Author's Notes:

BOOK 1: PART 2: DUTY

“OUT OF BED AND AT ATTENTION YOU WORTHLESS SACKS OF FEATHERS!”

Shadow rolled out of bed, the drastic contrast from dark to light blinding him. He stumbled to attention at the end of it like others were. No doubt they were from the military schools as they intuitively acted. Shadow did his best to mimic them through the confusion.

“I am Sergeant Wind Whisper,” He said walking down the isle. “I am the Master of Black Barracks. If you call me anything but Master Wind...” Master Wind's mouth turned to a wicked grin. “Lets not test me there.”

“Now! You were marked Black. If you paid attention yesterday, you would have seen other colors. Does anypegasus know what they are?”

“Back, Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Sir!” Somepony at the front responded.

“Correct Golden Dawn. Somepegasus was lounging rather than working her ass off!” Master Wind said turning around at the end of the hall.

“Red is for strength. Their primary skill is just that.” Master Wind said beginning to walk towards the front. “Blue is for those who's strong point is flying. Yellow is the baseline who have no strong or weak points. Typically Yellow tends to be filled with the technologically minded pegasi. Green if for the weakest recruits that need a little bit more love. Each Barracks will be treated differently in training. Working on the skills they most need to improve. You will learn and be tested on all skills. The final tests are the same for all recruits and not barracks specific.”

“What about Black?” Olive Pit asked. “Sir!”

“Black is for those special pegasi who peaked our interest for one reason or another. Leadership in one of those, but do not let that go to your head. Few of you are here for that reason. You will be worked twice as hard because of it. There will be no area of your training we will focus on more due to your individual weaknesses. You will all have no weaknesses and will be expected to prove that, immediately.”

Master Wind was again at the back. He sized up Shadow, who focused on looking straight ahead.

“I have figured out everypegasus else, except for you. I can't tell if you are a strong filly or weak colt. Until I do, I will call you Filly Fooler since you look like a butch bitch.”

“I don't think he knows what that is,” somepony at the front called out. Most snickered.

“You are right. Wrong to speak out Majesty, but do you know recruit?” Filly Fooler?

“Yes Sir!” Shadow replied.

“From what I hear, I think you are lying to me,” Master Wind said pulling out a file from a pocket under his wing.

“I am not lying Master Wind, Sir,” Shadow said. He was losing his nerve and trying not to shake. Despite his best efforts, shame was knocking at the door.

“Tell me what a filly fooler is,” Master Wind ordered.

“Its umm...” Shadow stumbled to the enjoyment of the others. “Mares who…”

“Answer me!”

“Mares who live together.”

“Is that all?”

“No Sir.”

“Well tell me.”

“They are married like a mare and stallion, but… mares.”

“Why the red cheeks Filly Fooler?”

“Because it is not right,” Shadow stated with nothing left in his voice. He saw several hateful looks out the corner of his vision. At least one was a mare.

“Why is that?”

“Because it makes a weak farm that can not be passed down,” Shadow said sheepishly.

“That's it?” a mare said before Master Wind could respond.

“Did I tell you you could speak Recruit?”

“No Sir!” Golden Dawn replied. “Sorry Sir!”

“So you are a filly fooler,” Master Wind smiled.

“No sir,” Shadow said scratching the floor with his hoof. “But my sister is.”

Master Wind shook his head. “And you lived with her,” He stated.

“I helped out a while before I came to start training here. I was not much help home, but there I was a big help. We had plenty of ponies on my farm. Big family. Lunar and Buck are getting the farm. Buck is really good to her and the family. He deserves it.”

“I don't give a shit about the rest of that Filly Fooler,” Master Wind said walking away. Shadow's front legs were left quaking.

“You will all be whipped into shape and one tight knit unit. Structure and order are key. When something goes wrong, like the Riots in Cumulus, they make a bad situation stay just bad. We can not lose control of the situation. Especially in battle. Understand?”

Shadow was the only one who said no. Master Wind wasted no time being back in his face.

