0300 was the worst time to get up after lights out being at 2100. White Knight was hardly able to trudge into the Lunar building just before 0300. The building on the interior was only a gym, but since no pony used the gym this early in the morning it made sense that The Captain would hold a meeting here. Four long tables lined up in two rows with three packs set on them. White Knight sat with nine other ponies in the dim lighting of the gym. He sat in the front right of the room and waited for The Captain to begin.

Looking at the other ponies in the room, he saw three Earth ponies, three unicorns and two other Pegasi. All dark colored accept for White Knight. He noticed Hestaria sitting in the center and smiled before looking back at The Captain hoping he would start soon. It was 0303 when a blood red unicorn with black stripes entered the room. White Knight had never seen anything like him before. And considering one of his closest friends was Hestaria, that’s saying a lot.

“Nice of you to finally join us Private. Please, take a seat.” The Captain said motioning towards the desks.

With great hesitation, the dark red striped pony approached the tables and sat down at the far right corner.

“Now we can begin.” The Captain began. “I would like to be the first to welcome all of you to the first day of training for the Evening Guard. I am Commander Nexus, and will address me as such. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Sir Commander Nexus, Sir!” all but the striped pony shouted.

“Good. Now this isn’t going to be anything like what they told you in orientation. In fact, forget everything that the teachers have told you. From this day on, you all will be trained to counter anything that is thrown at you. Form every counter spell you can learn to how to work your equipment. Unlike the Celestian Guard, we have weapons, ranging from the Lightning Lance, to the standard issue Iron Icarus Mk. III that are sitting in front of you.

“For all but three of you, this will be your main piece of equipment. You will learn how to take every little component out of that pack and put it back together backwards. And that is after a ten mile run. For the unicorns here, I will be teaching you spells you’ve never even heard of; spells that no soldier will be able to counter. You will learn to bring out a ponies greatest fears and have hoofs as deadly as your horn. And that last part goes for all of you. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Sir, Commander Nexus Sir!”

“Good. You will all report here at the same time every day for the next two months. In the top flap of the Iron Icarus, there is a schematic of it. You will learn it and will also be ready to use it by the time. Now, line up five by five at the doors and wait for my go. Ten miles is a long run!”

“Yes Sir, Commander Nexus, Sir!”

The Commander wasn’t kidding either, the run took until dawn to complete the ten mile journey. When they returned, the pegasus were given a break while the unicorns and earth ponies were sent back to the gym to start work on their Iron Icarus’. After about an hour, the group was split into two groups, pegasus went to learn basic fighting with the Lightning Lance. White Knight had fooled around with bow staffs from his grandfather’s attic once but he had never used a lance.

The tip of the lance was similar to a regular spear, but at the base of the tip, the metal was forged into a crescent moon curved up towards the tip. The edges of the moon were razor sharp and arching with electricity. They weren’t as heavy as White Knight would have thought. They handled very well in his hoofs and were some of the easiest physical training he had had here at Canterlot Military Academy.

After an hour of training she was taken with the rest of the Pegasus to show them how to use the Lunar Guard’s bomblet dispensers. That lesson only lasted a few minutes and then they took a break for lunch. The Lunar Guard got their own tables. After grabbing his gruel he sat and waited for Hestaria. She sat down next to the striped unicorn.

“Hey.” She said to the unicorn. “I’m Hestaria.”

He looked up from his tray with a tired look in his eyes.

“Ephialtes. Just call me Ephi.” he said with a low voice.

“He doesn’t talk much.” White Knight said. “So what was with that little escaped you had the other night?”

“The Commander booted me from the Royal Guard and then before he could recruit me for the Evening Guard, I flew off the handle and then, well, flew off.”

“Well, that’s a short ass story. What about the Commander though. His legs.”

“I heard he’s from the future.” a bright red unicorn said.

“You’re an idiot. What do you think Ephi?”

Hestaria rolled her eyes and looked over to Ephialtes. “Hey, Ephi.” White Knight said, elbowing Ephialtes in the ribs. “You hear me?”

“Hu? Oh, no I was just thinking about something.” Ephialtes replied.

“How do you think The Commander ended up like he did?”

“I’d rather hear what you guys think.”

“Okay, I think he’s the son of the C.E.O. of Lunarus Industries and that he was run over by a train.” Hestaria said leaning in like it was some big secret.

“That’s stupid Hestaria. I heard he had a heart attack so strong it caused his legs to explode.” the black earth pony said.

“And you say I’m stupid?” Hestaria said shaking her head.

“I agree Hestaria’s theory, but I think he was kidnapped by marauders and held for ransom. As punishment for not delivering on time, they chopped off his legs and mailed them to his father everyday he was late.” White knight unicorn said.

“What about you Ephi?”

“I don’t know. I’ve only been here for three days and only talked to him twice.”

“Maybe he just thought they looked cool.” Commander Nexus said standing right behind the black earth pony.

He suddenly went ridged as Commander Nexus went to the head of the table.

“How’d he do that?” Hestaria whispered to Ephialtes.

“Quiet Private Hestaria!” Nexus shouted. “Now I don’t want to hear any more of these conspiracy theories, or all of you will go hungry tonight. Saddle up, time for combat training.”

“Yes Sir, Commander Nexus Sir!” everypony, including Ephialtes said getting up from the table.

Author's Notes:

Me: Happy Holidays everyone! Not sure if this'll go up before then but they're happy none the less.
Nexus: ...
Me: Well say something Nex.
Nexus: Happy Holidays everypony...
Me: Now was that so hard? I'm autistic and I can convers with our fans better than you.
Nexus: Do you command hundreds of troops?
Me: Point taken Lunar. Next chapter then?
Nexus: Next chapter.