I awoke early. Just as the sun was rising in fact. It was still odd to me how abruptly the sun and moon traded places in the hours of dawn and dusk, but like so many things here in Equestria, I simply accepted it as the way things were here.
Assuming today was going to be like my last week, I expected Breezy would be by in an hour or so to play drill sergeant. I debated rolling over in my bed and going back to sleep, but I was surprisingly awake. Maybe I was more excited about these combat classes that I thought? I had always loved a good fight, and I had spent years learning different martial arts and self defense techniques for that sole reason. But once you learn to read an opponents moves, the overall dance of a fight becomes a little too predictable. Maybe the thought of trying to fight in this new body was the reason. I definitely wasn't sure how it would work. But the more I thought about it, the more I found a grin coming to my face.
Climbing out of bed, I rolled my shoulders and gave my wings a few wake up flaps. Then I stretched long and hard. Content I had worked out all my kinks, I rolled my shoulders a final time and stood up on my hind legs.
I lurched a little, but a gentle flap of my wings stabilized myself and I was soon standing upright. I looked down at my feet and experimented. Shifting to a lower stance, I found that while my feet were hoof like, they were still surprisingly good at keeping me balanced. I took a deep breath and swept my left leg out and around to my side in a slow arc. My hands followed a similar pattern, and eventually met before my chest. Feeling fairly confident in capabilities, I threw a series of punches at the air before me. My balance failed almost instantly and I quickly dropped to all fours.
I frowned at myself for a moment, then got an idea.
Getting back into my previous stance, I threw another punch. This time, I used my wings to generate enough of a counter force that I stayed balanced. It worked rather well and I was able to do a series of strikes while keeping my footing.
I wasn't sure if pegasai fought like this or not, or anyone for that matter. But it was the only way I knew how to, so it was a comfort to know that it still worked with this new body.
Content for the moment, I set off for the kitchen. I knew it was still a little early, but that didn't stop me from hoping for an early breakfast.
I found several of the cooking ponies already at work, preparing the morning meals for the Palace guards. They were kind enough to make me a simple meal of carrots and oats and I quickly downed the meal.
I still didn't much care for oats, but the carrots made it worth while. Though I wasn't certain, I had avoided asking for eggs or bacon so far. Or anything meat related for that matter. Being in the body I was, I had assumed it was more than likely capable of surviving on a vegetarian diet. And after running into a talking cow a few days back... I knew a good steak was only ever going to be a fond memory from here on out.
Returning my dish to the cooks, I was surprised to find Stalwart gathering a pair of meals together onto a small cart.
"Morning, Stalwart." I called, trotting over to him.
"Hmm? Oh, Silver. Good morning." He said.
"I thought you were a palace guard, not a waiter?" I said, seeing his lack of uniform.
He chuckled. "I am," he said, "But I just got off my shift. And I thought I'd treat Dawn to an early breakfast."
"That's nice of you," I said, "But is she even up yet? She has today off after all. I know I'd be sleeping till noon if I had that!" I laughed.
"She should be up by now," Stalwart said, "I already informed her I would stop by shortly after dawn."
"Breakfast in bed eh," I joked, "Every woman’s dream."
Stalwart shifted a little in his spot then moved behind the cart. "Y-yes," he said after a moment, "I suppose it would be..." He started to push the cart away then paused as he seemed to remember me. "Uh, good day to you Silver."
I chuckled at him and waved. "Have fun." I said with a slight shake of my head.
I wandered the Palace for a while until i found myself on a balcony overlooking Canterlot. It still didn't seem real, but it was. I was here, in a place where humans didn't exist and ponies ruled. It was almost too strange to believe, but it was very real.
I grinned out at the sky beyond and took off at a full gallop for the edge of the balcony. With a push of my hind legs, I dove over the railing and free fell towards the grass some forty feet bellow. My stomach tensed with the rush and just before I would have plastered myself against the ground, I threw open my wings and lurched forwards. The wind raced past me as I sailed along the courtyard, my fore-hoof just barely grazing the grass.
Though this place was indeed strange, and almost nothing was like it would have been back home, there were some incredible perks.