“No?”

“No Sir. I get the Order and Structure, but not the riots.”

“You really are a dumb one,” Master Wind said making pegasi laugh.

“No Sir. But we don't get news sir. The closest city is a half day's flight away and we only go there out of necessity, like market days and to pick up supplies or equipment.”

“Ignorance is bliss. It is time you learn what the real world is like,” Master Wind snarled. “Not all are happy with the Enclave as you simple pegasi are. Some have been misled. I hope you will have no problem dealing with them.”

“I will have not problem Sir. But I didn't say we were happy. Nor did I say we were unhappy. We barely have interaction with the Enclave outside tax time. We just do our duty to the Enclave and farm the clouds so everypony can eat. We do not want ponies to starve.”

“You talk to much and have no voice to make it worthwhile to listen,” Master Wind said walking away.

“You will all learn to lead small groups,” He said picking back up. “You will learn to navigate the sky, the clouds, cities and the ground. You will learn weapons and unarmed combat. You will learn basic medical care. You will become soldiers. And because of pegasi like Filly Fooler, you will take classes on Enclave History and what Loyalty and Duty really mean.”

“Now,” Master Wind said from besides the door. “We have wasted too much time already. File out and we will begin with calisthenics to whip your sorry asses into shape! THEN you will get changed into your uniform and hit the mess hall for breakfast, if they are still serving it. Every morning, I expect you to be up and in uniform before I arrive.”

Master Wind drove them through much of the same things they did the day before. Sergeant Terror Space was one of the drill sergeants assisting Master Wind. They all were more than lose by the time they were done. The final thing was how to form up outside at their barracks parade field. Then it was into the barracks to change and then they hit the mess hall with only a few minutes to spare.

Shadow sat alone in the mostly empty mess hall. He was too used to being alone and he knew it. It was a crowd and he was not comfortable with this type of crowd. It bothered him that it didn't bother him. The platoon mimicked a community in many ways. It needed all its members to work together. He just didn't know how to fit into it, but he knew he had to learn fast.

They were forced out of the mess hall after a few minutes, meaning most hadn't finished their food. Then it was into one of the largest buildings were they were thrown into the class work on the Enclave and being a loyal soldier carrying out their duty. Every few minutes the class was stopped because somepony fell asleep and was forced to do wingups to wake up.

The rest of the day they were worked hard on physical fitness and proper drill and marching. There was no flying. They spent most of the afternoon learning how to stand at attention. Every time somepony moved they were forced to do something as punishment.

Shadow silently sat at a table with others in his barracks. They shot him evil looks as they ate and talked. They talked about him every so often as if he wasn't there. And they called him by his new name, Filly Fooler. He had made the most mistakes all day and they were all punished because of it.

Worse, he wouldn’t bend to the drill sergeants screaming at him, because it didn’t mean respect. It only lost respect in his eyes.

The next day was mostly the same. Up early in uniform, morning PT, breakfast, class and then rigorous activity before parade drills. Shadow was the first one to move on the parade drills. Twice before anyone else did. The second time was a face plant into the gravel the enclave had suspended on the clouds.

The third day they were introduced to the ground obstacle course. They were sharing it with Green. Shadow had no problem with the obstacles and was well ahead of the others when he finally met the double wall. It required two ponies to to help each other up and over. One to lift the first, and then be pulled up by their team mate. Shadow was waiting quietly when they caught up. He was ignored as others teamed up as fast as they could.

“Fuck you!” Cardinal Spitfire spat as she was rejected again as a teammate.

“They won't help you, not yet,” Shadow stated.

“Fine,” Cardinal Spitfire groaned as she helped Shadow up. He had trouble pulling her up.

Shadow decided to ignore the ease of the course and chose to stay together with the pack. Others started watching him navigate the different things they were having trouble with and learn from him. They never would admit they were.

