//------------------------------// // Day 2 of Training // Story: Continuing the Dream // by Blue Breeze //------------------------------// Author's Note: For anyone who may not have read my blog, I'm starting to hit writer's block yet again. I would really appreciate getting some ideas from you guys. I've got a few, but I'm still trying to figure out how to work those in. And to Ice, I kinda had to fill in the blanks of how your powers work on my own, so that's why things may sound strange about them. Now, on with the story(wonder how long before this dies again.). The next day It was our second day of training and I was ready to give Ice another wake up call. I walk into his room, ready my megaphone and... "IT'S TIME FOR MORE TRAINING! GET UP AND GET READY, YOU MAGGOT!" But despite how loud I screamed, Ice just continues to lay there. He begins to rustle and get up. He stretches and looks at me with a grin. I finally notice he's wearing earmuffs. Sneaky... "HA! I was ready for you this time!" he shouts. He takes off the earmuffs and gets up. "So, what's on the agenda for today?" "Just go down stairs and eat some breakfast." I say grumpily, pointing to the door. We both head down stairs and start eating breakfast. I had prepared toast this time. Sorta ironic how I train Ice as hard as I do and still feed him. Whatever. As we eat, I come to a realization. "Have you ever thought about getting a job?" I ask Ice. "And why would I need a job? I live here with you." Well, somepony wants to be a pain in the flank. "Oh, where should I begin? I can't afford to pay for the both of us, you need something to do on days I can't train you, and you can't take Vinyl out on dates without money." He sighs. "Alright, I hear ya. But where can I get a job?" "Don't know, but I can go help you go looking for one tomorrow." "Sounds good." we both finish our breakfast and head outside. "So, what kind of training are we doing today? I hope not more hoof to hoof combat." "Nah, we're going to focusing on power control today." "Sweet!" We make our out to the baren area from yesterday's training. I had come out here a bit earlier to get things set up ahead of time. "Okay, first thing's first, do you have any idea on how to control your powers?" He frowns. "No, nothing." "Well, that's okay. It took me a while before I could properly control mine. I was on my own when I did it, but I'll be here to help you." "So, what are we gonna do?" "First thing we need to work on is energy control. These powers come from magical energy within a pony's body. Everypony has magic in their body, but you and I have a far larger amount than anypony else, other than unicorns that is." I explain to him. "My powers come from energy in my wings. I just build up energy in my wings, and there you have it. For you, I've seen your powers in action, and I can tell your powers mainly revolve around your hooves and your horns." "Hmm, now that you mention it, I could feel a sensation around my hooves and horns everytime my powers go off." he says in understanding. "See what I mean? So, the first thing I want you to do is to relax your body and do some deep breathing exercises." "What for?" "For this to work, you need to have complete control over every action in your body, including breathing." "Okay, I'll try." He exhales and starts breathing. In and out, in and out, in and out... This is starting to sound suggestive. Let's move this along. "Good. Now, I want you to close your eyes and clear your mind of all thoughts. You must also control your thinking to do this. Control over your mind equals control over your body." He closes his eyes and, I assume, starts clearing his thoughts. "Good. Last step: I want you to try and build energy in your front hooves and stomp one of them on the ground." "Got it." he replies. 'Focus. Focus.' His hooves start giving off a cold mist as he builds energy in them. He takes his right hoof and stomps it, making a small ice pillar shoot up. His eyes and mouth widen in excitement. "Hey, I did it!" "Yeah, it's actually pretty 'cool'." I joke. He groans. "Ugh, I hate ice puns." The pillar disperses in an instant. "Anyway, that was pretty good. Now that you've got simple energy control down, it's time to move onto using your powers in combat." I point off to the open. "As you can see, I've set up some scarecrows to use as practice dummies." "Where'd you get the scarecrows?" "Oh, nowhere special. Just don't tell Applejack I've got them." don't judge me. I needed dummies and didn't have any other ideas. He stifles a laugh. "Sure thing." "Let me demonstrate how I use my powers on one of these dummies." I unfirl my wings and build up energy in them. They begin to glow white as energy build up increases. I flap my wings and send some waves towards one of the scarecrows, cutting it with an X shape. "There you go." I say with a smirk. "Nice." "I know. Now, I want you to do what you did during the first exercise, only instead of your hooves, I want you to charge energy in your horns. Think you can do that?" I just hope this does what I think it's gonna do. "Sure thing." He starts concentarting as his two horns begin to give off a mist of their own. The air itself next to him begins to slowly freeze and turn into a sharp ice crystal. "Woah. Never did that before." Ice says. "Now, try throwing it at that scarecrow over there." I direct while pointing. He scrunches his eyes. He leans his head forward, throwing the ice shard towards the scarecrow and stabbing it through the chest. "Nice work." I congratulate him. "Wow. That was pretty sweet." Just then, we hear some hoofsteps in the distant as three figures approach. Who should it be but the Cutie Mark Crusaders? They rush up to me with smiles on their faces. "Hey, Blue." they say. Again with the unison thing. "Hey, girls." "This that Ice feller you were tellin' us about?" Apple Bloom asks. "Yep." "Who are these three?" Ice asks in confusion. "These are the Cutie Mark Crusaders." I explain. "Apple Bloom, Applejack's little sister. Sweetie Belle, Rarity's little sister. And Scootaloo, their friend." "Okay, but why are they here?" "I asked them to help us with target practice. Don't worry, they know about my powers and have been able to keep it a secret so far. Right, girls?" "Mmhmm." they reply. "Hey, aren't those the scarecrows Applejack said were missin'?" Apple Bloom asks, noticing the scarecrows. "Moving right along!" I scream, pushing the crusaders over in the distance. "Okay, now we're going to work on hitting a moving target." I begin to explain. "While we stand over here, the girls are going to throw targets in the air for us to hit." "Sounds good to me." Ice begins to conjure up another ice shard. "Ready when you are." "Okay, and THROW!" I shout to the crusaders. They throw the first target into the air, and Ice hits it dead on. "Nice shot." "Heh, no sweat." "No sweat, eh? Then how about we have a little competition?" "I'm listening." he says with intrigue. "Let's have a contest, the first to hit five targets wins." "Oh, you're so on." "Alright. Sweetie Belle, you keep score! Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, you throw out targets!" "Got it!" they reply. Since it'd be boring to go through the entire competition, let's just skip ahead. Ice and I were tied at four to four. The heat was high(hope Ice doesn't melt) and we were both eager to win. "THROW!" I shout. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom each throw our targets into the air. We each fire our attacks and... *BAM* We each hit them at the exact same time. Ice and I both look at each other and smile. "Good game." I say, extending a hoof. Ice brohoofs me. "Same to you." "Now, how's about we all go get some lunch at Olive's Garden? My treat!" The crusaders all shout will glee as they take off running, Ice following behind them. I gotta admit, this being Ice's trainer thing is going much better than I expected. But his lazy flank better get a job soon.