https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j741TUIET0

(For atmosphere)
One day, Twilight came out from CHS happily along with her 6 friends from the school. As per usual Rarity discussing the miscellaneous stuff of fashion, dressing, and talking about that gala… somewhere in the town. Applejack and Rainbow looks like they both had accept a challenge, but they didn’t tell their friends what was their challenge (Which made the 5 of the girls felt uncomfortable with imagining their both final result). Fluttershy surprisingly able to make a couple of jokes she made up this far (which ironically took her about two weeks to make one), one was about how a fish able to breath the oxygen and one was about how a man got kicked above 15 metres in the air by a horse (which found Sunset simply staring at her in disbelieve with her mouth half-open). Sunset was reading her book, science book mainly because of her interest of it. Pinkie, still being Pinkie, speaks very fast about any kind of parties for the school, slumber, and any kind of it which her friends only gaze at her (Not like the last time Pinkie did to my house, bloody hell).

“Excuse me?!” Goddamnit Pinkie! Can’t you just don’t break the fourth wall!? We’re just getting started!!

“Not until you-!” alright, alright, jeez. I get the cupcakes I made for you like you wanted, sounds good enough?!

“Yeah, sounds good!” at last Pinkie turned her expression to a very cheery one.

“Did you just break the fourth wall again?” Twilight asked, concerned of me (well that was awkward).

“Ooh, you can break the fourth wall?” Pinkie asked directly at her.

“No, but I just knew you did that.”

Twilight on the other hand, was hoping for something better, something like a vacation. Yes maybe she is smart and have high intelligence on all lessons, but it’s getting her bored and tired of it. More than that, she wanted to look for something, fun or adventure don’t care. She just wants to take a break from those lessons for awhile. And there were times she felt regret about what she did in Friendship Games, or one more thing that she won’t willing to talk about. The Red Day, which was affected her whole life turned to a worse one.

But that time has passed and now she live her life as she wanted to be. Back into Twilight, yes she was thinking what fun or adventure she would have if they had vacation. But though she found nothing in her mind and she paused her mind for awhile for a break. They all went to Sugarcube Corner, the only place where they loved to have some snacks and drinks. As minutes passed by, all 7 of them sat down on their favorite spot which has a sofa and a couple chairs with table in the middle of it.

After they sat down, they ordered snacks and drinks with the exception of Twilight who only ordered a grape juice drink. Saying that she wasn’t hungry (actually very little). After they got their orders, they eat and drink their snacks and drinks. Twilight’s face then went pale on something. Sunset did indeed noticed this and wonder if something is really wrong.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Sunset asked as she tried to look at her friend’s eyes.

"Nothing, I just feel..." Twilight said try to think on what she was going to say as she made a circling hand gesture. "Well, bored."

Sunset and the rest were concerned about Twilight's response of 'bored'. Each of them were wondering why, but none of them had a good conclusion.

"What makes you bored?" Fluttershy asked as she ate her pretzels.

"I dunno, I’m just kind of... tired of just studying and searching and..." Twilight paused as she thought for a moment. "Ugh, everything we do in school each day."

"I though ya’ liked it," Applejack said raising her eyebrow.

"I do enjoy it," Twilight said with a nod. “but it gets boring after only doing that for so long."

"Well, you have friends to talk with," Pinkie said with a giggle. “does talking to us make you less bored?”

"Well, a little bit," Twilight replied with a huff.

"Are you telling me that you want to do some, adventure stuff?" Rainbow asked with a bit of enthusiasm, eager to see what journey could be laying ahead. “Like Daring Do does?”

"Yeah, something like that," Twilight said pointing her finger at Rainbow. “that is exactly what I had in mind.”

"I don't know, darling but," Rarity said, putting her hand on her chin. "You're not kind of adventurer type."

“Plus,” Rainbow added. “I don't know if you able to do something like that, like Daring Do does in the movies."

"Besides, we're still in school day," Sunset said with a shrug. "Well, unless..."

"Unless?" Twilight asked in a hopeful tone.

“Unless we had a week long vacation,” Sunset said leaning back in her chair. “but since it is Summer Vacation we have six weeks of no school.”

Twilight was surprised to hear this news. During her time a Crystal Prep there was school year around, so hearing she had a break brought a smile to her face. “Looks like that means I can go on an adventure with you then.”

"Uhh," Fluttershy responded in an unsure tone. "I'm not sure you can go with the 6 of us."

Wait 6 of you?” Twilight quickly asked. “What do you mean?”

