Chapter Six:
Oorah!
By the look of the sheer number of ponies gathered, one would think an invasion was being planned. All of the gathered guards were waiting impatiently for their chance to impress their new prince. They were ready. Well most of them thought they were. But they had no idea what was coming for them. Outside the barracks stood 70 ponies from both Celestia's and Luna's ranks. While some intermingled with their counterparts, most of the guards stuck with their own groups. Activities ranged from brotherly taunting, calisthenics to warm up their muscles, gentle chats, and loud laughter. The Solar Guards tended to yawn with exhaustion in the extreme early hours in the morning more than the night crew. Most of the Lunar Guards were chuckling at their golden clad counter parts losing a little sleep. The cold air and dew nipped at them all. But none showed any discomfort. They were here to test their metal. These 70 volunteers were vying to join Prince Rogue Storm's new Storm Corp.
Rumors had been around since the wedding of how the prince would choose these ponies. Some said he could simply look for the toughest and strongest from both guards. One rumor suggested he would only take in officers. Another suggested he would only take raw recruits to mold them as the prince saw fit. Everypony was abuzz with their own idea or rumor. But no pony had any real indication to the actual process, save for one. One particular stallion found himself the center of attention with several of his fellow guards, Private First Class Dive Bomb. For the last couple of hours, the Lunar Guards have tried to get as much information from the boy as they could. Several Solar Guards joined the fray when they heard there might be one with a clue to the prince's methodology. Dive Bomb's encounter with the prince from hours prior had made him very popular. Several ponies clamored for any information about what was going to come to them. No matter how small the tidbit could be, the guards were reaching for whatever they could get.
"Come on, Dive Bomb."
"There has to be more."
"Did the prince mention anything?" several called out to the confused pony.
"Guys, guys," the dark grey pegasus pleaded. "Please, enough already! All Prince Rogue Storm told me was that his selection method would be something unexpected. If anything we need to be on the tips of our hooves and be ready for anything. That's all I know, honest." Dive Bomb was not enjoying this extra attention. Especially considering he had already divulged every important piece of information he could think of.
"I can't believe you couldn't find out anything else," one guard said. Several others broke off from the group. They were convinced that they had squeezed every ounce of intel they would get out of Dive Bomb. But a few chose to stay and try and see if they could pry anything else out of their query.
"Well, what did you expect?" Dive Bomb retorted. "We only spoke for a brief moment on the way to the library. He asked a little about me and nothing specific came up. I don't know what he is thinking. I swear."
"How could you not ask him?" one asked.
"Well we were in front of the trench coat he wore at the Battle of Ponyville," Dive Bomb began as he rubbed his forearm. "I was kind of in awe of what I was seeing and a bit star struck. I ended up asking him about what he was thinking at the battle. That's all that happened." This did little to satisfy the curious ponies. They all realized they had pulled out every piece of information their fellow soldier could have. None had the chance to ask another question. Out of the darkness, one spotted a figure walking towards the group. It wasn't the prince, but his new advisor.
"Heads up, boys," one officer called. "Page Master is coming." All of the prospective candidate called upon their training and rushed into formation. Page Master continued his steady pace and the guards were lined up when he arrived. The disguised changeling was enjoying every moment of this. Normally he was subservient to the Chrysallis but Page Master was enjoying the fact that so many treated him as if he was the brightest star in the night.. It was delicious and he wished to savor it whenever he could. "Sir, squads are assembled and ready."
"Thank you, post," the disguised pony said. He watched as the officer returned to the head of the group. Page Master looked around for Prince Rogue Storm. But he was nowhere to be seen. The blue pony noticed that 70 pairs of eyes were starting to dart back and forth in anticipation of where the prince would come from. But the seconds ticked by and there was no sign of him. Several ponies started to twitch and a few dared to break attention. Heads began to dart around looking for any sign of the grey alicorn. For Page Master, this proved to be a unique opportunity. Perhaps he could he could scare off a few of the weaker candidates and make the selection process for his hidden brother much easier. If all went well, he could scare off enough guards to only a hoofful. Then the prince might need Page Master to suggest a few ponies. An opportune moment to put more of his changeling brothers into the corp. A raised hoof from one of the soldiers broke the disguised changeling from his thoughts.
