//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: All's Fair in Love and War // by SeaBreeze173 //------------------------------// And so my life went on in the same pattern for another four years. Wake up at five-thirty or six, eat breakfast with either one or both of my parents and then start my daily chores. Once Topaz reached thirteen, part of my chores became hers and so each morning before school she would either dust or help me with setting the laundry to soak. Then I would walk to school with her, the two us talking about sister things. I was now twenty-one years old, two years older than both my sisters when they moved out to go to university and consequently met their husbands. Gypsy had a beautiful little filly (who I absolutely adored, though I couldn’t say the same for her mother) and Penelope was now expecting. I suppose my parents were waiting for me to move out. I got so used to the pattern of my daily life at home that I really had no want or need to move out. I had no desire to attend secondary school. It was hard enough for me to finish primary school. I didn’t detest school like many foals. I loved my history and language classes, but everything else was quite boring. I do believe it was my love for history and language that kept me from dropping out or failing. Well, that and the threat of my mother’s wrath. Plus, I would need a high school diploma in order to join the military, so dropping out was out of the question completely. And I guess, deep down, I didn’t want to leave my mother. She and I were always very close, despite us having hardly any similarities. I was her little girl, since her other three daughters tended to be partial to their father. Topaz was now fourteen and she had grown into a beautiful young mare. One would think her light blue coat would clash with her hair, which was varying hues of orange and yellow, but she made it work. She kept her mane braided and her tail was clipped at a medium length. She had certainly begun catching the lingering looks of many colts. Of course since I’d beaten most every stallion my age when we were younger, they were weary of me. Not that I minded. None of them were my type. After all, I was waiting for a knight in shining armor. Mother raced frantically around the house. It seemed as if she were going in twenty different directions at once. We were going on a trip to Manehatten to visit Penelope and Anvil. Their first foal would be arriving any day now, and Mother wanted to be there when her second grand-foal was born. Wind Shift and Gypsy would be coming up from Fillydelphia. I didn’t understand why Gypsy was coming, she and Penelope got together much more often than they did with us. Surely Gypsy could have visited after we left. But, Mother was excited at the thought of having all her daughters under one roof again. Thankfully, Sterling wasn’t coming. Even though he had built up plenty of leave time, he decided he would stay behind to watch over the house. I was more than sure he was just making an excuse so that he and I wouldn’t be around each other, not that I was complaining. However, I would being trading my father for the most annoying, stuck up pony in the world; my sister, Gypsy Rose. She was Sterling in a mare’s body. “Okay, girls, do we have everything?” Mother asked as she went from room to room. “Yes, Momma,” Topaz smiled gleefully, her saddlebag secured to her back and several other bags sitting at her hooves. “You aren’t seriously taking all that,” I said, my brow raised. Topaz glared at me. “We’re going to Manehatten, Aggie! Of course I’m taking extra bags. Where would I put everything that I plan to buy?” “Mother, Topaz does know this is a trip to visit Penelope, right? Not a shopping excursion,” “Oh, leave your sister alone, Agate. I’m sure Penny—and Gypsy— would love to take the two of you shopping,” Mother replied. Topaz stuck her tongue out at me and proceeded to drag her bags out the door to the taxi carriage outside. “Real mature,” I grumbled under my breath. I lifted my saddlebag and secured it to my back. It mostly held a few of my books, my toothbrush, mane brush, shampoo and a few of my bandanas, plus two simple dresses in case we went out for dinner. I didn’t need much of anything else. It was just a two week trip. However, Topaz and Mother seemed to have forgotten that detail. They packed as if we were leaving the country for three months. Sterling came down from upstairs to see us off. He stopped at me and looked me over carefully. “Take a photo, why don’t you? It would last longer,” I said sourly as I turned and trotted out the front door. I heard my Mother gasp but paid her no heed. I looked into the carriage while the stallions that would be pulling it secured Mother and Topaz’s bags on the top. It was rather spacious, though I suspected that if the carriage hadn’t had the baggage holder on the top, it would have been a tight fit. I took my saddlebag off and tossed it on one of the seats, scrambling in after it. Topaz came bounding out of the house with Sterling walking beside Mother. Topaz jumped into the carriage, shaking with excitement. Sterling kissed his wife goodbye