> Grounded for Life
>  by Supremechief
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: The Earth Pony in the Sky
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Grounded For Life
By: Surpremechief
Reviewed By: TP-Night


Chapter 1: The Earth Pony in the Sky



***


Riiiing. A school bell sounded off as it signalled all of the colts and fillies to head outside for recess. It was a usual routine at Cloudsdale elementary as the young pegasi flew off to have races in the air or other sports and activities. Everyone was showing how well they can fly for it was the ability to fly that makes pegasi unique among the other ponies, other than the Royal alicorn sisters in Canterlot. Well, all but one colt was in the air. He was light blue colt with a white muzzle and pale blue eyes. He had a messy dark brown mane with blue highlights at some tips with a long tail to match the colour while his cutie mark was still waiting to reveal itself. He was lying down on the ground that was made of cloud, which of course everything that wasn’t alive in Cloudsdale was made of, while reading a book.

“What lame book are you reading now, Steelbolt?” said a voice as the colt looked away from his book and saw two colts standing in front of him with a fiendish smile on their faces. One was thin and had a yellow coat with a short white spiky mane and tail and a lightning bolt cutie mark. The other was large with an indigo coat with a long smooth black mane and tail with a thunder cloud cutie mark.

“Why would you care Blitz Strike?” Steelbolt questioned the yellow colt with an annoyed look. He was all too familiar with the two colts and the one thing Steelbolt can always count on, is that these two were no friends of his.

“Aw come on Steely. Don’t tell me that you’re still sore about us giving you flying lessons last Friday. That was almost a full week ago.” said the indigo colt trying to sound friendly while grinning about the event.

“You pushed me off a cliff! And you call that flying lessons? If memory serves me right I never asked for lessons from anyone, let alone you two. So yeah I am still sore about that Rai Boom!” Steelbolt shouted angrily at the indigo colt.

“Don’t worry I have another plan to get you airborne.” Blitz said with a sinister smile as quickly grabbed the book Steelbolt was reading and started to hover a few feet off the ground. Rai followed suit as Blitz Strike began to taunt, “If you want your book back so much you just have to fly up here and take if from us.” He began to start laughing as he tossed to book to Rai Boom. Steelbolt tried to jump as high as he could to catch his book while it was in the air but Rai caught it.

“Yeah, come on flap those wings of yours. Oh that’s right you don’t have any, you freak of nature!” Rai Boom mocked Steelbolt as he began to laugh with Blitz Strike. Those words were the awful truth to Steelbolt as he turned his head around to look at his back lying bare, wingless. It was true; he was a pegasus without wings or an earth pony with the freakish ability to interact with clouds. Either way it made him too different to avoid unwanted attention, especially if the attention came in the form of the Storm Brothers. They continue to toy with Steelbolt until tears of frustration began to well up in his eyes. “Ok, fine here is your stupid book back.” Rai said as dropped the book onto Steelbolt’s head.

“You should stop reading those fairy tales. Everyone knows that the so called legendary kingdom of Capalltalamh that existed thousands of years before the rise of Equestria is all made up. Why read about a civilization that has nothing to do with today? Let alone a foal’s myth!” Blitz shouted to Steelbolt who was now holding the book tightly in his forelegs all the while trying to hold back his tears and gritting his teeth in anger. “Let’s go Rai, let the freak read his bedtime story.” said Blitz as he and his brother flew off to join a group of colts and fillies who were getting ready for a game of tag.

After the two bullies left and Steelbolt managed to calm down his nerves, he opened up his book again which was titled Stories of Capalltalamh. He flipped through the pages until he found his favourite story in the book, The adventures of Nyx and the Midnight Guardians. Nyx of the Night was known in other Equestrian folktales as a guardian of a town from night creatures. Although the Nyx in his book and the one from the other tales were different as both stories are told in different time eras, one from a time where even the Princesses would consider being a myth, the other was from a more recent time that the Princesses can claim witness to, Steelbolt had always enjoyed reading about this story. 

The story tells of an order of guardians during a time of civil war in Capalltalamh known as the Sky Knights. Although their name suggests that they were comprised of pegasus ponies, there were also unicorns and earth ponies among their ranks using personal high speed flight gear to soar in the clouds of Capalltalamh. The Knights each led individual team of warriors to defend the free ponies of Capalltalamh in separate areas called Riochts. But there was a single group of warriors who took it upon themselves to not only protect the ponies of a single Riocht, but all of the free ponies from the tyranny of the Nightmare Legion led by the intimidating Lord Nightmare. These warriors were called the Midnight Guardians and they were led by Nyx, Warrior Maiden of the Moon. Nyx and her Midnight Guardians traveled in a unique war airship called the Breaking Dawn it was described to be a small vessel compared to others warships of the age. It was able to support about a seven pony crew and was fitted with only four magic cannons for defence, but what made it unique was that it was the fastest ship in existence. Breaking Dawn was said to reach a max speed to be on the verge of a sonic boom, making it an ideal choice for the Guardians carrier ship allowing them to reach any location of Capalltalamh to counter any Legion threat anytime anywhere. But it was not Nyx, her team or any pony in particular that keeps him drawn to this story, it was the flight gear and the airships that always perked Steelbolt’s interest. The description of the flight gear and airships was vague as well as the illustrations as they were more archaic than the medieval style illustration in other equestrian story books. Still they always seem to ignite something in Steelbolt’s mind, as if they were offering the solution to his grounded state.

After the final bell rang, Steelbolt made his long walk home while the other fillies and colts flew over his head. Seeing his classmates fly excitedly into their friend groups and talking about what to do for the rest of the day made Steelbolt feel lonely which he made himself bear and often forced a casual smile to help lighten the mood. The words of Blitz Strike and Rai Boom still echoed in his head. They have called him a freak before but he never got used to it. While he can keep a straight face as he took the taunts, each word had always made his chest feel tight as if the air was being sucked from his lungs. At times he wished that they would just call him a blank flank instead like some of the filly bullies do to their classmates. He would prefer that over being called a wingless pegasus freak because at least a blank flank status can go away with time. But being wingless is something he has to deal with for the rest of his life.


***


“Hey Mom, I’m home.” Steelbolt calls out as he enters his house. 

“I’m in the patient’s room with your sister. Just give me a moment.” A mare’s voice responds to Steelbolt’s call. Steelbolt’s mother was a doctor, but with his father working away from home, his mother used the extra rooms in the house to allow the house to double as her own medical clinic which allowed her to work while being close to home. While she can treat most injuries and sickness that were common among pegasi, for more serious cases she can only stabilize the patient until they can be transported safely to Cloudsdale Hospital which is on the other side of the city. An adult mare soon steps out of one of the rooms. She was about average height for adult mare pegasi with a white coat with a wavy short black and green mane and a long wavy black and green tail. She also had light green eyes, had a gold coloured collar around her neck, wore a medical jacket and had a cutie mark of three red crosses. She was followed by a teenaged stallion with a cast on his left wing, obviously her patient. “Okay Mr. Bolt, just don’t use that wing for a few weeks and you should make a quick recovery.” She says to her patient.

“Thank you Mrs. Nightingale. Sure a lot quicker to get treated since you opened your clinic to our neighbourhood.” The stallion says to Steelbolt’s mother before walking politely passing Steelbolt before exiting the clinic door. After the stallion left another pony came out of the room wearing a simple nurse outfit. She was a teenage pegasus mare with a purple coat with short light green mane while wearing a pink headband and a long straight tail with the same green colour with pink highlights. Her eyes where the same as Steelbolt’s mother which were seen through her black square framed glasses and had a cutie mark of a red cross with a dog, a cat, a rabbit and a bird in each of its corner.

“So, what happened to him Vetrini?” Steelbolt asked the purple mare.

“Just some hotshot trying to show off some air stunts and crashed into the ground hard when he spun out. What about you little brother. How was your day?” Vetrini asked Steelbolt with a happy smile. Vetrini had often helped her mother as her assistant as she herself had talent in medical practice. But her real dream is to be a veterinarian and would sometimes make weekend trips to a pegasus in Ponyville named Fluttershy at her cottage to help take care of the animals who live with her.

“Well, we learned how weather pegasi manage to coordinate warm and cold fronts.” Steelbolt replies while returning a smile. 

But Nightingale had a concerned look on her face as she asked her son “Is there anything else you would like to talk about Steelbolt?”

“No. Why do you ask Mom?” Steelbolt answered confused while he cocked his head to the side a bit.

“Sorry just had a feeling that you wanted to say more.” Nightingale assured her son. In reality she had come to know when Steelbolt was forcing a smile. As convincing as it looked, she knew it meant that her son was being troubled. But she also knew that it may not be appropriate to force it out of him with Vetrini in the same room. She planned to tell her husband this when he comes home while she looked at a picture of Steelbolt and his father. The stallion was named Paragrim and he had a straight blue coat with a white muzzle like Steelbolt but had white hooves. His eyes were the same as his son’s plus he wore a simple mustache and styled a short light brown mane and tail with shades of dark blue. His cutie mark was a kite shield with for quadrants, the upper left and lower right were dark green while the other two were a bright red, and had a blue lightning bolt moving across the red quadrants. Steelbolt and his father would often have father and son hangouts after dinner so Nightingale had decided that then may be a good time to discuss what was troubling Steelbolt. Even though she already knew what it was, Steelbolt was being bullied again. She had always feared that her son was going to be an easy target for bullies since he was born.


***


Nightingale remembers the day giving birth and holding the colt in her forelegs with her husband and her filly daughter at both of her sides. It was a happy moment until a curious Vetrini peeked at the backside of her baby brother and asked “Mommy, where are my brother’s wings?” Nightingale’s eyes opened in panic and looked at her son’s back as well as her husband with the same look. 

Her husband shook his head in disbelief and said “Oh great-grandma Thorn Rose, your earth pony genes had to kick in while I was raising a family in Cloudsdale.”

“Is there a problem?” the worried young Vetrini asked her parents who still had a concerned look on their faces.

“Sweetie, I don’t know how to tell you this but your brother is an earth pony and since earth ponies can’t…” Nightingale began to explain the situation until the infant Steelbolt began to cry.

“Aww, shush little brother. Here’s a piece of cloud. It’s soft and plushy and fun to play with.” Said the filly Vetrini as she took a fluff of cloud from the floor with her mouth and began to hand it over to the crying Steelbolt.

“Ah Vetrini, that’s not going to work. You see earth ponies don’t have the ability to…” Her father began to explain when he saw a now quite foal giggling as he began to play with the fluff of cloud Vetrini had given him and began to suck on a piece of it. The concerned looks on the parents began to change to an expression of relief and surprise. Their earth pony son is interacting with clouds, much like any newborn pegasi. The two adult ponies looked at each other and gave a small smile to each other and no words were spoken for they both knew that the other thought “It seems we won’t have to move for his safety.”


***


Although Paragrim was happy about his son’s ability, Nightingale was concerned about another thing as many things began to build up in her mind. “Will he be alright when he gets older? How with the other children treat him? Will he have any trouble making friends since he won’t be able to fly? Will he be able to cloud walk as he gets older?” These thoughts had stayed with Nightingale for years and most were answered with undesirable outcomes. She remembers how even before Steelbolt started school some of the neighbourhood colts and fillies made fun of Steelbolt for being wingless. She also remembers that whenever he tried to play with them or make friends they would say that they don’t want to be grounded by an earth pony that was in Cloudsdale only because he can walk on clouds. The years of growing up were hard on Steelbolt and often thought about discussing to move to a new home down on the surface below with Paragrim. Things got a little better when Steelbolt purchased that one book from a used book sale at the local library. The book had an interesting title, Stories of Capalltalamh. It had stories about an ancient kingdom the preceded Equestria by millenniums and Steelbolt was drawn to them as it talked about great heroes who endured great suffering on the road to greatness as well as stories of other heroes who became famous after rising from a simple humble state. These stories had always comforted Steelbolt in certain ways but Nightingale knew that Steelbolt needed real friends and a book will not be enough to cure loneliness.
	
> Chapter 2: A Way to Fly
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Grounded For Life
By Supremechief
Reviewed by TP-Night

Chapter 2: A Way to Fly




***


“Honey, I’m home.” A stallion called out as he walked through the front door. He was the same stallion as the one in the picture with Steelbolt. Paragrim was wearing a simple military uniform and on the shoulder of his uniform was a unit crest similar to his cutie mark but had a sun on the upper left quadrant and a moon on the lower right. The crest was the mark of the “Equestrian Rangers” a light infantry unit of the Royal Guard who built up a reputation of always being the first to the fight. Although it was a time of peace in Equestria, Paragrim still serves as a trainer for new recruits at a military camp just outside of Cloudsdale.

“Welcome home dear. How were the new recruits today?” Nightingale asked her husband. Although she knew what kind of answer he would give her while she was making final preparation to dinner.

“Well, out of the twenty-seven cadets who signed up last week I had five hurlers and three droppers by the end of the day. In the end, I’d say that these cadets are more durable than the last generation.” Paragrim said with a smile as hurlers and droppers were code words for those who “lost their lunch” or fainted by the end of training.

“By those numbers I would agree. You usually have three as much hurlers and twice as many droppers.” Nightingale says as she laughed a bit. After Nightingale had calmed herself down and recomposed herself, she turned and looked into her husband’s eyes with a serious stare. “Paragrim, there is a favour I like to ask of you.” She told her husband with a serious tone.

“What kind of favour?” Paragrim replied looking confused. His wife is quite capable with handling most tasks on her own and since the Vetrini and Steelbolt are usually home before he is, they are usually trusted to take care of errands if Nightingale got too busy with patients. 

“It’s about Steelbolt.” Nightingale began, “I believe he is being bullied at school again because of his, “condition”. I would like you to try talking to him during your after dinner activity with him, and maybe…” she paused for a bit before continuing, “ Try to bring up the relocation plan with him and convince him to go along with it.”

A moment of silence filled the room before Paragrim broke it, “It won’t be easy.” Paragrim sighed as he looked away, “Steelbolt loves being in the clouds. Plus you know how he is at times. He often lets other’s happiness take priority of his own. If we tell him that we are going to move, he may take it that we are doing it only for his sake. He may see himself as a burden and blame himself for making us leave our home. He would rather bear a burden than become one.”

“We both know that isn’t true.” Nightingale stated she used one of her fore hooves to guide Paragrim’s face to look him in the eyes. “We are his parents and we must be willing to do what it takes to give our children a happy childhood.” 

“I know dear. I’m just saying that it won’t be easy to convince Steelbolt to go alone with it.” Paragrim said with a tone of doubt before hugging his wife. Little did the two ponies realize that a pair of little green eyes was spying on them down the hallway.


***


After dinner, Vetrini and Steelbolt began to help their mother with the dishes when Paragrim came over to Steelbolt and said, “Steelbolt, your sister and your mother can handle the dishes. How about I take you for a ride around the neighbourhood?” A large smile appeared on Steelbolt’s face and he jumped off the stool he was using to reach the sink to follow his father out the door. Paragrim sat down once they were in the front yard as Steelbolt climbed on his back. Then with a powerful flap of his wings they were off as Steelbolt shouted with enjoyment.

After her brother and father were long gone did Vetrini spoke to her mother, “We’re moving to the surface aren't we?” she asked with a hint of sadness.

Nightingale looked towards her daughter with surprise as she was preparing the sink to wash the dishes. “She must have overheard us earlier” Nightingale thought. There was no longer any point to keep it a secret. Vetrini must understand the situation her little brother was in. “Vetrini try to understand. Your father and I are not enthusiastic about the idea either. But your broth…” Nightingale began to explain when Vetrini cuts her off.

“I know why mom.” Vetrini said dryly, “I was one of the first that Steelbolt talked to about his bullying problem. I just don’t want to move away from Cloudsdale. I have friends here, good friends. I just don’t want to leave them with my brother being a large cause of it. Don’t get me wrong I want him to be happy as well and I wished that I could have been there to defend him. I can see through his fake smiles as well as you can. Even though I do visit Ms. Fluttershy in Ponyville sometimes to practice veterinary skills, Cloudsdale is my home and I don’t want to leave it unless it was something to do with everyone.” Vetrini stated while she lathered up the dishes in the suds. 

Silence began to fill the room as both mares continued to clean the dishes. After a brief moment Nightingale broke the silence saying, “I’m sorry Vetrini, but the one who has the last say on the matter is your brother. Should he agree with your father and me that we should move to the surface then that’s that.”


***


Even though Steelbolt himself was not flying, he still enjoyed the sensation of weightlessness and high speed while wrapping his fore legs around his father’s neck. His father was making turns, Immelmann, barrel rolls and other flight maneuvers that he learned from his times in the “Equestrian Rangers”. Finally they stopped to sit down and rest on a high cloud looking over Cloudsdale. After enjoying the scenery of the city of clouds in the evening sky did Paragrim decide it is time to talk to Steelbolt about the plan. 

“Steelbolt, be honest with me. Are you enjoying school? How are you with your classmates?” Paragrim asked his son while he tried to avoid giving any indication of what answer he was looking for.

“Well the classes are fun, the teacher is nice.” Steelbolt began, “Though I usually find myself the odd one out of any sport teams during recess.” He paused a bit before continuing, “I usually just spend my recess reading alone while the other colts and fillies play in the air.” As Steelbolt finished, a sad expression began to form on his face. Paragrim sighed as he knows that he would have to ask a straight question now. But before he could ask, Steelbolt asked him an unexpected question. “Dad, do you think there is a way for me to fly on my own?”

The question caught Paragrim off guard as he replied, “What do you mean?”