With a flap, I took off skywards and spun as I gained altitude, an almost childlike laughter following in my wake. Now that I had gotten the hang of flying, I almost never walked anywhere anymore. Unless I was inside of course. This feeling was incredible. The wind in my face, the speed, the sight of all the world so tiny bellow me. If I truly was stuck here, I don't think I'd mind nearly so much as I had first though. Not with an escape like this just a wing beat away.
I gradually made my way to the Academy, and eventually plopped down onto the clouded fields that surrounded it. I still found the texture odd, but it was definitely solid enough that I didn't have to worry about falling through.
I trotted over to one of the other students and caught his attention.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes?" He replied.
"Do you know when, and where the combat classes are held?" I asked.
Using his wing, he gestured to one of the larger buildings on the far side of the academy. "The combat classes are usually over there, but they don't start for another hour."
"Ah, got ya. Thanks."
He nodded and headed off on his business.
"Another hour yet..." I said to myself, "Guess I'll go see what Dawn's up too."
With a leap, I took off into the air and dove away from the Academy. I soared towards the palace and made my way towards the end where Dawn and my rooms were. I did a quick flyby and glanced through her window to see if she was even up yet. I saw her and Stalwart having breakfast and panned around for another approach. I was slow at my turn arounds, taking about ten seconds to turn fully back the way I had come. I glided up to her window and slowed myself until I was hovering before it. Now that I was directly before the window, I found the sunlight to be shining directly in my eyes. I couldn't see anything. With a frown, I knocked on the window a few times with my hoof and yelled at those inside.
"Hey! Come study outside!” I called, not entirely sure they'd even hear me, “Get some sunshine!” I pushed off from the window and sailed away in a wide arc, blinking rapidly to try and clear the sun spots from my eyes.
I circled the palace a couple times, wondering if Dawn and Stalwart had heard me or not. I couldn't see them in Dawns room anymore, but that mean much. They could have wandered off most anywhere in the time it took me to turn around.
Eventually, I managed to spot them off to the west side. I shifted my wings and was quickly on an intercept course for them. As I neared them, I caught Stalwart pointing at me and found Dawn to be smirking. It made me wonder if I had been the end of a joke or something, but I let the thought fade.
I landed a few feet ahead of them and trotted to a stop. "Hi." I said smiling. I hadn't had much of a chance to talk with Dawn, or anyone really in the last week except for Breezy and the other students at the academy. They were nice enough, but most of the things they talked about were things i had never heard of. So it made me miss talking with someone I considered to be normal.
"Hey." Dawn said back. With Stalwart nodding in turn.
"How goes the flying?" she asked.
“Pretty good,” I said, “My new lessons don't start for about an hour yet. So I was warming up my wings in the meantime.” I gave a bit of a flap as I spoke. If only Dawn could fly too. I'd so much rather speak in the air. “And how bout you?” I asked, “Studying hard?”
“I haven't even started yet, we were just heading to a spot." Dawn said with a laugh.
“Ah, and here I thought you'd have been up all night working on your magic.” I said with a chuckle. I titled me head as I noticed Dawn's rather well groomed mane, then I recalled that Stalwart had brought her breakfast and I smirked at him. 'Could they be on a date?' I thought, 'I got the impression Stalwart liked Dawn, but I wasn't sure how much.' I shook the thought from my mind for the moment. “Well, looks like you got a decent sleep at least.” I finished.
"Yes, yes I did, thank you.” Dawn said.
“Glad to hear it, guess this means I can stop sleeping with a helmet on eh?” I teased, my head throbbing at the memory of the night she appeared in my bed.
“Wha-” Stalwart started, but Dawn cut him off.
“Yes...” she said quickly, “Yes you can”
“But...” Stalwart persisted, glancing between us both with a clearly lost look about him, ”Why would you need a helmet?”
I chuckled as I caught Dawn glance away from embarrassment. I debated teasing her a little more, but decided to leave it be. “Don't worry about it Stalwart,” I said, trying to pass the topic off, “Let's just say Dawn gave me a good fright the other night and I flew into a wall.”
