Author's Note

I have no idea what do do for the basic training so I left it out. For a little insight, this chapter is all over the place and made it difficult to properly name it. If there is a better name, please tell me so I can change it.

Sorry, had to catch up on school work and my grades aren’t the best. I’ll try to update more frequently if possible. Next chapter will, hopefully, be a quicker update.

Chapter 7: Building up to the truth

Can you remember a time when you were completely broken. Not like breaking a bone or dislocating your arm, but felt hopeless and that no matter what you do; the same outcome will happen...

That’s me right now. I... I just can’t believe that I might... might...

I can’t. I can’t even admit it to myself; even after getting told by Celestia herself. I tried to keep my composure and not run out the damn room crying, but that’s a lot to even do after getting the news that you’re FUCKING DYING!!!

I didn’t run out the room crying which was a plus, but I got extremely pissed that they took a risk like that. It wasn’t until a few hours later when they succeeded in getting me out of my room with... minor injuries... mostly emotional because I said some things I shouldn’t have.

After a bit of time apologizing, everything was mostly back to normal, or as normal as you can get while being in a military. Life was going to suck for the next two months.

I was standing behind everyone in the position of attention with my head held high and my thumbs at the seams of my pants. My back was straight like it always is and my face was stoic with my eyes having the thousand yard stare of all human soldiers at attention. Everypony else, however, was fucking around with smiles thinking that this would be easy and, not to mention, that they were all mares which would make for a very interesting experience.

“Settle down Everypony!” Gleaming yelled to get everyone’s attention, but it succeeded in doing absolutely nothing. No wonder why the Royal Guard was incompetent; the orientation was pathetic enough for even an inexperienced human to know. That’s sad.

I sighed at they completely ignored the attempt to quiet down as I knew something that would get their attention and shut up. “ATTEEEEN-TIOON!!!” I yelled in my deepest, booming voice that quieted everyone down and stand at attention... well half of them were relaxed.

“Whoa... umm, good job Hunter.” Gleaming said with a shocked face as she got out of attention after reflexively standing at it. “Now, thank you for joining the Royal Guard and we appreciate your decision, but it isn’t for everyone. If your not sure that you can handle it; leave now and you won’t be sworn in.” My composure slipped a bit after hearing that none of them were sworn in yet. Worst military ever.

No one left as they seemed to have determined expressions that looked like glaring, but it was just too cute to have any effect. “Your here to see who I’ve picked to act as your battalion commander for the rest of your time in the guard.” Interests have reached their limits of being peaked. My attention now focused on Gleaming as she scanned the crowd. “Will Recruit Herrero please come up here.” I was mentally freaking out, but I was able to retain my composure.

Taking one step back, I did a left face and walked between the mares until I came to my first turn. I immediately did a column right as I marched up the side of the mass formation. Lastly, I did a column right and marched the rest of the way to Gleaming shield with my face remaining stoic and my posture was completely straight. When I made it to her, I did a left face so that I was facing her with the same expression.

I preformed a solute before saying, “Recruit Herrero here as requested, ma’am!” I nearly yelled with my JROTC experience coming in hand.

“You’ve done this before, haven’t you?” Gleaming ask with a rather impressive tone.

“Ma’am, I have participated in my Navy Junior ROTC at my previous high school, ma’am!” Golden rule: loud and proud.

“Not bad, what rank?” She’s going to be sorely disappointed right now.

“Ma’am, I was unable to rank up due to not knowing the general orders, but I was more focused on my core classes, ma’am!” I’m getting really tired of standing here, but I will not leave until relieved of my post. I think that was the third general order of the navy. Hard to remember after not studying it after moving. It hurt to see that knowledge go to waist.

“Last question, have you finished high school?” I can under sand that because you at least need a high school diploma to enter the military in the United States.

“Ma’am, unlike Equestria, my nation has a more balanced male population so the age of becoming an adult is five years above Equestria making the legal age eighteen. I have yet to finish it due to falling to the vortex.” She was genuinely surprised by this, but I didn’t tell her about that. She knew I was a student, but I think that she thought I was in college.

“Due to... buck it. You earn a rank up due to you literally pushing yourself in my training to even wield your sword. I’ve lost count of how many times you collapsed, passed out, and threw up. Half the time I had to bucking drag your ass through the streets. Not to mention that you actually surpassed every other guard who joined the Royal Guard.” She gave me a pendant that had the Army’s rank of E-5 which was Staff Sargent.

“Kind of easy to do that when your requirements are not even that high and, not to brag, my nation has one of the strongest military forces in the world with around one point three million in active duty and another eight hundred sixty five thousand in reserves.” Her jaw dropped after hearing that we have nearly an impossibly large military force with how many people there are in it. I wander how she would react if she figured out that we have a long standing track record that would probably surpass all their expectations. The only reason I knew this was because I was extremely curious about the amount of soldiers in our armed forces, but I’m admitting that it actually surprised me to.

