Waking up in the morning my legs still feel numb from the previous days work, sitting up I rub my hand over them to try and relieve the sensation. Unlike yesterday everyone is already awake, the bathroom door however is shut so I'm likely going to have to wait before I can shower. I lean over to my pile of clothes and reach for my phone, turning it on I wait for it to load. Only 54% power left, not wanting to drain it so soon I turn it straight off.

Shortly after Twilight exits the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her head. "Morning, John. Did you sleep well?"

"About as well as can be expected," -Yawning, I stretch my arms out- "Everything alright? You look a bit peeved."

Twilight lets out a sigh, "It's just that guard, Night Chaser. He spent most of yesterday trying to persuade me to allow him access to your equipment."

"Did he now?" -I climb out of bed- "Did he mention why?"

"He claimed that he had orders from Princess Luna to try and decipher how your weaponry worked, though if she wanted to know I'm sure she would have informed me." I should have guessed they'd want to learn about my rifle, if they are potentially going to be fighting an enemy with ranged weaponry, a rifle would give them the edge in combat.

"Well just in case is there anyway you can contact Luna? It may be best if we discuss this issue, I'm not going to have fuck nuts playing with Valkyrie."

Twilight tilts her head. "Valkyrie? Who's Valkyrie?"

"My rifle," Twilight just rolls her eyes. "You have to name you rifle. We were told to by our Staff Sergeant when we were training."

"And what about your smaller weapon?"

"My Pistol?" Twilight nods. "Thunder."

Twilight starts to make her way to the stairs, "Rarity managed to repair your shirt from your encounter with the Timber Wolves, it's downstairs on the table."

"Thanks, I'm gonna go shower. I will be down in a while." I get out of bed as Twilight walks down the stairs, I then move to the bathroom for the usual routine. My thoughts go back to Night Chaser's motives, the fact that he's avoided coming along with me whilst I'm supposed to be training him pisses me off. I reckon I'm gonna have to do some sparring with him, beat some sense into him.

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Once we all had breakfast I made my way to Chaser who was sitting at a table in the main room, polishing his sword. "Get your ass outside in the next ten minutes, we've got training to do."

Chaser glances up at me, "Do I look like I need any training?"

"Well as you are an unmotivated cock head, yes you do." His expression drops as he moves from the table. "I've been told that I'm gonna train you, and I agreed. So I need to see your current level of skill so we can improve upon it, is that clear, Sergeant?"

"Yes, Sir." Chaser immediately makes his way outside, through the window I can see him making his way around to the rear of the library.

Moving to the stairs I shout up, "Corporal Shield, kit up and get outside!"

"Yes, Sir!" Sunny shouts from Twilight's room.

Twilight calls to me from the kitchen doorway, "John? What's going on?"

"I'm going to do what Luna requested of me, speaking of which, did you contact her?" I walk towards the chest containing my kit, leaning against the wall alongside it.

"Yes I did, she will contact you tonight once she raises the moon." I let out a laugh, causing Twilight to frown at me.

"The fuck do you mean 'raise the moon?' What a load of shite, the moon isn't raised by anyone."

"Of course it is. Princess Celestia raises the sun and Princess Luna raises the moon." I look at her with a mystified expression. Hold on... She's serious isn't she?

"How can two beings have control of the sun and moon?" At that moment Sunny comes down from the stairs heading for the door in her full armour. "Shield, what causes the sun and moon to rise?"

Turning to me she stands at attention, "The Royal Sisters, Sir."

"So you both mean to tell me, Luna and Celestia control both the sun and the moon? What about before they took the throne? They don't look that old."

Sunny leaves her position to move outside, Twilight stepped alongside me and the chest. "They're immortal, John. They are thousands of years old."

"That's kinda hard to believe, and don't give me the excuse of magic for the reasoning behind it." Twilight levitates a book from the shelf holding it before me. Taking hold of it I quickly scan the first pages.

