"Come on Kevin, you can try better!" stated a mature masculine voice as a now 17 year old Kevin panted while hunched over, sweat dripping from his face. He straightened back up and gripped his wooden sword as he looked at the cream stallion in front of him. The stallion wore a black singlet and cargo shorts, his left leg and arm were metal with crystals inside to allow them to act like normal limbs, his left ear was half missing and his left eye was milky white with three long scars over it. The stallion in front of him was his father, and ever since his accident he wanted to teach Kevin how to protect their family; their family, which a little under 3 months ago had a new member to it. Her name was AppleBloom, a yellow filly with a red mane and tail, who followed Kevin around everywhere like a lost puppy after she learnt to crawl. As if that wasn’t enough, Sword and Kevin got Mac and Applejack a puppy for the Last Hearth's Warming.

      "Give me a second dad, today has been long" Kevin panted as he remembered that his best friend had found out that his father had arranged him to get married and that he had asked Kevin to be his best man. Not only that, but Cherrilee's family had moved to Manehattan, and Snow's back to Vanhoover.

      "I know my boy, losing friends is hard, but remember they shall write to you." he said as Kevin nodded before straightening up.

      "Now let's go over this again or you’re never gonna impress the recruitment officer tomorrow" Sword said as Kevin groaned, the Recruitment Officer had refused Kevin several times as he wasn’t a pony; though legally he was thanks to his ‘aunt’ Celestia, so he wanted to woo the guardmare so she would accept him.

     "Okay...I'm ready!" Kevin said taking a deep breath before steeling himself.

       "Remember to parry and block when you can," Sword advised before launching forward to begin the train again.

        Pink was sitting on the porch watching Kevin and Sword duel, next to her was Big Mac who had turned 15 recently but was shy when it came to hanging out with Ponies, so Kevin usually dragged him out to hang out with himself and his friends. To his left was Applejack, who was 12 and hanging out with a few fillies her age, like one named Bon Bon or Kevin's friend Nursery Rhythm.

          After another exhausting and painful hour, Kevin stood above his father with the wooden blade to his throat and his boot on his chest as his father had a massive grin on his face. "And with that, i can teach you no more, my boy" he said proudly as Kevin smiled and pulled his father to his feet. "Tomorrow I’ll come with you to Canterlot to watch you" he said as Kevin nodded and they walked over to the porch, smiling at their other family members before Kevin's phone went off. Thanks to Celestia and Kevin, Equestria had created their own type of phones called P-phones which Kevin's mobile was connected to. He pulled out the old phone and looked at the caller ID before answering.

      "Hey Snow!" he said to his friend.

       "Hey Kevin! Look, I know you’re probably still angry at me, but could we meet up? Maybe at my place in a few minutes…? It’s just that I want to hang out one last time before I leave tomorrow," she asked sadly as Kevin looked at his family.

      "Yeah, I’ll head over now Snow" he said as his dad gave him the thumbs up.

       "Really?! Cool, um…I'll see you soon...thank you Kevin!" she said before hanging up.

        "Tomorrow at the station at 7am sharp!" Sword said as Kevin nodded before heading inside to grab a backpack with clothes before saying his goodbyes and heading off. It took him about half an hour to reach Snow's home but when he did, he was greeted by her father. A muscular Snow white pegasus with a black mane and tail named Snow Storm, he was in a pair of jeans and loose hoodie with the Ponyville Weather Patrol's logo on it: a four legged Pegasus bucking a storm cloud.

        "Ah Kevin, Snow said you were coming over, and she asked me to go out, I wonder why she wanted that aye?" Storm asked with a knowing smiling as Kevin turned bright red before Storm started laughing. "I'm kidding my boy, she didn't say anything of the sorts, but if I was a mare her age seeing my coltfriend,  then I would want something like that! And before you say anything, I'm happy that it was you that she fell for - but enough of that! I'm going to go to the movies and have a few last drinks with my buddies from work" he said smiling before patting Kevin's back and leaving Kevin standing there feeling a little awkward and nervous.

       "Kevin, you’re here! Come with me," Snow said, coming out in a blue dress that resembled her mane before she took his hand and pulled him inside and closed the door. She led him to the house's basement before handing him a blind fold. "It’s a surprise" she teased as he nodded and put it on. Taking his hand, she lead him for a while before sitting him in a chair and left him. He heard a few bangs and crashes happening in front of him as well as "For buck sake!"

       "You okay Snow?" He asked her.

        "Yeah, just trying to remember where… ah ha!" she cried before he felt her tap his knee. "You can take off your blind fold now," she said as Kevin did, only to come face to face with a pair of lockets, which caused him to cock an eyebrow before she opened them to show a picture of their friends group in one and a picture of just the two of them in another. "What do you think?" she asked.

      "Wow…" was all he could say before she placed one on his lap and undid the other, putting it around his neck and smiling.

      "That should help you remember me" she said before Kevin picked up the other. Snow sat on his lap with her back to him, holding her mane to the side as he put the locket on her neck. "And this will help me remember all of you" she said before turning and kissing him softly. "I love you" she added, equally softly.

