Chapter 13: Getting Started

"82... 83... 84... 85... 86........ c'mon, push it out, just do four more. 87... 88...... just two more, 89... 90."

Flash collapsed in the dirt. It was the most push-ups he had ever done at one time, but the demon standing next to him wanted more.

"Ninety in almost three minutes, a new personal best."

"James, why am I just exercising? I thought you were going to teach me to fight."

"First off, I'm not teaching you to fight, I'm teaching you to defend yourself. Only idiots and D-Bags undergo this training for the purpose of fighting. Secondly, before I teach you anything, we need to build your endurance, stamina and strength up. Otherwise, anything I DO teach you will be next to useless. Now get up and run around this section of trees again."

The stallion got up to comply.

The ruthless trainer called after him, "And if I catch you using your wings again, I'm tying them so tightly to your back you won't feel 'em for a week!"

After his charge left, James grabbed a bucket from the barn and filled it up at the pump. Then, carrying the bucket full of water back to the starting point with him, he waited for his student to come back. After about ten minutes he spotted the pegasus galloping down the home stretch.

James called out as he got closer, "Alright, come on over and take a break."

The silver maned stallion put in an extra burst of speed to reach the clear sparkling water.

"Drink it slow, we still have a couple more things to do after this." He said, stopping the tired pony from quaffing down too much water at once.

James let his pupil rest for fifteen minutes, then it was back to the grind.

"Ok, times up. Do fifty more push-ups and then time for more squats."

"Aaaaawwwwww......."

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James had Flash on this routine for the next few days. He kept the pony repeating it until James was no longer needed. On the fourth day of training, they received a visitor.

"Are you Mr. James Kaughn?" An official looking unicorn pony stallion asked. He was wearing a basic working uniform, a patch on the shoulder featured an image of a crossed wrench and hammer with a small sun superimposed over them where they met his coat was a dull red, but his mane was a stark neon blue.

"Yep, that's me. What can I do for you?"

"My name is Lieutenant Lectric Sparks and I'm here with the Royal Corps of Engineers."

"Alright, cool. Where is the rest of your team?"

"They are unloading our gear and equipment at the train station with Captain Iron Horn. I have been instructed to find you and return to my unit with your first set of orders." He finished with a smart salute.

"Straight to the point, I like that. By the way, I'm an enlisted man, rendering a salute to me is unnecessary."

"Sir, we were informed that you held the rank of Commander in the newly formed Royal Special Tasks Group."

'Shit, I thought that was just a title. I just jumped up twelve pay grades, I hope I get paid like it too.'

"Very well. Then consider this my first order as an officer. You and the rest of your unit are no longer required to salute me with the exception of formal military events or when I'm wearing whatever the formal military dress uniform. Just to keep up appearances."

"Sir?"

"That's an order, please relay it to your Captain."

"Yes sir!"

As the engineer pony turned to leave, he almost saluted the freshly promoted human, but caught himself midway, just galloping back the way he came instead.

'Good guy. Can follow unconventional orders.'

"Hey Flash!"

"Yeah?" He was almost finished with his squats.

"Go ahead and run another lap, then call it a day. I got some business to take care of."

"Thank Celestia." The dark stallion muttered under his breath.

"What was that?"

"I said thanks for the rest-ia!" The pony said over his shoulder, galloping away.

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James arrived at the station and spotted the engineers loading their equipment into some carts. The group consisted mainly of unicorn and earth ponies, but there were also a few pegasi. He looked around and picked out a serious looking unicorn he guessed was Captain Iron Horn.

"Captain! How was your trip?"

"Sir! We are just about finished with loading everything up. All we need now is a site to build at."

"Sounds good."

James waited patiently while the small detachment finished up. He spoke to the Captain when they did.

"Alright, I think I got the perfect place, follow me and I'll tell you what I have in mind."

He led the caravan far away from town, close to the forest. The site he had picked he remembered seeing from the sky when Twilight first brought him here in her balloon. It was far enough away from Ponyville that noise wouldn't be a problem yet close enough that it would be only a thirty minute or so walk back. The entire area was almost entirely blocked from view with trees. On the way there, James described the training facility to the chief engineer.

