Royal Guard Academy

Once everyone was standing in front of a locker, they were ordered to take off their bags and lay them on their beds, dumping everything out.

Tempest did so without hesitation, though was careful not to drop anything over the edge. A few others didn’t think about it, and she heard a few items clatter around the room, resulting, of course, in yelling from the instructors. She didn’t bother looking, just going back to her place in front of the locker and standing still. Glancing aside, she realized Zinnia had taken the spot to her left. She was nervously digging a hoof against the floor.

Tempest cleared her throat, and when Zinnia looked at her, she nodded to her leg. Zinnia swallowed and stopped fidgeting.

“Now then, we’re going to come around and see what you’ve all brought,” Eagle Eye said, walking down the aisle in the center of the room. “You all knew what you were and were not allowed to bring. Right now will be your opportunity to give up contraband. If I catch you with it later, there will be hell to pay.”

The instructors split up and headed down the rows of beds, going through belongings. Tempest waited patiently, and she was approached by Eagle. Eagle briefly met her eyes, then looked at the bed. She flipped idly through the notebook, and shifted things around to make sure nothing had been hidden. She paused to look at the one photo Tempest had brought, which was of herself and Discord, lounging against a tree as they shared ice cream. It always made Tempest feel better, and she wanted to be able to look back on it.

Eagle grunted and put the photo down, walking by to go through Zinnia’s stuff. Tempest relaxed, and turned an ear to listen as someone got reamed for bringing a hoof file. It was ridiculous, but nonetheless that item wasn’t allowed. Learning to follow stupid rules was all part of the training, she supposed.

Once everyone’s stuff had been examined and inappropriate items thrown away, they were told to turn to their lockers and open the drawer at the bottom. They did so, and were ordered to put all their personal belongings in there.

They put things away quickly, leaving only their mesh bags still full, and were ordered to put their saddlebags on top of their lockers so they were out of the way.

“That is your security drawer,” Eagle announced. “It will remain locked at all times. You will only unlock it to take stuff in and out, but if you’re not doing that, it better be locked. I’ll be checking. If you forget to lock it, don’t be surprised if you come back and all your stuff is scattered all over the floor. Now, you all received a lock, two keys, and two chains. Get those out now.”

Everyone hurried to do so.

“You’ll find a long chain and a shorter chain. Attach one key to the short chain, and the other to the longer one. Then connect the short chain around the long one. Hurry up!”

Tempest used her magic, swiftly linking the keys and chains together as told.

“Once you’ve done that, put the keys around your neck,” Eagle said. “You will keep those on you at all times.”

Tempest slid the chain on. She watched as other ponies did the same, then checked on Zinnia, who was still fumbling with the chains.

“I can’t get it to latch,” she cried desperately. Every time she tried to latch it shut, her magic slipped and she nearly dropped it.

Tempest glanced at the instructors, but they were busy yelling at someone else who was having trouble, so she hurried over to Zinnia. Her magic took over, deftly sliding the latch together on both chains. She gave them some tugs to make sure they held, then put the larger chain around Zinnia’s neck and went back to her spot.

“Thank you,” Zinnia said.

“Mhm.” Tempest really hoped she got a hold of her nerves.

Once everyone had successfully arranged their keys, they were told to lock their security drawers shut. They did so, and were then directed back to their mesh bags.

The other instructors headed out at that point, leaving only Eagle. She said, “You were all given a web belt. Take it out now. Check that it has a canteen and an empty pouch.”

They all checked and affirmed that they had those items.

“Good, now put it on. You’re going to get real used to that belt. You’re going to wear it everywhere. It marks you as trainees. This belt is your responsibility. If I can’t trust you to keep track of it, how can I trust you to defend Equestria?”

Everyone pulled the belts on, adjusting them so the canteen was on one side and the pouch was on the other.

“Everypony got a good fit? Good because adjusting those is a bitch. Now! Take out your Royal Guard Academy Study Guide! This is the RGASG! Every lesson you learn here is in that book. I expect you to study it on your free time. If we’re waiting in formation for several minutes, read. If you’re just dicking around the dorms one night, I’d rather you read! You will be tested on everything in there in the ninth week, so you better pay attention. Now, put that handy dandy guide in your pouch. There it will stay, unless of course you’re studying or have it out in class.” Eagle watched them put the book away. “That raincoat can be taken out and put in your locker. Leave it rolled, just open the larger doors and stick it in there. It doesn’t get hung, just lay it down.”

They all stored their raincoats.

“If there’s a chance of rain, I’ll tell you all to bring that with you. Okay, moving on, everypony got hoof sanitizer, right? Take it out and hold it up.”

They held up their bottles.

“Nice. Use that often, I don't want you getting each other sick. But for now, you can put it in the bag with your RGASG. And make sure the lid is tight, we don’t need you soaking your book in sanitizer. We won’t issue you a new one.”