Cardinal Spitfire fought hard to push them to the front of the pack, following Shadow's lead. They lead for the rest of the afternoon until it was time for parade drills. Ponies dropped like flies at parade meaning most of that time they were being given all sorts of punishment other than actual drill.

Day four brought the addition of wings for PT. A good respite for most. Shadow was now at the back of the pack. Keeping up, but at the rear. Day five switched obstacle courses to air. He was the fastest at it because of his ability to out think every obstacle.

His flying skills flipped because he had a set goal, unlike the day before which was endless flying. Touching an obstacle was against the rules. It was like hitting a teammate in an air formation, which could prove deadly.

“Today we begin unarmed combat,” Master Wind said. “For now, you will be teamed up and work on the drills we show you. And only those drills. Open combat will not be tolerated, but it will happen later.”

Shadow was teamed up with Golden Dawn. She had it out for him since he had to explain filly foolers. She was aptly named for her golden hair, which was in interesting contrast against her sagish green coat.

Shadow was the most agile of all recruits. He could dodge and weave perfectly. His strikes, however, left much to be desired.

“You are really pathetic,” Golden Dawn stated as they got water. “You can't take a hit and can't deliver one. You are lucky you can dodge so well. I would call you a coward except you never run and only work to set up the next strike.”

“Well, its not like I grew up needing to fight. Things never got physical where I am from,” Shadow stated.

“Not even against filly foolers?”

“Not conductive to the community as a whole,” Shadow sighed at the relief the water brought. “They make a weak farm because the more hooves there are to help out, the more you can produce and at some point, the easier the work is. And we help each other bring in harvests. Their farm can not grow like the others. It will never strengthen and we can't hire help. Practicality is key.”

“So she is supposed to go unhappy for the rest of her life?” Golden Dawn said annoyed.

“I never said that. No one knew. And I understand that not even she knew until they met. Everypony was shocked. That was the worst thing. The shock.”

Shadow sighed. Explaining the complexities of his community was proving beyond difficult. “If they had stayed on a strong farm with someponies married who's colt or mare would take over, that is one thing. But they started a new farm that could not grow. A farm that can not grow is a burden on the community. It's only been a year. The community was warming up to the idea of their duty to help their farm like any other, but it still is new and a big shock.”

“You are going to go back, aren't you?”

“Yes. My duty is to here for now. But eventually I well end up back home to do what I can, on their farm. ”

“Things sound backwards and wrong. How many sisters do you have?”

“Four,” Shadow said refilling his cup. “Most farms have two or three per couple. It is expanding and we don't have to worry about those laws regarding reproduction we have heard about.”

“That has to be nice,” Golden Dawn said. “They took away my younger brother at birth because he was a third. Unexpected third, but still a third. My parents appealed as soon as they found out they were expecting and they lost. They won the appeal to not abort, but he was gone before they could even name him. All we know is it was a colt. My mother never even got to hold him and seeing him even after was out of the question. We have no idea what happened to him.”

“Damn,” Shadow sighed. “I can think of several farms that could use another pair of hooves. Not all flourish. It is tough, and we don't get the best medical care. A local healer, but the closest doctor is so far away… sometimes farms have nopony, and the community decides who will take control.”

“Backwards and deadly,” Golden Dawn said concerned. “I will stay clear of farming.”

“It's not that bad,” Cardinal Spitfire defended. “There is a big difference between farming, and his rural, basically nowhere survival farming. The law is still applied to my community, although we win more third appeals. Just don't head out to his part of the clouds. They are near the northern mountains that mark the Enclave's boarder. You really don't want to go there anyway.”

“That is far,” Golden Dawn said socked, with he jaw wide upon. “No wonder why Filly Fooler is so odd.”

Shadow just rolled his eyes as they chuckled, along with several others listening in.

Sky navigation was instinctual. You had the sun and stars to help you calculate your location. Urban Navigation was a whole different technique. They had to work in small teams to find points in a enormous city they had built out of clouds. You could not go through clouds either.

