Golden Dawn approached the gate. Here she was, Fort Wind. The beginning of a new life. Free from all that had been weighing her down. Free from judgment. Here she would be treated with the respect she earned and the job that she has done, and could do.

Entering was quick and easy. She tossed her bag where she was told to and rushed to line up with the others. They were forced to wait as the others arrived and then waited even longer as two more were stuck at the gate.

As soon as they came through, the line was shuffled up so they could be at the front. Each was wearing a big black patch on their shoulder. Most of the pegasi tried to gain a spot they found more advantageous. Golden Dawn didn’t move. There was no “best spot.” Not with the amount of drill sergeants milling around, corralling them as they stalked them, ready to kill the ones who exposed themselves.

They were pushed into physical fitness tests. Golden Dawn was as ready as she could be, but they pushed hard, expecting a level of perfection beyond what any of them could perform. Except for one pegasus. One of the two that had been held up.

They were verbally abusive at times, especially to the two late comers. Golden Dawn wanted to push back, but she held her tongue, focusing on the task at hoof. That is what mattered. Not being right. Not being treated fairly. Learning a new job, a new life, and they knew what they were doing to get that from the recruits.

Every water break was appreciated. Golden Dawn was repeatedly on the ground, out of energy. She hurt. Most of her body burned. Her mind could only handle so much. She knew her body had more in it, but her mind just wasn’t ready to push it further. As the day wore on, she stayed down longer than she should have. Longer than she wanted to. Much longer than the drill sergeants wanted them too.

The two special examples, a Cardinal Spitfire and Shadow Flare, were suffering under the wing of a single drill sergeant, Sergeant Terror Space. They got less water. They got less breaks. Shadow Flare didn’t know when to hold his tongue. He wasn’t right. He wasn’t Enclave like the rest of them. Shadow Flare caused problems for himself, which often reflected back on all of them.

However, he wasn’t breaking. He wasn’t dropping out. He was enduring each and every thing thrown at them, as long as they wanted them to go. He was either crazy, foolish, or both. It was annoying. He made the rest of them look bad. He was somepegasus to avoid.

Golden Dawn was taking a water break. Just off the to the side was the trouble maker. A pegasus was brave enough to risk talking to him.

“How are you able to keep going?” the pegasus asked him through rough breathing.

“I am a farming pony and this was life for me,” Shadow Flare stated. He just trotted off, back to his spot.

Golden Dawn shook her head. A farming pony? With his small size. She was bigger than he was by at least a hoof.

They were given another break as Shadow Flare alone was forced to do more. Golden Dawn didn’t bother to watch like many of the others. She took the five to dash off to the restroom, with permission. She was late when they called for the break to be over, but they let it slide. The main drill sergeants were talking amongst themselves.

Golden Dawn wasn’t marked yet as they got back to work with more laps on their wings. The ones marked Red were giving Shadow Flare and Cardinal Spitfire a good push. The harder they tried to push him down and break him, the harder he pushed back.

Golden Dawn was wheezing on the ground after more swim kicks. She couldn't raise her legs. He abdomen felt like it had a thousand sharp knives tearing it in long cuts across it. Three drill sergeants gathered near her, looking down at Golden Dawn. She expected them to tell her to get back at it.

“She isn’t green,” One said.

“I don’t know. That might be the best place for her. She certainly isn’t red or blue. But Green, she might excel, but all she wants in Light Trooper. That she is adamant about.”

A third smirked. “If she is adamant about that job, mark her black. Test her metal.”

“Black may be too much,” The first said.

“If she wants to be a light trooper so badly, let her prove it,” The second agreed.

Golden Dawn wanted to talk. To asked questions. But all she could do was look back at them from on her back. She probably looked very pathetic.

“I don’t think she could make it in Black,” The first said.

A fourth drill sergeant walked up. “The last one of the day. I just came from looking back on her records. She has great scores in school. She did well enough today. And she wants to be a light trooper so badly. Mark her black. Let her work for it. Besides, that rounds black out with a nice and even 50.”

The third one pulled a black patch from his arm and slammed it onto her shoulder where the Velcro held it firm. It was almost a punch and Golden Dawn winced from the hit. They stared at her with smiles for a little bit before dispersing.

