//------------------------------// // Lessons // Story: Dark Cloud // by D5ky //------------------------------// C'mon, everypony! Take 'em down! ordered Rainbow Dash from the sidelines. Make me believe you're fighting for your lives! Her soldiers ran forward, meeting the other group with full force. They showed no mercy; this was a full-contact drill, after all. Silver Spire, cut around to the right side, Fluttershy's voice carried across the field. There're weaker soldiers there; you'll be able to cut through. Silver Spire looked around, but didn't move immediately. Instead, he sent one final blow towards his current opponent, which missed. Another opponent took the opportunity to attack. Silver Spire received a blow to the temple, and he collapsed on the ground, completely unconscious. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had met up a couple of days after training began, and decided the best way to get practical application was to take on each other. Fluttershy was losing, but only because of the way some members of her squadron still looked at her. She growled in frustration. "Why won't any of these ponies trust me?" she said under her breath. It was safer to say it aloud than to think it. You see, the thought sending abilities aren't limited to only Celestia's security team. They are given to any group of ponies who are working together militarily. But you can only communicate with those you are working with. Even if somepony else has the spell on them, unless you're working with them, you can't send your thoughts to them. Both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had been linked to their squadrons. It only took a couple more minutes for Rainbow Dash's squad to win. "The enemy has been neutralized, Commander Dash," Big Mac informed her. "All right!" Dash whooped. "That was even better than practice yesterday!" The unicorn medic chose that moment to begin reviving all of the unconscious ponies, and to ensure there was no lasting damage. Since she had lost, Fluttershy's soldiers were first to be healed. Silver Spire stood up, and began to stalk away. Mentally preparing herself, Fluttershy flew after him. She caught up with him quickly, and landed hard directly in front of him. "Just where do you think you're going?" she asked, in a menacing voice. "I haven't dismissed you yet." "I'm going back to the barracks. This is pointless," Silver Spire replied. "I order you to turn around and rejoin the others this instant," she said, her voice even stronger now. "No," Silver Spire said again, glaring at her. Fluttershy inwardly cursed. She thought back to her first day with her squad, wishing for the thousandth time that she hadn't ruined her first impression so horribly. "So... They're in here?" Fluttershy asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Yep," replied General Iron Hooves, who was leading her up to a set of doors. "Some are new, some are veterans. I leave them to you, Commander Fluttershy." He trotted back the way they had come and out of sight. Gulping rather hard, Fluttershy walked through the doors. About thirty ponies were spread throughout the room. Some were large, strong-looking stallions. Others were medium-sized stallions. There were only two mares, though they both looked a lot stronger than she was. She approached the group, apprehensively. One of the larger stallions noticed her. "What? Does somepony have a message for us?" he asked, in a deep, strong voice. "Do you know where our Commander is?" "I--" she stuttered, slightly intimidated. "I'm... y-your commander." The stallion looked as though he had been clubbed over the head. "...You?" he asked in disbelief. His thoughts were clear in his voice; he didn't see her as military potential in the slightest, and the fact that she was his commander was practically an insult. "Seriously?" It hadn't gotten any better that day. She spent the next several hours reinforcing her soldier's belief that she was a nervous wreck. That night, she had silently cried herself to sleep, wondering why she, of all ponies, had been chosen to lead a squad of soldiers whose trust she did not have. She was much less nervous the next day, however, and her military training of the few days beforehand had kicked in. She began putting them through rigorous physical training, in order to get the weaker ones more shaped up. In order to improve morale, she did it with them, and was surprised to find that she wasn't getting worn out. Something began to change in Fluttershy. The way she viewed the world changed completely, and that in turn changed her personality and tendencies. She glared at Silver Spire. "I will have you court-martialed for insubordination, Private!" she yelled. Her stutter and quiet manner had vanished entirely, and her resemblance to Rainbow Dash when she had played Commander Hurricane was suddenly quite striking. Silver Spire's eyes widened. The quiet little mare who had walked into that room earlier in the week was gone. A ferocious battle commander now stood before him, ready to tear him apart. "Now," Fluttershy continued, her voice dangerously low, "you go back over there. Right. Now." Private Silver Spire glared at her for another moment before whipping around and stalking back to the large group. When the medical pony had finished reviving them all, Fluttershy addressed her soldiers. "That was the most pathetic thing I've ever seen from you," she