“What Fluttershy means is we all have our own things to do.” Sunset said in a firm tone. "I have some errands with Princess Twilight, Rainbow and Fluttershy are needed somewhere out from here, Rarity has been called by the fashion supervisor in urgent, Applejack had business trouble at her family's business, and Pinkie, well, she has no idea where to spend time for vacay except at home and parties."

“Well shit...” Twilight swore, causing the others to stare at her in shock, nearly choking on their food.

“Shush,” Rarity said putting a finger to her mouth. “There are kids around you know.”

"Sorry," Twilight said in an apologetic tone, the others nodding as they accepted her apology.

After they finished their meals, they all said goodbyes and went home.Twilight wasn’t relieved, and in fact felt a bit upset, that she couldn’t spend her vacation with her friends due to their own problems. Twilight thought about her old Crystal Prep friends, but remembered that the Shadowbolts has a big project to do so they couldn’t spend vacation with her either. After dropping her bag on the sofa, she found her talking dog Spike watching TV. When he saw her, he Juan over and jumped into her arms, licking her face in greeting.

After a while, the bell on the front door rang. Twilight went to the door and opened it with haste, wanting to get back to her mind about planning an adventure. To her surprise, her old Shadowbolt friend Indigo was there on the other side. Indigo instantly hugged Twilight much stronger than she would used to do, no doubt the result from spending time apart.

"Indigo, would you, just let me go," Twilight asked as she tried to catch her breath. "You're squeezing me."

"Oh, sorry," Indigo said letting go of Twilight. "Was that too much?"

"Honestly, yeah," Twilight said clutching her chest, still feeling a bit winded. "Want to come in?"

Indigo smiled as she entered the house. “That would be great! Oh by the way, I’m not the only one coming here, the other Shadowbolts should be arriving any minute.”

Once the others arrived, they also happily entered Twilight's house. Twilight got some soft drinks for her friends while chatting with the others, including joking around with Lemon Zest. Twilight then sat on her sofa next to Sugarcoat while taking a drink for her own, talking a bit about what she was planning and the news around the town.

Indigo and her friends were talking a lot. Most of the conversation was about how much things had changed around Crystal Prep, including Principal Cinch, who is now enjoying her life of retirement after having the terrible events of Friendship Games and The Red Day. Eventually, the conversation turned to what Twilight’s plans were.

"Have any plans for vacay?" Sour asked with a smile. “All of us are jealous that you even have one, this project is going to kick our tails.”

"I still don't have one," Twilight replied as she scratched her head.

"Oh, really? Not like researching or something?" Sugarcoat jokingly asked, thankfully everyone got the joke and shared a good laugh.

"Nope," Twilight replied in a serious tone while shaking her head.

“I forgot to ask,” indigo said interrupting. “How’s your study going so far?”.

"It's..." Twilight paused for a moment. "Boring."

"Huh, really?" Sugarcoat asked with a giggle, joking pushing her fist to Twilight’s shoulder.

"Ye-yeah, really,” Twilight said as she openedher palms in front of her chest.

“Hmm...” sunny said joking the conversation. “That is odd, as long as we have known you it has never bothered you before.”

"Well now i'm bored, I just need an adventure and I can't find it." Twilight honestly replied.

The Shadowbolts felt pity for her, Lemon Zest speaking up for all of them "Oh, sorry, I hope you find one soon.”

"Why don't you asked your friends about it?" Sour asked. "The ones from CHS."

"They can't,” Twilight said with a sigh. “they are super busy during our vacation, just like you guys got your project for rocket science.”

Sour frowned at Twilight’s answer. “Sorry to hear that, good luck finding what you seek.”

"Thanks," Twilight said leaning over and giving Sour a hug.

Over the next few hours, they spent the time playing a little game called Scribblers. The game involved them to make a word from a lot of letters on small magnet rectangular-shaped pieces. Twilight was the one who won Scribblers, Sour feeling unbelievable while the others giggled, since Twilight won with the word “sucker”.

"What the- what is this meaning?" Sour asked in disbelieve.

“What?” Twilight asked while the others giggled. “Any words are allowed right? It isn’t my fault the letters I had ended up on that free “s” that was left open, so it wasn’t intentional.”

"Wha- aah, alright," Sour said once she got over her bitter loss.

After the game, they watched TV, commenting and deviation on everything they saw. There was this one news report, about the U.S. Army Rangers, that immediately grabbed Twilight’s attention. The main purpose of the report was about how bad the war was, and how the US Army Rangers were fighting the Talibans in Afghanistan.

