//------------------------------// // Chapter I: Adapt or Die // Story: Rise of the Republic // by Commandobrony //------------------------------// 1003 years later Spitfire placed the scroll on Celestia's war room table. She stood silently at attention while Celestia sipped on her tea. “At ease Captain” she said finally and warmly as she placed down the cup “Yes ma'am.” the golden peagasus said, relaxing her posture “These are my recommendations to fill the vacancy.” “Break it down for me” Celestia said plainly, lifting her cup for another sip “Well ma'am, as always Rainbow Dash is at the top of the list” “She's still a civilian, and I don't think she has the discipline to be part of the military” “She has physical discipline, and I think Officer Cadet School would temper her. Even if it didn't; well I can handle Soarin'” Spitfire said in a highly rational tone “That would take to long, and I need her with the other Avatars.” Celestia said dismissively. She quirked an eyebrow with a smile “You know I'd be open to it if she could be part time” “Can't do ma'am, the Wonder Bolts are all or nothing.” Spitfire said, finality in her voice Celestia chuckled “Very well, who's next?” “Well... he's not exactly next objectively.” Spitfire hesitated “But you think there is something about him.” Celestia finished her sentence “I do ma'am, I would be willing to take the risk.” Resolution ebbed into Spitfire's voice “Who is he?” Celestia asked “Corporal Icarus Nightwing.” Spitfire said plainly “Enlisted?” Celestia asked with widened eyes “He was up for OCS out of basic but turned it down.” “And you think that he'll go if he has a chance to get into the Wonderbolts?” Celestia said incredulously “I don't think he needs it ma'am, he's a charismatic born leader and came to us with proficient competencies.” Spitfire said with a thoughtful inflection “You're sure?” The Princess asked, sensing some doubt in her captains words “The more I think about it, the more it seems right.” The Captain said with finality “Ok, I want to meet him before I approve of this.” “Yes ma'am” Spitfire said, her dutiful tone undermined by her satisfaction as she turned and trotted out of the office *** “That all you got Trotter!?! Come on, I've seen fillies with more endurance than you!” Icarus barked It was a sunny day at the Fort Vanguard just outside of Appleosa, the heat beat down aggressively and it was only oh nine thirty. Icarus loved it out here, far enough from the main garrison and wild enough to forget about the past, even if it was only for morning PT. He was leading the 23rd Joint Special Tactics platoon in their morning canter; Unicorns had a habit of relying on their magic for everything and tended to have a lack strength and stamina, and Pegisi like himself had a tendency to only use their wings to get around, so it seemed natural for him to motivate the ground side part of the detachment while keeping his own legs fit. “No sir!” the crimson unicorn private said “That's what I like to hear! With me now you pansy arse bales of hay; “Heavy on the left hoof” he bellowed melodicly “Heavy on the left hoof” the choir of enlisted followed “Motivated Left hoof” “Motivated Left hoof” “Oh Yeah” “Oh Yeah” “Aint no use in lookin down” “Aint no use in lookin down” “There aint no discharge on the ground.” “There aint no discharge on the ground.” “There aint no use in lookin back,” “There aint no use in lookin back,” “A jodys got your wagon rack” “A jodys got your wagon rack” “There aint no use in feelin blue,” “There aint no use in feelin blue,” “A jodies got your filly too.” “A jodies got your filly too.” It was still strange, sleeping for nine hundred and eight years and waking up to find almost every one you knew from before had died, even five years later he had yet to completely acclimatise. One of the weirdest things was this “Cutie mark” that was now stencilled on his otherwise jet black coat; his was a downward turned dagger flaked by upturned wings. He originally thought it was kind of neat, until he found out what it actually meant; everyone’s destiny was now set in stone. The monarch had made it so that everypony knew their future when they came of age. It gave them focus, sure, but it denied them the continued self discovery. He became a soldier because he wanted to make a difference, to contribute, he had spent years on other things because of this drive. He didn't discover a talent due to some scatter shot attempt to make a picture appear on his flank, he discovered it through perseverance and determination. For over a millennia now filly's and colts were robbed of that journey of self discovery. He wanted to burn it off, but he had to be as effective as he could be when Luna came back... when she really came back. So infiltration, information gathering and reconnaissance were the main objectives of his team. Private Sapphire Starr was in his fire team here at Vanguard, she was a white unicorn who had a blue mane with teal highlights and blue eyes, and the way they caught the sun out here was spectacular, she became a glowing beacon. She had magics that would shroud her if they needed stealth. Jade Halcyon, a green Pegasus mare and Nova Kilo a Unicorn Stallion with a golden coat and mane, were both in ponyville, setting up shell operations and keeping an eye on the Avatars of the Elements. There wasn't much they could do at this stage. The canter ended, Icarus' heart was pounding but he didn't let any fatigue show. He had trained so hard, had