A black boot ran the length of Flurry Heart's fore-hoof as she batted it to the side. As their own momentum pulled her opponent off balance, she dropped to the ground and struck out with a hind leg. As it caught the side of the guard's knee, they stumbled and fell in to the sand. Without pause, she kicked off her hooves and flipped once over herself, a bolt of dark green magical energy flashing under her arched back.
Thrusting one of her front hooves underneath her, Flurry slid a short ways before her legs found purchase on the training ring floor. As her left arm fell limp at her side, she cast a quick shielding spell to block another hex that would have hit her crest. The second guard, who joined the fray nearly a half hour before, was more concentrated on keeping distance and maintaining accuracy. After about an hour of sparring with just the first elite, she had taken a hit to her forearm, the immense pain caused by the spell had rendered the limb useless for the time being.
The process of countering two foes, amidst maintaining enchantments aimed at healing her leg while keeping up her stamina, she had gotten sloppy. Their spells where coming closer to making contact with each casting, and she found herself in melee with the first more frequently than before. The guard had already risen from the sand and was charging at her once again. It attempted to ram the side of its head in to her shoulder, but she ducked out of the way. Another bolt sent by the second guard ran close by her ear, a sizzling noise passing in its wake. The heat that flashed across her face caused her to wince, a hesitation the first unicorn took advantage of immediately. Standing on it's haunches, they thrust out their fore-hooves and tried to strike her in the side. Though she noticed in time to sidestep the attack, she tried to steady herself with her left arm. The weakened limb collapsed underneath her, and she fell to the ground. Half of her face was instantly buried in the sand, and as she opened her right eye she saw a bolt headed straight for her chest.
"Say goodbye to the holiday," the mournful tune surrounded Flurry Heart, the solemn voice that sang it brought comfort to the filly as she sat in the main room of her quarters, "With my magic, I'll erase it." Though regret seemed to weigh down the lyrics, hearing the melody for so many years had etched the words within her memory. Her lips followed in time with the rhythm, "The greatest gift that I give today," though she dared not make a sound. She feared that doing so would make the singer silence his voice "And everypony will have to face it."
Deep in the night, her surroundings were shrouded in navy. Patches of soft moonlight fell about the furniture and walls, illuminating the form of Shining Armor, fast asleep. " All memory shall fade away," the forms and reports that made up the essence of bureaucracy lay on the table before him, the culprit of his current state. "See Equestria's new transformation." the raspy, repentant voice filled the room, and as it neared the end of the song the remorse inherent to his words seemed to swell.
The spirit stood on the balcony outside, overlooking the Crystal Capitol as he sang. His form was a wispy white that shifted with the grace of a gale. Even his whispers carried the sound of a tundra gust. " No more shall anypony say-"
He let the sound of the final word stretch out over the seconds. The song incomplete, he spoke "Well little one, is there something you want?" He had never turned to spot her peeking through the cracked door, but he still knew she was there.
Walking out to join him, Flurry Heart stood against the railing on the balcony. She had to stretch to wrap her hooves over the top. Peering over at the spirit, she chimed "Mister, why don't you ever finish your song?"
Though she could not tell their shape, sorrow seemed to fill the figure's eyes even as a smile crossed his face. "Its simply really, I can't remember the words," He cocked his head to face her and asked, "You wouldn't happen to know them, would you? I'm looking for someone who remembers."
Confused, she shook her head. "No sir, I've only learned the song from you. I've never heard it anywhere else."
"I suppose that was to be expected." he chuckled, "If you'd have heard it elsewhere I'd have heard it as well."
"Can I ask you something, mister?"
"Of course."
"Why are you so sad?"
The figure was still for a time. A gentle breeze ran over the balcony, causing Flurry Heart to shiver. The figure turned and rested it's ethereal hoof on her shoulder. "You'll know in time, little one. It is a heavy thought to carry, let me lift it for you until the time is right. For now, Flurry, you need to get up."
No, that isn't right. The spirit should tell her to 'go back to bed' as it always does.
"Flurry, get up."
In a moment, the filly became a young mare and the starlit balcony became a dark arena as Flurry Heart opened her eyes.
Above her stood the elite guard, its eyes a raging green as it's horn began to cast an emerald glow.