"I need a barracks to house at least six ponies. The berthing area will be all one room with an adjoining bathroom. The bathroom only needs three toilets and sinks, also small shower room that can only fit three. A short distance away, I need a briefing room large enough for ten. In between both these buildings, I want a large circular patch of sand or loose dirt. Behind the buildings, closer to the edge of the forest, I want a watchtower at least four stories tall. How soon can you get all that put up?"

"Should only take a week and a half, working every day, at least eight hours a day."

"That's fast, nice. Now, tell me what you know about obstacle courses......."

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It was five days into construction and everything was coming together nicely. Flash's cousin Ditzy had even dropped by the barn to deliver James' monthly stipend. He took out two hundred, stashed the rest and went off to visit Rarity.

James knocked on the door of the flashy fashion palace.

"Who is it?"

"Rarity, it's James." The door glowed light blue and swung open to reveal the shop's owner.

"James! How nice to see you, what can I help you with?"

"I came to check up on the uniforms I asked for."

"Oh yes! They're all nearly finished. I'm just putting the finishing touches on the last one. Your's was actually completed yesterday."

"Nice. I also came by because I need to design a unit patch to put on the sleeve."

"Of course, please come in."

"Also, how much is all this costing?"

"Let's see, cost of fabric, working time, throw in the seven patches and you're looking at about one hundred and ninety-two bits." She informed him with a smile.

'Damn, good guesstimate on my part.'

"Perfect. Here's two-hundred, keep the change."

"Oh my, you are my first client to pay before seeing the finished product!"

"I'm absolutely confident in the quality of your work."

The designer pony blushed a little and batted her eye lashes, "You may be a bit rough around the edges, but you sure do know how to compliment a lady. Now, let us talk about your patch's design....."

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James continued Flash's training, checking up on the construction every day. The obstacle course had added a few extra days onto the completion time, but it would be finished in time for his recruits' arrival.

Flash had just completed his second thirty minute run for the day. He huffed and puffed back to the barn entrance where water was waiting for him. James had made him go through his workout at break neck speed, having the pony finish the entire routine before noon. James walked outside to greet his student.

"Take a ten minute rest, then come inside."

The human re-entered the old barn while Flash caught his breath. When the ten minutes were up, he went inside. James was sitting cross legged on the floor opposite the doors.

"Come sit down across from me."

Flash complied, taking his place and plopping down on his haunches.

"Why do you fight?"

"What?"

"The question is simple, and so is the answer. Why do you fight?"

"Uh... to help others I guess."

"You guess?"

"Well I--"

"I can't teach someone who can only guess his motives. Now, why do you fight?"

Flash thought for a moment. He thought back to the time in the alley a couple weeks ago. He thought about his old job.

"So that others don't have to. I'd rather deal with the pain and make sure it doesn't happen again than see somepony else get hurt."

James was glad to hear this. It meant that Flash would use the knowledge he was about to receive for others and not for himself.

"Good. Now we will begin your training."

"What!? Then what was all that running and exercising for?"

"Like I explained earlier, that was to get you in shape to start your training. Moving on, I don't know too much about pony physiology, but we're both mammals so it should be pretty similar. The only other thing is that you can't stand on two legs for very long without toppling over, so I will have to heavily modify almost everything to fit your natural movements. This will not be fun."

James guided Flash through some of the more simpler forms of striking and blocking, modified for a quadruped. It was slow going, but the stallion managed to get it down.

"Good. Now practice that for two days and come back to me."

"You got it!"

James left his pupil to his own devices and went to see Captain Iron Horn. After a nice long walk, he arrived at the compound. The engineers were all taking a break under a tent. As James approached, all fifteen stood and snapped to attention.

"At ease, at ease. Iron Horn, how's progress?"

"Sir, we've completed all structural and plumbing projects. By the end of tomorrow, all the electrical wiring will be completed and you will have free reign of the facility."