“W-why would you want a military that large?” My eyes seemed to have a looming shadow over them after hearing that statement. I felt my dread begin to rise after she asked that question as I was tempted to tell her not to worry about the reason, but that would only want her to know even more.

The reason was very clear to me, but I looked around at all the occupants of the massive building that was on the border of the Everfree. They didn’t need to know what was happening worlds away when they will most likely have a war of their own soon. The question I constantly asked myself was if it was worth putting my life on the line of another nation even of it wasn’t on the brink of war? The statement was immediately shot down as I remembered that I was tied to this place by blood because if the griffins do invade, then that would put Nyx in harms way.

“Why promote me if were training all at the same time? This would give anyone with prior military knowledge a higher chance at ranking up if they are evil or known to betray.” I responded while trying to change the subject that would have put anyone in a bad mood.

“We do an extensive background search for thins like that and you have shown to be there for your herd mates in their time of need. You defended Nyx, who is your own flesh and blood, from Luna after it was confirmed that she was the reincarnation of Nightmare Moon. Do I really need to continue or is that enough?” She asked as I raised a hand to silence her because it was a valid reason and a test of loyalty which I most likely passed. It surprises me how I now see something that happened a month ago as a test. “And technically, you surpassed most Officers in the Royal Guard and some in the Solar and Lunar Guard. You technically are already a guard so this training isn’t needed, but since the other seven battalions are choosing a new recruit as the battalion commander for the competition in two months; I thought I would choose someone who would inspire the rest to not meet the requirements, but completely surpass them.”

“Fine, I’ll lead them, but expect them to work even harder than they ever have before.” I turned to the battalion with straight face as I began to yell my Rules or at least how to respond to a commanding officer. “Listen up because I’m only going to say this once! When we are training, you will do as I say so you can do as instructed correctly, understood.” I got nods in response from them which made me realize that I may have my work cut out for me. “You will answer with ‘Sir, yes sir’ or ‘Ma’am, yes ma’am’ depending on the gender, do you understand?” Mumbles was all I receivedas I face palmed. “WHAT WAS THAT!!!”

“Sir, yes sir!” They shouted in unison which caused me to smile.

“I can work with this.” I smiled as I thought of a way to make them surpass all expectations.

(Time skip- two months later)

I plopped onto my bunk in Alpha 1-1 platoon barracks after the grueling training Gleaming and I put us through. I wouldn’t put my battalion through anything I wouldn’t do. Even if I led this battalion, I was still beneath Gleaming by a long shot as she was an O-6. The ranks were literally a mixture of Navy and army ranks. The admirals were replaced by the generals for the officer ranks whic was pretty hard to memorize when you have to do so for a written test.

I looked at the clock in the room to get my mind off of the past two months of Hell which Gleaming and I both agreed on and I even admitted that this was Hell.

To my relieve, it was dinner time and today was some homemade cooking from the Apples that was every Friday. Applejack would come with some of the rest of the girls, but she never came with Nyx which would have made me happier if she did come.

I left the building with a straight shot to the mess hall that was giving off a delicious smell that made my mouth water. The smell was even more pleasant than the last times she was doing this and from the sound of it; everyone was loving it. Please moans and sounds of silverware hitting plates and bowls resonated from the cafeteria.

I opened the doors quietly so no one would be disturbed from their meals, but it wasn’t meant to be as on of my platoon leaders saw me and smiled deviously. I shook my head quickly to tell her to stop and she completely ignored it.

“ATTENTION!!!” The leader yelled with a smile before it fell as she looked as stoic as ever. Everyone shot up while dropping their forks or spoons in, or on, their plates or bowls.

“You bitch! Burn in Hell Cloudchaser!” I yelled in anger, but kept in in an inside tone. I sighed in defeat while pinching the bridge of my nose before commanding, “At ease troops.” I gave a lazy salute while everyone gave a snappy one. I glared at Private Cloudchaser while she stuck out her tongue childishly.

I felt a small punch to my leg which caused me to look down to find a familiar alicorn filly that was weakly punching my leg after my cursing. She eventually gave up and went with hugging me by my waist making me bend down to hug her as well.

“I missed you daddy.” She said in a sad tone as the spot her head was at was slowly getting damp with tears. Only a few noticed this as the rest went back to their meals, but I honestly couldn’t blame them fo doing so because the Apple’s products were heavenly.

I smiled softly as I push her away from me a little, but not far enough to break the hug, so I could look into her eyes before saying, “I missed you too. I promise to try not doing this if I can help it.” She smiles with tears in her eyes as she hugged me even tighter and we held it for a while as most of my recruits watched in confusion while completely forgetting about my daughter. “Come on Nyx, lets get some dinner. I bet your hungry.”