There was a soldier on there, named Sgt. Foley, and he was on the TV explaining he was there for fighting terrorists and saving innocent civilians in Afghanistan. The African-American man was a US Army Ranger in the 1st Battalion, 75th regiment, Squad Hunter 2-1.

"The war's raging fast around here to be sure," Foley said as his squadmates in the background were heading to the mountain to look for any possibilities of an enemy nest. "but we still have hope for this fight. We sacrifice everything for what we are fighting for; whether it's for our brothers, people, or nation. Let's hope for the future the war here will be finished soon."

"I really agree to him," Sugarcoat said with a nod.

"I wonder how it feels like in the war?" Sour asked in a curious tone.

"It would be an adventure," Lemon said cutting her gaze to Twilight, who had a look on her face of deep thought.

"You're sure about it?" Sunny asked in rebuttal. "It's war."

"Yeah, you're right," Sour said after thinking over it some more. "If something bad happens then, crap."

Everyone giggled at that statement, making Sour confused. “What?”

"Crap," Indigo said as she used air quotes, causing them to laugh.

Hours later, the time on the clock showed that it was 10:00 PM. Realizing how late it was, the Shadowbolts hugged Twilight and said their goodbyes before returning to their homes. After they left, Twilight went and sat down next to Spike on the sofa. Spike rolled over and put his back on the sofa, looking at Twilight upside down. Twilight seemed to be doing some serious thinking about what she watched on the TV.

About what did she saw on the TV, she was referring to the US Rangers news. It was a long time ago, since she was a little girl that time. She remembered that she wanted to join the Army that time, with the reason of proving herself that she can do it. But when stepping in as teenager, she was more fond in chemics and physics which led her to be wanting to be a scientist. Now she was in doubt for a moment on what will she work as. But then, after a moment she has made a decision, work as a soldier.

"What are you thinking, Twilight?” Spike asked as he started to scratch his ear.

"About adventure," Twilight replied. “Something that will not be the same routine over and over again, and I can take on new challenges with.”

Wait,” Spike said rolling back over into his belly. “don’t tell me you are seriously considering joking the U.S. Army Rangers?”

"How did you know?" Twilight asked surprised that Spike had figured it out so quick.

"Common sense,” Spike replied in a short, clear tone. “You watched the news, so now you're starting to think that they would need your help over there."

“You know how to read me like a book...” Twilight replied a bit jumpy.

“Why would you even want to join them?” Spike asked scratching his head. “What would they have to offer that you don’t have here?”

"I just…..” Twilight paused for a moment. “I just wanted to prove myself that I can handle myself, and able protect myself and anyone else around me.”

“Hang on,” Spike interrupted. “What makes you think you want to prove yourself as a soldier? Don’t you even think what if you died out there?”

Twilight only limply silent by his words, somehow felt know where he was getting at. “You’re referring to..?”

“No, not that!” Spike responded quickly. “I really meant it, what if you die out there?”

Twilight paused for a moment with a frown, but came an answer. “Then you don’t have to worry about me.” Which Twilight realized that she said that without awareness and looked away from Spike.

They both only be silent for awhile. Acknowledging Twilight’s complicated personalities, Spike was wondering why would Twilight want to be a soldier. What pushed her to be a soldier. At last Spike asked her that.

“What pushed you taking a job as a soldier?”

Twilight thought for a moment about the question. “Mainly, want to proving myself that I can take risk and challenge no matter what, proving that I can protect myself and everyone, well yeah looking for adventure. And……. Hopefully that nothing would happened to me alike ‘The Red Day’.”

That word again, she fucking hates to say that but what other explanation she can say? She’s smart, yes, she’s genius, yes, she’s a scientist and engineer alike, yes, but she wasn’t good at answering a question that needs opinion of her own on why she needs that, working as that, or want to do that. She was only good on answering a question that has a fact. But that was the only she can came up this far. And she doesn’t like to remember and forget about what had happen on ‘The Red Day’.

“Oh, that’s understandable, Twilight,” Spike said sincerely. “That’s your choice though, it’s not my call to let you taking that job or not.”

Twilight was surprised to his respond as she looked at her dog with wide eyes. “I didn’t expect you say that.”

“I know,” Spike said with a nod. “Should we tell your parents? Your brother at least about you’re taking this job?”

Twilight quickly taken back by his question, she quickly shook at him. “No! I really wanted this! I don’t want they are going to be a burden on my back because of it.“

“You mean you don’t want them to know whether you’re still alive or not?”

Twilight responded with a nod.

“Twilight, if you really joined as a soldier, can you promise me one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Please, come back safely. I don’t want to lose you.”