and helped her up into the carriage. Mother smiled gently at her husband as he shut the carriage door. Once the carriage stallions got their harnesses back on, we were off to the train station for the eleven hour ride to Manehattan. The train ride from Whinnyanapolis to Manehattan was a long, but relaxing one. I jolted awake as the train pulled into the station. Apparently I had fallen asleep halfway through, the evidence being a book lying across my chest and drool dribbling from my mouth. Hastily, I wiped my face, patted my mane back in place and stuffed the book back into my saddlebag. Mother and Topaz were gathering the bags they’d brought into the riding car, their remaining things being in the baggage car. We shuffled out of the train in a wave of other ponies eager to be on their way. “Mother! Over here!” came a familiar voice over the bustling noise of the crowd. My ears perked and I swiveled, trying to pick up which direction my sister’s voice came from. Suddenly my brother-in-law flew by overhead, landing on the platform in front of me. “Afternoon Mrs. Sunflower,” Wind Shift said cheerfully, giving Mother a hug. “Good afternoon to you as well, Wind Shift,” Mother smiled. Gypsy made her way over to us, her foal Primrose tucked safely in a foal saddle bag. “Gypsy!” Topaz squealed happily, practically going through me to get to our sister. “Hey girlie,” Gypsy smiled, giving Topaz a one-hoofed hug. Gypsy lifted her gaze to me, her eyes going emotionless and her face turning downward into a frown. I made myself smile at her despite wanting to slap that look of disdain off her face. Kill her with kindness, I thought. “So, are we going to stand here and hug each other like a bunch of hippies, or are we going to get a move on? It’s been six hours since I last ate and I’m starving,” I said, still smiling at my sister. “I know a wonderful restaurant in the city center,” Gypsy said, “Shift, do you mind helping Topaz and Mother with their bags?” she looked at my sister and mother, her countenance completely changing from a frown into a cheerful smile. I didn’t buy it for a second. “Not at all,” Wind Shift said as he turned towards the baggage claim area. Mother and Topaz followed along behind him, Topaz talking up a storm with our brother-in-law. I started to go with them when Gypsy grabbed my hoof. “What do you want?” I said coldly. The smile I’d kept on my face for Mother’s sake disappeared. Gypsy rolled her eyes at me. “I thought that attitude of yours would have gotten better by now. You know it isn’t proper,” “What is it with you and Father? You’re both always on my back about being proper and ladylike. You’re just like him,” I glared at her and pulled my hoof away. I started over to the baggage claim to get my bags. “That’s because being proper and ladylike is the way of a normal mare,” “What if I don’t want to be a normal mare?” I spat, stomping my right front hoof. “I want to do something with my life. I want to be somepony who is selfless, brave and unfaltering. If that’s not what a normal mare is, then I don’t want to be a normal mare. Mother supports me wholeheartedly. I don’t understand why you and Father are so adamant about my becoming a military mare,” “Because being in the military is for stallions, that’s why. Mares are to—” “—Be homemakers, foal bearers and a whole other bunch of crud. I’ve heard it a million times, Rose!” I interrupted. My nostrils flared and my cheeks turned red with pent up anger. “Then why don’t you listen?” “Because that’s not me!” “What is going on here?” Sunflower snapped. She, Topaz and Shift had returned with our bags. Mother’s eyes held a look as icy as the Frozen North. She trotted up between us and glared at us in turn. “I leave the two of you alone for just ten minutes and all Tartarus breaks loose. You girls are grown adults, act as such.” Mother glared sharply at Gypsy. Her expression softened slightly when she looked towards me. I shot an expression full of hatred towards my sister before grunting and began walking towards Shift to get my bag. “At least I’m the type of daughter he can be proud of,” she whispered. I froze in my steps. Daughter he can be proud of. I’d heard those words so many times in my life. Hearing them from my own sister stabbed me deep in my heart. Tears welled up in my eyes and I turned back to my sister. “If a spoiled, snobbish brat like you is the type of daughter he can be proud of, them I’m glad I’m not,” I sniffled and wiped my eyes with a flick of my hoof before pushing past Shift and several ponies who were watching and galloping out of the train station. I didn’t know where I was going, but I needed to get away as quickly as possible. I paid no heed to the desperate calls of Topaz and Mother trailing behind me. ________________________________________________________________________ Manehattan at night is a sight to behold. Times Square is lit up at all times and ponies are bustling through the streets in double time. I barely remember how I managed to get into Midtown Manehatten. I ran for blocks, dodging business ponies and tourists alike, finally stopping at a tavern. Not wanting to find my way to Penelope’s