“It just that, I’ve been having trouble staying on your back when you take me out flying recently, and that I think we can only have these kinds of moments for perhaps another year.” said Steelbolt as he now laid completely on the cloud with his head rested against the fluff. To him flying was a way to free himself from his troubles. Even from looking over his father’s shoulders, just seeing the world below him becoming smaller as they climbed higher in the air was enough for Steelbolt to forget about his problems. Now Steelbolt had realized that he was starting to get too big for his father to carry him on his back and with it, will be his way to escape reality. “I just want to know if I have a chance to fly even without wings.”

Paragrim paused for a moment before giving his answer, “Of course Steelbolt. Don’t you know that there are already flying machines that can carry ponies into the air?”

“Of course I do Dad.” Steelbolt began while raising his head off the fluff and turned to face his father. “But they are too slow. I want to be fast as I fly. I want to feel the rushing air whistling in my ears. I want the world to fade into a blur as I soar.” He finished with a look of frustration as he turned away and let his head flopped back onto the fluffy cloud he was laying on. After taking a large breath Steelbolt says, “I can put up with my classmates, I can ignore the Storm Brothers insults and I can put up with being left out. All I really want is to fly on my own, here in Cloudsdale.”

After hearing this Paragrim decided to forget about convincing Steelbolt about moving and decided to offer his son some comfort. “Steelbolt, I do not know of any other way that would allow non-pegasi like you to fly.” Paragrim began with Steelbolt looking more depressed. “But that’s because no one has tried to make one yet, or any means that had existed are now lost just waiting to be rediscovered.”

Steelbolt’s eyes widened to those last words and slowly sat back up to turn and face his father again. “Wha… What do you mean Dad?” Steelbolt questioned his father, uncertain by what he meant by “no one had tried” or the “means that had existed are now lost”.

Paragrim smiled as he explained to his son, “Do you recall the story of Nyx and the Midnight Guardians from that book you keep reading?”

“What about it?” Steelbolt asked looking more confused. What does that story have anything to do with him being able to fly in the future?

Paragrim stood up to turn his body and laid down on the cloud to bring himself more the Steelbolt’s height as he continued his explanation. “Well, do you know where those stories come from?”

“From big old ponies with an active imagination?” Steelbolt guessed.

Paragrim laughed a bit before he continued, “That’s partially true Steelbolt. Stories like Nyx and the Midnight Guardian are at times written by somepony with a great sense of imagination. But that does not mean that it was entirely made up.”

“What are you talking about?” Steelbolt said with as a frown developed on his face as he became annoyed with his father’s cryptic clues on how old mythological stories will help him to fly.

“Well son, when ponies create stories involving technology that seems advanced but we don’t have today it is because they did not have proper understanding of science like we do. If they understood the world like we did these ponies would have tried to create these machines during their era. So what you should take from the flight gears and airships in Nyx and the Midnight Guardians is not whether they are real or not, but rather as a possible idea for the world to make real.” Paragrim said when he finished his explanation and saw that a bright smile appeared on his son’s face.

“So what you’re saying Dad is that the flight suits and the airships in my stories may not have existed in the past but could be real in the future if somepony takes the idea and create the real thing?” Steelbolt said excitedly.

Paragrim’s smile began to grow more as he saw the hope that was rising in his son’s eyes. “Yes Steelbolt, they can become real. And for the other part on where these stories came from is something that most ponies would laugh at.” Paragrim began as now a confused look appears on Steelbolt’s face waiting for his father to continue. “It is possible that these stories may be actual historic events that most ponies have forgotten.”

From confusion to shock as Steelbolt’s expression changed again as his mouth gaped open for a few second. “Actual history? Are you serious?!” Steelbolt shouted in disbelief. It was true that he sometimes like to think that the “Stories of Capalltalamh” were actual events, but even the young colt knew better that mythical stories were not really true.

Paragrim continued to smile, as he partially enjoyed the look on his son’s face. “It is a possibility Steelbolt. You see these kinds of stories were told from pony to pony by relying on their memories and using their own interpretation long before the first written documentation took place in our world.  The main reason these stories are not called actual events today is because as the story was passed on to the next pony they slowly became more and more distorted. Whether it was a missing or added word, parts were left out because they were forgotten, or new parts were added to help understand the story, by the time they found their way to a sheet of paper about only ten percent was all that remained of the original story.” Paragrim finished letting his son to take in all that he had just said. 

“So when you said that “any means that had existed were now lost waiting to be rediscovered” you mean that if there is some truth to the tale of “Nyx and the Midnight Guardians”, then there once was a way to allow earth ponies and unicorns to fly like pegasus at will.” Steelbolt began as he tried to understand his father’s lesson with his eyes shifting from side to side while staring at the cloud he was standing on. “But over the years those means were lost and were only remembered by these stories that eventually became too obscured to be called actual history. Still if there is the smallest possibility that such means to allow flight were done before then it’s possible that it can be done again!” Steelbolt conclude as he almost jumped off the cloud in excitement over this realization if his father had not caught his tail with his teeth before he went over the ledge.

Once Steelbolt was back safely on the cloud, Paragrim motioned his son to climb onto his back as he said, “Climb on Steelbolt, the sun has almost set and your mother would want you to be back home before dark.” When Steelbolt had secured his grip around his father’s neck, Paragrim had his wings spread out and took off into the sky before descending to Cloudsdale’s main level. As they were nearing their destination Paragrim turn his head around to and spoke to Steelbolt who was starting to fall asleep, “Steelbolt?”

“What is it Dad?” asked Steelbolt trying his best to stay awake as his little eye lids grew heavy.

“Your mother was concerned about you having bullying problems at school and she and I thought it may have been best that we move to the surface so you can go to school with other earth ponies.” A panicked look suddenly appeared on Steelbolt’s face and his mouth opened in preparation to protest. Paragrim stopped him and as he continued with his speech, “But this evening I understand that you don’t want to leave Cloudsdale no matter what troubles you’ve been having at school and I can accept that. All that I ask for to help give your mother some piece of mind by trying to report these events to your teacher. She may be able to help you deal with them. And in exchange we won’t move unless we all want to, especially you.”

“Okay Dad I will try to take care of those bullies, for Mom’s sake.” Steelbolt said with a sigh of relief about not having to move as long as he upheld his father’s conditions.


***


As Paragrim walked through the door of the family home with a sleeping Steelbolt on his back, he saw his wife waiting for him on the family couch in the living room reading one of her favourite mystery novels by “T. Velvet”. She looked at her husband then at the sleeping colt on his back and nodded as she showed that she will wait until Steelbolt was in bed before discussing what happened that evening with her husband. As her stallion and colt went down the hall to Steelbolt’s bedroom, Nightingale noticed that both of those ponies had a smile on their faces. She was not expecting a smile from Steelbolt when they got home as she thought he would be a bit upset, even if he agreed to move to the surface. As for her husband, she thought he would be mostly neutral, no matter the outcome. To her these smile may mean only one thing, Paragrim had failed to convince Steelbolt that moving to the surface and going to an earth pony school was best for him and that Paragrim was secretly happy to stay in Cloudsdale at the expense of their son’s misery.

When Paragrim returned to the living room he saw that his wife had a look of disapproval written clearly across her face as she sat on the couch with her forelegs crossed across her chest. “I thought you were going to try your best to convince him that moving to the surface was what’s best for him.” Nightingale said in an accusing tone. 

“Look honey if you just give me a moment to explain…” Paragrim said as he tried to defend himself before his wife interrupted him.

“Don’t “honey” me!” Nightingale began as she tried to keep her shout to a whisper as to not wake up the children. “You were supposed to convince Steelbolt that he could have a happier time at school if he attended a school that had other earth ponies, maybe even unicorns too. That way he wouldn’t be so different, and his classmates would no longer have any reason to bully him. But no, you hardly put much effort into it and as soon as he protested you gave up just say you tried when you came home. You don’t care much about your son, you care more about you military career and you are using him as an excuse to stay close to your precious “Rangers”!”

After Nightingale took a few breaths as she vented out her anger towards her husband did Paragrim make his counter argument. “Nightingale, Steelbolt was not upset about being bullied.” Paragrim stated as he tried to remain calm while he tried to fight the urge to shout back.

“Of course it is. What else could it be?” Nightingale questioned her husband, “It is certainly not his schoolwork as he studies hard and gets good grades, and I certainly doubt he is already having filly troubles at his age. If it is not about being picked on by the other kids then what is it?” Demanded Nightingale as she waited on what kind of poor excuse her husband will come up with.

Paragrim took a deep breath before replying, “He was upset because he is getting too big for either of us to carry anymore.”

Nightingale looks at her with a puzzled look then scoffs as she said, “Well, what does that have to do with him being upset? Getting too big for use to carry was inevitable. He had to learn eventually that we can’t carry him around like a helpless foal anymore.”

“That’s not the point Nightingale!” Paragrim exclaim while he did his best to not let his frustration about his wife’s stubbornness get the better of him. Once she had an idea in her head it was hard for her to let it go. It was one of the few flaws that Paragrim had grown use to over the course of their marriage. “The point is that Steelbolt enjoys flying more than anything else and that once we can’t carry him anymore the closest thing he has to enjoy that feeling will be gone for good. He is upset because he knows he is about to be grounded for life soon!” Paragrim paused for a moment as Nightingale put a hoof to her mouth in realization that she had her facts wrong. “Don’t you see dear? Even if we move to a new home on the surface, even if he can make some friends and was no longer bullied, he may not be truly happy as he will be constantly reminded that he cannot fly on his own by his pegasus sister and parents!”

Nightingale was hesitant before she spoke again, “But… But then, what did you tell him after he told you how he felt about not being able to fly that made the both of you so happy when you got home?”

Paragrim sighed as he took a seat beside his wife on the couch and confessed on all the things he and Steelbolt had talked about during their evening flight. From how his son wanted to fly like an actual pegasus and not just to simply float in the air, to how Paragrim shared his philosophy of the origins of mythical stories and that the future is too uncertain to know if he can ever fly on his own. After he had finished, Nightingale paused before she said, “You do realize that you may have just given him false hope?”

Paragrim nodded his head as he answered, “Well what else could I have told him? If I should give him anything, it should be a future he can look forward to.”

Nightingale then rests her head against her husband’s neck as she comforted him. “I know sweetheart. I’m not saying you did anything wrong, it’s just that I’m worried on what may happen if Steelbolt holds on to that hope on a future that may be too far out of reach.”

They sat together on the couch as they leaned against each other for a few minutes when they were startled by the sound of small hoof steps. They turned to look over the couch and to their surprise was their little colt Steelbolt walking towards them from his hiding spot around the corner of the entrance to the living room. Nightingale got off the couch, stood up then walked towards the colt and asked him, “Steelbolt, why are you up? You still have school tomorrow you need your sleep.”

The little colt rubbed his sleepy eyes as he replied back, “Sorry mom, it’s just that, like Dad, I’m a light sleeper and I overheared the two of you arguing so I came out of my room to learn what you were talking about. When I heard that you were talking about me, I got scared but I did not want you to see me with you both so angry at each other. So I just hid behind a corner and waited until you stopped fighting.”

Paragrim was now off the couch as well and kneeled down and brought his head level to his son’s. “Don’t worry about it son. Your mother and I are just worried about you and were unsure that what I told you would become nothing more than a foal’s dream.” Paragrim said as he tried to comfort his son.

Steelbolt then surprisingly brought his head under his father’s neck and started to rub against it. “It’s okay Dad.” Steelbolt said with a smile, “When you told me that I may be able to fly in the future I already decided that I was going to make it a reality.” A surprised look appeared on both his parents face as they were not expecting this. “It is a future I want to see for myself and to make it happen I know I must take part of it.” Steelbolt said as moved over to his mother and leaned up against her leg like some kind of cat.

Both of the adult ponies looked at each other and smiled. That smile had always had a single meaning between the two. No matter the situation when those two give each other that one smile it meant that they knew what the other was thinking. This time the shared thought was, “It seems that we may have very little to worry about from here on.” After Steelbolt was tucked back into his bed, his parents began to walk to their own room while their wings were folded over each other’s and their tails intertwined. “That colt may have a bright future ahead of him” Nightingale said as she smiled at her husband.

“Yes indeed honey.” Paragrim answered back. “Who knows, maybe in another six thousand years they will tell mythology starring him.” Both ponies laughed as they walked into their own bedroom, knowing that perhaps things will get better for all of them.
> Chapter 3: A Glimpse Of Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Grounded for Life
Written by Supremechief
Reviewed by TP-Night
Chapter 3: A Glimpse of Darkness



***


It had been two days since his evening discussion with his father as Steelbolt resumed his usual routine during recess, reading tales from Stories of Capalltalamh. Only this time things were a bit different. Instead of just reading the book, he was also writing something down in a small notebook. After taking his father’s suggestion that within these stories held clues to how Steelbolt may find a way to fly on his own, he has been analysing the texts for these hidden clues. With regards to his bullying problem, he took his father’s suggestion on that as well. Steelbolt had a talk with his teacher about how the Storm Brothers, Blitz Strike and Rai Boom, had been picking on him during recess. Although she understood his situation, she explained that she could not take immediate action against them unless she saw it for herself. However, she did give the two a fair warning yesterday and so far they have been leaving him alone which allowed Steelbolt more time to work on his investigation. To top, it off it was the weekend tomorrow and Steelbolt could start trying to apply some of his findings without the Storm Brothers tormenting him.

As he read through his book, his notes were growing as it was filled with small comments about any details of how the ponies of Capalltalamh flew. Such hints or clues included vague lines such as “…their wings folded, changing from mighty dragon wings into nothing as they disappeared into their sides…” and “…a bright light was seen emitting from their chests as a great power flew throughout their armor and into their wings…”, to Steelbolt anything that made reference to the characters who flew in the stories had to give some kind of hint.

“Hey Steely, what’s up my pony?” said an all too familiar voice as Steelbolt looked up in annoyance and saw the his two least favourite colts descending from the sky as they approached him.

“You two are either brave or stupid if you plan on trying any funny business after that warning you got.” Steelbolt said reminding the brothers that they couldn’t bully him freely during school hours anymore.

“Aw come on Steelbolt, we came to apologize for our rotten behaviour towards you.” said Rai Boom as he tried to be friendly.

“Yeah, we even thought of a way to make it up to you.” A genuinely happy Blitz Strike added.

“Really? Enlighten me then. I look forward to hear what you have to say.” Steelbolt replied in a sarcastic tone as he was sure that they were up to something.

“Well, what would say if we could convince a few other colts and fillies to come down to your level for a few rounds of tug-of-war?” Rai offered while trying to sound sincere about it.

Steelbolt thought about it for a moment. Although he may have appeared to not have much interest in sports, he still had a sense of competition. Whenever his family got together for a family board game he always had a desire to win. Now that desire to win was starting to build up in Steelbolt’s head. But then again, he remembered who he was talking too. Although he may like to take part of an event, there were still some possibilities that the Storm Brother may sabotage the event to humiliate him. They could be on opposite teams and have the class’s power houses on their side, or they may have conspired with those they recruited to participate into joining his team. Then as the rope grew taught, they would let go so he would be dragged across the clouds. But as much as Steelbolt wanted to not be made a fool of by the Storm Brothers, the temptation of being in an actual competition was too great. He decided to take that chance along with hoping on an outside chance that some of the other classmates may take notice of him outside of school.

“Alright then.” Steelbolt sighed as he closed his books and placed them in his saddle bag. “If you can convince a few other colts and fillies to join us then I’m in. But don’t think this will make me forget everything you put me through.” He said while giving the two pegasus brothers a serious stare. “It’s only a start.”

The two pegasi nodded as Rai Boom went to collect the rope while Blitz went into the air to recruit some more colts to make up the two teams. From the ground Steelbolt saw that Blitz was taking some time talking to the other colts and fillies. To him it meant the possibility that Blitz’s is conspiring with them to humiliate him was very likely.

When Blitz Strike finally came down with a larger group of colts and fillies than Steelbolt had expected, the yellow colt said, “Sorry that took so long Steely. It took some time to convince these colts and fillies to play tug-of-war on the clouds and to have them agree to not use their wings when playing.”

As much as Steelbolt liked that these colts have agreed to handicap themselves for a fair game, Steelbolt was still unsure on how Blitz had convinced them to join and in such a large number, let alone restrict them from using their wings. “I wonder how you managed to do that.” Steelbolt questioned Blitz while he gave him suspicious look.

Blitz placed his foreleg around Steelbolt’s neck and brought him closer, while the light blue colt was clearly uncomfortable about this level of “friendliness”. “Let’s just say that they wanted to prove me wrong that flying was the only advantage they have over you.” He said with a smile. Steelbolt nodded before politely putting some space between him and the yellow colt.

Soon enough Rai Boom had arrived with a borrowed rope with a flag in the middle. With all the colts present and the rope ready Blitz, Rai, and two more pegasus colts that were among the school’s leading athletes began to pick their teams. To everyone’s surprise Rai Boom chose Steelbolt as his first pick, while Blitz and the other colts chose the other classmates. The teams were soon finished with four members each. While Blitz’s and the other two colt’s teams were content with their group, Rai’s had some doubt among them as they, other than Rai Boom and Steelbolt, believed that they have the weakest player on their team.

With the teams set Blitz drew a line into the cloud they were standing on as a marker of when a team loses should their member in front cross it. The first match up was Rai’s team versus Blitz’s team. On Rai’s team Rai took anchor position while Steelbolt was in front with their two other members in the middle. On Blitz team it was Blitz who took the lead while the rest were behind him. The third and fourth team sat along the sidelines to watch and cheer for their preferred team.

