Royal Guard Academy

Tempest actually slept quite peacefully. She didn’t wake up once throughout the night. The only thing that roused her was loud bugle notes playing through the dorm.

She scrambled up, and saw the others getting up too. A few got caught in their blankets and had to untangle themselves. Tempest grabbed her web belt and snapped it on, and checked her neck to make sure her keys were still there.

The lights came on, and Eagle Eye swept in. “Get up get up get up! Big day ahead of us, let’s move it, get out of bed! The quicker we get up, the quicker we can go to breakfast! Now, let me show you all how we make beds around here!” She went to a random bed and threw the pillow aside, before ripping all the covers off except for the fitted sheet. She smoothed out the sheet, making sure it was still tucked around the mattress properly. Then she picked up the second sheet. “So you lay this one out like this. Shorter edge toward the pillow. And you’ll line it up about three inches from the edge of the mattress.” She slid it into place. “I’d recommend doing this with a buddy. Also, buy a clipboard, that’ll make tucking it in much easier.” Once she got equal amounts of sheet hanging over either side, she went to the end of the bed and lifted the mattress, folding all the excess sheet at the end and sliding it underneath. She set the mattress down. “You will make hospital corners! 45 degree angles always!” She tucked the sheet in on one side, folding it a particular way so that there was a 45 degree crease at the corner. She did the same on the other side, then retrieved the thicker blanket and the pillow. “You then put the pillow down like this, and cover it with the blanket.” She laid the blanket down so it covered the entire bed, and tucked it in the same way as the sheet. “There. Congrats, Trainee, you get to help somepony else,” she said to the mare who had slept in that bed. “Now, make your beds! Hurry up, I’m hungry!”

Tempest got to it, using her magic to speed things along. She had to take a few moments to figure out the hospital corners, then she got it and tucked the covers in properly. She checked the creases, and nodded in satisfaction, before going over to Zinnia.

“Here, you take that side and I’ll take this one,” Tempest said. Zinnia nodded, and they stretched the sheet across the bed and tucked it in. Tempest coached her through the hospital corners, and stepped back to let her finish up.

“I see a lot of trainees helping each other,” Eagle said. “That’s good, you’re already figuring it out. You can always rely on each other. You’re all family now, help each other! Things go a lot more smoothly when we all work together!”

Tempest smiled at Zinnia. “See, she may be loud, but she really just wants us to improve ourselves. You don’t have to be afraid of her.”

“Right. Of course.” Zinnia stepped back from her bed once she was done. Eagle walked around to look at everyone’s work. When she found an unsatisfactory bed, she told its owner to make it again. By only the third poorly made bed, she got frustrated.

“This is literally the easiest thing you’ll have to do!” She yanked all the covers off and onto the floor. “Do it again!” She kept checking beds. “I’ll be forgiving for a few days. But if we’re a week in and I find a terribly made bed, don’t be surprised if you come back and your mattress is flipped.” She passed Tempest with a noncommittal, “Good.” Zinnia got, “Very good.”

Once all the beds were checked and the offending ones fixed to Eagle’s liking, she told them to line up in the hall and get ready to go out. They listened, and Eagle walked down the line, checking everyone’s waists for their belts.

“Good, you all got your belts. Now, fill your canteens. There’s a few faucets in the wall, just push the canteen under it and it’ll dispense water. There’s also a more traditional fountain at the end of the hall.”

Eagle waited while they filled their canteens.

“Staying hydrated will be vital,” she said. “It will get hot, especially once you’re issued your uniforms. We’ll be marching and exercising out under the hot Sun. I don’t need any of you passing out from heat exhaustion. I expect you to be sipping water throughout the day. If you have to go to the latrine constantly, you’re doing it right. Three-quarters to a full canteen an hour should be good. Everypony good to go? Right then. Follow me.”

She led them out. She walked fast, though took it a little more slowly going down the stairs. As they were heading down, their brother flight came out too, and there was a bit of confusion as the two groups mingled together.

Brother flight’s instructor, Major Charge, shouted, “Zipper! It’s not brain surgery!”

They hastily started taking turns entering the stairwell, but there was still a lot of bumping and awkward apologies.

Tempest paused once she got to the door, let a stallion by, then went. Once they were outside, they split into two groups. Tempest joined her flight, as they gathered up in front of the building.

“What is this?” Eagle sneered as she walked in front of them. “What are you, a gaggle of first graders? Get formed up! Four columns, five rows!”

They scrambled to do as told, the stallions doing the same under their instructor’s watchful eye.