"After the founding of Equestria both Luna and Celestia were approached by Star Swirl the Bearded and representatives from each pony tribe. As Alicorn's they were seen to be among the strongest to rule the new land and bring it into harmony. The magic to raise the sun and moon was originally controlled by the Unicorns, but they were one day unable to perform the spell once they depleted their magic. Star Swirl passed on his knowledge on to the two sisters allowing Celestia to raise the sun and Luna the moon, earning them both their cutie marks." She seemed to state that as if it was straight out of a text book, "That book is the journal of the two sisters, we got it from their old castle. It's provided a lot of insight into their early rule where we have little records."

Her magic flicks through the pages for me where it lands on a particular section. Reading the page It sums up their knowledge on how they control the sun and moon with their magic, though key information is missing due to the journals deterioration. Closing the book I rest it back on the shelf, "Well I guess I will have to see it to believe it, from what I learnt in school it seems a little far fetched. Can you open the chest for me?"

Scowling at me she shakes her head, "I'm not giving you your weapons, John."

"I don't want my weapons, just my assault vest for training." Considering this Twilight's horn illuminates causing the chest to unlock and open. "Thank you," Reaching in I select my vest and remove it, still feeling the additional weight on account of the magazines still contained in the pouches. With my vest in tow I head for the door to begin training.

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"Right, you two get into formation." I stand before Night Chaser and Sunny Shield, my assault vest equipped and fully weighed down with all my kit. "You seem to rely on your melee weapons for combat, engaging the enemy at close range. It's an outdated principle, you are going to die if you fuck up. I need you two to spar, show me how you engage a target."

Sunny and Chaser both salute before stepping off their marks, moving opposite from each other with a five meter gap. With a glow of her horn, Sunny casts some sort of spell on her weapon and Chaser's. Glancing to me she can see my bemused expression, "It's a duelling spell, Sir. It makes the weapons safe causing a yellow line to appear for injury and a red line for fatal wounds."

"Good, that means you two can beat the shit into one another and I won't have to clean up your fucking mess." Pausing I wait as they both shift in their stances, eyes locked on one another. "ENGAGE!"

On my command Chaser lunges forward attempting to get an early strike, Sunny manages to swing her spear in front of her parrying the blow. Her horn illuminates pushing forward a magical field knocking Chaser from his position. With a hard beat of his wings he takes to the air, making a rapid dive he swoops low attempting to strike against her. Sunny rolls to the side as her magic propels her weapon towards him, catching him in the wing painting a yellow streak against his feathers as he releases a pained yelp. Landing back on the ground he rapidly advances swinging his blade left, right and centre. With every swing Sunny just steps back, erecting a magical shield at each location he attempts to strike. With a deft swing she pivots her spear forcing the handle to connect with the bottom of his chin.

With a primal roar Chaser dives straight for her using his whole weight against her. Grasping around Sunny he knocks her to the ground, using his wing to keep her spear to the floor he delivers a rapid strike against her chest. The blow makes contact with her armour creating a yellow mark where it made contact, in his anger filled state he repeats the attack only causing more streaks to appear on her armour. After her initial shock passes Sunny uses her magic to levitate Chaser above her, holding him in the air she thrusts with her spear directly under the enchantment amulet causing the desired red mark to appear on his armour.

"Okay, settle down you two. Fight's over!" Panting Sunny drops Chaser onto the floor alongside her, once they've regained their breaths both Sunny and Chaser stand back up and face me. "Shield, good job. You parried his strike well and waited for the opportune chance to strike against him. Chaser, you got fucking sloppy. You struck too soon and let anger affect your judgement, you were too determined to beat the shit into her that you failed to notice your strikes were having little to no effect against her armour."

Chaser grumbles as he steps forward, "If it wasn't for her magic I would have had her!"