Dawn groaned and laid down on the grass, folding her arms over head in embarrassment.
I furrowed my brows at her as I tried to figure out what was so wrong with what I said.
“I see...” Stalwart said. He nudged her softly and smiled. “I never pictured her for the prankster type."
"Oh she's full of surprises.” I said with a chuckle. Movement caught my eye and I glanced up into the sky. I caught sight of Breezy in the distance. He was moving as his usual pace, and seemed to be heading right for us. “And it looks like that's all the time we have to chat for today,” I said with a sigh, “Looks like its about time for me to get to class."
Dawn rose to her feet and glanced around, quickly spotting Breezy as he neared.
He landed softly and eyed the three of us critically, before turning his attention to me.
“So this is where you're wasting the morning. On the ground?” He barked.
I shook my head at his mock attitude. "I’ve been in the air all morning,” I said, “But it'd have been rude not to come down and say hi to my friends."
“Friends eh?" He snorted. He looked back at Dawn and Stalwart and frowned. "So,” he said, eying Dawn, “You must be the unicorn I've been hearing about. Meadow Dawn, wasn't it?"
“Y-yes sir.” Dawn said quickly, clearly a little intimidated, “Wh-what exactly have you been hearing about me?”
“That you're lousy at magic for your age.” Breezy stated bluntly.
I frowned at him, but he made a subtle gesture with his wing before I could speak. I had trained with Breezy enough to learn his ques, and this particular gesture meant 'Calm down, it'll be fine.' I held my frown, but I let him continue.
“But,” Breezy added, his tone softening considerably, “You've come along good enough, all things considered. And you got a good way with the fillies.” He smirked, “Least that's what my wife says anyway.”
“Your... Wife sir?” Dawn asked, clearly confused.
"Aye,” Breezy said, his smile growing “My little Lemon Bloom.”
Dawn looked shocked.
“She's got nothing but good things to say about your progress,” Breezy continued, “And what do I know about magic anyways? I'm just an old pegasus."
Dawn seemed to relax some at his change.
"Now, you be sure to visit the little ones now and again though, eh?” Breezy said, “Some might be brats, but most ain't half bad. Least that's what my little Lemon Bloom tells me.”
Dawn smiled at his words and shuffled a little, clearly at a loss for how to reply. After a moment, she simply nodded and I couldn't help but chuckle at her apparent shyness.
“Good to hear,” Stalwart chimed in, “She's been studying a lot. And I keep telling her she'll do fine.” He nudged Dawns side teasingly and added, “Maybe you should listen more.”
“Word of advice, boy,” Breezy snorted out, his tone instantly switching back to its usual stern nature, “Never tell a woman to listen more. You'll live longer and happier.”
It took all I had not to burst out laughing at the expression on Stalwarts face.
“You have yourself a good day lass,” Breezy said with a kind smile, “I'll be sure an' say hi to my Lemon Bloom for ya.”
Once again switching his gears, Breezy turned to me and snorted. “Come on Silver,” he said, “Today I get ta watch you get knocked out by something with a pulse!”
He took off back into the skies and I sighed, shaking my head a little as I dwelt on his words.
“Charming, isn't he?” I said sarcastically.
“Well, I liked him at least...” Dawn said, “I hope you do well. And stay safe till dinner okay?”
I smirked at her. “I'll be fine,” I said confidently, “Trust me on that.”
“Okay,” Dawn said, her tone betraying her thoughts otherwise, “Take care!”
I took a step back and gave a halfhearted salute in jest, before following after Breezy. It didn't take me long to catch up to him thanks to the speed I was getting known for.
“Charming lil' filly that one,” Breezy said as I fell in beside him, “Why isn't it you at er side, instead a that Stalwart Shield?”
I shook my head. “We're just friends,” I said, “We're both from outside of Equestria, so we can relate. But that's it.”
“You'll come ta regret that one I'd wager,” Breezy smirked back, then he shrugged, “Then again, maybe not. She did seem a little too timid for a pegasus like you.”
I eyed him curiously at that. He seemed oddly thoughtful, and that always meant he was up to something. Usually something I wouldn't like.