snarled. "You were slaughtered. I've trained you to be better than this. Silver Spire! Why didn't you fall back and circle around when I ordered you to?" He hesitated for a moment. "I saw an opening in the guy in front of me. I thought I could finish him off. But instead, one of his buddies got me." "Feint Heart!" Fluttershy snapped, moving on without comment. "I ordered you to move in deeper. Why didn't you?!" "I didn't think I could make it with the two guys I was fighting there." "No, you could've easily made it," Fluttershy berated him. "Is anyone smart enough to have seen the pattern yet?" "They didn't listen to you, Commander Fluttershy," one of the mares announced. "Precisely," Fluttershy said, her teeth gritted. "When I give you an order, I expect that order to be carried out immediately, without question! Understood?!" "Understood, Commander!" her soldiers chorused in unison. "We'll see about that," she said. "Be back here at 1500 for more practice. Dismissed!" They broke ranks, filing back towards the makeshift barracks that had been installed just outside Canterlot. Fluttershy rubbed her eyes, unable to determine why they were hurting so much. Next moment, Rainbow Dash had flown over. "I didn't know The Stare worked on ponies, too!" she said, in awe. Fluttershy's eyes widened. "Was that what I was doing?" She said, surprised. Then the dots connected. "That's why my eyes hurt..." "I'll bet they do," Dash said. "I'm surprised the guys you yelled at didn't melt into puddles!" Part of her, the part of her that was still the timid, shy, caring pony she used to be, felt guilty about subconsciously using her stare on her soldiers. The rest of her, the military commander, felt as though she had a powerful weapon nopony else could ever have. "That's how I can get them to obey me..." she said. Rainbow Dash considered her. "You've changed, Fluttershy," she said, her face serious. "Something's changed you..." "Being a military Commander?" Fluttershy supplied, helpfully. "...I'm not sure I like it," Dash said. Fluttershy raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Rainbow Dash was always the one who had been the most exasperated when Fluttershy was timid or scared. How could she not like the change? As if she had read Fluttershy's thoughts, Dash continued. "I mean, it's great that you can finally stand up for yourself and all. Really. But leading soldiers isn't something you want to do through fear." "What does that mean?" Fluttershy asked, slightly annoyed. "You want me to stop making them obey my orders?" "No, no," Dash said, waving a hoof. "You need them to obey you, I understand that. But I don't think The Stare should be the only thing motivating them to obey you." "But if I don't use it, they just see me as the shy pony who couldn't get them to do anything!" she said. "You need to re-earn their trust," Rainbow said, turning to leave, "by not using the stare." "What will that accomplish?" Fluttershy asked. Rainbow Dash spread her wings, preparing to take off. "It'll show them that they have your trust," she replied. She then took off, soaring through the air back towards Canterlot. (=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=) Ventus walked through the empty hallways, searching for somepony. He had just finished addressing the group of commanders that had been assigned to him. Three of them were stallions that had been on his security force. He was fairly confident that all six commanders would be able to lead well and do what they're told. The seventh one assigned to him, he was less sure about. He had been given charge of Discord, god of chaos. He hadn't shown up until ten minutes after the meeting began, and when he did show up, he had come riding a pogo stick. Just as Ventus had opened his mouth to ask what the heck was going on, fifty more riderless pogo sticks burst through the door at once. They bounced around the war room, smashing into walls, commanders, and the holo-projector. It had taken nearly twenty minutes to subdue the pogo sticks, fix the holo-projector, and get the meeting back on track. Sighing to himself, Ventus walked through hallway after hallway, peering into rooms as he passed by. Eventually, he ran into General Iron Hooves. "I've been looking for you," Iron Hooves said. "My grandfather got home half an hour ago. You can talk to him." "Thank you," Ventus replied, before hurrying down flights of stairs through the palace. As he approached the entrance hall, he almost ran headlong into a mare who unexpectedly rounded a corner in front of him. The moment after he had dodged her, he recognized her; it was Twilight. "Oh, hey," he said, embarrassed. "Sorry, didn't see you coming." She didn't respond, simply narrowing her eyes at him before continuing on as if nothing had happened. Ventus sighed yet again. The same thing four days running now. Twilight had refused to speak to him ever since the war council. He had tried apologizing, but it didn't change anything. Truth be told, it was actually she whom he had been searching for earlier. How could she forgive me so easily on the train, but not over this? he wondered to himself. Then, he remembered where he had been going. He raced out of the palace, and into the streets. It didn't take long for him to reach Iron Hooves' place. They lived in the northern end of town, close to the police station, which was not far from the palace. He knocked upon