"Yeah, however she did have magic so you fucking lost! I can't have a whining little bitch bicker because he got beaten, the enemy will not play fair! It's you or them out there, and by god you better make sure it's your opponent who dies rather than yourself! Now both of you keep Sparring!" In all honesty I know fuck all in melee engagements, I was only trained with a bayonet and basic hand to hand techniques. If they keep training they should hopefully improve, I just need to ensure that they don't get sloppy.

As they begin to fight Rainbow's voice gains my attention. "Hey, John. What are you guys doing out here?"

"What does it look like, I'm training them."

"Looks more like you're just getting them to fight." Rainbow moves alongside me and watches the two guards engage in combat.

"Well that too, You can only learn to fight by actively doing it. I know you want to join the Wonderbolts, so since they're also a combat unit do you wanna lean as well?"

"I guess so. It will kill some time until the next Daring Do book is released, It's only three months and twenty seven days." Rainbow likes to read that series? Well I guess some people have a number of surprises. "Get in formation then once they finish this fight." Almost on queue Chaser lets out a scream as he swings his blade down across Sonny's back, forming the tell tale sign of her defeat. "Okay you three, get in formation! We will cover some basics for use of a bayonet or any blade."

All three move to a position facing me, both Sunny and Chaser are breathing heavily from their fight. "As you rely on melee weapons you will be expected to close and engage with the enemy. It's a psychological thing if the enemy sees you running towards them with blades drawn, they know that you are going to thrust that into their sternum and that's going to leave them shitting bricks! Isn't it?"

"YES, SIR!" All three shout up in response, despite Rainbow's limited training she at least knows how to address an officer and remain at attention.

"This training is to ensure that you kill him instead of him killing you! Does everyone understand that?"

"YES, SIR!" Clicking my finger and thumb I point to Rainbow.

"Get inside and have Twilight give you my bayonet and rifle for you to train with. Ensure you do not bring any magazines, Move!" Rainbow immediately flies around the library. I'm not happy with letting them have my weapons, but I can live with them using the bayonet. Shortly after Rainbow returns with Twilight, Spike and Rarity in tow who remain on the sidelines watching. "Sunny, remove your duelling spell on the weapons." With a crisp nod her horn illuminates removing the magical effect.

Twilight calls to me, "John may I have a word?" With an irritated sigh I step off towards her.

"You three, you have ten minuted to drink and rest. Move!" The three promptly fall out and head inside the library. I turn to address Twilight, "Something I can help you with?"

"Well Rainbow wanted your knife and rifle but failed to mention why she needed it apart from for training. I remember that your rifle requires those" -Twilight points to the magazines in my pouches- "So I need you to give them to me, please." With a sheepish grin on her face I reach for my magazines and give them all to her, she holds them in her magic as she takes them back into the library. So you gave away my weapon without a proper reason? That bodes well for my other kit.

"I'm training them in melee combat. Since Rainbow wants to join the Wonderbolts I figured it would at least be beneficial for her to gain a head start, even if it is with my rifle and bayonet." I take my canteen off my vest and take a quick swig of water.

"But, John," Says Rarity, "Is it safe? We don't want to see her getting hurt."

"If they do as I say then they will be fine." I move to step away but halt, "Do you have a manikin I could borrow by any chance, though it will get damaged."

Rolling her eyes Rarity turns and begins walking away, "I have an old one you can use for your 'training.'"

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"This lesson is about teaching you all to manage controlled aggression, to prepare you for closing in and killing the enemy!" I move alongside the manikin I had set up, my helmet sitting on top of its head. Whilst Rarity was collecting it for me she came across the other girls in town, they all decided that they would want to watch, Fluttershy always seemed to jump whenever I would shout orders.

I would be basing my lessons off of what I had been taught during my bayonet training at basic. Raising my rifle I hold it pointing up and to my left, "This is the 'high port' position! When I shout 'high port' you will all raise the 'spear' to this position and repeat the command." -Bringing my rifle to my hip I hold the rifle pointing forward- "This position is for 'en garde' where you are prepared to strike your opponent! For the time being use the weapon you have and when it comes to attacking you will all use Sunny's spear as it's your basic weapon!" I step forward and hand Rainbow the rifle, after I initially show her how to hold it which she did surprisingly well for a pony. Pausing I look across them all as I prepare to relay order. "HIGH PORT!"

