//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 // Story: Through the soul of friendship // by ShieldStar //------------------------------// Through the soul of friendship Fanfication by ShieldStar 19 Reed was overseeing the few guards he was training, that had stayed behind, go through drills and training other guards. It had been two days since the princess had shared the report on Whitetail and Tall Tale. The requested group had gone off and soon after the elements and more troops followed. Star Lance had continued to guard his dreams and thankfully Solus hadn’t shown its deprived ugly face. Reed had been intrigued by star Lance’s reports, Dream were truly fascinating. And getting to hear his dream recounted in detail was truly a treat. He would often remember parts of a dream and miss the profound thing that his subconscious was trying to tell him. This way he got a second look, which’d helped him solved problems he had been stuck on for weeks before. Star Lance was also a great story well, meaning she had so many great ideas for stories and often offered fresh and new perspectives on existing stories. Reed had enjoyed sharing the stories in his head with someone else. And had expressed this to Star Lance one night. “You should really write some of these down, they are absolutely awe-inspiring, even thrilling!” “You really think so?” Star Lance just gave him a deadpan stare before the both burst out in giggles. Since then when Reed had a spare moment, he wrote bit and pieces of stories, and planed one day fitting them all together in to a few bigger stories. Reed’s Attention was pulled back to the guards training when he saw one of the newer guards about to make a deadly mistake. “Hold Positions!” he shouted, and the all the guards stopped mid pose. Reed walked over to the offending guard. “What’s your name solider?” Reed ask in a stern but not unkind voice. “Bronze Spear, sir!” “Alright, Bronze Spear, tell me way I stopped you.” The guard was silent for a moment. “I’m not sure sir.” “At least you honest. I stopped you, because of this.” And Reed gently moved the guard’s strike lower and his leading hoof back. “Now why did I move you as I did?” “Because I had it wrong?” “Yes and no. If you were trying to subdue someone, as we are practicing to, yes you had it wrong. If we were in a true fight to the death your opponent you be quiet dead. Please make sure your form is right before you strike, until you know it better than walking and eating else tragedy will strike for you. That goes for everyone!” Reed called to the group. “Now Bronze Spear I want you to hold that position until everyone has finished this set. Then you and your partner will take it slow. Remember we would rather learn it slow then-“ “To learn it too fast and fail!” the group said in unison. “Good continue, and remember if you need help there is no shame in asking.” Reed move among the guards watching for any more mistakes and helping when asked. Lunch came around and Reed dismissed the group. Reed as well and got some lunch and sat under a tree to eat. Ti wasn’t long before a few guards came and joined him. “Sir, why do you sit out here and eat?” Reed looked up to see Bronze Spear was who had asked. “There’s no need to call me sir outside of training. I’m not part of the guard. As for your question. I like to feel the life of all the different living things and they help me in many ways.” “How’s that?” this time a guard named Front Line asked “Well there are many ways they help. To name a few, they help me relax, they help my magic, they help me think when I am troubled, and when I am weak they help me live.” “They help you live?” this one to Reed’s surprise came from Star Lance who was normally nocturnal. “Yeah. You may not know this but when I helped save Twilight Sparkle, I used a lot of magic and magic needs energy. But before when I expect the darkness from her, that used a lot of my magical energy. So when I healed her I didn’t have much left in magical energies. So I had to use my life energies, which was why I was affect so badly when I finished.” “So when you went to ‘recharge’ you were also refilling your life force?” Bronze Spear asked. “That’s Right.” “Wow” this got a chuckle from the group, before a wisp of green smoke zipped above them. Not long after lunch, while Reed was giving instructions to the guards, about splitting into groups to learn about strategy. Another guard rushed over to him. “The Princesses Request you presence as soon as possible.” the guard said standing at attention. “Alright, give me one moment and we will be on our way.” Reed called one of the guards that was helping to train the newer ones. Reed told him the plan and gave him instructions on how to carry it out. “Alright lead the way.” Reed said to the guard that was waiting to take him to the princesses. They soon arrived in the throne room, and the door opened to reveal a flurry of activity. At the head of the storm was Celestia issuing orders, like a captain at the head of a large pirate ship. The guard rushed in and told the princess of Reed’s arrival. Celestia nodded. “You all have your orders! Fulfill them to your best of your ability. I need that train ready within the hour! Dismissed.” The Room dispersed, as guards and castle staff moved to obey the princess’ wishes.