arriving, waiting a minute before the old crimson stallion opened the door. His eyes widened, then narrowed in plain hatred. "What do you want?" He snarled. "To ask you some questions," Ventus replied. "Can't it wait?" Iron Hooves asked. "I just got back. I'm a one-hundred-ten-year-old unicorn. I'm exhausted..." "I'm a one-hundred-ten-year-old unicorn too," Ventus pointed out. "And no, it can't wait." "Very well, very well," Iron Hooves said impatiently. "Come in then." Ventus crossed the threshold into the entryway, and Iron Hooves closed the door behind them. "So," Iron Hooves said when they had seated themselves in the living room. "What questions do you have, old bag?" Ventus ignored Iron Hooves' slur on his age. "You called me something just before you got off the train," he dove in immediately. "I need to know... what a demon is." Iron Hooves remained silent for a long, long while. "I'm not the pony you should be talking this through with," he said. "Others will be able to help you, but I'm afraid I'm not allowed to speak of demons." "Why not?" Ventus asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's a long story," Iron Hooves said. "But I can direct you to someone who can help you. They call him The Shadow. He lives in Detrot, and he's the smartest stallion I've ever known. Find him, and he can tell you all about them." "How do I know you're telling the truth?" Ventus asked, suspiciously. Of course, he already knew Iron Hooves' words were true, but he still asked, just to see what would come out. "That fact that you guys are already sick of me as it is," he replied, coolly. "Pretty sure if I lied to you, you'd find some excuse to take my memories." "You've never spoken truer words," Ventus admitted. He pretended to reach a conclusion. "Very well, then. Who is this 'Shadow?'" (=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=) "Gather round, everypony!" Fluttershy called out. Her squad ceased talking amongst themselves, and turned to face her. "This is the last day we get to do this!" she announced. "Rainbow Dash's platoon leaves for Manehattan this afternoon. We only have one more chance to show her up!" "We're doomed," Feint Heart whispered to the stallion beside him. Luckily for him, Fluttershy hadn't heard. "I want you all to follow my orders this time," she said. "No hesitation. Don't question it. If I tell you to do something, not only will you stay safe, but it will be a good tactical move. Understand?" "Understood," the soldiers all replied. "Good," Fluttershy said. "Battle starts in two minutes. Feint Heart, you start by going around the east side..." (=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=) "He was telling the truth, Princess," Ventus informed Celestia. "I request a temporary leave of absence from the military to find this pony." "Your request is granted," Celestia said. "I believe we need to know what these 'demons' are. You, however, still need to transport the troops to Manehattan this afternoon." "I remember," he said. "Detrot isn't too far from Manehattan, assuming I'm allowed to go as fast as I want now." "Of course you are," Celestia said. "This is war. Speed is the least of any pony's concerns right now." "Thank you," Ventus replied. "I'll try to return here as quickly as I can." (=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=) "Three... two... one..." The medical unicorn let out a blast from his horn like cannonfire, and the two platoons of soldiers charged at each other. Immediately, both commanders began giving out orders. Group Two, fall back and let Group Four in, Fluttershy commanded. Then you guys go assist Group Five. To her surprise, Group Two immediately fell back, allowing Group Four, which was a little bit stronger, to attack. It had been exactly as she had envisioned it. The battle continued in this fashion for a while. Rainbow Dash finally seemed to be on the losing side. With their morale improved by how badly they were annihilating Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy's soldiers continued to carry out her orders flawlessly. "What the hay?" Dash whispered to herself, confused as to how yesterday she had annihilated Fluttershy with ease, but today, her soldiers barely seemed able to make a scratch in the others. She continued calling out orders, but it was practically pointless. Soon, she only had three soldiers left; Big Mac, Spike, and a large Earth Pony stallion. Even they were having struggles, despite their strength and endurance being far superior to anypony else present. The Earth Pony went down first, and Big Mac quickly followed. However, Spike, probably due to his incredibly strong exterior, didn't seem like he was going down anytime soon. Knockout gas, please, Fluttershy thought to a unicorn stallion close by. With pleasure, Commander, the unicorn replied. He stepped forward, and enveloped Spike in a yellow cloud of smoke. When it subsided, Spike was out cold. "Now that is how you fight a battle!" Fluttershy exclaimed in jubilation. Her soldiers began cheering alongside her. Not a single one of them had been knocked out. There were a couple of minor surface wounds, but no serious damage had been done. Silver Spire approached her. "I... I want to apologize..." he mumbled, "...for everything. You're a brilliant commander, Fluttershy. I'm sorry I never even gave you a chance." "Thank you," she said, giving a small smile. In victory, Fluttershy realized