Ground navigation was difficult. There was a cloud ceiling they could not go above as they tried to make their way to different points. Everything was miniaturized to give the illusion they were higher than they were. This was for going below the clouds. Most ponies didn't think it was realistic. Still, they had no better answer than what they were given.

And the start of week three they were fitted for full gear. Shadow's name tag was Filly Fooler. Basic armor, single gun battle saddle with saddle bags, and survival equipment like canteens, pup tent, gas masks, geiger counters and small safety diagnostic equipment.

That immediately lead them to the gas chambers. They had to enter as a group, then the chamber was flooded and then they had to take their masks on and off. It was to simulate battle, if they ran into anything nasty or were bombed with something. Pure survival.

It set your lungs on fire, your eyes felt like needles were being stuck in them, and for some, their coat itched for a couple of days. It was not uncommon to see other recruits in the mess hall missing some of their coats or manes from scratching too much.

The gas chambers thankfully lasted only a day, and then it was back to navigation and problem solving as things became more difficult. This time they were in full gear, loaded out with weights to simulate gear they did not have yet. They started working in larger groups and then as a barracks to get all types jobs done.

Team building became a huge part of their training. Shadow was used and worked with them, but he was not making friends. They were coming together well as a group, overcoming what was thrown at them. Often it included moving weapons, gear and wounded over long treks with minimal carrying tools and random objects. It always was more than what they all could carry on their own. Shadow had to lead exercises every so often like everypony else, but that was the most talking he usually did.

The navigation test came at the end of week three. It started well before morning and lasted almost 36 hours. They had to eat field rations and everypony led at least one exercise. Two new elements were thrown in. The navigation course required all three navigation elements and it was against the other barracks. It was the first time they were pitted against each other. Black came in third. Blue took first and Yellow second. Green surprisingly beat out Red.

They had the rest of the day off before the next test, unarmed combat. They had done only a little open combat. This would pit them against random opponents until it came down to the top two.

Red was favored to win as always. It took a whole day to boil it down to the top 16. Shadow had cinched a spot by wearing out his opponents with his agility. The final 16 would begin in the morning.

“Alright Filly Fooler,” Deke said from the end of the table. “I have to say, for a filly fooler you took them down easily. The finals are stacked half with Red, one Green and five Yellow. Everypegasus was shocked when that pegasus from Green knocked out three Blue in a row. It's you and Cardinal Spitfire. What are you thinking?”

“Survive until they get tired and give me an opening,” Shadow chuckled.

“If you get hit by any Red, you will be done,” Olive pit stated. “They accidentally injured 6 from Green, two from blue, another from Yellow and our own Golden Dawn.”

“So I don't get hit,” Shadow stated as if it was nothing.

He was doing his best to stay calm despite the storm of fear growing inside. He did not like fighting like this. It was savage at times. And this open combat was not a test of skills, it was bloodthirsty event put of for the enjoyment of the instructors.

“Good luck,” Flex murmured.

“If anypegasus can do it, it is either you or Cardinal Spitfire,” Deke encouraged. “Otherwise, Red wins, like always.”

Shadow was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was awake early and took a short jog to warm up before anypony was awake. He got back and Master Wind was going off about Filly Fooler running away.

“Here I am Sir!” Shadow announced from the door. “Sorry Sir. I woke up early and took a short jog to warm up for the day. Apparently not short enough Sir.”

“Alright then,” Master Wind said. “Don't make a habit of it.”

“Yes Sir. I mean no Sir. I mean I won't make a habit of it Sir.”

“It may be relaxed day for the competition, but we are still doing morning PT. Fall out!”

It was a short PT for Cardinal Spitfire and Shadow. Master Wind was in a good mood because Black made it into the top 16. He sent them in to eat an early breakfast so they didn't lose it while competing. Everypony else did the typical morning PT.

“Ready?” Shadow asked Cardinal Spitfire as they ate.

“Yes,” She said. It was clear she didn't want to talk. She still hated Shadow. Everypony knew it.