When the signal was given both teams began to pull as hard as they could. At first Blitz’s team appeared to be gaining ground but as Rai’s team was approaching the divider line they began to lose some steam and eventually ground to a halt. Steelbolt was nearly touching the divider line when he shouted to his team with the rope in his mouth, “You guy better not be giving up already! That includes you too Rai! You better not be slacking off just to let you brother win!” It was for a few more seconds until Rai’s team began to gain ground by catching on the rhythmic pull that Steelbolt was creating from the front to synchronize their efforts. Until a near full minute had passed the match was over as Blitz was dragged across the line signalling his team’s loss. While everyone else was on the ground panting, Steelbolt was still standing although he too was breathing heavily. “Whew, you guys… sure have… low stamina.” Steelbolt said to his teammates while giving a small laugh.

“It… was… perhaps… that… earth… pony… stamina… that… helped… us… win.” said one of his teammates who was trying to catch his breath. Although Steelbolt would like to think that his stamina was natural, he thought it was more to do with him walking to school and back so often. As a result he had built up endurance within his legs whereas the other colts had most of their endurance built up in their wings. Therefore once they were restricted from using them, Steelbolt had an advantage in a long match.

Steelbolt was grateful now that Blitz had managed to get enough players for four teams. While the other two teams had their match it gave time for Rai, Steelbolt and their two other teammates to rest up a bit as they would be facing the winner of this match. Although the next match was short compared to the previous one Steelbolt still enjoyed watching the games as both teams fought. In fact he enjoyed the match so much that he failed to notice that on the sidelines there were only seven colts and fillies including himself. 

As Rai’s team prepared themselves for the winning match it was apparent to the spectators, which now seemed to have attracted attention of the other colts and fillies, that Rai’s team was still tired from the first match while their opponents were in better shape from their shorter match. Still despite of their disadvantage Rai, Steelbolt, and their two other team members had put up an impressive resistance as they dragged out the competition to over a minute before they lost.

Recess was soon over and Steelbolt seemed to have managed gain some respect among some of his classmates. Although he was still not a friend to any of them, they now appear to have acknowledged him. As Steelbolt collected his saddle bag which was still leaned up against the school building he noticed it was a bit heavier than usual. “Whoa, I must have really pushed my limits. I barely have enough strength to carry my own saddle bag.” He said with a smile as he thought that this may have been the best school day of his life.


***


After the dismissal bell rang Steelbolt began to make his way home along his usual route. He trotted with a sense of achievement since it was the first time that any of his classmates offered a compliment a little as a, “not too bad” or even said, “see you later” as they all left at the end of the day. It was not a solid friendship with his classmates but still it was a start. Along a way he came across a sidewalk bench and decided to do some more of his research of the contents in Stories of Capalltalamh since he was in such a good mood. When he got onto the bench, he opened up the bag and took out a large book from inside. To his surprise the title of the book was not he was expecting. In fact it was a completely different book. Steelbolt’s mind began to race as he tried to figure out what had happen. First he thought of when the books could have been switch which was most likely during the tug-of-war event as he knew the book was in the bag before the event and it was after that he noticed that his bag was heavier. At first he thought the culprits were the Storm Brothers as they were the only ones who would do such a stunt. However when he left his bag alone to play Blitz Strike and Rai Boom were with him during the entire event. Rai was his teammate and he never had left Steelbolt’s side while watching the other competition, and Blitz was sitting beside Rai during the second match on the sidelines as well. No, it was not Blitz beside Rai Boom during that match. It was one of his other teammates.

“Why those no good…” Steelbolt mumbles under his breath as an unprecedented level of anger build up inside of him. “You two may insult me, taunt me, but when you mess with my books, my research, you had better be ready to give them back.” He placed the book inside of his bag as he races off towards the Storm Brother’s home as fast as his colt legs could carry him.


***


“I can only imagine the look on his face when he realizes that we switched his book.” Blitz laughed at the thought. He and his brother were flying home along a path that leads from the school to their house.

“Yeah, I bet he is losing his mind on how we managed to pull it off.” Rai added as the two of them flew a bit further down the path. “So what are we going to do with it know? Take it home and wait till he comes back and act like they were switched by accident?” Rai pondered on how they may avoid trouble.

“What are you talking about? We never had the book.” The yellow colt smiled as he took a familiar book out of his saddle bag and tossed it onto a passing delivery cart. “Now if Steelbolt accuses us of taking his book, he will look like a fool pointing hooves at other ponies. Plus if he tries to give back the book we switched on him, it will look like he stole if from us.” Blitz began to laugh again at the thought of the good mannered colt looking like a crook while he and his brother will be seen as the victims.

They had only flown a bit further until they came across a vacant patch of clouds with a good view of the main city of Cloudsdale. They decided to stop for a moment and bask in the scenery and the moment believing that they had just pulled of their greatest work on tormenting that freakish earth pony. “Although we may have to admit that this may be our last stunt with that freak. It‘s getting boring to just call him names and the only leverage we had to make him entertain us was that book.” Blitz smiled as if he was an artist who painted his masterpiece.

“You know, you shouldn’t really talk so loud.” said a voice behind the two brothers. They looked around and saw a familiar light blue colt with a very angry look on his face. “Someone just might overhear you.” Steelbolt continued while breathing heavily after such a long run. “Now… give me my book back. Now!”

“What are you talking about Steelbolt?” Blitz said acting innocent of the matter. “We don’t have your book.”

“Don’t play dumb with me Blitz. I know that you swiped my book and replaced it with another during the tug-of-war event that you two just so happen to have organized for me.”

“We still don’t get what you’re talking about.” Rai said while acting confused, “If you sure that someone switched books on you, what made think it was us?”

“Apparently you two jerks forgot that when you borrow a book from a library, there is a record of those who have checked it out on the back cover.” Steelbolt said angrily as he threw the other book at the Storm Brother’s hooves. 

“Oh there’s my book.” Rai said in a surprised tone. “I thought I left this at the school building and had to wait till the weekend was over.” The indigo colt said as he picked up the book and placed it inside of his own saddle bag. 

Blitz smiled as he thought of a way to drag on the act, “You know Steelbolt. Perhaps your book is at the school. It could still be there so you’ll just have to wait until the weekend is over to pick it up.”

“Enough games Blitz!” Steelbolt shouted as he tackled the yellow colt who was taken by surprise by his sudden speed. “Return my book to me now!”

Rai Boom came to his brother’s rescue as he quickly grabbed Steelbolt and placed him in a hold after he had recovered from Steelbolt’s sudden attack. “We have told you already Steelbolt. My brother and I don’t have your book.” The big indigo colt said.

“Then tell me what you two have done with it!” Steelbolt demanded as he struggled to get out of Rai’s hold.

“This is too easy.” Blitz Strike thought to himself. “Well, if you really want to know. It’s on a delivery cart that’s halfway across Equestria by now.” He laughed evilly expecting a look of despair on his favourite prey’s face. What he found instead was perhaps one of the most terrifying images he had ever seen.

What happened next went by in almost an instant. When Steelbolt heard what the brothers had done with his favourite book he quickly threw his head back, slamming it against Rai Boom’s lower jaw. As the pain surged throughout his mouth, Rai Boom slacked his hold on Steelbolt and allowed the now furious colt to escape. Steelbolt then jumped and tackled Blitz Strike with such force that the yellow colt skidded a bit on the cloud. 

Blitz was now pinned down by this raging light blue colt as he was given an intensive stare. The yellow colt was terrified by the look in Steelbolt’s eyes. The stare he was given was not a simple angry stare, it was worse. The stare that Steelbolt was giving was a death stare, as if he no longer valued his opponent’s life. Blitz could only tremble as Steelbolt brought his head closer and gave an animalistic growl. 

Once Rai Boom had recovered from the sudden attack from Steelbolt he went over to his brother in an attempt to help him. Unfortunately for the indigo colt, Steelbolt saw him coming and gave him a powerful kick to the face and knocked him out. 

Steelbolt soon returned his attention towards the frightened yellow colt that he has pinned down to the cloud. Steelbolt gave another growl before he spoke. To Blitz, as he sweated heavily with fear, Steelbolt’s voice was unnatural. It was as if the light blue colt was possessed by a dark entity. “Did you ever wonder Blitz, why I offered little resistance when you and your brother had been picking on me?” Blitz shook his head quickly. Fearing that while under the deathly stare of his captor, refusing an immediate answer could result in his death. “It was because I thought you guys had boundaries on how far you would go to make me miserable. Call me names, and you’ll stop once I started to cry. Take my belongings, you would return them once you had your fun. But now you have crossed those boundaries. I will not take any more of your crud. So let me make it clear for you to understand.” Blitz prepared himself for what this crazed colt may do to him. “Leave. Me. Alone.” Blitz nodded quickly as Steelbolt got off of him as he made his long way home.

It was perhaps half a minute later that Rai Boom gained conscious and by the time he came to he saw that Steelbolt was long gone. “Oh man, I didn’t know that the little freak had it in him.” He said as he placed a hoof to his head as he was recovering from being knocked out. When he looked towards his brother he saw him sitting up as he was mumbling something under his breath. “Hey bro, you okay?” Rai asked his brother with a concerned tone in his voice.

Hearing his brother’s voice helped Blitz to snap out of his troubled mind as he said, “What? Oh, yes. I’m okay.” As Rai walked closer to his brother, Blitz asked him a question, “Hey Rai. Did you see his eyes?”

“His eyes? The only thing I saw was the back of his head then rear hooves slamming into my face. Why?”

Blitz didn’t answer. He was thinking about what had happened just before Steelbolt left. “I could have sworn that his eyes became like a cat’s or a dragon’s for an instant.” He thought to himself. He vowed to never mess with Steelbolt again. There was no way that he was going to get on the bad side of something that may not even be a pony.


***


Steelbolt trudged home as his head now hanged low as now tears of sadness had replaced his fury that had existed earlier. He was upset at two things. The first was that his favourite book was now gone and was lost forever on a delivery cart bound for who knew where. The second was from the realization of what he just did to the bullies. 

Although he may now have scared them into letting him be, he felt awful about it. While it was true that in his rage he was acting more on instinct rather than reason, he could not help but feel sick to his stomach as he recalled that for a brief moment that he wanted to literally “break” the Storm Brothers. His stomach churned at the thought as he could not the stand the thought of hearing breaking bones as he developed avoidance to brutality ever since walking in on his sister and her friends watching a horror movie. With the first thing he saw was a teenage stallion murdered with an ice skate wedged into his face, it traumatized his colt mind into becoming sick at the sight of large amounts of blood. 

He neared his home and he still was unsure of what to tell his parents about his day or when should he say it, or even if he should say anything at all. It could be possible that the Storm Brothers were scared enough to keep their mouths shut about the event and as long as now one else knows about it, the event had never happened. Then again his mother had the ability to know when something was upsetting him and even if they don’t find out about what he had done to the brother’s they may be curious on why he was not reading Stories of Capalltalamh in a few days. 

“I’m probably just over thinking things a bit. I mean, it’s not like she’ll be waiting for me right at the door right?” he thought to himself still uneasy. “Oh horse feathers.” He thought in exhaustion, “I won’t be able to keep it secret for long anyway. Heck, I may not even last ten seconds if she starts to question me casually.” thinking back to what a bad liar he was. Whenever he played a game of secrets he always had a bad habit of either smiling or giggling whenever he tried to lie or hide something. He would just have to face it, there was no way off keeping the event under the rug for good.


***


“Hey Mom I’m ho… WHOA!” Steelbolt said as he was about to announce his arrival as usual when something small and fast flew by his head. He turned around and watched what appeared to be a small hawk, an infant that just recently learned how to fly landed near the family sofa in the living room. 

“Hey mom, why is there a baby hawk inside our house?” he asked as he called out to his mother.

His mother walked into the room from the kitchen as she was preparing dinner. She looked towards her son with a smile and said, “Your sister had just adopted him during her recent visit to Fluttershy in Ponyville.” She looked towards the kitchen as Vetrini was making dinner in her place then back to the infant hawk. “Apparently this little guy was orphaned so your sister decided to take him in as a family pet.”

“Does he have a name yet?” Steelbolt asked looking at the infant hawk that was still near the sofa.

“Your sister thought that you would like to name him. She thought that you may like him and perhaps give you some company when your father and I are busy and Vetrini is out with friends or seeing Fluttershy.” Nightingale said with a smile thinking that although it was not another colt at least her son now had some form of company he can rely on.

“Hmm, well having a hawk for a pet would be pretty cool, although Vetrini is going to have to help me raise it.” Steelbolt said to his mother as he approached the raptor. “So what should I call you?” he said as he brought himself closer to the baby hawk. Steelbolt was fixated on the bird’s eyes and they had a feel of intensity like it would never joke around. “How about I call you, Mihawk, after one of my favourite anti-heroes from “Stories of Capalltalamh”? For a pony, his eyes were described to be hawk like too and he was always serious. Yet he was still a good pony in his own way, honouring his promises even though it had placed him on the wrong side of things.” The small bird gave a small screech before it flew towards Steelbolt and landed on his back. The colt winced a bit as its talons dug into his hide before it started to rub its head against his neck. “I’ll take that as a yes then.” Steelbolt smiled while he held back tears of pain as he made a new friend

“So Steelbolt,” Nightingale began now focusing on Steelbolt. “Now that you have made a new friend, care to explain why you are over an hour late from your usual arrival time?” Clearly she was not happy about the late arrival of her son as he would come home while she was still working and not during dinner preparations.

“Saw this coming.” Steelbolt thought to himself recalling on how he was going to face his parents. “There is something I would like to talk to you about what happened today.” Steelbolt began to explain still uneasy about how his parents my react. “But can we talk somewhere a bit more private? I don’t want Vetrini to overhear us.”

Nightingale was curious of why her son wanted to talk in private. When he came home much later than usual she would have expected a child’s excuse like taking a detour along the way or hanging out with friends. If Steelbolt wanted to give his reason for being late in private, it was likely that his reason for being late was serious.

So they headed into Steelbolt’s bedroom and closed the door so Vetrini would not overhear them. Once Steelbolt was comfortable enough he began to tell Nightingale about his day. At first she was pleased that he was involved with a school event and how much fun he had. But soon her smile was replaced by a gaping mouth when she heard about what Steelbolt did to the Storm Brothers, especially on how he recalled on how much he wanted to hurt them.

She let out a sigh as she put her hoof to her face. “Steelbolt, why didn’t you just come home and tell me what had happened before you went after those colts on your own?”

“I’m sorry Mom. It’s just that, that book meant so much to me and I just didn’t want anything happen to it.” Tears were welling up in Steelbolt’s eyes as he thought about losing his book.

“I’m going to have a talk with your father about this after dinner but I can see that you are sincerely not proud of what you have done.” Nightingale sighed as she thought about what should be done to mend the problem her son had created. She knew eventually if not tonight one of the Storm Brother’s parents or both of them may approach her and cause her problems for what Steelbolt had done to their children. “I think the best option is to visit them tomorrow and so you can apologize to them for your actions.” 

Steelbolt nodded. He was secretly happy that this may be the worst punishment he will receive for picking a fight. “And don’t worry about your book. I’m sure after you apologize properly their parents may be willing to pay compensation for a new book. If they don’t we’ll still get you a new copy.”

Steelbolt smiled again at the thought of getting a new book, though this made him more shameful of his actions earlier. If he had been calmer he may have thought about making the brothers pay compensation too and he could have just gotten a new copy. Still, first he had to apologize. It was something he knew he had to do to make things right, but still didn’t like having to admit to his bullies that he was in the wrong.

“Honey, I’m home!” a familiar voice called out. Paragrim was home now and Nightingale had to go out to greet him and assist Vetrini in finishing dinner.

“Although you may had plenty time to think about what you have done, I suggest you take a bit more time to reflect on you action” Nightingale said in a stern voice as she made her way out. 

As she left Steelbolt’s room Steelbolt looked over by his bed which laid a work desk with drawings of sorts. He still had a few minutes till dinner and with a promise of a new book he walked over to it and pulled out his note book with his current list of hints to the secret of the Capalltalamh Sky Knights. He opened up to a page and read his copied line, ““…their wings folded, changing from mighty dragon wings into nothing as they disappeared into their sides…” He quickly sketched a simple pony base with his mouth on a sheet of paper as he talked to himself. “Their dragon wings folded, perhaps they look a bit like this.” as he began to draw an appendage on his pony drawing. “Then perhaps in order to fold they may have this as well…” He continued to sketch as he tried to make clear of his clues as more and more of his drawings gained more shape by the pencil stroke.
> Chapter 4: That Book Should Not Exist
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Grounded for Life
	By Supremechief
Reviewed by TP-Night
Chapter 4: That Book Should Not Exist



***


The events of last night had gone rather smoothly even after Steelbolt’s father learned of what Steelbolt had done that afternoon after dinner. But like Nightingale, Paragrim agreed that a sincere apology was all that was required. The following morning both Paragrim and Nightingale acted as escorts for Steelbolt to ensure that he gave an appropriate apology to the brothers as Paragrim carried Steelbolt on his back. 

When they arrived at the Storm Brother’s residence the two adult pegasi nudged their colt towards the door encouraging him to knock on it. After Steelbolt had knocked on the door it opened and revealed an adult mare with a light grey coat and hazel brown eyes with a short white wavy mane and a long wavy white tail and had a hurricane cloud for a cutie mark.

Seeing that her son was hesitant to start, Nightingale decided to begin the introductions. “Hello. You must be Blitz Strike and Rai Boom’s mother. I’m Nightingale, this is my son Steelbolt and my husband Paragrim” she said while she directed the other mare on who is who with her hoof.

“Katrina.” The grey mare relied showing little interest or hospitality to Steelbolt’s family.

