“Next stop! Canterlot Station!”

The city of Canterlot came into view outside my train car’s window as I opened my eyes. Oooo, I can’t wait! I anxiously thought to myself. The pony conductor’s voice had woken me up from my daydreaming and made me sit up in anticipation.

“District 012 Station is the next stop. Time of arrival will be approximately five minutes!” the pony conductor shouted from the front of the car.

I fidgeted in place as the train sped along the train tracks. My passenger car was somewhat empty, save for a few business ponies. Unfortunately, their conversation about business ethics was drowned out by the sound of screaming steel underneath the floorboards.

Come on, I thought to myself as I looked out and ahead from the train window. I gotta make it before they close.

I sat down in my seat and thought about the trip. The train ride had been uneventful since getting that letter earlier today. I didn’t consider how long the trip would be from Seaward Shoals to Canterlot, and I felt I had enough time. The recruitment agency in Canterlot was to close soon, and since it was the first of the month, it would be an hour earlier.

The train started slowing down as I looked out the window again. The capital city’s buildings began to pass by, and the ponies milling around on the streets of Canterlot kept coming and going.

I looked at the nicely constructed buildings and picked out a few details as they passed. The details of the restaurant and its ivy decorations, a jewelry shop, and a convenience store turning on its neon lights for the evening.

I quickly glanced at the train clock near the passenger car’s doors. 17:22, I thought to myself with a chuckle. Papa always reminded me that if I wanted to be in the Army, I must learn to count in military time. That means I have 38 minutes left before they close their doors.

“Arriving at Canterlot Station!” the conductor shouted. The train slowed significantly as the station house slowly emerged outside my window. The platform below saddled up nearby the bottom of the train as it rolled to a complete stop.

I quickly grabbed my bag and ensured the letter was still inside. Then, after reaffirming it was there for the third time in five seconds, I zipped it up and threw the bag over my shoulders.

Bolting for the exit door, I approached a mare that was getting up from her booth and entering the aisle. I quickly halted and ushered her in front of me. She gave me a warm smile and trotted ahead as I followed suit.

Mama always said to let the mares proceed first, I reminisced, smiling to myself. I quickly exited the train and looked at the map near the ticket booth on the platform. Surveying my surroundings, I needed to go to District 009. I quickly located it on the map and approximated which direction the office was.

“Well,” I said, “no time like the present!” I quickly galloped across the platform and down the mini-staircase at the end of it. As the train whistle blared, I promptly crossed the train tracks and onto the streets of Canterlot.

From there, it was a full sprint to my next destination.

========================================<>=========================================

“Mmmm, I don’t get paid enough for this, mmm….”

The day had been long and tiresome. And with ten minutes left, another shift would be in the books. I leaned against the wall behind the desk and exhaled softly.

Working in the same agency for nearly 20 years, I’ve had my fair share of being in the recruiting officer role. Requiring and looking at the letters sent to the potential recruits to see if they were valid, having them fill out some paperwork, and then sending them off to the castle for their training assignment kept me out of trouble.

It was especially an extensively long day, being the first day of the second month of the year. The previous month was when all the recruiting letters were sent and distributed across Equestria. The randomly selected stallions would then flock to this recruiting agency and transition into a career of protecting and serving the sovereign rulers of this land.

“Hmph,” I smirked. How could I have forgotten? I told myself. I remember that day I got that letter in the mail. Jumping out of my bed and seeing my parents turn around with the letter in their hoov-

Ring!

“Hmm?” I looked up at the door and saw it had been opened. What greeted me was an exasperated stallion with a bag over his shoulders, panting heavily.

“S-Sorry!” the stallion blurted out, his hoof shaking as he held it open. “I hope I’m not too late.”

I peered at the clock on the wall and saw the time. Six minutes until the end of my shift? I shrugged after contemplating it for a second. “Well, we’re not closed yet, so you’re right on time in my book,” I told the stallion, who breathed a sigh of relief.

He trotted forward and approached the desk. I took into detail everything about him. Firstly, the disheveled mane atop his head and the faint red color at the ends dangling aside his face. He’ll have to make sure he gets that shaved off since that’s not allowed, I reminded myself. Lots of ponies with newer manestyles are coming through here. It’s unfortunate, but it is necessary.

Next was the build of the earth pony. He appeared to be a fairly built stallion and about four feet tall. He was the most peculiar compared to all the others that came through today. His grayish fur underneath his coat was smooth, and his cutie mark was a shield with a heavy black shadow surrounding it. Beads of sweat dripped down his face as he breathed in.

“Take a couple deep breaths, son,” I told him. He nodded and took a few deep breaths in before exhaling. “Now then, what can I do for you, son?”

“I have a letter from the Canterlot High Command,” the stallion responded. “I got it in the mail this morning and bolted out the door.”

“Okay. Let me see that letter,” I motioned, to which the stallion pulled the letter out from his bag and placed it on the desk. Sure enough, the Canterlot Royal Guard seal was on the top right side of the letter. I quickly retrieved it with my magic and read through the letter, but I did a double take when re-reading the address. “Where are you from, Mr. Swift?”

