After the train unloaded its passengers, Ephialtes was lead into an armored, horse drawn carriage and for a very long ride down an unpaved road. Once the carriage stopped, a Celestian Guard telekinetically yanked him from the back and started pushing him through a set of massive gates. The sign on the brick archway had the Celestian Guard seal. On the seal, the name of the establishment was printed in gold.

Canterlot military academy
May Celestia guide thee to glory.

Ephialtes groaned as he was lead through the massive iron gates. He was quickly shoved into a corridor with eight other ponies: Six stallions; two unicorns, one earth pony and three Pegasi; and two mares, both Pegasi. He didn’t care to learn anymore, whether from observation or otherwise.

“Follow this line and do as your told.” the guard said.

Ephialtes didn’t reply. He fell in with the line of eight ponies, all older and stronger. Even the two mares in the line looked more muscular than him. An old stallion in Celestia’s golden armor stepped out in front of them and looked them all over.

“Okay kiddies! Forward march!” he shouted as he lead them from the corridor they were in to a massive courtyard.

Ponies of all colors and types were milling about in the courtyard. Pegasi flew obstacle courses more complex than the ones in the Wonderbolt Academy.

“Company, halt!” the old stallion shouted again.

Everypony in front of Ephialtes stopped. He bumped into the largest unicorn in the bunch.

“Hey! Watch it runt!” he shouted looking back at him.

“Ten-Hut!” the guard shouted.

All but Ephialtes stood up straight and locked their eyes forward.

“Left, face!”

All in the line turned ninety degrees to the left and stayed in attention. Ephialtes stood lose and continued looking around. He looked forward long enough to see another white stallion in Celestian Guard Armor walking towards him. To his right, the cyberpony he had met in the dungeon in the castle. With nothing else to go on, he assumed he was The Commander. He was in a strange set of armor. It didn’t look like Celestian Guard armor. For one it wasn’t golden, it was navy blue iron and it tapered to very sharp edges. He only wore a chest plate and helmet, his legs had been changed to match the armor. The metal they were plated in looked stronger then the material the set he had seen him in before. He even had boots built into the hoofs. And he did not look happy.

“Salute!” the guard next to The Commander shouted.

Everypony but Ephialtes put their right hoof to their brow and (if at all possible) stood straighter. The Commander looked straight at Ephialtes and knit his brow.

“These are the best of the best?” The Commander asked the pony next to him.

“Yes Sir!”

“Sound off!” The Commander shouted.

“Sir, Private Gear Shaft, Sir!” the white unicorn shouted.

“Sir, Private Shockwave, Sir!” the gray Pegasus stallion shouted.

“Sir, Private Wildflower, Sir!” the dark green mare shouted

“Sir, Private Livewire, Sir” the pale blue unicorn shouted.

“Sir, Private Sea Spray, Sir.” the earth pony shouted.

“Sir, Private Night Wind, Sir!” the black stallion Pegasus shouted.

“Sir, Private Ice Wind, Sir!” the light blue mare shouted.

“Sir, Private Light Wave, Sir!” the sunflower yellow winged stallion shouted.

The Commander glared at Ephialtes.

“Private Ephialtes!” he shouted louder then the soldiers. “Did you not hear me!?”

The Commander walked straight up to Ephialtes with his horn glowing. “I SAID, DID YOU HEAR ME, PRIVATE EPHIALTES!?”

The Commander’s voice had gained such force when he spoke that not only did everypony in the line jump, but were pushed back a few inches.

“Yeah, I heard you.” Ephialtes said annoyed.

The Commander didn’t seem to take to kindly to that response. With lightning fast, smooth movements, The Commander dropped low and swung his hind legs in a wide sweeping motion, knocking all four of Ephialtes’ legs out from under him. As Ephialtes fell, The Commander reversed direction and closthslined Ephialtes with his left foreleg. As The Commander continued to rotate his body, he brought Ephialtes with him and locked his left foreleg around Ephialtes’ neck. As the two fell to the ground in a struggling heap, The Commander pulled his left foreleg towards him with his right and locked Ephialtes in his grip.

“I’m sure you talked to my soldiers on the train ride here. And I’m sure they gave you a synopsis of my expectations of all soldiers. Am I right private?” The Commander said holding Ephialtes in his grip.

“Yes.” Ephialtes wheezed.

“I’m sorry, I can’t hear you.”

“Sir, yes Sir!” Ephialtes tried to shout.

With a sigh, The Commander released Ephialtes and allowed him to stand. The Commander stands as well and looks him back over.

“Sergeant, take it from here. And have Private Ephialtes report to my office after orientation.”

“Yes Commander Nexus.” the Guard said, “Okay kiddies, listen up!”

Ephialtes tuned out what the Sergeant was telling them, he only watched as Commander Nexus spread his silver wings and take off.