Nightingale continued to smile and act friendly as she explains their business. “You may have already heard already that our colts having a “disagreement” yesterday and my son here would like to apologize to your colts for his actions.”

Katrina called for Blitz and Rai to come to the door so that Steelbolt can apologize to them. The apology started out smoothly as Steelbolt apologized to Blitz and Rai about attacking them the other day. Things would have continued to go smoothly, that was if Katrina had not started to berate Steelbolt for attacking her sons for no good reason. After that, there was an intense argument from all three adults as they defended their respective colts with Nightingale and Paragrim calling out on the brothers for bullying Steelbolt for a long time while Katrina went on about how Steelbolt was dangerous with his bad temper. Things got even more intense when Paragrim and Nightingale demand compensation for the book that the brother stole from Steelbolt and tossed out. While Steelbolt’s parents insist that Katrina should take responsibility for her colts’ actions like they have by making Steelbolt apologize, the grey mare accused them of lying about the existence of the book in order to scam her out of some bits. The fight lasted for a few minutes until Katrina closed the door in Paragrim and Nightingale’s face.

“That mare, calling us bad parents.” Paragrim grumbled as he stomped into the cloud in frustration. “At least we are responsible enough to admit that our kids made an error and go through the effort to correct it.” Paragrim said as he lowered himself to let Steelbolt climb on his back.

“Well we finished what we came here for. Let’s go to the nearest book store and try to find a new copy for Steelbolt as promised.” said Nightingale as she prepares to take off.


***


“What do you mean you don’t have it?!” Nightingale exclaimed at the shop owner. 

Nightingale, Paragrim and Steelbolt had arrived at the book store about ten minute ago and began to look for a new copy of “Stories of Capalltalamh”. They looked at the children section, then mythology, fictional, inspirational but found nothing even though those to be the most likely genre the book would me under. When they gave up searching for the book on their own they decided to ask the shop owner Mr. Romanzo, a red pegaus stallion with an open book for a cutie mark, if he could look at his shop’s inventory and see if he had a copy on the shelf or has any more arriving. Romanzo was more than willing to help after hearing their story of how their son’s favourite book was stolen and lost. He understood the value of books like an actual librarian and shared this with others by making himself known for being able to acquire any book under the sun by title as a special order if he did not have it in stock. When his search came up empty handed Nightingale’s reaction was a mix of surprise and panic.

“I’ve checked my own incoming orders and even checked with the list of all available books that anypony can get.” the red stallion pegasus tried to explain to the disbelieving white mare. “I’m sorry to say this Mrs. Nightingale but my guess that the reason that I can’t get that particular book for you or your son is because they have not printed a copy in ages and no new ones are coming off the press anytime soon.”

“I’m sorry son but it looks like the book you had may have been the last one in existence.” Ramanzo said as he tried to comfort Steelbolt as he looked down to the floor of the shop with his ears flopped down.

“Come along Steelbolt, let’s go home.” Paragrim nudged at his son with his muzzle as they left the shop. All three of them were feeling down in various degrees as each of them had hoped that Steelbolt would be able to get a new book and move on like yesterday’s events never happened. 


***


For most of the day Steelbolt had remained in his room while his mother took over for Vetrini who was taking care of patients during their absence after he and his parents had returned from their failed search for a replacement for his favourite book. The only time he had come out was either to have lunch or use the restroom. Even when Mihawk came in and settled on his perch in the room Steelbolt paid no attention to his new pet even when the little hawk screeched in his ear. For what seemed to be hours he just sat at his desk looking at his drawings of what he thought his flight suit could look like. Unlike last night, he lacked the inspiration to come up with solutions to decipher the clues he had come across already. 

It was perhaps late into the afternoon when he heard knocking at the front door. Paragrim answered the door and called out for Steelbolt saying that there was a mare looking for him. Steelbolt came out of his room and inside the house’s guest lounge was a cyan coated rainbow mane pegasus mare. While Paragrim tried to show hospitality by offering tea, the cyan mare refused although a bit rudely saying she was only here on business and had no intention of a long stay. 

When the mare saw Steelbolt he saw that on her face she did not come here from her own desire but rather because to was told to. “So, your Steelbolt correct?” she asked the light blue colt before her without breaking a smile. Steelbolt only nodded as the cyan mare reached into her own saddle bag, “I believe I have something that is your.” and pulled out a familiar object, a large book with a familiar title.

Steelbolt could not restrain his excitement as he saw the book. He jumped and swiped it from the cyan mare as she held it in her hoof. He gently ran his own hoof across the title of the book, “The Stories of Capalltalamh” and gave the largest smile as he could make. It returned to him, his favourite book and best lead to his dreams had made its way back to him. To top it all off the book even looked better than it did the day the Storm Brothers tossed it out. He looked up to the mare and said, “Thank you Miss…?” as he hinted that he still did not know her name.

“Dash, Rainbow Dash.” the cyan mare said as she put a hoof to her chest acting like she was a big celebrity.

“Well Miss Dash,” Paragrim started as he approached the mare to offer his thanks as well. “Would be alright for you tell us how you came across this book and how you knew it belonged to my son?” He asked polity knowing that the Rainbow had no intention of extending her stay.

“First off I didn’t find it, my friend Pinkie Pie did. Secondly your name and address was written inside the cover” 

True enough Steelbolt looked inside of his book and there was his name and address written on a sticker that read “If found please return to Steelbolt at Cloudsdale’s Northwestern district.” The blue colt face had grown red with embarrassment as he should have remembered that his mother told him to put the sticker inside of his book when he first got it for a situation like this. 

“Okay, but still how did you, I mean your friend find it?” Paragrim asked Rainbow Dash a second time.

“Alright then.” Rainbow said with a sigh. Clearly she was not going to allowed leaving without answering some questions. “According to Pinkie she was just going around town getting some party supplies…”


***


“Okay, got balloons, streamers, confetti, what’s next on the list?” Pinkie Pie looks at her list of party supplies for an upcoming birthday party for a filly. Her eyes widened at the next item as it was one of her favourites to have at such an occasion. “The piñata! A party with this many guests has got have one of those.” She placed the list inside her saddle bag as she made her way to the next shop to place an order for the piñata. “Now what kind of piñata should I get? A rainbow? Perhaps a nice flower. Oh! Or maybe even a large cake shaped one.” She said with a smile. 

It was then she saw the mail pony going around town making his midday rounds delivering packages and letters to each of the town’s residents. As he pulled out a packaged box from his large mail satchel, Pinkie noticed that something else fell out of it. The mail pony had failed to notice it as he began to walk over to the next house as if nothing happened. Pinkie went over to the item and inspected it. It was an old book. Not only that, but what made it interesting was that it had no package wrapping on it nor any mailing address and postage stamp on it. “This book probably belongs to the mail pony.” Pinkie told herself.  “I bet that he plans to read it when he finishes his deliveries.” Pinkie said as she glances up to locate the mail pony making sure that she did not lose him.

Picking up the book with her mouth Pinkie made her way towards the mail pony just as he placed a bundle of letters into the mail box. “Excuse me sir I believe you dropped your book.” Pinkie extended her hoof offering the book back to the mail pony.

The mail pony looked at the book Pinkie was holding looking rather puzzled. “Sorry miss, but this isn’t my book.” The mail pony said as he turned away to continue his route.

“Wait!” Pinkie called out to the mail pony again making him stop in his track with a look of slight annoyance on his face. “If it’s not yours, do you know who it belongs to?”

“Again I’m sorry Miss, but this book is not mine and I don’t know who it belongs to. For all I care it’s yours now.” And with that last statement the mail pony continued his route with an increase in his pace as to get away from Pinkie Pie before she could distract him from his job again.

Pinkie Pie looked at the book again with a sad look on her face. “Aww, I can’t keep this book when it could belong to somepony else.” She lifted the front cover of the book and saw a sticker inside. There she saw a name and an address to a pony from Cloudsdale. “I bet this pony is sad when he finds it missing and knowing that somepony is sad makes Pinkie sad too.” Pinkie said with a sadder look as her hair deflates a bit like a balloon. “So to make Pinkie no longer sad I must make the owner of this book happy which will make Pinkie happy by returning it to sad pony.” She said with a determined smile as her hair re-inflated.

As she was about to place the book into her saddle bag along with her party supplies she notices a few pages were falling out of the book. Apparently from being tossed around through the mail service, the book had become damaged with a bent cover and a broken spine along with the pages falling off. “Oh no, I can’t return this book to the sad pony like this.” Pinkie said as she picked up the fallen pages and placed them and the rest of the book in her saddle for safekeeping. “Maybe Twilight can help because Pinkie does not sad pony to become happy pony when his lost book returns to him only to become sad again when happy pony finds his book broken.” Once the book was safely inside of her saddle bag Pinkie began to make her way to Twilight’s library to ask for her friend’s help.


***


Twilight was at her library reading on some new spell books she received from Princess Celestia. After finishing her book she called out for her number one assistant, “Spike, can you return this book to where we keep the other spell books?”

“No problem Twilight.” said the purple baby dragon as he was standing on a ladder organizing the shelves. 

The purple unicorn’s horn began to glow with the same magical aura that was now surrounding her finished book as it levitated and floated towards spike. He was about to place the book in its place when a familiar hyper active pink mare burst through the front door. “Hey Twilight!”  Pinkie shouted happily.

“Ahhh!” screamed the baby dragon as he fell of his ladder

“Oops. Sorry Spike. I didn’t mean to startle you.” The pink mare apologized as she walked in.

“Pinkie!” Twilight exclaimed at the sudden appearance of one of her best friends. “What are you doing here?” Twilight wondered as her pink friend bounced happily towards her.

“Oh I was hoping you can help me with something to make a sad pony a happy pony.” Pinkie said with her usual happy smile.

“Really?” Twilight said puzzled. How could she help to make somepony happy? Being the Element of Laughter, that was more of Pinkie’s speciality. “How can I help?”

“I was just wondering if you can fix this.” Pinkie reached into her saddle bag and handed the broken old book to Twilight.

“You just need me to fix this?” Twilight asked

“Yes a Rooney.” Pinkie cheered as she put on a large smile

Twilight was still unsure where her friend was going with this but she complied. “Well, lucky for us the Princess taught me a restoration spell while I was still a filly. She it taught me when Spike knocked over and broke a small marble statue when he was wondering around the castle halls when I turned my back on him for a moment.”

“Yeah, talk about an accident that turned into a great opportunity.” Spike added know back on his feet while a bit embarrassed about the memory.

Twilight then began to focus her magic into the broken book as her horn and the book began to glow with the same lavender aura. Slowly the covers of the book began to straighten out as the spine regained its stiffness. Then the fallen pages floated beside the book and inserted themselves back into their proper places and re-sown back to the book’s spine.

It was over in a few minutes then Twilight looked at the repaired front cover of the book with an intrigued look. ““Stories of Capalltalamh” hmm.” The unicorn said to herself as she analysed the design of the books cover. It was dark green with what appears to be a series of hoof carved vines etched into the cover with the title itself written in an almost pre-medieval style. She then opened the first page to where the publishing information was written. “Sweet Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed in excitement.

“What’s up Twi?” asked Spike concerned for his friend

“Yeah Twilight tell us!” Pinkie said as she started to bounce around the room.

“Pinkie, tell me again how you found this book?”

“Okay.” Pinkie took a deep breath before continuing. “I was out getting party supplies for an upcoming filly’s birthday party and I was just about to decide what kind of piñata to get for the party when I noticed this book when it fell out of a mail pony’s mail bag. I tried to return it to him but he said it wasn’t his and told me to keep it. Then I looked inside the book, learned who it belonged to then I brought it here for you to fix it before I return it.” Pinkie explained while re-enacting the events. “Why?”

“Because this book is nearly three hundred years old!” Twilight explained to her friends. Pinkie and Spike just gave her a blank stare occasionally blinking their eyes. Twilight groaned as she saw that her friends still did not get the significance of the book. “Any book that was published over fifty years ago and is no longer being printed gains a vintage status and becomes a collectable. But this book is almost six times as old and seeing it still intact while still open to the public is a miracle as any of its few remaining copies would have been stored in the royal archives for preservation or in a glass case of a private collector.”

“Ohhh.” Spike said after understanding why Twilight was getting worked up over the old book. Of course Twilight, being a big time bookworm, would get excited about the book. To her it was like she found a lost giant ruby. That last thought made Spike’s stomach growl a bit.

“I still don’t get it.” Pinkie said while raising a hoof in the air.
“Oh I give up.” Twilight said. “No use trying to tell Pinkie Pie the importance of an old book when perhaps the only thing going through her head are parties and sweets” she thought.

“So if were done here can I have it back?” Pinkie asked while she held her hoof out waiting for Twilight to return the book back to her.

“Are you crazy?! This book needs to be preserved. We can’t just let any pony have it just so they can ruin it again.” The purple unicorn exclaimed while now holding the book tightly in her forelegs. “They may have stopped printing copies of this book for over a century!”

“Aww, come on Twilight.” Pinkie began with a sadden look on her face. “Some sad pony must be missing this book, and might even be super-duper sad about losing it!! And knowing that somepony is super-duper sad makes me super-duper sad too!”

“Yeah Twilight, stop being selfish and give the book back to Pinkie so she can return it.” Spike said giving a serious stare while having his arms crossed.

Twilight resisted a bit before relenting. “Okay, sorry Pinkie.” she said as used her magic to give the book to Pinkie. 

“It’s okay Twilight.” Pinkie said to her friend. “If it were a vintage cake in that fell out of the bag I would want to keep it for myself too.” She said with a smile as Twilight rolled her eyes as Pinkie was just being her optimistic clueless self with perhaps no idea what “vintage” really mean. 

“Hey Pinkie, how do you plan on getting to book back to its owner anyway?” Twilight asked while thinking about the given address of the books owner. “Cloudsdale isn’t exactly a train ride away.”

“Simple, I’ll just ask Rainbow Dash for a favour.” Pinkie said as she made her way to the door.

“But do you even know where she is right now?” Spike asked as he tried to chase after the pink mare.

“Of course. She’s right over there.” Pinkie pointed towards a cloud not far from the library and sure enough there was Rainbow Dash taking her midday nap.


***


“So then Pinkie woke me up from my nap and asked me to make this delivery.” Rainbow concluded her story not wanting to go over the details of how Pinkie chased her for almost half hour. Rainbow felt a bit embarrassed about it since she should have known better than try to avoid Pinkie when she was asking for a favour. “Does that mare even know the meaning of give up?” she thought to herself.

“Great story Miss Dash.” Steelbolt said with a smile on his face while he still held onto his book close to his chest. “Thanks again for bringing my book back.”

“Sure thing kid. Now if you don’t mind I would like to get back home to Ponyville.” Rainbow began to make her way to the door when Steelbolt walked up to her again. “What is it this time?” She asked a bit annoyed.

“Umm, if it’s not too much trouble, could you tell your fiends Twilight and Pinkie that I said thank you for finding and fixing my book?” Steelbolt asked nervously with his ears flopped down giving him a bit of a cute appearance.

Rainbow smiled as she lifted up her hoof and gave the colt a light pat on the head, “Sure thing kid.” Once she was outside Rainbow took off and began to make her way back to Ponyville.

Steelbolt looked at his book again and began to think about his attachment to it. He freaked out when he found it missing, he attacked two of his classmates when they tossed it away, and fell into depression when he thought it was gone for good. He went through a lot of problems involving this book and in such a short amount of time. 

Steelbolt stared at his book for another moment with uncertainty when Mihawk landed on the book and gave Steelbolt an intensive stare. Paragrim smiled to himself a bit before he spoke to Steelbolt. “I believe Mihawk wants you to put that book down and start paying some attention to him. I can tell as well that you’ve been thinking about that book all day and hardly anything else. Take a break from it and go spend some time with your little friend, you can use the fresh air after locking yourself in your room all afternoon.”

The colt smiled as he petted the baby hawk, “Your right Mihawk, I’ve been too focused on this book for too long. What say you and I take a walk around the neighbourhood, or in your case fly?” Steelbolt said. "I know that’s probably not what you’re thinking but it helps to pretend that you do.” Steelbolt thought to himself about talking to his pet. 

The two went back to Steelbolt’s room where de placed his book on his desk in his room with care and made his way to the front yard to with Mihawk. Looking at Celestia’s sun halfway in the sky Steelbolt guessed that they have about an hour or two until dinner time. “What say you and I have a game of tag at the park?” he asked to hawk. The small bird screeched as it took off into the direction of the park with as fast as it can fly. “Fine then, I guess it’s a game of tag after a race to the park.” A smile appeared on Steelbolt’s face as he chased after his pet. Although he intended to get back to his project, he was just going to enjoy playing with his pet and enjoy life like he should for the rest of the day.
	
> Chapter 5: A New Drive
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Grounded for Life


By Surpremechief


Reviewed by TP-Night


Chapter 5: A New Drive



***


Knock, Knock, Knock

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Vetrini called out to the pony who was knocking on the front door of her family home. 

It has been nearly a month since Rainbow Dash returned Steelbolt’s book, and so far things had resumed their usual routine for Vetrini’s family. Her father spends most of his days training his new recruits in the Equestrian Rangers and her mother was taking care of patients with her providing assistance. 

It was about mid-afternoon when a pony knocked on the door and when she opened it, she can only smile at who the visitor was. “Hey Mom, our favourite patient is here for his treatment.”

“Really? Can you give me preliminary diagnoses on his condition?” Her mother called as she poked her head out of one of the examination room. 

“Well, I say he is suffering from small bruises on his left foreleg and a small scrape on his right knee. Also his left wing is bent while his right is completely torn off. In fact he is carrying it in his mouth as I speak.”

