Nightingale followed Princess Celestia as closely as he could, not daring to find out what some ponies thought of him. He had hardly slept more than two hours before he snapped into consciousness, his mind racing at the opportunities that awaited him. He walked with a natural rhythm in his step, a flame burning bright in his heart. He had retold his story to the princesses, though he couldn’t help but hide some more gruesome details from the regal sisters, over tea last night. He had watched both mares expressions change to pure shock as they heard the rhyme to his reason.
Though he couldn’t think of that once he heard male voices from an upcoming courtyard. Princess Celestia nodded her head towards the courtyard, beckoning him to go. Nightingale simply bowed low and smiled, walking through the archway and pausing only to observe. He could see eight ponies in the courtyard. Commander Early Riser scanned over the lot, his silver eyes sharp enough to pierce stone. His helmet was resting once again under his left fore-hoof, the golden material glimmering in the early light. A purple stallion stood in a far corner of the courtyard, trying to avoid the attention of the others. A pair spoke warmly to each other, a unicorn and an earth pony, both had coats of royal blue and manes of bleached yellow. A pegasus stallion of pure white stood amidst the others, his mane made distinct only by a slightly darker tone around the edges. The remaining three were an orange earth pony with a green mane, a sky blue pegasus with a mane of blue with white streaks, and a brown earth pony with a deep green mane and tail.
“Alright,” Commander Early Riser spoke up, making the hiding unicorn jump. “each of you have arrived, so we will begin.” the blue pegasus began to jump in place, his wings fluttering with excitement. “Each of you will step up in turn and tell us all who you are and why you are here.” the jumping pegasus came to a dead stop, his smile fading into a frown. “You first, Cottontail.”
The pegasus stepped up and stood beside The Commander and spoke, “Name’s Record Scrape,” he said, his voice calm and even as he continued. “I am here to be a guard and earn some bits properly. Besides, I think it will be rather fun.”
Early Riser ushered the next stallion up, the nearly entirely white pegasus took his place. “I am Alabaster, and I am here to do what I can for Equestria through my service.” his tone was flat and lifeless, rather odd for a pegasus and his expression remained equally so.
He was replaced by the brown earth pony, who appeared to be rather strong, the muscles clearly visible as he stepped up. “My name is Spiral Bounds, and I am here to put my strength to good use.”
“Hey!” the orange earth pony popped out from behind Spiral Bounds, energy pouring out of his body as he took center stage. “You can call me Kipp, everypony else does.” he stopped to chuckle at his statement before continuing. “I came here to meet new ponies and have a blast!” The Commander simply shooed Kipp away and beckoned the next up.
The last earth pony, the one with royal blue coat and bleached yellow mane, stepped up and straightened himself before talking. His voice was low and calm, “I am Royal Light, and I am here with my brother to bring honor to our family, and aid the citizens of Equestria.” the royal blue unicorn stepped up and repeated the introduction, though he announced himself as “Regal Light”.
The final pony stepped forward, seeming content to simply stay back and watch everyone else go while he was left behind. His coat was a deep purple, bordering on black while his mane was midnight blue. His eyes were like emeralds, shimmering in the growing light though Nightingale could see fear and regret in them. “I am Midnight Walker, son of Void Walker, and I am here to honor my father’s memory.” he walked away slowly, hiding behind everypony else as Nightingale stepped up.
“My name is Nightingale,” he stated, his voice even, yet energetic. “I am here not to meet an expectation or to honor anyone. I am here to protect those that can’t protect themselves, and to prevent the misuse of power in the world.” Nightingale scanned the small crowd, finding Midnight Walker hidden behind Spiral Bounds, “I will do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal, no matter what others should think.” he stepped into the group, stopping directly beside Midnight Walker.
Commander Early Riser began to nod, his mouth set in an even line as he scanned over the recruits before him. While his features showed no emotion his eyes conveyed everything to those that knew what to look for. Those silver orbs passed over each recruit, the look changing from curiosity to disgust, to irritation, to pride, to gratefulness, and Nightingale watched each little change, recognizing most as he straightened his posture and set his own mouth in a line.
The Commander’s eyes suddenly widened as he looked over each head, he began to mouth something but stopped as a new voice rang out. “Not bad, gents.” each head spun around and focused on the mare that had appeared from nowhere. Some took note of the little filly resting on her back, sound asleep. “They seem promising to me, Riser.” she laughed as The Commander began pushing stallions aside as he approached the mare. “What’s the matter, Riser, can’t we come and say hello?”
Most of the recruits were waiting, some in more anticipation than others, for the gates of Tartarus to open. Commander Early Riser wasn’t known for his colorful behavior, but rather for his strict action and nearly cruel tasking, and this mare had just waltzed in while he was working. Several stepped back, fearing they might get caught in the crossfire or becoming the target of residual rage.
“You can always say hello,” Early Riser began, his tone soft and calm, “but did you have to bring her here? This isn’t the place for a little filly.”
The mare chuckled, nudging the filly on her back, “She wanted to see what her daddy does, Riser.” she looked up at The Commander, her eyes growing to the size of dinner plates. “Is that such a crime, officer?”
Commander Early Riser grimaced at the teasing he was receiving, “Do you have to do that, Moonstruck?” he questioned, fighting the blush from his face.
