A thunder of hooves echoed over the rolling hills on the outskirts of Canterlot. Birds and small critters scuttled and retreated into trees or beneath bushes in order to hide themselves from the intruder.
His heart beat like a drum signaling an oncoming army. No matter what the day had thrown at him, he would still enjoy spending the whole night being chased. He found pleasure in each pump of adrenalin and the rushing wind whistling past his ears as the wings beats of the pursuers drew nearer.
Three speeding officials flanked the culprit, never losing sight of the runaway teenager. The leader, a bright lemon mare, was beginning to get irritated by the young pegasus’ insistence on causing problems. Most nights, she and her team would be called to investigate a disturbance. And it was always the same deep blue colt at the center of it, the same pony who did a runner when he got a single glance of her.
The teen stallion was too busy, allowing his mind to wander to the sounds of wind and rustling grass, to remember about the oncoming gorge. With only seconds to spare, he dug all 4 hooves deep into the earth like an anchor, slowing him till he stopped completely, only inches from the cliff edge.
It was only now did he realize his mistake of getting his left wing hurt, moments before the chase began. Lowering his head, he allowed his black hoodie to cover most his fractures as he listened for the slowing of the wing beats, which slowed and stopped before being replaced by the quiet crunch of hooves upon grass.
"You’re under arrest. You don't need to say anything, but anything you do say may be taken as evidence to be used against you in court." The captain spoke clearly, as her team reached over and flanked the colt. Both parties knew the routine, so he didn't resist.
Spitfire sighed "Hail! Why do you keeping this?"
He didn't speak, only turned his head and lowered the hood of his sweater. He glared at the three elite Wonderbolts: commander Fleetfoot, commander Soarin and captain Spitfire. All three looked highly unimpressed.
"Come on," Spitfire commanded, which he willing followed.
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Early the following morning, Celestia’s light flitted down with vibrant colours, lighting up the small homes in a Canterlot estate, where a certain mother was worried sick.
"Where is he? He goes out for a carton of milk and doesn’t return!" She paced back and forth, distressed by her son’s absence. The mare had a smooth tan coat, a short simple-cut mane and tail which were both brunette. Despite her simple look and colour scheme, she was a highly emotional mare with passion for her work and her family.
"I swear to Celestia, if that colt doesn’t come home in the next hour, I will-"
Ding dong
"Coming!" She practically tackled her front door before almost ripping the hinged off. In seconds the wooden door swung open to reveal a stern looking amber-maned pegasus mare, who managed to pull off a pretty good smile in that stern look.
"Stoneware." The Wonderbolt nodded in greeting.
Stoneware beamed as she beheld her old primary school friend "Spitfire! It’s lovely to see you! What brings you..."Stoneware’s words died in her throat as she caught sight of a tall slim pegasus colt standing causally next to spitfire.
"Oh... come on in," Stoneware requested, her tone suddenly flat.
The pair of pegasi entered her home. Spitfire sat calmly on the single-seater sofa with a mug of coffee, given to her by Stoneware. The sofa parallel was the larger one, where the young deep-blue stallion sat unamused, glaring daggers at the smug-looking Captain. The last thing he wanted was to be having his own mother yell at him while she was within earshot.
Stoneware stood next to her son, looking him over and diagnosing his injuries. His coat was ruffled, most likely from the night in a cell. His left wing hung low and was clearly bruised, as well as the mostly hidden black eye he was sporting. Only his styled mane and tail stayed perfect.
"Hail?" Stoneware spoke, after a good 10 minutes of assessing his condition as her son let his actions sink in.
"Yes, mother?"he replied sarcastically and increased his death glare at Spitfire. Stoneware had tried for year to be stern with him, but without backup he would just walk all over her.
"Why?"
It was the only question that plagued her mind every time he came home. No matter how hard she tried to reign in her over-protectiveness and give Hail freedom, he would return 90% of the time with injuries which she had to tend to.
Angered and impatient, Hail shamelessly snapped as his own mother. "It wasn't my fault!” he started to say.
