“Captain, you know I fully trust your judgment, but do you really think it’s a good idea to go forward with this?
Easyglider stood on edge as Flash slowly turned around from behind his desk. He let the moment of silence play before speaking. Flash’s solid blue eyes glared at him with a burning stare. Easyglider knew that he himself was the most feared person around the academy, but even Flash made him stand on a nervous tilt. The emerging stubble on Flash’s face added to his gruff, experienced personality. His eyes loosened a bit as he finally spoke.
“I do. Sit down, lieutenant.” Easyglider gratefully took the nearby seat, happy to be off his shaky hooves. “Let me explain something to you,” Flash began, turning his back on Easyglider. He stared out his backdrop window at the wide, starry expanse. Luna had expertly crafted a scenic nightscape. The moon was high in the night sky, big and golden, casting a resilient light into the dimly lit room. “The Griffon War was over fifteen years ago now,” Flash continued, closing his eyes as if trying to recall the memory.
“It was bad out there, Easyglider,” said Flash. He was talking rapidly now, as if he were back in the moment. “I was so excited when I was first promoted to Captain. The glory, the military power; it was amazing. Let me tell you something, lieutenant: it’s only amazing until you have to use it. When the griffons attacked, everything came down onto my shoulders. I went from behind the desk to the heat of the battlefield. There are some things you don’t want to see in life, lieutenant, and the gore of battle with those bastard griffons is something that is deeply scarred within me. Those days haunt me as if a knife has carved them into my darkest nightmare. I grew to hate those creatures, more than I hated the war itself.”
He was fuming now, clearly growing distraught from recalling the memory. Flash spun around rapidly, slamming his hoof on his desk and leaning out in front of Easyglider’s face. “You think you don’t want those two misfits here?” he shouted. “Imagine how much I don’t want them in my academy! IF ANYBODY DOESN’T WANT THEM HERE, IT’S ME!” he shouted with a deep, gruff voice.
“I’m sorry sir,” said Easyglider, with a bowed head.
Flash breathed ruggedly for a moment, composing himself. Forcing himself to relax, he sat down behind his desk. “Times have changed, lieutenant,” he said calmly. His entire demeanor shifted, the words almost coming out quietly. “This comes from beyond me.”
“How do you mean, sir?”
“Please, Easyglider, enough with the formalities. You’re my second in command; my partner, not my subordinate.” He let out a sigh and hung his head slightly. “This comes from Celestia herself. She wants to demonstrate peace with the Griffon Kingdom, using this as a leading example. If these two griffons can join our military, it’ll be a sign that we are partners with their country, and an unwavering powerhouse to any future threats.”
“Future threats?”
“Like I said, times have changed. Celestia told me that political peace is becoming difficult to sustain. She wants us to keep an eye on other bordering nations.”
“Is Equestria in danger?” asked Easyglider.
“No,” he replied slowly, his expression matching the confident tone in his voice.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Soarin’ stared at the outstretched talon. “How do I shake this thing?” he thought as he slowly reached out to accept the greeting. “Nice to meet you,” he said gingerly as the griffon gently shook his hoof. “I’m Soarin’.” There was an awkward air of silence, neither knowing how to approach the other species. “So, I take it you’re from the Griffon Kingdom then?” Soarin’ asked in desperation.
“Yeah.”
“Not much of a talker,” Soarin’ observed. “Well,” he started, trying to find an out to the conversation. “I think I’m going to head to bed. It’s getting late.”
“Yeah,” Gale replied, before flapping back up to his bunk.
“Of all the roommates, I would get a griffon,” Soarin’ grumbled to himself, flipping the lights back off. The streaming white moonlight contrasted the darkness, guiding Soarin’ up to his bunk. He could hear Gale already snoring as he tried to get comfortable in his new bed. No matter how hard he tried, sleep eluded him. Soarin’s mind was far too busy, swimming with replays of the busy day’s events. It seemed like forever ago that he had woken up late to the piercing alarm. So much had happened between now and then. He began to mentally repeat his journey as he tossed and turned in the bed. Slowly, he began to get drowsy, his mind leveling off to one single thought. His eyes gently closed on the long day, his mind stalling on the thought of amber eyes and golden fur.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
A loud alarm cut through the morning air, scaring Soarin’ out of his slumber. The alarm had startled him so much the he nearly fell off the bunk in shock. Soarin’ slowly opened his eyes to Gale below him, shutting off the alarm.
“We start drills in an hour,” Gale said, noticing Soarin’ was awake. “I’m sorry for the alarm.”