Twilight only stay silent with that for awhile. “I promise.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrEljMfXYo

The next day, the long vacation started. It was only daybreak, but Twilight knew that her friends had already gotten busy with their summer tasks, so she knew she was on her own for the foreseeable future. The good thing was, she had already formed a game plan as to how she was going to start her adventure.

She got up like normal, 7am sharp, for her morning routine of a cup of coffee, taking bath, and feeding Spike. At 8AM, both her and Spike left the house, taking one last look at it before heading into town. After some asking around, a mailman told her that the military base, Royal Sapphire Military Fort, was located on the edge of town. After thanking that mailman, Twilight went to the fort.

Upon reaching the gate, Twilight told the guard on duty why she was there, and he politely told her to wait while a ranking officer came to talk to her. While they were waiting, Twilight told Spike that he would have to wait outside, something that he felt highly uncomfortable about. While they were talking, someone tapped Twilight on her shoulder.

"Ah, no, don't worry I got th-," Twilight started to say, but she suddenly halted. The soldier that she was talking to was Sergeant Foley, the one that inspired her on the TV.

"Is there any trouble?" Sergeant Foley asked, Twilight just unconsciously staring at him a bit longer. "Uh, miss?"

Twilight suddenly realized for herself that she was staring at him, blinking her eyes and shaking her head to straighten her thoughts. "Oh, uh sorry, are you that guy on the TV, Sgt. Foley?"

"Yes, I am," Sgt. Foley replied with a chuckle before shaking Twilight’s hand. "1st Battalion, squad Hunter 2-1."

"Oh, um, can you do me a favor?" Twilight asked in a quiet tone. "Can you have someone please keep an eye on my dog? He really doesn’t like being left alone for an extended period of time."

"Oh, sure," Foley replied, leaning in so he could scratch Spike’s neck. "So... are you here to meet up with someone?"

"No, sir," Twilight replied shaking her head. "But I would like to join up with someone."

Stating that she wanted to join the army, Foley was surprised to hear it and raised his eyebrow. After finishing scratching Spike’s ear, he stood up in silence, as if he was in deep thought.

"Um, is something wrong?" Twilight asked

"Well," Sgt. Foley said rubbing the back of his head. "It's just it’s very rare to see ladies want to join the army."

"Is it hard training or fighting?" Twilight asked mostly out of curiously.

"Both," The Sergeant replied in a stern tone that made Spike whimper. "and you seem a bit younger than a twenty years old. Just how old are you?"

"Well, that's true," she said awkwardly, Spike just huffed. "I'm actually a high-school student, but I’m 17 so I meet the minimum age requirement. My name is Twilight by the way Sgt. Foley."

Foley felt unbelievable, his eyes going wide as he stared at her in complete shock. "A high-school student that wants to join the army? No offense to you Ms. Twilight, but hell that's just crazy!"

“I know it sounds crazy," Twilight replied with a small blush, clearly embarrassed.

"I don't know if you can join us," Foley replied with a sigh. "Unless..."

Twilight felt annoyed to hear that word 'unless', like she was talking to Sunset back at the cafe, but then she tried to keep her cool. "Unless what sir?"

"You're some sort of a special student," Foley replied looking right into her eyes. "So, what's your speciality?"

"Well, I’m really not good at physics because I tend to over calculate the problem," Twilight replied, the blush from earlier returning. "but I learned combat technique, Grade A+ on Science, Math, Chemistry, Engineering, and Crafting. I got a lot trophies on those lessons I got sir."

Sgt. Foley then paused to think, his hand holding his chin and his other hand holding his elbow. "You said Engineering, so do you know how to fix cars, engines, plumbing pi-“

"Yes, I do," Twilight said quickly. “and I know that tanks are far more advanced but I look forward to new challenges.”

"Hmm, maybe you really are worthy to join the army," Sgt. Foley said straightening himself up. "But..."

"What?!" Twilight asked leaning a little closer to him, narrowing her eyes and letting her aggravation be known. “I know it is a dangerous job and fully accept those terms, what else is there?”

"Your parents,” Sgt. Foley said in a calm voice. "they will be worried knowing you ran off and joined the Army, concerned that you don’t return in a coffin. Considering you are still a minor, I'm not sure you'll be okay."

"Don't worry, they don't mind," Twilight said smiling and feeling flattered by his worries. " I'll be okay."

"One more thing," Sgt. Foley said as he turned away from Twilight. “and I promise this is the last question.”

"Yeah?" Twilight asked easing her muscles. “What is it you want to know?”