Golden Dawn was panicking. Whatever Black was, she knew she didn’t want it. Black is what Shadow Flare and Cardinal Spitfire were tagged with. From the start. It didn’t bode well. She didn’t want to work her ass off proving she could hold onto the dream of being a light trooper. She should be more concerned about being placed Black just to finish out the barracks at and even 50.

Green sounded good. She felt a connection with the ones marked Green. They were always on the ground first and many of them had been sitting on the side, resting while the rest of them where yelled and screamed at to keep going. They were often put back into the mix, but it was a lot more relaxed for them because they physically couldn’t keep up. Still, Golden Dawn wasn’t about to let herself sit on the sideline. Especially if she now had to prove she deserved what she had been promised.

They let everypegasus go at 5pm. Except for Shadow Flare and Cardinal Spitfire. Golden Dawn double checked; both of them were definitely marked Black.

Dinner was poor. Cooked turnips, whole, mashed oats, which were at least hot, and a side of dried hay. It wasn’t enough to eat, but that seemed to be the point. At least they got food. Lunch had been ignored.

“HURRY UP!” A drill sergeant ordered. “YOUR BAGS ARE OUTSIDE YOUR BARRACKS! GRAB THEM AND THEN GRAB A BUNK! PICK WISELY. IT’S YOURS FOR THE NEXT 16 WEEKS!”

Golden Dawn used her skills working at the diner and downed her food in a few bites, beating most out of the door. It took a moment to orient herself. She had to ask where their barracks were. That was why a group of drill sergeants were outside of the mess hall.

The bags were laid out in order by first letter of their name, making it easy for Golden Dawn to find hers. She stumbled inside and picked a bottom bunk near the front. About a third of the way in and on the left. She didn’t want to be at the very front, and the back was a poor location. Most pegasi were right hoofed, so they would gravitate their attention to the right side of the barracks. At least that was her rational.

There were two bunks already taken. The back right two, on the bottom. Golden Dawn left her bag on her bunk and cautiously walked down to them.

“Who’s are they?” A pegasus called out.

“Cardinal Spitfire,” Golden Dawn yelled back. “And then Shadow Flare.”

Everypegasus was concerned about having them in Black.

“It probably won’t be that bad,” A cocky pegasus said. “Black is just a color. Like Red, Green, and the others. Yellow and Purple?”

“Get yours eyes checked. It was blue, not purple!”

“I was seeing through squinted eyes most of the time! I am going to be an Cloudship Captain, not boots on the ground. That was way more work than I will ever have to do.”

“You will eat those words,” A pegasus laughed.

A drill sergeant entered the barracks silencing them. “It will be an early morning tomorrow. Your lockers have places to store your stuff. Inside is your barracks ware clothing. Black shorts and a white T-shirt. Clothing must be worn at all times. Bathroom and showers are communal. Get used to it and don’t ogle. You have a job to do and focus on. Besides, its not like haven’t seen others before. And don’t be an ass and take too much time. There are 50 in here.”

Golden Dawn changed out of her cloths into fresh ones. Most rushed the showers. She got a few funny looks for changing without a shower after sweating so much. Golden Dawn was used to changing without being able to shower.

Golden Dawn just put her stuff away and then crashed on the bed, falling asleep almost instantly, despite the lights being on and the chatter.

“OUT OF BED AND AT ATTENTION YOU WORTHLESS SACKS OF FEATHERS!”

Golden Dawn jumped in surprise and slammed into the floor. She had barely been on the bed in the first place. Golden Dawn struggled out of the sheet that she was tangled in and got in line. She wasn’t last, but the drill sergeant was glaring at her.

“I am Sergeant Wind Whisper,” He said walking down the isle. “I am the Master of Black Barracks. If you call me anything but Master Wind...” Master Wind's mouth turned to a wicked grin. “Lets not test me there.”

“Now! You were marked Black. If you paid attention yesterday, you would have seen other colors. Does anypegasus know what they are?”

Golden Dawn needed to redeem herself. “Back, Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Sir!”

“Correct Golden Dawn. Somepegasus was lounging rather than working her ass off!” Master Wind said turning around at the end of the hall.

Golden Dawn eyes narrowed. She hadn’t been lounging. She wasn’t like the ones marked green. Which meant she belonged in Black. That only soured her mood.

