The War

Morning again, felt as if it came too early. As Luna raised the sun with lots of struggle, she managed to raise it over the

horizon. The Princess was proud of the accomplishment and knowing she was one step closer to following in her beloved sister's

hoofsteps....

Even though it was a beautiful sight. it still meant the daily wake up call from the rainbow Pegasus who would barge in with a trumpet

and scare the heck out of the slumbering troops. "UP AND AT THEM YOU SLOTHS! AND MEET IN THE MESS HALL IN FIVE MINUTES!" The mare barked at the very annoyed and very tired soldiers who were just opening their eyes and complaining.

Pinkie woke up with boneless in her forehooves and Marble resting herself against her withers. the older mae shook her body, taking her sleeping grey sister by surprise. Both mares yawned and got up and followed their regular morning routine. When Pinkie noticed Cheese who was still sound asleep, drooling slightly, lining on his back with his hooves in the air, as if he was a dog.

She chuckled and crept up next to him with her tummy brushing against the cold ground. She reached her hoof over and gave him a gentle yet firm shake on his withers. "WAKEY, WAKEY LAZY BONES!" she chirped as she saw the stallion begin to open his green eyes.

Cheese let out a large groan. He felt his bones crack as he lifted his body off the ground. He stood up and shook the dirt off his coat uneasily before he turned towards the two mares.

"Good morning girls. WHat's the plan for today?"

The colt said still in his cracky morning voice.

Marbel continued to brush her mane as she responded. "Same as every day I suppose. I am not expecting anything

more than another battle."

Cheese nodded sleepily, as he pulled a handkerchief out of thin air and washed the dust off his face with it. "Yeah. That's what I thought."

Silence fell among the tent as nothing had to be said as the three ponies got ready for their breakfast.

They got their armor on and headed out the door. As the ponies got closer to the tent's entrance, Cheese felt his legs freeze in place as he stood motionlessly in the doorway.

Pinkie looked back at the stallion with bewilderment. "Hey, are you okay?"

He sighed. "yeah... B-but I'm a little worried about today." He stammered. "W-what if Shining sees a n-new troop out of place...

Surely he must keep track of all his recruits and who goes where and has what task."

Pinkie let out a goofy razberry at the stallion's complaint. "Pffftttt.... don't worry about that. I will tell him

you came in late. Don't worry about the Captian he's a cool dude."

Cheese smiled shyly as he proceeded forwards out of the tent. To catch up with his new friends; with caution as he kept his head and ears low. "A-are you sure?"

Marble smiled shyly at the yellow pony "Yes we are. Just stay with us and it will be okay."

He smiled weakly and perked up a little and respond with a gentle quiet "okay."

as they continued to eat. Pinkie kept getting that sinking feeling that they were being watched.

No it was not normal for the other soldiers to stare them down when they are eating. But this didn't matter.

She turned her thoughts back to the stallion beside her. She looked up at him as she picked away at her food.

Fascinated with this mysterious pony. Millions of questions rushed through her head. Where is he from? doesn't he have a family?

is he single? What is it like to be a party pony? How did he get his cutie mark? Did he run away from home? And why? And what happened

to his ear?

Pinkie was debating whether she should ask him some of her questions... but for Obvious reasons, this was not the time nor the place.

One simple question shouldn't draw too much attention now would it? she thought to herself.

She was about to say something when she was interrupted by the sound of the horn sounding off for the Morning daily inspection.

she sighed and was kind of relieved they were going to do something that would keep her from thinking so deeply about the stallion.

They got up and headed outside with the other soldiers as the maintenance ponies picked up after the messy ponies.

The ponies were lead to a clearing where all the troops were ordered to stand in rows, side by side, for the inspection each of them silently

loathed. As Shining Armor went through each row with his clipboard, checking on conditions and attendences; Cheese couldn't help but look over at Pinkie who stood beside him, tall and her head as high as she could hold it without looking too silly.

He was really beginning to like Pinkie. He knew as soon as she took his helmet off the day before that they had a lot in common, . As a traveler, he has encountered many different ponies with colorful pelts and personalities.

But being a traveling party pony who was always on the move. He unfortunately never got to know any of those ponies for more than a day or less! This made it hard for him to build friendships and relationships, and keep in touch with ponies who he clicked with. Even for the short time he'd known Pinkie, It was long enough for him to notice how different she was. Was it her pelt? eyes? laugh? her whimsical personality?  Celestia knows why. But for some reason.... he wanted something a little more... which was strange considering they just meet. but It didn't feel like any of that mattered.

As his mind wandered he decided it would be best to just stick to the task at hoof. He sat up tall mirroring Pinkie. Sitting up tall and head held high, eyes focused on Shining who was at this point, talking down  a white unicorn mare  who decided it'd be Fashionable to Bedazzle her armor.

Marble looked at her sister who was glancing back and forth between Cheese and the Captain. slightly blushing.

the gray mare chuckled lightly and slightly nudged Cheese with her elbow. "Nice...trying to impress my sis...I can already tell she likes you."

she whispered playfully, as Cheese felt himself blush a shade of pink.

The stallion darted his eyes back and forth looking everywhere but at either of the Pie sisters.

"W-what do you mean? I-I'm not trying to impress anypony but the Captian..." he stammered.

Marble rolled her eyes

"it's fine Cheese but if I were you i would focus moreso on fighting than flirting.

I would take it more as a reward." she snickered.

Cheese couldn't help but let out a playful smirk "of course my apologies." he smirked

He eyed the pink mare one more time and sighed to himself. He was brought out of his thoughts

when he heard the Captain getting closer. He slightly panicked and resumed his proper poster as the white

unicorn approached.

Shining Armor inspected Marble then got to Cheese and studied him questionably. He studied the younger stallion's

face then looked at his clipboard that was enveloped in his magenta tinted magic.

"What is your name?"

Shining Armor asked glaring at the traveler. The Wiry colt saluted immediately as he responded

"Ch-Cheese Sa-Sandwich Sir!" he stuttered nervously.

Pinkie pie spoke up seeing her anxious friend.

"Captain this is a relative of my family. I found him lost in the battlefield since he just came in yesterday sir."

Cheese responded "Sir Yes sir!"

Shining took a quill and wrote down the information he just received humming.

He eyed the other stallion suspiciously.

"where are you from Mr. Sandwich?"

Cheese kept the salute as he responded firmly

"I am from Manehattan Sir!"

Shining got into Cheese's face looking deep into his eyes. Cheese struggled but managed to keep calm with

this up, close and personal encounter he was having with his new leader. Shining pulled away and squinted.

"Alright you are good to go. but I am watching you young stallion... you better not be pulling my chains or there WILL

be Consequences. understand?"

"SIR YES SIR!"

Shining smiled pleased with the response. "good!" nothing was said as he continued the inspection.

Everypony let out a long and relieved sigh as soon as the Captian was distracted.

Cheese smiled. "Thanks Fillies. I was afraid That was gonna be it."

Pinkie giggled behind her hoof. "Anything for a friend." she winked at the colt causing him to blush again.

not too long after... It was time to head out.