"What you're really in for?" Foley asked. “Something had to light the fire for you to decide to join.”

"Adventure," Twilight replied as she widened her arms to her sides. “I am sick of the same boring routine and want to do something different.”

"I don't think the term adventure would be fit with the army," Foley said with a small chuckle, humored but Twilight’s reason. . "The Army, and myself, prefer the term NEW EXPERIENCE."

Twilight thought about it for awhile, looking down the ground as she came to her decision before looking back at him. "I agree with that."

"Good, how about I talk to the boss in here about you?” Sgt. Foley offered, and he could see Twilight’s mood improve. “You don't need to explain to him by yourself why you are here.”

"Thank you so much!" Twilight happily exclaimed, practically bouncing in place. "I'll be here waiting."

"By the way, do you live here?" Foley asked, making Twilight confused. “Need to know for when your information gets put into the database if the boss says you can join.”

"Yeah I live here, what about you?" Twilight asked trying to keep up the conversation.

"Nah, I’m just taking a break here. Back away from gunnin' and stuff," Foley said folding his arms. “It felt better to not get shot for now, you know what I mean.”

"Ok," said Twilight.

"Alright, i'll talk to the boss now about you," said Foley as he points at the fort.

"Yeah, sure" said Twilight quickly, Foley then head inside and talked to the boss.

Twilight then looked at her dog. " What about sit out here for a while?"

"Yeah, that should do it," said Spike happily, relieved that he doesn't need to wait outside.

They both then sit down on the bench located next to the main entrance. They chat while waiting for Sgt. Foley done talking to the boss. After Foley went in, he asked one of the soldiers around for asking if he's still available. He then walked into the Colonel's room.

The Colonel's name is Parry Marshall Wenton (this is not Kurt Marshall's son, the police officer). He has green eyes, pale/light skin, and has a little mark of a recently shaved mustache above his lips. He is one hard nut-cracker when it comes to the freshmens. His looks will be like this according to the picture on his desk, when that time he was on the battle.

"Good morning, Sergeant Foley," Colonel Marshall said when Foley entered the office.

"Morning, sir," Foley said returning the greeting with his respectful manners by standing still and bringing his right hand to his forehead in a salute.

"At ease." Colonel Marshall said as Foley dropped the salute, motioning for the Sergeant to sit in the seat in front his desk. "Let’s get straight to business, why do you want to talk to me?"

"Well, I think you're going to hate this," Foley said sitting down. “There is a new recruit at the gate and-“

"Heh! A new freshman, eh?" Marshall asked with his upset tone. “Another one for me 5p break and mold into the ideal soldier, what’s the problem?”

"Yeah, but this one is quite different sir." Foley said a little nervous.

Colonel Marshall stood up from his chair and put both arms on the desk while staring at him with an odd look. "What do you mean different?"

It was pretty long discussion, a very bored Twilight now watching the clock. It had been over two hours, and Twilight was starting to get nervous, but then Sgt. Foley came out from the base and looked around for Twilight.

"Hey, there's the Sarge," Spike told Twilight by pointing his paws at him.

"Oh, let's go then Spike." Twilight, said standing up from the bench and walking over to the Sergeant. "So how did it go Sarge?”

"Well, it was a pretty long conversation, including the part you're a high school student who is to early to take this career." Foley said looking like he had been though a battle, a sign Twilight took as being why the discussion took so long. "But you're in, Colonial Marshall said they need someone like you."

Twilight was joyful to hear it. "God, that's great! Um, when does my work start?"
"Tomorrow at 0800, which is 8AM," Foley said happy to see Twilight’s enthusiasm. "Your place will be showed to you by one of the soldiers in there, just ask and he will lead the way."

"Alright,” Twilight said saluting Foley. “and thanks for your help."

"Your welcome." Foley said with a chuckle. “and at ease sold

"Alright i'll be heading home now."

"Alright, careful on the road,"

"Ok, bye."

"See ya."

Twilight head home with her dog via taxi, she was very pleased to hear that. Foley, just smile and shook his head for head. But then, It did come in
mind about it.

"Does she really can survive this?"

Author's Notes:

This Prologue chapter has been finished rewrite by an editor of mine Sandstorm94

(When you see the videos of youtube here with songs, it means only for atmosphere of the readers, not really meant to watch it. It's okay if you sing along though.)

Update:
I have decide to do a little edit because I have felt the uncomfort part of this chapter.
song changed also
Mentions of 'The Red Day' is actually a planned prequel story I will make after this story soon enough.