//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Red Flag Warning // Story: Sunset's Last Glow // by Note Worthy //------------------------------// Sunset’s Last Glow Chapter 6: Red Flag Warning Princess Celestia merely chuckled as Phoenix Ember showed no signs of slowing down his exercises. She was almost confident that he hadn’t even broken a sweat, given his consistent pace and lack of vocal complaints during the last five or ten minutes. The Shadowbolt kept mentioning number after number, perfectly keeping count and cadence. “492, 493, 494, 495....” Rainbow Dash attempted to disguise a yawn, trying to disguise her disinterest in the little show by Phoenix Ember, now having completed wing push-up number 498. He completed the remaining two in the regimen that Celestia had assigned to him for his poor choice in behavior toward Ruby Glitter a few minutes earlier. It won’t really be effective, you know--that’s how we trained. Hurt-filled stretches of our limitations. If you said you couldn’t do it, we made you do it. There was never going to be anything given but your absolute best. If you disappointed me, I flunked you out and sent you back to your normal life--and didn’t even feel bad about it. After finishing the last repetition, Phoenix exhaled sharply and sat down on the smooth stone below him. Aside from the pointed release of breath, there had been no increase in the rise and fall ratio of his chest, which normally would have been expected after such a strenuous workout. His wings drew inward as he rested, meeting the gazes of those who had accompanied him from the castle’s dungeons. The sun was slowly moving through the sky, beating down and providing a suitable amount of warmth in the hottest month of the Equestrian calendar year. Some songbirds that had taken the time to plant themselves on a nearby tree were also gazing in on the action, keeping their beautiful music to a quiet hush while the Shadowbolt finished his exercises. “There you are, Princess. Five hundred wing push-ups,“ Phoenix said flatly. “So, what other diabolical methods of familiarizing me with this ‘new Equestria’ do you have up your hoof?” For the one that banished her own flesh and blood, you really have developed too much of a heart over the years. “So, you think just because you can perform some push-ups will end up making me impressed, hot shot?” Rainbow Dash snapped. “You don’t yell at pretty young mares like that--it’s rude and shows that you don’t have any manners! Now you get to deal with me. You think you just got tested? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Get ready to fly.” Phoenix yawned. “Oh, please... that’s original. Celestia, I’ll say it again--I am not impressed by this little group you have here.” “Well, what do you have in mind then, Phoenix?” Celestia said, having reached the conclusion at the moment he started to perform the push-ups that any physical tests weren’t going to get very far with this specific pegasus. I will not give in to becoming violent with him. I am not going to descend to his level. I can’t--the second any of us do, he wins because we will have become what he feels we are. “I have in mind that you let me go on my merry way and forget that we had the mutual displeasure of seeing each other again. That is, of course, after eternal night takes hold again; in which case there will be no qualms as you will either be stuck back in your infernal sun or dead.” Phoenix was flapping his wings just a little bit, getting ready to entertain Rainbow Dash’s pending challenge. Celestia merely smiled. “That’s not a possibility and you know it. No, Phoenix... as much as I am indebted to help my sister re-learn the ways of the land we must co-rule, so do I owe the decency of giving you a second chance. Nopony ever said it was going to be without effort and some measure of pain. Now, Rainbow Dash, what were you going to propose?” “A race! First pony to fly one mile around the castle and get back here wins. I’ve never been beaten, and I’m not going to lose today.” A loud snort came from Dash’s nose as she also prepared her wings for high-speed flight. “Prepare to have your record tarnished.” Phoenix pushed down on the ground lazily, slowly coming back to his four hooves. After he righted himself, his eyes looked for an appropriate middle ground marking--some place to serve as a reference line for their little competition. “Here.” He pointed with his wings toward a location just a few feet away. “Right over there will be where we start. One mile around, you said?” “That’s what she said, Phoenix. It’ll be just like running morning exercises with the members of the Guard. Need to keep them in shape, might just extend the running or flying length for two miles,” Shining Armor said, trotting over to the line that Phoenix had pointed out a moment earlier. Rainbow and Phoenix both proceeded to make their way to the line, each pegasus with one goal in mind: win. “Now hang on a second. We need some rules, just to make sure nopony cheats. A fair flight--no pulling of wings, tails, hooves, anything. Stay