They finish in silence and at the approval of Master Wind, headed over to the competition field. An arena had been set up, centered around a single ring with stands so everypony could watch and cheer on their comrades. It wasn't long before the other competitors showed up.

“Stop pacing!” Cardinal Spitfire shouted at Shadow. “You are driving me nuts.”

“Just trying to stay loose,” Shadow replied annoyed.

“Well it is destroying MY concentration.”

Shadow sat down on the bench besides her. She slid down the bench away from him.

Blue Barracks was the last one to arrive. Their demeanor spoke volumes. Green was ecstatic somepony had actually made it.

“First round,” General Red River called out. “From Red, Lightning Rod. And From Black, Filly Fooler.”

Shadow shook his head. Few recruits, if any, knew that name outside of Black Barrack. Now they all knew and probably thought he was a mare. He climbed into the ring as if nothing was wrong, forcing himself to concentrate. He would be not be able to dodge and weave like he had been. He had seen Lightning Rod fight the day before. He was the pegasus who had hurt Golden Dawn.

“Fight!”

Shadow circled but Lighting Rod came right at him. He dodged a rear hoof kick and rolled around to his front. Lightning rod made several jabs at Shadow. When he was coming back down, Shadow stepped in, throwing his shoulder into Lightning Rod's chest. Lightning Rod didn't move Shadow was so weak.

Shadow didn't care. He used that leverage to easily sweep a leg before rearing up and pounding several strong blows to Lighting Rod's head. Lightning Rod was dazed, but stood up. Shadow didn't give him a chance before bucking him in the chest. Lightning Rod dropped and Shadow was declared the winner.

“That was straightforward,” Master Wind said as Shadow sat down. “I did not see that coming.” Master Wind had never praised or complimented Shadow before.

Cardinal Spitfire won easily and the pegasus from Green knocked out his Red opponent. Red started with half of the slots, but they ended the first round with half the slots. Shadow took out the one from Green easily. Cardinal Spitfire dispatched her Red opponent in an unavoidable bloody manor, forcing him to be taken away on a stretcher.

Shadow worked his way to the semi finals. He had to dodge and duck a lot in the match before he could land a solid hit. When he did, it was to the rear leg at the joint, deadening the nerves. He left his opponent barely able to stand. Shadow was forced to end the fight. He hated such senseless violence, but it was made clear he would have to end the fight himself. He wished they had called the match before he had strike his defenseless opponent.

Shadow was too distracted to notice Cardinal Spitfire's semifinal match. Cardinal Spitfire never left the ring. Shadow was knocked back into reality with a swift knock by Master Wind. He was shocked and shaking about the idea of facing Cardinal Spitfire. He couldn't back down. He couldn't let her win, that would make her anger grow. If he won she would hate him even more. There was no good ending to this and they had never run unarmed combat drills together.

“FILLY FOOLER AGAINST FILLY FOOLER!” A Red Recruit called out from the stands. “FILLY FOOLERS” Chant started up right after, getting everypony swept up in it except for Black.

“FUCK ALL OF YOU!” Cardinal Spitfire yelled. She turned to Shadow with pure hate in her eyes.

“Sorry you got wrapped up in this,” Shadow said for the hundredth time. “At least you won't see these fools after training.”

“Fuck them and fuck you. I will take you down and make sure you spend a few days out of training.”

“Fine,” Shadow said invading her personal space. She drew back slightly and then was annoyed at falling for the trick he had used plenty of times on the drill instructors.

Cardinal Spitfire lashed out, but Shadow wasn't there. He had rolled to the side to get a better position. She rotated expertly and threw a strong buck at him. Shadow vaulted over her legs and landed. He was able to plant two quick shots right on her Cutie Mark. He dove to avoid her and dodged several more times, waiting for the next opening.

There was no way he would be able to tire her down. He had to find an opening fast. She forced him back against the ring's wall and threw a buck. Shadow jumped over her, landed on his front hooves and drove a buck into her exposed side, right behind the shoulder. She was thrown into the ropes and collapsed.