At that moment, her stomach growled loudly as she blushed from embarrassment after realizing that I could hear it. I got up and she clung to my side like she was afraid of my soldiers. I would call them my men but they were all mares which really told me about the male to female ratio.

“Nice ta’ see ya Hunter.” Applejack said before seeing the filly alicorn next to me with a smile. “Nyx has been trying to come, but Gleaming has to keep her from seeing the training. Nyx has been tryin’ to get to ya any way possible. She was even terrified that you wouldn’t come back.” Applejack smiled as Nyx got her food from the counter of the cafeteria. It was just a long table with different things on top, but there were three bars parallel to each other.

“I know why, but that doesn’t explain why your here if they wouldn’t allow you to see family or friends outside of the base. As for her bein’ Scared, I can completely relate as I remembered when my dad was sent to the Middle East. I was completely terrified, but he came back alright so I was happy.” I informed while grabbed my own tray and set it on the railing so I could stack my plate with Applejack’s amazing homemade cookin’. I’m just glad that the Apples have knowledge of southern hospitality and you don’t really see it in a lot of southern states except for Georgia. It was just refreshing to find somepony here with that mind set so I wouldn’t be the only one.

I stacked my plate with many apple based food including applesauce. I may not like it, but Nyx surly does as she filled her bowl with the liquid... or solid. I never figured that out.

I stopped right beside her after she was clear to go and eat, but waited for me for some odd reason that was unknown to me. “Why’d you stop?” I asked while stepping beside her with a smile. She looked at me with a smile before responding with a little hesitation and anxiety.

“I waited for you.” She responded while holding that smile which never left her face. She held out her hand for me to take it and I did with no worry if she would drop her food because it wasn’t that much.

We walked through the room with our heads held high until we reached the table I normally eat at which had Private Cloudchaser at. Along with the rest of the company leaders that were Flitter and Night Wing.

Cloudchaser is a Pegasus mare with a light purple coat, sky blue and white mane, and magenta eyes that always had a mischievous glint to them even when she was at attention. She was around five foot eight which was actually a little comforting because I couldn’t just annoy her by resting my elbow on the top of her head and lean on one leg. She was more bashful and arrogant than her twin sister, but I’m not saying that she isn’t humble when the time calls for it.

Next was Flitter who was a Pegasus mare with a lighter purple coat, cyan hear, and magenta eyes that that held a calculating gaze. She was five foot eight like her sister which was easy to annoy her in the same way. She analyzed everything down to the last detail to determine what would be the correct action to do in the situation. Unlike her sister who was stronger than her, she was smarter than the two and they used each other’s strengths to make up for their faults which made me make them Company leaders. She held the rank of Private First Class after she saved Cloudchaser and Night Wing from drowning after realizing that they couldn’t swim. I made sure that it would be mandatory for all guards to learn to swim if they didn’t after that exercise.

Last was Night Wing who was a female thestral with navy blue bat like wings, a gray coat, and yellow eyes that always saw the good in any situation. She was five foot nine and was easy to scare as she screams at the most common of scares. All I have to do is get behind her and scream and she’ll run in fear all the way back to her bunk and making me feel bad afterwards. She has the rank of Private after completing the test to even get her rank and she passed with flying colors. She was a balance of Flitter and Cloudchaser which would be greatly needed.

“Hey Hunter.” They greeted in unison as I sit down with Nyx sitting beside me with a smile which made me do the same. I gave Nyx the bowl of applesauce because she knew my ADHD medicine ruined the food for me forever.

Night turned her head to Nyx with surprise after noticing that she was there and was casually eating. “Is this your sister?!” She asked while I’m sure everyone heard her because it was loud. None of them turned to except for Cloudchaser and Flitter who were at the same table as me. I could feel their curiosity radiating off of them as the more they didn’t know; the more they would try to find out.

I picked up a fork and stuck it into a random food item before sticking it in my mouth. I moaned at the amazing taste that filled my tongue as each ingredients different flavor danced on my tongue before I swallowed the entire thing and savered the taste.

I looked at them with a neutral expression that seemed to unnerve them greatly. “My daughter actually.” I answered with a neutral tone that betrayed what I was actually feeling as I was a little scared for Nyx and how the other would react.

Their eyes widened in amazement and disbelief after hearing the news that she was my daughter. “WHAT!!!” The three yelled as their expirations of meeting one of my siblings were crushed. I can see how we’re related, but with the species difference and the fact that I sent none of my family a letter saying how camp went; I have no idea how they came up with the idea.

I rolled my eyes at their over reaction to the situation that would have been blown way out of proportion. “I was going to introduce you four to each other at the ceremony tomorrow.” I’m glad that the battalion competition was with held after Gilda told them about the griffin empire’s king being overthrown.

