My eyelids kept closing in, replacing my field of vision with an empty black cover, until I shook my head awake. Constantly I replayed the important note of where I was inside my head. Can't fall asleep now, my new life has yet to begin. My head swiveled around to face the other ponies riding along inside the cart with me, most with the same look of fatigue spread across their faces. Some, I faintly noticed, had adrenaline pumping throughout their blood- I longed for that kind of energy.
Princess Luna was doing her best- somewhere way back inside the grand capital Canterlot- to keep the lunar full moon shining at its brightest and the distant stars reflecting that sort of power. But the moon lacked the warm, familiar rays of sunlight to heat the atmosphere- bone-chilling air continued to breeze against my skin. Damn weather pegasi- Winter Wrap Up was weeks ago! Where's my spring? I silently cursed, rubbing my hooves together to maintain some sense of heat. All around the other ponies did similar things.
Everypony, like me, was being sent, through this fucking cold weather at 0100 hours, to EMC boot camp. Located southwest of Los Pegasus, it was the perfect place to train recruits through hell. I heard the courses work your muscles to ash and shatter your bones to dust. The ponies in charge, which everypony called "drill instructors", screamed until your face melted off. Soon enough I would find out.
Ponies always have a reason to try and join the EMC. Mine was for a sense of accomplishment. I felt like I needed to do something in my life, rather than just sit in town and sell apples. Others join for the will to serve and the desire to overcome themselves. Whatever the reason, I'm sure the commanders enjoy fresh meat to chew on.
After a while my eyes could stay open for more than five minutes at a time. I decided to investigate which ponies were coming along for the ride to hell. A close friend of mine, who was busy drooling on himself, caught my attention quickly. Thunderlane, the headstrong pegasus who was willing to take on any challenge that came his way. He and I always were tightly knit buddies, looking out for each other when trouble arose. Especially those fucking flight school bullies- we kicked their asses together. Early on we made the decision that we would join the EMC together in order to strengthen the bond we shared. My life goes out to Thunderlane.
A few seats behind him was the well known pair of Flitter and Cloudchaser. The two were in hushed conversation, possibly talking about what job they would take on in the EMC. Or maybe not. You never knew what they were up to, especially since they were mares. Mysterious like the night. I sometimes ask myself why they made the decision to join the military, and every time I never get an answer. Mares are weird, if you ask me.
Right across from me sat an opal-colored mare with amber eyes and mane. From here I could faintly see a silver Wonderbolts medal pinned onto her chest, bearing the name "Lightning Dust". I have heard stories about her: a competitive, fierce pegasus who always pushed herself beyond others. I wondered, however, if the methods she used against others were actually true. Some ponies even said Lightning had formed a tornado with her partner to blow away the competition! It seemed a little crazy, even for me.
"Hey, Xavier! You awake?"
I look up at Thunderlane's question, the corners of my mouth rising. "Yeah I'm awake. What's up?"
"You ready to kick ass together? Just like old times?" Typical Thunderlane. I sometimes feared that he was too confident about everything- like he knew we would push through with no problem. But I also enjoyed his motivation- nothing could stop Thunderlane from doing what he wished.
"You fucking bet!" I replied, and not a moment later the cart began to slow down. I nodded to Thunderlane- we had arrived. The time had come. Soon enough we pulled to a stop.
"Attention!"
Everypony turned their heads to the rear of the cart, silence returning once more. Before me stood a stallion earth pony, dressed from head to hoof as a drill instructor. A blade holster was strapped to his side, sleek black combat boots held his hooves, and a look of pure rage spread across his face.
I would never forget him.
"I am Steel Buck, your Senior Drill Instructor." He began to pace in between the seats, everypony keeping their eyes on him. "And you are now in my territory! In these twelve weeks here at Los Pegasus, you will be thrown into challenges that you can not face on your own. Teamwork is essential to even have a chance to survive! When given an order, you are to respond 'Aye aye, sir!' or 'Aye aye, ma'am!' Do you understand?"
"Yes sir." I could notice the lack of enthusiasm and unity in the response from everypony. Of course, that only set off Steel's rage.
"You will respond with intensity and aggression! Not that weak, pathetic shit I just heard!"
"Aye aye, sir!"
"Now get off this cart and on to those yellow hoofprints!"
"Aye aye, sir! Yes sir!" With haste everypony fled off the cart, approaching a large stone building. I could no longer find my lack of energy- new adrenaline pumped through my veins as I sprinted along with the others. The thought of becoming an Equestrian Marine thrilled me. Even on those yellow hoofprints, being screamed in the face by several other drill instructors, I stood to the challenge. Just twelve weeks from now, I would obtain the ultimate title of Marine.
I won't kid myself, receiving felt like hell at the time.