forgone OCS and was the best damn soldier he could be, just so he could get a post in the royal guard, so he could be closer to Luna. Even this younger version that doesn't seem to remember what had happened could be useful. He was ashamed of thinking about her as a tool, but that's what Celestia's rule had done to Equestria, all just cogs in the machine. “Hey, what's up?” the glowing unicorn mare asked Icarus grimaced “What? Am I showing again?” He said with empty humour “Only to me Night” Sapphire said with a soft smile “You're flying too close to the sun again; gotta be careful or you'll burn up little Icarus.” “Maybe” He looked at Sapphire with a playful smile “But maybe that fire will become a beacon... and then I realised, we already have you” “Hey now, a glowing magician can be bucking frightening, in fact sometimes I scare my self.” “Oh, by the way, as your NCO, I have to inform you that your glowing is disrupting your barracks mates sleep” He said in a mocking tone. Sapphire cocked her head to the side incredulously “I only glow in the light, you ass” she said in a mock hurt tone, smacking Icarus in the shoulder with her hoof “Hey, I could have you court marshalled for that” Sapphire laughed, though was instantly distracted by the earth pony galloping in front of her. They both looked around the parade ground and noticed a migration towards the main gates. “Did you hear an alert siren?” Icarus asked, looking at Sapphire with confusion “Nope, must be something interesting!” Sapphire said with excitement as she trotted off “Hey, wait up!” They cantered over to the main gate where a small crowd was gathering, though being a military base they were all trying to look like they were supposed to be there; it really wasn't working. Being a corporal had its perks, he simply meandered through the crowd to the front. Finally he saw what the commotion was about; Spitfire, the leader of the Wonder bolts, was making her way to the command barn. Those beautiful golden eyes, that amazing pleasant smile, that flowing mane of fire, all dressed up in an officers uniform... “Whoa, easy their lover boy” Sapphire said in a jocular manner Icarus looked behind him and saw that his wings were sanding erect. “What?” he said in a nonchalant manner turning back to Sapphire “Don't act like you're not impressed” She laughed “Well, she's not as stunning as me.” “Yeah, but I don't need sunglasses every time I look at her.” “I know I've blinded people with my beauty Night, they didn't complain.” Colonel Stalliongrad walked up to the stunning golden pegasus with a surprised look on his face. “Obviously the old nag wasn't expecting the capt- Will you put those things away!” Sapphire scolded “Sorry.” he said quickly as he folded his wings away “But that last 30 seconds, they were all for you” he said in a suave manner “Oh Nigh', you know we're gonna get into trouble if the CO finds out” she said, putting on a local accent for comical effect “Worth it.” He said loudly He looked back at the Captain, her golden eye's locked on to his deep red ones and they narrowed thoughtfully before she looked back at the Colonel and walking off with him to the command barn. Icarus quirked an eye brow. “Huh, that was weird.” Icarus said with confusion “What was weird?” “Nothing... I'll be in my bunk.” He said distantly as he started walking off “Eww” Sapphire replied in a genuinely disgusted manner “Wha- Eww, no, get your mind out of the gutter private” he said in a mock authoritative tone “Aye sir” she said, restraining her humour, though a mocking smile ebbed through “Damn straight” he yelled over his shoulder as he continued walking on *** “Corporal, the Colonel wants to see you.” said the adjutant with a disgruntled tone, clearly annoyed that an officer would be asked to go fetch an enlisted “Yes sir, I'll make my way up in a second.” He said dutifully, it still struck him off at how he was no longer a commissioned officer. He kicked up off his bunk and threw on his dress blues; it wasn't every day that he was called into the CO's office. He had to wonder why though, the CO would be far to busy entertaining the celebrity in his office. So he walked out of his quarters, out the front of the barracks and made his way across the parade ground to the command barn. The Adjutant ushered him in to the office. He was surprised to see Spitfire sitting behind the CO's desk, well she wasn't so much sitting as she was lying down. She had his file in front of her. “Come in, come in” she said invitingly “Ok...” Icarus said curiously as he walked over to the cushion on the floor He sat down and Spitfire began to speak “So you must be wondering what the amazing and awes-” “Sir, permission to interject” “Permission granted” Spitfire said with a little shock to her voice “We had the G and P T here the other day doing a Royal Service Organisation show...” “Ah, so would you like me to drop the bravado?” she said amused “If you wouldn't mind sir.” Icarus said sweetly Spitfire chuckled “Ok then, to the point; I have a spot vacant in the Wonderbolts, I want you in it.” Icarus' eyes widened, he took a second before he answered “Sir, I'm not part of the air force, I'm not an officer and I'm not going to OCS” “The military department thing is non issue” she said dismissively “And, as far as rank... why did you pass up OCS when you were offered it if you don't mind my asking?” Icarus looked up thoughtfully before answering “I enlisted because my Cutie Mark occluded all other