Long ago there lived five tribes. Unicorn, Pegasus, Earth Pony, Thestrals, and Changelings but only three tribes lived in the light for long and the others were all but forgotten...
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"C'mon Tic! We have to train if we want to join the guard one day!" Tac yelled over at Tic.
"Fine!" Tic yelled back at his younger brother, before galloping over to Tac and slamming his hooves against Tac's chest.
"Youch!" Tac screamed as he was flung over to the other side of the makeshift training arena Tic and him set up.
Tic trotted over to Tac with a fake evil laugh "Ha ha ha ha ha" before looking down at the younger Pegasus. "Tac please I don't really want to join the guard especially cuz of what I am."
"C'mon Bro! I will personally deflect any suspicion about you!" Tac beamed.
"Fine..." Tic mumbled before getting an enthusiastic look.
"Tic..."
"Tic please no..."
"SOLDIER 100 PUSH UPS!" Tic declared in the most intimidating voice he could muster. "WE DON'T WANT ANY WEAK SOLDIERS THIS YEAR!"
Tic immediately began doing push ups and within a matter of 2 minutes finished all 100 push ups, before noticing Tac on his 28th Wing up.
"MAGGOT DID I SAY WING UPS? I SAID PUSH UPS!" Tic stared down at his brother.
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"So you two want to join the Royal Guard?" Shining Armour looked at them closely.
"Yes sir!" The two of them yelled out at the same time.
"I'm glad I'm not captain..." Shining Armour muttered under his breath. "Anyway you two can join the guard's basic training in one week since that's when it starts."
Tic stared in disbelief, "So we just get in?"
Shining armour laughed for about five minutes straight a couple of tears rolling out of his eyes. "Hah... No. You should be warned training is hell."
Tic and Tac stared at each other for a couple of seconds before Tac finally said, "Alright."
Shining armour sat there in silence That plan usually gets over eager kids from joining the guard but these two... "Alright go here." He said pulling out a map of Canterlot and pointing to a spot on the map. "In five days." He pulled himself up and sighed, "If I were you I would wimp out on this now before you get hurt."
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"Huh these skips are getting too repetitive." Tac said staring into the sky.
"What do you mean Tac?"
"Oh nothing. We should go see Shining Armour!" Tac exclaimed happily.
"Oh alright let's go I've been waiting to see what he has for us."
After a couple of minutes getting ready the two 'brothers' grabbed their map and started to trot over to the marked area.
“Hey Tac I want to show you a spell I've been working on when we train alright?” Tic said looking over at his fuzzy blue brother.
“Alright sounds cool!” Tac chirped happily.
After awhile the two ponies finally made it to the training grounds Shining Armour had mentioned, before abruptly stopping.
"I see the two maggots Shining told me about are finally here." A old, grouchy male voice ran through their heads.
"This'll be fun they said." Tic muttered, "This'll be great they said."
"Hey!" Tac yelled, "I said that!"
"I know..."
The two brothers were quickly introduced to their commander who was unsurprisingly, named 'Boot', although the two thought this was just a dumb nickname kinda like their own, they just went with it.
They started training with some simple galloping around and avoiding obstacles at first. It was mediocre at best, but by the 11th lap Tac fell. And around the 27th lap Tic admitted defeat and slammed his body onto the ground.
Tac got a harsh punishment. The commander yelling at him was bad but the pegasus also had to do 50 push ups which lasted 43 push ups before he tried again and by the 6th time he was toast.
Tic on the other hoof was an lucky ling, at first and only had to do 25 push ups and the commander even congratulated him on getting 8 more laps than useal trainees get; before making him do 125 extra push ups as punishment for celebrating.
The rest of the trainees showed up. Two Unicorn stallions, Three Earth Ponies, and One Pegasus. Everyone started getting ready when Boot pushed one of the Earth Ponies into mud and they got told to do some running.
The first stallion a short brown coated Unicorn with a blue mane and Wait... A PAIR OF HEADPHONES, H E A D P H O N E S AT A TRAINING GROUNDS!?
After a moment of confusion Tic eventually looked over at the other trainees. Another unicorn white with purple mane but he was pretty ordinary, the one pegasus a light blue one with a weird blue almost gray mane, the three Earth ponies, one white, one green, and the last a red coated one.
