War stories - Season 1 - The first great war

The next day, 1033 hours (10:33 a.m)

Rainbow woke up, and opened her eyes and looked around. She was confused to where she was for a second, that was until she saw Granny Smith walking down the stairs

"Mornin' Rainbow Dash." The old mare said

"Good morning Granny Smith." The pegasus answered with a yawn and got of the couch, she made her way into the kitchen, grabbed herself an apple and walked outside.

"So how should I begin..." Rainbow pondered

"Well how 'bout push and wingups?" Granny Smith asked, Rainbow jumped a bit at the sudden voice

"Yeah but How many do I do... and only pushups... I don't know..." Rainbow replied

"It's not about the number you do. When my husband was in the guard he started coutin' first when his muscles started ta hurt." The old mare said

"That won't be many though. at least with my wing. And that really isn't a goal is it?" Rainbow replied

"Ya ever heard 'bout the guard challenge?" Granny Smith asked

"The guard challenge?" Rainbow repeated

"Yes. First you do 100 pushups, after that for ya since yer a pegasus, 100 wingups and lastly 100 situps." The old mare explained

"Wow, that's tough... sure I'll try it... the wingups will be the hardest part though, but it's worth a try." Rainbow answered

"Oh, did ah mention in under 3 minutes?" She added, Rainbow's mouth fell open

"What?! I'm not gonna make that with this wing!" Rainbow replied

"The more ya complain the less time ya have for trainin'. After all, if ya get through that there ain't no way yer gonna fail joinin' the guard... Besides even ah nearly managed that challenge when ah was young. And if ya can't even beat an old mare yer not cut out for the guard" The old mare challenged

"Ohh it is on!" Rainbow answered proclaimed

"Good, first step would be ta get yer wing into shape, so go on." Granny Smith instructed , Rainbow saluted and started immediately. Nearly every move she made with her wing brought pain through her whole body, but she wouldn't stop... after all how would she look if an old mare won a challenge against her. After about 20 wingups she had to stop however, the pain got too strong. So to even it out she tried to make 180 pushups, she got to a 100 in the competition against AJ several years back, so 80 more shouldn't be too head. But it seemed like all the months where she did nothing, except drinking did their best to screw her over whenever possible. It took her far too long to get even close to the challenge

"Dammit! I'm far too slow." Rainbow complained loudly

"Jus' keep goin' it ain't 'bout the goal. It's 'bout the yourney there. Yer gotta keep tryin'" Granny Smith answered and walked inside. Rainbow kept on training

30 minutes later

"I.. I'm done." She said to herself

"Then how 'bout her come inside and get yerself somethin' ta drink." A voice replied, Rainbow cringed and looked back confused. Granny Smith stood inside and looked at her cold apple juice in her hoofs. Rainbow smiled and walked up to her and grabbed the drink and started to slurp in an instant.

"Yer gotta get more endurance, Rainbow. Ain't no way yer gonna get that challenge done with that bit." The old mare instructed

"I know." Rainbow replied "How come you know so much about this kinda stuff?" She asked while scratching the back of her head

"From ma husband, when we were young the stallions where forced ta go to the guard and get basic trainin', It stuck with him and I got used to it." The old mare answered

"You sure went through a lot when you where young didn't you." Rainbow stated astonished

"Of course ah did, a bet yer family does too." Granny Smith replied, Rainbow just shrugged

"I couldn't tell ya even if I knew." Rainbow replied a bit sad

"What do ya mean?" The old mare asked a bit confused, Rainbow shook her head

"It's nothing. I better get back to training if I want to get ma dad proud." She added and galloped out the house and started to make her way somewhere

A couple of hours later she came back, breathing heavily and ate something and went to bed when it was about 2300 hours (11 p.m)

The next day's wake up wasn't pleasant at all. Rainbow got snapped out of her dream when ice-cold water hit her directly in the face, she looked around frantically and spotted Granny Smith with an empty bucket in her hoofs

"W-what was t.that for?!" Rainbow asked while shaking

"Yer ta late." The old mare stated, Rainbow looked at the clock which read 0432 hours (4:32 a.m)

"It's not even five!" Rainbow said loudly "What are you even doing here so early?!" She asked

"Helpin' ya ta get yer but moving, if ya gonna sleep in to 11 every day yer never gonna get in the guard." The old mare replied

"And you couldn't like wake me at 8 or something like that?" Rainbow asked with a yawn

"The sooner ya get used ta it the better." The old farm pony explained, Rainbow gave a low growl but got up anyway

"Now get a shower and be here at 5." Granny Smith instructed, Rainbow saluted and as she wanted to make her way to it

"Uhm... where's the shower?" She asked

"Up the stairs, second door on the right." The old mare answered

"Right, thanks." Rainbow replied and made her way up

25 minutes later

"Okay, I'm ready." Rainbow said as she walked down the stairs

"Good. Then let's start the day, get out there and do some PT (Physical Training) until 6." Granny smith answered, Rainbow saluted and walked outside, she started like yesterday. About 20 pushups then 10 wingups and then again 10 pushups as compensation for not doing 20 wingups. After that she did 20 situps She then cantered through Sweet Apple Acres for about 40 minutes, she had to make several pauses though.

0559 hours (5.59 a.m)

As Rainbow walked inside Granny Smith and Big Macintosh already at the table, Applebloom and AJ walked down the stairs to join them.