Shadow took two steps back in caution.

“COME ON FILLY FOOLERS! AFRAID TO GET PHYSICAL!” Someone in Blue called out.

“YOU WANT TO COME DOWN AND SAY THAT TO MY FACE!” Shadow yelled back. “NO, OF COURSE YOU DON'T. YOU ARE TOO AFRAID OF YOUR OUR SHADOW TO COME DOWN HERE!”

Things quieted down and Shadow heard Cardinal Spitfire struggle up. He sighed. He hoped it was all over. She took two steps towards him and collapsed.

“FILLY FOOLER SHADOW FLARE OF BLACK BARRACKS WINS!” General Red River declared as he entered the ring.

Cheers arose from Black Barracks at the announcement. The others just clapped their hooves. Shadow looked over at Cardinal Spitfire. They were putting her on a stretcher. Cheers or winning didn't feel good. Not when it came to hurting her. She was innocent in it all.

Under all the hate for him was a special, sweet pegasus who had wonderful dreams and was tough enough and determined enough to achieve them. Lofty goals that few ever would attempt. She didn't do anything half-heartedly. She did things right. With all she had.

“You do what you have to do,” General Red River said to Shadow. “She is hurt, mostly in pride. Things get physical here, but out there, most pegasi will not fight like she did. If they do, you won't be left alone to face them. Besides, recon won't have to deal with civilians or the weak. They are to gather intel, not outright fight. So if you make it, you can rest easy.”

“I better make sure I make it then,” Shadow swallowed.

“Yes, you better Filly Fooler,” General Red River said walking away.

They spent the rest of the day lazily working through the obstacle course a few times. Blue was being drilled hard in unarmed combat and Red was being terrorized for losing. Shadow didn't see Yellow or Green. Golden Dawn was with them, an injured wing, but she could navigate the ground course, so Master Wind kept them on it.

When they got back to the Barracks after dinner, Cardinal Spitfire was in bed with her back to them and blanket all the way up. Everypony wanted to congratulate her on making it as far as she did and many wanted to try to comfort her. She was their comrade. Nopony knew the right words to say so they didn't go near the back bunks.

Golden Dawn finally walked over. “I know you are awake from your breathing pattern. How are you feeling?”

“Like shit,” Cardinal Spitfire said after a minute. He back was still to them all. “It hurt like hell and the pain meds only help a bit. I will be fine in a day or two. They said just rest up and let the bruising heal.”

“At least yours is just a bruise,” Golden Dawn said. “Lightning Rod almost dislocated my wing.”

“At least next is lacking in physical activity. It is weapons training,” Master Wind said shocking them all. “At ease. I didn't plan on coming in since you deserve the night off. This is informal to check on my recruit and your comrade. I expected her to make it to the Semi-finals, but no Black has made it to the finals in the last seven years.”

“It is almost always Red on Red, with some Yellow in the mix. Instead, two Blacks made it. The Reds are not happy, especially their Barrack Master. They have the real bruised egos after the beat down the took from everypegasus but Blue.”

“You are only as strong as your comrades, even in a one on one fight like this. That was one of the best shows we have seen since the combat ring was introduced. You two shocked everypegasus these past two days. You Cardinal Spitfire, showed you can live up to that Spitfire Heritage. And Shadow Flare, you showed your mare body means little. Both of you need to be very proud of what you did.”

With that Master Wind turned and left.

The others wanted to talk to Shadow for the first time. Filly Fooler was his nickname, but it was not said in a mean or derogatory way anymore. Deke, Olive Pit and Golden Dawn stayed awake the longest, swapping stories and dreams. They still went to bed well before the enforced lights out.

Shadow Flare had a a minute before Olive Pit would turn the lights out. He was sore and they wanted to make sure he made it to bed and didn't fall off it in the dark. Shadow caught the spot drying on Cardinal Spitfire's pillow. She had been fast asleep for a while. It was probably from before they came in.