Boot made everypony line up on opposite sides of the training grounds and he called this 'The Arena' if it was a real arena it would be a bad one. "Maggots you will fight to test your strengths!" Boot exclaimed, "This. Is. A. Team. Effort!" Boot exaggerated every word, "And you sorry buckers will battle each other while also trying to help your teammates!"
Tic looked over at his brother in the opposite line, Good I'll be fighting him... Tic thought to himself.
Boot started explaining the rules of the arena which were very specific but Tic just narrowed it down to a couple main rules.
Only 4 ponies in the arena at all times, two ponies from each team.
Since the amount of trainees were short this year each team got a handicap for some reason, only about ten pound weights on their legs, fifteen for Earth Ponies, a slight magic suppressor, and the pegasus got of easy and didn't have anything extra.
2.5. Although this wasn't explicitly said the magic suppressor made it harder for Tic to stay in his pony form reminding him to create a pony shell for training instead of the regular disguise method.
Do not severely injure any pony, you are allowed to knock them out though, and give them a thoroughly bruised and blooded body.
Any siblings or ponies that had significantly affected another's life were put on the opposite team.
One Life.
Tic was teamed up with Red, Green, and.. Headphones… he was glad when Boot called him and Red up to the arena first as they looked at their opponents, the blue pegasus, and the white earth pony.
Tic ran straight up to the pegasus and slammed his hooves into the pegasus’ chest. Tic quickly cast a focused magic bullet at the pegasus before turning over to the earth pony stallion fighting his teammate and sending a blast of raw magic at his face. While Tic was distracted the pegasus quickly made a beeline to him and slammined his hooves into Tic's side.
“Argh..” Tic grunted looking over at the pegasus, “You know it would be convenient if I knew your name..” He muttered a slight glow on his horn.
“Fine… name's Sky Thunder.. .” He blurted back.
“Well hope you last long enough for me to enjoy this battle.” Tic quipped back before launching a trap he set up for Sky. A spark lit on Sky's hair which started to spread quickly.
“MY BEAUTIFUL HAIR!” Sky exclaimed as he tried to get the flames away. Realizing the fire was indeed fake he quickly looked around seeing no sign of Tic.
Tic grinned manically as he dropped on top of Sky yelling. “THE SKY SMITES THIS FAKE!”
Tic jumped off of Sky and looked over to see his teammate the red stallion which Tic never learned the name of knocked out on the floor and an earth pony stallion charging at Tic.
A bolt of raw magic hit the stallions face as he passes out. “Huh..” Tic looked over and saw… Headphones looking at him.
“Names Crate nice to meet you. Now if you please start fighting, we have to worry about that new white unicorn entering.” Crate spouted out before running over to the new unicorn and kicking him in the face.
Tic immediately liked Crate at least five times more than he had before. But before Tic had time to do something a hoof was rammed into his horn.
“Ah! Mother Bucker!” He yelled as he was thrown backwards, looking up he saw his pegasus brother looking at him intently. “Fuzzy blue bastard…” He mumbled to himself.
“Hey! At least I'm not your ugly shade of dark blue!” Tac - the 'Fuzzy blue bastard’ -yelled.
“Oh. It. Is. ON!” Tic screamed sending a green magic bolt at his brother. “How do you feel now Fuzzball!” Tic jumped over to his brother and delivered a much deserved kick to the face.
Tac took this as an opportunity to jump on top of his brother as kick him in the back but Tic quickly teleported himself away leaving a stunned pegasus.
“Bet… that… surprised you… right?” Tic yelled panting like a mad horse.
“Wow… is this the thing you've been wanting to show me?” Tac questioned.
“...Yes… but…” Tic immediately launched a bullet of raw magic at Tac sending him sprawling backwards. “I… have a… few… tricks… up my… metaphorical… sleeve…”
Tac barely regained his footing when Tic made a mad dash for him, Tac jumped out of the way before telling Tic, “Cheesecake!”
Tic immediately sat down and started to pant, “Already…” he mumbled. After Tac nodded once or twice, Tic wasn't counting he eventually said, “I… surrender…”
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Much to Tic's surprise his team only barely lost, due to Crate being a lot better than expected.
“Wow Crate you did pretty good out there.” Tic said trotting over to Crate's bruised side.
“Heh… yeah I was pretty great!” He smiled happily, “but, why did you just surrender?” His face suddenly darkened a notch or two, “Your brother said 'Cheesecake’ and then you just surrendered!”
Tic stood still for a bit before sighing, “Look… it's an… uncomfortable topic…”
Crate nodded before saying, “Well you're gonna have to tell me eventually.”
