Chapter 2
The sky chariot carrying Shining Star landed on the bumpy, improvised, and overall unfinished landing strip. The chariot and its two pegasus pilots slowed and stopped, as the cloud of dirt the landing kicked up caught up to the group. Shining Star coughed and trotted to the grassy field that offered the most protection from the cloud of dust. The large open field held more than just relief; it also offered a sight that put the aerial view to shame. Formations of troops from the various races marched about or flew overhead the cleanly cut grass. At the far end toward the forest the Earth Pony Corps of Engineers were laying concrete to replace the impromptu runway Shining just landed on, toward the main facility they were erecting large wooden pillars and digging the firing range. The gravity of the area set in, it’s actually happening isn’t it? Shining thought, still taken aback by the fruits of her and the whole project team’s labor. The main facility could be seen sticking up from a rocky butte over the tree line, a small castle like facility sat atop with ascending cables into the clouds above. Wait no, cloud singular. The fortress on the hill made up only half of the complex. A large cloud ship hovered over the castle, casting the whole area in shadow.
“The Hearts and Hooves,” said a familiar voice from behind Doctor Star. The well groomed black pegasus fluttered down next to her. He didn’t wear the heavy Navy dress uniform she was accustomed to seeing, and instead chose the sky blue camouflage drab, no doubt a great comfort in the heat of noon. However no matter what he was dressed in, the badge embroidered on his flank was always the same, a black storm cloud and the words, Lightning Bolts, strike from the clouds.
“That’s our research lab?” Shining asked, making a mental note to continue to practice her weightlessness spell. “Does it include private quarters for the research staff?”
“No, well at least not ones you would find up to your standards. Hospital ships aren’t designed for comfort, plus most of the rooms were turned into medical labs.” Shining’s heart sank a little. “But I can arrange for you to visit the cloud barracks we’re flying in for Naval staff, I know how much you liked the cloud beds,” Ironwing said throwing a glance in her direction.
Shining Star hid a smile, and quickly added, “Keep yourself professional Ironwing.”
“Oh I….yes ma’am,” Ironwing stuttered to correct poorly worded statement.
Shining got a great deal of joy from making Ironwing uncomfortable. Although, it wouldn’t be a terrible shame if…nah, she pushed the thought out of her mind. Plus, even though Ironwing was head of project operations and eventual would be team leader, Doctor Star was still the boss for now; she even had the wonderful job of writing reports to the council every day to prove it.
The pair made their way up to the hill top complex, the sign of its previous job still seen above the gate,
Everfree ship yard
Property of Pegasus Sky Navy
Trespassers will be prosecuted
Waiting for them was the pair of white and yellow council members. “Councilor Daisy, Councilor Heart Swan hello,” Shining said to the group of diplomats and their entourage of unicorns and earth ponies skulking about.
“Progress is coming nicely, do tell your engineers I give them my thanks for their haste Heart Swan,” Daisy said to her earth pony companion.
“Yes, their work is much easier now that your unicorns erected the shield around the work site, the local fauna hasn’t been, agreeable,” he said; only keeping the slightest thread of patience and civility to hide his annoyance and stress the job was causing him.
“Commander Ironwing sir?’ asked a pink earth pony stallion adorned in his army dress uniform, ‘Sergeant Lollipop, reporting…I was drafted and decided to stay.” Lollipop had obviously been asked many times about his name in the past to have a prepared speech ready for meeting new company.
“And you are?” Ironwing asked indignantly.
“He is Master Sergeant Lollipop, Earth Pony Army, and he is here on my personal request,’ Heart Swan replied for his soldier, ‘with the amount of unicorn scientists, and the fact that Project Alicorn falls under pegasus Navy SNI doctrine, I felt that the earth ponies were being poorly represented.” Ironwing backed off realizing the political quagmire that stood in front of him should he question the council colt.
“I am here as head physical trainer, and survival expert sir,” Lollipop said trying to prove he was more than just a political puppet. Daisy also brought company, besides her stood a figure Shining Star recognized immediately, which was easy considering the few zebras that lived in Equestria.
“Deja!’ Shining squealed, ‘I’m glad you accepted the offer.”
