//------------------------------// // Four // Story: Civil War // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// Aria I yawned as I stretched out my hooves on Twilight’s floor, cracking my back as I opened my eyes and took in Berry Blast reading a book. The others were asleep with the exception of Twilight and Blitz. Twilights spot was empty as I raised an eyebrow. “Morning,” Blitz nodded at me as she pushed a mug my way. “Made you a coffee. Black, as you like.” I gave her a grateful nod as I took it and sipped, sighing contently. “What’s on the agenda?” Berry Blast asked eagerly as she turned a page of her book titled Battlefield Medics. Presumably because of her team medic role. “Interviewing potential guards. Then patrol,” I answered as I finished drinking my coffee. “Aren’t you and Glimmer partnered up today?” “Yup!” “Must be nice,” I grumbled as Blitz took my mug. “I can’t wait for Sunset to come on her next routinely visit. This paperwork is killing me. This is technically her job, I’m just helping.” “Well you are the second in command after all,” Blitz shrugged as she and Berry Blast looked at each other. “Say, you’re Sunset’s friend. What’s the commander like?” “Plenty of words to describe her. We used to be enemies I suppose in a way till she helped me and Adagio change. Sonata always hated controlling people. But calculating, easy going, smart, strong all come to mind. Also no nonsense, stern when needed and strict,” I answered. “She has a mischievous streak as well. She loves a good prank, very snarky and sarcastic.” “So Spitfire?” “Not really,” I answered with an eye roll. “Where’s Twilight at?” “Library. Talking with Captain Spitfire,” Berry Blast answered as she pointed a hoof in that general direction. I kinda wonder how Spitfire feels about Sunset technically outranking her. Must be annoying for your younger siblings to be technically your superior. “I should probably go talk to Spitfire and Twilight. See you guys around,” I grumbled as I rolled up my blanket and pillow, placing them on my back. Blitz waved as I trotted out the door. I stretched out in my chair of my office before slammed my head down on the desk. Technically it was Sunset’s office but I’m using it till she gets here. A lamp sat on the desk along with a large filing cabinet along the wall and a bed. Must be nice to have a bed away from the other Guards. Sour Sweet had her own office as well but it didn’t have a bed. By office, I mean just a spare bedroom in the castle with a added lock on the door. I flinched slightly at the quiet knock and sighed. “Enter,” I called out as the door opened. A white pegasus mare with a watermelon mane dragged a shorter green earth pony mare in with a potted flower cutie mark. “We’re looking for Sunset,” the white pegasus announced. “Sunset is out doing a uh errand for Twilight.” We had temporarily agreed to keep the portal a secret till Sunset came back. “Oh huh. The plaque on the wall next to the door said commander Sunset. Sorry to bother you.” “I’m covering for her. What can I do for you?” I asked as I looked back up from my paperwork. “This is Wallflower. She’s looking for a job. I’m Blossomforth,” Blossomforth announced. “Go on Wally. I’ll be out here waiting.” Wallflower and I looked at each other as the door closed and I pointed a hoof at the chair. “Sit.” “Uh okay,” Wallflower muttered as she sat down and I hoofed around the desk. “Got any special skills? What’s your special talent?” “Plants.” I waited patiently for her to continue until five minutes passed and she said nothing. Spitfire coughed from the spare desk along the wall as we looked at her. I forgot she was here honestly, she was so quiet. “What can you do with plants?” Spitfire asked as she examined a form, her whistle hanging around her neck. “This isn’t a walk in the flower patch. This is the Royal Guard. Ask Aria, she gets up at random hours of the day, exercise, paperwork.” “I know. Blossomforth thinks it’ll be uh character building? Getting me out into the world,” Wallflower admitted sheepishly as she traced the chair arm with a hoof. “It can do that,” Spitfire nodded. “What can you do with plants?” “Uhm this,” Wallflower said quietly as she lifted the plant she brought and rubbed a hoof against it as it grew bigger. “It’s a wall plant. That’s about it.” “Uh okay?” “Are you in the guard?” Wallflower asked curiously as Spitfire laughed. “No no. I’m a Wonderbolt. I’m just training these newbies. Look, we can find something in the Guard for you but this might not be for you. I’ll send Soarin to come find you in town. Anything else you can do?” “Uhm yeah,” Wallflower answered as she stood up, slammed a hoof on the ground and disappeared. Spitfire and I sat up a bit straighter and stared at each other wide eyes. “You know what, I think we have a good use for you. I’ll send High Winds and Surprise to come see you. Welcome to the Guard Wallflower,” Spitfire smiled as she shook hooves. Wallflower bounced out of the room with a big smile that I doubted she could have. “She seems shy. What you got for her?” “Espionage. That invisibility spell was impressive, especially for an earth pony. Probably related to a unicorn.” “You were nicer to her than you were to me,” I scoffed as Spitfire snorted with an eyeroll. “You have an attitude problem. I don’t like that about you. You’re rude, abrasive, loud, cruel and sadistic and enjoy suffering of others. Also you’re my sisters friend. If I didn’t go hard on you, it’d would look like I was giving you special treatment. I’m going to go hard on Sunset when she comes back too. I love her but just because she’s my sister doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on her,” Spitfire grunted as she stood up and packed a few folders into some saddlebags before putting her sunglasses back on. “I’m going to my room with Soarin, Fleetfoot, Surprise and High Winds. You’re interviewing Sunbeam next. Good luck.” I internally cursed as she slammed the door shut and I stared down at all the new paperwork I’d have to do. Fuck my life.