“Red is for strength. Their primary skill is just that.” Master Wind said beginning to walk towards the front. “Blue is for those who's strong point is flying. Yellow is the baseline who have no strong or weak points. Typically Yellow tends to be filled with the technologically minded pegasi. Green if for the weakest recruits that need a little bit more love. Each Barracks will be treated differently in training. Working on the skills they most need to improve. You will learn and be tested on all skills. The final tests are the same for all recruits and not barracks specific.”

“What about Black?” a pegasus asked. “Sir!”

“Black is for those special pegasi who peaked our interest for one reason or another. Leadership in one of those, but do not let that go to your head. Few of you are here for that reason. You will be worked twice as hard because of it. There will be no area of your training we will focus on more due to your individual weaknesses. You will all have no weaknesses and will be expected to prove that, immediately.”

Golden Dawn tried to swallow her dread but couldn't. She couldn't handle this. Especially the idea that Black was for leaders. She wasn’t a leader. She couldn't handle being this exposed. No weaknesses? She had shown plenty of weakness the day before. How was she supposed to prove that?

Master Wind was again at the back. He sized up Shadow Flare, who focused on looking straight ahead.

“I have figured out everypegasus else, except for you. I can't tell if you are a strong filly or weak colt. Until I do, I will call you Filly Fooler since you look like a butch bitch.”

Golden Dawn felt anger rise. Filly Fooler nickname as an insult was insulting her for being her. She couldn’t help who she was. And Master Wind knew that Shadow Flare was a stallion.

“I don't think he knows what that is,” somepony at the front called out. Most snickered, Golden Dawn’s anger only rose a bit. It wasn’t funny. They were supposed to be equal here. Only set aside by their individual skill.

“You are right. Wrong to speak out Majesty, but do you know recruit? Filly Fooler?"

“Yes Sir!” Shadow Flare replied.

“From what I hear, I think you are lying to me,” Master Wind said pulling out a file from a pocket under his wing.

“I am not lying Master Wind, Sir,” Shadow Flare said.

Golden Dawn smirked as she watched Shadow Flare loose his nerve. As he was knocked down a few pegs after being so perfect the day before.

“Tell me what a filly fooler is,” Master Wind ordered.

“Its umm...” Shadow Flare stumbled to the enjoyment of all. “Mares who…”

“Answer me!”

“Mares who live together.”

“Is that all?”

“No Sir.”

“Well tell me.”

“They are married like a mare and stallion, but… mares.”

“Why the red cheeks Filly Fooler?”

Golden Dawn was now finding the whole thing funny. He was getting what he deserved.

“Because it is not right,” Shadow Flare stated with nothing left in his voice.

That pleasure flipped back to anger. Golden Dawn wanted to rush him and beat the shit out of him, but she stood her ground. She opted to give him the meanest look she could. To let him know she was coming for him.

“Why is that?”

“Because it makes a weak farm that can not be passed down,” Shadow Flare said sheepishly.

“That's it?” Golden Dawn blurted. She immediately regretted letting her anger slip. It was a pathetic reason to hate filly foolers. She would have to teach him a lesson.

“Did I tell you you could speak Recruit?”

“No Sir!” Golden Dawn replied. “Sorry Sir!”

“So you are a filly fooler,” Master Wind smiled.

“No sir,” Shadow Flare said scratching the floor with his hoof. “But my sister is.”

Master Wind shook his head. “And you lived with her,” He stated.

“I helped out a while before I came to start training here. I was not much help home, but there I was a big help. We had plenty of ponies on my farm. Big family. Lunar and Buck are getting the farm. Buck is really good to her and the family. He deserves it.”

“I don't give a shit about the rest of that Filly Fooler,” Master Wind said walking away. Shadow Flare's front legs were left quaking.

“You will all be whipped into shape and one tight knit unit. Structure and order are key. When something goes wrong, like the Riots in Cumulus, they make a bad situation stay just bad. We can not lose control of the situation. Especially in battle. Understand?”

Shadow Flare was the only one who said no. Master Wind wasted no time being back in his face.

“No?”

“No Sir. I get the Order and Structure, but not the riots.”

“You really are a dumb one,” Master Wind said making pegasi laugh.

“No Sir. But we don't get news sir. The closest city is a half day's flight away and we only go there out of necessity, like market days and to pick up supplies or equipment.”