We landed within the academy grounds a few minutes later, and I followed Breezy to the combat building.
"This ere'll be where we see what you're really made of." Breezy said.
He grinned back at me and I felt a pit slowly grow in my stomach.
With a hoof, he pushed open one of the large double doors of the building and motioned with his wing for me to head in.
I obliged and quickly took in my new surroundings. It looked like an arena of sorts. A large circular field was in the center of the room, with molded cloud training dummies scattered around. A half dozen weapon racks, filled with spears and swords, stood at the far side. Beside them, various pieces of armor and padded safety equipment was stacked.
In the center of the field, I counted almost two dozen pegasus chatting amongst themselves.
"And who you got there, Breezy?" I heard a voice call from above, "A new recruit, or a new water pony?"
Looking up with a frown, I saw a white pegasus in armor identical to Stalwarts.
"Morning Gale," Breezy called back, "This ere's Silver. And we're gonna find out which he is here soon enough."
The white pegasus landed before me and eyed me scrutinizingly.
"So you're Silver, hmm?" he said, "Heard about you."
"And what did you hear?" I asked, doing my best not to let his gaze make me falter.
"I hear you told off Black Mane," he said, "And fast as you may be in the air, that won't save you from his sword down here."
"His sword?" I asked.
"Black Mane's the one in charge of training the new recruits," he said, an almost pitying smirk creeping onto his face, "And I got a feeling he's gonna love seeing you here."
"Of course he is..." I said with a sigh.
"Here's hopin' you're as good with a blade as ya are with that tongue a yours Silver." Breezy said with a laugh. He leaned in close to me and whispered. "Black mane don't know it yet, be the rest of us placed bets on ya already. Most are betting on Black Mane walkin' away from this without a scratch, but I got faith in ya my boy. I bet ten bits you whoop him by the end a the day. So you better learn as fast ere as ya did flyin'."
I stared at him in disbelief, my jaw literally agape.
He simply smiled back at me, clearly pleased with the scenario.
I wasn't overly worried about this when I woke up, but now that I knew who was going to be teaching me, I gradually grew more and more concerned. If I had my hands, I would have been confident in my ability to win this, but without them... I was beginning doubt the chances of my success.
Breezy and Gale led me to the group of other pegasai in the center of the building and gave me a brief introduction.
I was treated rather indifferently. A few courteous 'Welcomes' and 'Hello's', but other than that, no one payed me any mind. We all simply waited, though for what I wasn't sure.
Eventually my answer came in the form of a resounding "Good morning class!" from behind me. I followed the sound to its source and saw Black Mane, clad in armor.
"All right everyone, fall in!" he ordered.
On que, everyone but myself, Breezy, and Gale shifted into an orderly line and stood at attention.
My lack of movement caught Black mane's attention and he laughed as he clearly recognized me. "Well well, what do we have here?" he said, trotting over to me.
"Celestia's got it in 'er mind to have Silver 'ere learn some combat skills." Breezy said.
"Has she now?" Black mane snorted, "After only... What would it be now? A week of flying?" He eyed me seriously. "I don't think you have what it takes to fight."
I snorted, but I held my tongue. 'If only we were in my world you stupid horse,' I thought, 'You'd be singing a different tune after a round with me.'
He must have caught something of my thoughts to the contrary, because he smiled back at me, like one would smile to a challenger.
"But," Black mane said, "Seeing as I am a teacher here, I will give you the chance to prove yourself."
"And how do I go about that?" I asked, half frowning at him.
"Simple," Black Mane stated, "Land one blow on me before the day is done. If you can manage that, I'll rescind my opinion of you and you can begin training with the rest of the class come the morning." He grinned darkly at me, then added, "But if you can't, you admit to everyone here that you're lying when you say you haven't flown before this week."
"Hey now," Breezy cut in, "The boy ain't lied about that, you can ask Celestia'erself-"
"Fine," I said, cutting Breezy off, "You wanna play this little game to make yourself feel important, so be it. But starting tomorrow, I expect you to discover some manners."
Black mane snorted at me, his grin growing even darker.
