Guardians of Harmony

Twilight woke to the sound of an alarm and her room lighting up in red lights. She falls off her bed and with a loud thump falls on her floor. Panicking, she quickly puts on her uniform all the while many scenarios were going through her head.

Are we under attack? What’s going on? Are we abandoning ship? It hasn’t even been a day and she hasn’t been taught anything. All these questions swarm her head as she frantically shoves her arms in the sleeves of her uniform.

Putting on her uniform, Twilight runs to the door and hisses open. All around her other recruits were running out of their rooms. Some of them were dressed and other weren’t, but they all had questions swarming their heads.

“Are we under attack?” Someone yells.

“I don’t know, but I’m itching for some action!”

“Where do we go?” Whoever said that receives no answer and was swept along the sea of recruits making there way to the main deck of the ship. People tried their best not to get trampled as they all pushed each other out of the way.

They all run out onto the main deck of the ship each and everyone of them searching the skies for anything. Some of them ran over to the edge of the ship to look around.

Nothing.

Twilight notices that the alarms have stopped. She looks around and notices a few officers walking out from the bridge entrance of the ship. The man leading them had a clipboard in his hand.

“Late!” A loud voice roars.

Every recruit turns to find a very bulky man with a clipboard in his hands. On both of his sides stands two others both bearing an insignia of a lighting bolt with wings and a halo around it.

People began to whisper amongst each other as some of them were realizing who were standing next to the loud man.

“Wait are those two Wonderbolts?” One-person whispers.

If Twilight remembers correctly, the Wonderbolts were a special division of flying guardians who are the fastest aerial unit in all of Equestria. They were also celebrities occasionally doing sky shows all over the nation encouraging and keeping spirits up.

“No way wasn’t most of them lost when…you know…when “that” happened?”

“SHUT YOUR TRAPS!” the man yells silencing everyone. “You have exactly ten seconds to get in an organized position.” He stares at the recruits who only gave him a confused look. “Eight.”

Everyone immediately stops all the chatter and quickly scramble to get in line and in formation. People were bumping into each other and other had no idea where to stand.

Twilight was all to familiar with keeping things organized that she quickly took her position next to two others.

Sooner or later others began to see a line of some kind forming they took their respective spots between each other.

Walking over to the recruits, the man lets out a grunt and gives everyone a disapproving stare. He makes a sharp turn and glares at a recruit in front of him.

“Well what do we have here?” He scowls at the girl who sat next to Twilight when they flew towards the ship. “Do you mind explaining to me why in Suns name are there curls in that ruck sack you call hair recruit?” He yells.

She swipes her hands in front of her face back and forth to remove the odor that came from the man’s mouth.

“Well sir I…”

“Give me a name and position!” He interrupts.

Clearing her throat, she continues to wave her hands in front of her face.

“Rarity…sir,” she says. “New recruit.”

He notices her attempt to get of the odor that was coming from his mouth he leans in close to her his black eyes looking into her blue.

“Is something bothering you recruit?” He asks.

“Well the smell for one thing is quite dreadful.” Rarity says with an annoyed stare. “And also, I do wish you could at least brush your teeth before speaking to someone and especially this close.”

An eye began to twitch on the man’s face as he stares down at the young girl. He steps back and writes something down on his clipboard.

“Well then little missy I guess you just earned yourself a nice sweaty run around the ship deck.” Turning to the wonderbolt with white flowy hair. “Lieutenant Fleetfoot I want you to make sure that this recruit understands the true meaning of sweating.”

“Yes sir!” The one called Fleetfoot saluted and in seconds a pair of teal glowing wings form on her back. Flapping her wings, she raises up from the ground by a foot and blows a whistle at Rarity. “Come on recruit let’s get moving!”

Annoyed that something loud was still being blaring in front of her face, Rarity was about to say something, but was interrupted by another loud whistle.

“I said move!”

Without saying another word and not wanting to get whistled at Rarity begins to jog around the ships deck. Followed closely by Fleetfoot who flew above her with the whistle in her mouth.