Celestia set up a blockade against any griffin forces that may attack, but seeing that that may fail after realizing that it was the current royal guard was a huge possibility. I’m not sure if it is lucky or not as Ponyville is the next line of defense.

I finished eating my meal quietly after shaking my head from the thought that would make others sad or disheartened. Small talk was made, but these four mates knew when something was wrong with me. Any time they would ask what was wrong or if I was okay; I would dodge it or simply ask them to not ever ask again.

I put my tray away for the cleaning crew to clean it and put it away to dry before I began to glow as a golden aura surrounded me with extreme speed. In a matter of seconds, I was teleported to one of the royal bedchambers, but I don’t know who’s because the violent teleportation shot me into a wall knocking me out.

(Time skip- unknown amount of hours)

I woke up with the moon high up in the sky with two masses cuddled up to me with a harm on each side of my chest. They were warm and the fact that I was only in my boxers made me blush after realizing that I was in the same bed as the celestial rulers of Equestria.

I look to my left to find the solar princess with a content smile on her face as she nuzzled my cheek with affection which caused me to blush at the unconscious show of affection. I tried to move my right arm to move the hair away from her face, but that arm was struggling to move as the lunar princess kept it close to her chest.

I sighed I know that I wasn’t going to get out of this easily and made myself comfortable between the two before a problem made itself known. I keep telling myself this but I never do it because it isn’t in my nature to stop this habit. I had to go to the restroom because of the three quitters of a gallon I drink dally which would constantly fuck me over the next day.

I slowly pried their arms away from me as I’m pretty sure they don’t want to wake up in a pissed stained bed that till wake them up. Luckily, my efforts weren’t in vain as I left the bed and rushed to the restroom with one thing on mind: don’t piss myself.

Her whoever’s room I was in was more like a spa as it had a walk in tub that had the area of my room which was enormous compared to any room I ever had. Their was an island in the middle of the large deep tub with the other side having a toilet that behind another door that was like a small bedroom inside. I wasted to time in running to the room where I closed the door to use the damn restroom and relieve myself from the urin in my bladder.

For anyone who was told to hold it in for an hour long trip or until they needed to make a stop; you know how good it feels to pee after holding it in for a vary long time. It took me about five minutes for me to finally leave the restroom as I had a smile on my face after using the restroom.

I walked out to find a panicked Celestia and Luna who were running around the room to find something that would most likely be me after I seemingly disappeared from their extremely strong gripes. After hearing the door close they were immediately upon me with angry glares directed towards me.

“Where were you?” Luna asked with her glare that was not doing a damn thing to scare me. I pat her on the top of her head causing her to puff out her cheeks in mock, childlike annoyance before I responded.

“What did I just walk out of you two?” I responded with a question of my own before they looked at the door with the same expression of ‘ohh’. “Sometimes, you two don’t use commonsense, but nether do I So it really doesn’t matter all that much.” I sighed as sat down on the bed as the two got dressed which only included a bright flash of light and they were in some casual clothes.

For Luna is was a pair of skinny jeans that went just below her her knees and seemed to be rolled up with what seemed to be a short sleeve shirt that had an old NES controller on it with light coming from behind it. The test on her shirt said ‘Old School’ and she wore a jacket over it that was a navy blue with the hood pulled over her head.

Celestia had a golden long sleeved shirt with a white hoodie over it and she had tight fitted pants that covered her entire legs which surprised me completely. It surprised me when she had those because she was around two feet taller than anybody else.

My body began to glow with a golden light that mimicked the one coming from Celestia’s horn as I felt it encompass me in its aura. It was warn and soothing as it felt like a calm fire that was the perfect distance away to have such a warm feeling and not feel like your on fire most of the time.

“Just imagine the clothes you want and we’ll make them. We are going to have to pick from a verity of clothes that are already made.” She explained causing me to sigh as I went with a black short sleeve T-shirt with a gray sweater, red hat, and black jeans. The hood was pulled over the hat which hid my eyes quite well as I smiled at them.

They looked like they recognized someone else before it looked like they squashed the idea of it as Luna teleported my sword to me with a bright flash of light which momentarily blinded me for a moment. When I opened my eyes I found my sword floating in front of me with the same golden aura surrounding it that was present on Celestia’s horn.

I took the blade by the handle before pulling the hood over my head before putting the sword on my back with no resistance as always. I slid my hands into the large pocket in the middle of the sweater before looking at the two with a smile.

“Ready when you are.” I said before we all teleported to the dining hall, but this time; I wasn’t thrown into a wall so I’m fine... maybe.

I was really disoriented after doing that because it really messed with my sense of direction and everything was spinning. I took a step back as I felt my body lean that way and went straight into Luna with me still trying to regain my balance and to stop the world from spinning.