"HIGH PORT!" They all shout in unison, holding their weapons in position.

"EN GARDE!"

"EN GARDE!" Once again they hold their weapons forward ready to strike.

"AGAIN! HIGH PORT!"

"HIGH PORT!" They all hold their positions steady.

"EN GARDE!"

"EN GARDE!" I hear Sunny's voice falter slightly on that last shout.

"I can see some pussies amongst this squad! Do it again! HIGH PORT!" They all immediately respond with more determination in their voices. "Fucking switch on!" We continue this drill for the next few minutes. When I glance to my spectators Pinkie was lounging back on a garden lounger with a bucket of popcorn, as I continue shouting orders I make my way over and take a handful which Pinkie happily offers me.

Stepping up to Rainbow I hold my hand out, "Rainbow, my rifle." She passes my rifle to me. Positioning myself opposite the manikin I turn back to my trainee's. "Watch now for a demonstration, you want to target the sternum to have maximum effect. Push the blade fully in with one solid thrust."

I push off strong running full pelt towards the dummy, my rifle positioned at my hip. As I approach I let out a war cry as I raise the rifles position. Making contact I use my hand pushing solid against the butt of my rifle acting as a hammer to force the blade fully in. As quickly as I penetrate its torso with the blade I retract the bayonet and step away.

"Line up, single file!" They all move into the line, Sunny at the front followed by Chaser then Rainbow. "All of you will use the spear! I want to see it in your eyes that you want to kill this fucker! Imagine this dummy is a fucking Griffin who just killed some of your mates! You want to fucking kill him!" Sunny tries pulling her best war face, but on these ponies that look isn't very intimidating. "What do you want to do to the enemy, Corporal!?"

"Kill them!" She shouts with all her might as she pushes off from her mark, releasing a war cry as she approaches her target. At full speed she makes contact with the dummy pushing straight through the material, a rapid withdrawal of the blade causing more damage. Making her way back she passes the spear off to Chaser who repeats the process followed by Rainbow. They all generally seem to have the hang of it but we keep practising throughout the day with sparring, positions and bayonet charges.

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By sunset the three were pretty tired, I think they managed to make some improvements. By the end the total scores of the sparring consisted of Sunny winning nine, Rainbow winning eleven, and Chaser fifteen. I think it may be good to knock him down a peg, can't have him getting too cocky. "Everyone settle down. Chaser as the glorious winner you get to fight against me, Sunny if you'd do the duelling spell on my bayonet blade."

Glancing to the side our audience had mostly dispersed leaving Spike and Applejack to spectate. My bayonet blade glows as the spell takes effect, testing it I run it along the back if my hand leaving a yellow mark. Chaser steps to the centre and draws his sword, I take my helmet off the manikin and equip it on myself.

"Ready, Sir?" Chaser grins at me as he waves his sword before him.

"Corporal would you count us down?" I unclip my rifle from its sling and grasp it at the hip.

Sunny steps between us, "Three, two, one. Go!" Upon starting us off she jumps back out of the way

We begin to pivot around each other waiting for the first to strike, I called him out earlier for being too eager to strike too soon. My perseverance pays off as he steps forward taking a strike towards me, raising my rifle I block off his strike and attempt to counter with a strike of my own. When I swing with the blade it lightly grazes his cheek leaving a yellow mark, in response he jumps into the air taking flight. Chaser makes numerous fly overs trying to attack me with each pass, I'm only able to avoid him by rolling to the side.