"Outstanding. Captain, I have two more requests to make."

"Sir, just name the order and we will do our best to follow."

"Alright then. Firstly, I would like Lieutenant Sparks to stay on board as our resident engineer. He has shown exceptional knowledge in his craft and would be a great addition to my staff. Especially if we were to need something designed and built in a hurry."

Captain Iron Horn eyed the human with a bit of contempt. "Are you looking for some kind of janitor? If so, you can find plenty of qualified ponies in town nearby."

"On the contrary. I need a skilled engineer that can design and construct buildings and defensive barriers quickly and effectively, as well as help build and maintain complex machinery. It just so happens that Lieutenant Weld fits the bill."

The engineer's CO contemplated this for a moment before answering. "All right, he's yours. But if you use him for anything like unclogging toilets, you'll have me to contend with."

"Oh don't you worry about that. I have much bigger things planned. Please have him meet me at my residence tomorrow morning."

"I'll make sure he does. And what was your second request, sir?"

"Simple, tomorrow you will gather your company and meet me outside my current residence just before sundown."

"May I ask why sir?"

"No, you may not. Just ensure that all the loose ends are tied up here. After that, and my last request there, your detachment is finished with this project."

"One last question sir?"

"Shoot."

"What about your private quarters? In all the planning, you haven't mentioned a single syllable about it."

"Oh, don't worry about that. I'll make my own way. You and your company are here to build for your brothers in arms, not for me."

The engineer pony nearly cracked a smile, but not quite. "That's good to hear sir. Not many commanders in the Royal Army would say that."

"Eh, you can drop the formalities around here Captain, just call me James."

The smile on the engineer's muzzle was now almost noticeable. "Then you can call me Ira." The stallion replied.

"Nice to finally meet you Ira."

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The next day, James walked into Sugarcube Corner looking for Pinkie Pie. The Cakes informed him that she was busy with an order, but would be out shortly. To pass the time, he bought a cupcake to snack on. It was one of the best he ever had, moist and fluffy. The frosting was a little too sugary for his taste, but still, it was delicious. He was told it was one of Pinkie's own recipes.

James had just finished a second helping when Pinkie burst excitedly out of the kitchen.

"Hiya Jimmy James, what can I do for ya?"

"I'd like to organize a small party. It only needs to be big enough for about thirty to forty people. Nothing fancy."

"Ooooo.... what's this for?"

"It's for some ponies that just completed a project for me. I want to show some gratitude before they leave."

"Okie dokie, when do you want to schedule the event?"

"It needs to happen tonight. Everything has to be ready by sundown."

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All the wagons were packed and the Royal Corps of Engineers were ready to leave. They had done a beautiful job with everything. All the structures were solidly built and the plumbing had no leaks. It was a fine facility. They had even built bed frames in the barracks. James just had to find mattresses and figure out the food situation. He had to feed six pony guards for almost three or four months. But he would worry about that tomorrow.

"Ira."

"Sir?"

"Have your detachment prep the wagons for departure at the station and then form them up at my current address, Lieutenant Spark knows where."

"Sir, we're leaving tonight, aren't we?"

"Nope, I had your itinerary changed earlier, you leave tomorrow. I just need one more thing from you all."

"You got it."

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James walked up to his place, eager to see what the hard partying mare had in store for the Corps. It was evening and the engineers would arrive soon. He opened the door and inspected the interior. There were some tables with drinks and some food, but it was bare of any decorations. He heard some shuffling from the loft.

"Pinkie, you up there?"

"Yessir indeedy!"

"It looks great in here. My guests will have a good time with this. I'm a little surprised it isn't more flashy, you feeling all right?"

"Don't worry, I'm taking care of the decorations right now!"

Suddenly, the barrel of a cannon appeared over the edge of the loft.

"Pinkie, what is that?!"

"It's my patented party cannon!"

"YOUR GOING TO FIRE A CANNON IN HERE!?"

"Yep!" She responded as casually as if she were talking about taking a nice stroll through the park. Then she lit the fuse, all while displaying a large and slightly disturbing smile.