“It’s probably a good thing you did,” Soarin’ said with a groggy chuckle. “I was late yesterday. I don’t need a repeat of that mess.” Soarin’ lazily rolled off the bunk and let his wings float him down to the floor.
“I’m going to get some breakfast,” Gale said quietly, making a move towards the door.
“Yeah, I’ll probably head down soon as well,” Soarin’ replied, still hardly awake. He wasn’t even aware that Gale had swiftly left the room, not caring for Soarin’s reply. Soarin’ sat down in his desk chair, feeling his eyes droop as he gazed out the window. Celestia had barely begun to raise the sun; a slight tint of bright orange and red coloring the horizon. “Just five more minutes,” he thought, closing his eyes and letting his head fall to the side.
A loud knock came from the door, startling Soarin’ awake again. “Huh…what?” Soarin’ muttered sleepily, jolting awake. He walked over and opened the door to find Blaze, who was leaning against the outside wall with his eyes closed.
“It’s so bucking early!” he whined, still slumped against the wall.
“I think we need some breakfast.”
“If they don’t have coffee, I’m never going to survive today.”
“If they don’t have coffee, I won’t even make it out of the cafeteria,” Soarin’ laughed. The two stumbled down the hall towards the cafeteria, with half opened eyes. The duo managed to find the end of the breakfast line, guided by the aroma of food and coffee beans.
“I can literally feel bags forming under my eyes,” Blaze complained.
“I smell coffee!” Soarin’ said, perking up from the thought alone. Both stallions received a plate full of pancakes and fruit before heading over to the coffee station at the end of the line. Soarin’ slowly made his way across the cafeteria, and plopped down next to Blaze. Unable to wait any longer, he lifted the hot mug up to his muzzle, taking in the strong aroma. The warm liquid was like a wake-up call to his body, both relaxing and rejuvenating. Setting the mug down, he turned to Blaze, who was slurping his coffee loudly. He was bent forward, face first into his mug, muzzle buried in the coffee, as it sat on his tray.
“Do you do anything like a normal pony?
Blaze lifted his head, coffee dripping from his lips. “Say what now?”
“Oh, nothing,” Soarin’ said sarcastically. A grumble from his stomach scolded him, as he started to dissect his pancakes. Chewing happily, he turned back to Blaze, who was already on his second cup of coffee. “You’re going to be a jittery mess out there!” Soarin’ laughed.
“I like to think of it as a speed boost,” he said with a grin. “What do you think they’ll have us doing today?”
“I dunno,” Soarin’ said between bites. “All I know is that I’m definitely not ready for a full day workout.”
“I don’t know anybody who likes to be awake at this time.”
“My roommate sure seemed ready to go,” said Soarin’ thoughtfully, remembering back earlier.
“Oh yeah! Who is your roommate? I didn’t see him when I came to the door.”
Soarin’ scanned the cafeteria, hoping that Gale was still eating. He found him at a small table across the room in the back corner, eating with another griffon. “See those griffons over there?” Soarin’ said with a flash of the eyes, “the dark brown one is my roommate.”
Blaze nearly choked on his pancake. “You’re roommate is a griffon?” he asked, with a dumbfounded look. “That’s so…” he started, not sure what to say.
“It sucks,” Soarin’ finished for him. “He won’t talk to me, and I’ve never met a griffon before. I don’t know what they’re like or how they act. I don’t even know why they’re here!”
“I was wondering the same thing,” said Blaze. “This is a pegasi branch of the military after all.” Blaze took a rather large bite of pancake, still staring across the room. “Any idea who the other fellow is?”
Soarin’ turned to get a good look at the griffon across from Gale. His back was turned away from them, only showing his large, black wings stretching out of his gray fur. “No idea,” Soarin’ said noncommittally.
“Well it looks like we’re about to get a good look at him,” Blaze said as he turned back to his food.
Soarin’ looked up from his breakfast and peered over his shoulder just in time to catch Gale and the other griffon walk past them. The unknown griffon’s eyes met Soarin’s in a deathly glare, sending a shiver down Soarin’s spine as they walked on by. He was much larger than Gale, with muscles seeming to define every limb. His dark black wings matched his pure black face and neck. His black hair transitioned to red on the tip of his bangs. Hiding behind the tips of his hair were two, blood-red eyes. His deadly ambience was even more exemplified by the red, diagonal scar over his left eye. Sticking out of his metallic, dark gray fur were two, large black talons. Time almost seemed to slow as the two observed each other out of the corner of their eyes. Soarin’ stared blankly at the black ball of fur at the end of his tail as he walked away. A shiver rolled down Soarin’s back again, almost as if a cold wake had been left from his presence.
“I think death just walked by,” Blaze said in a joking tone.
