The next morning as Red awoke he gracefully turned around and crawled out of his neat bed. And by that i mean he woke up, struggled with his blankets, and fell face first out of bed creating a loud 'Thud' Followed by angry grumblings.

"Man why did I even think of being a guard? I wouldn't be able to even get up on time!" He asked himself incredulously. "and great I'm now talking to myself and expecting replies. Might as well go to the asylum now and save the guards the trouble of dragging me there." But of course he simply untangled himself, grabbed his glasses, and walked out the door straight into. You guessed it, Charles.

"Why hello there Mr.Cross" He said in a posh, indifferent, monotonous tone "May I inquirer as to your plans for the day?"

"Well I plan to take Celestia up on her offer and go sine up for the medic position in the royal guard." Red replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh well if you plan to do that then I must inform you the recruitment office doesn't open up till 2:30 in the afternoon. It will be six and a half hours till then." Replied Charles. "If you happen to know someone in town, I'd advise possibly meeting up with them and possibly getting a tour of the city."

{You know, I never did meet up with Merthyr and see how things have been. That would be a good way to spend some time and he could help me prepare for the training as well. Guess it's unanimous to Merthyr's it is.}Thought Red in a surprisingly short amount of time.

"That sounds like a great idea Charles. In fact I have a friend within the guard who should be off duty right now. Could you tell me where the Barracks are?" Asked Red

"The barracks are in the South-Eastern turret for the aerial corps, the North-North-Western complex is the base of the magic corps , and finally the North-Western wing is the base of the ground forces" Said Charles. "Though there is also a a barracks in the South-South-Western wing for the medics and quarter-master's assistants. I doubt your friend would be there. Very few ponies join the non-combatant corpses."

"Thank you Charles for the info, I believe he would be in the North-Western wing then. Thanks again for the help." Red said as he started to turn around to head to his new destination.

"Think nothing of it Mr.Cross." Replied Charles as he to started to walk away. "I am simply doing my job." and with that they were out of each others hearing and spoke no more.

Red finally reached the barracks and found Merthyr just as he was leaving. "Hey Merthyr what you doing!" Shouted out Red

"yo Red! What happened yesterday? I didn't see you after the check up I thought maybe you had ditched without saying hello." Said Merthyr in a joking way. "I was thinking maybe you tried to get out of telling me what happened to you since I've been gone. For woe is the tale of Red Cross. Forever running from royal engagement to royal engagement. Being payed thousands of bit's to do not half an hour of work while surrounded by beautiful mares."

"Aye it's a hard life the one I lead but I must do it for the beautiful mares need me! "Replied Red as he walked towards Merthyr. "But! I wouldn't be surrounded by beautiful mares and getting payed thousands of bit's for half an hours work if it weren't for you. So how could I leave you hanging? Even if you made Fluttershy want to kill me every time she sees me."

"Ha! glad to see you kept your sense of humor with you! Never thought I'd see the day when you didn't give me hell for that!" Merthyr joyously replied. "So how goes everything back home? Scootaloo didn't burn your house down yet I hope? I really don't think I could afford that."

"Nah nothing bad just so-" Red said as he was interrupted by his gurgling stomach. "Heh. Think we could go get some grub while I talk? I haven't had anything more than coffee with some crepes and waffles since yesterday morning."

"Sure but you're buying." Merthyr joked. "You still owe me from last time."

"Deal! let's just go do it quickly before I start seeing non-existent food." Red joked right back. "Mmmmm! how are you doing Mr.Blue berry? You sure look good!"

"Ha! Nice going! Now let's go get some chow!" Merthyr cheered. "Free Food! Free Food! Free Food!" As he led Red out of the castle down some side streets eventually coming across a square and ending up at a small building called 'The Trotin-inn'

"I know the owners here there pretty cool ponies." Said Merthyr to Red's inquisitive glance. "I helped them out of a bind not to long ago involving some 'missing' taxes and a currently jailed pony. Now I come here on day's off when Spark is busy."

As they were shown to a table and Merthyr asked for two of his regulars and a outside table which they were promptly shown to. Red remained quite watching his friend laugh and talk with the inn's staff. {Man to think Merthyr who almost never went out is actually the center of attention how did that happen? Guess joining the guard was an even better idea for him.} Thought Red as he and Merthyr reached there table and sat down. {wow! Merthyr still sits like the one mare what was her name? oh yeah Lyra I think. Though he still probably claims she copied him and not the other way around. Something’s never change.}

"So what's happened since I was last home eh? Did you finally find a mare?" Laughed out Merthyr. "Am I gonna be a best man soon?"