Eagle paced as everyone put the bottles away, and stopped at a random bed to pick up a flashlight. “Finally, these flashlights. I try to avoid it but nonetheless we may sometimes find ourselves marching in the dark. In which case, you will use flashlights. We want to make sure everypony else on base knows you’re there. But when you’re not out in the dark, these will go in your locker. See that little top shelf? You will put it up there, sideways so you can see the length of the flashlight. Beam end toward the left.” She waited as flashlights were put away, then galloped for someone across the room, yelling, “I said beam end toward the left! Is that the end the beam comes out of?! What’s your name?!”

The trainee, who was an earth pony, said, “L-lemon Breeze, ma’am.”

“Lemon Breeze, well I love lemons, it’s too bad your attitude’s as sour as they are! Get that flashlight oriented correctly!”

“Yes ma’am!” Lemon quickly turned it around.

“There, see, was it so hard to follow directions?” Eagle went back to the center aisle. “Okay, everything should be put away now. Put those mesh bags away next to your raincoats.” She waited a few moments. “Great, now follow me to the dayroom!”

She jogged from the room, the others following. Tempest thought to herself that this wasn’t so bad so far. She didn’t know why the others were so anxious. Were they just not used to being talked to in such a stern way? Then again, she thought with a small sigh, probably not. Many of them looked young, probably barely into adulthood. Probably never heard a raised voice in their lives. Ponies lead such pampered lives.

The dayroom was a decent-sized room, with windows looking out and couches and chairs along the walls. Tempest got the feeling they wouldn’t be allowed to sit in them.

Her guess was confirmed when Eagle said, “None of you touch the furniture. You haven’t earned the privilege of being comfortable yet. Now, sit down. That’s right, on the floor.” Her horn lit up, and she brought over a stack of cards and several pens. She began passing them out. “You each get one postcard. You will address it to whoever is the most important pony in your life. Your parents, your auntie, I don’t care. But you will be sending this to them so they’ll know where to send letters. Once you’ve written their address, look at me so I’ll know you’re ready to hear our address.”

For a few moments there was only the sound of pens scratching on paper. Tempest addressed her postcard to Discord. Then she saw Zinnia staring blankly at hers, before hesitantly lifting a hoof.

“What?” Eagle snapped at her.

Zinnia winced, but said, “Ma’am-”

“Stand up when you’re talking to me! At attention!”

Zinnia stood.

“You call that at attention? No! Okay everypony, we have an example of what not to do right here! See how her front hooves are splayed apart? Wrong! Your front hooves will be pressed together, centered under your body. Back hooves a foot apart.” Eagle waited while Zinnia adjusted. “There you go. Now, head up, chest out. Ears perked. Look at that. See, trainees? Look how professional she looks, how regal her bearing is. Now, when addressing me or any of the instructors, you will be at attention. And you will lead with a reporting statement. Which will be sir or ma’am, followed by ‘Trainee Your Name reports as ordered.’ Once I acknowledge you, you will begin your next sentence with sir or ma’am as appropriate, and then say your piece. Let’s try it, Trainee…?”

Zinnia took a breath, and said, “Ma’am, Trainee Zinnia reports as ordered.”

“Very good. What is it?”

“Ma’am, who should I send my postcard to if I don’t have any family left?”

There were sympathetic gasps from the others, and Eagle blinked. Then she said, “No one? No grandparents?”

“Ma’am, my parents both died when I was a foal and all my grandparents have passed away too. I don’t have any extended family that I know of.”

Eagle’s hard expression softened for a moment. “Well ma’am, you have a new family now. All your fellow trainees, and soon, the rest of the Royal Guard. But for now, perhaps one of your buddies will give you their address and their families can write to you.”

Tempest stood up, making sure she was at attention. “Ma’am, Trainee Tempest Shadow reports as ordered.”

“Yes?”

“Zinnia can send her postcard to my partner. I’m sure he’ll be happy to chat with her and send her encouraging letters.”

Eagle nodded. “Sounds good. Trainee Tempest, give Trainee Zinnia your address. You can both sit down.”

Tempest sat down with Zinnia, and slid her postcard over so Zinnia could copy it.

“You’ve been so kind to me, thank you,” Zinnia said.

“No problem. I know how much a little kindness can mean to someone. I want to see you get through this and come out stronger. And don’t worry, Discord is a great guy and I’m sure his letters will be very entertaining.”

Zinnia finished writing. Then she looked toward the front, where Eagle was waiting.

“Everypony done? Okay, pay attention, because this is your address for the next ten weeks.” She took out a marker and started writing on the board, narrating as she went. “The first line will say Trainee, then your full name. Second line. Royal Guard Academy, Bldg. 3, Dorm 4A2. We’re by the alpha stairwell, on the fourth floor. In dorm 2. 4A1 is your brother flight consisting of stallions, right next door. Next line, Celestial Guard Base, Canterlot. And that’s it. If your loved ones use that address, the mail will get to us. And I’ll pass mail out every evening. You were all also given small notepads. Write that down in those too so I won't have to remind you.”