All the other recruits let out a few snickers but was quickly silenced by the man.

“Now with that distraction out of the way,” he says walking in front of every recruit. “My name is Sergeant Drill Master but can call me Sir because for the next few months,” He turns to move the other way. “I’m your new boss, and the one who is going to decide what to do with your sorry excuse of a soldier do you understand?”

“Yes, Drill Master sir!" Everyone answers.

Nodding his head, he goes down the list on his clipboard and stares down at everyone. He lets out a small grunt and places the clipboard behind his back as he continues walking back a forth in front of the recruits.

“Hmm only thirty…we get less every time.” Drill master whispers to himself but quickly looks up at everyone. “This ain’t Canterlot and this certainly ain’t no training school from whatever backwater town you came from.” He stops and makes sure to stare everyone down. “This is the Equestrian Guardian Program, and your sole purpose is to become the great protectors of Equestria.” This causes a few of the recruits to smile. “But to me all I see are just sorry excuses of soldiers who think its fun playing dress up.”

The crowd of recruits begin to talk amongst themselves.

“Shut your pie holes!” Drill Master roars silencing everyone on deck. “Each of you will be assigned into groups of six depending on your skills and abilities.” He stops in front of the center of the group. “You will be assigned rolls into these groups, you will work together, learn together, train together.” He turns his head to an orange hair girl who wore black shades and the same uniform as the girl named Fleetfoot. “Sergeant Spitfire I’ll leave the rest to you.” With that Drill Master steps aside.

The girl name Spitfire walks up to the recruits her facial expression stoic and unreadable thanks to her shades. She clears her throat and sprouts golden orange wings.

Many of the recruits stare an aw as she lifts herself off the ground.

“Wipe those dumb smirks off your faces recruits!” Spitfire roars. “Does this look like some fun house at a carnival?”

Everyone’s expression soon fell as the verbal abuse begins.

“Starting now I’m going to be figuring out just how useless you all are!” Spitfire lands back on the ground. “We’re going to doing some drills to help me figure out if anyone of you has what it takes to be guardians.”

A single recruit bravely raises his hand which causes Spitfire to snap her head in his direction.

Spitfire tilts her shades up and stares at the recruit.

Seeing this as a sign to speak the recruit straightens up and looks straight forward.

“Uh…are we taking a test sir…uh ma’am…I mean sergeant ma’am sir.”

Spitfire lands back on the ground and walks up to the recruit.

“What’s your name soldier?” She roars. Even with the difference in height favoring the recruit the sergeant still made him feel small.

“I’m uh uh uh!” The recruit’s legs begin to shake and all he could let out was stuttering of words.

“That isn’t no name!” Spitfire shouts. “Your new name is now Stutters is that clear Stutters?”

“Sir yes ma’am uh sir!”

Spitfire walks back towards the front of the group.

“Honestly where do we get these idiots?” She lets out an annoyed sigh. “Alright you have thirty minutes to get changed each of you have a locker in your rooms where you’ll find your combat suit…now…GET YOUR SORRY CANS MOVING! MEET IN THE TRAINING! You have twenty-five minutes left! If you’re not in the training room by the time then say goodbye to your new lives and say hello to mommy and daddy again.”

Everyone hurries back inside to get back to their rooms to find their card keys.

Twilight walks past the other recruits doing her best not to bump into anyone.

“Sorry! Excuse me…Sorr-WOAH!” Twilight was knocked to side by a rainbow haired girl who was using her wings to fly above the crowd.

“Out of the way slow pokes!” She yells as she flies above the other recruits.

Seeing that the swarm of students was paused Twilight quickly makes her way towards her room.

Finally, once she was back she lets out a sigh and wipes her forehead. Its only been a day and already she’s starting to feel some strain. Twilight quickly shakes off the feeling and walks over to a locker at the far end of her room.

Opening the locker, a single black wetsuit suit hung inside with a similar looking helmet sitting on the shelf above.