"Sir, when will the prince be here?" he asked. Page Master walked up to the young guard and stared him down. "Because…he's…not…here… I'll shut up now. This may be part of his tests." The blue unicorn smiled and nodded at the soldier. True, Page Master was also in the dark of Rogue's motives. But there was no need to let the guards know that he was just as clueless as they were.
"The prince did indeed inform me that his selection process would be rather unorthodox," the blue devil said. "So you must be ready for anything, correct?" All the guards sounded of with a unanimous call of "Sir, yes sir." Page Master continued down the line looking at each of the soldiers. They all arraigned in two lines of 35 with a second staggered row of ponies behind the first. The 20 officers who had come were in the center and flanked by the enlisted. Page Master eyed one of the ponies in particular. He was so focused on trying to intimidate the weaker candidates; Page Master did not notice the black clouds forming over all of them. "Soldiers!" he called out. "You are all here to volunteer for the newly formed Storm Corp. If selected, you will become a member of an elite squad who answers only to…"
CRASH… Several bolts of lightning flashed in the sky.
BOOM… Thunder roared and startled some of the gathered ponies.
SIZZLE… The static in the air from the electricity made all the guard's hair and fur stand on end.
Everypony gathered cringed and cowered as claps of thunder and flashes of lightning lit up the sky. Then came the wind and rain. A few large gusts blew on all of the gathered before it died down. The rain poured down for only a few moments. But it was enough to soak everypony as well as the ground. Every pony present had to shake the water from their coats and several lifted their hooves to see how muddy the field had become.
"What was that all about?" Page Master shouted. "There was no storm in the forecast for tonight."
"Good…" a voice echoed in the night sky. Everypony looked up and saw the grey alicorn prince float down on a black cloud. All of the guards snapped to attention. In his full armor, royal wears, and sword Prince Rogue Storm was a very imposing figure. "None of you ran from my storm. That's a good sign." Rogue Storm stepped down from his cloud and took in all the guards assembled before him.
"Sire, that was a test?" Page Master said coming up to the large pony.
"Absolutely, Page Master," the prince said. " And enough with that speech you were about to give. In my previous life, I was a teacher. I can handle a crowd like this." The disguised changeling was wide eyed with shock. Where had this power and strength come from? Earlier in the evening, Page Master saw the prince's heart torn to pieces. Being a changeling, he could sense the emotions in Rogue and all of his victims. But now there was nothing but confidence and strength. Not a single trace of the pain from the princess was present. Page Master had to know how Rogue was able to change his mood so dramatically. If the prince was stronger than he thought, Page Master's mission would be endangered. And that would not be appreciated by Queen Chrysallis. He leaned in close to the prince so only they could hear each other.
"I am pleased to see your mood has improved, Your Majesty," he whispered. "But how were you able to recover from your depression so quickly? The last I saw of you, Your Majesty was on the verge of tears." Rogue smiled and giggled at his aid.
"I have the ability to keep business and personal affairs separate," he answered. "It's a skill I honed many years ago out of necessity. And it has served me well ever since. If I couldn't keep my emotions from overtaking my logic, Luna would have been at the Battle of Ponyville with me. I shudder to think what could have happened to her." The blue unicorn nodded as the prince turned back to the troops. But on the inside, he was cursing Rogue Storm.
"This will be harder than I thought," Page Master hissed to himself. "The prince has more fortitude than anticipated." He also shuddered at the thought that he would have to inform his queen that his efforts may be delayed. "We may have to change our plans."
"Now!" Rogue shouted and snapped everypony to him. "I'm sure you are all wondering just how the Storm Corp will be selected."
"Sir, yes sir," all the guards chanted. Page Master walked up to the prince's side to get a better view of everything that could be seen.
"I imagine your imaginations are running wild," Rogue continued. "Am I correct?"
"Sir, yes sir," the guards chanted in unison. The prince cocked an eyebrow and turned to his advisor.
"What gossip have you heard about the selection process, Page Master?" Rogue asked.
"I…I am afraid I know nothing, Sire," the blue unicorn said. Rogue nodded and turned back to the soldiers. He began to pace up and down the two rows looking each pony in the eye. The guards didn't know whether the prince was trying to intimidate them or gauge their character. Finally, the prince stopped at the middle of the first row.
