//------------------------------// // Tough Love // Story: Broken Wings // by LuckyBreak //------------------------------// OK, I can no longer call myself a coward. I stood up to a monster controlling a dragon’s body, I fought timber wolves, and I’ve beaten diamond dogs by the dozen. Heck I’ve been called a hero… as far-fetched as I find that. I'm telling you this for one reason; Winter Sky scared the Equestrian loving hay out of me! It wasn’t the just fact he had a height advantage on me, it wasn’t the way his voice sounded like he was going to beat my flank with every word. It was his eyes, they had seen horrors I could only guess at… I followed him through the palace, eyes down, not really paying much attention to where I was being led. I was so scared, what were the Sky Archons? Why the hay did anyone think I was a good fit with them? Just who WAS Winter Sky? He was obviously some pony important by the respect shown by Bright Shield but at the same time he seemed to be apart from the royal court. I had lived in the palace for months and I had never heard of him or his Archons! Winter Sky coughed politely, I glanced up. We were standing in a large hall made from the same white marble as the rest of the palace, open passages lined one wall, ledges leading out into space, they looked like landing platforms for pegasi, was this some kind of fall back point in case the palace was invaded? Winter Sky trotted to the centre of the hall and drew in a breath. “Fall in!” Yikes! The authority in that shout had me standing at attention, or as close as I could get. Coloured blurs came from all directions. Each blur flying to land in front of Winter Sky, they became Pegasus ponies as they landed. Two lines formed quickly. Each pony wore armour and had a look of confidence that was inspiring. Then I noticed a familiar face standing by herself at the end of the lines. Night Feather gave me a grin. Winter Sky looked over to me with a frown, obviously he expected me to join the lines. Was any pony going to ask if I actually WANTED to join these Archons? Not a single soul was explaining to me what was happening; even Celestia had not told me anything at all. I looked at the lines, every face had the look of experience and somehow age. I decided I needed to find out myself. “Excuse me Winter Sky? Not to sound ungrateful at this…invitation and all but… what the hay is going on? Who are you ponies? Why would you want me here? Why won’t any pony explain anything before putting me in these situations?” And every single jaw hit the floor in unison. I think I may have just said something stupid and shouted at the scariest pony I had ever met. Winter looked at me with a considering look,” Nothing of this was explained to you?” I shook my head. “Hmm I can see why you’re confused; the Sky Archons are Equestria’s elite guards. We are the most highly trained unit in this lands history and have protected it for centuries. Each Archon is chosen for his or her outstanding potential and skill” Winter Sky frowned slightly, “They are currently separated into two pony teams, a sword Archon, a specialist in close combat, and an artillery Archon, a specialist in weather manipulation” So the specialisations didn’t sit well with him? I could tell there was some kind of back story to that but I was afraid to press… that pony is scary as hay, don’t judge me. Winter Sky gave me another appraising look, “Archon Night Feather informed me of how you did in your training sessions with captain Bright Shield, and I observed a few myself. You stood hoof to hoof with a forty year veteran. I agree with her assessment, you have great potential and with some advanced training you could be a real asset to the Archons” A snort from the ranks caught both of out attentions, Winter Sky rounded on a smirking Navy blue Pegasus with a purple main and a cutie mark of a rain cloud. “Do you find something funny Blue Rain?” Winter Sky seemed very put out with the laugh. “Sorry Captain, but you can’t expect us to believe this buck is Archon material? Other than his size I doubt he has anything going for him. That false horn? Does he think he’s an alicorn or something?” I walked towards him, feeling the cold anger settle in me. “I never asked to even be considered for this, but if you think I give a dam what a self-righteous foal like you thinks of me? You have got another thing coming” Winter Sky looked pleased, with a smile he looked between the two of us. “Well Blue Rain, it looks like you now have a chance to back up your words with actions” The blue Pegasus looked at me with contempt and walked out to the middle of the hall. I looked at him with a smile, he was arrogant and cocky. I could use that. Winter Sky raised a hoof in the air and brought it down with a shout. “Begin!” Predictably my opponent charged right at me, I twisted to the side and slapped his rear with a wing tip as he passed. Blue Rain rounded on me with fury etched into his face. With a cocky grin I beckoned to him with a hoof. That was all it took, with a roar of anger, the blue Pegasus