in your own “lane”, or you’re disqualified. Does that sound fair, Princess?” Dash was trying to engage Phoenix in a staring contest, but he had his eyes forward and aimed on the course ahead of him. “Perfectly so. Shining Armor, you may start the countdown.” Celestia stepped a few feet back, making sure that when Phoenix and Rainbow came down to land, nopony would be in the way. She motioned to Ruby Glitter, who was looking through her sketchbook that she had brought with her to breakfast. “Take your marks, pegasi. On my signal.” Shining Armor checked both Phoenix and Dash’s hooves to make sure they were both square on the line before they started flying. “Recruits, at the ready! Three, two, one... fly!” The best eight fliers from the remainder of the recruits that had managed to make it this far all shot from the starting cloud, this being the most challenging of disciplines that the Night Guard had put in place for acceptance into the prestigious organization. The instructors including the founding member, Flamerose, watched as the group of pegasi propelled themselves through the course. Phoenix Ember was happy to have made it this far. He pushed with every ounce of his being, but still wasn’t quite able to clear what had become his chief rival since they had arrived for the chance to become part of the Shadowbolts--Blue Bolt. ‘Just because you’re from Cloudsdale doesn’t make you any better of a flier, lightning-flank. I’ll show you how we fly, Canterlot style.’ Thunder Twirl was also another pegasus that had been a source of major competition for him, as well as Noble Mist. Phoenix knew this well in advance, having studied the course a few months earlier while he was considering joining the Shadowbolts. He spoke with his parents about it at length, and although they weren’t happy with his want for the Shadowbolts and not the Wonderbolts, they supported him in his choice. ‘I promise I won’t let you down, Mom and Dad. I will have the honor of defending Luna and become part of the Night Guard.’ He was having trouble keeping pace with Blue Bolt, which had jumped out to a decently sized lead. “COME ON, YOU WEAKLINGS! IS THAT THE BEST YOU’VE GOT? YOU’RE GOING TO BE GUARDING A PRINCESS! 100% IS NOT ENOUGH!” Flamerose bellowed through the bullhorn, thoroughly unimpressed with the performance that these last of the batch were mustering up. They moved past the first set of obstacles set up on the southern side of the castle, and were going through the straightest and most direct part of the course. A four-mile long straightaway where if you started to lose any altitude, you were docked points or just pulled from the race altogether. “Hey, Ember! Don’t flame out like you normally do! “ Blue said to him, chuckling in a snotty sort of way. ‘Very funny, Blue. Shouldn’t be wasting your energy on talking, and focus on flying.’ Phoenix let the insult slide--he would settle with Blue Bolt once they were back on the ground, and the last thing that he wanted to have happen was to make it through all of the ridiculous tests and trials that the instructor corps had put them through, only to fail at a flight exam. The deep maroon leader was outright infuriated with the banter going on from the pegasi that were supposed to be focused on finishing this race, and Flamerose went out of his way to let them know it. “BLUE BOLT, SHUT UP AND FLY! I’ve seen SNAILS move faster than you worthless lumps are! We DON’T have to pick ANY of you idiots, you know! YOU WANT THIS? PROVE YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH!” His degrading but motivating comments sank in--all of the sudden, the depth and importance of what they were all aspiring for seemed just a little bit more urgent. Blue Bolt turned his head back toward the front of the pack, two of the four miles long open air straightaway complete. Not an inch downward did any pegasi dare move, knowing that if they weren’t being observed earlier they certainly were now. Half of the way into the race, Phoenix was already having the same struggle keeping pace with Rainbow Dash. He couldn’t seem to understand how such a small and loud-mouthed pegasus mare had such stamina, wingpower and focus. No... not again. I’m not going to be bested again in the straightaway! Phoenix dug in deep as he closed his eyes momentarily, then opened them with a flare and started to flap his wings with a sense of urgency. Not again! The third mile marker was crossed by the six remaining pegasi that Flamerose still allowed to compete, having decided that Thunder Shade and Diamond Trail were unworthy of even considering themselves to ever be Shadowbolts. The leader’s declaration of their disqualification was quite direct: “YOU TWO WORTHLESS LUMPS, GET OUT OF MY SKY! GO BACK HOME TO YOUR MOTHERS AND HAVE THEM TURN YOU INTO SOMETHING USEFUL IN YOUR MISERABLE LIVES!” One of the assistant instructors waved their assigned flags, indicating they had been dropped. With their newfound sense of urgency behind the race they were flying, Blue Bolt, Phoenix Ember and Thunder Twirl were all surging for the lead, changing back and forth in a haphazard fashion. Noble Mist, Silver Strike and Regal Shroud were fading as they tried to keep pace with the pack that had broken away. ‘One mile left, and then we can adjust altitude a little bit. I’ve got this. I know I do! Just got to keep it up. From here on out, I could do this course blindfolded with one wing tied to my side.’ Phoenix’s thoughts kept him company under the exhaustive heat of the middle of the day. Flamerose made this as torturous of a test as he could, and it was proving to meet up to every last ounce of its billing. As if to confirm the high difficulty of this final exercise, his voice boomed through the bullhorn again. “FILLIES, THIS IS MAKING ME ANGRY! YOU THREE IN THE BACK, GO HOME! AM I BEING A RUTHLESS FLANK ABOUT THIS? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! I WANT THE BEST! ONLY THE BEST! YOU THREE IN THE FRONT MIGHT MAKE IT BACK IN TIME FOR DINNER IF YOU FLEW A LITTLE FASTER!” With the command issued and their flags now being displayed, the three trailing pegasi dropped from the sky and returned back to the castle at a slow, defeated pace. Phoenix Ember, Blue Bolt and Thunder Twirl pushed themselves harder than they had a few moments earlier with the knowledge that one of the three of them was going to win. ‘And one will lose, ‘rewarded’ with last place. That pony will have the lowest chance of getting in. It is not going to be me.’ Phoenix was resolute, from the second he left the cloud to start, he would not be the last place finisher. ‘I will not lose.’ Digging further than he had before, Phoenix managed to eek out just a little bit more effort, and surged into the lead as they approached the four mile-mark, and the opportunity to descend a little bit from their high altitudes. A younger colt was stationed at a cloud at the marker that noted the end of the straightaway.“Four miles crossed! You may now adjust your altitude, but do not drop below the height limit of 1,000 feet!” Phoenix breathed a quick sigh of relief, happy that the distance had been met, and that he was just a few lengths ahead of Blue Bolt. Ruby Glitter was standing at about the same place she had been since the race had started, and she was cheering for her favorite pegasus happily. “Come on, Rainbow Dash! Don’t let him win! You’re the fastest thing with wings! Of course, all pegasi are speedy, and you need to be to make sure you don’t get struck by lightning when you’re busy making those storms. You’re the best!” The two pegasi had finished their arcing turn, making their way back toward the location from which they started out. Phoenix Ember was keeping just slightly ahead of Rainbow Dash, almost confident that the mare behind him had no chance of catching up. Not a prayer. This was a stupid decision for her to even face me, a Shadowbolt! I just need to watch my pacing and-- A muscle in Phoenix’s right wing tensed up. He could feel the pain stab through the connecting tissues near his hips, and was doing the best he could to fight it. Doing what he was trained to do to compensate for such an instance, he stopped flapping as hard with the affected wing and switched the energy from that to the left one. Maintaining his flight path to stay stable ended up being slightly difficult; the different speed of wing flapping caused him to start turning the left, and getting dangerously close to crossing into Rainbow Dash’s lane. The cyan pegasus was not happy with how Phoenix was flying. “Hey, Shadowbolt! Every hear of giving a mare some room to fly in? Get back in your lane!” Even with the wide berth that he was given, the Shadowbolt’s flight started to become very tippy. The finish line was in sight, less than 100 feet away. Rainbow Dash was nipping at his back hooves, swaying to the left herself to avoid running headlong into Phoenix’s left back hoof. A sense of wicked desperation overcame the blue-coated stallion, and he shifted hard to the right in an attempt to center himself and get back on his marks. The attempt backfired, and Phoenix veered off to the starboard, exiting his lane. Rainbow Dash sailed ahead, no longer having any competition to deal with, crossing the finish line two seconds later. His correction send him both to the right and down quickly. Doing the best he could to slow and brace for his descent, he brought all four of his hooves out, aiming for a patch of soft grass in the courtyard. As Phoenix slowly crashed, sensations of failure and frustration started to overtake his mind. He had just gotten bested by a mare, something that he would never have allowed to happen--even in a training exercise. “FILLIES! THIS YEAR WOULD BE NICE! FASTER!” Flamerose’s grating tones rang out through the course. Phoenix wondered how the instructor didn’t end up getting his laryngitis more often for how loud he was screaming at them. With only himself, Blue Bolt and Thunder Twirl still pushing themselves onward, every inch seemed to matter more now than ever. The next set of twists and turns was the last obstacle the recruits had to encounter. It