      "I love you too" he said as she smiled and kissed him again.

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         The next morning, Kevin was awoken to his alarm going off. He looked at his phone to confirm that he had an hour to get to the station, sighing before looking over at Snow who was cuddled up to his naked form. He smiled before gently kissing her, causing her to awaken and smile back as she sat up, the blanket covering them coming to rest at her waist. Kevin looked at her c-cup bust before sighing. "I have to go" he said as she looked at him, confused for a moment.

      "I thought we could spend time together before my dad and I have to leave?" She said, slightly upset.

        "I would love that too, but today is my last chance to join the guard" he said as she put her arms around him and nuzzled his shoulder.

        "It’s a stupid rule that you can only apply five times" she growled.

        "Yeah, but it's the rules… I better head off before I'm late" he said as he hugged her.

         "Will your write?" She asked.

          "Of course, you send me a letter when you’re there so I have your address and I'll write you back" he said as she nodded before letting go of him and gave him a sad smile.

      "Thank you. Well, I guess we could get ready together" she said kissing him as he nodded before reaching for his top from the night before until she grabbed it with a smirk. "This is mine now" she said as Kevin chuckled.

      "You have like 10 of my tops already and all my hoodies!" he said to her.

      "Yes, and now I have 11" she said cheekily, pulling the top on before getting up and leaving the room, making him shake his head and go to her bathroom with his bag, getting in the shower, only to be quickly joined by his marefriend.

       After half an hour of getting ready, Kevin gave Snow one last kiss before leaving her home. He was in a red flannel shirt that hung open to show a black top, he also wore a pair of cargo pants and black boots as he walked to the station. As he walked he bumped into his friends who wanted to wish him luck as they walked to the station with him.

      "Hey Kevin! Where’s Snow? I would think that she’d see you off," Caramel said as Kevin sighed.

      "She would, but she’s packing today to leave at sunset." Caramel nodded before Cup smacked him on the back of the head. They all arrived to find Sword in his old armor, his swords on his back and wearing his classic Stetson. Over his right pauldron was a gold patch with numerous medals and a crest signifying his old rank. He smiled when he saw his son and his friends. "Why are you all dressed up?" asked Kevin.

      "Well, if I'm coming I have to look my best!" He chuckled before offering Kevin a long package. "Here - a good luck gift, my boy!" Kevin unwrapped it to find a sword in a sheath, which he slung over his back.

       "Thanks dad" he said hugging the stallion as the train was coming.

       "Hey Kevin, a good luck gift from all of us" Cup said offering Kevin an armband which had each of their Cutie Marks stitched into it along with Snows. "Rhythm did the sewing" she said as he hugged each of them.

     "Thank you guys, it means a lot" he said rolling up his sleeve and putting it on his upper arm just as the train arrived. "Well, see you guys later." he said as they exchanged goodbyes before Kevin and Sword climbed on-board the train. The pair took their seats in a barely occupied carriage save for a blue Pegasus stallion with a silver mane and a white unicorn mare with a pink mane. Both instantly locked their gaze on Sword as he and Kevin sat in a double booth, and soon the ponies came over and sat across the two.

        "Can we help you?" Sword Dance asked.

         "Yes, um, by chance are you Captain Sword Dance of Ponyville guard?" asked the mare.

       "I was nine years ago, why do you ask" he asked.

        "Hello Sir, um, your bravery gave me the dream to be a guard" she said smiling as the Stallion nodded.

        "Same with me sir," the stallion added. He wore a green top with yellow shorts while the mare was in tracksuit pants and a jumper and was slightly on the chubby side.

      "Ah, well I’m happy that I could help. Seeing as you know my name may I know yours?" Sword asked.

      "Oh yes, my name is Storm Shield" the stallion said.

      "And I am Fleur Dis Lee" said the mare as she looked at Kevin. "You must be Kevin Jenson? Am I right?" she asked as he nodded. "Sorry, it’s just that it was kind of the news for a few years" she said as Kevin chuckled.

      "Nah its cool, at least you aren't calling me an ape" he said.

      "I would never be such a bitch!" she said as Shield snickered "Well to somepony I want to be friends with" she said glaring at Shield. They three talked for the duration of the trip while Sword napped. They told Kevin that they were both from a place called Prance and that they ran away from their annoying abusive family, and so when they had enough bits they left.

       When they arrived, the four of them walked to the castle, passing through the main gate and on to the training ground. However, it was different this time, standing in place of the recruitment officer was a black thestral with a blood red mane and tail in full dark blue armor, the cloth over her pauldron showing medals and a crest signifying that she was a Colonel. Her glare softened when she saw Sword as she flew over to him, smiling. "Sir" she said as Fleur, Shield and Kevin looked at Sword.

     "Night, you’re a higher rank then me now, so stop calling me sir" he chuckled.

