//------------------------------//
// An Offer of Adventure 
// Story: A Storm's Ashes 
// by ElectroPHX228 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 4
An Offer of Adventure

Lt. Tornado Blitz’s POV

The world was filled with color as they danced across the landscape in a flurry of light. And at the edge stood a Pony of the most magnificent of beauty. She stood there as light radiated off her with an angelic grace. Just as I was about to move towards her, the world began to dissipate around as it all went white.


-!<{[=_=]}>!-


I woke up with a groan as the sun assaulted my eyes with its light. 
“Why must the sun bother me so early in the morning?” I groaned as I stretched. The sounds of my joints popping as I flopped out of bed. My mind was still groggy from last nights sleep as I began my routine of getting ready, before heading towards the armour stand on the other side of the room. As I made my way towards my armour, I heard movement from the other side of the bed, signaling that the other Pony was waking up. I turned my head to see my special somepony as she slowly rose into a sitting position, she let out a small yawn whilst stretching her limbs.

“Good morning love. How did you sleep?” I said to her as she yawned and stretched. She rubbed her eyes as she looked around the room before her icy blue eyes landed on mine. She quickly hopped out of bed before heading towards me. Her name was Morning Frost, the Unicorn who caught my heart. Her coat shined with a brilliant near snow white glow as her mane and tail swayed like the seas royal blue waters. As for her eyes, they were like a pair of frozen blue pools that can cause any stallions heart to flutter. Her Cutie Mark consisted of a crystal eight pointed star with five snowflakes.

“Good morning Tornado, I slept great. How did you sleep?” She greeted happily as she kissed me before helping me into the rest of my armour.

“Thank you Morning, and I slept great as well,” I replied as we began to make our way towards the kitchen. Morning quickly lit the furnace with her magic as I went into the enchanted icebox to grab a few eggs. Morning always had an amazing talent with ice magic. We quickly made breakfast before heading out for the day. 

I took off for the new city of Pegasopolis. It was quite big, the six-year-old clouded city of the Pegasi was marvelous to look at. The city had been growing exponentially. Just a few years ago, it had only been a few cloud houses here and there. But I wasn't here for sightseeing. I had somewhere to be. The Legion Barracks. The last thing I need to be is late for roll call. The General is very specific when it comes to being on time. And I don't want to be used for target practice. 

As I landed in the courtyard, I quickly sped towards the barracks. And I made it there in eight seconds flat. ‘Huh new record.’ I thought as I strolled in. I hastily tried to make my way through the barracks, until I heard somepony call out to me.
“Hey Lightning!” The Pony called. I turned around to address the Pony that had spoken. But I had quickly recognized and greeted him.

“Hey, Pansy. Long time no see.” I greeted as he approached me.
“Indeed it has. So how've you been?” Pansy asked.
“I've been good. So what brings you out here to the barracks?” I asked him curiously.
“Oh sorry. It's just that your brother has requested your presence for a meeting with the Council.” He said in a serious tone. 
“Well, why didn't you say so? Tell old Thunderhead that I'll meet him there as soon as possible.” I chuckled. I then quickly made my way back towards the courtyard before taking off. 

After a few minutes of flight, I'd reached the Unicorn castle in Unicornia, where the Counsel meetings were held. I hastily made my way towards the Council's meeting chamber on the south side of the castle. Many of the guards that I've passed by gave me salutes along the way. As I approached the large wooden doors I was greeted by two of the Counsel’s Militia Centurions. 

“Halt! What business do you have here?” The Centurion on my left demanded.
“I have been summoned by my brother Private. Now let me through.” I replied with a stoic expression.
“Very well sir.” The Centurion said before he and his partner opened the doors, allowing me to enter. Upon entry, I was quickly greeted with the surprise hug by a very energetic Chancellor Puddinghead. 
“It's good to see you, sir,” I said in the standard militaristic manner. To which the Earth Pony chuckled.
“At ease Lieutenant. You're amongst friends here.” Puddinghead said with a smile.
“Indeed I am,” I muttered before continuing towards the meeting table in the center of the chamber. As we approached, the room quickly silenced. All six council members were here. Chancellor Puddinghead, Smart Cookie, Princess Platinum, Clover the Clever, Private Pansy, and my brother. Commander Hurricane Blitz of the Pegasus Legion. 

