//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10 
// Story: Blazing Wings 
// by FriscoPony 
//------------------------------//

 	Night guard duty didn’t prove to be as much of a punishment as Hurricane and Winter had predicted; they actually enjoyed it. They saw it as a time to relax, and recollect themselves under the navy-violet sky dotted by white stars. Most of the lights were out, except for the lights at the night post and the lights of the Commanders offices. It was peaceful however, and they did enjoy that fact. 
Midway through the week, Winter and Hurricane were on watch as usual; but this time they were not relaxing this night, as what filled their mind was the thought of Storm Sky.
“Do you think they’ll ever actually take him in for a trial?” asked Winter curiously. Hurricane merely scratched his ear with his hoof.
“I honestly don’t know,” he said in reply. “He is a very high rank in the Royal Guard and almost no one bothers him, or raises a finger against him, not even Shining Armor. This isn’t the first time he’s been under suspicion for a crime however.”
Winter was shocked to hear this as he thought this was only because Hurricane was going into the Air Brigade, it turned out there was much more to the story. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“You know the old saying ‘if the right hoof fits’ right?” Hurricane began, “Well let’s just say because he is in the proper place he has gotten away with a lot of things.”
“Like what?” asked Winter now intrigued.
“Commands that he says that are from Celestia herself, when they are not related to anything, Recommendations for demotions, imprisonment, even exile for anypony he wants,” said Hurricane sitting on the ground.
“Why didn’t he imprison you?” asked Winter. 
Hurricane merely put a hoof under his snout, “he didn’t want to sell out the family name in case I joined the Royal Guard at the last minute. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled out a full on attack or decommissioning of the Air Brigade, that’s how much respect and authority he has unfortunately. 
Winter merely shook his head in disgust with himself, knowing that he was helping a criminal. “If only I knew all of this before I did what I did, maybe I wouldn’t have done it,” said Winter closing his eyes in regret. “If only-“
“Don’t worry,” said Hurricane stopping him midsentence. “Nopony is perfect, everypony makes mistake, some more than others, ya know?”
Winter raised his head and gave a little smile of confidence. “I guess you’re right,” he said looking at his best friend.
Hurricane smiled back. “Don’t worry, I forgive you.”
“KYAAAHHHHHH!” called Comet as she tackled Hurricane from above. “Miss me hurry?” she said with a flirtatious look in her eyes.
Hurricane laughed. “I do admit,” he said, “Things aren’t quite the same when you’re not around. What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?”
Comet smiled, “I just wanted to see what you stallions were up to; and besides, a mare’s gotta get up get out if you know what I mean. I can’t just sit in a dorm all night when I can’t sleep.”
“You probably should go get some sleep Comet,” he said. “Besides, tomorrow Shining Amor comes and gives his annual inspection of the Academy.” Then Winter got a very serious and vengeful look in his eyes. “Hurricane and I will be meeting up with him to see if we can possibly imprison him and try him for treason and scandals.”
Hurricane knew that he had to do this, but he couldn’t get the thought out of his head that they were actually going through with it. He had a very doubting look in his eyes. Comet couldn’t help but notice as she looked at him with sympathy. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” she asked. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to, I mean, he’s your dad.”
Hurricane turned to look at her. “I know he’s my dad,” he said, “but he is also a criminal, and he tried to destroy my dreams. I have to do this Comet.”
Comet smiled, “Ok Hurry,” she said, “and don’t worry, no matter what, I’ll always be here for you.” With that, she leaned him and gently kissed him. Hurricane broke open the lightest blush that Winter had ever seen.
“Not your marefriend huh?” said Winter with a teasing look. 
Hurricane rolled his eyes, “Oh shut up,” he said kissing Comet back.
~~~
“Commander on deck!” called the captains as Shining Armor stepped from his carriage fresh from Canterlot. He wore his official captain’s armor of painted gold, with a bright yellow gem in the shape of Celestia’s solar cutie mark. All the ponies were lined a straight row to let him pass, all 500 of them. Salutes immediately flew up when Shining Armor, raising his hoof, saluted the Academy flag. 