The striped zebra mare returned Shining’s smile, “The academy was dull, I wanted to perform my magic in full. I was told that you needed help with fillies and colts, a hard job even for the Lightning Bolts,” she said in her typical sing-song way looking to Ironwing.
Ironwing scoffed, “Well then please follow me everyone, we will be meeting the rest of the instructors,” Ironwing said flying towards the door leading to the rest of the facility. The small compound outside did not properly represent the scale of this place. Shining Star assumed that because it was a pegasus facility, it would be mostly made of clouds up above, and that this place was just an anchor point for the large floating ships that used to pass through here. That however, did not prove the case. The relatively small stone and concrete spire above disguised a large tunnel system, refurbished with sleeping quarters for staff and students. The group entered a large warehouse room that served as the central hub, and from the signs warning about explosive dangers and a large loading elevator to the surface, once held ammunition for the large guns on the pegasus craft.
“Commander?” Shining Star asked.
“Yes?”
“No, I mean since when did you get promoted?”
“Oh, well when the heads of the Sky Navy Intelligence bureau decided to put me in charge of the project, they wanted someone with a little more pull, and I was already up for promotion,” Ironwing said simply, trying to sound as humble as he possible could.
A large shadow was cast by the hanging lights high above, and the figure flew past the rock walls of the sparse room, landing at the group’s side. The large figure’s talons clacked on the hard ground as it landed and gave a salute with its wing before folding them back against its fur and feather covered body.
“Helga Darkbeak, Griffon Auxiliaries. She is in charge of teaching hoof to hoof combat, well, talon to hoof,” Ironwing said sharing a chuckle with the hybrid creature.
“Doctor Star, councilors, it’s a pleasure,” the somewhat frightening nonpony proclaimed.
“Do you have everything you need for your class?” Ironwing asked doing everything he can to earn his job as operations leader.
“Wings, talons, ready and willing,” she said flashing a smile across her beak and giving a confident nod.
“Great, and remember what we talked about, they may be young, but they’re soldiers now,” Darkbeak gave a grim salute and flew off before Ironwing continued, “Lollipop, the corps of engineers is setting up the drill grounds in the field we cleared at the base of the butte, however until they finish the permanent landing strip, we will need you to drill here in the warehouse. We don’t need the landing sky chariots and students occupying the same space.”
“Yes sir, running and push-ups for now,” The pink earth pony responded assuredly.
“Shining Star, your magic school is up in the old control tower top side, you said you needed a view of the stars and that’s the only place around here to do that-“
Shining Sparkle interrupted Ironwing’s presentation, “but, most of the students aren’t unicorns, and won’t have magical abilities for years.”
Ironwing gave a sideways glance to Dr. Star for the interruption, but responded politely, “Flight class and magic class will have the appropriate students performing demonstrations and taking hands-on tests, the rest will study from books and their peers until they can perform on their own. Lollipop, I also want you to have the earth ponies lead in the dirt pounding and drills.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem sir,” Lollipop proclaimed in excitement.
“Well then, prepare your yourselves, the subjects arrive in 48 hours.”
2-2
“You are all being called upon, to serve your country. Equestria, is in danger, and you all are responsible for the safety of everypony that calls this land home…”
Celestia paid little attention to the dark pegasus who was addressing the room full of other young ponies. Instead, Celestia was more focused on comforting her sobbing sister next to her, and examining the darkened chamber and adult ponies that surrounded them. Luna was not alone in her sorrow, the other foals were sobbing as well, all except for a blue pegasus with a short yellow mane who was wide eyed and listening intently to the military pony speaking. Celestia wondered if the colt’s mane was that short on its own, or if it was cut off like theirs when they arrived here.
“I should introduce myself, you will be seeing a lot more of me in the years to come,”
Years? The realization she might never see her school or mother again almost brought Celestia to tears as well, will I get my cutie mark in this awful place?
“I am Commander Ironwing, of the Pegasus Sky Navy Intelligence bureau I will be your commanding officer during this project.”