He looked to the rest of the class and cleared his throat. "Alright everyone, today is going to be a lesson on fighting a superior opponent. All of you please take your seats and watch what happens to a pony who tries to compete with a trained weapons master."
The rest of the students spread out and took seats at the edge of the arena.
"What are you doin' Silver?" Breezy whispered harshly at me, "We both know you ain't lied about the use a those wings a yours. A whatever that sod says, the Princesses out rule em anyhow. So why let em goad you on like that? What if you loose!?"
"Change your bets to him if you'd like," I said, "But I'm not going to let someone like that continue try and call me a liar. Before this day is done, I'm gonna kick that mule in his teeth."
Breezy eyed me worriedly and sighed. "You better, Silver. But keep your 'ead down. Black mane's not one to play softly."
With confidence bolstered by anger and annoyance, I kept my gaze on Black Mane. I had never seen how a pegasus fought, so the first thing I needed to do, was learn his movements and tells. And with the whole day to do just that, I was confident I'd get my blow in at some point.
"I trust you've seen our armory of training equipment?" Black mane said, gesturing to the weapon racks nearby, "Grab whatever you wish, and face me when you're ready."
Breezy followed me as I headed to the weapons.
"You ever used a sword before Silver?" He asked.
"Sort of." I said. I couldn't really tell him the truth, but I still had one pressing question I needed answered.
I lowered my voice and looked at Breezy seriously. "This is going to sound odd, but please just answer the question. No wise cracks or anything, alright?"
Breezy quirked a brow at me and nodded.
"How do I hold a sword?" I asked.
Breezy visibly faltered. "You can't be serious!?" He whispered behind greeted teeth.
I frowned at him and he took a strained breath. It was clear he had a great many things he wanted to say to me at that moment, but he did as I had asked and kept himself in check.
"With your mouth," He said, "Like this."
I watched him closely as he took up a wooden sword between his teeth and gave it a few surprisingly smooth swings.
He put the sword back and sighed. "We can't compete with a Unicorns magic when it comes to swordsmanship, but there have been some pretty masterful ponies over the years."
Gale flew over to to the racks beside us and drew a wooden sword from one of the stands. He snorted at me with a smirk and flew back to Black Mane, tossing the sword he had gotten to him.
Black Mane caught the sword with his mouth as easily as I would have with a hand and I groaned.
"Ey, you coulda said no and let the Princess sort it out." Breezy stated with a shrug.
I ignored the comment and took one of the wooden swords into my mouth. I bit into the handle and gave it a few test swings, trying to emulate the motion I had seen Breezy do. It felt awkward to hold a sword this way, and try as I might, I couldn't fathom how such a method could ever be used effectively.
I flew back to the arena, and with weapon in mouth, did my best to assume a readied stance.
"Ready?" Black Mane said, though his words were slightly muffled due to having a sword handle in his mouth.
I snorted and gave a quick nod of my head.
Black Mane held nothing back. With one flap of his dark wings he was bearing down on me with unexpected speed. He swung his head in a rising arc, his training sword biting into the clouds at our feet as it sliced towards me.
Awkward as it was, I managed to move my sword to block his, but the force I was met with was too much for my mouth to handle. My sword flew clear, and with much grace and speed, Black Mane flipped his sword around in his mouth and swung a second time, this time downwards.
A searing pain made itself known to my shoulder and I dropped to my knees.
Black Mane snorted at me and turned to those watching as they cheered for him.
I winced and got back to my feet, rolling my shoulder gently.
Breezy trotted over to me, my disarmed sword in his mouth. He dropped it by my feet and looked at me worriedly.
"He certainly doesn't pull his blows, does he." I said with a groan,
"Not when 'es trying to get his way," Breezy said, "You alright?"
"Just peachy." I said, taking up my sword once more. I resumed my previous stance and snorted at Black Mane, who's back was still turned to me. "Hey!" I called, "Stop basking and come at me again."
Black Mane smiled at me and obliged.
As before, he disarmed me and gave me a solid crack with his wooden sword. This time, on the other shoulder.