apartment at the moment, I went inside the FirWood Tavern. Upon entering, I stopped and stared, mouth agape. Apparently, and ironically, I should add, I had stumbled upon the hangout of military personnel. They were everywhere, stallions dressed in armor, ceremonial uniforms, armed, not armed, privates, sergeants, lieutenants, even a few captains. They all stopped what they were doing and stared at me, It was like one of those western films when the protagonist walks into a saloon and everything freezes. Realizing that a young mare standing in the doorway of a military pub with her jaw unhinged must be quite the sight, I straightened up, wiped a hoof over my mane and smiled politely. I made my way over to the bar and sat on a stool. “What can I get you, miss?” the bartender smiled. He was an older brown coated stallion, around fifty or so. His faded mane showed signs of once being a pristine blue and his green eyes sparkled with spirit. “Cider is fine,” I replied. The stallion nodded and went to preparing my drink. Though I wanted something more along the lines of vodka, I knew Mother would figure out where I’d been the moment she smelled me. She had little tolerance for drinks of the alcoholic sort, “So what brings you here, miss?” the bartender asked as he sat my mug of cider in front of me. “Name’s Gibson, by the way.” “Fire Agate,” I smiled. “My mother, younger sister and I came to visit my older sisters. My eldest sister decided to be a major pain and so I’m here.” “I understand how that is,” Gibson shook his head, “I have a couple sisters myself. I love ‘em now, but growing up I sometimes wanted to put their heads through a brick wall,” he chuckled. “I don’t think I’ll ever love Gypsy,” I said. “She’s been a thorn in my side for twenty-one years. She’s all “sit straight, don’t slouch, be ladylike, be a proper mare,” It doesn’t help that she’s completely against my becoming a royal guard and you don’t even want to know what my father did when I told him,” “A royal guard, huh? Don’t see many mares wanting to go into that line of work these days,” “Yeah, unfortunately,” I sighed, taking a sip of my cider. Gibson busied himself with cleaning glasses so I began looking around the tavern. The stallions had pretty much gone back to what they’d been doing. I took particular interest in a group of three who were playing pool. One was light blue with a white mane and tail, wings tucked at his sides. His brown eyes held a calm coolness, yet they hid the ecstatic excitement only a new soldier could have. He wore a dress uniform that I recognized as being Navy. The second was obviously the first stallion’s brother. He was also a light blue pegasus, only he had brown mane and tail and light green eyes. He also wore the Navy’s uniform. The third was obviously the eldest of the three, at least five years older than I... He was a jet black pegasus, his mane and tail having streaks of silver-grey, but what caught my attention were his eyes; they were the prettiest blue I’d ever seen in my life. And though he was young, they held the soul of a pony who was much older and wiser. He wasn’t in a Navy uniform; instead he was dressed in a odd golden uniform. The only thing I fully recognized was the lieutenant pin upon his chest. I stared at his uniform for several moments before realizing that I staring at a pony that was part of Equestria’s toughest military ranking; he was a Solaris. I had read little about the Solaris, only that they were the toughest of the tough and the bravest of the brave. Princess Celestia herself had a hoof in developing the Solaris branch of the Equestrian Military, named in honor of her father, King Solaris. The Solaris soldiers were very few now, but for centuries they were the largest military branch. After the shock of being in the presence of a Solaris wore off, my eyes zeroed in on the ceremonial sword which was secured at his side. It was a handsome blade.. The Navy brothers noticed me looking at the Solaris soldier. One nudged the stallion and gestured toward me. “Hey, Knight, looks like you got yourself an admirer,” the white maned one smirked. The Solaris looked in my direction, his brow raised. Spotting me, he smiled. I swear I nearly turned to jelly at his smile. In attempt to hide my jelly-ness, I rolled my eyes and shrugged. “Don’t flatter yourself, soldier. I was admiring your sword,” I said. The brothers fell over each other laughing which made the rest of the tavern stopped once more to see what the commotion was about. I drank down what remained of my cider, hoofed a couple bits to Gibson and rose from my seat, thankful that my legs had come back from being liquid. The brothers were still laughing as I left, a few of the other stallions having joined in. Before I walked out the door, I turned back to the Solaris. “It’s a very nice sword, by the way” I smiled. I was half-way down the street when I heard hoofsteps coming at me rapidly. My heart seized at first, thinking that it was some punk hoping to rob me. It wasn’t uncommon in the Manehatten night for a lone mare to be robbed or worse. I was starting to regret my decision of running out of the train