“I’ll be teaching you how to march, but let’s start with some simple terminology.” She gestured to one of the columns. “This is an element. There are four elements in a formation. The formation can really get as long as needed, but it should always be four across. The ponies at the front are the element leaders. I’ll be assigning permanent ones, but until then, it’s whoever happens to be in the front. The elements are ordered from right to left. That’ll be your right, not mine. And the names are very complicated, are you ready?” She began pointing at each element. “First, second, third, fourth. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Great! And you know who the most important pony is in the formation?” Eagle walked over to the pony at the front right of the formation, clapping her shoulder. “This mare right here!”

The mare, a somewhat small pegasus, stood at attention. “Ma’am?”

“Whoever I decide is the best at marching will get the coveted first element leader position. Because this spot? This is the pony the entire rest of the formation positions themselves against to march.” The mare swallowed, and Eagle said, “What’s your name?”

“Ma’am, Trainee Blue Horizon reports as ordered.”

“Blue Horizon! Can you handle the responsibility of being the temporary element leader?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Hah! I’m sure you’d try, but unfortunately you probably won’t get to do it. Because I gotta get you all sized up.” Eagle moved to stand in front of them. “Flight! Tench hut!”

They all jerked to attention.

“Cover!” she ordered. Then she explained, “That means you adjust your position until your head is directly behind the head of the pony in front of you, and you’re also in line with the pony to your right.”

They moved to line up.

“There, you almost look like an organized flight. Now this part is a little tricky but if you do it right it’s super efficient. I’m going to say tall or tap. When I do, you will check if the pony in front of you is shorter. If she is, lightly tap her back. You will then take a short step forward and to the right, then forward and to the left to take her spot. Meanwhile, if you’ve been tapped, you step backward to the left, then backward to the right to move into the spot left behind. Get it? You’re just switching places without running into each other. Now. If you’re taller than the pony in front of you, tall or tap.”

Tempest quickly realized she was probably the tallest out of all of them. Alright then. She tapped the pony in front of her and moved forward as told. Luckily, the other had listened and didn’t run into her. Tempest tapped the next pony. This switch was a little more clumsy, and the other stepped on her hoof. She grunted but didn’t say anything, just moving into place. She was in the second element, and ended up making her way all the way to the front. Blue had moved back, as expected.

Eagle inspected the formation, then said, “Now, right… face!”

They all turned right.

“I’ll teach you how to do that properly later. Tall or tap.”

Tempest waited, but sure enough, no one touched her. She heard some shifting behind her though.

“Left face!”

They turned left to face the original direction.

“Tall or tap.”

A few more switches, but they were basically sorted.

“There we go. Look at that, so fancy!” Eagle turned and pointed at a nearby building. “See that building over there? That’s the chow hall. We’re going to march over there and join those other flights who are forming up for breakfast. Now, when I say forward harch, you’re going to step off with your front right hoof. Attempt to stay in step with each other. I’m sure you can manage that.” She moved to stand toward the right of the formation.

Tempest knew this was going to be a disaster.

“Forward… harch!”

They all took a simultaneous step. Things were good for about two seconds. Then Tempest was being stumbled into, she tried to walk faster, and she saw the mare to her right panic and try to match her pace.

“Flight, halt!”

They stopped.

Eagle stomped over in front of them. “Okay, geniuses. Watch me. This is how you march.” She turned so they could see her from the side, gave herself the command, and moved. Her steps were steady, hooves moving with calm intent, each hoof moving forward by about two feet. She kept her head up high, eyes straight ahead as she walked. Then she gave a graceful spin and walked in the opposite direction, now to a cadence. “Left, left, left right left. Referring to your front hooves. See? Now let’s try this again. Element leaders, watch the pony to your right out of the corners of your eyes. First element leader, march as if none of the others exist. Listen only to me. They base their positions on you.”

She ordered them to march again. Tempest watched the mare to her right, and walked in step with her. Glancing to the left, she saw the other two element leaders were in line with her. She looked forward.

“There you go! You still look like a hot mess but at least you’re not running into each other. We’ll work on your marching. I’ll get you so good at it the other flights will be jealous. Get in step, left, left, left right left! In step, that means you hot pink!”

Well, she was probably yelling at Zinnia. Tempest didn’t focus on it.

They walked up to the chow hall and were told to stop, lined up with other flights. They all had armor on, and Tempest realized the new trainees would really stick out.

Only four flights, composed of the newcomers, wore nothing.

“Heh, got a naked flight?” one of the instructors asked Eagle.

“Yeah, but they’re scheduled to pick up their uniforms after lunch.”

“Good.”

Eagle addressed the trainees. “Parade rest.” They shifted to a more relaxed stance. “We have a very particular protocol for entering the chow hall, which means it takes a while to actually get in there. So who wants the opportunity to go in first?”