“You know Vetrini, if I didn’t know who the patient was, I would be making an emergency call to Cloudsdale Hospital ER right now with that kind of condition.” Nightingale said with a smile.

“Yeah come on Sis, no need to get Mom worked up with graphic descriptions.” Steelbolt tried to say while he held the fake wing in his mouth as he walked into the house.

Over the past two weeks Steelbolt has been trying to construct a flight suit based on his designs that he had come up with from reading Stories of Capalltalamh. His earlier designs where childish at best which ranged from helium balloons to homemade wings strapped to his forelegs. His current model, the mark six, used his sister’s old saddlebags where skeletal bat like wings with kite fabric for the skin membrane were protruding from the bag on each side strapped to his body.

Vetrini gave a small laugh as she gestured her little brother into one of the empty examination rooms. “Come on Steelbolt, I’ll clean up that scrape for you.” 

Once inside, Steelbolt took off his flight suit as his sister began to run clean water over his leg, even though it was only cloud fluff that could have contaminated it, followed by dabbing the torn skin with cotton ball soaked in peroxide. “So what were the results if this test flight?” she asked Steelbolt as he occasionally winced as she put presser on his tender skin.

“The Mark Six was able to achieve better lift than the Mark Five, but it was still not able to glide faster than it was falling even after I tried to alter its shape and size. In the end, all I was able to do after I jumped off the launch pad was to try weaving around to make my flight a long a possible. Unfortunately, during my weaving I hit a cloud column and knocked my right wing loose then I spiralled into the ground level clouds beneath me.” Steelbolt said as he gave his test flight report while remembering to write down his results in his personal report log back in his room.

Vetrini sighed as she tossed the cotton ball into the waste basket and grabbed a bandaged roll with her wings, “You know Steelbolt. I think you should take a break from being your own test pilot for some time.” Vetrini expressed her concern as she placed the bandage on her brother’s leg. “If you keep testing your designs and having results like this in such short intervals, eventually your injuries are going to leave a permanent mark.”

“Oh, I think they already have.” Steelbolt joked looking back towards his flank. There was his cutie mark in the shape of a wrench and a screwdriver crossing over each other in the form of an “X”. It made its appearance when he was testing the flight suit Mark Five model a few days ago. It was much like the Mark Six but it had a smaller frame. Unfortunately the frame size was a bit too small for proper flight. Yet it was the first real success of his designs. During that flight test he was able to glide some distance while riding it before he tumbled across the clouds because he was coming in too fast for the landing. Still that mark five, or what was left of it, became the base for all his upcoming designs.

“I’m serious Steelbolt. If you don’t give your injuries time to heal properly, then your coat is just going to be covered in scars. Before you say anything, let me tell you this from a young mare’s perspective, fillies don’t dig scars.” Vetrini said while giving her younger brother a serious look.

“Okay, fine.” Steelbolt sighed after a brief silence. “I will not perform any more test flights until my injuries have healed.” Steelbolt said in a near sarcastic tone as he was not enthusiastic about taking a break from testing his designs. Sure he would occasionally take time off to play with Mihawk, but what his sister was asking him was that he would take nearly a full week off. While he can focus more on the designing stage of his next model, without a regular field test he would have to wait some time to see how the new mechanical system of the model works.

“If you’re worried about being bored, then you must have forgotten that Dad got us reserved seats for the “Best Young Flyer Competition” at the Cloudiseum in a few days.” Vetrini said. She smiled at Steelbolt’s face when he realized that he had indeed forgotten that the competition was coming up soon. It was one of Steelbolt’s favourite annual events that were held in Cloudsdale.

“Seriously?!” Steelbolt exclaimed.

“Yeah, Check the calendar if you don’t believe me.” Vetrini said in a matter of fact tone. “Also, this is another reason for you to take a break from testing your designs. You can’t go to the competition if you happen to break a leg from your next crash.” She added to her argument why her brother should take a break from his activities.

“Okay, okay Sis. No needs to guilt trip me any further.” Steelbolt said as he raised his hoofs in front himself like he was making an invisible barrier.  “I’ve already said I would agree to take time off from the test runs.” 

“Good.” Vetrini says as she made her way to the door of the room. Once she had the door opened to let Steelbolt out she said, “Now run along Steelbolt. I have to help Mom take care of her other patients.”


***


When Steelbolt arrived in his room he was greeted by Mihawk as he flew down from his perch and hovered in front of the colts face for a bit before taking a spot at his work desk. Smiling Steelbolt placed the damaged Mark Six flight suit up against the bedroom wall as he made his way to his work desk himself as he gave the infant hawk a good rub around its feathery head. 

Once the bird of prey seemed content with his head massage Steelbolt look over his desk and at the state it had become recently. Over the past few weeks the desk that had once contained just a small pile of sketches had now transformed into an organized mess of files, with most of them being named after each flight suit model. He went through his stack of files until he found the one labeled MARK 6 and went through the pages inside until he came across the sub file he was looking for which was labeled TEST RESULT and began to fill it out with his analysis of his flight earlier that day. 

From what his result had yielded, he was getting closer to achieving the desired shape and functionality of the flight suit for the gliding purpose, yet still his biggest mystery was the means of takeoff. With all of his current designs, in order to get airborne Steelbolt had to go into a deep dive first to build up speed before leveling himself out to create the amount of lift needed for him to glide. If only he could find a way to create some means of self-propulsion for his designs, he would be able to take off from where ever he stood. Steelbolt would prefer that method of testing his flights suits as he felt like a colt climbing up a hill with his sled in the middle of winter with his current method of diving off a high altitude cloud above the city. The way down was fun but the journey up was getting tiresome and boring.

Once he finished his report and filed it away, he took out a familiar green book from his shelf. He flipped through the pages until he came across the passage he was looking for. “…a bright light was seen emitting from their chests as a great power flew throughout their armor and into their wings.” This passage was referring to whenever a Sky Knight of Capalltalamh was about to take flight. I seemed that whatever the light the book was describing may have something to do with how the non-pegasi ponies had achieved flight. Except the problem was just there was no clear description of what was the source of that light. It could be some form of a power source, or it could be a reaction to some kind of flight magic. There was still so much that Steelbolt could not understand just from the book. Still, it was the best lead he had.


***


When the day of the competition came, the crowd was pouring into the Cloudiseum as pegasi from all over Cloudsdale came to see what may be the next generation of performing flyers. Among the crowd was a familiar family of three pegasi and an earth pony as they made their way through the crowd. “I sure hope there are a lot of speedster pegasi this year.” Steelbolt said happily while he and his family look through the crowds to find their seats to watch the competition from the massive stadium.

“You will little brother.” said Vetrini, “According to Fluttershy, her friend Rainbow Dash had been practicing all week to perfect her routine and her finale is going to be a Sonic Rainboom.” 

“A Sonic Rainboom? Are you sure?” Steelbolt asked his sister as they sat down on an observation cloud. “I mean, from what I heard there was only one Sonic Rainboom in history, and that was almost ten years ago!” 

“That part is true Steelbolt.” Paragrim explained. “The last and only Sonic Rainboom to have occurred was when your sister was still a foal. Also according to the rumors that were buzzing around the neighbourhood at the time it was a filly with a rainbow coloured mane that did it.”

Steelbolt suddenly remembered that Rainbow Dash had a rainbow mane herself. ‘Was it really her that did the only Sonic Rainboom in history?’ he thought to himself. 

“Hey look! It’s Miss Fluttershy and her friends from Ponyville.” Vetrini points out to a group of four ponies in the stands across the Cloudiseum.

Steelbolt snapped out of his train of thoughts and looks to see the group that his sister was pointing to and to his surprise three of them were not pegasi. They were two earth ponies, one pink with a pink curly mane and the other orange with straw blond mane in a low ponytail wearing a Stetson hat, and a unicorn with a lavender coat and indigo mane. But what surprised him the most was that they were sitting on the cloud much like he can. 

“Hey Dad, I thought that natural non-pegasi cloud walkers were rare.” Steelbolt asked his father.

“That is true Steelbolt. As far as your mother and I know of you are the only non-pegasus pony that can walk on clouds.” His father confirmed his son’s inquiry.

“So then how come there are two more earth ponies and a unicorn that can do the same thing?” Steelbolt asked his father.

“My guess son, is that they are able to walk on clouds due to a unicorn spell.” Paragrim began to explain to his son. “It’s not a spell that’s not used very often as the last time I seen it used was when an unicorn pony general did an inspection of my unit’s training camp and explained that he cast a spell on himself to allow him to walk on clouds. It’s only temporarily of course and it would eventually fade in a few days.”

Steelbolt nodded in understanding as he looked back at Fluttershy’s group. ‘It’s strange in a way. It seems like today, magic is a large part in our lives. There’s now so much that magic can do now and that just about any problem can be solved by a unicorn with the proper knowledge of the art. Yet the ancient Capalltaliamhs seemed to have been less reliant on it and created a grand society, one that used more technical and innovative arts than the mystic art. As a result, they created a civilization greater than Equestria in terms of culture, military and science, according to their stories of course.’ He thought to himself.

Eventually the competition began with the arrival of Princess Celestia and the celebrity judges The Wonderbolts with Captain Spitfire taking the lead. The first three performances were a mixture of well done and a bit of a flop as the first contestant put on a small air ballet that was done well but only used simple moves while the second had a minor spinout during some fast pace air acrobatics which threw him off for the rest of his routine. When the fourth flyer came out Steelbolt was surprised it was number seven who came out of the curtains. 

“What happened to number four?” Steelbolt asked out loud.

“Maybe he or she got a bad case of stage fright and decided to back out of the competition.” his mother guessed. It was not long until the order of contestants corrected themselves but still contestant number four was nowhere seen.

As the competition neared its close Steelbolt’s favourite by this point was contestant thirteen who did some cloud sculpturing during his routine. To Steelbolt, that kind of flying takes skills as good sculpting of anything depend on how little material you have to remove until you have the final shape. And this contestant showed this of well as he removed so little that it was as if the cloud already looked like a giant pegasus. 

When they announced the final performance of the day Steelbolt was excited to see that the fifteenth contestant was Rainbow Dash but then became surprised when number four came out as well and whoa did she look out of place. Unlike the other competitors who just went out without wearing any costumes, this mare went overboard in Steelbolt’s opinion. She wore a feathered headdress, pink pearl earrings, a thick furry neck collar connected to the rest of her dress which Steelbolt had no idea how to describe it. Plus she was wearing lipstick and large eyelashes. If her appearance could have a general description, it would be that she looked like a Mardi Gras dancer.

“Well, now we know why they went out of order for a while.” Vetrini said “You would have to spend hours to put on that much makeup and costume that mare is wearing.” 

Steelbolt agreed with his sister as the both of them did not enjoy the idea of “excessive physical appeal”. But what caught Steelbolt’s attention the most was the fact that number four was a unicorn with what appeared to be a pair of butterfly wings. Steelbolt was confused about this. Although he would admit that they were indeed pretty he couldn’t help but wonder how she got them. Perhaps since she was a unicorn she may have used a spell to make her own. 

‘Wings made from pure magic, interesting.’ Steelbolt thought to himself. ‘This just confirms my theory that magic had evolved so much that just about any desire can be achieved through a spell. However, if those wings were used by a spell, then they may only be temporarily like that cloud walking spell those other ponies are under.’ Steelbolt said as he looked over to Fluttershy’s group. ‘Still, perhaps I should try looking more into magical theory myself as it may hold some of the solutions to my problem.’

As both Rainbow Dash and the unicorn were both performing their routines at the same time, with the unicorn showing an exceptional display of elegance, while Rainbow kept on choking near the end of each stage of her routine. The first was flying into a tree shaped cloud as she was almost finished showing off her maneuverability by weaving through long row of them and the second was when she accidently send a cloud spinning towards Celestia which she managed to evade along with her guards.

As the music that was being played was beginning to reach its finale both Rainbow Dash and the unicorn began a long ascension into the sky with Rainbow Dash soaring faster and higher where the unicorn flew into the sight of the sun. As the unicorn stopped her ascent she yelled out to the crowd, “Look upon me Equestria. For I, AM, RARITY!” with that last statement she opened up her wings to the fullest and the sunlight shun through them and created a marvellous array of lights mesmerizing the spectators in the Cloudiseum. But this only lasted for a few second as her wings suddenly burned up and turned ash in an instant. 

Steelbolt and his family was stunned like the rest of the Cloudiseum spectators were as they saw Rarity falling from the sky and though the Cloudiseum. When The Wonderbolts scrambled to rescue her, they were quickly knocked out by her flailing limbs. Just as everyone thought they were going to crash straight into the ground of the surface below a sudden whoosh came from the sky as Rainbow Dash hurried to rescue the falling ponies. Many pony spectators either turned their heads away or covered their faces as so they would not witness the coming disaster while others found themselves unable to turn away. Then all of a sudden a sonic boom was heard with a large circular rainbow was formed as Rainbow Dash suddenly doubled her speed and saved all of the falling ponies. From the crowed Steelbolt heard Fluttershy screaming at the top of her lungs while jumping on her cloud “A SONIC RAINBOOM! SHE DID IT! YAHOO!” 

After Rainbow had returned to the Cloudiseum with all four ponies with her, Steelbolt joined the crowd as they started to applaud Rainbow Dash for saving Rarity and The Wonderbolts. Steelbolt sighed with relief in seeing that the white unicorn was not injured in any way as she was carried by a couple of pegasi. A few minutes later, after Rarity found a seat in a hot air balloon, Princess Celestia approached Rainbow Dash and her friends as she declared Rainbow as this year’s Best Young Flyer. The crowd erupted in roars and applause as Celestia placed the winner’s crown on the Cyan mare’s head with Steelbolt and his family joined them. ‘Well done Rainbow Dash, you showed me an important lesson. In order to achieve greatness, you have to work for it and use your own natural abilities.’ Steelbolt thought to himself as he clapped his hooves together. 


***


“That sure was an eventful day.” Paragrim stated as the family walked into their home.

“Yes it was, but you lost a grand opportunity to show up The Wonderbolts by rescuing that unicorn and the Bolts yourself.” Nightingale smiled knowing that her husband could have been the hero if he reacted to the falling unicorn sooner.

“True. Then again, we had an entire stadium full of pegasi and the Princess who were capable of recusing them. I guess we were all too shocked on what happened that nopony was able to move.” Paragrim said as his family giggled at that last comment.

Steelbolt walked ahead of the group and started to head to his room. “Hey son, did you not enjoy the competition this year?” Paragrim asked Steelbolt.
“Of course I enjoyed it.” Steelbolt said as he looked back to his family with a smile. “Especially with the last performance, but with all the excitement over a near fatal accident and a Sonic Rainboom, I’m just feeling like taking a quick nap.” His father smiled and nodded in understanding as Steelbolt closed the door behind him as he entered his bedroom. 

Steelbolt took a deep breath as he sat down with his back against the door as he was going over his personal highlights of the competition. The one highlight that continued to replay in his head over and over again the most was when Rarity’s wings evaporated. For some reason his mind cannot move past this event and kept playing the scene like his brain had just became a broken record player. He would see Rarity fly into the sun, then she would open up her wings then they would burn up and become ash. Then just as she was falling past the bottom of the Cloudiseum, the scene would start again in a continuous loop.

It was perhaps a few minutes later that Steelbolt had finally shook himself out of his trance and turned his attention to his work desk. He got up from his sitting position from the floor and walked over to the desk as he gazed over all the drawings and notes he had made about his designs and possible theories to make them work. 
After picking up a drawing of one of his designs he let out an exhausted sigh. “This may be bigger than I originally intended.” he said to himself as he placed the drawing back on the desk. “It never came across my mind that others would want the same thing that I do.” 

It was true. While Steelbolt was busy designing his flight suit he never really thought of doing it for any other reason than to satisfy his own desires. But after he witnessed somepony else flying despite not being a pegasi, Steelbolt began to wonder if there was anypony else had the same dreams as his own somewhere else in Equestria. This project was no longer just about getting him airborne. It was now to get any Earth Pony, Unicorn, and handicapped Pegasi to the skies with the same desire as his own. 

Although he had just witnessed that those who want to fly can with a spell, Steelbolt began to have second thoughts about the evolution of magic. He knew he cannot deny that magic was life itself in Equestria but the idea that just about any problem can be solved with a spell concerns him. He may still look into the theory of magic arts, but he’s was not going to look for any shortcuts. As convenient as using magic as a solution sounds, they were only short term gain and could possibly end up as long term loss. As he witness with the white unicorn Rarity, in the short run she was able to fly to get around in Cloudsdale, but in the long run they failed her when she needed them most.

Once Steelbolt had come to terms with a new drive to create his flight suit and his outlook on the use of magic, he looked at his design for the upcoming Mark Seven flight suit. Like the Mark Five and Six, it had a similar shape with bat like wings for the skeletal structure strapped to his body using his sister’s old saddle bags to hold them in place. The main differences this time was that he made the wings collapsible so that they can fold themselves into the bags for more compact storage. Also it can be the first step to allow more control over his wings like folding them in mid-flight to pass through restrictive spaces. 

The reason Steelbolt wanted to make the wings collapsible was to make it easier for him to carry the suit as it was feeling bulky as he traveled from his home to his testing area. Plus, by making it collapsible he was closer to achieving what the ancient Capalltaliamh Sky Knights used in their own flight suits as according to his book, their wings folded as well. At least that’s how Steelbolt was interpreting the texts. As for using kite fabric, Steelbolt reasoned that if he wanted to achieve a proper glide he would need a tighter fabric to catch the wind flowing underneath the wings and kite have long showed that they were made for that purpose at the parks. 