“At ease,” called Shining Armor. He then walked up to Ace, firmly saluted him. Ace also saluted him back. The stallions then lowered their hooves, and gave each other a firm hoofshake. “It is a pleasure to have you here at the Air Brigade Academy,” said Ace smiling. 
“No,” said Shining Armor putting his hoof on Ace’s shoulder, “the pleasure is mine. Everything appears to be in order as when I left it last month.” 
Ace nodded, “Indeed it is, do you want to inspect the grounds or do you prefer to see them in action.”
Shining Armor raised his hoof, “actually, no training session viewings are required. I would like to inspect the grounds and also speak with you on the matters that I have heard about. You may dismiss the cadets.”
Ace was confused, but he agreed nonetheless. “That’s all cadets!” he sounded off to the group.
“We soar through the skies as one!” called the commanders.
“For All Equestria!” replied the 500
“Dismissed!” replied Ace.
“Yes Sir!”
~~~
“Let me review what I have heard,” said Shining Armor looking at Winter and Hurricane, “Hurricane, I’ve known you since you were young, as I’m sure you remember us both playing together whenever I came over.”
“Yes, I do sir,” he said. “I wanted to be just like you, and my father smiled. I remember Twilight coming over as well to play with me as well.”
“Yes,” he said. “Your father I have known for a very long time, as he is a very respected leader, however, if what you say is true, it could change everything.”
“I am a witness firsthand of some of his crimes, including of the former head commander Cloud Storm,” said Hurricane.
Cloud Storm was a respected leader. He was the one who inspired Shining Armor, and he was also a respected leader during the Dark Pony war. When he was accused of betrayal for crimes dating back to the war, he was sent in exile.
Shining Armor walked over to Hurricane with a rather serious yet angered look in his eyes. “Cloud Storm was exiled on war criminal charges,” said Shining Armor. 
“That’s what you think,” he said. “He was never under war crimes at all. I remember looking through his records when dad would take me to the Royal Guard library where only high ranks of the Royal Guard are allowed into. Cloud Storm was never a traitor, he even busted another traitor during the dark pony war.”
“He does speak the truth,” chimed in Ace. “I remember him taking a traitor out of camp and sending him back to Canterlot for trial, as I am the one who arrested one of the traitors. I may be 28, and the dark pony war may have been 10 years ago, but I do still remember the traitor. He was a squad mate of mine sir.”
Shining Armor then looked at Winter Chaser. “What exactly did he promise you that he would do when you did this crime?” asked Shining Armor. 
“He offered me a high honor in the Royal Guard,” replied Winter. “Even though I have done nothing to deserve such an honor. I wasn’t thinking, it was a stupid mistake.”
Shining Armor sympathized with him. “Don’t worry its ok,” said Shining Armor. “It is understandable as a Stallion of your age is liable to make those mistakes.” He then turned around to face the three commanders. “It does appear that this is a legitimate scandal, I will return to Canterlot and assess the situation immediately.”
“Thank you sir,” said Ace. He then turned around and looked out at the hills to see a dark lining around the clouds followed by dust kicking up behind it. “Sir, what is that?” asked Ace showing Shining Armor the dark lining.
“I don’t know, it could be a stampede,” said Shining Armor. “There is a cow farm not far from here.”
“There has never been a stampede on these hills, as they are much too steep,” chimed Blazing Sun. While they were discussing what it was, the lining grew thicker, and longer. Stonewall then dashed into the office.
“Sir, we have a situation,” he said frantically.
“Go on, what is it?” asked Ace.
“It’s the royal guard sir,” he said. 
“What about the Royal Guard,” asked Shining Armor.
“They’re attacking the Academy, and they are being led by Storm Sky!”
“Dear sweet Celestia,” said Shining Armor looking out the window at the advancing guards, “It’s the dark pony war all over again.”
“What are your orders sirs?” asked Stonewall.
“Defend the Academy at all costs; do not let them get to the main building,” Ace replied with a determined look in his eyes, “even if you have to kill them to do it.”
“What about us sir?” asked Hurricane.
Ace looked at Winter and Hurricane a look of confidence and more determination, he knew he was about to tell them was hard to accept, but he knew that it was of the utmost necessity. “I need you to find your dad and bring him into custody.”
“What if he doesn’t cooperate and attacks?” asked Hurricane.
“Kill him.”