"The tests you face are not for the weak at heart," Rogue called out. His voice carried over every sound of the night. "They are designed to weed you all out until there is only the best of the best remaining. If you pass, you all will be admitted into my ranks. Do you all understand?"
"Sir, yes sir," the guards chanted again. The prince came back to Page Master and looked his aid in the eye.
"They think they're ready," he joked to the blue unicorn. "Do you think they're ready?" Page Master shook his head. He could sense a bit of mischief coming from the prince as well. It was one of the very few things the disguised changeling liked about Rogue Storm. "Let's see…" The prince turned back to the troops with an innocent grin. He sat down and stared the troops down for a few minutes in silence. Not a single muscle twitched in the guard's bodies. "Well let's begin." The guards all wore the most serious look on their faces. They were ready for whatever the prince could muster. They had no idea what to expect. Would they run for miles? Do push-ups until they collapsed? Spar for the right to join the corps? "You will all be asked a series of questions. Based on your answers, I will begin eliminating you from contention," Rogue shouted. Everypony pulled a double take, Page Master included. Questions? It all boiled down to a glorified pop quiz? A few guards began to murmur as the prince looked out on them.
"Uh, Your Majesty…" one Lunar Guard called out.
"Yes?" Rogue answered with a calm demeanor.
"With all due respect," the guard answered. "Say what now?"
"I'm glad you asked that," Rogue said as he paced up and down the ranks. "You are all members of the Royal Guard. Therefore you all are presently in top physical condition. Ergo there is no reason for any physical tests. So why should we waste time trying to see which of you are the biggest and strongest?" Several guards nodded at the prince's words. A few let a sigh of relief out. They were pleased they wouldn't have to do anything physical. "The purpose of the Storm Corp is indeed to be an elite fighting unit. In a matter of months when we are finished training, you will be more agile than the Wonderbolts and better trained and equipped than Luna's Shadowbolts." This made the guards very curious. Since the Battle of Ponyville, the Shadowbolts had quickly become legends amongst the guards. "However I don't want to waste time or energy training anypony who wouldn't be able to handle the psychological stress of your mission."
"Sir," Dive Bomb called. The prince turned to the young soldier he had just met earlier in the evening. "With all respect to psychological screening, but how is it that we can be better than the Shadowbolts? They are pretty amazing." Rogue smiled at Dive Bomb and began to take slow, deliberate steps towards him.
"The Shadowbolts are Luna's personal black ops," he began. "While they may have joined the Wonderbolts on tour, only select few know their true mission. They are indeed highly trained fliers and skilled fighters. They are trained to protect Equestria and to kill if need be. Key word: IF!" The gather ponies started to get nervous. All eyes were on the prince as he slowly inched to Dive Bomb. "The Storm Corp will be expected to assume duties similar to the other guards, but you will have one primary objective. The Corp will be the final line of defense for Equestria. You will lay your lives on the line and it will not be if you must kill…" Rogue stopped talking when he was face to face with Dive Bomb. "But when." This revelation shook everypony up. From his peripheral vision, Rogue could see several ponies were not looking so good. A couple wanted to throw up.
"Wow," Dive Bomb said.
"Wow, indeed," the prince continued and resumed his pace up and down the ranks. "At the Battle of Ponyville, we weren't ready. The Shadowbolts, Spike, and myself were overwhelmed by the drive of Grundles. We managed to get a few of them, but they got me. I thank our lucky stars that it didn't turn to a slaughter. In the event we ever face that danger again, I want us ready! 'Semper Paratus,' the motto of the Storm Corp. It means 'Always Ready.' Always ready to fight, serve, protect, and kill. If anypony here cannot handle this responsibility, you are dismissed." Several ponies were shaking at the thought of leaving so early in the draft. But for a large number of them, this was too much. There hadn't been an incident where a guard had to take a life in many years. Many gathered were fresh from the academy. For them, it was difficult to swallow.
"I'm sorry, Sir," one Solar Guard said breaking formation. "I can handle the idea of possibly needing to use lethal force, but not having to." Rogue nodded at the guard and trotted up to him. The prince saw the pain in his eyes and raised a hoof. The guard cringed, thinking he was about to be struck down. But he relaxed when he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. He looked up and saw the prince had a gentle smile on his face.