Tic looked to his side and said nothing.
Crate just sighed, “Fine but I expect you to tell me in around three ish years, cuz I'm staying in the guard for as long as they'll let me and I think the same goes for you.”
Tic looked at the ground uncomfortably before blurting out, “Look… It's a codeword…” Tic noticed the confused look on Crate's face before saying, “‘Cheesecake’ Is the codeword for when I'm running low on magic reserves… I can't tell whenever I'm running low but Tac… he can… it's mainly because he has lived with me for so long he practically knows at all times how much magic I have.” Tic chuckled at his own joke, “Anyway, the doctors tell me I have to stick with him because of this.”
Crate looked at Tic questionably for a couple seconds before saying, “So the reason you're in the guard is because Tac wants to… or the other way ‘round?”
Tic sighed again and said, “Mainly first option… but I do want to join the guard don't get me wrong. And it's not just because of my brother either.” Really dodged a bullet with that fake magic issue.
Crate started trotting again before saying, “You should come over to my sister's club it'llbe fun!
Tic looked at Crate and said, “So… who is your sister?”
Crate smirked, “Why only the best DJ in Canterlot!”
Author's Note
Hello people!
This was really fun to make!
And as my favourite guy on here always says, "Comments are an author's food pellets!"
Proofreaders:
https://www.fimfiction.net/user/334314/Blackyoshi
When the Changelings split from the other four tribes they ended up following a powerful queen to the frozen lands of the north. Upon arriving they started to build a city out of the only useable materials they could find, crystals.
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Tic did a double take, “The best in Canterlot?” He asked looking at Crate with a confused and thoughtful look.
Crate chuckled, “Why of course!” He stopped in his tracks and trotted over to the disguised changeling, “And you know their name?”
The changeling sighed before saying, “DJ-P0n3?” Tic noticed Crate's smile before adding, “Didn't she move away from Canterlot?”
Crate put on a fake frown, “Isn't she allowed to visit little ol’ me.” Crate asked with the best puppy eyes he could manage. He was really bad at doing puppy eyes. These eyes almost looked like you squeezed a puppy their eyes popping from the sockets, were then deep fryed, eaten by a manticore, puked up, then forcibly slammed back into the eye sockets.
Tic looked at Crate and said, “Crate darling you just have to work on that horrendous! Hideous! Hilarious! Puppy dog face,” with a straight face that lasted only about two seconds before the two adult stallions that mind you were trying out for the royal guard started to laugh softly which turned into a hearty laugh with eventually turned to bawling their eyes out.
“Yeah…” Tic laughed, “How old are you again?”
“23.”
“Huh neat.”
The two started cracking up again occasionally throwing horrible puns at each other and laughing their hooves off.
After what seemed like an eternity the two stallions eventually calmed down. “Heh… Tic?” Crate asked receiving a nod he continued, “I'll get you a V.I.P pass to the club soon."
Tic stared for awhile before finally saying, “What does ‘V.I.P’ stand for again?”
Crate stopped and laughed, “Tic it stands for Very Important Pony!”
“Well shouldn't we make it ‘creature’ instead of ‘pony’ because Griffins and Donkeys, and more races that aren't ponies are becoming more and more common.” Tic added with a slight edge in his voice.
“That's a good idea.” Crate noted.
Tic looked over to his side and sighed, ”Crate?” Tic asked looking back up to him. “Can I trust you with a secret?” He added with pressure building on his shoulders.
“Sure?” Crate answered although it was of a question.
“Ehh… I'll tell you later!” Tic sputtered out, “Let's just go to your bar!” He quickly replied trotting faster. Tic could hear Crate mutter something about crazy ponies but he was too flustered to care.
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The two unicorns arrived at the club named, 'Club Canterlot', and showed the bodyguard the V.I.P passes. After a short trot over to the bar area the two started ordering drinks, Crate of course got a hard cider, and for Tic? A simple cider that was barely alcoholic at all but still enough to be considered alcohol. The two friends began to look around the bar and point out all the dumb looking ponies in the crowd. A group of five particularly caught their attention. A brown earth pony stallion, a grey pegasus mare with amber eyes which Crate called 'Ditzy’, A unicorn with a red mane, an orange maned earth pony, and another earth pony who was called, ‘Bon Bon’ by Crate. The two stallions slowly turned back to their work calling out all the funny looking ponies in the club.
