The Blazing Sun

Eating breakfast after having skipped eating in the morning for months now has caused you to have stomach pains. You were going to have to get used to eating so early again, considering Daybreaker now wanted you to come in thirty minutes before you regularly would, just so you two could go get breakfast together. Another half hour of your time, taken away from you. Luckily, you didn't have much time to think about your predicament for tomorrow, because the both of you were headed out to see the new recruits.

You two were heading down a long corridor, passing by busy guards as they continued about their routine. The veteran guards didn't bat an eye at the princess, but the newer arrivals? Some of them couldn't stop staring, whether in awe, or fear. The two of you eventually arrived at two large brass doors. Daybreaker pushed it open using her magic, revealing a large room with all sorts of military equipment scattered about, with dozens of newly recruited guards sitting inside aimlessly. Judging from their reactions when they started noticing us, they were never informed about the inspection.

"ATTENTION!" A voice called out from deep into the room. Shining Armor, the Captain of the Royal Guard and Co-leader of the Crystal Empire, stepped out into view, looking at both you and Daybreaker with confusion. He watched his recruits scramble to get into a formation and stand at attention, some of them tripping over themselves or their equipment. Daybreaker looked at them with an inquisitive eye, a tiny smile forming.

"Captain Shining Armor," Daybreaker addressed. "I’ve been informed that these recruits are almost done with their training." She glanced over to the guards, who had finally managed to form a straight line.

Shining Armor walked down the row of recruits, stopping only a few feet in front of the Princess. He saluted her professionally, and gave a small bow of his head. "Yes, Ma'am. These recruits are only a week away from finishing their training. They've been hard at work."

"May I ask what they've been trained on?" Daybreaker asked, staring at one recruit in particular. A skinny white-coated earth pony colt, shivering in his armor. You could see a small bead of sweat drip off of the side of his head as he gave the most aggressively neutral expression he could. You felt sorry for the young lad, as you knew exactly how he was feeling right now.

Shining nodded. "They've been trained on a multitude of things. From spear and sword combat, to magical defense systems and offense systems for the unicorns, and aerial maneuvers for the pegasi. We've also trained them on how to use crossbows, with and without magic, and they have been drilled on all of the invasion protocols– The standard recruit training regime."

Daybreaker nodded, slowly stepping in front of the shaking colt. You stepped beside her, giving the colt a sorry look. "And what of fitness requirements? I understand that there is a level of physical aptitude required to be considered for the guard, correct?"

Shining nodded slowly this time, seemingly considering how he wanted to word his response. "Yes ma'am, however... We have had to lower the requirement considerably to get new recruits. We’ve begun to fall below our preferred recruitment quota, and with more of our veterans retiring, we needed to boost our numbers. We have a full program set up to get them prepared to meet the previous standard, but it will take much more time."

Daybreaker licked her lips, bending down to become face to face with the colt, her nose almost touching his. He stared into her eyes with fear, and you could almost feel the tension in the air. "I can see that. If you believe that you can get these recruits into shape, then I'll leave you to it." She said, raising her head to look at Shining. "Guards are meant for more than just looking handsome for foreign dignitaries, though these ones are hardly befitting of even that. Do not fail me, Captain. I have a great deal of faith in your capabilities."

Shining Armor nodded his head. Daybreaker looked back towards you. "Come. Our inspection is over. There is no need for a demonstration; they are hardly in shape to impress us." She said whilst she walked over to the brass doors. You gave Shining a shrug before walking behind her, the two of you exiting the room with the doors shutting loudly behind you. Daybreaker turned to look at the door, a certain anger in her eyes.

You wince. "How... was it?" You asked hesitantly.

Daybreaker flared her nostrils angrily. "A waste of my time! How could we possibly be 'short on qualified recruits’?!. Our army will be mocked by the other kingdoms!. The new generation is supposed to be stronger than the last, yet this is not the case. This world has gotten soft, and it has led to softer ponies. The Elements of Harmony are evidence enough. Everypony believes them to be the only thing needed to ensure this land’s safety, but what happens when the next invader isn’t some unknowable God of Chaos, or my sister having a tantrum? I made one small comment about this to Twilight Sparkle, and she has a panic attack." She shook her head, giving you a look. "Well? What are your thoughts on the matter?"

You cringed. You hated being asked for your opinion. "Well... Shining Armor said he could get them into shape, and he's been a trustworthy pony so far. They might be a bit skinny, or chubby, but I think they could probably get to the way you want them to. I mean, you had your eye on that one colt just now."

Daybreaker squinted her eyes at you after that last comment. A step too far?

She gave you a smirk. "I’ll admit, as much as it disappoints me that the guards have resorted to recruiting the woefully inadequate, I personally wouldn't mind making that one appointed to our court sessions. A cute decoration for the room, perhaps~?" She said with a tiny giggle. "Though I am sure that the poor colt thinks I hate him."

You were going to pretend she never said that, so you did. "What's next on our list of things to do?"

"Ah, that's right. Thank you for reminding me, Anon. You're becoming a better personal assistant already! We’ll be receiving a visit from Miss Applejack today. A letter was sent to me last night about it, and she said it was urgent. She is a major reason as to why we have the apples we have now, and those apples have been a staple of the Equestrian economy. Foreign kingdoms have also taken a liking to her brew." Daybreaker looked at the sun out the window. "It won't be happening for another hour however. The guard inspection was supposed to be much longer than it was."

"What do you suggest we do in the meantime?" You asked. You hoped that you would get to have an hour-long break, but you knew that the devious demon in front of you had other ideas. She tilted her head in thought, her eyes wandering around the area. Her eyes then lit up with a nod.

"I believe another bath is in order, don't you? A bath in the morning would be magnificent. You do know how to massage a pony, yes?"

Uh oh.

You shook your head. "I... No, I uh... I don't."

"Well, in that case you'll simply have to practice on me." She said with a laugh. "This might become a regular thing, so do try to get used to it fast. Let us use the public bath-house this time, as well."

She was trying to embarrass you. Massaging the princess in public, whilst she takes a bath?! This was a new low for her, and she was enjoying every little bit of it. To her this was probably a playful nudge, but to you... Well, this was where you were sure you were going to pass out. Yet you kept your cool and nodded your head. "Yes... That sounds like a good idea." You said through your teeth.

"Then come! We want to make the most of our time before our meeting with Applejack, and I wish to know how well those hands of yours will feel on my withers!"