how she had been acting over the last few days. When her soldiers hadn't been performing exemplary, she had resorted to brute force to get them to obey her. But she realized now that wasn't the way to lead. Regaining their confidence had not only worked a thousand times better, but she was no longer yelling at them. And she liked it. Rainbow Dash walked up. "Were you holding back on me before?" she asked, eyes wide. "You weren't even using your stare, and you slaughtered me!" "I just took your advice," Fluttershy replied, smiling. "I convinced them to trust me by showing my trust in them - not using the stare." "Did you tell them you didn't realize you were doing it?" Dash asked, glumly. Fluttershy smiled mischievously. "I may have left that minor detail out," she said. "Well, thanks for destroying my soldier's morale right before we're deployed," Rainbow Dash sighed. Obviously, not just her soldiers' morale had been crushed. "No problem," Fluttershy said. "If you ever need morale crushed again, I'll be more than happy to help." "Very funny," Dash growled, before turning and heading back to her soldiers. "Pack it up, boys. We're headed for Manehattan now. I want everypony at the train station in fifteen minutes." Fluttershy turned back to her soldiers. "You guys take the rest of the day off," she said, in a moment of inspiration. "No training today. You guys were amazing." "Seriously?" Silver Spire asked, eyes wide. "Seriously," Fluttershy repeated. "Now, you'd all better get out of here before I change my mind." They dispersed, still not willing to believe it. Fluttershy smiled as she trotted away from them. "It's nice to be able to be kind to them..." (=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=)(=) "Commander Vortex, Commander Rain-- er, Commander Dash, I mean. Your squads both here?" They nodded. "And Rarity?" "I'm here, she said. "Cool," Ventus said, stowing away the list. "Everyone on. Sit wherever, as long as it's not the back car." As everyone filed over to the train, Rarity noticed a purple something standing slightly taller than the others. She approached it, realizing who it was a moment later. "Spike?" she said, surprised. "Hey, Rarity!" he greeted her brightly. "What... what are you doing here?" she asked. "I'm part of Rainbow Dash's squadron," Spike informed her. "We've been assigned to Manehattan." "You're fighting in the war?!" Rarity exclaimed. "Of course I am," Spike affirmed, slightly affronted. "Did you honestly expect me to sit at home and do nothing after what's happened?" "But-- Celestia didn't have me make any armor for you!" "The armor's being made out of dragon scales, Rarity. I don't need it." They stood in silence for a brief moment. "Well... in that case..." Rarity began, hesitantly. "If it's not too much trouble..." "Yes?" Spike prompted, his heart beating fast. "...Could you keep me company during the train ride?" Spike's heart skipped about five beats. "Yes!-- I mean, I suppose I could," he said, expression suddenly aloof. Rarity giggled, and they boarded the train together a minute later, talking about the new armor design. Ventus boarded last, as usual. He double-checked that everyone was present before entering the driver's cabin. "The other trains should be completed by tomorrow, your majesty," the stallion informed Princess Celestia brightly. "Thank you," Celestia said, before exiting the garage. She had asked the engineering department to build three more VIP trains for the war efforts, and she had been checking up on their progress. Not wanting to move through the Canterlot streets, her horn and eyes glowed yellow, and she disappeared in a yellow beam of light. Solar transport could technically take her anywhere, but it took a large toll on her if she used it too much, or on anypony else. She reappeared inside her price quarters in the palace. Then, realizing she hadn't seen Twilight that day, she left her quarters to check on her. As the train flew down the tracks, Ventus couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. He had triple-checked that everyone was present, and not in the Princess' cabin. "What else could it be?" Did she honestly expect me to do that? "Twilight?" Celestia knocked on the door to Twilight's quarters. No response. She turned the knob, and the door creaked open, revealing the dark interior of the room. "Twilight?" She said again, taking a step inside. Deciding Twilight must be out somewhere, she wrote a note with instructions to be in the war room the following morning. Affect my judgement... I'll show him... I'll show them all... There's. Nothing, Ventus firmly told himself, as the train sped over the Manehattan bridge. He stopped in the station and opened the train doors. And trying to separate me from Spike again... "I'll show them," Twilight said aloud, from her comfortable position on the bed in the Princess' cabin of the train. She felt the train come to a stop in the station a few minutes later, and magically observed the train car next door, watching for an opportunity to blend in. Using illusion magic to disguise herself as just another soldier, she joined the crowd leaving the train when no one was looking. No one thought twice about her, as they all filed out onto the platform. Rather than grouping up with the soldiers, Twilight slipped into the streets of Manehattan, trying to think of a place she could stay. Current Equestria Population: 1,430,244