flew at me. I didn’t dodge this time; instead I used the first trick Bright Shield had shown me. As he flew closer I flapped my wings once. As I lifted, I threw back my body. The momentum flipped me over as my back hooves connected with Blue Rain’s muzzle with a loud crack. The impact threw the Pegasus across the hall, after bouncing a few times he rolled to a halt and lay still. “He’s not dead is he?” I was worried I had hit him too hard, even without my draconic spells I knew I hit hard enough to smash through planks as if they were paper. A red Pegasus with a fireball cutie mark laughed, “Oh don’t worry, Blue Rain gets knocked the hay out all the time!” On the edge of my hearing came voices in conversation, it sounded like two ponies were talking as they approached this hall, I saw Winter Sky face hoof and mutter with annoyance. I began to make out what the voices were saying. “I tell you Storm, I've never seen Sky so happy! This buck must have impressed him a lot” “I don’t know Firewall, he rejected Rainbow Dash and she is perfect material” “Ha! Come on Stormy, you and I both know she has to grow up a little first” Two ponies entered the hall; one was a small Pegasus wearing a small crown, with an almost white coat and a long steel blue mane and tail, just like Winter Sky’s… The second was a large ash grey unicorn with the most insane mane and tail I had ever seen! It was bright blue, fading to orange and red tips. It looked like he was on fire! For some reason he had a roll of paper in his mouth that he occasionally sucked on before blowing out a stream of smoke. The unicorn, I’m assuming with that hair he HAD to be Firewall, glanced at me. Then at the unconscious Blue Rain, then he grinned back at me. “Aww Sky! Why didn’t you tell me that you were hosting wrestle-mania down here? I would have come sooner!” Winter Sky looked far from amused, “Firewall, I swear I will have you chasing Lucky for a month if you don’t shut up right now” Wait, what? Why would he be chasing me? I raised a hoof cautiously. “Excuse me, but why would you have him chase me about?” I got a lot of odd looks then; a green Pegasus with ridiculously long hair raised a hoof. “Sorry, I'm Lucky. He means me” Oh, well don’t I feel stupid. Firewall trotted over and threw a hoof over my shoulder, He grinned at me and in a freakishly accurate impression of Celestia intoned “Be at peace my little pony, Sky here may be more frightening than daytime TV but he’s a big softie at heart” “Daytime what?” This pony was crazy. The small Pegasus, Stormy? Trotted over to me and whispered in my ear, “Just think of him as brain damaged and you’ll be fine” Firewall seemed to pout, “Screw you, pretty prince Storm Wing!” With a shrug of my wings I just gave up trying to understand, for some reason that simple action seemed to upset the fiery coloured unicorn. Wait prince? Storm Wing was a Prince?? I backed up and tried to bow. Oddly Firewall seemed to find it very funny. Storm Wing was staring at Blue Rain’s unconscious form, He gave me an oddly calculating look, and something about his milky blue eyes seemed odd… Then he asked me, “Did you knock out an Archon?” Before I could answer, the red Pegasus spoke up again. “He sure did Storm! The new guy beat him in a single kick!” Storm Wind gave me a very measured look, then took off his crown and hoofed it to Firewall. His wings flared out as he stretched out his legs. I had a bad feeling I knew where this was going. Winter Sky seemed pleased, I was just nervous as hay. Storm Wing walked out into the centre of the hall, I faced him with apprehension, I was 3 times his size! Plus he was a prince, I couldn't fight him! Storm Wing finally spoke up, “I am Storm Wing, former captain of the Archons and I wish to spar with you.” I just gave up at this point, it was obvious this fight was going to happen so I best just deal with it. Wait a second... he was the former captain of these Archons? Oh horse apples... I was about to get my flank kicked wasn't I? We slowly circled each other, neither of us willing to make a rash move. Then we both stopped at looked at Firewall, who was grinning while shouting “ Fillies and gentle colts! Leeeeeeet's get ready to rumble!”. Me and Storm Wing just looked at each other with a shrug. Then we both charged in unison. I swung a hoof and he dodged, spinning through the air before slamming a back hoof into my flank, there was a flash and a sound like a lightning strike and I was thrown across the hall! With a little flip of my wings I managed to spin and bounce off the wall with my hooves before flipping to the floor in a ready stance. Storm Wing was looking at me with an annoyed stare. “I heard you have magic of some kind, don't hold back. I know I wont.” Lightning sparked around his body, Arcing out in all directions. With a crash of thunder he flew at me with mind blowing speed. OK storm Wing, you asked for it... I summoned my armour, the silver metal encasing me just a fraction of a second before Storm Wing's electrically charged hoof connected with my face. I didn't