'Holy shit, I gotta get outta here, she's freaking nuts!'

James launched himself out the barn door and flattened himself on the ground, arms over his head.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Came the voice of Ira from in front of him. James looked up.

"Oh, Ira, glad you're here. I see the rest of your team is here as well. You might want to brace yourselves."

"Why--

BOOM

A loud concussion emanated from the barn, catching all fifteen ponies off guard and sending them scattering for cover.

James stood up and brushed himself off. Just then, Twilight showed up with Rarity and Applejack.

"Hello James. I see you've gotten acquainted with the party cannon." The three mares giggled a little

"Yeah, you could say that. Is it gonna be totally destroyed in there?"

Rarity answered him, "Don't worry darling, it actually works quite well. Although we're not entirely sure how."

"It's jus' Pinkie bein' Pinkie," Applejack added, "it takes some getting used ta, but ya will."

"But enough about that, who are all these handsome stallions here tonight?" Rarity asked, batting her eyes in the engineers' direction. They had since come out of their hiding places, still a bit wary.

"They're part of the Royal Corps of Engineers. The past two weeks, they've been helping me out with my project. They are leaving tomorrow, so I thought I'd throw them a little 'thank you' party before they do. Captain Iron Horn! Come on over here and meet a few of my friends. This is Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Applejack. You will meet Pinkie Pie inside."

The officer came forward and bowed to them. "It's an honor to finally meet you all."

"Ira, what's goin' on here?"

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

The engineer pony's eyes went wide in disbelief. "James, you're friends with some of the most famous ponies in all of Equestria! How could you not know?"

"Twilight, what's he saying?"

"Oh, it's no big deal. We just may have..... helped out the Princesses a couple times here and there." She said quickly.

"Uh... wow. Heh, I've never hung out with celebrities before."

"James, please don't treat us like celebrities, it's kinda annoyin'." Applejack said bluntly.

"Oh, but it is such a glamorous lifestyle." Rarity pouted.

"Don't worry, I wont. It'd be a little awkward, huh? Alright, let's get the party started here, It's a celebration!"

The group went inside and put on some beats. Gradually, more guests arrived to partake in the festivities. In time, Rainbow Dash and even Fluttershy came to have some fun. Flash showed up soon after with a couple of kegs strapped to his sides.

Flash wanted to teach James a pegasus drinking game that was eerily close to Beirut, except you had to shoot with the wing and the cups were spaced more widely apart and in the shape of lightning bolts. James of course didn't have wings, but made due with his hands. He also had had plenty of experience in beer pong, much to Flash's frustration.

"How are you even good at this?" James had already made several shots and Flash was getting tipsy.

"Beginner's luck I guess." James lied with a slight smirk.

"No way! I don't know how, but you're cheating!"

"If it makes you feel better, I'll chug the rest of my cups."

"Ha! You couldn't do that, that's like, nine beers!"

"He he, watch me."

James started pounding down the brews. Flash stared at him wide eyed until he finished.

"Ha, told ya."

"No way."

"Yup. I think I'm good on beer now, Imma go grab some cider, you want some?"

"Sure."

James retrieved a couple of mugs and sat down on the old blocks of hay where Flash came to join him. James gave his friend a mug and held his own up.

"Cheers."

"Cheers."

They tapped their mugs together and each took a sip. The two relaxed for a moment before Flash turned to his pal.

"He dude, you're getting some looks."

"What do you mean?"

"Every once in a while, I catch that blue weather pony sneakin' peeks at you."

"Alright."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"You gonna go talk to her?"

"I talk to her all the time. That's Rainbow Dash, she's one of my friends."

"Heh, looks to me like she wants a little more than that!" He said, lightly elbowing James in the ribs a few times.

Truth of the matter was, James had noticed this. Often, he'd be looking around the room for something or somepony and he would see her looking in his direction, but she would always quickly look away when he caught her. She'd been acting that way all evening. Only, he didn't know how to handle it exactly. He had had more than a few girlfriends back home, but he wasn't exactly the lady killer type. There was also the being of a whole different species thing. Just then, Ira trotted up and interrupted his thoughts.