possibilities, but I didn't want the kind of responsibility that came with an officers bar” A lie, the real reason was that getting into the guard was easier as an enlisted, but it was a plausible lie. Spitfire looked at Icarus with curiosity “You're a damn good flyer too according to your file.” “That's what the wings are for Sir.” He said dismissively, looking at the image of his Cutie Mark that was exposed in the file on the desk. “You're also a leader, always on point, always motivating your subordinates. The colonel told me it was a mission to get you to accept an NCO position, you could be a warrant officer by now if you were willing to play the game.” “What game? The one where you put on blue spandex and fly around like a show pony? There are Stallions and Mares here that need me to keep them in shape and ready, they depend on me. What if something were to happen while I was away showing off?” Icarus said, his tone getting more and more desperate “See, you do like responsibility!” Spitfire said mockingly Icarus turned his head away with frustration. “Ok, here's the thing Icarus, can I call you Icarus?” She continued softly “Most call me Night, its much easier to say in conversation.” he said plainly, control back in his voice “Ok, Night; If you take this position, no OCS, your file suggests that you have all the competencies that you need, I'll vouch for you. But if I'm wasting my time I'll find someone else, you're just at the top of my short list.” Spitfire said with finality Icarus looked around the office thoughtfully, the medals in the Colonels display case; Griffon Defence citation, Dragon Slayer medallion, Orb of Celestia; he obviously saw something in this despots delusion worth fighting for. But for him it was all too perfect, like a mirage, like just under the surface there was something horrible hiding. Icarus considered that he had really conceded defeat when the Elements “fixed” Luna, and that's why he didn't go for OCS, that he would be happy here, whittling his last days beyond the line of Celestia's influence. He could trick himself into thinking that he was still fighting for the Luna Republic. The Wonderbolts would get him close to the princess, perhaps in a position where he could move things forward. So why was he saying no? “When do you need your answer by?” Icarus said finally “If you're not sure now-” Spitfire started in a superior tone “Sir, with all due respect, you are asking me to turn my back on a lot, I need time, when do you need your answer by?” Icarus interjected Spitfire glared at Icarus for what seemed like an eternity with such wrathful heat. He matched her gaze “My train leaves at eighteen hundred tonight” She said finally not letting up “You'll have my answer by seventeen hundred.” Icarus said standing “Good.” She said with an annoyed grit to her word Icarus began to walk out, his face felt heavy the second he turned away from the golden pegasus. “One more thing though corporal” Spitfire said, heat still in her voice “Yes Sir?” Icarus said, turning back “That’s the last time you speak to me like that” She said in a firm voice “Aye aye Sir.” “May Celestia light your path.” Spitfire said warmly “And may Luna hide my footsteps” Icarus said under his breath *** “What was the about?” Sapphire asked, a hint of possessiveness in her voice She was standing right outside the Command barn's door, seemingly waiting for him. Icarus stepped down onto the parade grounds “Spitfire wants me in the Wonderbolts” He said in a nonchalant manner “What? Why!?!” she said incredulously Icarus give her a funny look Sapphire rolled her eyes “You know what I mean. You're not an officer.” she wanted to add “any more”, but there were too many ears around for her to say that. “She said I don't have to go through OCS if that's what you mean.” He started walking back to his quarters “What, so you're just in?” She asked, trotting to catch up “I'm sure there will be a try out, but if I want it yeah, I'm in” His confidence was just as a matter of fact “What about us?” she was talking about the plan, but Icarus suspected she meant something more “Honestly, I don't know Starr.” He said solemnly “That's why I'm not sure” he stopped and hung his head for a moment “Well adapt, I can take over here, you go do what you need to do.” she said sympathetically, her hoof resting softly on his shoulder (The one she had punched hard not to long ago, so it kinda hurt) “It won't bother you that I'm flying around in blue spandex showing off?” He said with feign amusement “Not as much as it will bother you” she said warmly “And besides, with you in there we're more likely to get the Wonderbolts for our RSO shows.” she said biting her bottom lip “What? Want to see me in a tight blue spandex Private?” he said with flirtatious smile “You; no” she said mockingly “But that Soarin'” Sapphire looked up with dreamy eyes He laughed before turning to look her in the eyes, those big glowing blue eyes “You sure you've got this?” he asked warmly “No doubt skipper” Sapphire replied in the same warm tone, her eyes lingering for a moment “Now hurry up and get your things. I doubt the captain of the Wonderbolts is going to wait while you make googly eyes with me” Her inflection saying that she wanted him to stay “Ok” he said with a soft voice He pulled away and began trotting to his quarters again “Oh and Night, I-” She called out after him and hesitated “- The night is always darkest...” He looked back and nodded firmly with a smile.