"Depends when are you gonna drop the question eh? Mr. Author." Replied Red with a smile as he saw Merthyr blush with indignation. "so how's it been here in Canterlot? Anything happen since we last talked besides your new found fame?"

"Hey I asked first." Merthyr replied. "Besides you're paying which delegates the duty of host to you so you have to cater to your guest so ha! beat that logic."

"That makes no sense" Said Red.

"Eeyup. But I don't have to make sense cause I'm still closer friend to Pinkie Pie so by extension. I don't have to make sense for it to be true."

"...Touché..." Replied Red. "...Touché..."

"So what's happened since I've been gone?" Asked Merthyr.

"Oh just the usual." Said Red. "You know helping AJ over at Sweat Apple Acers and hurting myself in the process. Helping Rainbow Dash with the weather every now and again. Avoiding Fluttershy like the Plague, Cancer, Satin, Angle, and a manticour all packed into one shy yellow mare. Helping Pinkie Pie come up with some new types of crepes. Seeing Rarity about getting more pairs of cloths made. Making sure no one who ends up in the clinic gets out with anything worse than feeling slightly sore. And of course helping Hot Coca watch Scootaloo."

"Wait let me guess! You hurt yourself by head butting a tree didn't ya?" Asked Merthyr

"Nope. when I was flying a gust caught my wings and made me end up with something that should never get hit taking the full impact of crashing into a tree" Replied Red with a pained look. "I can still feel the pain."

"Dam that has got to suck." Merthyr said with an uncontrollable grin flashing across his face. "so anything else worth of note happen lately?" He said as he took a sip of water.

"Yeah! Something else did happen." Red said with an evil grin flashing across his face as he watched his friend go for another sip of water. "Celestia asked me if I'd like to try out for the medic position in the royal guard and I accepted." He said as quickly as he could watching his friend do a sudden spit take...Right into Red's face.

"Really should've planned that out better. And yes before you ask." Red said as he saw Merthyr about to ask a question. "I am completely sure I want to do this and no I'm not sure if I'm even in yet I'm gonna sign up at the recruitment office when it opens today."

"No I was gonna say congrats dude!" Merthyr joyously said as he leaned forward and hugged his friend. "Just think about it. Both of us working side by side in the royal guard defending the princess.Heck maybe you'll find that special somepony along the way."

.

Red was stunned. He had expected to be told not to. To be disuaded to join the guard. To be berated for leaving behind Ponyville so quickly. not for his best friend to congratulate him. "But what about Ponyville? Or Scootaloo, the clinic, or how I could possibly get killed? Did those things not pop into your mind?"

"Why of course I did Red! you forget how my brain works." Replied Merthyr as he took a step back releasing Red from his embrace. "I know you and you don't make rash decisions. If you decided to be a guard than that means you've thought about it and decided it's what you want to do. Simple as that. I know you! And you have obviously thought this over and decided that it was worth it and to the Devil with those who try to stop you! That's how you've always been."

"Yet again Merthyr you seem to know me to a 'T'. And I'll be dammed before i forget that a second time." Joked Red. "Well my friend I think it's time I get going. The recruitment office opens soon and I have a long way ahead of me."

"See you later Rec and good luck. The test is unlike anything you'll ever experience trust me on that one. Even I had trouble getting past it." And with those sentements Merthyr put some bits on the table and left of. To who knows where.

*One long boring walk of to the recruitment office later*

"Hey I'm here to sign up for the medic position on the royal guard." Red said as he walked up to the ash grey unicorn recruitment stallion

"Okay names ash hoof and here's some forms." Ash said as he pulled out some forms for Red from his desk. "Just fill those out and we'll get you started out on your training. Now usually we would give you a month or two for you to train but due to current circumstances you'll only have 3weeks to train plus 10 days to get your personal affairs in order. Just sine on the dotted line and you'll be all set."

As Red signed he heard Ash snicker. "Well kid welcome to the smallest and most un-respected division of the Equestrian military in existence. Welcome to the non-combatant division good to have you aboard." And with that testiment Red's new course in life began. He had a goal in mind and he was gonna reach it. For that's what he had said he would do and to the devil with those who tried to stand in his way. His path was as clear as ever, and his sight just as good as it was before. Red Crossed Hearts was gonna take this path till it ended and that was the end of it. He made his move and now life was going to have to make its move only thing is. will Red fall? Or will he rise from the wave and prove his metal. Only time will tell

The three weeks seemed to pass by in a flash with Red waking at 5:30am, heading over to Merthyr's "special" training, and then came back and collapsed in bed at 11:30pm everyday. Only sending a letter home to explain what had happened and how after the testing he would come back to tell them if he had made it and to set up his affairs accordingly.