station. I relaxed slightly when a golden uniform came into my peripheral vision. “So, you like my sword, huh?” Oh, his voice. Jelly legs were back in full throttle. “Heh, um, y-yes,” I mentally facehoofed at my sputtering. “It’s been in my family for generations. I got it from my father, who got it from his father and so on,” “That’s nice,” I winced inwardly. That’s nice? Good grief I was never this way with the colts back home, I thought to myself. “I’m Onyx Knight,” he was really trying to make conversation. Too bad I was so tongue tied I couldn’t say anything without sounding like an idiot. “Agate, pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Finally, you’re talking with sense. I felt the soldier looking me over. After several moments, he spoke once more. “You’re not from Manehatten, are you?” Perceptive thing, this stallion. “That obvious, huh? No, I’m not. I’m here visiting my sister,” I said. “Then why aren’t you visiting with your sister?” I heard the chuckle in his voice. “Didn’t quite make it that far,” I sighed. “My family is…not the best at greetings,” “Ah. Well then, I don’t blame you for running to a bar,” I saw Onyx smile out of the corner of my eye. I laughed. “Yes, when all else fails, the bar will always be there for you,” “That is true,” he chuckled once more. We walked in silence for several moments. Every so often I would peek over at the Solaris Lieutenant, taking in his features and etching them into my mind. He was a handsome stallion, not princely handsome with the perfect mane and chiseled chin, like so many romance authors describe their stallion characters as, but handsome in a strong and rugged way. He was big too. I was above the average height for an earth pony mare, but he was easily two heads taller than I. My ears barely reached the top of his shoulder and his hooves were twice the size of mine. “What does a Solaris do, exactly?” I suddenly blurted it out. My outburst obviously started the Lieutenant and he balked. “Excuse me?” “Your uniform. It’s of the Solaris section of the military,” I said, swallowing the lump that had jumped into my throat. Onyx stared at me for several seconds. “You know I’m Solaris? How?” He was having a hard time processing that a mare knew a few things about the military. That realization made my chest swell with pride. “A hobby of mine is to collect and read old military manuals and books. My father is a colonel in the Army and I wish to become a Royal Guard. “A guard, huh?” Onyx raised a brow. I braced myself for another lecture about how mares don’t belong in the military. “That’s interesting. Quite interesting,” he finally said. I blinked. “You aren’t opposed?” Now I was the one having the hard time processing. “Why should I be? Any pony who is brave enough to put on the uniform should be praised, stallion or mare,” “My father doesn’t want me to become a guard,” I sighed. “It has caused some issues between us. We rarely speak and when we do, it is almost always shouting that ends in a hoof fight. I just want to show him that I can do anything a stallion can,” I chuckled softly. “I’m sorry. You probably don’t want to hear about my family issues.” “It’s fine, sounds like you needed to get it off your chest. Sometimes talking to somepony you barely know helps more than you think. But back to your original question,” he smiled. I returned his smile with one of my own. “Yes, what does a Solaris do?” “I’m glad you asked, it’s not every day somepony recognizes the Solaris Corps’ uniform,” Onyx started. “We’re a special forces division of the Equestrian Military close to the Crown. Some say we are closer than even the Royal Guard, but I guess when the Princess is basically your commanding officer, you have to be pretty close,” the big black pegasus chuckled. “We can do almost everything the other divisions can and a little bit more. We work closely with the Navy and the Wonderbolts. A few of us are also specially trained as spies for the Equestrian government. ” “Wait a second, the Wonderbolts are military? I never read that in my books,” “The Wonderbolts like to keep their military side a secret from the general public. Their air shows act as an income system for them and the other divisions. They might look like fancy fliers, but they can be quite tough when need be. The Wonderbolts haven’t been needed in war for centuries, though. They assist occasionally with border patrol and the rare outsider threats, but those are usually kept out of the public eye. Their current captain used to be Solaris, by the way,” “No way,” “It’s true. A Solaris never lies,” Onyx placed a hoof over his heart. “Okay, now I know you’re pulling my hoof,” I rolled my eyes. “You cut me deep, Agate, you cut me real deep,” Onyx feigned being hurt. “I’m glad I complimented your sword. I’ve never had this much fun in Manehattan in all my visits combined,” I laughed. “I glad I could make this trip worth it,” Onyx smiled. “Now, where does your sister live? It’s never good for a pony to walk Manehattan alone and especially at this time at night,” ________________________________________________________________________ The walk to Penny and Anvil’s apartment