Moonstruck giggled as she felt the filly stir on her back, “What call you ‘officer’?” Early Riser nodded. “Then yes, yes I do, just to see that cute little blush of your’s.” Several of the recruits broke out into laughter at the show they were being given. Moonstruck narrowed her eyes and moved the filly beside Early Riser with a swing of her wing. Her coat matched that of Alabaster, and her mane and tail were a sparkling silver as she strode up to the recruits. “Silence!” she barked, effectively silencing the group. “Now listen up, and listen good, because I will only say this once. You all will obey your orders without question, and should I show up you have better pray that I be merciful. I know how to thoroughly run you until you collapse, and I am far from afraid to do just that. Do I make myself clear?”
Every head began to nod, some more furiously than others, trying desperately not to get back on good standing with Moonstruck. “That you are, Ma’am.” each head turned to see the fool who had spoken up. Commander Early Riser resisted smacking his head with a hoof as he stared at the dragon. Nightingale only watched Moonstruck walk up to him with a curious look in her eyes.
“So Riser wasn’t joking about a dragon wanting to join.” her eyes darted up and down Nightingale’s figure, her eyes stopping on several of the worse scars. She couldn’t help but freeze her gaze at the missing chunk from Nightingale’s tail, and the large bite mark on his left shoulder. “What is your name, soldier?”
“Nightingale, Ma’am.” he stated, bowing his head in respect. “Might I ask what the name of that filly is?”
Moonstruck chuckled at the startled expressions several of the stallions wore and decided against scaring them even more. “That filly is my daughter, Star Gazer, why do you ask?”
“I am not from around here, and back in the mountains family wasn’t that highly valued. I am glad to see an attentive parent, is all.”
“Would you like to meet her?”
Nightingale shot to awareness at the question, shock written on his face. He hadn’t thought that a mare would ever let a dragon near her child, yet here one was offering for him to meet her daughter. “I would be honored, Ma’am.” he bowed low, silently hoping that this wasn’t some kind of test.
“Well then, let’s get a move on, recruit. Don’t keep the little miss waiting.” Moonstruck gave him a quick kick towards her daughter, a smile forming quickly on her face. Only when Nightingale stood over Star Gazer did he look back as Moonstruck, confusion clear on his face as he hesitated to even look at the child. “She won’t bite, or not like that at least.” she said, pointing to Nightingale’s left shoulder.
Nightingale turned his head and found two lavender eyes staring at him. He couldn’t help but stare back at the orchid colored filly. Her mane and tail were silver, with only a few odd stripes of purple to differentiate them from those of her parents.She had a small horn poking out of her mane like her father, and Nightingale had guessed that was were a ponies magic came from since no other kind of pony seemed to use magic. Star Gazer pointed a hoof at Nightingale, and began to squeak while moving her forelegs as if to embrace him.
Nightingale kneeled down in front of Star Gazer, his blue eyes never leaving her lavender ones. He showed her his hand, his palm facing the sky as Star Gazer poked and prodded at it with a hoof. She closed her mouth around one of the scaled digits, though her still growing teeth hardly left a mark on the scales. Nightingale pulled his finger away from the filly and sat down, his legs crossed in front of him, as he spoke slowly, “Hello little one,” he sounded oddly hypnotic, as if magic flowed through his voice, “my name is Nightingale, and I hear your’s is Star Gazer. Is that right?” Star Gazer nodded enthusiastically, the magical voice enticing her to listen on. “Well, I am sure we will see each other again someday. Until then, you behave for your parents, Ok? You don’t know how lucky you are to have them.”
Nightingale backed away from Star Gazer, tears forming in his eyes as he watched her smile and nod. He said his thanks to Early Riser and Moonstruck before rejoining the group of recruits. He watched Moonstruck gather Star Gazer onto her back and kiss Early Riser on the cheek before departing, a smile on both fading faces.
Commander Early Riser refocused on the group before him, trying to make himself appear like the figure of intimidation he had before. The smile didn’t leave his face as he spoke, “I want all of you to pair up, groups of two, get to it.”
The brothers, Royal Light and Regal Light, walked away from each other with only a nod, searching for the one that would give them a challenge. Kipp was pulled aside by Commander Early Riser and moved beside Alabaster, the regal pegasus only blinking as his partner was chosen for him. Royal Light approached Record Scrape and rather quickly decided that they would make an interesting team. This left Regal Light with Spiral Bounds, the two hardened ponies not even arguing at their pairing.
Nightingale had watched Midnight Walker shrink away whenever a pony passed him, though he had yet to notice Nightingale standing directly behind him. Nightingale cleared his throat, trying his best not to startle the stallion more than he already was. Midnight Walker turned on a dime, his eyes wide with surprise. “Seems like you and I are partners.” Nightingale pointed out as Midnight Walker looked for a way out of the odd scenario. Nightingale reached out a hand, “My name is Nightingale. Since we are partners, why not be friends?” he said, the word was stale, unused for so long.
Midnight Walker stared at the outstretched limb and considered the offer. “That would be best.” he said, shaking the outstretched limb. A smile grew on his features as he spoke, “Happy to call you so, Nightingale. Let’s catch whatever The Commander has left to say.”