even flinch, The surprise on his face was total, taking advantage I swung a hoof, Storm Wing dodged backwards and flew in again, his blows thundering against my armour, I felt my focus beginning to slip. With a desperate spin I fired a starlight charged buck at his side, Narrowly dodging he unloaded another barrage of strikes, my focus fell and my armour once again disappeared in a cloud of flakes. The rest of the fight consisted of me being solidly beaten into the dirt. I don't think I even landed a single hit. I staggered to my hooves, my mane standing on end with all the static in the air. Firewall threw a leg across my shoulders, “Don't worry your afro mane head, Storm is one of the toughest in Equestria” what is an afro? Storm Wing grinned at me, “Kid that was a good fight, that weird barding of yours caught me by surprise, it can take a barn load of damage. You have a good grounding in combat but need more focused training. I see why my father wants you.” His father? Then Winter Sky is his father? Oh no I just had a fight with the son of the scariest pony I've ever met. Thundering of hooves interrupted my inner panic, I turned to the rows of Archons and stared in shock. These ultra highly trained combat ponies were stomping there hooves in applause of me? Why? I got my flank beaten into the dirt. Winter Sky looked at me with a smile and gave me a nod of approval. The touching moment was spoiled by firewall lifting one of Storm Wings hooves and shouting “The winner, and STILL Pegasus weight champion of the world, Storm Wing!” Well, thanks for that Firewall, one second I'm felling good even if I DID get my flank kicked and the next I'm shot down by an insane unicorn. <=====o00o=====> Winter Sky had dismissed me for the rest of the day, something I was very happy about as I ached all over, how the hay did each of Storm Wings hits feel like I was being struck by lightning? I wandered out into the gardens, looking to relax in the warm sunlight and maybe get a little shut-eye. I found myself wandering through the collection of statues near the great hedge maze, I don't know why but I felt drawn to a freakish looking statue standing all by itself. It looked like some pony had took bits of broken statues of random creatures and glued them together. “My my, its not very often one of Celestia's little ponies comes to visit little old me” Wait, where did that voice come from? “Hello? Who's there?” I looked around in vain, there was no pony around anywhere in sight. “Oh my word! You can hear me can't you? Oh this is just fantastic! I cant begin to tell you how boring being a statue is and don't even get me started on the pigeons.” I looked up at the statue, feeling more than a little bit apprehensive. A freaking statue was talking to me! I've caught Firewalls craziness! “Just great, I took one too many hits to the head and now I'm hearing voices, why cant my life be simple?” I heard laughter, it seemed to be coming from inside my head, “So you really don't know me? My my, Celestia has really let the schools in Equestria slip.” I was starting to get annoyed with the condescending tone, who was this thing? And why was it talking to me? For that matter why did this kind of thing always happen to me? “OK ill bite, who or what are you and why the hay are you talking to me?” “My dear pony, I am Discord, spirit of chaos. As to why I am talking with you? Do you have any idea how boring it is to be a statue? I stand here all day, unable to do anything but watch the world pass by. Its so dreadfully dull so forgive me if I seize on the one small chance of entertainment I've had in years.” so, this Discord has been stuck as a statue for years? That's … kind of sad, what had he done to deserve that? After all I an relate to years of suffering, I've been there myself. Still I'm not one to trust easy and he still had not explained as to why he was a statue. Call me paranoid but I'm not going to put my trust in something that was a spirit of chaos. “So what is it you want from me and why can I even talk to a statue?” “The answer is simple my young friend, you yourself are a being of chaos. Both a pony and something more, has it made you better? Has it made you less? So many questions and yet you have yet to ask the one that matters. What are you now?” … That was actually kind of scary, I had often lay awake at night, not because of Page's snoring, but because I was afraid of what I was becoming. Losing sight of my core beliefs terrified me in a way its hard to describe. As much as I insisted I was just a Pegasus, I could no longer ignore the fact that I had changed. Hold on, how did this thing know what I was? He was playing on my hidden fears, I can see that but why? “You know Discord, I think the question that matters most is why your trying to manipulate me into doubting and questioning myself.” That laughter came again, “My word, I didn't think you would guess so fast! You see I need discord of any kind to free myself. You wouldn't leave me trapped in stone would you?” Hmm manipulative and condescending. I