building went by faster than I wished it would. Despite never meeting each other before now, it felt like I’d known Onyx forever. He was easy to talk to, unlike like the colts back home. Of course, that wasn’t much of a competition. My hooves felt heavier with each step closer to the building’s doors. I didn’t look forward to being under the same roof as the wretch I called my sister. I knew my mother must be worried sick about me, but that didn’t make it any easier. “Is this the place?” Onyx asked as we stopped at the front doors. “Unless I completely messed up the directions Mother showed me on the train, yes, it is,” I smiled. “Thanks for walking with me,” “It was no problem. Anything for a mare who wants to change stereotypes,” he laughed. “I’ll be looking for your name in the Royal Guard,” “Fire Agate,” I said. Onyx raised a brow. “If you’re going to be looking for my name, you’ll need my full name,” I chuckled. “I’ll remember that. It was nice meeting you, Fire Agate,” “You as well, Lieutenant Onyx Knight,” I saluted. Onyx smiled and reached up for my hoof, bringing it down and slightly forward and then copied the salute himself. I hoped he missed the slight blush on my face. “That’s a proper salute,” he said before smiling once more and turning back in the direction we’d come. I sighed as I watched him trot away. I more than likely wouldn’t see him again, despite the Solaris Corps working closely with the Crown and subsequently, the Guard. The Guard was the largest division, after all. “Agate?” My ear swiveled around at the sound of Penelope’s voice. “Aggie! I’m so glad you’re safe. We’ve been worried sick about you,” I put a smile on my face as I turned and embraced my heavily pregnant sister and her husband. “Hi Penny, hi Anvil,” I said cheerfully. “How’s my little nephew?” I glanced at Penny’s swollen belly. “He’s doing great,” Penny giggled. “We’ll be doing much better when he finally makes his appearance,” Anvil added. “But let’s wait on foal talk. Where have you been?” Penny asked as Mother, Gypsy, Topaz, and Shift came off the elevator. Catching sight of me, Mother and Topaz quickly rushed over and embraced me. “Oh my sweet girl, I’ve been so worried about you. It’s been four hours! Where have you been? We were just about to call the police!” Mother cried with relief. My heart hurt from the unnecessary grief I’d caused her, she was too good a pony for me to do this to her. “I went to a bar in Midtown,” “A bar? This is hardly the time for drinking!” Mother gasped. “Well, it seemed like a good place at time. But don’t worry, it was cider. And it wasn’t hard cider either,” I reassured, smiling gently at her. “Well, that’s good, I suppose,” Mother sighed. Topaz jumped up in front of me, “Sis! Who was that stallion I saw you walking with?” I stared at her in surprise. “Who? When! How?” I sputtered. “I saw you from Penny’s balcony! That is why we’re all down here, after all,” Topaz rolled her eyes at me, as if she expected that I’d know that. “Oh,” I gulped. Penny and Topaz leaned towards me, their eyes full of curiosity, Mother peered at me with her brow raised. “Don’t freak out. We met at the bar. He walked with me since it’s nighttime. It’s no big deal,” “He was wearing a uniform!” Topaz squeaked. I mentally face hoofed, “is he military, like Papa?” “Yes, Topaz, he is military,” I smiled at my sister. Gypsy reminded me that she was also present by huffing loudly. “Wonderful, another military pony. Hopefully you didn’t embarrass yourself with telling him of your guard fantasy,” “For your information, sister, he actually thought me becoming a guard is brave and noble,” I said, hiding my smirk. I had to hold back a giggle at Gypsy’s dumbfounded expression. Her face showed various degrees of confusion and anger before she grunted and stomped towards the elevators. My other sisters, Mother, and Anvil switched looks at Gypsy and I before going after her, Mother placing a hoof on my shoulder and giving me a smile. Wind Shift watched his wife for several seconds before sighing and coming towards me. “Look, Aggie,” he started, looking me over, “Gypsy, she… well, I don’t really know what to say. She is my wife and I love her more than life itself, but I don’t always agree with her stances. The two of you are as different as night and day, but she is your sister, just, maybe try looking at things from her point of view, okay?” He smiled. I could see why Gypsy had fallen for him, he was such a gentlestallion.. “Okay,” I smiled back, though I didn’t really mean what I said. “For the record, kid, I support you in your decision to be a guard. Equestria needs more ponies like you,” Shift nodded at me. His words caught me off guard, causing me to stumble mid-step. “Um, thanks,” I said, uncertain of what to say. Once Shift had disappeared behind the elevator doors, I strode over to a small couch situated in the middle of the lobby and flopped on it. My family was one confusing bunch of ponies. Half of them fought me over my choices, others supported me and a couple kept giving mixed signals. I prayed for the day when I could finally get away from it all and live my life the way I wanted it to be.