“Alright Black Barrack,” The Range Master said. “Now you get to use those rifles you have been carrying around. Ammo is expensive and not easy to come by. Same with your brass. You will clean both up for recycling. You will scour the clouds until they are all picked up. The targets are designed to collect bullets for recycling the lead. It will take time to learn to aim, but that is why we have instructors here. Remember the rules of safe firearms you were taught when you received them. They will be strictly enforced. Flash any of us and you will most likely be punched before you make the mistake deadly.”

“The basic battle saddle fires a small caliber round. It packs a good punch and holds a lot of ammunition before having to reload. You will be trained with other weapons systems, but the battle saddle is your main priority. Every Enclave Soldier knows how to accurately use one and unless you are in the Cloudship crews, carry one.”

“Most of you will be trained on other types of weapons, like Magic weapons. Lead only makes up a small number of guns in Enclave. But it is the easiest to teach you on and give you the skills you need to handle the others.”

Cardinal Spitfire and Golden Dawn were not released for the range yet so they had to sit by and watch. Nopegasus was hitting their target. Aiming a gun that was on your side was very difficult. Turning your head did nothing, looking straight head didn't mean anything. You had to align everything up just right.

Shadow was very frustrated. Every shot was somewhere else. He couldn't even shoot the same spot twice. His bullets were known to cross over into the other targets on either side.

“Slow down Filly Fooler,” A sergeant told him. “Think. Use your brain. Breath and aim. Don't shoot until you are ready to. This isn't about speed. Just focus on learning it.”

They only got a few hours before they were forced to clean up and recycle everything. Then they were back to the old routines and drills to keep their skills sharp. Their marching was much better and they had learned the cadences and to sing them together. Some had bits of pre-war and war stuck in, unable to be removed or replaced because of their beat.

One mile - No Sweat
Two mile - Better yet
Three miles - Gotta run
Four miles - Just for fun
Come on - Let's go
We can go - Through the snow
We can fly - To the sun
We train - In the rain
E-N
C-L
A-V
E
Can you be - Like me?
Enclave - Infantry

V.I.C.T.O.R.Y.
Victory, Victory, That's my battle cry!

S.O.L.D.I.E.R.
Soldier, Soldier, That's what we are!

E.N.C.L.A.V.E.
Enclave, Enclave, That's who we are!

P.E.G.A.S.U.S.
For my race I'll give my life!

Up in the morning out the rack
Greeted at dawn with an early attack
First sergeant rushes me off the chow
But I don't eat it anyhow

Hail oh Hail Oh infantry
Hail oh Hail Oh infantry
Bring the battle or follow me
An Enclave Soldier life for me
Where nothing in this world is freee

I’m a pegasus in the sky
All will fly and some will die
Off to battle we will go
to live or die hell I don't know

Hail oh Hail Oh infantry
Hail oh Hail Oh infantry
Bring the battle or follow me
An Enclave Soldier life for me
Where nothing in this world is freee

Early at night its drizzling rain
I am hit and feel no pain
but in my heart I have no fear
because Celestia is here

Hail oh Hail Oh infantry
Hail oh Hail Oh infantry
Bring the battle or follow me
An Enclave Soldier life for me
where nothing in this world is freee

The mortars and artillery
The screaming verse around me
Jaggy shrapnel on the fly
kills my buddy, some must die

Hail oh Hail Oh infantry
Hail oh Hail Oh infantry
Bring the battle or follow me
An Enclave soldier life for me
where nothing in this world is freee

Marching down in the valley I heard a loud roar
It was an Alpha Trooper treating Red like a toy
So put your hoof on the peddle step down on the gas
Move over Ratty Red let the mighty Black pass

BLACK BARRACKS IS ON THE GO

Way down in the valley I heard a loud roar
It was a smooth Alpha Trooper treating Yellow like a toy
So put your hoof on the peddle step down on the gas
Move over Yucky Yellow let the mighty Black pass

BLACK BARRACKS IS ON THE GO

Way down in the valley I heard a loud roar
It was a cool Alpha Trooper treating Blue like a toy
So put your hoof on the peddle step down on the gas
Move over Baby Blue let the mighty Black pass

BLACK BARRACKS IS ON THE GO

Way down in the valley I heard a loud roar
It was a daring Alpha Trooper treating Green like a toy
So put your hoof on the peddle step down on the gas
Move over Ghastly Green let the mighty Black pass

BLAAAAAAAACK!