“That’s... disorienting.” I stated whilst trying to keep what remained of my dinner inside my stomach as the room continued to spin until it began to slow down to the point where I could walk straight.

“At least you didn’t go into a wall this time.” Luna started from behind me as I push myself away from her, but get pulled back in by the navy blue alicorn before she nuzzled my cheek. I blushed a little as I melted into the hug and embarrassed the warmth of the alicorn princess.

“Thankfully. So why am I here?” Celestia walked up to me with eloquence that didn’t match her attire. Guess old habits die hard.

“Of corse you know your two forms are converging into one.” She said in a matter of fact tone in which I nodded with a depressed look on my face that would have made even the coldest people feel pity. Luna hugged me tighter to let me know that she was there if I needed her making me smile. “You don’t however know that in those short months is that the being will be granted the abilities of the race they were. For you, your pony form was an elemental. Like Luna, Twilight, and I, but yours is something much darker than I could anticipate.” My mind was blown... and she’s telling me this NOW!

“But that doesn’t explain why I defeated the Ursa Major alone. I literally sent it flying.” I was even more confused by this.

Luna sighed as she picked off where Celestia left off. “Elementals have access to a certain type of magic if they aren’t born a unicorn. There are five types of magic with one being traditional, the one most unicorns use, air, what all Pegasi use, earth, what all earth ponies use, and finally enhancement and celestial, what alicorns use. You subconsciously used alicorn magic without knowing it which only happens if the other three tribes magic reserves are extremely unstable. It normally doesn’t happen often as most who use it die in a matter of seconds, but you used it and lived. You can’t use magic like us, but you can use it to fight sense you body can handle it for some reason.”

I looked at my hand and tried to reach for it but only succeeded in looking like I’m craping my self. I stopped after realizing that I was making a fool of myself and that I was in a chair at a table with two alicorns trying not to laugh. I sighed before asking one question that has been plaguing my mind for a while as it was important for me to know.

“How long do I have?” I asked with a solemn look on my face. This was important for me because I at least wanted to see my family one last time before I die.

“At least four months or, if your lucky, five months.” Luna responded before I sat back down as their horns glowed brightly as the moon set and the sun rose.

I was being to get ready bored now that the talking was over and when I didn’t feel my sword on my back; I searched for it with it only being a second as I found it to my left while it was resting on the table. Eventually, waiters came in to serve meals, drinks, and thank me for what I did to Blueblood. I smiled evilly as I was going to scare the crap out of him.

I look at the plate before asking for the time before Celestia said it was seven in the morning making me realize that I would have been late for the ceremony in an hour. I began to eat at a rapid pace while also keeping myself from getting sick.

“Calm down, they know that you’ll be there soon. The ceremony was pushed back an hour and we’ll let the recruits rest for a month.” I sighed as I knew that I now have more than enough time to get there. Nice of those two to let my battalion know ahead of time. “Not to mention that we have a surprise for you.” I sighed for the millionth time to day as I really don’t like when people just did this shit out of the blue. It just left a foul taste in my mouth an if I didn’t take it it would seem like I don’t care about them.

“I’m going to take a walk around the city before I leave. I want to get a basic layout of the city before anything else happens.” I got up and the two diarches did to and linked arms with me after I put my hands in the pocket of the sweater and left.

We all left with many glaring at me with disgust until they realized that I was with the princesses which got them to stop really quickly. I wasn’t paying attention to the many aristocrats of the city as I walked with the two celestial monarchs through the prestigious city.

The city itself just barely contrasted with the mountain as the city was made out of the same stone that made the mountain. The one contrast that would scream high society was the rooftops and columns made of gold along with some of the streets being made of the same rare metal that seemed abundant here.

It wasn’t until a stallion ‘tripped’ and spilled his hot coffee on me which hurt like hell, but I never showed it. It felt like it was acid trying to burn through my skin, but how I trained was like the training of a Spartan. I showed no signs of pain despite my mind trying to force my mouth to open and let out a shrill scream that would shake the vary foundations of the city.

“Are you okay sir?” I asked without my pain seeping into my voice as it began to soak my underwear.

He stared at me in disbelief as I held out a dry hand for him to take so I could help him up. He took it and I tugged him to his feet swiftly like a leaf to the wind. He immediately ran away with a fearful expression like he saw a monster, but many were just confused on how I was able to take hot coffee to the chest and not flinch. If only they were in my mind right now.

We walked away as Celestia and Luna stopped causing me to do the same as they gazed at me with worry clearly evident on their faces and in their eyes. “Are you okay.” Luna asked with a worried tone as the expression began to slip. “Does it hurt?” All I Did was nod and they took me to a spa where I reluctantly entered with a bell ringing to signify our entrance.

There was a desk in front of two door that had a few ornate designs that were etched onto the door, but other than that; it was fairly plain. Behind the desk was a purple mare with a blue mane and cyan eyes that was typing away at a computer in front of her.