"It's alright," the former human said. "This job isn't for you. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Dismissed." The soldier saluted and turned to leave. "None of you need worry about shame." A large amount of soldiers started to leave the formation as well. "One more thing," the Rogue Storm called out. All the leaving guards turned to their prince. "I am ordering all of you to remain silent about what I have just told you. Am I understood?" A series of 'yes sir' came from the group and soon they all left. When Rogue turned back to the remaining group, they had reformed into tighter ranks. There were only 18 ponies left. Among them were only 3 officers. The rest were enlisted. "I suppose you all think you have nerves of steel?" the prince said to himself.
"My word…" Page Master chimed. The disguised changeling was no stranger to taking lives himself. But he hadn't expected so many ponies to stay. Though he wanted to encourage more to leave he had to remain quiet to keep the prince fooled.
"I thought a few more of them would have left, Page Master," Prince Rogue Storm said. The blue unicorn came out of his thoughts and continued his charade.
"Well, one can never predict with special operatives, Sire," he said walking up to the side of the prince. Page Master quickly looked and was relieved to see his brother was among those who stayed.
"If this was easy, everypony would be a spec op," Rogue continued. "So you all have no problem using lethal force when ordered?"
"Sir, no sir," the ponies said.
"Good," Rogue said. "I pray that I'll never have to give that order. But it is good to know that you all are ready for that order. You have all passed the first test." A few chuckles and satisfied nods came from the 18 ponies. "Now for the next test." All the guards went rigid with discipline again. They were preparing themselves for whatever the prince would ask next. "How many of you have actual battlefield experience?" To the prince's surprise, he only saw 11 ponies raise their hooves. They all were enlisted, not a single officer among those with battlefield experience. The grey alicorn shook his head at this. He was practically insulted by it as well. "Did you think I would allow anypony to serve in my Corp without any actually experience?" Two of the officers looked at the ground. These were the two officers fresh from the academy. The one other officer dared to look the prince in the eye.
"Well, Sir," he began. "I've been looking to leave the desk position I've been stuck in for over a year. I want to feel more accomplishment from my career. But these two are young; fresh from the academy and ready and willing to jump into the thick of it. They're good ponies and received the best education."
"I can appreciate that," Rogue began. "But how can I expect you to act in the best interest of those you command if you've never been tested? If I am incapacitated, how can I leave command of the Corp to somepony who only knows what to do theoretically? How can the ponies serving under you follow order from one who never gave them?" The officers looked very disappointed but could understand what Rogue Storm was saying. "You all have long careers ahead of you, but the Storm Corp will not be part of it now," the prince finished.
"Thank you, Sir," the officers said with a salute. The three officers and four enlisted ponies left the group with somber steps. They were very upset their lack of experience cost them this chance. Rogue Storm felt for them, he really did. In his former life as Joseph Rigetti, he had been turned down from many teaching positions when he was fresh from college. Briefly, he thought about calling them back. But this wasn't the same as what he experienced. Seeing the look of disappointment on these young soldiers' faces brought back some bad memories. But Rogue had to do this. He needed the best of the best for his Storm Corp. And then there were only 11 ponies left. Two of them were earth ponies, five were pegasi, and four were unicorns. Dive Bomb was among the pegasi.
"So you all have battlefield experience?" Rogue asked. "Where did you fight?" The Prince began to walk down the line of remaining ponies. He heard each one state the last battle they took part in. All of these ponies were present at the Changeling Incursion during Princess Cadence's wedding. Prince Rogue Storm and Page Master stood before the assembled guards and stared at them. The guards stared right back at the two ponies. A million things were running through everypony's mind. The silence was broken by rolling thunder. Prince Rogue Storm was using his magic to call forth the elements. The grey alicorn smiled with pride knowing his studying had paid off. The wind blue gently, the rain began to fall, and thunder sounded above the group.