“Alright, settle down!” The Range Master ordered. “Yes, now we are moving to the Combat Shotgun. It fires 12 gage, 00 buck and is an essential close combat weapon. We will only cover it today. If your job needs it, later training will give you more instruction. You won't be tested on it, but don't fail.”

The Shotgun left most of the them bruised and sore from it's kick. It was a lot of power. Golden Dawn was on the range shooting her battle saddle, but she was not allowed to use the Shotgun since she was still recovering and they had to use their wings to carry it.

Cardinal Spitfire was still not cleared to fire anything, but she was with them at least. Silent, but with them. She would only talk if somepony asked her a question and even that wasn't a guarantee.

Cardinal Spitfire was allowed to fire a week after the fight. She had plenty of time to still learn the battle saddle and proved she didn't need much time either. She darted past Shadow on the first day while he was still learning to shoot the same area. He was hitting the target about 10% of the time a week in. Easily the worst shooter in Black Barracks.

The grenade launcher was fun for a tiny bit. They only had five rounds to hit their target. Most did not do too well. But the explosions were tons of fun. Likewise, they only had five rounds for the mortar. Everypony cheered at the awesome booms and explosions it made. Deke just called the whole thing booms.

The rocket launcher was scary, difficult to aim and a real problem when it came to keeping it on target. It weighed differently than any other weapon and Shadow felt like it was going to tip him over. Three shots was all you got and only two from their barracks hit the target.

Grenades were somehow scarier. Nopony could throw it far enough to stay out of the blast radius, so you had to duck or stay behind good cover. They only got two grenades to lob. Bucking them was impossible because of their timed fuse. 5 seconds if you were lucky.

The machine guns were a separate day entirely. They tried two types. A stationary one on a tripod, and a lighter one on a battle saddle. The light machine gun threw everypony off. They could aim, but because it moved so much it was extremely difficult to keep on target. Shadow was able to keep it steady enough to lead his pattern to his target. He was no better than any other recruit.

Side arms were also separate, but lasted three days. They learned both laser and regular side arms. The targets were no more than 15 yards away, giving everypony a confidence boost.

They spent a morning in a classroom discussing Magic weapons. They would not fire any, leaving that to secondary training if they would even need to learn them. They also reviewed all the weapons and talked about the tactics of each.

Shadow passed his range test with general ease. But he was in the bottom quarter proficiency out of all the recruits.

“I just don't get it,” Shadow said to Deke. “It sounds easy. It should be easy.”

“But it isn't easy,” Deke finished. “You can't out maneuver shooting a weapon. You can't change the accuracy needed by changing your position. You passed, well enough. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.”

“Halfway through and I still choke at any commanding exercises,” Shadow said as he dramatically plopped onto his bed. “And nav is okay.”

“We all suck at the ground nav,” Olive Pit pointed out.

“All I have for my leg up is unarmed combat. My measurable strength hasn't increased at all! How am I supposed to make it into recon with that?”

“Well, you have to focus more on navigation then,” Cardinal Spitfire said from her bed beside him. It was the first time she had openly spoken up for weeks.

“Stop whining and get down to learning it. And every chance you can, get on that range to improve. You can't fix that strength, or the fact that you have no charisma to lead, but you can work on the other skills. And you can turn your intelligence into leadership material. That is more important than charisma.”

“At least you speak honestly,” Olive Pit said. “There is a charisma to speaking honestly. Not much, but there is.”

“What is next?” Deke asked.

Nopony knew what tomorrow would bring.