       "I can't help it Sir, you were my captain for three years before the incident and I transferred" she said smiling as she then looked at Kevin "Is this Kevin?" She asked as Kevin looked at his father.

      "Yes he is, except he’s bigger than he was in the photos" he said as she nodded.

       "I see, well you three better get in line with the others." she added in a strict voice as they nodded and got in line. Night flew back in front of the dozen of ponies and one human. "Alright! So Sargent Crystal Calamity is sick today so I shall be observing you. Today is a little different as not only will I hold the physical evaluation but we shall also hold the combat evaluation" she said as everyone gulped. "Now, let's begin" she ordered as each pony was checked over: their weight, their lungs, eyes, hearing, endurance and strength. After an hour, only four remained: Kevin, Shield, Fleur and a white unicorn stallion by the name Shining Armor. "Alright, now we shall begin with combat. All of you who don’t have a weapon, please collect one from the stand." she gestured as Shield and Fleur both went and grabbed swords before returning to the lineup.

       The combat evaluation guard made her way onto the field, before stopping and gawking at the human. "What the Buck Sir! Why is that thing still here?" she yelled, pointing at Kevin.

     "Because he passed the Physical evaluation with flying colors, now STOP BEING A BIGOT AND START THE EVALUATION!" Night roared causing all but Sword to shrink.

    "Y-yes Sir" she muttered, saluting before her horn glowed and a crystal pony appeared in the ring with a sword.

      "Now Shining Armor, you’re first up" she gestured to the stallion as he nodded and drew his long sword from his hip, but before he stepped into the ring, a loud flapping was heard causing all to turn and  see the Princess gracefully land and sit on the bleachers along with a pink Pegasus. "Princess!" Night said as everyone bowed.

      "Hello Colonel, I heard your shouting and came to see what was wrong, but seeing as you handled it I have decided to watch with my young friend Cadence" she said as the pink Pegasus waved, causing Shining to look at the pegasus dumbly until Kevin walked over and gently smacked him on the back of the head without anypony seeing.

      "Thanks" he said before entering the ring, moments after entering, the construct charged him but he side stepped it and severed it head causing everypony to clap as he walked out and stood next to Kevin. "Was she watching?" He whispered as Kevin nodded, causing Shining to smile.

      "Nice work Shining Armor, next is Shield Storm" Night announced as the recruit entered the ring just in time for the construct to finish repairing itself and charge. Storm flared his wings and took to the air, then diving down and kicking the construct to the ground before driving his sword into its chest, shattering it. He smiled and exited the ring with a limp from kicking it.

     "That's a pass, but keep in mind, showing off in real will get you hurt or killed" Night lectured before looking at the clip board. "Fleur Dis Lee, you’re next" she gesture as Fleur looked nervous.

     "You got this" Kevin said encouragingly.

      "I have never attacked anything unless I was fencing," she said nervously.

     "Well, imagine you’re fencing, except drive the blade into it instead of just poking it!" he advised as she nodded before entering. The construct charged and swung its horn, which she attempted to side step; however her left arm was hit, a pink lightning bolt zapping her arm causing it to hang limply as she drove her own blade into its chest, defeating it before she looked at her arm.

     "What’s wrong with my arm?" she asked looking at Night.

      "It’s a simple enchantment; it stuns the area where it's hit - perfect for training and crowd control. You’re just gonna have a bruise on your arm but you passed.” Night said leading her out before she called Kevin in, except when he entered a pink barrier formed around the ring as the construct reformed; however this time it grabbed its sword and pulled a Chuck of it away as if it was unsheathing a sword. The blade was a silver color; its chest glowed and changed to the same color before its eyes glowed red. Kevin looked to see the recruiter smirking as her horn stopped glowing. "SERGEANT! WHAT THE BUCK ARE YOU DOING?!" Night shouted.

       "Ridding this world of an abomination." She said as Night tackled her to the ground.

      "Stop this!" Night ordered.

      "I can't, the shield won't drop until one is defeated and the construct is magic-proof now" she laughed before Night punched her in the face, knocking her out. Meanwhile, Kevin was dueling with the construct; he had already received several gashes to his arms but had severed the Constructs arm. He dodged a slash before severing its head but the crystal pony continued to fight as it sliced across Kevin's chest but Kevin lunged, pushed its arm out of the way and drove his sword into its chest, causing it to shatter moments later the shield failed and fell away. Kevin sheathed his sword and walked out of the ring, his clothes torn and bloodied and stood back in line with the three shocked ponies.

        "And that's a definite pass" Celestia said smiling.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

        That night, Kevin and Sword arrived back at their home; Kevin had his arms and chest bandaged as the two looked nervous as they walked to the farm house. Applejack saw them first and ran over to them before hugging them both. Kevin smiled before he saw his mother walk out holding Apple Bloom, her smile turned to that of worry when she saw the state of Kevin. "What happened to you?" She asked walking over to him.

       "Dad is gonna explain" Kevin said before heading inside, the look on his father's face was shock and annoyance as he watched Kevin escape into the house.