Soarin’ was about to make a sly remark when a voice came over the speaker system. “ALL CADETS REPORT TO THE TRAINING FIELD! DRILLS BEGIN IN 15 MINUTES!” the voice boomed.
“Aww shit!” Blaze exclaimed, waffling down the rest of his pancakes and washing it down with the rest of his coffee. Soarin’ couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, as Blaze let out a few rough coughs. “Good to go!” he said weekly, pointing a hoof to the air. Blaze was nearly bouncing in place as they waited to return their trays. He put his tray on the slide and began punching the air, bouncing on his hind legs. “I’m ready, I’m ready!” he said repeatedly.
“Dude, calm down,” Soarin’ laughed. “You had way too much coffee.”
“You had too much coffee,” Blaze said mockingly, as they walked out of the cafeteria.
“You do know where to go, right?” asked Soarin’ tentatively as he pushed open the doors of Willow Hall.
“Um, no. I thought you did!”
“Celestia dammit Blaze! Let’s just start walking and see if we can follow someone there.”
“Do ya’ think we should charge them for directions?” a voice said from behind.
Soarin’ turned around to find Spitfire giggling mirthfully, holding a hoof over her mouth. “I think it’s appropriate if they want a tour,” she replied.
“Hardy-har. We’re all gunna be late if we don’t get going soon!” whined Blazed, jumping into the air with a powerful flap of his wings.
Aerial followed suit, pouncing into the air after Blaze. Spitfire walked over to a sitting Soarin’, both sprouting smiles.
“Mind showing me the way?” Soarin’ asked as she walked over.
“Only if you say please,” Spitfire teased.
“Pretty please?”
Spitfire walked passed Soarin’, gently letting her tail brush noticeably across Soarin’s side. “Come on, featherbrain. We don’t want to be late on the first day!”
A shiver bulleted down Soarin’s back as the fiery tail made contact with his side. His wings fidgeted excitedly as he tensed up from the unexpected touch. His smile broadened as he got to his hooves, rushing to catch up to Spitfire. The two traveled side by side silently as Blaze and Aerial floated above. Soarin’s mind was still trying to catch up to him. Absentmindedly, he accidentally drifted closer to Spitfire, until he gently brushed up against her side. Startled, he backed away slightly, blush gently coloring his cheeks. He was too shy to notice the slight tint on Spitfire’s as well. A minute passed, before Spitfire decided to test the water. She held her breath under a hidden smile as she returned the bump to Soarin’s side. Spitfire felt a nervous sensation as her fur momentarily blended with his.
Blaze and Aerial, who had seemingly disappeared for the walk, landed down a few feet in front of the pair, snapping them out of their trance. “Looks like we’re here!” Blaze said excitedly, still obviously buzzing from his morning coffee.
Soarin’s mind had been too busy elsewhere to notice their destination. A large fence was swayed open in front of them, displaying a perfectly manicured cloud field. At the far end away from the gates, a bunch of pegasi buzzed excitedly. The group made their way over just in time. Commander Easyglider made his way out of a tunnel from the building connected to the field.
“EVERYPONY LINE UP!” he barked. No one dared disobey the booming voice. Soarin’ found himself standing next to Blaze in line, separated from Spitfire’s side in the frantic shuffle of pegasi. Easyglider began to pace down the line, gazing mischievously at each pegasi as he walked by.
To Easyglider, he loved this position. He could smell the nervous fear as he walked down the line of recruits. He stood taller than all of them, imposing himself as he walked in front of their faces. Some looked week at the knees as he walked by, others ruffled their wings in anxious anticipation. Easyglider fought back a grin, wondering who would crack first under the impeccable morning silence. “There’s always one,” he thought to himself mischievously as he passed a pale blue pegasi.
Soarin was trying his best to not show any intimidation as Easyglider neared. He stared straight ahead as the Commander passed over him and continued walking. Soarin’ was about to let out a breath he had been holding, when he heard a snicker coming from his left. Blaze was holding a hoof over his mouth trying his best not to burst out laughing. “What in Tartarus is so funny?!” Soarin’ hissed.
“Our…drill sergeant…is…purple!” Blaze sputtered out. He was nearly chocking trying to fight back his laugh. It proved to be too much, accidentally letting a loud laugh slip into the quiet air.
“Dude, shut up!” Soarin’ chided. Only after he said it did he realize his mistake. Soarin’ watched as Easyglider stopped in his tracks. Within an instant he was muzzle to muzzle with the purple drill sergeant.
“What’s so funny, cadet?” barked Easyglider to Soarin’s face.
“N-nothing, sir,” Soarin’ replied.
