Gods and Kings

Three Months Earlier

* * *

Blade Sharp woke up with much excitement this morning, for today was his birthday. Not only was it his birthday, but also the day when he turned eighteen and, like most other young stallions, the day he is recruiting for the Equestrian Royal Guards. The young Pegasus grabbed his sheath, tied it around his waist, and put his sword inside it.

Blade's whole family was waiting down stairs and yelled "Happy Birthday!" as he descended down the steps. He was greeted with boxes of presents and cake as he made it to the final step of the stairs. He was also greeted by Pinkie Pie who, usually, hosted all the parties in Ponyville.

"Wow! Your finally an adult! I remember when I turned eighteen, there was cake , presents, streamers, and confetti it was- Oh! I forgot the confetti, I'll be right back!" Pinkie Pie said with much excitement.

"Well that was a mouthful," Blade said with an excited look on his face. "Does anypony want to watch me blow out the candles on my cake?

* * *

Two hours went by and the party was over. As Blade said his goodbyes, he was then greeted by everypony in Ponyville as he walked out the door. They all shared their goodbyes and good lucks for they weren't going to hear from him for a long time.

As Blade walked out of Ponyville he felt as though a new chapter in his life had begun. He then unfolded his wings and flew for the gates of Canterlot.

* * *

Blade landed at the main entrance gate to Canterlot to be greeted by two royal guards.

"State your business," questioned the first one.

" Recruitment for the Equestrian Royal Guards," Blade said with confidence.

"Oh, a newbie, eh?" asked the second guard. "Well just keep your head down and your nose clean, and you'll be okay.

Blade just gave a simple nod.

The guards then opened the gates to Canterlot. When Blade walked through the entrance he was astonished. Unlike his small hometown of Ponyville, Canterlot was huge with large buildings and a store on every street corner. Everypony was dressed fancy and had a blase' look on their faces.

Blade started to walk down the street. He noticed that there were also ponies in red robes and blue hoods. One approached him.

"Where are you going young stallion?" asked the strange hooded pony.

"To the Equestrian Royal Guard recruitment office," replied Blade.

The hooded pony scoffed in disgust. "Do you even know what they represent? What they believe in?

"Yes, justice, liberty, and freedom," replied Blade in an assertive tone.

"You are ignorant," said the hooded pony. "You fail to see the evil in your government. But I'm guessing you're too stubborn to acknowledge their wrong doings, so go join their regime, but try to look for things that are hidden, you might find that your government isn't as perfect as it seems."

The hooded pony walked away, leaving Blade with many questions. Like, what does he or she mean by the government is evil, and that it's a regime? Blade tried to keep these thoughts out of his mind as he walked up to the recruitment office.

When he walked inside the recruitment office he saw a portrait of princess Celestia and a Equestrian flag. he looked to his left and saw the recruiter behind a counter, he walked over to talk.

"Hello, welcome to the Equestrian Royal Military recruitment office, how may I help you?" asked the recruiter.

"Hello, my name is Blade Sharp and I would like to join the Equestrian Royal Guards."

"Well okay then, sign right here," the recruiter said as he pulled out a document.

Blade signed the document. The recruiter then pulled back the document and put it into a filing cabinet.

"Welcome to the Equestrian Royal Military."

Blade then shook hooves with the recruiter.

"Training starts tomorrow, you'll be sleeping tonight in the recruit's bed chambers behind the Canterlot castle south tower with all the other recruits," said the recruiter.

Blade gave the recruiter a salute, left the office, then proceeded to go to the south tower.

* * *

When Blade reached the back of the south tower, he was greeted by recruits and drill sergeants. The officers gave them standard Equestrian Royal Guard armor and swords. Blade asked to keep his sword and the officers allowed this.

The drill sergeant, sergeant Jerome, then gave a speech, "Now, the reason you colts wanted to join the Royal Guards is because you wanted to protect Celestia and her subjects. Well, you are one of her subjects, so you have to protect yourselves too. Over the next four weeks you will go through one of the most vigorous training programs the Equestrian Military has to offer. you will learn to fight, defend yourself, heal yourself and others, and to enforce laws on citizens."

Blade was ecstatic. He had waited for this ever since he was a foal, he could barely stay still.

"Now," said the sergeant, "get a good night's sleep, you're gonna need it for tomorrow."

Before Blade when to sleep he talked to some of the other recruits. Then he met a dark blue earth pony named Buckler, they talked for a while.

* * *

"Hey Blade, you're pretty cool," said Buckler, " I can tell we're going to be good friends.

"Yea, I think the same," replied Blade. "Well, anyways, good night."

"Yea, good night," said Buckler.

Blade fell asleep that night feeling confident about how his new life was going to unfold.