Seeing the design for the Mark Seven just about finished, Steelbolt looked at his legs and felt them with his hooves feeling for any remains of his scrapes from his previous test flight. To him he was almost completely healed as he had been off needing bandages since yesterday, but he still wanted to keep his promise to Vetrini about not doing anymore test flights until he was completely healed. 

“It will still take me a day or two to make this model before it is ready for its test run.” Steelbolt said to himself. “Perhaps once I have it finished, I could have Vetrini make a physical examination on me. If she says that it’s okay for me to fly then that means that I’m all healed up in her book and I’ve kept my promise to her.” 

Steelbolt went over to his closet and pulled out a box full of plastic tubing parts and had his sister’s old saddle bags in the bundle. “Hmm, along with getting a new sheet of kite fabric along with some tension coils for the wing’s extension feature, I may also need to get some new tubing for the frame of the wings. Although I had managed to salvage most of the parts from the Mark Six, there is not enough materials hear to make a new set.” Steelbolt went over to his piggy bank and checked its contents. “Looks like I’ll be straining my allowance this week.” Steelbolt sighed before giving out a small giggle. “If my injuries don’t restrict me from performing test, it’s going to be my budget.” 

After fetching his saddle bag, Steelbolt emptied out the contents of his piggy bank and opened up his bedroom window as he whistled for Mihawk to come to him from wherever he was. When the infant hawk came into the room he landed on the leather blanket on Steelbolt’s back that Vetrini had sewed onto his saddle bag strap as a protective layer from his pet’s talons. “Come on Mihawk, we’re going on a small shopping trip.” And with that the two of them are off to begin another chapter of their story.
> Chapter 6: Just Different
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Grounded For Life


By: Supremechief



Chapter 6: Just Different



***


‘…as the war between good and evil dragged on, Nyx and her crew of rookies continued their crusade against the Legion of Nightmare. 
As the battles between good and evil rage across the land, the line that divided good and evil had become more obscured. Sky Knights began to sell out their designated Riochts to the legion in order to gain favour with the dark lord of fear incarnate. While at the same time former Legion generals were deserting their post in protest to their former master for encouraging the use of immoral conduct in warfare. It seemed as if the war was no longer about who was right or wrong but rather who will be the last one to survive and rebuild from the scraps. But in the end the hatred that had been growing on both sided from the betrayals and loss of loved ones had grown past the breaking point. Even if the leaders of both sides were to convene for peace there will be too many individuals who will be all too eager to fan the flame of war just to have an opportunity to seek revenge. Admits the uncertainty of alliance and trust however, Nyx and her Midnight Guardians stayed true to their oaths. 
As they continued to challenge to Legion in late years of the war, word reached their ears of a third party entering the war. Reports have been floating around both sides of the war of a rouge group composed of three ponies had been systematically attacking and killing powerful political and military leaders on both sides. To the Legion these ponies were terrorist, to the Sky Knights they were opportunist taking advantage of the chaos that had spread to the four corners of the land. They have called themselves the Grim Ravens and at the helm of this rouge group was…’

A sudden screech caused Steelbolt to jump up from his bead as Mihawk interrupted Steelbolt from his late night reading. It was a hot summer night in Cloudsdale which was making it difficult for Steelbolt to relax and fall asleep. As a result, Steelbolt had decided to catch up on some reading from his favourite book. It has been a while since he read from this book for fun of it rather than a study material. 
About two months had passed since the ‘Best Young Fliers’ competition and when Steelbolt gained a new drive to make an artificial way for all ponies to fly. Since then, Steelbolt had been wholeheartedly spending much of his free time trying to develop his flight suit. Even though Steelbolt had plenty of imagination to try new things, he learned that to make his dream come true sooner he had to expand his knowledge. As a result he had been visiting one of the many small public libraries in Cloudsdale frequently as he began his self-imposed studies. After all those visits and self-study sessions, Steelbolt had accelerated his understanding of mechanics and aviation by months ahead of the average colt.
Now however, be had been hitting a creativity block over the past few days. As a result of not knowing what to try next for his next model he had been taking time off to do things that required little thinking such reading books out of enjoyment, playing with Mihawk in the park or just having fun like a colt his age should be doing instead of trying act like a student at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. 
Mihawk screeched again causing Steelbolt to put down his book as he scanned his room for his pet in the dim light of a bedside lamp. The first place he looked at was Mihawk’s perch just across the room which just lay bare showing no sign of the baby hawk who had a fully grown into a full sized flying predator since the day Vetrini brought him home. As he was about to look at another possible place for Mihawk to be hiding out when the hawk let out another screech that would not require Fluttershy to translate it as a call of urgency. Snapping his neck to the source Steelbolt saw that Mihawk was in a frantic state on the window sill making gestures to Steelbolt to look outside.
Giving a slight yawn as the reading had done some of its work Steelbolt crawled out of bed and made his way to the window as he hoped onto his hind leg to get a better look outside. While he may not have the same long range eyesight as Mihawk there was more than enough moon light and starlight for Steelbolt to see that out in the distance there was appeared to be… nothing but empty Cloudsdale streets as fare as pony eyes can see. But still, Steelbolt wondered why Mihawk was so riled up.
“Mihawk, I trust you that there may be something of interest out there that I might find interesting.” Steelbolt said with disinterest. “I don’t see why you are ruffling up your feathers over this. It is late and let us both do ourselves a favor and…”
Before Steelbolt could finish, Mihawk took off into the night.
“Hey! Mihawk! Wait up!” Steelbolt called out after his friend as he struggled to climb out of his window to chase after him. Unfortunately, his room was on the second floor of the house which resulted in him landing in his mother’s flower garden.
Steelbolt sighed as he thought about being thankful that the flowers and the soft custom garden cloud was able to soften his fall. However he began to think about what his mother would think when she sees her gladioli trampled. “This is why, in flight 101: ‘Always be aware of your surroundings.’”
Once Steelbolt dusted himself off he scanned the area to see where Mihawk was. To his surprise Mihawk up in the sky hovering with Luna’s moon directly behind him. This made an easy find as his silhouette in the moonlight made him stick out like a sore hoof in the clear night sky. To Steelbolt, it was odd for Mihawk to take off then pick out a not too subtle place to hide. He worked so hard to get Steelbolt’s attention, he lured him outside and then he made sure that Steelbolt will not lose sight of him. Just what this hawk was trying to pull was without a doubt suspicious.
As Steelbolt was about to call out for Mihawk to return to him the bird of prey took off again in its previous course, far past from what Steelbolt could see from his bedroom window. To him Mihawk’s persistence to lead him away from his home looked almost obsessive. From what Vetrini told Steelbolt, hawks have perhaps the best eyesight of any bird of prey that would allow them to objects in the distance as if they were right in front of them. So it was clear to Steelbolt that Mihawk may have saw something about the group that may have been some concern. Though, as far as Steelbolt knew about pets they do not usually get worked up unless they detect a threat to their owners. So what kind of threat could Mihawk have seen that Steelbolt could not from the safety of his own bedroom?
“Wait a moment, how long have I been chasing Mihawk?” Steelbolt asked himself as he came to a screeching halt. Looking back he saw that his house was no longer in sight. “Great way to use that head of your Steelbolt.” He said to himself sarcastically, “You went chasing after your pet for who knows how long and got yourself lost.” Looking up he sees Mihawk hovering about in the air just within eye shot so Steelbolt could keep track of him.
Steelbolt shook his head as he continued to run after Mihawk. For a moment Steelbolt had considered just staying put and just wait out Mihawk to give up this game of cat and mouse so they could just go home. After all, Mihawk was perhaps the only way he was ever going to get home now that he was lost.
While it did seem that Mihawk was leading Steelbolt somewhere and would only continue his flight path as long as Steelbolt did not lose sight of him, Steelbolt came to the conclusion that Mihawk was going to make sure that Steelbolt gets to his destination one way or another. So as stood to reason the sooner Steelbolt gets to where ever Mihawk was leading him the sooner his pet will lead him home
“And I am going to pluck so many feathers off of him when this is over he is going to need a sweater to keep him warm.”

***

The chase continued for some time until they came to a vacant area of which was far from any building in the city of clouds in which Steelbolt came to an unusual sight. A bit farther from his location he was able to see a group of colts wrestling with each other. But they were unlike any of the colts Steelbolt had seen before as all of them had wings that were bat like instead of normal feather wings that all pegasi ponies should have.
But there wings were not the only things unusual about these colt’s appearances. Instead of dots their pupils were slits like a cat or a dragon. Their coats were dark shades instead of the usual bright and colourful shaded of the ponies Steelbolt usually sees. Their ears had more fur on them but that could just be due to them not trimming that area for some time. The last and perhaps the most intriguing difference between theses colt’s features and his own was they all had a pair of fangs poking from their upper lips.
Steelbolt tried to stay low as he continued to observe them. He did not know why but he could not shake off this feeling that this was what Mihawk was trying to lead him to. For what reason Steelbolt was unsure of but speaking of Mihawk Steelbolt had been too focus on the strange colts in front of him that he failed to notice that Mihawk was no longer in sight.
“What are you doing spying on us day walker?” But Mihawk’s desertion would be the least of Steelbolt’s problems as he turned around to see the source of the voice behind him.
There stood a bit bulker colt than the ones Steelbolt had seen earlier and from the look of his eye’s he was not too thrilled on being spied. He had dark crimson red eyes, a neutral grey coat and a black mane. As Steelbolt stood up to face him he then realized how much taller and older this colt was as he easily stood a head taller than Steelbolt. He could not help but feel inferior to this colt as he tried to explain himself.
“I-I-I’m sorry I did not mean to spy on y-y-you.” Steelbolt stuttered as he struggled to get words out of mouth. “I-I was chasing my pet hawk that lead out here from my home and now,” Steelbolt looked around trying to find Mihawk only realized he was truly by himself on this. “I appear to be lost now that my pet had abandoned me.”
Steelbolt swallowed as he analysed the mess the he was currently in. He was far from home, his pet had abandoned him, he was face to face with bat like colt who looked like he was going beat him and due to his physical limitations there was no chance of him running away from this. Then again this colt was perhaps somepony who just did not like bring spied on and maybe he could help him get home. 
“S-so i-if you could be so kind as to direct me to the direction of the northwest 
The bat colt smiled, but not in a compassionate way. He looked over to where the other colts were called out to them. “Hey boys, I think we have ourselves a new ‘sparring partner’.” 
Steelbolt looked around to see who this colt was talking to and to his terror there were three other bat colts surrounding him.
‘I’m doomed.’ He thought to himself. After all he may be young but he had enough wits to understand that when you are called a ‘sparring partner’ and everyone was against you the more correct term of your position was ‘punching bag’.
Steelbolt tried to position himself to fight back but his hooved refused to move to a proper stance. Instead they were moving closer together as he felt his legs become weak under his weight forcing him to shrink down into a ball. 
‘Why is this so hard?’ he thought to himself. When he stood up to the Strom brothers he was able to stand his ground let along beat them. While true that these colts were bigger than the brothers they were not that big to intimidate him by sheer size alone. Thinking back he recalled what he had felt during that encounter with the brothers. All that anger, all that frustration, all those negative emotions that he had kept in check for so long bursting out of him in a deranged rage was not with him at this moment. He had nothing to fuel any anger towards these colts and with the seemingly inevitable beating he was going to get the only thing he felt was fear.
The bat colt snickered amongst themselves as they closed in closer to Steelbolt, taking their time just to see how much more he would cower before the real fun can begin. When the lead colt was about to deliver the first blow a female voice caught all of their attention.
“What is going on here!”
Steelbolt looked towards the sound of the voice and just as quickly as she had caught their attention she appeared in front of Steelbolt with her back towards him and the moon at her front Steelbolt can only make a sharp silhouette of here figure. From Steelbolt’s estimate she was perhaps a year older than him and from here wings and apparent extra fur on her ears she was a bat pony just like the colts.
“Aww come on Mid’, we were only going to go a couple of rounds with him.” One of the colts told the bat filly in a playful tone.
“Don’t act innocent. I know about you parents night supremacy ideals.” The filly said with a clear sound of dislike towards the colts. “The attacks on day ponies as they head home during sundown and those who are out during the night, and I thought the return of Princess Luna would be the starting point of our kind returning to common knowledge and to renew a lost friendship.”
Now Steelbolt was lost, this time in his understanding what was happing. Were these bat ponies a secrete breed that were hidden before the reveal of Princess Celestia’s lost sister returning to the throne? And what was this night supremacy? It left a bad taste but Steelbolt did not know why. Whatever was going on at least this filly was not going to hurt him, hopefully he thought as he managed to get himself up.
The lead colt frowned as he approached the filly, even though Steelbolt’s vision was mostly blocked by the filly he could still make out the colt’s expression which was now more menacing than sinister compared to earlier.
“Are you openly saying that you would defend a day walker? I was only going to make him ache before letting him go but if you smash him into the cloud he stands on then I will forgive your insulting talk of befriending the day walkers and let him go with a broken leg.”
Steelbolt made a dry swallow as he feared that his apparent protector was going to turn on him. Just when he thought he was saved he was going to be in more trouble than he was in before. A dark flame began to spark in his heart silently hating the filly for making his night worse.
“If not then you’re then one who will be broken while he gets a one way trip to the surface.”
The spark that Steelbolt had was not gone and now faced fear. He had seen a few of his sister’s action movies and from what he learned was that when ‘one way’ was used a part of a threat it does not mean that he was going on a trip.
The filly turned around to face Steelbolt as he prepared for the worse. To his surprise her face appeared to be gentler than the other bat ponies once the glare of the moon was no longer obstructing her appearance. Her turquois slit eyes, dark purple mane and a dark coat that bordered from the darkest shade of grey to pure black. Even with her fangs sticking out from her upper lip she emitted no aura of fear at all.
“When I give the word run.” She whispered to Steelbolt who now looked at her in some confusion. What was she talking about? Was she going to help him escape? Steelbolt did not have much time to think about it as the filly turned around to face the bat colts again. Readying herself in a fighting stance it was clear what her decision was, she was going to defend Steelbolt.
The colts closed in towards Steelbolt and his filly protector when she surprised everypony with when she took down the lead colt by tackling him to the ground. With such a sudden surprise that their leader was in trouble they forgot about Steelbolt bolt and turned their attention towards the filly that had the upper hoof on their leader.
“Go now!” the filly shouted when she saw that she had all the attention on her no. Steelbolt was hesitant for a moment but when he realized that she was offering herself as a decoy to allow him a clear escape route he bolted.
But Steelbolt did not get far as when heard a loud female grunt he took a look around and saw that although this filly was holding her own against four other colts she was clearly at a disadvantage against superior numbers.
Steelbolt was uncertain on what he should do. He had no practice in martial arts like these bat foals seem to have an understanding of and he did feel the berserk rage he felt that day with the Strom Brothers to motivate him to let it all out either.
He was unsure what to do. The filly was doing this so he could escape so going back would be making her sacrifice for standing up to the bat colts meaningless. However Steelbolt’s good conscience was not allowing him to leave her along and let her get hurt because of his careless act of wondering out the middle of the night just to chase his upset hawk.
As he was pondering on what his action should be he overheard the bat colts argue shout to the filly.
“Why do you defend a day walker? It is because of them we our kind had to spend a thousand years in exile.”
“My father told me that he and my mother were forced to live like criminals. They were kind ponies and yet the day walker threw rocks at them at any opportunity.”
“Even after Princess Luna’s return only the families of the military class were allowed to leave the settlements.”
“So why risk your flank for such a hypocritical breed? They promise friendship and cooperation but we have been neglected whenever we outlive our usefulness.”
The bat filly was panted hard as trying to fight four older bat ponies have had forced her to pull every move she knew just to minimize injury to herself. In the response to the colt’s question however she smiled.
“Because my hero, Kard De Ponteci of the night guard said, ‘The better ponies are not the strongest but rather the one who knows how to forgive and seek peace and understanding. For those who were given the strength to fight were burdened to not only protect their own kind, but all who call this world home.’”
The filly’s speech touched Steelbolt’s heart for a bit. He recalled a time when he and his father would occasionally play a game of chess. 