She slowly looked up while saying, “Hello and welcome to- Princesses!” The mare yelled loudly before bowing as many other workers came out to see the commotion and did the same. “How can we help you?” The mare eagerly said with a wide smile as she jumped to her feet like a cat.

“My friend here had coffee spilled on him and I thought he could relax while the maids clean it back at the castle.” Celestia explained her her same, motherly tone which would put anyone at ease.

“How many articles of clothing were hit by the coffee?” She looked at me as I let my stoic expression slip and the pain was showing greatly.

“All of them. Can we please hurry before the coffee decides to attack my dick, please... thank you.” I bolted down the hall until I found the male’s changing room.

I stripped down until I was completely undressed where I looked for something to cover up in. It was quiet in the room and nothing made a sound as I found a basket of towels in the corner for covering up in. I wrapped the towel around my waist before holding the towel in place before the same mare popped her head inside and looked at me. A blush covered my face as she just looked at me with a smile which was scaring me a little.

“Follow me the princesses want you to join them in the hot springs.” She said as I walked out with reluctance and wanting to get this over with.

The spa was twisting and turning like a maze which got me to question what how large this actually was. I wasn’t paying attention for how big it was out side as I just wanted to get those burning clothes off.

Once I entered the hot springs, my face immediately lit up as the didn’t have towels covering themselves. I looked away from the two while keeping a hold of my towel so it would fall before two pairs of hands wrapped around my arms as pulled me into the spring with enough force to not let me fall, but still getting me to move.

I was soon sitting in the hot spring with two extremely attractive alicorns keeping me in place my towel long since forgotten after it was dragged under water; leaving me with no clothes one with to girl... someone end my embarrassment.

“I know you know I’m not like most guys and are extremely uncomfortable. Can you please let go?” I asked with a raised voice, but they only giggled in response.

“We would, but your to cute when you’re embarrassed.” Celestia responded with a smile as I just began to let this happen and knowing that I was no match for alicron strength.

I smiled evilly as I had an idea that may backfire on me, but it was a risk that would be worth taking if I do it.

I slowly grabbed their horns causing them to gasp before moaning in pleasure after the stimulation was immediate. One think I learned from our little session was that alicorn horns and wings are extremely sensitive along, but their horns more than their wings. What followed was a silencing spell and a little session with the three of us again.

‘Well that backfired... badly.’ I thought as I walked out of the springs with a new towel covering my lower half as the two diarches followed me with large blushes on our faces.

“We should get dressed so we can go to the ceremony.” Luna said while her horn lit up in a clear indication of magic as we all were in our clothes once more. She did it so she would have a reason to blind some of the patrons of the spa so they wouldn’t see her blush.

“I still need to get there so I can put on my class A uniform.” I said to my self as another bright flash of magic got up to the camp where I immediately ran into my quarters. Being the only male has perks, one being that I have my own personal quarters for getting dressed or showering which was an extreme relief for me.

Walked out with my class A uniform on and a pleased look on my face after getting an actual shower instead of a hot spring. I walked to the track field where most of Ponyville was at to see the ceremony along with the rest of my battalion.

I marched to the track and through the empty streets of Ponyville in the direction of the track. It was a very silent march through the streets which got me to question how long I was in the shower.

Eventually I found the track with my battalion waiting for me along with the mane six, the royals, Gleaming, Trixie, and Barbara in the collapsible bleachers. My battalion talking amongst each other as I walked up with Flitter, Cloudchaser, and Nightwing staring at me with a neutral expression.

“BATTALION!!!” I yelled loudly to gain the attention of all present and around me as I and my company commanders went to attention.

“Company!” The three repeated loudly as they know what was coming next.

“ATEEEEEN— TIOOOOON!!!” I finished as everyone shut up at the same time once getting to attention. “We’ll begin with a little game... KNOCK OUT!!!”

“Hoorah!” My battalion responded causing me to smile as I taught them that on the first week.

“Remember, two preparatory commands!” They responded in with the a loud ‘Hoorah’. “Left face!” They complied as a loud stomp told me that they were finished with the action. “Right face!” They complied and knock out began.

One of the platoon leaders remained as I was firing off command after command to knock her out, but no matter what I did; she stayed in the game. This wasn’t in an actual ceremony, but this was a show of how far we came since the beginning.

I stopped and help up my hand causing her to stop and the rest to get back into formation with tired looks on their faces causing me to do a motivation check. “Can I get a motivation check!” I yelled as they seemed to know what I was doing. Didn’t want any of them passing out half way through the actual ceremony.

“Hoorah,” they yelled loudly as I continued immediately after them.

“Motivation check!”

“Hoorah!”

“Hoorah!”

“Hoorah!”