Pulling out the suit, Twilight looks at it from top to bottom and realizes that it’s two sizes too big. Raising a brow, Twilight zips open the suit and slips in her arms and legs before pulling up the suit itself. Within seconds the suit begins to shrink as it adjusts itself to fit her perfectly.

“Well that’s…handy.” Twilight says with a surprise look.

A light velvet glow emanates from her hand and she’s surprised to see that suit was somehow amplifying her powers. She could feel a flow of energy running through her body. Clenching her hand into a fist, Twilight swings her arm around to get a feel of her new attire.

She looks herself over and examines the suit and seeing that it was to her liking she grabs her helmet walks to her door to leave.

Upon opening the door, Twilight saw the girl name Rarity walking past her out of breath and sweaty. She was taking in big breathes with her arm against the wall. Twilight thought for a minute and looks back into her room to see that she still has a good amount of time.

“Are doing alright?” Twilight asks as she walks.

The girl named Rarity looks up a little surprised to see anyone. With whatever strength she had she straightens herself up and fluffs her hair. She takes in a deep breathe and smiles back at Twilight.

“Why hello darling…Twilight was it?” Rarity asks her legs failing her slightly.

Twilight walks over to her and offers hand to which Rarity happily takes.

“Much appreciated,” Rarity thanks as she picks herself up and begins her walk towards her room with Twilight. “I’d be able to move on my own just fine, but I’m sure from what you saw earlier my legs are little worse for wear now.”

Twilight smiles and nod as she helps her to her room.

“I’m sure I would be too if I was made to run that much.”

It didn't take long for the two of them to reach Rarity's room.Twilight looks at the time and almost lets out a squeal when she saw the time. She looks between the young girl and the time debating whether she should stay or leave.

Rarity notices her worried expression and checks the clock causing a frown to grow on her face.

"Darling it's alright if you need to go you can," Rarity says with a smile. "I'll make it time don't you worry."

In all honesty, Twilight was close to leaving her, but the image of her brother came to mind. Letting out a sigh, Twilight shakes her head and helps her inside.

"I guess we'll both get in trouble for being late." Twilight half jokes.

"I guess we will," Rarity says opening her locker. "Now that is quite a horrendous looking attire." She pulls out her suit and looks at it with disgust. "Honestly, they could at least give us a more eye appealing wear."

"I don't think it matters when your battling monsters." Twilight says raising a brow.

"True," Rarity says putting on the suit still having an unpleasant look. "Still it wouldn't hurt to look ones best when fighting the forces of evil and dark." She turns towards the mirror and looks at herself and seeing that there isn't much hey ducked and weaved past other staff and guards who all gave them a confused look.

Twilight takes a look at the time and lets out a yelp and tells Rarity to quicken her pace.

They got into a mad dash neither of them wanting to face punishment. With the training room in site, the two of them fly through the doors and tumble onto the ground.

Taking in a deep breathe, Twilight pulls up her wrist to check the time.

"We *breathe* made it and not a moment too soon."

"Well that you did, but you two are the last ones to make it." Spitfire says as she looks down at Twilight and Rarity. "I'd say you just volunteered to be first."

"First...For what?" Twilight asks picking herself up from the ground.

"For that." Spitfire points her thumb at a giant bipedal robot.

It stood twice the size as anyone in the room its arms are probably as big as boulders. Though the one thing that caught everyone's attention are the horns above its head.

"We call this bad boy Iron Will," Spitfire shouts as she walks over to the robot. "Iron Will here help me figure out your strength and weaknesses." She says tapping one of its legs. "You each will go through three types levels: Basic combat, Crowd Control, and Durability." Spitfire points at Twilight. “What’s you name recruit?”

“Twilight Sparkle ma’am.” Twilight salutes the sergeant.

“Well then Sparkle you’re up first.” The sergeant points back at the robotic hulk.

Staring at the machine, Twilight gulps and walks over to the machine. Its massive frame looks back down at her blowing out smoke from its head as if it was an angry bull.

