//------------------------------// // Time to Train // Story: The Three's Redemption // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Princess Celestia waited for Flash Magnus to return with Starswirl the Bearded and Rockhoof, then explained the situation. "I believe that the mares are being held captive by an enemy, but I am unsure about who it is. I have no doubts that Starswirl and Sunburst will be able to find out. I wish for all of you to go to retrieve the mares. Dark Shooter, Shining Armor, Flash Magnus, you must prepare them." Celestia instructed "Princess, are you sure it's wise to allow foals to join us?" Silver Zoom asked tentatively, and Celestia looked down at Rumble, Button Mash, and Tender Taps. "I'm sure everyone here will be beneficial to your success." Celestia replied "Always with the vagueness. You haven't changed a bit ever since we first met, Tia." Discord commented "I am aware of your opinions Discord. But I'm afraid time is of the essence, you must hurry and get in some training. You won't be able to save the girls otherwise." Celestia said. They all headed out into what Dark Shooter, Flash Magnus, and Shining Armor called the training arena. They used it for the guards apparently. However, Starswirl and Sunburst went into the library to find out who could have the mares. "Alright, Princess Celestia said we need to get you some training, so let's start with a lap around the arena, to test your endurance and speed." Shining Armor said, then glanced at Discord. "Do you mind keeping score? I want myself, Flash Magnus, and Dark Shooter to participate as well." "Well, alright. But, if I get to keep score, then I get to be in charge!" Discord exclaimed, snapping his fingers. A coach uniform appeared on him. With another snap of his fingers, the stallions, dragon, and colts were automatically positioned on the starting line. "Ready. Set. Go!" Discord called, conjuring a giant hourglass and flipping it over as the guys took off. Soarin and the Wonderbolts easily won, the four Royal Guards coming in second, their armor seemed to be weighing them down. Next came Rockhoof, after him Spike and the three colts, then the rest. The guys were breathing heavily, all except the Wonderbolts, who were used to this sort of rigorous training. "Well, that was terrible." Discord stated bluntly. Princess Luna alighted on a balcony overlooking the arena. She wanted to see if her top guard was shaping the stallions up. Luna was not surprised to see Discord bossing them around. Both she and Celestia had expected it. Discord set them some exercises. He was not a bad teacher, just a little short with them. Discord soon got even Cheese Sandwich more or less focused on the task and ready to fight. Luna could just see one flaw in Discord's method. "Are we done?" Button Mash asked, wheezing a little. Before Discord could answer, a voice rang out. "Not quite yet." It was Luna, landing on the grass in front of them. They all bowed, and Luna beckoned them to rise. "Discord's methods are all very well, but you are missing something." Luna reached out and tapped Spike on the shoulder. Spike gave a groan as he face-planted onto the ground. "Why'd you do that Princess?" Spike asked, as Tender Taps helped him up. "To prove that though you have fighting skills, you are still unbalanced. You need to learn to be at one with your instincts." Luna said "What do you mean your highness?" Flash Sentry asked "Allow me to explain." Luna said, and began to recite a poem. Starswirl had told it to her and Celestia countless times while they were growing up. "Earth, sky, day, night. Sound and silence, dark and light. You see, one alone is not enough, you need both together. Winter, summer, moon and sun. This is lesson number one." Luna had their interest now, and the ponies got closer to hear more. "Like a rock, you must be hard. Like an oak, you must stand firm. Cut quick, like a blade. Think fast, unafraid." "Yes, yes, we get it Lulu, you can stop now. I heard this senseless rhyme enough times when you and Tia recited it while we played." Discord interrupted. Luna ignored him. "Like a cloud, you should be soft. Like a willow, you bend in the wind. Creeping slow, be at peace because you know, it's alright to be afraid." Luna recited "Oh, you're saying we need to be like two sides of the same coin." Shining Armor said, and Luna nodded "So:" Dark Shooter started them off "One alone is not enough, you need both together. Winter, summer, moon and sun. Lesson number one." they all said, and repeated the verses. This time, they ran through the exercises Discord had set them, using both raw skill and their brains to get through it. "Like a cloud, we are soft. Like a rock, we are hard. Like willows, we bend in the wind. Like an oak, we stand firm. Creeping slow, at peace because we know we can be afraid. Cut quick, like a blade. Thinking fast, unafraid." they all cried, and Luna nodded in satisfaction. "You have now begun lesson number one." she told the stallions as they finished the exercises and stood in front of her. Discord was slumped in a chair he had made appear. He knew the lesson was good advice, but did not appreciate Luna jumping in. Fluttershy could be in trouble. Discord got up when Luna left, and continued his version of training, using Luna's 'balance' method as he did. By the time Starswirl and Sunburst exited the library three hours later, the other stallions were going through a course Discord had snapped into reality with the ease of ponies-and dragon-who did this every single day. "Guys, we think we've figured it out! we know who took the girls!" Sunburst called The stallions froze in place, Sky Stinger and Fashion Plate falling into a river they'd been about to jump. They all ran towards Starswirl and Sunburst in eagerness, confident they could defeat whoever they needed to face.