“M-mommy? I don’t wanna go to boot camp…”
 
”C’mon, kiddo,” Rainbow Dash nudged her daughter out from her hiding place under her legs. “It’s good for ya. You wanna become strong and tough, right?”
 
”Not rea-“
 
”Hey Tempest!” Paint Swirl was interrupted as her mother waved over the Commander. As the mare approached them, Paint cowered and whimpered. She was tall and intimidating, with a stern gaze that pierced through her soul. Paint really hoped she wouldn’t be the one calling the drills.
 
”So you are our new cadet, Paint Swirl. We will see what our training brings.”
 
”Yep! That’s my kid! Awesome, right?” Rainbow shoved Paint up to the big, scary Commander, ignoring her whimpering as she introduced them. “Hey Paint, we’re gonna talk about your training regimen. Why don’t you go look around a bit?”
 
“B-but-“ Reluctantly tiptoeing away, Paint tripped over a stone, rolling down a hill and into the camp grounds. Looking up, her mother was out of earshot, talking to the Commander as if nothing happened. She was on her own now…
 
”Hey runt!”
 
”Wha-eep!” Paint toppled to the ground just as a small rock was thrown at her head. Wiping a hoof over her forehead, she was horrified to find blood.
 
“What, you gonna cry?” She looked up to find a group of mean-looking colts standing over her. “The daughter of Rainbow Dash, the Wonderbolt? Look at her, she can’t even fly!”
 
Paint tucked her wings in, cowering in the verge of tears. “P-please…l-leave me alone…”
 
”How did Rainbow Dash end up with this chicken?” The lead bully clicked his tongue. “She’s gotta be adopted!”
 
”I…I’m not a-adopted…”
 
“Oh yeah?” One of the foals stepped forward, plucking a feather from Paint’s undersized wing. “Prove it! Fight us like your momma fights bad guys!”
 
Paint lurched as a blow was delivered to her stomach. As the group of colts continued to beat and torment her, she felt powerless. Without Mommy to protect her, all she could do was cover her head and hide her sobs. Until…
 
”HEY! Back off!” Paint peeked out between her hooves to find a turquoise blue figure standing protectively over her.
 
”What are you gonna do about it, rock farmer?” The bully was promptly interrupted as the filly chucked a rock at him.
 
”I’ll tell Commander Tempest on you punks, that’s what!”
 
”Tell me what?” The lead bully gulped, slowly turning around to find the menacing figure of Commander Tempest Shadow looming behind him.
 
”To my office. Now.”
 
”Y-yes, ma’am!” The group of colts meekly followed Tempest as Rainbow Dash fussed over Paint’s injuries.
 
“Paint! What happened to you?”
 
Paint could only sink into her mother’s embrace. Finally, it was over. Thanks to that filly, she wouldn’t be bothered again. Not as long as she was around.
 
%%%%%%%%%%
 
Turquoise Edge watched the scene with a hint of pride as she was tackled by her best friend, Galaxy Guard.
 
”Whoa! Turq, that was awesome! You totally showed ‘em! Commander Tempest is totally gonna promote you! After she promotes me first, of course.” Galaxy playfully nudged her friend.
 
”We’ll see about that, G,” Turq punched Galaxy’s shoulder. “Those flankholes oughta pick on somepony their own size!”
 
“Yeah! You were a total badass out there!”
 
”A badass you were, Cadet,” Turq and Galaxy swiveled around to find Commander Tempest herself, with an unusually proud expression on her face. “Sticking up for your comrades is the mark of a true soldier. I admire your bravery, but do refrain from throwing rocks next time.”
 
”Y-yes ma’am, Commander Tempest!” Turq saluted her superior, with Galaxy resisting the urge to fangirl be her side. Commander Tempest was actually proud of her! And on the first day of boot camp! This was a dream come true!
 
”Go clean up and we can start our training,” Tempest switched back to her usual, tough persona. “On the double!”
 
The two fillies trotted off to the mess hall, their grins wider than ever. Turq was especially proud of herself, not only for impressing Commander Tempest, but for defending that filly’s honor. Maybe this was the mark of a true soldier, standing up for others. She could certainly face the rigors of boot camp if it meant protecting her ponies. Maybe this military thing really was something she was meant to be part of.
 
”No way! Turq, your cutie mark!”
 
Turq hadn’t even noticed the flash until after it happened. On her flank were two crossed spears with turquoise heads, probably to represent her budding military prowess. This was her destiny! She would definitely have to thank that Paint Swirl filly later. But for now, it was time to get out there and prove her might as a true soldier.