knew he had to have done something, it takes a lot of magic to bind a creature in stone. “Actually Discord, I think I would. I really don't like being manipulated.” I span about and began to trot back to the castle when a blue streak dropped from the sky in front of me. Surprised I fell backwards with a shriek. Why does every pony love doing that to me? It turns out the streak of blue was Night Feather. Perfect, I had a bone to pick with her. “Ah, Night Feather, just the pony I wanted to see.” “Starshot... were you just talking to Discord?” She gave me a considering look, “You do know he can't be trusted right? He is one of Equestria's greatest threats!” I glared at her, watching as the cyan Pegasus shifted uncomfortably. “I have no real interest in what Discord wants, what I do want to know is why didn't you tell me you were an Archon? Or for that matter why has no pony even asked me if I wanted to BE an Archon?” Night Feather looked at me in surprise, it seemed like not a single pony had even considered the idea I wouldn't want to become an Archon. To be fair, it seemed a logical choice. I had to protect every pony I could and the Archons were the best at just that. So why was I so upset that they were willing to give me a shot? I was scared, All these years later, after facing insane odds, even after gaining great powers, even if I couldn't control them. I was more than scared, I was terrified... I... I had been killed... I broke down, Night Feather looking down at me in concern as I lay shivering. Fear racked my body, I had DIED, I had lost my life and only the most insane of odds had brought me back. I couldn't deal with it. I could feel myself breaking apart inside. It wouldn't stop flashing through my mind, the feeling of that claw impaling me, the cold darkness closing in on the edge of my vision. I couldn't move, Night Feather took flight, promising to get help. I just lay there, crying and shivering. I couldn't do this! I wasn't good enough! Finally I just blacked out. I awoke back in my room, Luna and Page sat at the table across from me. Page looked down at her hooves, sobbing quietly. “Luna, cant we do anything to help him? He's suffered so much. I cant let it break him...I...I need him” “Listen Page, you have seen what he has been through”, Luna's eyes seemed as tear filled as Pages. The indigo Alicorn sighed sadly. “There is no way we can help him but being there for him. It must scare him a lot, his power, the thought of not being to help. His death... He needs something we cannot give him. But I think I know someone who can...” I drifted away once more. <=====o00o=====> The following morning I was loaded into a carriage by Luna and page climbed in after me. I couldn't pay much attention to what was going on around me, I felt myself withdraw deeper and deeper within myself, Page had drew the red curtains across the window, leaving me in the gloom. The whole trip she just sat there watching me. I couldn't speak, it felt like a single loud sound would shatter me. The carriage rattled on for hours, I couldn't move. All I could do was sit there and occasionally sob. I had to move! I had to get up! Why couldn't I... I was broken... there was no denying it. I wanted to go train, I wanted to put the past behind me and move on but...I couldn't, it was destroying me. For all I had done in my life. For all I had sacrificed, still I was killed as easy as one might step on a bug. I just couldn't get past that. I was trapped in my own mind. The carriage eventually stopped, in not sure how long the trip took, I wasn't right in the head at that point. The doors opened and I was led into a familiar looking building, my mind was so scarred by that point I had no idea where I was. Unknown ponies lay me on a bed and left me to sleep. After an hour softly sobbing, sleep claimed me. *Poke* Something was jabbing me in my side, I tried to ignore it. *Poke* OK this was getting annoying and I wasn't up to dealing with it “Lucky” *Poke* “Get up Lucky” *Poke* “I want to play” *Poke* I managed to roll over and stared at the big green eyes of the smiling filly, Summer was as adorable as ever. And as always she would get her way. Even in my state I'm a pushover for kids. Pulling on one of my hooves, Summer lead me out of the Log house, I was in charcoals house, my adopted home. The townsfolk watched me with concerned looks as Summer dragged me through the town to the southern gates. The fuzz in my head was making it hard for me to pick out details. I was led out from the gate into the forest. Unable to focus enough to do more that follow, Summer led me to a small cave, obviously her little hideaway. I smiled despite myself. “Come and see Lucky!” Her eyes glittered with excitement as she led me to a table set in the back. My shattered mind focused on what lay on the table. Roughly carved and badly painted lay a small wooden statue, a black alicorn with red hair, his wings curled protectively around the filly hugging to his chest. I took in the shelves around me, more statues lay in varying stages of