“Ignorance is bliss. It is time you learn what the real world is like,” Master Wind snarled. “Not all are happy with the Enclave as you simple pegasi are. Some have been misled. I hope you will have no problem dealing with them.”

“I will have no problem Sir. But I didn't say we were happy. Nor did I say we were unhappy. We barely have interaction with the Enclave outside tax time. We just do our duty to the Enclave and farm the clouds so everypony can eat. We do not want ponies to starve.”

Golden Dawn was sure she wasn’t the only pegasus in the room that wanted to beat his ass. They would as soon as they could. They would find a way to deal with his ignorance and smug attitude that was causing them all trouble.

“You talk to much and have no voice to make it worthwhile to listen,” Master Wind said walking away.

“You will all learn to lead small groups,” He said picking back up. “You will learn to navigate the sky, the clouds, cities and the ground. You will learn weapons and unarmed combat. You will learn basic medical care. You will become soldiers. And because of pegasi like Filly Fooler, you will take classes on Enclave History and what Loyalty and Duty really mean.”

Golden Dawn rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to lead. She didn’t need to know how to lead. She wanted to just be told what to do. To fight and serve. She wasn’t a leader. She didn’t need the history classes. She had done enough school and passed with amazing grades.

“Now,” Master Wind said from besides the door. “We have wasted too much time already. File out and we will begin with calisthenics to whip your sorry asses into shape! THEN you will get changed into your uniform and hit the mess hall for breakfast, if they are still serving it. Every morning, I expect you to be up and in uniform before I arrive.”

Golden Dawn was sore from the day before as they began to jog and move, stretching their tight muscles. She dropped to the ground, swearing under her breath from the pain. She tried to stand up, but collapsed. Master Wind was looking at her, but he didn’t yell. Golden Dawn pushed herself back up and continued on after the others.

It was all the same shit as the day before. Golden Dawn’s body didn’t like it. She wiped tears of agony from her face and pushed herself back up to continue wing ups. It didn’t take long until she was as loose as she could possibly be.

It was back into the barracks to change and then breakfast. Golden Dawn was one of the few who didn’t give a shit about changing in front of other pegasi. They were pretty silent as a group when they were eating. Shadow Flare was eating further down from them at the table, space in between the group. The sight brought a little joy to Golden Dawn’s heart.

Golden Dawn was one of the few who knew how to speed eat and was done by the time they were booted out. At least they were not thrown into more physical fitness activities. She probably would have lost most of it if she was forced to work.

Golden Dawn was the first to fall asleep in class. She had to do wingups as punishment, to ‘wake her up.’ She wasn’t the only pegasus dozing, but she fell asleep more times than she should have. Golden Dawn had worked a lot of long and hard hours. She should be used to it. But sitting still kicked in sleep mode for her.

The drills were tough. Marching together made no sense. She couldn't see the others and was out of step with them. At least there was no direct punishment. They had to stop and begin again. A nuisance, but the blame was shared amongst them all. Only a few who had been in military schools knew the drills, but even they had problems working with a new group.

When day three came with the obstacle course, Golden Dawn struggled. Not as bad as others, but she dropped to the back half. It wasn’t something she was used to.

She caught up to the others on the double wall, where you needed two pegasi to get over it. One to lift the first up, and then that pegasi would pull the other up. She outright refused Cardinal Spitfire as a partner, issuing a curse from her. Golden Dawn found a teammate and they were up and over the wall before either Shadow Flare or Cardinal Spitfire.

“It is day four!” Master Wind announced as they lined up at the foot of their bed. “And none of you know how to clean up after yourselves! Your mother isn’t here. Get your shit in order, NOW!”

Golden Dawn spun around to get everything in order. She found her hooves tangled in her sheet and struggled to get them free. Once that was done, she tossed them over the bed. She looked at the others. They varied, but all had their beds done up neatly. Golden Dawn had to do her’s again and again. She couldn't get the sheets on right.

“Trouble recruit?” Master Wind asked.

“Yes,” Golden Dawn said stopping and blushing.

“Why? It is simple. Make the bed. To start.”

“I…” Golden Dawn protested.

“You what?” Master Wind asked calmly. “Don’t know how?”

“No,” Golden Dawn sighed in shame. “I don’t know how.”

“Your mother never taught you?” Master Wind prodded.