Stoneware raised her hoof, signaling him to stop. He just rolled his eyes "Stop...." she sighed. ”Is this the same excuse as the past hundred times?" She looked disappointedly into his eye and came face to face with her scowling son "Believe me. I am not falling for it."
Feeling guilty for getting into his face, Stoneware stepped back. "Hail…." She sat next to her son, looking him over like the kind mother she was. She fought back the tears as she continued "Why do you keep doing this?"
Spitfire kept her gaze on the coffee in her forehooves, while her ears twisted to pick up the confession. Sick of dealing with the troubled colt, she was also curious and wanted to understand his mindset.
"I thought I raised a respectful young stallion.... not some rough-and-tumble fighter,” Stoneware continued. She looked painfully into her son’s eyes, searching for an answer she knew would never come.
"Sorry, mother." His voice was emotionless, but Stoneware knew him too well. She could only guess his silence reflected his shame, but she knew it would be the closest she would ever get to an explanation.
"Go to your room. I need time to talk with Captain Spitfire."
Without hesitation, Hail trotted out of the room and up the stairs. Stoneware tracked his movements till she heard him lay on his bed on the floor above. "I’m so sorry, Spitfire."
The Wonderbolt captain chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, Stone. I am kinda use to him by now." Spitfire had been around the colt since he was born and had always promised to help her friend whenever needed. Honestly, she would have preferred to not be called every other day to a street in Canterlot whenever Hailstone had started a fight.
"But that's not the point..." Spitfire watched as Stoneware dropped her muzzle into her hooves. "I just can't seem to keep control of him."
The lemon pegasus walked over to comfort Stoneware, draping a hoof over the pained mare’s shoulders "Well..." She smiled, catching the tan mare’s attention. "My offer still stands."
"Yes yes, I know." The two friends leaned into each other, one seeking reassurance and the other giving it.
"It will help him, and help you too." Spitfire said quietly.
Sobbing, Stoneware leaned in closer to the Wondebolt. "Oh, Spits, how could it possibly help me? I have never been a week without him by my side." Spitfire felt small tears fall onto her chest, Stoneware against her shoulder
Spitfire frowned. "You need rest. You constantly worry for him and I can't bear to see you run yourself ragged watching out for his sorry arse 24/7!"
Stoneware sniffled and looked up at her closest friend. "Do you really think it would help him?" she asked, hoping for complete reassurance.
"If I get my hooves on him, I will make sure he becomes the stallion I know you tried hard to make him into." She smiled warmly, wishing Stoneware would understand the purpose of the new recruit training camp, and the effects it would have on not only Hail, but her too.
A minute of silence surrounded the household as Hail’s mother thought about the advantages and disadvantages, weighing her options. "When does it start?"
Spitfire smiled. "Monday"
Stoneware thought about her son. He had never learned and repeatedly disturbed the peaceful city like he enjoyed it... Like he enjoyed worrying her. "Fine. I will get him there, but if I hear one bad thing-" At this, her face morphed into absolute concern "-He comes home! Do I make myself clear?!"
"Crystal Kingdom clear." The two mares smiled, each one privately hoping this next month would help everypony, though mostly for Spitfire, who would keep an even closer eye on Hail’s movements.
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"WHAT!?! You have gotta be kidding me!" Hail yelled at his mother. Stoneware calmly packed a suitcase with a few of her son’s belongings. The Wonderbolt captain had left about an hour prior to Stoneware's talk.
"No, Hailstone,” she said as Hail paced his room, searching frantically for some excuse not to go. "You need to learn a few lessons in self-control. I am sick of being-"
"But mom, I don't want to! You can't make me!" he complained, similar to how a foal acted when been refused some sweets from a candy store.
"Oh really?" Stoneware gave him a smug grin. "Okay, then let me make you a deal.” She trotted right up into his face. "Either you go on your own without me, or I will forcibly drag you there and make your first introduction a living hell." She grinned as his eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
Hailstone huffed and turned his back. "Fine. I'll go."
"Good...." She went back to packing when a thought popped into both her and her son’s mind simultaneously. "Oh, and don't even bother doing a runner. Spitfire and myself are very close."
Hail didn't even flinch. "Fine!”
All she could do was smirk.