“Hoorah!”

“Hoorah!”

“Haha!”

“Haha!”

I screamed loudly as the rest did to as the adrenaline began to flow through their veins again, but I wanted them to be in top shape; mind and body.

“Are you motivated?!” I yelled causing most of the audience to see a different side of me that barely anyone have ever seen.

“Sir, yes sir!” They yelled back with a lot more intensity than they began with.

“Are you dedicated?!” I chuckled after remembering how much fun I had doing motivation checks.

“Sir, yes sir!” I paused for a moment as I steeled my nerves after feeling all eyes on me for a while.

“How motivated, how dedicated are you?!” I managed to scream with a smile on my face.

“Motivated, motivated, downright dedicated, you check us out, you check us out Hoorah!” The chorus of mares yelled at the top of her lungs.

“Hoorah!” I yelled back before taking my place at the front of the battalion.

I marched to the front of the the companies companies and their nine platoons with me being in front of bravo 1-2. My battalion was set up into three companies with each company having four platoons. Each platoon had ninety-nine ponies in one of them with each platoon having an even number of unicorns, Pegasi, and earth ponies.

Obviously there was a platoon Sergeant and a and a platoon leader for each platoon. Next you have the company Sargent and the company leader in front and behind the platoons while being centered with the company’s 1-2 platoon. Lastly, was the guide on who was in front of the company but not as far up as the company Sargent. With nine recruits already being out of the formation, that left an even number for each platoon to have five squads of six.

When I saw everyone at the position of rest and with determined glares, I began the ceremony with a roll call.

“Battalion!” I yelled as all heads were turned to me with a neutral expression along with that same determined glare.

“Company!” The company Sargents echoed which made the platoon Sergeants do the same, but with ‘platoon’.

“ATTEEEEEENT— IOOOOON!” All at once, a loud stomp could be heard through the entire track field as everyone went to attention. I rose my hand into a salute while giving a thousand yard stare that couldn’t be wavered. “Receive the report!” It my command, all the company Sergeants salute before I brought mine down swiftly followed by the sargents. I chuckled to myself after realizing that they weren’t actually Sargents, but only a title.

They echoed my command as the platoon Sergeants did the same, but got a different result, but the same from all fifteen squads. “Six recruits present!” The squad leader responded as they went down the rows until they reached the back rows.

The platoon Sergeants did an about face and responded with, “Thirty-two recruits president!” The company Sargents turned to me and salutes before they saying that all ninety-nine recruits were present.

“Post!” I commanded as the leaders took place for the Sargents and the Sargents took the place of the leaders.

“Awaiting Commands Staff Sergeant Herrero!” Flitter, Cloudchaser, And Nightwing said as the ceremony began without a hitch.

(Time skip- one hour)

It took one hour for the ceremony to end as I commanded the battalion to leave and go to their actual homes for the rest of the week. They needed it after the long two months of hell Gleaming and I put them through.

I dismissed the recruits with a simple command and they lifted with no resistance like some of the adrenaline high recruits during training. I walked to where the girls were to see slack jawed expressions on there face after seeing a completely different side of me that would have been a nice refresher to any and all humans back on earth.

“I... I...” Twilight was at a loss for words after seeing that side of me. I wonder how they would react with how I was during boot camp. Seriously, I was like a drill sergeant during this two months and even made half of them cry before the first week.

“I know, that’s a completely different side than your use to.” I said to conclude what she was thinking of what she just witnessed. It would be a little hard to swallow after you see someone as being meek and not being known for being in a position of command.

“I’m actually proud that you were able to not freak out after you became the center of attention after calling out commands like that.” Celestia said with a smile after getting over her shock faster than the rest. “Good job Staff Sergeant Hunter Herrero.” She chuckles after I rolled my eyes she used my full title. I still couldn’t believe that I just skipped four ranks like that and I honestly felt a little guilty for that sense there could have been better candidates for this position.

I stood awkwardly in the ground as everyone became visible uncomfortable at the sudden silence that encompassed our little group. Everyone had left the track with barely any noise that would have cough my attention immediately due to me having a short attention span.

“I think... we should leave.” I suggested as we had seven hours to kill before we needed to leave to go to sleep. I didn’t realize that it was already three so I went back to my quarters to change back into my casual clothes while the rest went to wait, but Ebony had something to say to them before I came out. It would take a while before I would be able to get the entire uniform off.

(Third person)

Ebony stood still as fear took over her features as this was when she and Hunter agreed to tell the others the truth about her, but she thought that she would have Hunter right beside her when this would happen. She desperately tried to tell the others and get it over with, but the words caught in her throat which made it near impossible for her to speak. Each try she made only made her anxiety grow until she inevitably chose not to speak and wait for the person she was supposed to take care of to walk out the barracks.