“No,” Golden Dawn said, sitting on the bed and trying not to cry. “I wake up most mornings without the sheets on me or tangled in them. I can never seem to keep them on.”

Master Wind pulled a bunk out from the wall into the center of the room.

“Since Golden Dawn can’t figure out how to put sheets on, I will teach you all how to make a bed proper. All of you need to learn how to make a bed properly.”

Master Wind tore the bed apart and walked them through the steps. Golden Dawn kept getting tangled in hers. Shadow Flare and several others knew how to make their beds perfectly. Most had to strip their’s to fix minor errors.

“We will work on it tomorrow,” Master Wind ordered. “We have wasted enough time on these basics. I hope your lockers are satisfactory. I will be checking them tomorrow.”

Golden Dawn stood up to follow the others out, but found herself, again, tangled in the sheets. Majesty and Silver Lining helped Golden Dawn out of her sheets and they rushed out of the room after the others.

After another long day, they all went to fix their lockers. Golden Dawn opened hers and sighed. It was a mess. She quickly folded things and did her best to tidy up. She slammed the door closed. Her concern was her bed. With the help of others, she finally got her bed in order. The lights were flipped off and Golden Dawn settled into bed.

“TIME TO RISE AND SHINE!” Master Wind ordered.

The lights were flicked on. Golden Dawn snorted awake and tipped the last two inched off her bed, slamming her face into the ground. She fell over in between the beds.

The top sheet had her constricted so that one wing was tight against her body and the other was sticking straight out worse than a wing boner. She could barely breath from it wrapped around her neck.

She blinked a blushing smile at Master Wind who was at the end of her bed, examining her. The bottom sheet snapped off, flinging itself into a harmless attack that hit him in the ass.

Master Wind had to hold a laugh in. A laugh was not conductive to teaching them order and discipline. A serious matter that could mean life or death in combat if they couldn’t find what they needed.

“Do we have to strap you into bed?” Master Wind asked.

“Umm,” Golden Dawn groaned as she tried to undo herself. “Maybe. I have never slept normal.”

“I can see that,” Master Wind replied. “I have never had a recruit unable to stay in her bed like a good girl. I know foals who sleep better than you.”

“You never saw me as a foal,” Golden Dawn said without thinking. She instantly regretted it.

“I would think you would be a master at making your bed since you destroy it every night.”

“I… we gave up quickly. We didn’t foresee it as a problem. Just a quirk.”

“And if you share a bed?”

Golden Dawn blushed. “I’ve been known to kick them out of bed, as well as falling out myself. Or both.”

Master Wind sighed. He stepped over Golden Dawn and opened her locker. “And this is not the best either. Can you do basics like folding clothes? Does anypegasus have a bed and locker that is perfect?”

Nopegasus answered as Master Wind stepped back into the center of the room.

“One of you must,” Master Wind stated. “Or shall we have you rip everything out and redo it to perfection?”

Master Wind stepped down the row towards Shadow Flare. He stopped when he noticed Deke sweating.

“Deke?” How about you?”

“I have my bed done,” Deke grinned.

“Adequately,” Master Wind said as he stepped towards Deke’s locker. He opened it and sighed. Things were stuffed every which way and crammed into places they shouldn’t be. “Do you know what organized means? Or what a shelf is supposed to do.”

“I think my answer is no,” Deke said, holding back a chuckle.

Master Wind opened the other three locker doors that made the unit up and tipped it over, dumping everything out.

“Now you will learn,” Master Wind declared. “All of you!”

Several other drill sergeants barged in and helped Master Wind empty the lockers and strip the beds. Stuff was thrown everywhere. The recruits stood there, at the foot of their bunks. Some where really hurt after trying so hard.

Master Wind stopped at Shadow Flare’s and Flex’s bunk. Their bunks were done up perfectly. Master Wind ripped open Shadow Flare’s locker. His duffel Bad was hanging neatly on the hook. So was his towel so it could dry. It was hung up on the center line, perfectly. The few clothes he had were expertly folded. But that was it. All Shadow Flare had was stuff from the military.

“Filly Fooler?” Master Wind called.

“Yes Sir?” Shadow Flare asked, not moving or looking at Master Wind.

“Did you bring anything from home?”