“Do you think it’s funny because I’m purple? I think it’s funny that you’re still standing! Drop and give me one hundred wing-ups!” Easyglider yelled.
“One hundred?” Soarin’ questioned weakly.
“NOW CADET!” Easyglider barked directly into Soarin’s ear.
Soarin’ didn’t need telling twice. He could feel Easyglider’s gaze coming from above him as he fell to the ground. His wings propelled him back up and down, thundering through the reps.
“That’s twenty son, LET’S PICK UP THE PACE!” barked a voice from above him.
Soarin’ could feel everybody’s eyes on him. His muscles were beginning to groan in protest, breath becoming staggered.
“Half way there, cadet! Do you still think it’s funny?” Easyglider jeered.
“No, sir,” Soarin’ breathed out under gasping breaths. Sweat was beginning to form under the heat of the rising sun. Soarin’s pace had slowed to an agonizing struggle as the voice continued to assault him from above.
“That’s eighty!” Easyglider shouted, dropping down to yell in Soarin’s ear again. “You look like a quitter to me! I bet you’ll drop out within the first week! In fact, I think I’ll kick you out myself if you don’t make it to one hundred!”
Soarin’ wasn’t the only one breathing hard. Down the line, Spitfire watched the display. Her face held the hard exterior expected of the trainees, but Spitfire’s eyes told a different story. Beneath, she was worried for the poor stallion, hoping he could persevere through Easyglider’s tirade. “Come on, Soarin’.”
“Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred!” Easyglider counted. Soarin’ collapsed to the ground, breathing hard beneath the commander.
Spitfire slowly let out a deep breath between her lips. While the scenario had her on edge, she couldn’t help but feel a growing admiration towards the stallion. She admired the way he persisted and fought for what he wanted. Spitfire knew, then, that he wanted this as much as she did. “He sure is courageous,” her mind wandered. “And handsome.” She shook her head, snapping out of the trance. Spitfire hadn’t even noticed that she had let her demeanor down, staring dreamily at the panting stallion on the ground.
“On your feet, son!” commanded Easyglider. Soarin’ jumped to his feet with the little energy he had left. “Was that fun?” asked Easyglider mockingly.
“No, sir,” Soarin’ replied weakly.
“Well,” Easyglider began, trotting some distance away from the line “You did pretty well with the first set. I don’t think everybody else here knows how much fun wing-ups are!” Soarin’ felt a knot grow in his stomach as Easyglider continued. “Why don’t you come out here and lead this sorry bunch in another one hundred wing-ups!”
Soarin’ gulped, trotting out to where Easyglider was standing. “Why me? I am so going to kill Blaze for this.” Soarin’ thought to himself. “I’m never going to be able to do another set…” he thought worriedly. He walked up to Easyglider and turned to face the line of cadets. Down the line, he saw Gale, already in position for the wing-ups. Shifting his gaze, he saw Blaze trying to mouth “I’m sorry” to him. His eyes finally spotted Spitfire, who gave him a reassuring smile. It was all he needed.
“You will all follow Soarin’s count through one hundred more wing-ups!” Easyglider barked to the crowd. “If any one of you cannot complete the task, you will be asked to leave! Any of you,” he said again more quietly,” turning to Soarin’. “GET TO IT!”
Soarin’ allowed himself a smile as he dropped to the ground. “One, two, three…” he counted loudly. He looked up between reps at the line following his every move. Easyglider had taken to the line, occasionally screaming at somepony who was struggling with the exercise. The weight of all the wing-ups finally got to Soarin’ as he neared seventy. The strain was apparent in his voice with each push back up. Easyglider wandered by his side again, but chose to say nothing and observe the struggling stallion near his two hundredth wing-up.
Soarin’s heart was pounding now; wings throbbing in resisting pain. Sweat was nearly pouring out of his tired body. He forced himself onward, knowing that everyone was following his move. He couldn’t give up.
“Two hundred!” Soarin’ shouted in triumph, collapsing to the ground. Everyone else did the same, spent from the tiresome wing-ups.
“On your feet, cadet!” Easyglider commanded, all too soon.
“That’s a lot to ask for at this point,” thought Soarin’ sardonically. He reluctantly followed the command, coming face to face with the drill sergeant.
“What’s your name son?” Easyglider barked in Soarin’s ear.
“Soarin’,” he replied tiredly.
“Well, Soarin’ that was a DAMN FINE DISPLAY OF LEADERSHIP!”
“Thank yo-“ Soarin’ began to say, before being loudly cut off.
