//------------------------------// // 8 Combat training // Story: Tides of Change // by Lightning Haze //------------------------------// [Stella's POV] "Somepony has a crush on a wonderbolt? Well we can talk about it when you get back" Lightning said in a slightly teasing way, causing me to blush. I turned from them and dashed out the window. The air beneath my wings felt great. I circled around the castle for a bit, caught up in its elegance and beauty. The royal guard could be seen training in the court yard and castle staff running around trying to complete their tasks. It kind of reminded me of home. After a few laps around I descended into the court yard and headed toward the armory. When I got to the door I hesitated. I had to get my emotions in check before I stepped in. I took a deep breath and opened the doors. Standing in the middle of the room was a pure white alicorn with a bow and arrow for a cutie mark. "Stella! Good to see you. Haven't seen you since you were a little filly and now look at you." Arctic walked up to me and hugged me. I grinned and hugged him back. "Yeah, its been a long time... Its amazing how even as Alicorns we age so fast." I said looking at the colt i once knew now a full grown stallion. Alicorns have a weird aging process. As foals they age just as fast as a normal pony. However once they reach adulthood time seems to come to a stop. Look at aunt Celestia and Luna for a second. They are over 3000 years old yet they look like any other full grown mares. It was weird to see Arctic full grown. "So your first officer now? What happened to Soarin?" "Yeah I ranked up pretty fast. As for Soarin he was promoted to Captain and Spitfire is now a Commander." He said with the same cocky swagger he had as a colt. "So you ready to start?" I walked over to the weapons rack and slipped my hoof through the holding strap on one of the practice swords. He picked up one as well and then hoofed me a real sword. "Use this... Just don't go for kill shots." He said. I looked at him nervously and then took the sword. He just chuckled and took a few steps back. He nodded at me to attack. I took no hesitation and lunged forward with the sword. I swung the sword at his neck and he easily blocked it and parried with a strike of his own. His speed was unbelievable. I barely managed to dodge as the sword barely missed my foreleg. I staggered back and prepared myself. I had to anticipate his movements. He swung low this time and I quickly jumped and used my wings to power to the opposite side of his swing and placed the sword against his neck. "Game over Arctic, I win." I said rather proud I was able to counter like I did. "Well done Stella... Lets go again and I will actually try. Just tell me when your ready." Arctic said unfurling his wings and getting ready. "Ready" I said unfurling my wings and mimicking his stance. He charged forward with the sword at great speed. As he got within sword range of me he dipped a wing and barrel rolled to my left. I moved my sword into a blocking position on my left side just barely in time to block the incoming strike. He lunged back out in front of me with a wry smile on his face. This time I took the initiative and lunged in with a furry of attacks. He was only able to block a few before one connected with his left foreleg. He grimaced and flew back a bit. "Not bad... Lets see if you can block this." He said as he lowered the front part of his body into a position that resembled a Puma about to pounce. I stood ready waiting for the strike. All of a sudden he disappeared and I heard him behind me. I tried to move but couldn't. Then it all hit me at once. Pain seared on the right side of my ribcage. Blood was now starting to trickle from the slash. It was just a small cut but if that had been a real sword I would of been dead. "Shit" He said putting the practice sword down. He walked over to a supply cabinet and grabbed a med-kit and brought it back to me. He cleaned out the wound and bandaged it. "Stella I'm sorry I got a bit carried away" He said looking me in the eyes. He put a comforting wing around me and helped me over to a bench to sit down at. I was utterly shocked, Not just because he actually hurt me, but because of his unbelievable speed. "How did you do that?... It was so unbelievably fast." I said to him. "It's a wonderbolt trade secret. I can't tell you." He said, avoiding making direct eye contact. I could tell he was lying to me, but for reasons I couldn't comprehend. "Nothings changed I see. Even as a colt you couldn't lose with grace."I said mocking him. "Once your healed enough for flying combat we can continue or we can call it a day." "So... is practice over? Because I believe after this somepony owes me lunch" I said with a smile. He returned the smile with his own signature cockiness. "Haha, Okay Stella, lunch is on me." He said putting his wing around me. Lightning burst into the room and flew directly into Arctic shoving him off of me... She flew? As Lightning took a defensive stance in between me and Arctic I realized her wings. They looked so natural on her and yet so abstract at the same time. "Lightning what in the hay are you doing!?!" I yelled with such force that the windows in the room seem to shake from the sound. "Arctic, I know all about Project Radiance and I want you away from my sister." Lightning said with a very stern demeanor. At this Arctic just chuckled. "I'm guessing Mom and Aunt Luna told you their version of the story. The real story, I assure you is different." He said. "What the hay are you two talking about? What is Project Radiance and did you say mom?" I looked back and forth between the two looking for answers. "Follow me, we need some place quiet and discreet to talk." Arctic led both me and my sister to a surprisingly spacious supply cabinet. "It's time I told someone the real story behind Project Radiance."