After the 2nd week with two days till the test was set. Red was carted off in his sleep by two pitch black unicorn stallions who quickly carried him off to the tests.

1st Race to the Rescue

Trail after a ponynapper as best you can no matter the cost

2nd Dealing with Death,

Deal with the death of the victim

3rd Choose your Weapon

Make your choice of weaponry displayed before you fight the monster

4th Rise to the meet the Storm

Rise to the challenge and face danger head on knowing it could destroy you

5th Quell the Storm

Finish the fight take down the menace to your home

That was the testing schedule known only to those who have passed it and of course their creator Celestia. While Red had been to hell and back with Merthyr's training. Merthyr had been worrying over what would happen in the tests. And when Merthyr worries for Red then shit is gonna be hitting the fan. As the stallions brought Red into the testing room Celestia walked in with two unicorns following behind her one was a short grey stallion with a neon green mane. who was followed by a tall bright yellow mare with a dark green mane their names were Test Subject and Sim Ulation, respectively,

"So this is the pony eh?" Said Sim

"Yes" Replied Celestia. "This is Red Crossed Hearts. He is the candidate for the medic position."

"Okay Test, you take lead." Said Sim.

And with that the tests had began but no one not even Celestia herself could guess what would happen next. And as they entered the spell Sim had cast that would allow them to watch from above as Red was forced to complete the challenges only one thing was for sure. Something was gonna happen, and it was gonna be important.

Red awoke to a scream of terror from a mare. As he rushed from his room and came across the scene he was shocked. A great Glass window was smashed with the knocked out body's of guards around it, at least one full  large size patrol of 8 and and two classic style patrols of two, 12 full grown royal guards, and a scared mare shaking on the side lines.

“What happened here?!” Red quickly demanded knowing that being gentle would not work on a pony so shocked.

“H-he took her!” She panicked. Pointing a hoof up at a rapidly disappearing pitch black stallion Pegasus carrying what appeared to be another maid. And with that Red was gone immediately shooting up to  95 knots. (over 109mph) Silently thanking Rainbow Dash for helping him achieve such a feet.

As he quickly caught up with the  ponynapper he shouted. “Get back here now before I beat you down!” A threat that was as hollow as the stands of armour around the castle but that seamed to have the desired effect. As the stallion stopped mid flight, turned around, and suddenly Red was falling after being hit by some unknown bolt of electricity.

As he spiraled to the ground only one word escaped his lips. “sshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt-’” ”THUD” as he crashed into a tree and luckily survived the impact and landed with nothing worse than a sprained wing, he wouldn’t fly for awhile but he would be fine for now. As the stallion flew away Red immediately began to chase him on hoof screaming as he went. “Come back here you bastard!” After about two and a half hours they finally reached the base of one of the smaller mountains to the north of Canterlot.

“Just hang in there I’ll save you.” He muttered to himself as he began the rough journey up the mountain.

*Meanwhile in reality*

“Never seen a newbie do it quite like that before” Remarked one of the two masked stallions who had brought Red to the test.

“Wonder how he’ll do with the next part.” Remarked the still masked ponies counterpart. And with that they both involuntarily shivered at the memories of their own tests.

*Back in the test*

Red had finally reached the cave at the top of the mountain and as he reached the entrance he heard a scream of pain from inside the cavern. “NO! Celestia dam it no!” He screamed as he rushed into the cave seeing  a wisp of a black tail shoot out a exit in the roof of the cavern as he rushed to the injured mares side.

*Back in reality*

“I think I’m gonna be sick.” Said one of the stallions. A sentiment that was shared by every pony as they watched the events unfold.

*Back in the test*

“NO!” Screamed Red as he saw the stab wound that had punctured her right lung and most likely hit her spine as well. “You are not dying on me! not yet and not ever!” He continued to scream as he  stood and planted his fore hooves on her chest. “I’ll die first before I ever let that happen!” and with that he started to concentrate and as he did so a sound filled the air , the sound of wind rustling leaves,  the sound of a block of wood crackling in a warm fire, and the sound of a unearthly howl, the sound of wind as it rushed from the crest of the highest mountains and between the highest peaks, a sound so ethereal and mysterious that even the hardest of warriors would shiver at its sound, a sound so great of comfort even the most scarred of travelers would relax and find solace and warmth in its simply playing, and yet a sound of great fear, a sound that no earthly creature could ever create yet was made of only well known natural earthly sounds. And with that he stopped and starred at what he did.

*Back in reality!*

“D-did that just happen or have I gone insane?” questioned Celestia as everyponys jaw had hit the floor. “Guess not.”

Next Chapter: A Cross at First Frost Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 6 Minutes