We rose early in the morning. The moon was still high up in the sky, but it was around one AM. The moon was just barely poking out of the sinister clouds, beams of silver light floating down from the heavens.

The rest of the ponies who were to be sent to the other base and I quickly got ready, gathering our things. I said goodbye to Apple Bloom. We wished each other luck and we both hoped that when Apple Bloom finished her training she would come to the same base I was going to.

There were a few unicorns who were to transport us to the base with their magic. They gathered around us in a circle, their horns beginning to glow. A rainbow of colors beamed out from the unicorn horns, hitting us and surrounding us. Little sparks flew from the magic as the transporting process began. It felt strange, as I was enveloped in the magic. It was almost as I was disconnected from the world, like the universe had just disintegrated around me. I couldn’t feel, see, hear, smell or anything. My mind felt empty, though it was almost peaceful. But before I knew it, I was standing on the frozen ground once again.

I raised my head to look around. The base looked almost exactly the same as the one I had trained in, but there was a lot more equipment. The barracks where we slept were on the left and the area where we trained was on the right. There was a brick building with smoke rising out of a lone chimney; I assumed that was the food court. Next to the food court was another brick building with a medical cross on it- the medical wing. Surrounding the base was a tall, wire fence. There were electric wires running all around it and barbed wire peeked out at the top.

All the ponies who had been transported with me were now standing. We all looked around, taking in the new surroundings.

“Line! Single file line!” I turned my head to see a burly white unicorn stallion with a blue mane and tail. He was wearing some light armor, but nothing like the suits used it battle. The stallion’s cutie mark was dark blue shield with a pink six-pointed star inside it. Above the shield were three light blue stars.

I sighed as I jumped into line with the rest of the ponies in my group. I glanced at my empty flank with another sigh, and snapped my head around to stand in line.

The white unicorn stallion stepped in front of the line. “You will refer to me as General Shining Armor, or just General Armor. I lead this base and you will answer to me no matter what happens. When I speak to you I expect a response! Is that clear?”

“Sir, yes sir!” We shouted a reply in unison.

“Good, good.” General Armor nodded, looking my group over. “There is to be no fooling around on the grounds of this base or on the battlefield. I don’t give a buck what you do with your life when you’re not on this land, but as far as I know, we’re still in base 003! You are expected to rise early in the morning, no later than 4:00 AM. That is, unless you are called in for duty. To your left are the barracks! You will be assigned an area for sleeping. To your right is our training area. This is where we will work for most of the day to improve our strength, endurance and tactics. On those grounds you are expected to work your utmost hardest, and there is no taking a break unless you have permission to do so! The food court is in front of us and that is where you will go for your three daily meals. Next to that is the medical wing. If you suffer any injury severe enough to get infected or worsen, always go to the medical wing! Now, march behind me to the barracks. You will be assigned a sleeping area. Move!”

“Yes sir!” We marched behind General Armor, our hooves stamping against the barren land.

A few days had passed since I had arrived at the base. The daily routine was very similar to the one I was used to, so I was easily accustomed to it. The day that I would be set off into the battlefield was fast approaching. I had a week left. I was excited to finally be able to do something for Equestria, but I was nervous because I knew the risk I was taking. I was ready though. That was without a doubt.

I was heading back to the barracks after dinner to get some rest. I would need it for my training routine the next morning. I stopped at the mailboxes outside of the barracks. I had been obsessively checking every day to see if there was a letter from my parents or Apple Bloom. But each day, I was welcomed into the barracks with an empty mailbox. I wasn’t expecting anything, but my spirits rose when I saw a single letter shoved into the back of the box. I reached in and pulled it out. I saw it was from my father. I took the letter inside and went to my bed where I eagerly tore it open. I pulled the letter out and began to read.

Dear Scootaloo,

How are you? I am happy to hear that you have finished your training and that you will be a full fledged warrior soon. I know you will do well; you are a very strong and intelligent young pony. I am so happy that you are my daughter and I wish you all the best in your battles. Remember that I love you and I will always be here for you if you ever need me. If you have the time, please write a letter back just to tell me how things are going.

I love you,

Dad.

I smiled, happy to hear from someone close to me again. I immediately took a piece of paper out of my bag and began to write a response.

Dear Dad,

Thank you for sending me a letter! It was so nice to hear from you. I’m doing very well at the new base. Training is difficult, but I know it will prepare for my first battle. I am hoping to hear from Mom and my friend Apple Bloom soon. But for now, good luck and stay safe! I love you Dad.

Love, Scootaloo.

I sighed, sealing the letter and walking back outside to put it in the mailbox. I hoped my dad was right. I hoped I would be strong enough.

Author's Note

Hi everypony,
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I hope I did okay with the Shining Armor part. I don't know much about how stuff works in the military. I mean, they are magical, talking, pastel ponies, so realism isn't a big deal. XD
Anyway, see you all in the next chapter!