When he makes another pass I jump up and manage to take hold around his waist, the sudden additional weight brings him down to my level causing him to crash into the floor bringing myself with him. Picking myself up I feel a sudden impact against my back, turning my head I witness Chaser striking me numerous times against my armour. I rapidly spin my body around and take a swing with my rifle, impacting the butt against the side of his helmet forcing him off me. Once he's on his back I step over him and stand on each of his front legs preventing him from striking back, pushing the rifle towards him I slowly press the knife against his neck creating a yellow spot which quickly turns red.

A voice interrupts me, "I see you're having fun assaulting my guards, Lieutenant." Stepping off I look behind to see Luna standing alongside the others, an amused smirk on her face.

"Just training them as requested. You're also early," -I turn to the rest as I unclip the bayonet and hold the blade and rifle to Rainbow- "Stash these for me please Rainbow, and the rest of you head inside. You've all done good today, we will keep this up all week. However for you, Rainbow the training is optional."

Rainbow takes a hold of my weapons and takes them inside, Sunny helps Chaser to his hooves and leads him inside. Luna walks around to me and stops next to me. "Twilight informed me that you wished to speak to me."

"Yes I do," -Removing my helmet I clip it around to the rear of my vest- "It's regarding the Sergeant, I believe you gave him an order to obtain my weapons and figure out how they works."

Luna raises her head, her eyes looking down at me, "That is correct, John. I didn't make the decision lightly but I fear I had little choice."

"You should have come to me instead of gone behind my back. Why did you have little choice in the matter?"

Luna sighs as she steps away, "At the trial there was an informant for the Griffin Militarists, he has relayed the information of your weapon to their forces. We had been told by a Loyalist General that they uncovered a research facility where they had been attempting to replicate a weapon similar to yours." Shit! Already they are attempting to copy my rifle. "They've made little progress but should the threat occur we need to be able to counter it."

"I'm not exactly comfortable with it... But I may be willing to help if my circumstances change." I can't believe I'm doing this.

"And what exactly would that be?" Her voice sounding hopeful.

"My ammunition is limited, and I can't exactly get more. If you can get me certain supplies and equipment I may be able to make my own ammo, Its highly unlikely but if I'm successful I may be able to help create some additional ammo. Once I've done that then I may... may... be willing to help your people develop a basic rifle." Creating a cartridge shouldn't be difficult, as a ATO I've worked around plenty of munitions and know how bullets operate. The main challenge would be figuring out how to create a sufficient primer, casing rim and then the bullet itself.

"This seems promising, though I can't allow you to go around making more ammunition for your weapon... Not without some incentive." Great what is she after now?

"What would that be?" I begin to make my way towards the doorway for the library as Luna follows closely behind me.

"Celestia has agreed to send a Company to the Griffin Empire to assist with the guards based in our colonies. We need soldier to fill the company, and officers to lead. They will be deployed by the end of July. We believe that you will be able to assist, in return we have agreed to grant you Equestrian citizenship and a position within the Equestrian guard." I halt at the doorway and turn back to her, my eyes wide as she looks to me with a hopeful expression. They seriously want me in their army?

"I... I don't know Luna. I mean... I'm honoured that after such a short time you're offering me citizenship and a job in the military, but I'm-"

"John, I understand your concerns but I believe this will be best for all of us. Equestria needs those who have experience, since I've been gone our guards have had little to no combat." Luna pushes past me and enters the library, I enter afterwards to see everyone inside gathered around a number of camping beds. "I believe that your knowledge would be a great asset."

"What's going on?"

"As I mentioned before I can access dreams, that includes memories of most while they sleep." She wants to enter my head and see my memories? Everyone is gathered around all looking to me expectantly, Chaser, Sunny and Rainbow seem to be a bit more drained than the rest following their training. "We are interested to learn more of your world, it will also allow us to understand your role back when you were in the army."

I step up to one of the beds, removing my vest I place it on the floor underneath. I sit back on the bed and run my fingers through my hair. "Fuck it... Let's do it."

They may not like what they see, but if they want see my memories then they will have to risk seeing the shit ones as well.