looked around the large room for a bit more until she heard the door open. "Miss Apple, I will be evaluating you."

The farm mare turned around to see Captain Shining armor standing at the doorway. "Sure, what do ah do first?"

"Listen. The first part of the evaluation will test your combat ability. You will fight an earth pony, a pegasus, and a unicorn. Each will be testing a different part of combat. The earth pony will test your endurance and strength. The pegasus will test your speed and the unicorn will test your ability to plan a tactical fight even if it is in an instant. You are not expected to win any of these fights, just to last."

"She better be able ta last a long time then if she can't win. Which ah expect her to do at least against me," called out another stallion who had just entered.

Applejack looked past Shining Armor to see an orange stallion with a red mane. "Pa!" She called as she rushed over to hug him.

"Jackie! What's up sweetie?" The stallion said as he hugged his daughter tighter.

"I didn't know you had such a good lookin' daughter, Cortland." A pegasus said.

Cortland stopped hugging his daughter and glared playfully at the pegasus, "Don't even think about it Stormy."

"Fine," the pegasus said.

"You are something else you know that Stormy?" A unicorn said.

Shining armor cut in, "Soldiers!" The four ponies stopped and turned to the captain. "Private Cortland, an explanation please?"

Cortland laughed nervously, "Sorry captian, ah haven't seen my daughter in fourteen years. Just got excited I guess."

"So you really are his daughter," Shining Armor stated.

"Yes sir," Applejack answered.

Shining Armor shook his head and smiled. "Well, let's begin the evaluation, shall we?" The four ponies nodded as Applejack and her dad took their places in the arena to begin. "You better not hold back because she's your daughter private." Shining Armor stated.

"Don't worry captain, she's an Apple so ah ain't gonna hold back even a little. She can handle herself plenty well." Cortland and Applejack started walking around in a slow circle and poured all their focus into the battle. Applejack waited for her dad to throw the first hit as they continued to circle each other. It was only a few more seconds before her Dad lunged himself at her and they locked into a battle of strength. This continued for a bit with both ponies attempting to overpower the other. Applejack smiled as she suddenly got an idea and dipped to her right while sweeping her back leg under her Dad's hooves and throwing him off balance. The second he hit the ground Applejack pinned him there.

"That was dirty," Cortland said with a grin.

"Ah know," Applejack said, before she knew it, her Pa kicked her in the stomach throwing her a few feet away. Applejack picked herself back up and lunged at her Pa, landing an uppercut square in the jaw and strong punch to the stomach. Her dad shook his head to clear the blurriness and launched a punch at Applejack's chest. She dodged to the left and he got her right foreleg instead, that would definitely bruise in the morning. Applejack stepped back and spun around. She lifted her hind legs and bucked her dad in the stomach, launching him a few feet in the air before he crashed to the ground. Two hoof marks were on his chest and his breath was knocked out of him, so he was breathing hard. The three ponies watching the brawl looked shocked at the results of Applejack's tactic. Stormy and the unicorn were also looking a bit scared about fighting Applejack.

Applejack and her Father continued on like this for a long time, every time one or the other went down everypony thought it was over. They were sorely mistaken as the two ponies also continued to pick themselves up. Cortland tried to ram into Applejack only to have her sidestep and elbow him in the back, causing him to step out of the ring and end the match. "Alright you two, brawls over. Well, it would be an understatement to say you don't have endurance Miss Apple. You were even able to exploit Cortland's weaknesses,. iImpressive." Shining Armor wrote something down on his clipboard and told Applejack and Stormy to take positions. "Don't forget Stormy, you can use your wings," Shining reminded him.

Lightning Shield was standing in the ring with another pegasus. This one would be an airborne battle, first one to lose control and crash to the ground lost. He was pretty sure about him losing but he didn't have to win, he just had to last. Lightning Shield took to the air along with his opponent and the battle began. The other pegasus flew behind Lightning and tried to ram him from behind. Lightning dashed to the right, flew behind the pegasus and landed a solid kick on his back instead. The other pegasus spun around and landed two punches in Lightning's chest before dashing away. Lightning clutched his chest and took a deep breath before shooting higher into the air and snapping his wings shut above his opponent. Lightning came crashing onto his opponent's back and forcing him down fairly low before flying away. "A bit of an unorthodox method, don't you think?" His evaluator said to a unicorn.

"Maybe so, but it was definitely effective. I'm gonna have to remember that move for the battlefield." Both ponies smiled and went back to looking at the fight.

The two pegasi continued on their back and forth with hits, kicks, and messing each other's wings in attempts to throw them out of the air for a long period of time. It ended with Lightning doing a flip in the air and landing a kick on his opponent's back. At that second he once again snapped his wings shut, leaving his opponent with his full wait to weigh him down. The other pegasus crashed to the ground and ended the battle. Lightning Shield stood in the ring as the unicorn came up. "Begin!"