“Alright then first scenario,” Spitfire says holding out a control pad. “Basic combat.” She taps down on a button that causes the eyes of robot to glow bright red. It lets out a loud roar and swings down on Twilight. With a thundering crash, the whole training room shakes, and dust engulfs the area where Twilight stood.

“Twilight!” Rarity yells out.

The room went silent and some of the other recruits held their breath.

As the dust clears it reveals Twilight with her hands raised above her glowing a light shade of pink. Surrounding her was a magical barrier giving off a few sparks here and there.

“Nice reaction time Sparky.” Spitfire compliments. “Looks like old Iron Will is going to have to take it up a notch.” She turns a dial on the control pad causing a few clicks to come from Iron Will.

The giant robot begins slam down on the protective shield harder and faster. The ground below Twilight begins to crack as the force of the punches cause the magical bubble to sink into the ground.

Through a camera, Twilight was being watched by multiple viewers one of them being Celestia herself. A small smile grows on her face impressed by Twilight.

“Hmm…Sparkle.” The ruler thinks to herself as the name sounded oh so familiar to her. She pulls up a data pad with a list of names of the new recruits.

Twilight tries her best to keep the barrier up, but it soon begins to crack as it can’t keep holding off the barrage of fists coming down on to it. Thirty seconds, that’s how long the barrier will last until it breaks which means she has thirty seconds to figure out how to beat this thing. She quickly scans Iron Will to looks for any obvious weakness, his upper body was covered in thick metal plating and the same goes for his hands. She looks down at his legs, his hoof like feet look like to giant boulders, but something caught her eyes. If what she thinks is correct, then she thinks she just found a way to beat this thing.

Twilight times the seconds between each slamming of the fist. The second he raises his fist, she lowers her shields and jumps to side only a second before Iron Will’s fist came slamming down.

Iron Will twists its head followed by smoke coming out of its face.

Twilight raises her hand and channels her magic and fires off a few bolts. They make contact but are soon disintegrated of if they were nothing.

Iron Will charges at her and readies another attack, Twilight waits until the last minute before she dashes to left causing Iron Will to make a sharp turn. Twilight kept her eyes on his legs to see if her theory was correct and with a smile, she is indeed correct. She was too busy mentally celebrating her theory to notice Iron Will charging at her again. Being a second too late on her jump Iron Will just barely grazes her leg.

Twilight lets out a silent curse and looks down at her leg and notices that there was no injury.

“You can thank your suit for that,” Spitfire calls out. “These babies are the things that are going to you from being mincemeat.”

Nodding her head, Twilight quickly jumps to the left once more causing the robotic behemoth to make another sharp turn left. This time Iron Will slightly falter but straightens back up and continues to attack Twilight.

It was rinse and repeat, Twilight kept on jumping to the left while Iron chases after her. Some of the other recruits were becoming inpatient to her and began to complain.

“Come on quit running away and fight back!”

“Yeah!”

“Shut it!” Spitfire shouts. “If you knuckle heads quit your whining and actually pay attention what’s actually going on then you’ll see what’s happening.” Before anyone else could say anything else, Iron Will suddenly topples over. All eyes fall on Twilight who was gasping for air with sweat running down her faces. Spitfire walks over while shutting off Iron Will with the control pad. “Nice job Sparky looks like there’s some talent amongst you lot.”

Twilight gives her a silent thanks and a weak salute.

“Alright get back to the others.” Spitfire orders to which Twilight happily accepts.

Twilight drags herself over to the other recruits. Rarity quickly walks over to her and helps her find a place to rest.

“My that was quite a performance you did there,” Rarity says helping her sit down on a nearby bench. “A little brash, but still good job.”

“HEY! Miss Pretty pants! You’re up next!” Spitfire yells talking about Rarity.

Letting out a sigh, Rarity smiles back at Twilight and walks over to the sergeant.

Twilights waves back and tries to rest letting out a long breathe.

"Um…does it hurt?” asks a whispered voice.