"Page Master, bring me 11 long sticks," the prince commanded. The disguised changeling nodded and ran off to complete his task. Rogue Storm did not take his eyes from the guards. They watched as their prince used his magic to draw the sword on his hip. The steel blade screeched as it was drawn and lightning flashed against the polished metal. The thunder rumbled in their ears, but the guards remained steadfast. "This is your final test. If you passed it, you'll prove you can handle the mental strains of your duties." Page Master returned with the sticks and presented them to the prince. Rogue Storm looked at his aid and stabbed his sword into the muddy ground. A white aura surrounded all of the sticks and the levitated from the blue unicorn. One by one, they floated past the blade of the sword and were sharpened to a point. Each one levitated to every one of the remaining guards. They all got very worried. Just what was the prince planning?
"Sir," Dive Bomb began. "You're not going to have us fight each other, are you?"
"Absolutely not," the grey alicorn said.
"You're going to have us fight you?!" another guard called with panic.
"Maybe," Rogue said calmly. Page Master's and all the guard's stomachs turned until Rogue winked at them. "Gotcha… It was too good a joke to pass up." The guards all gave a collective sigh of relief. "You're orders are to take these spears and stab me to death." Page Master, Dive Bomb, all the guards jumped back from what they just heard.
"Are you insane?"
"We can't do that?"
"Sire, surely you are jesting again?" Page Master asked with panic. But the prince's face showed no signs of joviality. "Stab you to death? Sire, you can't…"
"I have to know that these stallions can follow orders," the prince began. "Suppose the order is to kill a member of the royal family, a dignitary, or a high profile citizen? I have to know."
"Sire, have you gone mad?" the blue unicorn asked.
"I am well in control of my faculties, Page Master," the prince said. The guards just stared as they tried to make sense of what they were seeing.
"Your Majesty, why?" Page Master called?
"Suppose one of us in the royal family became a tyrant, or a high ranking citizen staged a coup d'état?" the prince said. Page Master's heart started to beat faster. The disguised changeling was beginning to panic. "The greatest threat to any being in power comes from within. I have to know."
"Does he suspect us?" Page Master thought. "Has he discovered my queen's plans?" The blue unicorn was strained to hide his panic. But the prince did not notice any uneasiness from his aide. "Sire, is this test really necessary?" Page Master asked. "It seems an extreme measure."
"It is," Prince Rogue Storm said looking calmly at the unicorn. "I doubt an order like this would ever have to be given. But this is the final test I have chosen, and it will go through." The former human charged his horn and his breast plate came off. The rest of his royal wears remained on.
"Sir, you can't be serious?!" one of the unicorn guards called out. The prince sat down in the mud and parted the fur on his chest to show them the scar from the arrow.
"This scar is my souvenir from my first death," he said somberly. "And it is your target." A lightning bolt flashed behind the prince and thunder crashed above. "If you want a spot in my Corp, on the count of three take your stick in your mouths and run them through me. I won't move or raise a shield."
"Sire!" Page Master called. "Everypony stand down!" He moved to step in front of the prince. But the disguised changeling was stopped by a bolt of lightning impacting the ground before him. He cowered back and shook with great fear, as did the guards.
"That was your only warning, Page Master," the prince said with his eyes glowing red. "Don't interfere!" The blue stallion could only sit, watch, and brood. The red glow receded from the prince's eyes. Page Master could only watch and sweat.
"That fool will ruin everything," he thought to himself.
"Sir, there must be another way," Dive Bomb called.
"1…" Rogue Storm called out firmly. Dive Bomb looked at his fellow guards. They were just as panicked as he was. All the spears were still levitating in the air. Dive Bomb wanted to follow the orders, but he couldn't harm the prince. "2…" Rogue called calmly.
"Dive Bomb, what do we do?" one soldier called. The dark grey pegasus grunted and looked at the spear.
"We follow orders and trust our prince!" he said and gripped the spear in his teeth. The rest of the guards begrudgingly followed suit. Rogue Storm smiled on the inside as 11 spears were pointed at him. The rain intensified and the wind howled with a mighty roar.
"3!" he whispered. The 11 guards charged at their ruler while Page Master looked on in horror.
"No…" he gasped. "Queen Chrysallis will have my head."
A/N: Has Rogue Storm lost his mind? Why would he give his recruits an order to kill him? Does he wish to die? Has this something to do with Luna not being pregnant?
Tune in next time for the next exciting chapter of Cross the Line
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