LISTEN UP!” he shouted, turning around to the line. “Tomorrow, you will all be put through a speed test to see who the fastest fliers are. It will be the only event of the day, so look for your time in the cafeteria. Also, there will be a curfew for eight o’clock from here on out.” He paused, letting everything sink in. “Now,” he began slowly, turning back to Soarin’. “I want you to lead this sorry bunch for one hundred laps around this field.”
“You mean in the air or on-“
“NOW!” Easyglider yelled at the top of his lungs, practically scaring Soarin’ into the air.
Soarin’ took to the air, making his way to the edge of the field. He looked back to find eveypony else leaping into the air after him. He let out a needed sigh, happy to be off the ground and away from Easyglider. Soarin’ let his mind ease, counting the laps as they went by. He glided with the wind, allowing his tired wings some respite.
“I am SO sorry,” a voice said, snapping him out of his happy flight.
Soarin’ turned to look at Blaze with deep glare. “I hate you so much. That should’ve been you out there.”
“Well at least you got a compliment out of it!” Blaze tried weakly. Soarin’ decided not to reply. “Oh, come on Soarin’! I’ll make it up to you!” Soarin’ turned to look at him again with a raised eyebrow. “I promise, I owe you a solid.”
“I’m holding you to that,” Soarin’ replied, giving Blaze his most devious smirk.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spitfire let the warm water run down her tired body. The first day had been much harder than she expected. Her wings lay limp at her sides, far too tired to move. Steam began to flow up from the locker room shower floor, enveloping her in a cloud of smoke. Spitfire lost herself to the day’s events, mind wandering free after hours of strenuous work. “You did well today, Spits,” she happily complemented herself. She paused mentally, before continuing the train of thought. “Not as well as Soarin’. He’s a natural leader…I’m nothing like that.”
Spitfire shut of the shower, sighing at the thought of the stallion. Snapping back to reality, she trotted back into the locker room, passing by dozens of pegasi discussing the first day. At the far end, she spotted Aerial, sitting on a bench by herself.
“Bout’ time Spits, I’m ready to get out of this place.”
“Yeah me too. I’m famished,” Spitfire said, throwing her towel in the nearby bin. The two talked avidly about the day as they walked back to Willow Hall. Driven by the smell of food from down the hall, they quickly made their way to the bustling cafeteria.
“Sweet Celestia, it’s pizza today!” Aerial exclaimed from in front of Spitfire.
Spitfire wasn’t paying attention. Amber eyes darted around the eatery, searching for pale blue and emerald.
“Whatcha want,” a sassy voice called to Spitfire.
“Oh, um, I’ll have the pineapple pizza,” said Spitfire, remembering that she was in line. The server slapped a large slice onto her tray before promptly turning to the next in line.
“I’m assuming you want to go sit by Soarin’ and Blaze?” Aerial questioned, once out of the line.
“I don’t think they’re here,” Spitfire said, a little too disappointedly.
Aerial laughed, catching Spitfire’s tone. “They’re sitting over there,” she said, pointing her free hoof.
“Oh right, same spot as yesterday,” Spitfire thought with a roll of the eyes. “If you want to, we can,” Spitfire replied.
“Right, if I want to,” Aerial emphasized with a grin, walking towards the table. Soarin’ and Blaze noticed them heading their way. “Good evening Mr. Blaze, Mr. Troublemaker,” Aerial said jokingly, taking a seat.
“Hey guys,” Spitfire smiled, sitting across from Soarin’.
“I’m sure Blaze would be happy to tell you about how much of a troublemaker I am,” said Soarin’.
“I said I was sorry!”
“I take it that the wrong person was punished?” Spitfire grinned.
“I did nothing wrong!” Blaze said, throwing up his hooves in innocence.
“You laughed at him right after he walked past.”
“I wish this place wasn’t so serious,” he said, crossing his arms.
“Well, I was told that the cadets in Willow Hall were the best recruits. You’re expected to be serious,” Aerial chimed in knowledgably.
“Stupid Willow Hall,” Blaze muttered grumpily. “Why’s this place named Willow anyways?”
“I heard that there’s a really large willow tree below the building on the ground beneath the academy,” said Aerial.
“Do you know everything?” asked Blaze.
“Basically.”
“We should go check out the willow tree!” said Spitfire out of nowhere.
Soarin’ and Blaze exchanged a devious look. “I guess I have a name for getting into trouble,” Soarin’ laughed. “I’m in.”
“I’d like to actually be a troublemaker. Let’s do it!” said Blaze.
“As long as we make the curfew, I’m in,” chimed Aerial.
The four exchanged smiles, forgetting about their supper. They nonchalantly dumped their trays off and made for the front door. The moon was beginning to rise into the sky, sunset projecting four long shadows flying off into the distance.