was a highly technical area, complete with sharp turns, steep angle drops and the most dangerous part of the corridor: a lightning storm overseen by another one of the many guards that helped to protect the Princesses. Blue Bolt had made up his losses from the straightaway, and zipped past Phoenix Ember. “Still too slow, Ember! Just give up!” The yellow maned colt’s attitude problem and superiority complex was starting to wear thin on both Phoenix and Thunder Twirl. “Hey, featherbrain! Shouldn’t you worry about winning the race first?” Thunder Twirl quipped, getting tired and contentedly frustrated with Blue Bolt’s wisecracking nature while in the middle of serious events such as this. The rival’s taunt seemed to fall away, not leaving a mark on the second place flier. All three took note of the technical part of the course, and entered within seconds of each other. Phoenix put a smile on his face, quickly overtaking Blue Bolt again with little to no problems, turning into the hedging part of the race course. From here, keeping an eye on the dark blue pegasus became problematic--he seemed to be using every inch of the course to his advantage, as if he had studied it multiple times before even having shown up to compete on it today. The deep blue pegasus existed out the other side of the hedging, barely a leaf anywhere on his coat. Blue Bolt was having a little less luck, his maneuverability far less skilled than was the leader’s, as he ran into the stiff leaves and branches which started to slow him down. Thunder Swirl followed behind Blue Bolt, trying to tend to the steering lines that he saw the other pegasus not fly into. Ahead of them, Phoenix was just completing a series of high speed dives and jumps, shifting through series and patterns of cloud that had been cut out just to test the capacity and visual acuity of the fliers. He was almost ready to start giggling as he approached the thundercloud, which the guard pegasus watching it started stomping in it, causing lightning to shoot out. This was the one aspect of the course that Phoenix knew he could not account for in any fashion. Lightning by its very nature was relatively unpredictable; even from the storms generated by Cloudsdale and the other members of the Weather Squadron could never be perfectly harnessed for complete control over it. Phoenix did a quick glance to the pegasus’ pattern, and continued his breakneck approach speed. The threshold of the cloud encompassed his form in shadow as he flew through it. A bolt struck merely a half-second behind where he would have been a second sooner, the heat from the discharge of oppositely-charged particles singing his tail slightly. He veered to the left, avoiding another jolt of electricity that popped up to his right. As he looked forward, the finish line came into sight, less than a quarter of a mile away. Neither Blue Bolt nor Thunder Swirl had even made any signs of catching up with him, Phoenix’s speed and consistent movements from studying the course during previous days of training time well-spent. Twenty seconds later, he shot out from under the storm cloud--unopposed. The other two racers hadn’t been seen yet, and Phoenix wasn’t about to wait for them to show up. Only the span of one thousand feet stood between him and securing a position in the Shadowbolts. Covering the distance in the same manner of urgency he realized was going to likely be at the very least an utter expectation to join the ranks of stallions like Night Storm, Speed Shot and Double Pace. The piece of vine that had been spread out for a finish line was snapped easily by his wings as he descended to the cloud that was extending from the completion of the exam course. Flamerose looked mildly amused as Phoenix took a moment to catch his breath. Then the leader of the Shadowbolts laughed. It was a hearty, full belly laugh as he looked as Phoenix Ember, his close-cut mane bristling a little bit while chuckling. “You, young colt, are going to go places one of these days. Good effort! Head back to the stables and get yourself cleaned up. Oh, before you go...let’s remove your flag from the finishers line. Take that into the barracks and place it in your locker.” Flamerose gave Phoenix a good-natured hoof to the noggin before walking back to the line, searching for the other two pegasi that he was going to take the due time to scream at when they arrived. As the colt trotted on the clouds towards the preparation area and to get a bath in the barrels after his flight, he carried his red flag, which flitted about in the gentle breezes. It was the token that almost assured him that he was going to enter into great things in the future. Shining Armor had observed Phoenix Ember’s violation of the rules and subsequent crash into the grass that was part of the large courtyard. “The winner is Rainbow Dash.” Phoenix didn’t make any sounds of complaining or pain, although his right wing was still cramping severely and affecting his capacity to fly well, if at all. He tumbled a couple of times before coming to a stop, Ruby Glitter