Match after match went like that. And though I managed to gradually creep away from the one hit losses, by noon I could do little more than evade Black Manes attacks. He was getting easier to read, and that was helping me to survive, but I just couldn't hit him. Using a sword with my mouth and not my hands just was not working for me. After having spent so many years doing this dance to a very different beat, I was effectively crippled by my own training. I needed to find a way around my experience with fighting as a human. A way to forget it, or modify it, or something.
I winced and rubbed the back of my head tenderly with my forearm as this latest spot throbbed angrily. 'I thought he wasn't pulling his blows before, but damn...' I thought, a tear creeping to my eye, 'That's what... The ninth time now he's cracked me on the damn head?'
Black Mane laughed victoriously. "Are you ready to give up yet?" He taunted, "I'm sure you'll make a fine cloud farmer."
I shot a glare back at him and reached for my sword, then I realized something. What if I did fight the way I used to? I looked back at the pile of armor and weapons on the other side of the arena and thought hard on how I had seen Black Mane fighting. He was strong, and fast. And there was no way I could match him with a sword. Not in this body. There was just something about using my mouth and neck in place of an arm that refused to work for me. So, if I can't fight his way, why even bother trying? There were other ways to fight armed opponents than with weapons. And I had come the conclusion this morning that hand to hand combat was still viable.
"You said I could use anything from the armory, right?" I asked over Black Manes continuing laughter.
"Oh yes," he cooed, "By all means, feel free to try another weapon. Try two if you'd like. I am afraid the end result will still be the same however."
"We'll see about that." I said softly.
I flew over to the armory and rummaged through the armor section. I pulled off the metal bracers and gauntlets from one of the suits of armor, and with no small degree of difficulty, secured them to my front legs. 'I can't beat you with a sword,' I thought as I flew back to the ring, 'But let's see how well you do against hand to hand. Or I guess... Hoof to hoof.'
"What's this now?" Black Mane asked, new laughter rising, "What do you expect to do with those, hmm?"
I rose to my hind legs and assumed a basic ready stance. Feet shoulder length apart, left arm before me, right to my side. "Come at me and find out." I said.
I could tell by his expression that my stance was odd to him. And to everyone else watching as well. That gave me some confidence, but I quickly cast all such thoughts from my mind. I took a deep breath and centered myself, turning all my focus to Black Mane and his wooden sword. The stance I was in left my core wide open to attack, and in my experiences against humans, had always led to them coming at me with a powerful thrust of their weapon. It was instinct to go for the most open location. It was a bit of a gamble, but if Black Mane followed the standard fighting logic, I would win this in a matter of seconds.
Black Mane shook his head and drew his sword from the clouds where he had stabbed it. His grin was confident, and with the aid of a flap of his wings, he threw himself at me in a powerful thrust.
The setup was flawless. Black Mane came at me, sword tip first. With a strong wave of my now armored fore limb, I deflected his blade to the right. Moving with the momentum of my own motion, I thrust my left hoof into his jaw, sending his sword flying out the side of his mouth and disarming him. Continuing the motion, I spun around fast using my wings and swung my right elbow hard into the back of his head.
Black Mane's front legs buckled and he fell to the ground face first, wholly unconscious from my strike.
I used my wings to stabilize my balance and remained motionless in my stance for a moment, waiting to see if Black Mane was merely dazed or not. Confident he was out cold for the moment, I dropped to all fours and let out a sigh of relief.
I hurt all over. And with my focus and tension now fading, I found my legs to be shaking. I paused as I remembered that there were others watching. I could hear nothing. Even the gentle breeze of the winds around the academy seemed to be at a stand still. I glanced cautiously towards the rest of the class and found them all to be staring at me in shock. They had clearly not expected the outcome they had seen. Even Breezy, who had been doing his best to cheer me on from the get go was speechless.
Eventually, the silence became to much to bear and I frowned heavily at everyone. I hurt, and I wasn't in the mood for any more drama.
"It's not like I killed him!" I barked, "I only knocked him out!"
Breezy burst out laughing at that, and didn't stop until he had tears in his eyes. "That you most certainly did my boy! That you did!" He gasped out.