The dark stallion removed himself from the microphone when he finished his speech, and a gentle looking blue unicorn mare approached to take his place. Wait, I know her! Celestia thought, remembering the odd encounter at school a few weeks ago. Celestia looked down to see if Luna had noticed the familiar mare, but face and muzzle were buried into Celestia’s side, soaking her fur with tears.
“You all know me, or better to say recognize me by now,’ she said, sounding like she herself was ready to cry, ‘I am Doctor Shining Star, of the Unicorn Military Research Academy,” she let out a deep sigh, “all of you will become more, all of you will have a potential for greatness beyond that of anypony else...”
Celestia watched as the various ponies, one griffon, and even a zebra who sang more than spoke, introduced themselves in front of the group of frightened foals the last being a pink stallion, who did not offer the same words of hope and opportunity the others did. Finally, the lights in the massive rock walled room came up, and the speech and introductions were over.
“Now,’ the gruff, pink stallion named Lollipop said as the soldiers rounded up the foals into a group in front of the commanding figure, “75 laps around the room.”
The group stayed silent in disbelief as they wiped away their tears, finally a green pegasus filly spoke up, “this room?” she asked eying the massive space.
Her question was answered by a magical electric wand, zapping her haunches from one of the soldiers corralling the colts and fillies. She let out a squeal of pain and dropped to her knees. Two more soldier ponies walked up holding some sort of saddles in their mouths and wrapped them around both the green and blue pegasi Celestia had seen earlier.
“No flying, either. Now move your asses before I make it 80 laps!” the fiery pink stallion yelled beginning to chase after the group. “Move, move, move, this isn’t foal’s school anymore kiddies.”
That fact was becoming more and more clear to Celestia with each lap around the cavern. Finally, their pink sadist blew the whistle around his neck, beckoning them to stop. Celestia fell to her knees in exhaustion. Luna sauntered over to Celestia, fairing the miles of running much better than her big sister.
“Water break,” Lollipop commanded as he grabbed a small paper cup in his mouth and took a drink for himself. Celestia did have to admit that the pony chasing them around the track suffered as much as they did, she wondered how he could still keep shouting. The white filly tried to get to her feet, but the brief rest had convinced Celestia’s muscles to stop working altogether.
“I’ll get it sister,” Luna said, striding to the water cooler being swarmed by the other foals. Luna bumped into a large silver colored earth pony in her rush to help her kin. The filly looked down at her, and Luna began to slink back before the black maned pony could speak.
“Hey sugarcube, I’ll get it for you don’t worry,” the silver pony said in a thickly accented but kind voice. She was older than Luna, and judging by the fact she had a lasso shaped cutie mark older everyone else.
“Oh, um, thank you,” Luna replied meekly, all too often the dark filly’s small size would attract the opposite effect from the bigger ponies in a group.
“Sure thing little one,” the filly said in a friendly tone, “I’m Sapphire, what’s you’re?”
“I’m Luna, and that’s my sister Celestia,” she said pointing her horn to the white filly collapsed on the floor.
Sapphire seemed to stare off into space for a moment before returning to the conversation, “sisters huh? That’s good that you have family here-“
The blue pegasus jumped in between them, “my name is Cloudsoar! And that’s Crystal,” he said throwing a hoof at the green on green pegasus pony who took the first abuse from Lollipop’s soldiers.
“And I’m Candice,” said the final earth pony filly, her contrasting white mane stood out sharply from her light red coat.
Luna smiled and repeated herself, “I’m Luna,’ she threw a hoof back to point at her sister, ‘that’s-“
Her blind hoof swung around and hit Celestia in the face as she approached the group to finally get the water she was promised. Celestia looked down at her smaller sister, raising an eyebrow and giving a slight smirk at the well intentioned filly. A cup of water levitated from the table as Celestia quenched her exhausted thirst. “I’m Celestia,” she finished for her sibling.
“Alright, enough talking, time for pushups,” Lollipop shouted, the group of foals let out a collective sigh, but not wanting to feel the wrath of the pink soldier they obliged even if unwillingly.
2-3
Physical training was finally over for the day, after hours of exercise that left even the strong earth pony fillies in the group weak and ready to collapse they were finally free of their pink drill sergeant. Celestia and the others were escorted by Pegasus guards who flapped after them with the same electric wands they saw the results of earlier. However, as one last act of cruelty, Lollipop ordered them to climb the stairs to the surface to begin their academic training; despite the fact the large cargo elevator was going unused.