and Princess Celestia running over to see how he was doing. Both of them judged by how he came down that what had done was definitely not something he was planning. Princess Celestia was the first to come to Phoenix’s side. “Are you alright, Phoenix?” It was natural for the alicorn to care for all of her subjects. Over the many years of her singular rule while Nightmare Moon was imprisoned inside the Moon, many burdens landed on her withers and Celestia had learned to adapt well. Seeing Phoenix in his fallen state caused a compassionate expression to form on her face as she drew nearer to the huddled pegasus. “Get away from me, Celestia!” He stood to his hooves, resting his strained wing against his side. “Everypony, just stay back!” Rainbow Dash fluttered back down to the ground, hearing Phoenix’s reaction to Celestia’s attempt to help him from his unfortunate crash. What’s up with him? Sheesh, you would think he’d be grateful that Celestia of all ponies is tending to him! Phoenix snorted a couple of times. “Let me remind you, once again, who I am. I am the last of the Shadowbolts, the lead General of them all. Your attempts to retrain me are a waste of time, as was this race meaningless.” Shining Armor had heard quite enough. “No, Phoenix Ember, this is not a waste of our time. In fact I believe that you have shown me quite a deal about the best way to deal with getting your properly re-acquainted with this world.” Celestia looked over at her Captain of the Guard with piqued curiosity. Whatever idea it was that he had just conjured up in the short flight was going to be worth hearing out. The trust level between the two had reached a point where most anything logically sounding that came from him got her approval and was put into immediate practice. “What would that idea be, Shining Armor?” “Clearly Phoenix Ember will not respect your rules, Princess. He needs somepony a little less... flexible, and I believe that making him part of the Royal Guard will be just the wake-up call he needs to snap him back into shape. It does seem a little unorthodox and I am almost confident many of my troops will not care for his attitude, or for that manner be terribly happy with me for making the decision.” After finishing his speech, Shining Armor looked over Phoenix Ember for a couple of minutes. Phoenix finished digging his hooves into the ground, ready to pounce out in a strike toward anypony who decided to act funny. He heard most of what the Captain had said and was now fixing his gaze right toward the cream-colored stallion. His wing started to ache again, the signs of inconsistent use making themselves more and more apparent. A couple of snorts came from his nostrils as he sized up the situation. “Recruits, mount up!” The three remaining pegasi stood in the barracks, two of them looking considerably more exhausted when compared to Phoenix Ember. Three flags were placed in a wood and iron stand just a few feet in front of the gathered group, all of them regarding Flamerose, a firm scowl still placed on his face. “I never thought I would get a class that has disgusted me more than you idiots have. I’m still shocked any of you managed to finish. However, you did. And by some miracle, your pathetic flanks and wings managed to prove up to the task. It is time...for the final test,” Flamerose spoke. “All of you, step forward, please--right in front of your flags.” Phoenix’s rested state allowed him to cross the small gap with relative ease, trotting as if he were merely taking an afternoon stroll. Blue Bolt’s approach was more times, balanced--and also indicative of the exhaustion that he was going through. Thunder Twirl’s walk wasn’t the most elegant as he stumbled, sweat still coursing off of his brow. “This flag, this emblem--you have carried it with you at every trial, test and examination we have thrown at you. It has represented you as much as your very commitment to putting up with the rigors of becoming the most elite of the elite has done. Now, here at the last...I will find who is the worthiest of you lot to become a Shadowbolt. Each of you will have one chance to speak to me of your loyalty to Princess Luna. Thunder Twirl, as you were the last to finish, you will be the first to speak.” Phoenix froze for a moment. All in the methods of the competitions, he had forgotten what he had really been striving after this for. Was it just for the sake of making a name for himself, so that once he had reached the pinnacle of the dreams that spurred him this far--or had it become something more genuine, a pulling drive that was eluding his grasp to put into words at a time where it was the most crucial that he do? Flamerose finished hearing Thunder’s attestation of his loyalty for Luna and the Shadowbolts. “Next, the most aggressive of this lot, Blue Bolt. I hope that your tongue is as sharp as your skills have shown themselves to be.” Blue Bolt chuckled as he stepped to the flag and began to speak, quite fluently, of who he had been born to become. The dreams that were spoken over him since his first flight as a young colt, and how he was going to be something special--unlike anything else this world had ever seen before. Phoenix became more and more mesmerized as he spoke to Flamerose; the light yellow with cerulean tips kept his attention focused on both the words and how perfect he looked for the job. ‘Dear Luna... he keeps speaking like that? What chance will I have to impress the leader? He’s been planning for this his whole life it would seem. No, Phoenix. Now is not the time to doubt. Keep your wings on your sides and speak what you feel.’ “Quite convincing, Blue Bolt. Well, the fastest of them all. Phoenix Ember. Speak of your loyalty.” Phoenix gulped as silence began to hang in the air. “My loyalty has the spark of the fire in my heart. It blossoms with a light that is greater than Celestia’s sun and only bested by the glow of Luna’s moon. I have placed all of my trust and confidence in the guardian of the Moon and Queen of the Blessed Night. If one is to ask to which extent I would reach to define how far I will go to prove that I am the best choice, consider where I came from: I am the son of two of the most reputable ponies in Canterlot. I have worked my flank off to reach the position I have today. The level of dedication and practice I have engaged in should surely give Princess Luna a moment of pause as she will not likely encounter it again in a millenia’s time. Many will try to surpass the marks that I will set--records that will be the golden standard for the next generation of Shadowbolts.” “A very interesting response, Phoenix Ember. Very well. I have decided who will become the next one to join the ranks of the Shadowbolts.” Flamerose walked around to place himself in a position where he would be able to knock down any flag he wished. Thunder Swirl’s yellow flag dropped from the place where it had been holstered, a hollow thump of an old tree hitting a tabletop made of rock. “Thunder Twirl, you are dismissed to your previous position.” The quiet sound of hooves walking away only amplified the depth of the situation that the remaining two pegasi were in. Flamerose looked between the two, taking his time before he placed his hoof to eliminate either Phoenix Ember or Blue Bolt. Celestia’s smile widened “What a unique idea, Captain. So be it. Phoenix Ember, as of this moment you are a Shadowbolt no more--I am commuting your sentence to be supervised by Captain Shining Armor as part of the Royal Guard. You will follow his orders as well as report to him.” Not waiting for any sort of reaction from the Shadowbolt, she shifted her head to look over toward Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow Dash, I know that the circumstances of your arrival here were at the very best unexpected. I’m about to do something that will probably continue that trend. As you were able to best Phoenix Ember in the race he requested, I feel that you have the best chance of providing the necessary leverage required to aid in his recuperation.” Rainbow Dash blinked a couple of time as Celestia finished her sentence. “What do you mean by that, Princess?” “You will be joining him in the ranks of the Royal Guard as well, at least for the duration of his rehabilitation. I will send notification to Ponyville and your friends that you will be our guest here for just awhile longer.” There was a stillness that hung in the air for a moment. Everypony’s eyes shifted about, each asking if they had just witnessed the same events transpire. Phoenix Ember was the first to break the silence. “You know, Celestia... a thousand years ago we would never have had such a conversation. We may not have liked each other, but I would never have thought you would strip me down to the levels of a lowly recruit in the order of your guards. I do not understand why you are--” Before the Shadowbolt could finish his sentence, he found his viewpoint of Princess Celestia interrupted by a mildly un-amused looking unicorn. Shining Armor cleared his throat gently before speaking anew. “Mister Ember, I would ask that you refrain from speaking further to the Princess unless she grants you permission. Your previous titles and privileges are revoked until I decide you are worthy of them again. Now, you and Miss Dash will both report to the Barracks immediately and wait for my arrival. Understood, Private?” Phoenix could barely believe his ears. Every neuron in his brain was struggling to accept the new information that he had been given to process. There was a fire that had been burning inside of him that was reaching a boiling point and simply needed a catalyst to help set it off. Flamerose’s hoof was poised in the air, taking deliberate time as it waved between the red and blue flags that were left to look at. Neither Phoenix nor Blue Bolt averted their eyes from the Shadowbolts’ leader that was about to decide their immediate destiny, and precisely how it would play out. The thought of a normal life compared to that of service and recognition, providing to the needs and concerns of Princess Luna and her glorious night was hanging in the