***

During one game he was losing badly when his father made curious question. “Steelbolt, who would be best represent the king in real life?”
“What do you mean Dad?” Steelbolt asked looking up from the board. The game stood with Steelbolt capturing half of his father’s pawns along with a knight and both rooks while his father had captured almost all of his pawns, his queen, both knights and a bishop.
“Sometimes a pony can be compared to a chess piece on this board.” Paragrim says as he moves his knight to a new position. “Take this knight for example. It is not a very powerful piece but with its ability to jump over and past other pieces it makes it the most versatile. Kind of like how a captain should be in the guard. He cannot be limited to a single strategy but must keep an open mind and become versatile in order to get past any obstacle.”
“So I take it you think of yourself as a knight?” Steelbolt smiled as he moved one of his rook pieces into a position to capture his father’s remaining knight. After all his father was in officer for the Equestrian Rangers so he had to lead his own team back when he was in the field.
“Not exactly.” Paragrim smiled as he made his move. “You see Steelbolt unlike you who are more like a rook, as you so often take a direct approach to challenges much like how a rook can only capture a piece with a headstrong frontal attack, I take a more… indirect approach.” With that he picked up his bishop from across the board and catching Steelbolt by surprise as it moved towards his rook to capture it. “Therefore I see myself as the bishop. While the rook always takes the direct approach by moving along the rows and columns allowing it to easily capture enemy pieces, the bishop’s ability to move diagonally allows it to sneak past enemy lines with less difficulty. This in turn makes it an ideal piece to use to exploit weaknesses in enemy formations much like how my unit operates in the field. Unlike the guard which would attack the enemy head on, the light infantry would sneak past enemy lines and attack targets that are vital to the enemy. Although we are not as involved in the heat of battle, our success is just as important to winning a fight.”
Steelbolt thinks about what his father had said as he watched his rook being removed from the board. He could not deny that he would often capture a piece the moment it is exposed which often end with him falling into a trap while his father would plan multiple moves ahead which also allowed him to capture Steelbolt’s queen early in the game with little warning.
“So I’ll ask again, who would be the king in this world we live in?”
Steelbolt pauses as he tried to think of a way to turn the time of the game back to his favour. “Well the princess I think. She is the most important pony in the land much like how the king is the most important piece.” Steelbolt said as he moved his remaining rook to better defend his king.
Paragrim lets out a small laugh as he plans his next move. “Yes, that what many new recruits thought when they first joined the military.” Paragrim then sits up as he does a mocking impression of a fresh recruit, “‘Celestia is the ruler. We must protect her at all cost.’” Steelbolt laughs a bit at his father before he takes his seat at the other end of the board. “However she is more like queen. And I’m not saying this just because queen and princess are female titles. The queen best represent the princess because with its omnidirectional ability it is the most powerful piece in the game much like how Celestia is the most powerful pony in the past millennium.” Paragrim said as he picks up his own queen and moves it into position to put Steelbolt’s king in check.
But Steelbolt was not fazed, although his king is in danger from his father’s queen it was the in direct line of sight of his remaining rook. Taking the initiative he moved his rook away from his king and captured his father’s queen.
As Paragrim watched as his some removed his queen from the board he continued with his talk. “However since the princess is not the king, Equestria can still stand even if she were to fall.” 
It was then Steelbolt realized he fell for his father misdirection. “Therefore,” his father began as he picked up a pawn to move it into Steelbolt’s back row, “In time a new leader will rise in time, and lead us to the future. Checkmate.” With the new queen on the board Steelbolt king was in check again but this time there was no escape.
Sighing in defeat Steelbolt tipped over his king signalling his lost. “So Dad, if Celestia is not the king piece, who is?”
Paragrim walked over to his son and gave him a hug, “To those who have served for a long time it is all the ponies who live in this country that are the most important to protect. But to me… it’s you, your sister and your mother who are my king piece.”

***

Returning to the present Steelbolt saw the filly continue to wear down from her attackers. She was still able to stand her ground but at the moment she was visibly slower than she was before. She was no longer able to avoid all the hit the colts were throwing at her and less than half of her own throws hit there mark as well.
Mustering up the courage to help her Steelbolt charged head on and threw himself at one of the bat colts. The colt that he tackled first was one that was going to attack the filly from behind and thanks to Steelbolt’s blindside attack he managed to catch the colt off guard and stun him long enough for Steelbolt to land a luck blow to put him down for a while.
The other three colt became distracted to see a day walker get the drop on them which cost them another colt as the filly made a quick jab into one of their stomachs causing him crouch over from a sudden depletion of air and pain. Now with a two on two fight, Steelbolt and the filly against the lead bat colt and one of his partners, Steelbolt saw this as an opportunity to escape. With the remaining colts a bit worn while he was still in the warmup phase he can easily outrun them even if they have an aerial advantage if they give chase. However the filly he came to help him escape was in worse condition. She was exhausted and more banged up from having to fend off multiple opponents at once. If they can end the fight quickly however then they can get away with little problem considering Steelbolt and his partner will be the only ones to can still move. 
As much of a long shot that plan seems it now appeared to Steelbolt more like a challenge. A challenge Steelbolt could not help but find a disturbing yet thrilling emotion as he looked at his partner with an apparent look that caused her to become confused but soon responded with a nod.
They charged towards the remaining colts with Steelbolt surprising everypony with a sudden short increase of speed as his life depended on it as he took on the reaming support bat colt while the filly took on the leader. With a surge of alien excitement and a discard of some self-restraint the Steelbolt had tried to practice since his fight with the Storm bothers, he quickly overcame his opponent with a head on attack but not without having to take a few hits to the chest and into his sides as his recklessness left him opened to too many counters. The filly on the other hand finished up with her opponent with a more discipline approach as she kept her movement fluid as she dodged her opponent’s strikes and countered attacked with quick jabs into her opponents more vulnerable areas.
With the last two bat colts down Steelbolt saw that the other two that were down earlier were getting back up slowly. Although his gut was encouraging him to keep going as his mind was becoming more clouded from a sense of thrill a last bit of his mind reminded him that the reason they were fighting was to get a clear get away. If he stuck around too long then he would be in a losing fight.
Shaking his head as he cleared up his thought he turned towards the filly and said, “Let’s go before they get back up.”
The Filly looked at him odd like she did earlier but again she nodded in agreement and she started to fly off while Steelbolt followed on foot.

	***

“I think we’re in the clear now.” The filly said as she landed in front of Steelbolt.
Steelbolt looked behind them as he took in his surroundings. They were in a park of some kind with some playground equipment and some open patched of cloud for a field game but most of all there were none of those bat colts in sight.
“Phew, it has been a while since I had to run like that.” Steelbolt said as he slumped into the cloud beneath him. 
“Taking your less than muscular physique I would agree that you don’t normally…run?” The filly said with confusion as she realized what Steelbolt said. “What did you mean run? You’re a pegasus. You should have been flying during our little escape. What kind of pegasus chooses not fly?”  She asked in an angry tone as she could not believe the level of stupidity of a pegasus choosing to run instead of fly when making an escape.
Steelbolt lowered his head in shame making the slightly older filly feel a bit guilty thinking she was perhaps a bit too harsh on him. The began to think that he was perhaps a late bloomer who’s wing still have to grow to a sizable length before they can even begin to fly. When she thought about it however she could not see much of his wings at all. Granted it was still night but her kind does have some level of night vision so if his wings were useable she should have seen them.
She was not however prepared for what Steelbolt said when he finally answered her question. “The kind of pegasus that does not have wings.”
In disbelief she rushed over to his side and gently ran her hoof along his back trying to feel any sign of a wing. But she found nothing. Not even a nub of where the wings would have been attached to the back would be present. To her surprise his physical anatomy was more like and earth pony and not a pegasus.
Feeling the continuation of her hooves prodding his back Steelbolt decided to just move on the humiliation he was going to receive. “Go on laugh. The only earth pony who can walk on cloud or the Pegasus born without wings take your pick. Bring on the freak chant I doubt I would hear anything new.”
The filly looked at him confused. Why would he expect her to laugh? There was no joke and it was no nice to laugh at other ponies unless they are laughing too. “Why would you say that? I would never say that to somepony with such a birth defect.” She said.
“Thanks for making me feel better.” Steelbolt said sarcastically.
“What I mean is that this is no laughing matter.” She said as she took a seat beside Steelbolt as he remained slumped in the cloud. “You see my parents often warn me on not to make myself known to other ponies except those of my kind. They told me that our kind’s appearance,” she said as she extened her wings for Steelbolt to look at, “had long been treated as some kind of plague. We have long been treated as monster when we have no intention of hurting anypony.”
Steelbolt looked at her again. Seeing her wings and her fangs she does capture the image of monsters his sister talked about in her movie collection and could see how that would make her an outcast if she were to come to his school. Parents telling there foals to stay away from her, other students insulting her because of her appearance. Even though she could have faced similar hardships if she attended her school she at least knew there was a large group that could accept her. After all that would be easier, to just stick with a group that she could blend in with. With a bunch of other bat ponies to be around with she would be… treated… as… normal.
Steelbolt looked away. Was his mother not so different from what he thought about this filly just a moment ago? To be concerned for her well-being because she was obviously different from the other foals he knew? Maybe he found somepony who perhaps understand him that was not a relative.
“So you can see I know what it is like to be different by appearance so I am not going to make fun of your lack of wings.” She said as she finished her talk.
There was a moment of silence between the two before Steelbolt decided to break the silence. “Hey,” he said to get the filly’s attention, “thanks, for saving me from those colts. I think I would have been a goner if you had not become a decoy for me to get away.”
“Well you could have gone a few rounds yourself seeing how you took out two colts with more year of fighting under their belt than you obviously do.”
“Well fighting is not my thing. In fact I rather avoid considering the last time I got into a fight I nearly done something I would have regretted.” Steelbolt said as he got up while looking down recalling perhaps his worst moment.
Seeing that it was a topic this colt would not to share a silence once again came over them as they watched the night sky. It was then the filly remembered something important to do but the colt beside her shared the same thought.
“We have not a proper introduction have we.” Steelbolt asked.
“No.” the filly answered.
“Then let me go first.” Steelbolt said as he walked in front of her. “I am Steelbolt. That’s one word and I was not given a second name.” He said as he extended his hoof in a gesture of greeting.
The filly took the hoof into her and replied, “Midna. Midna Guard.”

> Chapter 7: A Summer Night Stroll
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Grounded for Life

By: Supremechief


Chapter 7: A Summer Night Stroll



***


After having the formality of a proper introduction out of the way there was a brief moment of silence between Steelbolt and his newfound friend. At least that’s what Steelbolt had hoped to call his rescuer. Even though she had a bit of an intimidating aura about her there was also a sense of comfort as well. Like a flower whose scent would cause your eyes to water and your nose burn yet had the softest petals and possessed nectar that could ease pain. Adding how the moonlight makes her black coat shine almost like her own body was the night sky itself. With these thoughts Steelbolt could not help but wonder why his cheeks were feeling a bit warm.
Unfortunately Midna noticed the slight tint of red on his check as well, “Hey Steelbolt, was it? Are you feeling alright?” 
Here voice was like a morning bird to Steelbolt. It was sudden enough to cause him to snap back to reality but gentle enough to not startle. Shaking his head a bit the heat in his check faded as he resumed his attention to Midna. “Huh? Oh yes I’m fine. Just felt a bit hot in the head for a moment.”
Fortunately for Steelbolt Midna had decided to shrug it off and not think much about it. 
Seeing how it was still a clear moonlit night Midna decided to help this colt enjoy it.
“Come on Steelbolt. The night is still young and I think we are both rested enough to go for a short walk now.” She said as she stood up from the spot that she had been sitting on earlier. 
As she walked by Steelbolt as she began to lead the way she caught a glimpse of his wrench and screwdriver cutie mark that was exposed to the moonlight. She smiled to herself as she thought of a way to bring that up in a near future conversation. For Steelbolt he took a moment before he began to follow Midna but not before she managed to get a clear look at her cutie mark too. Standing out from her black fur there was a light purple kite shield with a waxing crescent moon that was the same colour as his coat. There was also a sword behind the shield its hilt on the upper right of the shield and a fair portion of the tip of its blade exposed on the bottom left.
They did not get far as they strolled around the unoccupied playground before Midna had decided to ask perhaps the biggest question on her mind.
“So Steelbolt,” She said to get the colt’s attention.
“Yes.” Steelbolt replied confirming that he was listening.
“What is a day walker like yourself doing up so late anyway? I mean, I now there are some adults who choose to live the nightlife but for somepony as young as you out this late would be curious.”
Steelbolt scrunches up his face as rocks his read side to side as he tries to come up with an honest explanation that does not make him sound like an idiot. “Long story short was enjoying a late night read until my pet hawk started to act up. As I approached him he took off into the night and in a moment of excitement I chased after him until I came across those Bat Colts and you know the rest.” He ended with a light shrug.
“A pet hawk you say?” Midna asked suspiciously.
“Yes.”
“And it led you towards those colts from earlier?”
Steelbolt rocks his from side to side and he thought about that description. “You… could say that.”
“Curious.” Midna says as she took a moment to sit down and think about it.
“What’s curious about it?” Steelbolt asked as he took as seat beside her.
“Before I found you I was training in my back yard by myself when I heard a screech. I looked around and found this hawk resting on the yard fence. At first I thought it just it was being territorial so I backed away from it and continued my training. However it kept in screeching and when I looked back at it, it swooped down and managed to pull my favourite mane ribbon off of me and took off with it. I then followed it until I saw you being surrounded. I’ll admit I was torn between chasing that hawk and helping you but you know what I chose.”
After Midna had finished her story Steelbolt had put a hoof to his chin. “If we are talking about the same hawk then this is strange. First he get me into trouble then he organises a way to get me out. Well for his sake he better be.” ‘After all, that could mean the difference of shortage of snack and an early molting.’ He thought to himself.
Steelbolt let out a small yawn as the tiredness that he felt before his late night chase began had returned to him. Seeing this Midna thought it was best to try to get this colt home. He was not of her kind so he was not accustomed to traveling at night let alone by himself. The natural light of the moon had been a blessing for him earlier as he was not aware of the dangers of traveling at night. Aside from falling off the city completely in the darker nights that occur in Cloudsdale one could easily get lost if they do not have any knowledge in navigation by using the stars.
Giving out a gentle sigh Midna turns her attention towards Steelbolt. “It must be getting late for you. How about I walk you back home?”
Steelbolt shook his head not in decline to the offer but to help ward off the drowsiness that was slowly overcoming him. “Thanks but I don’t know how to get back. While I was chasing Mihawk, I did not take time to memorise any landmarks.”
‘Mihawk, must be his pet’s name.’ Midna thought to herself. “Well how about I bring you over to my place? I’m sure my father wouldn’t mind in me bringing home a guest. I’m sure that he can help you get home.”
“Ok lead the way.” Steelbolt said with a slight yawn as Midna began to walk in an unknown direction. So far Midna has been kind to him and he did not get any sign that she was trying to deceive him. Then again what does he know about know when a pony was lying? Whenever Mischief Day came around he was perhaps the easiest target for fillies and colts to pull small scale pranks such as the old misdirecting attention before sticking a ‘POKE ME’ sticker on him. 
Then again what choice did he have if he wanted to get back home?  At the very least he wants to be home before the sun rises and his parents find out his is missing. If they did then from what he had witness when Vetrini came home after going out with some friends and forgot to tell his parents he may get the same treatment as she did when she came home. First they may hug him in relief that his was safe then ground him for a week. Then again what choice did he have? He already admitted that he was lost and so far Midna was offering the only chance he has.
The two of them have walked a short distance before Steelbolt attempted to start up a new conversation. “So… what can you tell me about your parents?”
Midna turned to give Steelbolt a small smile before continuing to lead the way. “My father is a stallion of… ‘Unique’ social skills.”
“Unique how?” Steelbolt asked with a raised eyebrow
Midna looks upward towards the sky. “He tends to be a bit intimidating when meeting new ponies. I think it may have been due to him growing up in Bat Pony territory in the eastern mountains. Even though our small community in Cloudsdale does not compare to the homeland there is still the remnant of the ‘survival of the fittest’ policy.”
“Survival of the fittest? What’s that?”
Midna gave a small sigh as they continue their walk. “Long story short, the strongest makes the rule. If you’re strong then you can go far. If you’re weak then you are considered worthless.”
“And let me guess. Your father was at the top of that order?” Steelbolt said sarcastically. It was not uncommon for colts and fillies to brag how good their parents were.
Midna laughed. “No… that was my mother.” She said with a smirk.
Steelbolt admit that he was surprised. Even though he did not look down on fillies normally he was still young enough to think that stallions were physically stronger than mares.
“You see…” Midna continued after seeing the somewhat cute surprise expression on the light blue colt. “Back in the home country, bat ponies can force another to marry them if they beat them in a competition of strength and skills should they refuse a proposal. As my father described her, my mother was a popular mare among stallions so she was offered many proposals which she always turned down which lead to many challenges to force her hoof into marriage. In the end none of them were able to beat her which over time earned her the title ‘Bloodriver’, after the wife of the first bat pony king.”
Steelbolt stopped for a moment as something occurred to him. Noticing this Midna stopped as well. Before she could ask him why he stopped Steelbolt spoke first.
“If no stallion was able to beat her, how did your father? Did she accept his initial proposal?”
Midna smiled, “Nope. In fact he skipped the proposal challenged her to a fight right off the bat.”
Before Steelbolt could say anything she continued. “I know, I know. I said that my mother was undefeated but that was in the conventional sense.” Midna began to walk again which Steelbolt responded by following suit. “But my father was more of the tactician than the other stallions. The way he described it he noticed my mother never initiated but rather reacted. And thinking that he had my mother figured out he did something that everypony would denounce as idiotic if they heard of his plan before hoof.”
Now Steelbolt was curious. He had asked his own parent of how they met which could be summarized as a wounded soldier falling for his caretaker story. But here, it almost sounded like something out of ‘Capalltalamh’ stories.
“What did he do that was crazy?” he asked excitedly.
Midna smiled, “He ordered her to surrender.”
If Steelbolt had a drink in hoof he would be doing a spit take so hard that some may have come out of his nose.
“What?!” he asked. 
Midna looked back at him with a smirk. “I told you it sounded crazy. And to everypony’s surprise she obeyed which then resulted in their engagement.”
“That makes no sense!” Steelbolt exclaimed. “If she was willing to surrender then why did she not just accept the proposal that came with the challenge?”
“I’ll admit I was confused about that as well. It was not until my father explained that he recognized that my mother was looking for a stallion with as the term goes ‘a spine’.” Seeing that Steelbolt was still confused she continued. “You see my mother wanted a stallion who was able to take command in a relationship and not ask for it or to force it unto her. To her when making the initial proposal it places the stallion in a position of submission which to my mother meant weakness as per the survival of the fittest policy. For those who challenge her and fight her it revealed that the stallion was willing to resort to abusive measures to get his mare in line.” 
Midna looked back at Steelbolt with a curious look, “you know what abusive means right?” 
Steelbolt thought about it only to shake his head. 
Midna rolled her eyes a bit before looking forward again thinking that he would learn about it on his own eventually. “Back to the story, when my father demanded the surrender instead of charging at her for the fight it was a message that he not weak to ask permission from his wife but will not resort to abuse to demonstrate his strength. Instead he would show his strength by earning the respect of his mare. And respect can only be earned through by those who you respect as well. At least… that’s what my dad said.”
Even though the ending was not what Steelbolt expected he still liked the story none the less. However there was one small detail in Minda’s story that seem to hinting at something but he could not put his hoof on it.
Deciding to shrug it off, Steelbolt continued to follow the bat filly until they came up to house that Steelbolt could only assume was Midna’s.  It was a simple one story house whose architecture was much different than what had been known as standard Cloudsdale architecture. While the majority of houses in Cloudsdale followed a design that had a smooth geometrical patterns and mathematical proportionality this house and the other in the immediate neighbourhood had what could be described as more pointy. There were a number of short curved spikes running along the edges of the roof and the corners of the building as well as large windows that where either circular or had a pointed arch instead of the standard rectangles. To Steelbolt these houses gave a warning yet a mildly warm welcome to guests.
As he was taking in the sight Midna walked up to the front door. As she grabbed the latch with her hoof to open she looked back at Steelbolt who looked like he was in a trance as he examined her house. Smiling to herself as she opened the door a crack, she called over Steelbolt as she walked in. “If you’re done appreciating my house feel free to come inside.”
Snapping back to reality Steelbolt followed. Not only was he getting his chance to get back home but because Midna’s story of her parents he was both scared and curious to learn about them. From what he gathered Midna’s family, her mother was probably going to be strong willed mare who does not like to be looked down on while her father may be a more authoritative stallion.
“Dad? I’m home!” Midna called out in the house. “And I have brought a friend over.”
As they waited for a reply Steelbolt took a moment to realize that the house appeared to be dimly lit from the large collections of candles illuminating the rooms. Not only that there was a noticeable sent in the air created by a few candles fueled by a dark blue oil. Recognizing the scent as his mother’s personal favourite to use on her and his father’s date nights as ‘Midsummer Night Breeze’ Steelbolt can only think that it seemed appropriate for a bat pony family.
Finally his train of thought was interrupted when a male voice finally replied back to Midna’s call. “I am here, in the living room Midna.”
The voice had slight monotone to it. Not one that sounded bored or neutral but rather… threatening. Like how a comic book villain would monologue to a hero without his emotions getting out of hand. Calm, paced, like as if he could finish his speech without worrying about interruption and if the hero tried to, the villain would fight back without missing a beat. And to Steelbolt that just sent chills up his spine as he followed Midna to the source of that voice.
As they both turned a corner they came into a large room that had a large couch on the far side of the room with a large bookcase behind it. There was also a small fire burning on the right side of the couch with a large collection of pictures on the mantel and a small coffee table in from of it with another scented candle burning on top of it. And to the left of the couch there was a large chair with a pony like figure sitting in it reading a book.
Under the dim light of the fire Steelbolt could make out that the pony was a stallion based on the build and appeared be wearing a black jumpsuit covered everything except the head, wings and tail and had metallic armour plating around his neck as well on his forearm and thighs. And lastly he appeared to be wearing a black helmet that completely encased his head with only his ears poking through appropriate holes and appeared to be lacking an opening for the eyes.
The figure took notice of the two young ponies. “So… how long has it been? A month, a year, a decade? Too long if you ask me since the last time you brought a guest over, my daughter. Ever since you decided to follow your parents hoof prints you have been more concerned with your training than making friend.” the stallion said as he closed the book he was reading. “And I’ll admit that not only am I surprised that it was a colt, but day walker none the less.” He said as he turned his head to face the black filly and the light blue colt revealing that he helmet was dual coloured. It was solid black on the left side with no eye hole while the right was tan revealing the stallions golden dragon like eye. 
As the stallion climbed off the chair he began to approach the two young ponies. Steelbolt began to feel weak in the knees as the stallion began to make his approach more directly to him. Once the stallion was directly in front of Steelbolt he stopped. “Oh and to you colt.” He said as he lowered his head until it was leveled with Steelbolt’s own. In a menacing gentle breeze like whisper he said, “Welcome to our home child.” 
	