The steel door to the control tower matched the unwelcoming and bare concrete walls of the upper facility. Celestia had hoped that when she got to the surface she would at least be able to get a glimpse of outside, after hours of travel and time underground she had no idea what time of day it was. One of the camouflage clad escorts knocked on the heavy door with his hoof. Luna backed up a little, no doubt imagining a terror worse than Sergeant Lollipop as the door opened. The sight was more than welcome, the light blue unicorn faced them with a big welcoming smile on her muzzle, and sunlight came through the many windows behind her, washing away the feelings of dread that plagued them all.
“You can go corporal,” she ordered the head escort as she beckoned the foals inside, and closed the door behind them. The room was set up with tables in the center, and book shelves that blocked one wall of the 360 degree glass covered room. The desks that once supported control and radio equipment were now turned into school desks that faced out to the glass walls and gave a beautiful view of the surrounding forest and distant mountain range.
“Please take a seat where you would like, this is arcane science and practical magic class. You all know me, and should recognize my assistant,” she said nodding to the zebra who called herself Deja, ‘now, to begin with I will be asking recruit Celestia, and recruit Luna to help in practical demonstrations. The rest of you will be expected to follow and show a proficient knowledge in the potions and elixirs that Deja will teach you, as well as take written exams on all the subjects that are demonstrated.”
“But,’ the light red earth pony named Candice asked, ‘why do we need to know magic if we can’t perform it?”
Shining Star stared at her for a moment, “because one day you will.” The class began to murmur and question, but Doctor Star finished the commotion, “I will also ask you to not interrupt, or I will be forced to have Sergeant Lollipop help teach my class.” That quickly stuffed a hoof in the mouths of the foals as they decided they would rather have a nice boring class on magic instead of trying to study while being forced to do sit ups. “Now first lesson, ethereal elements,” she said as her horn emitted a magical diagram for the class to see.
The instruction on magic was far and above Celestia’s and Luna’s grasp of the magical, and the fact she would need to actually perform a real test on it filled Celestia with dread. That dread however was superseded when the familiar pink stallion entered the room at the end of their class to escort them to the courtyard for their next lesson. Celestia gave a content sigh with the rest of the group as they walked out into the fresh air. Celestia thought she might try to escape at the first opportunity she and Luna had, but this was certainly not it. The courtyard was surrounded on all sides by the thick concrete walls of the fortress, each of which was topped by guards. The pegasi might be able to make a break for it, but their wings were still tied down in anticipation of that foolish plan.
The black pegasus named Ironwing waited for them with a group of armored pegasi, each fully covered in some sort of flight suit, “recruits welcome. How many of you remember my name?” he asked kindly.
The blue pegasus colt Cloudfsoar raised his hoof and called out excitedly, “Ironwing!” That question however was a trap; their pink escort stuck his large muzzle into the colt’s face and screamed at him.
“You will address him as sir! Or if you earn the right, you will call him Commander, you have not yet earned the right of referring to him by name you little shit!” two more instructors joined in and began surrounding the foal all on all sides with conflicting demands and orders. Ironwing sat back and watched as the colt was made an example of before waiving off Lollipop and his goons.
“I am your tactics and flight instructor. I will instruct you on personal flight techniques, which all of you will be expected to memorize, every pegasus recruit is required to know the basics of flight science and airborne combat, and so will all of you. I will teach you how to operate the flying machines of today’s joint military, everything from a sky chariot, to that,” he said pointing a hoof up to the massive cloudship above, ‘at the end of the week you will all be expected to perform a practical test on pegasus glide insertion. Gliding is the first thing taught to pegasus foals, isn’t that right?” he asked the blue colt still shell-shocked from the verbal flank bucking he just got.
“Sir, yes sir,” he said meekly.