“Yes Sir,” Shadow Flare replied. “In the duffel bag, at the bottom, are some family photos and some small bags of seeds from the farms. Pieces of home until I return to them to once again work the clouds and farm.”

Master Wind pulled them out of the bag and flipped through them. He dropped them onto the bed.

“Anything else?”

“I had nothing else, Sir”

Master Wind walked out to face Shadow Flare. “Nothing else?”

“Correct sir. Nothing else. Well, just a cloak or two in my closet and some sheets and blankets. We didn’t wear clothing like this. Despite having little, we were required to keep everything neat and tidy. Including our bed. If we kept the bedroom neat and organized, we could keep the farm neat and organized. An organized Farm is a productive farm. An organized farm works better and faster when everything is in place. You don’t have to spend time searching when you need to be working. Especially in bad weather. Just like the military.”

Master Wind looked at Flex.

“I learned from Filly Fooler,” Flex said neatly.

Master Wind opened Flex’s locker. It was just as neat and tidy as Shadow Flare’s.

“Impressive you two. The only pair that knows how to stay organized. Now, show them how to do it.”

Master Wind smiled as he dumped out the locker and two others stripped the beds. Master Wind gave Shadow Flare the pictures. He was going to be an ass about making sure everything was perfect. Discipline in every form had to be achieved during this training. All soldiers had to be disciplined in their actions. But he wasn’t going to let fragile, properly stored items like pictures be destroyed on his watch.

Shadow Flare had his bed made immediately and then Shadow Flare had the locker organized. Most of Flex’s stuff was put away by Shadow Flare who had scooped it all up into his hooves for efficiency. They were done before anypegasus else was even done with their beds.

“Pay close attention to Filly Fooler,” Master Wind told them. “He knows what he is doing. In this instance.”

Master Wind watched they rush to get it all done. Golden Dawn still had trouble with her sheets. She put everything away with a quick fold and closed her locker. She wasn’t good at folding clothes either.

“We will keep working on this, but I expect you to fix your problems quickly. I don’t want to have to keep doing this. We do not recruit foals. And you don’t want to force me to keep teaching you discipline.”

They were moved outside into a work out. It was lighter than normal. Golden Dawn was happy for that.

“Today we begin unarmed combat,” Master Wind said. “For now, you will be teamed up and work on the drills we show you. And only those drills. Open combat will not be tolerated, but it will happen later.”

Golden Dawn smiled as Shadow Flare was teamed up with her. Now it was time to exact her revenge. Golden Dawn focused on the set of moves Master Wind taught them. A block, block, strike. Golden Dawn let Shadow Flare practice first. He was unsure of himself and his strikes were weak.

After a while they were told to switch up. Golden Dawn grinned and moved in. Shadow Flare matched what he needed to, but when Golden Dawn struck, he wasn’t there. She came at him again, and again her strike missed.

They worked long and hard on it, switching up every so often. Golden Dawn was angry. Shadow Flare was fast, but weak. And she couldn't give him any revenge for saying that she was wrong for being a filly fooler.

They were given a water break.

“You are really pathetic,” Golden Dawn stated in between gulps. “You can't take a hit and can't deliver one. You are lucky you can dodge so well. I would call you a coward except you never run and only work to set up the next strike.”

She was trying to goad him so she could hit him.

“Well, its not like I grew up needing to fight. Things never got physical where I am from,” Shadow Flare stated.

She wasn’t ready for such a calm explanation and admittance. She snarled behind her cup as she drank. “Not even against filly foolers?”

“Not conductive to the community as a whole,” Shadow Flare said, sighing at the relief the water brought. “They make a weak farm because the more hooves there are to help out, the more you can produce and at some point, the easier the work is. And we help each other bring in harvests. Their farm can not grow like the others. It will never strengthen and we can't hire help. Practicality is key.”

Golden Dawn’s anger grew again. Practicality could go fuck itself.

“So she is supposed to go unhappy for the rest of her life?” Golden Dawn said annoyed.

“I never said that. No one knew. And I understand that not even she knew until they met. Everypony was shocked. That was the worst thing. The shock.”

Shadow Flare was so simple and backwards, Golden Dawn was losing her anger, having it replaced by pity.