“Reed, thank you for coming so quickly. I have just received a Report that the attack was not by the Changelings. However that said we don’t know who or what is behind the attack. As a precaution I would like to send more guards and I would like you to go with them just in case.” “Better safe than sorry.” “Exactly.” “What do you need me to do?” “Grab what you need, magical or otherwise.” Reed nodded, and was about to leave when Celestia spoke again. “Reed, I know you haven’t been here long and that we can hardly be called friends, but could you, could you please watch out for the elements?” “Of course I will, and I would like to think we are friends.” Reed said with a smile and a bow, before he left the throne room to pack. As he walk the guard that had shown him to the throne room trotted up next to him. “If you don’t mind me asking, what happened?” “The elements are in danger and I am needed to help protect them.” “Can I get you anything?” “Um, yes actually that is something, can you bring a good spear and a good sword to the train station for me? I have a feeling I will have need of them.” the guard rushed off to gather the requested items. Reed went to his room where he had been staying for the last few weeks. Reed looked over his equipment quickly, gathering items of magic and protection. Reed made sure to grab his jacket and pouch that held the mint leaves and other items for drawing out and sealing Solus from the host. Reed was about to leave when Star Lance burst in to the room. “Reed, is it true? Is it Solus?” Reed turned to star lancer, forgetting the box of sealing he was going to grab. “It is true that the changelings are not the attacker, but we do not know for sure who is.” “Could it be Solus?” “It could, but know way in knowing until I get there.” Reed said as he picked up his supplies and equipment and walked out of the room with star close behind the box of sealing lay forgotten in the bedside table. Star Lancer went back to Reed’s room after Reed had left on the train. She wasn’t sure why she had come back, today was her day off and she should be spending it away from the castle. Star huffed and turned to leave when a little carved box sitting of the bed side table caught her eye. Reed was on the train racing to Tall Tail along with about fifty guards. None of the guards Reed knew except in passing and few that had spoken with him about training regiments. Reed was looking at the spears and swords the guard he had asked brought to the train station, there was total of four weapons, two of each type.For the two the spears one was shorter than the other, the longer of the two had a longer and wider blade, while the swords were very different. Both were the use of ponies to be held in their mouth, one was much longer and bigger and had a double edged, while the other was shorter and thinner. Reed focused on the two swords and pick up each one and tested its weight. Deciding on the larger of the two Reed focused his magic, and willed the handle and hilt of the blade in to a more fitting shape.The hilt formed with the handle to form a hand and a half sword. He sat back and inspected his work, Reed was astonished by on strong his magic was here. Back home the most he could will were things that already wanting to change to his will, and even then the results were poor at that. Reed picked up the sword and gently move it about, it felt good and it fit well in his hands. Putting the sword away Reed turned his attention to the spears and remaining sword. The longer of the two spears, about eight feet, was more flexible and looked more for throwing, reed set that one aside and set the two remaining weapons next to each other. Reed again focused his magic and directed the two weapons to fuse in to one.The two eagerly jumped to together. The sword melting and interweaving with the wooden haft of the spear and lengthening the blade at the end. The pummel flowed down to the butt of the spear, reforming and reinforcing the end, while the wrapping used on the handle snaked itself around the haft. When the two finished forming the result was that of a sword spear with metal woven and wrapped in and around the once wooden haft, while the blade was longer and had a slight wave to it. Reed set the newly formed sword spear down along with the hand and a half sword. Reed’s stomach growled, from the use of magic. Reed found something to eat out of his pack and then closed his eyes to rest until they got to their destination. The quiet babble of conversation and the click clack of the wheels the last thing he remembered. In the distance storm clouds swirled and red lightning flashed. As a dark presence watched the little train move towards it. The ponies that had defended the next turn had escaped, but it wasn’t worried, the host was coming and soon it the darkness would consume the host and bringing ruin to the world. Dark laughter rolled like thunder across the land.