“Seaward Shoals, sir,” Swift proudly stated, puffing his chest out. “My parents are retired now, and I have lived with them my entire life.”

“Hmm. Good to know,” I nodded and placed the letter back on the desk. Then, reaching underneath the desk, I fished out a clipboard and put the information background sheet onto it. Then, sliding it over to the stallion, I levitated a pen for him to use. “Fill this sheet out, and I’ll have it signed and stamped so you can proceed tonight.”

He quickly took the clipboard and pen in his hooves. “Thank you so much, sir!” The stallion promptly turned and trotted to a chair across the room. He took a seat and started to scribble on it as I studied him closely again.

He’s looking a bit anxious and nervous but also excited about this, I thought to myself as the stallion filled out the paperwork. He’s practically beaming. I shrugged and headed to the backroom to start closing down for the night.

Flicking off the lights for the outside, I then brought out the last box of copied paperwork for filing. Lifting it to the table behind the wall, I placed it down and turned around.

My eyes widened as the stallion was standing at the desk again. The clipboard was in his mouth as he looked back at me. I trotted back over and gave him a curious glance as he placed it back onto the desk.

“I finished it, s-sir,” Swift said softly, pushing the sheet towards me. “H-Here it is.”

I quickly took the clipboard and pen back from the stallion and looked it over. Everything appeared to have been filled out correctly, so there was no reason to be suspicious of the stallion.

I signed the bottom of the official document and stamped it. Then, as the stallion put a hoof on the desk, I quickly copied it with my magic and levitated the actual record over to him. He tilted his head to the side with a curious glance, causing me to chuckle.

“Filing purposes, son,” I told him straight. “In case we have to provide a document proving you were here and that the paperwork was filled out and approved by us.” The stallion nodded and accepted the document.

“Well,” I nodded before saluting. “Welcome to the Canterlot Royal Guard.” I took the copied document in my magical grasp as well as the cup of coffee I was drinking. As I began to walk into the back room, I took a sip of it an-

Pffft!

Rrring!

I quickly pivoted and noticed the stallion leaving in the direction of the castle. I then glanced back at the page, re-reading the name repeatedly.

“It can’t be,” I mumbled before my mouth opened in shock.

“Another Wildshadow….”

========================================<>=========================================

“There it is,” I said, looking ahead as I trotted along the sidewalk. “Canterlot castle.”

The massive symbol of Equestria’s pride cast a shadow over the districts of Canterlot from the evening sun. It displayed an aura of regalness in its details and symbolized a sense of majesty in the paper-white colored exterior emanating its power.

From what I read in the old history books my dad kept, the enormous castle walls were the first line of defense, not the ponies. Although we would be the ones to call out the approaching threat, any and all outside dangers who want to give the sovereign rulers trouble would be slowed by it.

And by approaching threats, I meant the stupid creatures that wouldn’t be able to have the chance to pose such a threat. The supposed power of the two goddesses that resided within the castle was probably infinite.

As I approached the massive gate, the four guards’ ponies on duty took notice and shifted slightly. I stopped in place and retrieved the information document from my bag, grabbing it with my mouth. All the while, I kept thinking to myself about the journey thus far and what this moment signified.

The next step down the right path, I thought to myself happily. Mama and Papa will be so proud of me once it’s all said and done.

After beginning to get closer to the gate, one of the guards stepped forward and spoke to me. “State your business, citizen.”

“Mmph,” I muttered before stopping to take the paper out of my mouth. “Greetings. My name is Swift, and I’m here from the recruitment office. I’m here to begin orientation for the Canterlot Royal Army.”

“Another recruit,” the guard pony said quietly with a tiresome look in his eyes. “I assume that is the document, both signed and stamped. May I see it, Mr. Swift?”

“Yes, sir,” I replied. Then, moseying on over to the stallion guard, I presented him with the approved document, which he retrieved with his magic. He quickly skimmed through it and nodded to a guard over his right shoulder.

The guard, in response, moved over to a lever and pulled it. Then, the large steel gate slowly began to open upwards as I was given the document back.

“Welcome to Canterlot castle, Mr. Swift. Please proceed to the registrar three buildings down on the right and present the mare at the desk with this information and background paper. You’ll have to complete a bit more paperwork, so please be respectful of her time.” The stallion motioned for me to trot past him. “It has been a long day for everypony.”

“Thank you, sir!” I chirped before trotting through the gate hastily.

“Ahem!” I immediately turned around and noticed the stallion approaching me. I began to feel nervous before he spoke up. “I wasn’t finished, son.” He cleared his throat before continuing.

“From there, you’ll be assigned to a building in the lower districts. You will be boarding with three other ponies,” the guard said cautiously. “So be sure to make it before the night is over. The streets of Canterlot are not for young stallions such as yourself after dusk falls.”

Author's Note

There's the second prologue! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Took me a while to figure out how I wanted to structure this story.
No, this is not a "Choose Your Adventure" kind of story...
Yes, you read that correctly. Swift will start his training for the Royal Army.

"Mmhm!"

What?

"You misspoke...again!"

Ssshh!

-Harpy