completion. The time Summer had spent on them, every one was of me... There I was hauling logs, I was there ploughing the fields, there I was sleeping with Summer under my wing. I … I really made a difference to her life... the very idea threw me even in my broken state. Why is it every touching moment in my life is tempered by danger or fear? Summer screamed, terror in her eyes. I turned around as fast as my shattered mind would allow. Manticore's, Three of them. Part of me wanted to fight, to drive them away but it was overpowered by a fear, I didn't want to die. I couldn't move I was so scared, a stinger descended towards me with infinite slowness as time slowed down for me. This was it, I could die here. No more pain, no more suffering. I could just lay down and give up everything. “Lucky!” Summer... she would be alone. The voice of that young girl reached through the darkness of my mind, it pushed past the fears and grabbed onto the core of my soul. I was Starshot, I got through life by never giving up, by making myself the shield for those who needed it. My shattered mind reformed as it realised I would leave her alone with those creatures. Her voice became my lifeline as I pulled myself from the darkness within me. I once heard that to find out who you are you must first lose everything, I had nothing left to lose, now I could see my pain for what it was, a crutch, a way to break myself down. I was never the brightest, I was never the most noble. All I was was a Pegasus who had power thrust upon him because of the love and trust of a girl. “Starshot, your pain will be with you always. Now you must choose, will it leave you broken? Or will you clutch it in your hooves and make it your strength?” The words of a dragon who didn't care if I lived, the life of a child I loved as my own sister. I had a family now, I had a girl who loved me despite my many flaws. What would I choose? I was terrified to my core, the memories of my horrific death haunted me. Who was I? Why would I do all this to myself, why would I make myself suffer so much pain? Another voice spoke to me, my own. Because you promised her. My eyes snapped open, the stinger bounced of the silver armour my magic summoned. I glanced back to Summer, “Cover your eyes sweetie, I'm going to make the bad monsters go away” , I heard later summer tell of how my eyes burned with silver flames. The lion like creatures seemed confused, I took a step forwards, then another, then broke into a gallop. With a beat of my wings I flew at the closest creature, my hoof shone silver as it slammed into the manticore's muzzle. The impact threw it into its fellows, knocking them back towards the narrower cave entrance. “Now! Feel the pain! Seize it and make it your strength! Scream it at the world!” I drew in a breath and roared, all of what had broken me, all my pain and misery was harnessed into that roar. From my muzzle erupted an uncontrolled blast of silver flame. The fires filled the passage and tore past the Manticore's, pulling the air with them. The roars of pain was deafening, the flames cleared, all three were still alive but hurt. With a look of fear, they took the chance to flee. Luna stood in the caves mouth. They stood no chance at all. The princess stepped over the bodies and trotted to me “Well Starshot, I hoped here you would find some peace, I never expected this!”. Summer clutched my leg, looking at Luna with more than a little fear. “Summer, this is princess Luna, she s my friend” Summer hesitantly peered around me, then approached Luna. I smiled as Summer reached up to stroke Luna's star filled mane. My magic winked out and my consciousness followed. <=====o00o=====> I woke back in Charcoal's house. It had a feeling of, well home to it. This is the place my heart always longs for. But I knew I couldn't stay, not while that dragon abomination was still out there. I rolled onto my hooves and headed to the door. After a little searching I found Page and North Wind in the living room, summer lay asleep across Pages knees. Both girls looked at me with strange looks, I stared back for a moment, confused until North Wind spoke up. “Now that is actually kind of hot” OK kill me now, I could feel the blush across my face. Page giggled at me. “I love the new look Starshot” “Wait, new look? What new look?” Page levitated a mirror over to me, I peered at in with concern. What has happened to me this time? My mind went blank as I stared at the face before me, it was me but then not me... My scar was now a thin line of silver fur but my mane, usually a fiery red and sticking out in all directions was now white, almost silver. It hung across my face in lank locks. Wow I almost looked like a fashion pony from a magazine. North Wind trotted up to me and messed up my mane with a hoof. With a smirk at Page, the earth pony mare wrapped her hooves around my neck. “Welcome back big brother.” That did it, I started to cry again. Page lifted Summer to one of the rooms sofa's with her telekinesis and trotted over to hug me too. “Don't scare me like that again