Twilight looks up to see a rather tall girl standing in front of her she wore the same wet suit as her, but her’s had a metal cylinder strapped onto her back.

“What…oh yes I’m fine just a little sore that’s all.” Twilight says with a smile.

The girl rubs her arm as she was thinking to herself while giving Twilight a nervous look.

“Do you mind I take a look at it just to make sure it isn’t anything serious.”
“Well…sure I guess.” Twilight says. Even with the sergeant telling her that the suit would stop any major damages it wouldn’t hurt to give it a look.

The girl kneels in front of Twilight and examines the leg that was injured by Iron Will. She places a hand on the spot and presses it lightly causing Twilight to twitch a little.

“Your name was Twilight?” She asks without looking up at her as she was too busy feeling her leg. “Looks like it’ll just be a minor bruising.” Placing her foot back down, she looks up at Twilight and gives her a small smile. “I’m Fluttershy.”

“It’s nice to meet you Fluttershy,” Twilight returns the smile.

Fluttershy takes a seat next to Twilight on the bench.

“You were pretty amazing out there.” Fluttershy says quietly to point where Twilight could barely hear her. “I’m not sure I would’ve any chance against Iron Will like that.” Just as she said its name a loud roar came causing her to jump back and let out a small squeak.

Twilight looks up to see Rarity dodging Iron Will’s fist and blasting him with a few precision bolts of magic. She dodges another attack with grace as if she was dancing. After a few well-placed bolts Iron Will’s joints between its arms were shot right off.

Spitfire adds a comment about her performance and sends her over to benches. Rarity gives her small nod and looks over to Twilight and gives a thumb up.

Twilight returns the gesture, she quickly remembers Fluttershy falling over the bench and jerks around to check up on her.

With a painful look, Fluttershy was on her back with her legs sticking up over the bench.

“Are you alright?” Twilight asks offering her a hand.

“Oh yes I’m fine,” Fluttershy accepts the assistance and is pulled back up on the bench. “I just got a little scared there.”

“I say that robotic behemoth was quite a character,” Rarity says as she walks up to Twilight and Fluttershy. “Oh, why hello there.” Twilight introduces Rarity to Fluttershy, though the girl took a few seconds to greet Rarity. “Well any friend of Twilight is a friend to me.” Rarity says cheerfully as she pulls out her hand to shake.

“Oh…um yes…hello.” Fluttershy almost whispers. She slowly shakes her hand, but only for a second before pulling her hand away.

“Hey! Little Miss Whispers!”

All three girls slightly jump at the loud voice shouting at them. They turn to see Spitfire point at Fluttershy signaling that it was her turn to fight Iron Will.

Twilight turns to see her shaking, but soon nods her head as she walks towards the robot menace. Seeing this, Twilight places a hand on her shoulders and turns her and gives her a assuring smile.

“You can do this.” She says before letting go of her shoulder.

Fluttershy gives her a small smile and a nod before making her way towards the combat area.

“I do hope she’ll be alright,” Rarity says sounding worried. “She looks quite…fragile.”

Twilight watches as the girl got into a fighting stance though with shaking hands.

“Well there’s a reason why she got accepted into the program,” Twilight says watching with some interest. “I’m sure there’s more that meets the eye with her.”

With the sound of Iron Will roaring the fight begins.

As was expected, Iron Will throws a punch towards Fluttershy.

She lets out a small squeak before dodging the strike. In a flash, a pair of glowing yellow wings appear on her back allowing her take flight.

Iron Will jumps up and tries to grab her, but she kept herself just out of reach.

“Come on!” Spitfire shouts. “Can’t always run away from the fight you got to take action sooner or later.”

“Oh…my.” Fluttershy dodges another swing.

“You‘ve got to be kidding me.” Spitfire lets out a sigh and begins to scroll through her data pad and pulls out the profile of Fluttershy. “Lets see if what pushes your buttons.” Spitfire looks over her profile and smiles. “Well that’ll work.”