Blaze had been flying for hours now, but it felt like days, home was far behind and the boarders of Equestria were close ahead.
The only thing he had to look forward too was seeing Blueskies. He called her a friend. But she was really a friend/crush. He was 20 years old now.
"I really should have told her already." he thought to himself.
"Told who what now?" A squeaky voice came from behind Blaze.
Blaze flipped around, startled.
"Who- wha-!"Blaze put up his hooves. "I know Tae kwon do!"
"Ahaha!" The voice came again. It was coming from the much younger pony tailing him.
The pony had a yellow coat with a peach/orange mane. Her eyes were a simple brown.
"Sure ya' do! I'm Peach. And I think you're on your way to Cloudsdale. Am I right?"
Blaze was relieved to see it was not a changeling. Or worse. "You're right. I'm Blue Blaze." He held out his hoof.
"Nah, I'm a hugger more."She beamed widely. Blaze wondered where her Earth pony accent came from.
"No thanks."He paused a second. "Y'know, flying and all." He pointed at his wings. "Can't hug and fl- Never mind."
Peach just stared ahead. She didn't even respond to Blaze's talking.
Blaze wondered what she was doing. "Well ah'll be."
"What?" Blaze flipped back over so he could see ahead.
He had spent his time talking, and not looking ahead.
In the distant sky was a giant cloud. But it wasn't just a cloud.
It was the portable military base known as cloudsdale.
In its time it was one of a kind. Great buildings and barracks mixed together to make a military atmosphere.
Pegasi in full armour flew in and out. Some in gold to show rank, others in newbie grey.
Blaze and peach landed on the closest area near them.
"This place, it's like a city. In the sky!"
Peach was obviously still in awe.
"Maybe when this flea-bitten war is over."
Blaze resonded right as two officers in silver came around a bend to them.
"Blue blaze and Peach?"
The first one said.
"That's us!" Peach said enthusiastically.
"When addressing an officer one should say sir or Ma'am. Is that clear?" The other said.
"Lettit pass, They aren't even in uniform yet and you're shouting at them."
The happy one said.
Blaze just sort of watched.
First minute and his only friend had gotten him in trouble.
"Sorry, ma'am. We're both new." Blaze tried to sound respectful. It payed off.
The rude officer nickered and turned around.
"Follow me."
She walked off in the direction of one of the larger barracks.
"Pardon her, She's lost almost everyone she knows to this war."
He glanced over at her, checking to see if she was listening.
"What she doesn't know is that all of us are missing something."
Blaze wasn't sure, but he thought that he saw a tear drop form the other officers eye. Her back was turned, but he thought. . .
Never mind, drama was the word in this war.
The male officer took off in his own direction and Peach and Blaze followed the girl.
"When you get inside the barrack, I recommend you get your armor. And go to bed. The hour or two of proccessing are the only hours you will get to sleep through for a while."
She stopped at the door and waited there.
"Go in."
Blaze took it from brief experience and just obeyed.
Inside the barracks was an interesting sight.
Hammocks were everywhere, but only so many had a pegasus or luggage next to it. Fatalities of war Blaze assumed.
He took a look around. Maybe Blueskies was here.
No luck. But he did find their armor.
"Uniform's over there, Peach."
He gestured towards a wall. Armor and weapons lined it.
"Okie dokie."
She did her best to sound confident, but her voice trembled a little with each word.
2:00 A.M. 15th of harvest season.
It had been only a few hours since Blaze and Peach had entered the barracks. But Blaze had had no luck sleeping, much unlike Peach. Who had hit the hammock sleeping. Blaze stared at the wall.
"Fleas are probably all over this hammock.
What food did they serve? Probably rotten apple sauce.
When will I go home?
Where the hay is Roseblossom?"
This was what was keeping him awake, above all the others.
But in fifteen seconds, it would be the least of his worries.
A bell boomed, echoing so much that Blaze's eardrums popped.
A voice roared out, almost as loudly as the bell.
"DRAAAAGON! DRAAAAAAAGON!"