balance, and the motion of only one hoof was going to make all the difference. Ten seconds later, the maroon hoof finally moved and the decision was made. The last color left standing of the flags was a bright red that represented Phoenix Ember. Blue Bolt started at the piece of fabric in a certain level of disbelief. His wings fell slack at his side as the news began to settle in. The room became very quiet, as Blue Bolt began to chuckle softly. Flamerose nodded to Phoenix as he removed his flag from its holster and set it back down on the table in front of the victorious flyer. “Phoenix Ember, congratulations. You have passed the tests--and are now officially the newest Shadowbolt. Now, as your first official duty, please report to the Throne Room to be introduced to your new brethren. Now, as for you--” His comment was cut short by a stamp of a hoof on the straw that laid on the floor. Blue Bolt stared into Flamerose’s eyes, and began his angry statement. “No. I have done all you asked of me, Flamerose, and I deserve a second chance. I have been bred for this, spent my entire life preparing myself for this moment, sir, and you are not going to steal it from me. I demand you include me with Phoenix Ember.” Phoenix took a look over at the other pegasus, shocked that he was making such a bold declaration. “Sir, request permission to deal with Blue Bolt?” Flamerose paused for the briefest of moments before saying “Request denied, Phoenix Ember." As he turned to face Blue Bolt, his face became one that was practically emotionless. “Blue Bolt. You have been dismissed. If you do not comply, I will see to it that you are purposely and forcibly ejected from Canterlot. One more pegasus that falls to the wayside doesn’t make a big difference to me. You’ve got ten seconds to turn tail and get out of here, or I will help you with your exit.” “I will do no such thing. Who do you think that you are, to dismiss a pony of my calibur?” Blue Bolt’s taunting reply finished with a snarl, incensed that this smaller and non-threatening looking stallion would have the audacity to tell him that he had no standing in the Shadowbolts, an organization that he had spent his entire life getting ready for. Blue Bolt didn’t need to wait long for his answer. Flamerose’s movement was so rapid that it didn’t even seem to leave a blur, as all of the sudden he was standing behind the arrogant colt with the flagstem pressed against his throat. The icy whisper that proceeded in the subtleness of the yellow-coated stallion’s ear only served to reinforce the disgust that the Commander felt. “I said you were dismissed, Blue Bolt. I would rather not need to send somepony to the infirmary today--but don’t think that I won’t. Now get out of here before somepony needs to drag you out by your hooves.” Blue Bolt didn’t need to be told a third time. With a haughty snort, he turned on his back hooves, kicking at the stone floor, kicking up dust and pieces of straw as he headed out with a sense of dread about what his parents were going to do when he returned home. Flamerose only nickered a little bit as he saw Blue Bolt tromp away. “If it hadn’t been for his negative attitude, I would have passed him. He didn’t seem to like you much, Phoenix. As for you, Shadowbolt, you’re dismissed. Report to the Throne Room immediately, and get to know the rest of the fliers that you’ll be with when you conduct one of the greatest tasks in Equestria--guarding the Princess of the Night.” Phoenix nodded politely. “Yes, sir.” He smiled gently and turned toward the corridor that Blue Bolt had just exited from a few moments earlier. “Understood, Captain.” The response still revealed a deep indignation and lack of respect to the Captain of the Royal Guard. He turned to look back at Canterlot Castle, wishing that he had never set hoof back here at all. Ruby Glitter was unsure how precisely this would affect her service now that Rainbow Dash was going to be training with the Royal Guard. She looked to Celestia with a confused look in her eyes. “Umm, Your Highness, what do you wish for me to do now that you’ve assigned Rainbow Dash to train with the Guard? I’m not a pegasus, so I won’t be of much help in her flying routines, much less to help keep an eye on Phoenix Ember, who looks like he’s going to be a hoof-full to wrangle and keep in line.” “Oh, Ruby Glitter, don’t worry. This transfer of place and position for either one of them is not going to affect your assignment in any detail. I still feel that you’re capable of attending to Rainbow Dash as she trains with Shining Armor and the rest of the Royal Guard.” Celestia beamed gently, no longer letting the unkind emotions from Phoenix Ember causing her any trouble. The two pegasi headed back to the Castle, ready to begin a life that was going to challenge any preconceived notions they may have had about the difficulty of being a member of the guard. These ponies were also hoof picked and pushed to the edges of their limitations. There was no slackers in this group as Phoenix Ember and Rainbow Dash would soon discover.