Tic eventually saw Crate point out a White unicorn with an electric blue mane and tail wearing violet colored shades, “That's my little sis!” He proudly proclaimed.
“Isn't she 26?” Tic asked.
“Yeah why?” Crate replied.
“I'm pretty sure you said you were 23.” Tic deadpanned.
“Pssh…” “Whatever I'm still bigger!” He weakly argued.
“Crate…” Tic mumbled swaying back and forth, “I think I'm too drunk to continue…”
“Ugh!” Crate sighed as he slammed his cider mug on the table the liquid sloshed around but stayed firmly into the mug, “You're such a lightweight!”
Well Buck… I shouldn't of done that and just up and gone to the bar. Tic groaned, I completely forgot how easily we get drunk! “Magic condition remember?” He said lamely staring daggers into his friend to stop questioning.
But of course Crate was too drunk to care, “Well I think that's just dumb why would some stupid disease make you a terrible lightweight!”
The two continued their bickering long into the night, they were completely unaware of the group of five ponies staring at them, watching intently.
“Hey… Rose?” Ditzy spoke looking over at another mare in her group, “I think that blue one is it.”
“Really?” The unicorn apparently named Rose asked back, “He just seems to be a lightweight that's all.”
The lone stallion in a group said, “Girls.” He looked at the four mares beside him. “We need to be sure before we take a changeling out.”
“Doctor.” Bon Bon replied, “With all due respect you always were low ranked in the service before it was disbanded, and I was also your superior.”
“Sweetie Drops.” The Doctor looked back at her gritting his teeth, “We don't have anytime to bicker over useless banter.” He sighed before taking off the red fez that was lying on his head, “Let's call a vote. Whoever wants to cast their opinion on this will have a 20% chance of being picked." The mares looked at each other and whispered a couple words here and there but finally they agreed.
After putting in a piece of paper each the doctor pulls out a paper reading, ‘'Slowly integrate into his life and then when he trusts us we drop the bomb about him being a changeling and interrogate. Love Derpy~ :P’
The group stared silently at Derpy as if questioning her before they reluctantly agreed that Derpy's plan would work.
Sweetie Drops looked around before announcing she had to use the little filly's room and walking off into an enclosed space. A strange circular object was held there with a moving picture inside of it, “Lyra we got another one I think they are innocent this time…”
After a couple minutes a cheery voice responded, “Oh alright Bon Bon I love to meet new friends even if they are… changelings."
"Thanks Lyra I can always use your help." Bon Bon added before tapping her hooves on the round ball and sighing.
Author's Note
I am so sorry for the late and rushed chapter I suffered fron a severe writers block and while I still can barely come up with any good ideas I can still barf up something,
Comments are an author's taquitos! (Err did I write that wrong..? Nah!)
Author's Note
I am so sorry for the half a year wait and I'm on vacation so I thought what time was a better time to write than now!
If the writing is sloppy it's because I wrote it in half of a hour and only proof read it once.
Short Interlude #1
"My Queen we have to retreat the windigoes are too strong ever for our army."
"My Queen please! We are running low on supplies the Griffons are too strong!"
"My Queen! We need to retreat as soon as possible, these lions are too strong!"
"My Queen me have to blah de blah de dah!" An angry hoof slammed down onto a book with the words 'Queen's Dairy of Queen Stuff', "How come my powerful armies are not enough to defeat these!" The Queen shoved herself off of her bed, "Windigoes one thousand years ago, Griffions seven hundred years ago, and the lions four hundred years ago!
"Why do I keep losing all my battles?" The Queen asked herself, "Mother was easily able to overrun four kingdoms and I've yet to overrun one!" She started to walk to her door, "I need an easy kingdom to defeat first, maybe one that is obsessed with friends or some idiotic ideal!"
"My Queen," A voice sounded from behind her door, "The ponies seem to be rather drawn to friendship, especially since the new laws granting Griffons equal rights have passed."
"Yes that is a brilliant idea!" The Queen yelled, "Thank you Drone Bite 278 I'll make sure to promote you from assistant to advisor right away."
"Thank you ma'am." A clip clip of hooves could be heard slowly growing fainter.
"Yes..." The Queen laughed to herself, "Warrior Pincer 128?"
"Yes ma'am?" A voice asked behind a wall in the Queen's room.
"Take care of Drone Bite 278 for me," The Queen stated.
"Yes ma'am," Pincer 128 confirmed.