Sweat began to build up as she visibly became more nervous as time ticked by on an invisible clock in her head. Each tick made her more fearful of the reaction that would sound off in her head as many unpleasant reactions ran through her head; all of which were outlandish.

Celestia and Luna watched her from their peripheral vision which was an easy task as that have had to use it before and after Luna’s banishment. They knew for a long time what she was and never even acknowledged it in fear of how she would react, but they knew that she was trying to find what little courage is left in her mind to speak the truth.

The longer she waited, the longer her fear built up until she just went around to find another way into the barracks so she could talk to the lone human.

The building was nothing special and was exceedingly smaller than any of the other buildings on the base, but it was still large enough to a few pieces furniture within it. She found a small window on the side of the building that she could use to get inside.

She climbed through with little effort before dropping in with a surprised human inside as he could only stare confused at the situation before him. Luckily for both parties, he was just about to leave with his casual clothes on.

“What the hell are you doing Ebony?” Hunter whispered loudly with anger causing Ebony to just tell him out right.

“I can’t tell them alone. I need you with me to help if anything goes wrong. The anxiety got to me so I did this so I wouldn’t have to deal with it and I would have preferred a small moment of embarrassment than that.” She whispered back with a fearful look on her face as Hunter completely understood her situation. He’s been in her shoes his entire life.

“Fine, just go back through the window and say that you had something important to say, but couldn’t due to anxiety and that it would help if I was there because I already know it.” She sighed knowing that she had to endure a little bit more anxiety for a short time, but she thought she could handle it.

She climbed through the window again and went around the other side and gave her excuse. Everyone, but the princesses and Applejack bought it because the princess knew the truth and Applejack is a living lie detector.

Hunter walked out with a yawn as the ceremony took a lot out of him before walking past everyone as they followed him. Hunter, on the other hand, was just going to walk around before doing anything else to get familiar with the town again.

After passing by his house for the fifth time, the ponies finally figured out what he was doing as he continued through the town and down every street. It wasn’t until Ebony got Hunter’s attention that he realized that he was inadvertently delayed the inevitable.

“Sorry, just got sidetracked. Let’s head back to my house so I can tell y’all what Helping Hand wanted to tell you.” He said with a nervous chuckle that shortly followed.

He walked directly to his house with a smile while hiding his true fear as he told her that he would tell them the truth of their world and what he knew. He opened the door and held it for the girls which looked at him quizzically before taking the offer.

He walked in behind the mares before he sat down while proping his sword agents the couch with Ebony sitting down beside him while ignoring the glares from Twilight, The Royals, Gleaming, and Rarity.

“Before anything starts...” He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking once more. “Please keep an open mind for what I’m about to tell you.” The seven gulped for a moment before Ebony was engulfed in green flames and her true self was revealed. “Helping is a... Changeling. Her actual name is Ebony.” All, but Celestia and Luna took up fighting positions. Hunter pulled his sword from it resting position.

“What the buck are you doing! That’s a changeling!” Gleaming yelled while barring her teeth in anger.

“I know. I’ve know for around three months now.” He was calmas he assessed the situation with a glare that caused them to back down.

“As have we.” The celestial diarches said at the same time. “She came to us in this form you see now and begged for asylum with in our walls from her sister who was angry at her, but we doubt that she would do what she said she would do. Siblings tend to over react to another’s actions.” Celestia finished as Luna listened because she never knew how Ebony got there.

“I know that all to well. I have two brothers and two sisters.” Hunter smiled at some of the fond memories of his time with his siblings.

The rest were shocked from this as many thought ran through their mind of why they would accept a changeling into their kingdom. Luckily, Gleaming Sheild spoke up before the rest and with complete trust in her nation’s leaders.

“I-If the princess say that it’s fine t-then I respect their decision.” She said causing the four with Ebony to smile at her decision to stick with the changeling.

Slowly, one by one, the rest converted to Ebony’s side except for Rainbow Dash who was still sceptic of Ebony. “Aren’t changelings evil?! Why should we try’s her is she’s a changeling?!” She yelled while trying to gain some followers on her side.

“Does the actions of a few dictate how the rest of their species are. Not to mention that she earned mine, Nyxes’, and the princesses trust. If you just open your mind; then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” Hunter said as he lowered his sword and took a step forward while Rainbow took a step back. He continued until she had her back against a wall, but Hunter never lifted his hands to harm her before he closed his eyes. “Besides... She isn’t the only one to keep secrets from you girls. She was willing to help me explain why I didn’t freak out when I first got her, why I was so accepting of everything, and why I was willing to come her despite how I was afraid of the reaction.” He pauses once more as he turned to the rest of the girls before he took a deep intake of air to calm his nerves from the rising dread that was welling up within him. “It’s time I told you the truth.”

‘her goes nothin’.’ I thought as I opened my mouth and told them everything.