Gods of a Different Kind

Training of the Guard

        "So you're saying it is customary to senselessly beat your guards to prove how tough they are"

        "Well... yeah but only once. I get them all in a room then it is one big everyone verses me. It became customary ever since two thousand years ago when I got wasted and kicked my royal guards asses. Now I do it so that I know how much they can take. I never lost to my Praetoriani, but this might be the first considering I am not as powerful as I once was."

        "So... you fight the ponys you train to simply know how well they fight, or how much pain they can take?"

        "Both" Twilight was unsatisfied with the answer. What does she want from me? I clearly bested Trixie despite her claims of my cheating. I also said If I heard her say it again I would kill her, hey it isn't my fault she had insulted my honor, a thing punishable by death. Well, at least the town is happy with me again. All but Twilight. She is unhappy with EVERYTHING I do.

        "Well if you don't mind I have a date with my loyal subjects, you know the ones I'm going to beat senseless."

        "I don't think that-"

        "Good thing I didn't ask for your opinion Sparkle Face, as soon as I do you will know it. Until then please, kindly, shut up" With those inspirational words I climbed onto the train that was set to pick me up. I could get to Canterlot rather quickly without a train, in fact faster. But I can't run and work on my experiments at the same time.

        "Hello Tellus sir, your cabin is-"

        " Thank you, you are dismissed"

        "Are you sure that?"

        "Dis...missed"

        I was normally not so impolite, but I have serious things to think about, I need to find a way to bring life to a metal golem. It would be a wonderful shock trooper, no pain, no remorse, and will follow orders without question. These were things stone golems could do, but a metal one will be far superior in every way. If I am able to accomplish this there will be a much higher chance we will not get overrun by the endless hoard of Dead Wind.

        ***

        My experiments were once again fruitless, I thought I had discovered how to bring them life by using gems. But all that happened was a "small" explosion. I was on the right track, but I was far from success... it is also hard to think of it as a success when I blew up the lower half of the train. I was able to repair it, But it is quite good no one was back there.

        "Attention my royal guard, you are all ordered to meet me at the training grounds, arrive fully armored and ready for combat." I was happy that Celestia had a building cleared out to house my guard, although I would prefer to make it out of stone. But hey, you take what you get.

        I began removing my armor to reveal my firm muscles. I always wear my scale armor, no matter what. Even if it only covers to my knees it protects what needs to be protected... I'd rather not live my life castrated.

         My Praetoriani arrived at roughly the same time, it seems they have gotten soft in the time I have been gone. It seems they have let their "coat of plates" fall into misuse. Coat of plates is a type of leather armor that has metal plates hidden under it, although it was instead that leather like material as ponys are not the type to use the hides of animals as armor. It covered their torsos with splinted mail covering their limbs. The reason was I wanted my guard to be unique compared to Celestia's Sol guard and Luna's Lunaris guard. Also due to the fact that this armor was easy and simple to make, while optimizing protection. They talked in line, paying me near no attention. Yeah, this was going to be good.

        "Hello my trusted and admirable guard. Today we are going to relive some customs. What do these customs involve? It involves me fighting all of you at once, no rules, all is allowed. Expect no weapons of any kind, can't have anyone dying"

        This was obviously the one thing they had not expected, the shock on their faces painted a picture to rival pure terror. "Come on, lets get this started." They still did not make a move, seems I will have to be the first to attack.

        Sprinting across the small gap between us I nailed one of them right on the nose with my foot, the victim of my assault doubled over in pain. "Come on now, it wont be much fun if I'm the only one attacking"

        Dodging an attack from behind I swept my legs out from under my would-be attacker, they fell to the ground from the lack of support, I drove my elbow into their unprotected face, before I made contact another barreled into me. I quickly recovered from the brutal assault.

        My guard began recovering from the sudden and unexpected offensive. They began surrounding me, just like I had taught them. They were scared of me, I am going to beat the fear out of them then. Diving into the crowd I struck out at anything nearby, I made sure I did not hit hard enough to break bones, can't have them out of action in case of an attack.

        I felt a sudden attack on my legs, seems they were trying to remove the healthy support of my legs. But I was far to strong to fold to their powerful kicks. With a grunt I launched myself into the nearest pony, a Pegasus. I wasn't sure if this would work but if it did I would become king badass.

        I mounted the pony from behind, with a kick into their side they launched into the air. Likely from the intrusion, in an attempt to remove me. Once I was significantly in the air I catapulted myself off their back. With the power only the earth can provide I hit it with my left leg, the very earth trembled from such a release of energy. All of my royal guard fell on their sides, leaving them vulnerable. But unexpectedly the Pegasus I had been riding had followed me to the ground, with immense strength they lifted me into the air. In a sudden burst of panic I bashed my elbow into their face, but they did not relent.

        Once all of the guards were standing on their feet the Pegasus that had been holding me let go. The other Pegasi seeing me vulnerable lifted into the air, they relentlessly attacked me as I fell. Luckily right before I hit the ground I grabbed hold of a nearby Pegasi. I hit the ground with such force I thought I had killed them, but Pegasi have very strong bones so they will only have heavy bruising.

        I lifted the closest pony into the air high above my head, I hurled the defenseless pony towards a large cluster of ponys, I would say I roughly hit half my guard. They should have been on their toes, or hoofs in their case.

        A small squad of ponys came charging from behind, I was able to dodge out of the way just in time. Landing on my knees, I summoned a wall of stone between me and those close enough to attack me. I quickly recovered, just in time as a few earth ponys knocked over part of the wall. That is what I get for hasty building...

        Without warning I was surrounded by a purple aura, since I told then there were no rules I am not going to kill them. Although if they are going to use magic...

        I broke free from my prison just in time to get hit in the knee by a strong kick. I jumped away to avoid another barrage of kicks. I lifted some pebbles, then with surprising strength I threw them towards the recovering throng of ponys.

        Ignoring the screams of pain I back stepped from my familiar attackers. I tackled a nearby pony to the ground, I used them as a makeshift shield, the captured pony broke away with peculiar power. They turned suddenly and quickly, then without warning they kicked me.

        I let out a pained gasp as I felt the most immense pain in my groins. "I forfeit" I said through pained gasps.