dummy” It was strange, I felt... at peace, my mind was free of doubts, the underlying fears that pushed me through my life, fear of failure, fear of losing those I care about, fear that I wouldn't live up to my promise. For the first time in years, I was just me. A scruffy Pegasus, just a little bizarre. Just the relief of not being burdened with all my fears and doubts left me feeling so much better. To think, all it took was a..who am I kidding? My little sister, there I finally said it, it took my little sister calling out for me to push it all away. Through the dark and the pain, through the broken depths of my mind. Her voice pulled me back from the brink and gave me something back, she gave me back my own soul. I had to do something for her but what? Wait... I knew just the thing. <=====oo00oo=====> “I really don't think this is a good idea...” “Page, you have said that a dozen times now. We get it” “Come on lucky! I want to fly!” Summer and Page sat on my back, tied down with thick leather straps and rope. Summer sat behind my neck, Page just behind her. The thick straps and ropes coiled around their bodies and my chest. I grinned at them both over my shoulder, my mane seemed to shine in the moons pale glow. “OK girls, hold on tight!”, I focussed and summoned my silver wings, the shine lit the front of Charcoals home. The pony himself smiled faintly at me from the doorway. Page poked my side to get my attention, “Starshot, I changed my mind, I don't want to do thiiiiiiiissssssss!”, Her objections turned to a scream as I launched into the air, Summer screeching in delight. My magical wings beat, lifting us towards the clouds, after a few moments we burst through to the sight I wanted them both to see. The clouds spread out below us like a sea, my wings light making them shimmer as we glided. The stars spread out above us as Luna's night was displayed in all of its glory. The gasps from both Page and Summer made me grin. Silence followed us for a few minutes. I felt I had to speak, to voice my feelings... something I have never been good at. “Girls, I... I'm sorry. I made you worry about me,I'm not a smart pony, I couldn't face what had happened to me. I bottled it up until it broke me.” Summer threw her hooves around my neck, “Its OK big brother Lucky, we still love you.” I think I had a single tear on my face as sad as it seems, Page gave me a prod with one of her hooves. “Starshot, I know your so used to being alone... but we are your family now, you don't need to be alone.” We flew in silence for almost an hour, Summer nuzzling my neck as I sobbed my heart out. Family, you don't understand what it means when you have nothing and then somepony proves to you that your part of that family. Its something that both breaks your heart and mends it all at once. <=====oo00oo=====> We had landed back at the town a little over an hour ago, Summer following her sister around the house, chatting about the stars. Page had snuggled up under my wing on a sofa, snoring softly in her sleep. Charcoal sat opposite us on the other sofa, smiling at us. “Son I'm happy for you, you found a special pony who loves you and it looks like I'm getting a new daughter” Those quiet moments will stay with me forever as some of the happiest in my life. Red light flared in the window, The room was bathed in a crimson glow. In the distance a roar echoed, an all to familiar noise to me. “No...please not here...” Charcoal looked to me with concern, “Son what's wrong?”, I looked to the window with wide eyes. I was terrified of what it could mean, please don't let her be here, not near my family, not near Page again. I lay Page down gently and trotted to the door. Charcoal laid his hoof on my shoulder. “Starshot, its bad isn't it?” “Sir..Dad...if I'm not back in an hour, get to Canterlot, get the town there as soon as you can. Promise me.” Charcoal looked at me with dread, clearly disturbed by how I was acting. Finally he nodded. I galloped from the house and leapt into the air, wings beating as I gained hight. The glow came from the north. I flew as fast as my wings would let me, the area became more and more familiar as a flew. This was the area I had protected... Flames licked from burned buildings, fields were in flame. The fires seemed connected, I gained height and looked down. My fragile emotions hardened at what I saw, every dwelling for miles was burned, the flames connected in streaks. They created a star burst, just like on my cutie mark..it was a message to me. <=====oo00oo=====> I hammered on the door, I was back in Canterlot at the palace and I was furious. Finally the door opened. The huge form of Winter Sky stepped out and looked at me with barely hidden anger, “Starshot, As glad as I am that your yourself again, you made it clear to Night Feather that you did not wish to join the Archons so why are you waking me at this hour?” My voice sounded dangerous and low, “Teach me how to kill a dragon.” Winter Sky looked at me with surprise in his eyes then smiled widely, “Welcome to the Sky Archons Private Starshot.”