Tempest knew better than to show interest, but apparently some of the others lifted their hooves or at least visibly perked, because Eagle swept toward them.

“I see we have some brave volunteers! Congratulations Trainee Zinnia, you’re our first chow runner! And let me see… what’s your name?”

Tempest heard a mare a couple rows back say, “Ma’am, Trainee Ocean Flow reports as ordered.”

“Ocean Flow, eh? You born on the beach?”

“No ma’am, but my parents both love sailing and I grew up in a small seaside town, I think I may have been named after this sea pony they met, this was before they came out of hiding, but-”

“Okay I get it. And you decided to join the royal guard?”

“Yes ma’am, I actually don’t like boats much.”

“Haha! I like the honesty! You’re going to be chow runner number two! Okay, Ocean and Zinnia, step over here so I can tell you what you’re doing.”

Tempest glanced over to watch, as did most of the others. Ocean Flow was a blue earth pony with a wavy teal mane and matching eyes. Her cutie mark was a rolling wave. If she didn’t like boats, what was the cutie mark for? She may need to ask.

Eagle talked to the two quietly though, and they began to look nervous. Then she said to the flight, “Wait here.” She glanced over at Major Charge as he approached her with two stallions from his flight.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready,” she replied. “Come on, you four.” They led them inside.

The flight waited, wondering what was happening. Tempest took out her canteen and took a swig. The water didn’t taste that great, and it was warm, but she supposed she could get used to it. She seemed to make the others relax, because she saw other trainees taking out their own canteens for a drink. She put hers away and decided to get out her study guide, curiously skimming through it. It covered a variety of topics. History, customs and courtesies, spear fighting techniques, first aid, rank structure. It discussed leadership tactics. It even had a section on writing out official paperwork of varying types. She flipped back to the first aid section, and found it full of useful information for treating wounds and illnesses.

Also featuring graphic pictures.

Tempest smiled a little. She was familiar with most of this, but it would be good to refine her techniques.

Other flights entered and left during their wait, moving very efficiently. About five minutes passed, then their instructors were coming back out, without the four trainees. Eagle came to talk to her flight while Charge addressed his.

“In a few moments, Zinnia and Ocean will step outside,” she said. “One of them will announce, ‘Flight 25, prepare to enter the chow hall.’ At that point, the first element will go to attention. One of the chow runners will open the door, and the other will say, ‘First element, you may now enter the chow hall.’ The first element will walk in. Easy. Once they’re in, wait a couple seconds, then the second element will be called. You will go to attention and march in. And so on. The last pony in each element will remain to hold the door for the next element. I’d say you can’t mess this up but I’ve been surprised before.” Eagle turned to look toward the door.

Sure enough, Zinnia and Ocean soon stepped out. Tempest frowned. Was Zinnia crying? She stayed near the door, and Ocean called out, “Flight 25, prepare to enter the chow hall!” The first element went to attention like they were told. “First element, you may now enter the chow hall!”

Zinnia opened the door, and the first element filed in. The last mare in the line hesitated for a moment, then moved and took the door. Zinnia and Ocean went inside, taking her by surprise. She looked with confusion back toward the flight.

Eagle shouted, “Well?!”

“Uh.” The mare took a breath, then called, “Second element, you may now enter the chow hall!”

Eagle made a satisfied noise. Tempest marched forward. She gave the mare a reassuring smile as she passed her. Mind games. It was all mind games. Trying to get everyone off their guard. But it wouldn’t be too hard to get through this.

Tempest found that there was a line inside the door, going to a table where a nice-looking mare was sitting. She wasn’t wearing armor, instead clothed in a simple shirt and wearing a mane net. Judging by the stains on her shirt, she was a kitchen worker.

“Hi, good morning,” she said to them. “Please come up here and print and sign your name, then get in line. And no talking in line or at the tables please, you don’t want to get yelled at.” In response to a questioning look she got, she amended, “I mean, you can of course talk to pick out what food you want. But otherwise, be quiet. They just love to rip into naked flights.”

They filed through quietly. Tempest wrote her name on the paper, figuring it was a way to track who went to each of the meals. Then she went into the serving line, grabbing a tray and silverware. She saw that everyone was facing toward the servers and side-stepping, which was odd, but alright.

She looked at the choices, and saw some sort of veggie omelet. “I’ll take an omelet, please,” she said.

It was scooped onto a plate and passed to the next worker.

Tempest looked further down the line. She wasn’t interested in a lot of the hot foods. There were pancakes, but she wasn’t in the mood for those. Though… “Oh, is that vegetarian bacon? I’ll take some of that.”

They threw about three strips on.