Gale flew over to Black Mane and checked him over quickly before glancing back at me with a stunned look. "He's out cold." he said.
"Yeah, and I hope to be the same as soon as I find my bed..." I groaned.
Breezy laughed as he came up to me and patted me hard on the back.
I dropped to my knees and whimpered as my many sore spots protested the contact.
Breezy just laughed. "I think you earned an early night this time my boy," he said, "But be sure an' be up bright and early for class tomorrow. I think things'll go a might smoother for ya now."
"I hope so," I groaned as I struggled to get to my feet, "I don't think I can take that many hits again for a while..."
"Aye, you took quite a number," Breezy admitted, "Forty three to be exact."
I groaned again. Something about knowing how many times I'd been hit, and subsequently lost, just made everything hurt even more.
'Forty three to one,' I thought, rather dishearted, 'I hold records the opposite of that back home...'
"I gotta say though," Breezy said eying me closely, "Of all the stunts you could'a pulled, Karate was the last thing I'd a' expected. Though whatever move you pulled was a might smoother than what I'm used to seein'. It's usually just yellin' and breakin' boards."
"It wasn't Karate," I said, emediately stunned that martial arts was even known here, "But if you knew I was using martial arts, then why did everyone look so confused when I stood up?"
"Martial arts?" Breezy said, clearly confused by the term, "Ain't 'eard a that name before. But Karate's not a very common thing. Especially around non Earth Pony types."
'So they know Karate, but no other styles?' I thought, finding that very strange, 'Guess that puts me at a bit of an advantage I guess...'
"Ey Sky!" I heard Breezy call out, "Come be a dear an' elp young Silver 'ere back to the palace would ya? I need ta make sure the great Black Mane still knows 'is own name."
"I'm fine Breezy," I said, trying to wave off the help, "It's just a quick glide to the palace from here."
"Aye," he said, "An' it'll be a much quicker one if your wings give out on the way, believe you an' me on that one!"
I sighed and nodded my head. I was too sore to argue.
Ahead of me, a young pegasus landed softly. She had a rich reddish-orange coat, with a red mane and tail. A rich golden undertone accented her hair and tail, and more of the same gold highlighted her wing tips. She had medium length hair, parted to hang more to one side than the other.
I paused as I noticed her wings. On the main joint of her left wing she had what appeared to be two golden rings. They reminded me of earrings and I winced at the thought of piercing my wings.
Before I could ask about them, the red pegasus threw her hair from her face and glared at me.
I was taken back for a moment. I'd never even met this pony before and I had already gotten on her bad side? I couldn't see this day getting much worse.
She strode over and turned her side to me.
I stole a quick glance at her cutie mark. It looked like a globe, with a dotted travel line encircling it.
"Get on." she said flatly.
"W-what?" I stammered. Up until that point, the thought of riding another pony had never crossed my mind. We weren't in my world, so why would anyone ever even try to ask such a thing!
"Are you deaf?" she said bluntly, "I said. Get. On." She repeated herself slowly, and deliberately paused to make her words clear.
I frowned at that. "Thanks, but no," I said, "I can make it back on my own."
'Is it something I'm doing?' I thought as I tried to push past her, 'Or do I just attract people like this!?'
I heard her snort out a "Hey!' as I past by and I reflexively glanced over. I saw her rear end raise up, and an instant later I found one of her back hooves planted firmly against the side of my head.
I staggered heavily to the side, the whole world reeling from her kick.
"Sky!" I caught Breezy bark, "What in blazes are you doin!?"
"He can barely stand," the red pegasus retorted, "And he won't let me carry him otherwise, so what's the big deal? You said to get him to the palace, so that's what I'm doing."
Their voices were fuzzy and seemed oddly distant to my ears. I swayed around to face the pegasus that had just sucker punched me and glared, though for all my effort I couldn't see much more than the clouded floor beneath my feet.
"D-did you... Did you really just-..." I barely managed to get out before the world abruptly went dark around me and I felt myself falling. I could still make out the muffled voice's of Breezy and the red pegasus arguing, but in time, even those faded and all was silent.