Applejack stood in the ring facing the pegasus. She took a deep breath and began to plan out what she would do. Ah can't rely solely on mah strength this time. He's probably gonna be in the air most a' the time. Well I do got mighty strong back-legs. That outta make for a rather high jump, better abuse the heck outta that advantage. Applejack smiled as her plan came together. It shocked her how easily it came to her though, almost natural. Sure it was a fairly simple plan, but it didn't need to be showy, it just needed to work. Applejack began moving in a slow circle in perfect sync with the pegasus before he took to the air and dove at her.

Applejack rolled to the side as he swooped back into the air. She crouched down, preparing for the most crucial part of her plan. Applejack launched herself into the air and landed on the pegasus's back, pulling on his wings and causing him to crash to the ground. They both rolled away from each other before jumping back to their hooves and circling each other again. "Caught me off guard there kid, didn't think an Earth Pony could jump that high." Stormy shook his head as they continued.

"Gotta admit, ah didn't think ah could jump that high either."

"Wait, you did that while having doubts that it would even work?!"

"Sometimes ya gotta take a chance," Applejack responded. She launched herself at Stormy, who caught her as they engaged in a battle of strength. Applejack pinned Stormy to the ground and held him there. Stormy launched his back-legs into Applejack's stomach and threw her off. He jumped into the air again being careful too go higher so Applejack couldn't jump onto him. The farmer looked up at her airborne opponent and began thinking about how she could get to him. She launched herself into the air again and grabbed his back-leg. The extra wait dragged him down a bit. Stormy strained to hold them up in the air until an idea came to him and he snapped his wings shut. The two ponies crashed to the ground with Applejack cushioning Stormy's fall when they hit the ground.

Stormy climbed off of Applejack and stood up, looking at the mare on the ground to see if she was finished. "You gonna get up or did I win?"

Applejack took a deep breath and jumped back onto her hooves. "Hardly, yer gonna have ta do more an' that ta stop me." The two ponies continued dueling for an hour until neither could keep going. Both ponies lay on the ground panting.

"Can't believe we did that for an hour," Stormy said between breaths. "How... did you... hold out... so long?!"

"Me an mah friend... Rainbow have... iron pony competitions an'... we always... tie. She's a pegasus... to." Applejack continued panting and coughing.

"Really?.... Me and.... Cortland do that.... as well."

"We'll stop for a rest and continue later, alright Miss Apple?" Shining Armor said upon finishing writing something down on his clipboard.

Lightning Shield took to the air and stared at his opponent. The unicorn lit his horn and rapidly fired a bombardment of magical bolts. Lightning Shield dived and swerved out of them, having only one graze his wing. When the firing ceased he dived at the unicorn, knocking him off his hooves. They rolled around in the ring throwing punches at one another until the unicorn levitated Lightning in the air and threw him a few feet away. Lightning took to the air and dove at his opponent again. This time he did a bunch of fly-by's, each time adding more strength into his thrusts.

The unicorn fired more magic bolts at Lightning trying to ground him. One bolt landed square in the middle of Lightning's wing and he crashed into the ground. Lightning struggled to his hooves and charged into the unicorn before he could launch another spell. They engaged in a short hoof to hoof combat, Lightning uppercut-ted the unicorn and the unicorn responded with a hard punch to the stomach. All the air left Lightning's lungs and he crumpled to the ground, cringing as he held his stomach. The unicorn leaned in to see if Lightning wasn't hurt to badly. Lightning looked up and smiled, before the unicorn could back up Lightning used his back-legs to kick the unicorn in the chest. The unicorn fell a few feet away and jumped to his hooves. "Smart, never thought I'd fall for that one to be perfectly honest with you."

Lightning smiled. "You'll find that I am very good at pretending."

"How so?"

"Years of pranking my older siblings," Lightning admitted with a smug grin.

"I don't know if that's something to be proud of."

"Maybe not, there isn't much honor in it that's for sure. Oh well... I am actually quite proud of the pranks I managed to pull off. That's just one trick among thousands that I have."

The unicorn grinned and charged at Lightning. Lightning sidestepped and the unicorn wheeled around to come back. When the unicorn attempted to punch him behind the head, Lightning grabbed his hoof and flipped the unicorn over his shoulder. He landed on his back and gasped from the strength of the blow. Lightning Shield stepped back and waited for him to get up as he prepared for his next move. The unicorn got closer and punched him repeatedly in key areas. Lightning called upon his years of karate experience and blocked each blow with ease. The unicorn's jaw gaped at how easily his attacks were defended. Lightning used the unicorn's flustered state to his advantage with a roundhouse kick to his face.

The battle continued until neither of the ponies could continue. "Alright you two, we're taking a break. Somebody get Private Dusk and Private Shield some water would ya?"

Applejack gulped her water down and set the cup on the table. Stormy was busy refilling his as she walked over to the ring. "You sure you don't want another few minutes kid?" The unicorn asked.

"She looks ready to me Comet." Cortland nodded approval towards his daughter.