Everyone carefully wrote down the address on both the postcards and in their notepads. Tempest got hers written fairly quickly, and added to the card, Missing you already. She drew a heart. She glanced up, then quickly wrote, There’s a young unicorn here who has no family left. She’ll be sending you her address too. Please write to her, it would mean so much to her.

“Postcards done?” Eagle asked. “Pass them forward. Feel free to keep the pens. Put them in your bag with the study guide.”

All the cards were passed to the front and Eagle collected them.

“There, that went fairly painlessly, didn’t it? So, this is the dayroom. It’s where I’ll have you all gather if I have an announcement or just want to talk. You can also use it to do push-ups and so on if you want. I’d recommend exercising even outside of our normal PT time. You’ll need all the exercise you can get. When we’re in here, I like to have what I call Guard Time. It’s when I metaphorically take off my rank, and we can be a little more relaxed and talk about whatever is on your minds. You can ask questions about training, and ask for advice. Sometimes other instructors will be in here and they can chat with you too. I might have stories, or news. It all just depends. Work hard, behave, and Guard Time can be quite relaxing. Screw around all day, and I’ll instead be putting you on your faces in here. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, ma’am!” everyone called.

“Good. Now then, lights out is at 2200 every night, no exceptions. If you don’t have a watch, I’d recommend getting one tomorrow when we go to the store. We will have a very busy next few days getting you all settled in here, and then the real fun will start. Now, get back to your lockers. Now!”

They all practically galloped out, and lined up in front of their lockers.

Eagle walked through the room. “Now this is called the bay. If I say to go back to the bay, this is what I mean. Take a good, long look at your area. The wall locker, the bed, the chair. Get familiar with it. This is your home for the next ten weeks. You will keep it clean, you will keep it organized. Your beds will be made every morning, and will not be touched until you go to bed at night. I don’t care if it’s 2100 and all your details are done, you will not sleep until lights out. I’ll show you how beds are expected to be made tomorrow morning. Now, take your web belts off, and link them around the left bedpost closest to the lockers.”

The room was filled with clicking as the belts were hung from the bedposts.

“When sleeping, your web belt will be left there. When you get up, you immediately put it on. And you better not walk out of this dorm without it.” Eagle paced, making sure all the belts were hung. Then she checked her watch. “Ten minutes until lights out. The dorm guards are responsible for turning off the lights. We’ll begin dorm guard duty in a few days, but I suppose I can explain it now. At all times, there will be two ponies assigned to guard duty. You will work two hour shifts. The only time there won’t be guards is if the entire flight is out at a mandatory appointment or at PT. Otherwise, there’ll be guards. You will stand watch at the door. If somepony knocks, you decide if they get to come in or not. Be vigilant! Various instructors and even higher ranking members of command will test you. They’ll bang on the door, threaten you, demand to be let in. You will not let them unless they identify themselves with a military ID card. And then you will check their name against the authorized entry list that will be posted by the door. If they’re on it, they can come in. If not? You do not open that door.”

“Yes, ma’am,” they replied.

“You will also do inspections while on duty. You’ll walk through the bay, making sure everypony’s security drawer is locked. If you find one that isn’t, lock it for them, but also make a note to give to me. You’ll check the latrines every ten minutes. Might seem excessive, but I’m going to get very real here for a moment.” Eagle’s gaze hardened. “The stress of training will occasionally push a pony into becoming suicidal. You need to make sure nopony’s hiding out in a stall killing themselves.”

A tense silence filled the room.

Eagle let that sink in, then said, “So patrols are very important. The next few nights, your dorm guards will be ponies from a flight down the hall that’s graduating next week. They know all the ropes, they’ll keep you safe. And they’ll teach you more about what to do once it’s time for you all to take over.” Eagle checked her watch again. “Taps will play soon, then lights out. You’ll be woken up in the morning by reveille. And I’ll tell you what to do then. For now, goodnight. Sleep well, you’ll need it.” She waited, then said, “Don’t I get a goodnight?”

She got a chorus of, “Goodnight, ma’am!”

“And to you as well!” she said gleefully. “See you in the morning!” She walked out, and they heard the door close. Everyone stood awkwardly, until they heard the soft bugle notes of taps playing throughout the base. Once it ended, they climbed into bed.

Tempest looked toward the hallway, where a mare in a full royal guard uniform walked in and turned the lights off. She looked around, then went back out. She could hear her talking quietly to someone. Most likely her partner.

Tempest sank further under the covers, shifting around to get comfortable. They were fairly plain, not near as warm as the ones she had at home, but they were decent. She slept on worse when she served the Storm King. She yawned, already drifting off. But she listened to the others, hearing soft crying from a few, as well as whispered conversations. She looked over at Zinnia, and said, “Hey.”

Zinnia looked at her. “Hm?”

“First day done,” Tempest said. “Good job.”

“Oh, thank you. Let’s hope I get through the rest of them.”

“You will. It’ll be over before you know it.”

One of the senior trainees poked her head in. “Hey, no talking. Go to sleep.”

The conversations stopped. Tempest closed her eyes. Eagle was right, she would need her rest for tomorrow. Tuning out the noises from the others, she drifted off to sleep.