“You will each train with a Lightning Bolt glide soldier, and at the end of the week you will make a tandem glide jump with them,” he said nodding to the group of armored pegasi, the sun glistening from the golden visors that covered their faces as they inspected the students. “Now, first lesson,’ Ironwing continued as he fluttered to one of his troops, ‘we will begin with the standard combat harness…”
2-4
Celestia’s mind and body hurt from the day of learning and exercise, but as the sun set they were being shuffled off down stairs once more, hopefully for sleep. However her hopes were dashed as the group was lined up for yet another set of classes, this time the griffon got her turn at the foals. The menacing eagle eyes of Instructor Darkbeak scanned the group as she flew past each of the ponies, throwing insults as she went.
“What’s your name,” she demanded to the little blue pegasus.
“Cloudsoar ma’am,” he replied sternly, learning his lesson from earlier.
“Cloudsoar? You look more like an eye sore to me.”
“Yes ma’am,” he said not daring to respond.
Instructor Darkbeak moved on as she landed in front of Celestia, ‘holy horse apples, how tall are you?”
“3’10 ma’am,” Celestia responded, hoping she could fly under the radar of the griffon.
“Gee, I didn’t know they stacked shit that high at your age,” she said moving on to Celestia’s younger sister, “what’s your name pipsqueak?”
“Luna, that’s my sister,” she whimpered and moved to Celestia’s side, hoping for some protection.
“Did I ask who your family was?” she said putting her beak to Luna’s muzzle, “are you royalty, is your family somehow important?”
“No ma’am, I-“
“Then why would I care who your family is?” she shouted, almost bringing Luna to tears once again.
The griffon moved on and continued to speak, “I am an expert in both arial and ground based combat, and I will teach you the ins and outs of physical fighting. How many of you are tired?’ no one said anything, ‘good because you can never predict when you will need to fight for your life, you might be tired and hungry, you might have the runs or be puking your guts out it doesn’t matter. If you know your stuff, hooves and claws can beat wings and horns any day of the week,” she boasted.
Darkbeak scanned the foals before setting her eyes on little Luna, “you,’ she said pointing a razor sharp claw at the dark filly, ‘fight me.”
Celestia couldn’t let her sister face such a terrible creature, “no I’ll do it,” she said reflexively before she could stop herself. The truth was, she really didn’t want to find herself at the end of those claws either, but certainly didn’t want her younger sister be the plaything of this new Sergeant Lollipop with wings.
“I didn’t ask you, Luna get over here before I drag you over here,” Instructor Darkbeak said with a snarl. Luna made her way shakily over, fear emanating from every part of her, just mustering enough courage to keep from cowering and running away.
“What spells do you know?” Darkbeak asked.
“N-none…”
“None, what kind of unicorn are you? Fine, use your hooves as a weapon. Now attack me.”
Luna was taken back, “w-what?”
“Goddamn it recruit if I have to repeat myself again so help you. Buck me, kick me, fucking do something to keep me from strangling you out of frustration!” she yelled stomping on the floor in anger. Luna lowered her head, swung around and gave a light kick to the griffon’s side. “Are you fucking kidding me? Harder,” Darkbeak yelled. Luna repeated but this time with enough force to stumble the griffon, “so you were holding back on me, harder!” Darkbeak commanded growing impatient. This time Luna’s back hooves made a satisfying thud against the griffon who stumbled back.
This griffon is insane, Celestia thought as she watched Luna kicking the instructor who only responded by demanding more abuse. Celestia knew how hard little Luna could hit, on a couple occasions she had overstepped the line and found herself the target of a good bucking from her younger kin.
“HARDER!” the griffon yelled as Luna finally broke down into frustrated tears and sat on the floor crying her eyes out. Darkbeak looked down disgusted and limped over where Luna sat, no doubt putting on a tough face to disguise the pain her display caused her. Darkbeak lifted Luna’s head up with her claws and looked at her face. An unexpected look of compassion washed over her as she looked down at the filly. She used one of her talons to wipe away a tear on little Luna’s face. Luna sniffled and stopped crying. But before Celestia could appreciate the griffon’s surprising kindness she turned back into the monster she was before. Darkbeak let out a sigh, and ripped her hand away from Luna’s face, slashing her once comforting talon across the filly’s cheek. A small stream of blood trickled down Luna’s dark blue fur.