Comet shook his head and followed Applejack to the ring. Stormy leaned over and whispered in Cortland's ear, "20 bits says she only lasts five minutes."

Cortland smiled. "Deal!" He whispered back excitedly. The two chuckled and made their way over to the ring where Applejack and Comet were waiting to start.

Applejack focused and stared at her opponent, waiting for him to make his move. Comet charged his horn and shot multiple magical bolts at Applejack who evaded them with ease. She then advanced and pounced on Ccomet's back attempting to pin him to the ground. He teleported behind her and shot a magic bolt at the back of her head. Applejack ducked and spun around to face Comet. He was charging his horn in preparation for a powerful spell when Applejack remembered something her friend Rarity did when a spell got out of control. Applejack licked her hoof and touched Comet's horn, stopping the spell dead in it's tracks. He stood, dumbfounded at the Earth Pony. Applejack took the advantage to land a few blows on him before he levitated her away from him and pinned her to the ground. Applejack struggled against the spell and broke free before lunging at the unicorn full force. Their scuffle lasted a good ten more minutes before Comet was able to get the best of Applejack who was currently pinned against the floor. She had worn herself out to much to continue.

"You got me," Applejack said between breaths.

"It took me long enough," Comet said breathing equally as hard.

"Alright Stormy," Cortland said happily. "Where's the 20 bits you owe me."

"You guys bet on the fight?" Comet asked, giving his friends a deadpan look.

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Real mature ya'll, could ya let me up now?" She asked Comet.

"Oh, sorry," he answered as he released the spell.

Lightning trotted over to the ring to take his position. He was facing an Earth pony; the mare didn't look like too much. "Alright Shield, no flying. We're testing strength not evasion. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir!" Lightning Shield said as he spread his hooves apart and got ready to fight.

Lightning Shield and the mare stared each other down for what seemed like hours before the mare lunged at him. Lighting rolled out of the way and immediately went on the defensive blocking each hit as best he could. The mare landed a heavy blow on Lightning Shield's muzzle and a small trickle of blood ran out of it. Lightning Shield stepped away and rubbed his muzzle. Lightning dodged another hit and attempted to hook the side of the mare's face with little success. The mare took the chance to hook him in the chest and bring Lightning to the ground. The hit drove all the air out of his lungs.

Lightning tried to stand up again and locked into a battle of strength with the mare. Se easily overpowered him and pinned himl to the ground. The mare leaned in close to his face and smirked, "K.O." She got off lightning and held out her hoof.

Lightning accepted it and was pulled up. "Geez, your strong. What's your name?"

"I'm Limestone. Limestone Pie, and thanks I try."

"Alright Mr. Shield, I believe I have everything I need. You may leave."

Applejack had just finished her water when her dad came up. "Ya did great kid," He said as he ruffled her mane.

Applejack smiled, "Thanks Pa."

Cortland's friends walked up and joined them. "You are definitely Cortland's kid." Comet laughed and put his hoof on Applejack's shoulder.

"Yeah, I honestly didn't think you could be on par with me," Stormy added.

Shining armor walked up. "Alright, we're done here so lets all get lunch and the base you are to be posted at will be announced afterwards.

Applejack was at the lunch table with Fluttershy Lightning and Twilight. Lightning took another bite of his food and asked, "so AJ, how'd your evaluation go?"

"It went good. You?"

"Same, how about you Fluttershy?"

"Oh it went great. I did amazing on almost everything."

"See Flutters? Ah told ya that ya'll had nothin' ta worry 'bout." Applejack said confidently when they heard a loud booming voice that sounded overlapped with two others.

"ATTENTION EVERYPONY!" the four ponies, along with everypony else in the room turned their attention to the voice to find Princess Luna as the source.

Twilight giggled at the dumbstruck faces of her friends. "Oh boy, the Royal Canterlot voice sure is something huh guys?" The others could just nod in agreement as they tried to process what just happened. Twilight giggled some more.

"Thank you Princess," Shining Armor stated as he rubbed his ear.

"You are quite welcome." Luna stepped back for Shining Armor so he could make his announcement.

"Alright Everypony, I am going to announce where you will all be placed." Shining Armor said in a clear, confident voice. At that moment ten or fifteen other ponies walked in and lined up behind Shining. "These ponies are all the commanding officers of the different bases. They will each announce the names of the ponies on their list. After each name is announced that pony will line up behind their respective commanding officer.

Shining Armor was the last to announce the names on his list. He announced fifteen names in total. "The ponies coming to my base are Starfire Twister, Peppermint Sky, Solar Ace, Sky Wishes...."

"Lightning Shield, Fluttershy, and Applejack." Shining Armor announced the last name and paused. He looked around the room at the ponies who weren't assigned a base. "Those of you not assigned to a base are going home. I am sorry but you did not qualify. you will take the last train and head home. Return to your rooms and pack your bags, we leave in an hour.”

Proofread by CowgirlVK