“Okay that’ll be good, thank you,” Tempest said, accepting the plate and putting it on the tray. Stepping further, she found there were a few choices of fruit. She put some grapes and pineapple chunks in a bowl and moved along, not wanting to linger too long. She could hear instructors hounding the line, yelling at them to move along, wanting to get their own trainees through. Tempest ignored them, inspecting a metal box with two drawers in it. Pulling open the top, she found biscuits. She closed it and checked the bottom. Cornbread. Hm, maybe tomorrow.

She kept going. There was an empty bar that she assumed would be stocked with something later. Salad maybe? Then there was actually cereal and milk dispensers. That almost made her laugh. A few trainees were getting cereal, so she paused.

Eagle was behind her in a second. “Go around! If you aren’t getting cereal, go around!”

Tempest lifted her tray and hurried around them.

“At least two glasses of water! You can get additional drinks but I better see you with at least two glasses of water! Stay hydrated!”

That was reasonable. She poured two glasses of water. She considered the other options. Apple juice and orange juice. But she didn’t think she was thirsty enough for that. She picked up her tray.

“Go that way, follow the others,” Eagle ordered.

Tempest followed the trainee in front of her. They went down a row of tables, and stopped at the table right after the most recently filled one.

Another instructor called, “Put your trays down. Web belts off and draped around the chair. Then you stand there until all the seats are taken, then you can sit. And when the first pony gets up, you all better be getting up soon. Move it!”

Tempest put her tray down and slung her belt around a chair. She waited until there was a pony at each of the chairs, and they sat. She wasted no time, digging into her omelet. It was decent, but she’s had better. Scooping the last of it into her mouth, she grabbed the bacon and bit into it. It wasn’t as crunchy as she liked, but whatever.

Once she got through it, she downed one of her glasses of water. Then she attacked the fruit. Finishing it in moments, she drained the next glass of water. She put her glass down, and looked at the others. They were still eating, and cast her nervous looks. Her back was to the instructors that were roving around, so she muttered under her breath, “I’m not getting up yet. I got you.”

They thankfully went back to eating, and she wasted time cleaning up crumbs. But the first table of Flight 25 trainees were already being coerced into getting up. Tempest elected to wait until the table right ahead of hers was leaving.

The others finished their meals and drank their water. One had gotten apple juice and was drinking that.

But it was probably only a minute before the table next to them was getting up, and Tempest knew she couldn’t give her own any more time. She stood, pulling her web belt back on, and picked up her tray. She followed the others, and they went around to a window where other trainees were waiting to take everything. Excess food was dumped into a garbage can, and the dishes were passed over. Looking through the window, Tempest saw the others working to clean everything off and stack it, ready to be used again.

Tempest followed her fellow trainees as they lined up near the exit.

“Anypony need to use the latrine?” Eagle asked, gesturing to a couple doors. “If you need to, go quickly. Otherwise, go outside, you’re just taking up space.”

Tempest was fine, so she headed out, following the others as they went to form up near their building. They waited around, a few of the braver mares chatting quietly.

Seeing Zinnia, Tempest said, “Hey, you alright?”

“Hm? Oh, yeah.”

“What’d you have to do in there?”

“Oh, well…” Zinnia let out a stressed laugh. “Turns out being a chow runner is actually one of the worst jobs in boot camp. You have to go up to the table where the TIs sit, that’s training instructors, and you basically tell them your flight is outside ready to come in. They’ll then tell you when to bring them in.”

“Sounds simple.”

“You’d think. But. You’re standing there in front of all these captains and majors, and they’re just staring you down, ready to mess you up if you make the smallest mistake. I stuttered. They yelled at me for it and made me keep trying until I said everything perfectly.”

“Wow. What’d Ocean do?”

“She stood there. Apparently we’ll be taking turns. We just gotta get used to going everywhere in pairs I guess. Accountability, you shouldn’t go off alone. But yeah. Heh, I kinda teared up. They attacked me for that too.”

“Man. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’ll toughen me up. And hey, guess what? There’s actually a small carousel display case thing near their table with muffins and stuff in it! The closest we’ll get to dessert here! And anypony can take from it, but they need to be prepared to get harassed by TIs if they do.”

“Hm, noted.”

Zinnia glanced toward the chow hall, checking that Eagle hadn’t come out. Then she said, “I learned another secret from the other chow runners. You know how they rush you through eating? Well, they can’t actually make you stop eating. They have to let you finish. They can scream all they want but they can’t physically pull you from the chair.”

Tempest smiled. “Very interesting.”

“Mhm. So yeah, fun fact. Now uh, I’m gonna stop talking.” Zinnia nodded her head toward some later week flights nearby, whose TIs were looking their way.

Tempest nodded in agreement and looked forward. Well, breakfast was done. She wondered how the rest of the day would go.