"Thanks for party James, it really lifted up my engineers' morale."

"I'm glad it did, you guys deserved it after putting in all that hard work. Everything was completed with extremely high quality."

"It should've been. I hoof picked the entire team."

"Is Lieutenant Sparks aware of his new assignment?"

"Yes, he just needs a place to stay."

"He could stay with me!" Flash offered. "You could too James. The place is a little rundown, but it's pretty big and a hay of a lot better than living in a barn."

James was a bit surprised. But he could think of no better options.

"Ok, we'll head over there tomorrow. After your exercise routine."

"Darn, I just can't escape that."

"No you can't."

"Well, now that's been settled, I must gather my company and leave. We have a busy day tomorrow."

"Alright Ira, happy trails. I'll be sure to request your team personally if anything else comes up."

"Please do. They get paid extra for special projects."

The Captain mustered up his company and led them back into town where they were staying. This left just James, Flash, Sparks, the girls and a few ponies from town at the barn. Since the 'guests of honor' had left, the party started to wind down.

"So Sparks, welcome to the team."

"If you don't mind me asking sir..."

"You're part of my team now. James is fine."

"Ok, James... if you don't mind me asking, what will I be doing? Your training facility is already complete."

"Tomorrow morning I need you to report here at 0500 with Flash, your teammate."

"Teammate?"

"Yes. It sounds confusing now, but I will explain later. For now, you will be following a routine with Flash. I also have some other plans for you."

"Understood. So what's the routine?"

Flash gave the unicorn a knowing look, "Oh, you're in for it."

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All the other townsponies had left by now, as it was getting late. James estimated the time to be close to midnight. It was about time he turned in. He sent Flash and Sparks back to Flash's place. When Twilight and her friends were heading out the door, James began to extinguish the lanterns that were hung up in preparation for his sleep. He was about to snuff out the last one when he felt a presence behind him and turned around. Everypony had left, but Rainbow Dash was still here.

"Hey Dash, you need something?" James grabbed and opened a left over bottle of beer and took a seat.

"I just wanted to... well I..."

"Take your time, I'm a patient person." He took a sip of his beer. It was an ale, a bit fruity with a pinch of bitter. Perfect for the currently sweltering weather.

Closed her eyes and exhaled, composing herself. Then she looked back to the reclining human.

"I wanted to know if you maybe, wanted to hang out some more... sometime."

James arched an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well... we could just, you know, hang out. Or you could come visit Cloudsdale! Yeah, I could show you the weather factory like I did everyone else! I even know a couple of good restaurants there!"

James considered this for a moment. He had a lot of responsibilities here now, he also had the six other ponies he needed to train arriving in just a few short weeks.

"Sounds like a ton of fun. When would we go?"

"Really!? Aw, cool! We could go in a few more days when I have time off from work. We also need Twilight to do a cloud walking spell."

"Cloud walking spell?"

"Yeah, silly. Only pegasi can walk on clouds and you don't have wings, remember?"

"Wait, Cloudsdale is really made of clouds?"

"Duh. How else would it float in the sky?"

This was going to be interesting. James had been at high altitudes while performing HALO and HAHO jumps, he had fallen straight through layers of clouds. Walking on them was going to be an entirely new experience.

"Right... well, I'm down. Come get me when you're ready to take me. I don't really need to be here for another couple of weeks."

"All right! This is gonna be SO AWESOME!"

The rainbow maned pegasus flew strait out the barn at high speed, kicking up some dust as she left.

'What have I gotten myself into.'

The weary human extinguished the last lantern and retreated to his loft, carrying his beer with him. James popped his headphones into his ears and scrolled through the music on his iPod. He finally landed on some Jimi Hendrix, starting with 'Hey Joe'. James lay back on his makeshift hay mattress and finished his beer while enjoying some truly classic rock. The moon was full and bathed the land before him in a luminous silver light. After a time, he closed his eyes and finally submerged into a gratefully dreamless sleep.