He was a deep stormy blue which contrasted with his mane and tail, of which consisted of an assortment of faded blues and greys. His eyes were a bold jade green, that shone with wisdom and anger. 
He wasn't that much taller than me but he can be intimidating when he wants to. I quickly took my seat as the council members acknowledged my presence. To which Hurricane then began.

“Now that Tornado is here, we can get down to business.” Hurricane said, eliciting a chorus of nods from the other members. 
“So Tornado, are you aware of the Alicorn Crusades as of late?” Hurricane asked.
“Yes, I am aware of the Crusades,” I answered.
“Then there is no need to explain it to you then. Good.” Hurricane paused before taking a deep breath. 
“Then you may know that as of late, we've been sending groups of ponies on expeditions in search of any remnants of the ancient Alicorn Kingdoms. The most recent of these expeditions have come back a few days ago and we're putting together another one which will set off in a few days time.” Hurricane explained. 

“And within this team, we've decided to include you with them due to your quick reflexes and defensive training in the event of anything that may or may not go bad,” Hurricane concluded shortly, allowing me enough time to process everything. 
“So I'm practically a bodyguard for the expedition?” I asked.
“Yes, this is correct.” He stated. After some thinking, I'd finally came to my decision.
“I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to decline,” I said. Causing some looks of confusion amongst the members.
“Are you sure Tornado?” Hurricane asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.
“Yes, I am positive,” I said with confidence.
“Very well then. But, before you head off to whatever you have planned. Just know that that Unicorn mare of yours has already agreed to this expedition thinking that you were going. So I'd think about this offer before it's too late. In the meantime... meeting adjourned.” Hurricane warned before dispersing the council.

I quickly made my way towards the castle gates before taking off towards the Legion Barracks once again. A lot of things were racing through my head. I just needed to think. 

~~~}|{~~~

It was the end of the day and I was heading home. As I reached my house, I slowly came to a glide before landing. I calmly made my way to my porch. There were many flowers here and there. A couple trees but my yard wasn't too fancy. I unlocked my door before dropping my armor off on the stand in the bedroom. I made my way towards the kitchen. As I reached the stove and lit the coals. I heard the front door open. Signaling that someone had come home. 

“Hey Snowflake.” I greeted from the kitchen as I grabbed the ingredients for tonight's dinner.
“Hi, Lightning.” Morning greeted. I heard the clip-clopping of her hooves get closer. I continued to grab the utensils needed, I felt the lips of my beloved touch my cheek in a loving manner. When I turned to look at her, her smile fell.
“Sweetie, you seem stressed. What's bothering you?” Morning asked in concern upon seeing the look in my eyes. I sighed before answering.

“It's just something that came up… Hurricane asked if I wanted to join some expedition as the bodyguard, to which I declined… But then I heard that you'd already said yes. So now I'm conflicted on whether I should take up the offer or not.” I said trying to fight an oncoming headache. But to my surprise, Morning quickly gave me another kiss. Before giving me a kind smile. 

“It doesn't matter what you chose. As long as you're happy with it, that's all that matters. I won't get angry if you say no. I will still love you no matter what. You will always be my Lightning.” She said before giving me another quick peck on the cheek. 
“And you will always be my Snowflake,” I said. To which I smiled before resuming to my previous task. The meal took around 45 minutes to cook. But you can't rush perfection.
After the events of today, I decided to ask Morning about hers. 
“So… how was your day today Snowflake?” I asked. 
“Oh it was great, I went to a medic station for a checkup like you suggested.” She said nervously.
“You did? So what's causing the symptoms?” I asked with concern. Morning had been throwing up a lot lately, along with her episodes of nausea, I became worried and suggested going to a medic station.
“Oh, nothing too serious. Just a small fever and an upset stomach. Nothing a little magic couldn't handle.” She said calmly.
“That's good, I was getting worried that it was something serious.” I sighed with relief. As she explained her day, I was constantly going over the offer. ‘Should I or should I not?’ I thought over and over again.

After cleaning the dishes, we headed up stairs to snooze off for the day. We had crawled into bed as we snuggled. Morning fell asleep shortly after. I on the other hoof, hadn't. The offer kept playing over and over through my thoughts. As I continued to lay there and think, I'd begun thinking about the dangers that Morning might encounter on the trip. My strong desire to protect and be with her claimed my final decision. ‘You know what, to Tartarus with it. I'll go if it means protecting my beautiful snowflake.’ I thought confidently. I rolled over to drape my wing over Morning before dozing off.