> Chapter 8: The Bat Family
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Grounded for Life
By: Supremechief

Chapter 8: The Bat Family



***


Steelbolt knees feel like they are about to give in. This Bat Stallion may as well say that he was going to kill him with that menacing stare and whisper. What a fool he was. Just when he thought he was starting to make a friend who showed an act of random kindness for him he ends up dead. Although he knows that he would be missed, when you live with an horror loving older sibling it’s not hard to get some inspirations on how to disappear off the face of Cloudsdale for good. 

Midna’s father raises his head back to an upright position as he makes his way back to his chair in front of the fire. Once he was seated he noticed the Steelbolt and Midna had not moved from their spots at the doorway to the room. “Midna, have you forgotten your manners? You know its rude to have a conversation while standing in doorways.” The stallion lectured the filly. Seeing the two of them still not leaving their spot the stallion resorted to a more direct invitation. “Am I wrong to believe that the two of you had walked some distance? Come, bring you friend over and take a seat.”

Midna rose to attention, “No father, you are not wrong. Come along Steelbolt lets take a seat.”

As Midna began to lead the way to the couch in the room that was adjacent to her father’s chair, Steelbolt almost fell on his face as legs had suddenly felt drained, as if he was walking much longer than he thought he did. After regaining his balance, he quickly followed Midna to the couch taking a seat that would place Midna between him and her father.

Midna’s father stared intently at Steelbolt who at the meantime was just staring down at his hooves for a few seconds before shifting his gaze towards his daughter.

“Midna…” he started to get her attention.

“Yes Father?” she replied.

“It would appear that your guest is a bit nervous.”

‘I can guess why.’ She thought to herself as she glanced over at Steelbolt.

“Why don’t you prepare a pot of tea and some snacks? I’m sure a gesture of hospitality would make him feel more welcome.”

Midna hesitated for a few seconds. While her father had the right mind of making Steelbolt more welcome, she did not think that spending time alone with her father was going to help with that. However, just a single look into his golden eye from behind his mask was enough to convey that it was not a request, it was an order. One that she should not challenge.

As he saw Midna leaving the room Steelbolt could not help but feel more dread. Even though he was only looking at his own hooves he could not help but feel Midna’s father staring at him with his single eye behind his helmet. It was not even for a few seconds after Midna had left the room completely that small beads of sweat began to form on his forehead and he had almost jumped through the roof when he heard a sudden click coming from the bat stallion’s direction.

He quickly turned his head to face the stallion out of reflex to the sudden sound and saw that the stallion had his hoofs to his head as he was removing his helmet. Once the helmet was off his head Steelbolt saw that his coat was a dull grey, a snow white mane that was tied back and an eye patch that covered his left eye that also failed to hide a large scar that passed over the hidden eye. 

Once the stallion placed the helmet on his chair’s armrest he looked over to Steelbolt who immediately turn back to look at his hooves. Then Minda’s father studied the colt for about a few seconds before he began his interrogation. 

“Correct me if I am wrong, but should it be far past your bedtime colt?” Minda’s father said while giving Steelbolt and intensive stare.

“Y-yes sir.” Steelbolt repied hesitantly. Even though he still avoided looking directly at the bat stallion, he could literally feel his stare as if he was slowly drilling a hole into his soul.

“Then why are you out of bed? You do realise that it is only by chance you came across my own daughter of all other possible ponies in this part of Cloudsdale.”

Steelbolt was about to retell the event that led up to how he became a guest at this house then the stallion interrupted him. “Before you tell me about you late night adventure, I want you to tell it to my face. I do not like foals who show little respect for adults.”

Steelbolt hesitantly turned his head and faced the stallion. Eventhough the look the stallion was giving him was intimidateing, Steelbolt was unable to look away. His mouth began to dry and his intire body began to shake in fear. He was not sure how but this stallion had an aura around him that could literly suck the life out of anyone.

“I suggest you start talking, before I make you. And so you know…” the stallion trailed off before he leaned forward and whispered. “I have ways to make you talk.”

Snapping to attension Steelbolt began to recall the recent event that led to the current situation. There was a stale silence between the two as the stallion’s eye scaned Steelbolts form as if he was a living lie dectector. Shortly afterwards the stallion leanded back into his chair and did something Steelbolt did not expect. The bat pony smiled and gave a small chuckle. “There, was that so hard?”

The surpise in change of character was almost too much for Steelbolt. Here he was with perhaps to most scary pony he ever encountered and after being almost threatened with torture the stallion was talking to him as if he was already family.

Steelbolt’s train of thought was interrupted however by the arrival of an acquainted voice. “Now that you are finished with your fun and games father, how about we all talk like a normal group instead of pretending you are on a mission somewhere else.”

Steelbolt looked towards Midna and found her to be air borne as she carried a large tray of assorted sliced fruit consisting of pineapples, kiwis, bananas and strawberries along with a teapot and a few cups as well. 

The stallion smiled as Midna placed the tray onto the coffee table. “Very well Midna, why don’t you properly introduce your friend since he had not once bothered to introduce himself while you were elsewhere.” He said as Midna poured the tea into the cups.

“His name is Steelbolt father.” Midna said as she gave Steelbolt and her father their respective tea. “And Steelbolt, this is my father Black Mane.” She said as she took her seat beside Steelbolt away from her father. 

‘Black Mane?’ Steelbolt thought to himself and took a second look at Black. ‘Either bat ponies are colour blind or he is much older than he looks.’ 

As Steelbolt was about to take a sip of his tea, he almost spat it back out when he saw Midna and her father use the thumbs of their wings to pick up their choice of fruit, a banana for Midna and a kiwi for Black. What happened next almost caused Steelbolt to cause his jaw to drop wide open. They were nibbling on their fruits with a chibi like expression. How can a couple of ponies from an intimidating race act so cute?

‘Maybe these fruits are just that good.’ Steelbolt thought to himself as he took a piece of strawberry into is hooves. After tossing it into his mouth he began to chew. ‘Hmm, well this strawberry is sure sweet but I still don’t get what the fuss in about with Midna and her father.’

“Ah, there is nothing like fresh juicy fruit.” Black said as he took a sip from his own tea once he and Midna finished their own snacks. He turned his attention towards Steelbolt. “In case my daughter had neglected to mention Steelbolt, we bat ponies are born with fangs thus cannot process food as large range of a diet as other ponies. Not sure what other ponies think, but to us fruits are considered a delicacy of the highest grade. Hence the reason we sometimes act like pet dogs trying to eat peanut butter.”

Deciding not to think about it anymore Steelbolt continued to sample to fruit and enjoy his tea. He was mid way through his sip when Black gave him another surprise. “So how is Paragrim? Still training wannabes and enjoying the peaceful life?”

Steelbolt coughed as he partially choked on his tea. “How, *cough* *cough* do you know my dad?” He wheezed.

Black took his turn to drink his own drink before answering. “Your father and I did some joint missions together back when we were a starting to make names for ourselves. I was there when he met your mother Nightingale while she was treating my eye.” He said bringing his hoof to his eyepatch. “I still do not know how but as soon I was discharge from the hospital a week later, those two were acting like they were already married.”

Steelbolt thought about what Black said and wondered if either his mother or father would validate the story if he asked them how they met.
“By the way Mr. Mane, how did you figure out who my dad was?” Steelbolt asked with curiosity.

The response he got was unexpected. Black looked at him with a raising of his eyebrow before giving an answer. “If you saw yourself in a mirror it should be apparent on how I knew. Other than having a brighter coat you are a splitting image of your father.” 

Steelbolt blushed a bit in embarrassment as he mentally scolded himself for asking a question with an obvious answer.

The three of them continued their light conversation for a bit longer until Black took a look at a clock sitting on top of the mantle. “Hmm. Midna, I believe it is time for you say farewell to your friend.”

“Why father?” Midna asked. 
“Dawn will be upon us. And I should ensure that this colt is returned home.” He looked over at Steelbolt who looked like he was about to say something. “And do not worry Steelbolt. I have been keeping contact with your father so I am aware where your live.” He said as the left his chair with his helmet in hand.

Steelbolt followed Black’s lead as they headed for the front door. Unknown to Steelbolt, Midna was following them intending to join them on the return flight. Her father on the other though, “Midna, go to sleep.” He said as he was about to open the door. 

Before Midna could argue her father interrupted her, “I can fly faster with just me and your friend. Also young lady, you may be old enough to take care of yourself but still do not understand the state of this world. Now return to your room.”

No longer having the will to argue, Midna left Steelbolt and her father as she made her way back to her own room. Once she was out of site Black led Steelbolt outside where he allowed the young colt to climb onto his back as he placed his dual coloured helmet back on. “Hang on tight, keep your head down and close your eyes. I will be going faster than what perhaps your father was from what he told me about the two of you.”

Not willing to ask questions Steelbolt held on as tightly as he could on Black metallic neck collar. Black stretched out his leathery wings and crouched down like a cat preparing to pounce on its prey. Then without warning Black took off at a speed that nearly caused Steelbolt to lose his grip on Black’s neck in surprise. As Black leveled out Steelbolt tried to get a look at his surroundings but when ever he tried to open his eyes the force of passing air caused his eyes to hurt and even more so should he move his face from what ever little draft Black’s head was providing as he raced through the sky. 

Steelbolt was not aware on how long the trip was but he did guess that they were close to his home when he felt a sense of weightlessness from Black beginning his descent. As the whistle of wind began to die down Steelbolt opened his eyes and saw they were nearing his home. And not only that but the night sky also seems to becoming brighter as Luna’s moon began its own descent behind the horizon.
Once Black had arrived to Steelbolt’s open bedroom window, Steelbolt slowly, though a bit painfully as his muscled became stiff from his tight hold during the flight, climbed off Black’s back and into his bedroom through the window.

“And do not worry about your pet, colt.” Black said hovering outside the window causing Steelbolt to turn to face him with a confused look. “If you trained your pet with enough care it will come home before long. After all there is little danger out there for a full grown hawk.”
Steelbolt thought about it and decided to accept it as he went over to his bed. As he pulled the covers on himself he thought he heard black say something before he disappeared, “Do not worry. You will meet us again.” 

With a sudden fatigue washing over him as the affects of an all-nighter caught up to him. As sleep began to take over Steelbolt’s last thought was that there was still incriminating evidence that he was out in the middle of the night that he forgot to cover up.


***


Just as the moon disappeared and the sun began to reveal itself on the horizon, Black Mane had just arrived at his home. As he took a look at his sleeping daughter in her bed he gave a small smile under his helmet as he pulled the blankets that had fallen off her form with his wings before head off to his own room. When he arrives he saw that he had another visitor.

“Considering the events that transpired this night I should have expected you to make an appearance.” Black said towards the unknown figure who stood concealed in the shadows next to an open window.

The figure turned showing it was equine in shape though the exact species was uncertain. What was certain was that the figure’s eyes appeared to be in a constant state of a frown. And in those eyes was an unnatural dual ring iris of a golden yellow in the inner ring next to the pupil and a sunset orange in the outer ring.

“Is this how you always greet an old mentor now Black?” the figure replied with a slight Spanish accent.

“Only the ones who show up uninvited.” Black replied coldly. “I would also like to know why you arranged my earlier meeting.”

“What made you think it was my doing?” the stranger said as he pulled out a mane ribbon out from the shadow and tossing it onto the cloud floor. “Anyway I wanted your opinion on something. I’m sure you felt it too over a few months ago. I have reason to believe he may be ‘him’.”

“And you wanted me to verify that.” Black said giving the figure a distrustful look with his remaining eye. “After all,” he said as he looked towards a small picture on the room. In it were four bat ponies, three stallions and one mare. One Stallion looked like a younger Black Mane though his mane colour was indeed black at the time. Another stallion had a crimson coloured mane with a sadistic yet cheerful look on his face. The third stallion had a white and gold mane though he had a near feral look in his eye. Lastly the mare was similar to Midna in appearance, if her hair was in a loose bun, with a compassionate smile. “the four of us suffered greatly to create a substitute for ‘him’ and the ‘other three’ with me the only one other than her who was able to keep living a somewhat normal life.”

Silence took over the two ponies until Black continued. “As for my opinion regarding your ‘suspect’ I have my doubts.”

The figure pondered at the answer he was given. “Very well. I suppose we cannot be certain unless another outburst occurs. Therefore, I will continue to play the role I have assigned myself and continue to observe him. And if he not the one then it should still provide an adequate base of operation until I found the real source of ‘his’ presence. After all, only 'we' know what truly happened a thousand years ago and beyond. You and your comrades who still remain only knew because we told you.”

The figure then began to shrink until his eye became small yellow dots in the shadows. A flutter of wings was heard as a hawk jumped up to the window. The bird gave one last look at Black before flying off into the morning sky.

Black walked up to the window and closed it followed by pulling the blinds down to block out the growing sunlight. As he walked away from the spot after removing his helmet, his eye fell towards the mane ribbon laying on the floor. His expression shifted into a face or concern as picked of the strip of silk as he made his way back to Midna’s room. Placing the ribbon on her nightstand he gently placed his right hoof on her mane and gently combed it away from her sleeping face. 

Feeling satisfied in seeing his daughter slumbering face he made his way out of her room with his final thought on his meeting with the stranger. ‘You have my word Midna. I am not going to let you become a part of ‘their’ war like we were.’


***


Steelbolt was having a pleasant sleep when he heard his mother yell from out of his window. “What happened to my gladioli?!”
Feeling a sense of dread, Steelbolt’s first thought of the morning was, “That’s what I forgot to hide.”