Shadow Flare sighed, having trouble explain the complexities of his community. “If they had stayed on a strong farm with someponies married who's colt or mare would take over, that is one thing. But they started a new farm that could not grow. A farm that can not grow is a burden on the community. It's only been a year. The community was warming up to the idea of their duty to help their farm like any other, but it still is new and a big shock.”

Golden Dawn had no idea what to say, but she saw the longing in his eyes. “You are going to go back, aren't you?”

“Yes. My duty is to here for now. But eventually I well end up back home to do what I can, on their farm. ”

Golden Dawn was loosing her edge. “Things sound backwards and wrong. How many sisters do you have?”

“Four,” Shadow Flare said refilling his cup. “Most farms have two or three per couple. It is expanding and we don't have to worry about those laws regarding reproduction we have heard about.”

Golden Dawn lost all anger. He was just a stupid colt who didn’t know better and meant no harm. Annoying, a nuisance, but not somepegasus who deserved to be taught a lesson.

“That has to be nice,” Golden Dawn said. “They took away my younger brother at birth because he was a third. Unexpected third, but still a third. My parents appealed as soon as they found out they were expecting and they lost. They won the appeal to not abort, but he was gone before they could even name him. All we know is it was a colt. My mother never even got to hold him and seeing him even after was out of the question. We have no idea what happened to him.”

Shadow Flare was deeply hurt at the story.

“Damn,” Shadow Flare sighed. “I can think of several farms that could use another pair of hooves. Not all flourish. It is tough, and we don't get the best medical care. A local healer, but the closest doctor is so far away… sometimes farms have nopony, and the community decides who will take control.”

“Backwards and deadly,” Golden Dawn said concerned. “I will stay clear of farming.”

“It's not that bad,” Cardinal Spitfire said butting in. “There is a big difference between farming, and his rural, basically nowhere survival farming. The law is still applied to my community, although we win more third appeals. Just don't head out to his part of the clouds. They are near the northern mountains that mark the Enclave's boarder. You really don't want to go there anyway.”

Cardinal Spitfire wasn’t Shadow Flare. Specifically because she was gorgeous. Even under the unflattering uniforms. Golden Dawn couldn’t help but have a crush on her. But she wanted Shining Ire.

“That is far,” Golden Dawn said socked, with her jaw wide upon. “No wonder why Filly Fooler is so odd.”

Golden Dawn’s heart felt like it had been stabbed. She had used his nickname. Something she had sworn not to. Shadow Flare just rolled his eyes as they chuckled, along with several others listening in.

Golden Dawn no longer had it out for Shadow Flare. He was doing the best he could from being so far out of his league. He was doing what he could to adjust, and so would she. Not everypegasus had it out for her. That was her old life. Not her new one.

They went back to their places to begin with a new set. A strike strike strike pattern.

“You lost your focus,” Shadow Flare said to Golden Dawn. “What is up?”

“You,” Golden Dawn said, a slight smile on her face. “You are so backwards and stupid. I was mad about the first morning and what you said about filly foolers. And then the nickname which I find personally offensive. But I can’t seem to hold it against you because you don’t even know you are causing me pain. You are not like others I know.”

“That is,” Shadow Flare stumbled. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. This is all so new to me. I take it you were hurt in the past?”

“And that is why I can’t hate you anymore. Because you are not them. Now fucking strike me like you hate me. Like I am going to kill you and you will die if you don’t kill me first.”

“I,” Shadow Flare hesitated.

Golden Dawn switched rolls and came at Shadow Flare. She smiled as she forced him back. He dodged and then held, blocking the second and the third and then coming in with a strike like they had been taught in the first set. It was a pathetic hit, despite striking her face. Golden Dawn had been slapped harder than that.

“Good job Filly Fooler,” Master Wind praised. “Good turn around. You are getting a fire in your belly. You will need that to survive hoof-to-hoof combat. But lets stick to the set. You can block, and please do, but don’t follow through and strike her. That will come later.”

Golden Dawn was now sure she wanted Shining Ire to join her. The one Pegasus giving her a problem wasn’t even trying to. Or understood he was. And he would only back her if they ever faced her old classmates again. He was stupid loyal.

Golden Dawn had found her place. There was only one more question of importance. Was Shining Ire’s place besides her when she was through with the training? Golden Dawn was sure she could cope with the change.

Author's Note

And thus End's the Story of Golden Dawn joining the Enclave Military.