Chapter 1: The Falcon

Edited by LoneUnicornWriter and epreeses1

Darkness, that is what surrounded me, hiding my body from the scowls cast upon me by the light. Yet, the silver crown held by my pale fingers seemed to illuminate and reflect my tired face, violet eyes, once so bright and life filled, now seemed dead. I felt like I was looking at a corpse, rather than a young girl excited for her coronation. But that was just it, I wasn’t excited, I was terrified. No, not the kind where you get butterflies in your stomach, or as Pinkie refers to it, nervecited. This was the kind of terror that made you want to go to a corner, curl up, and bawl your eyes out. It was the kind of terror that encompassed everything, made you stay awake at night and lose your appetite.

I was terrified, and it was over something that should fill me with joy. I am the Princess’ protege, after all, the one who would ascend to the throne and rule over Equestria alongside the other Princesses. I was supposed to yearn for this moment, I was supposed to be happy with the choices I had no say or experience in. but I was not, I never wanted this to happen so soon and with such little knowledge on how to run an empire. I felt dead and hollow, like I was slowly fading away. But, in truth, I was, I was building a shell around myself, pushing away everyone I ever loved.

It was scary, having no experience in this type of role or position, other than being a librarian, which doesn’t even count because librarians don’t lead empires. Not that any of the other royalty were helping either, they were throwing a fit after the announcement of my coronation, even if it had only been no less than four days ago. I just knew the minute I was on the top of the political heap, I would somehow pass a bill or law that was very counterproductive or harmful and the royalty would immediately target and overthrow me.

I looked down once more at the cold silver crown, my reflection still appearing lifeless. I sighed, throwing my head back in frustration. I-I need to do this, but I can’t abandon them, I can’t abandon my friends, my family. They want this for me, too, though. But, once I do this, there is a chance I will never have time to be with my friends. My friends, I couldn’t do this, because I knew I was abandoning them, I knew I was leaving behind my biggest support group. I could never do that, I just knew deep down in my heart that I couldn’t leave them behind.

Slowly, I let out the breath I had been holding as I looked down from the ceiling and into the mirror located just on the other side of the mostly-empty dressing room. Although it was dark, I could still clearly make out my dress. It was a deep violet color that reminded me slightly of my namesake, Twilight. A black ribbon was tied tightly around my waist; my hair was tied up by another black ribbon, both ribbons were tied precisely, forming loose bows down my exposed back.

Any God out there, if you can hear me, please, please help me. Please just send me a sign, a sign that you’re listening.

I received one promptly as an overzealous guard burst through the double doors to the left of where I was standing. He stared at me silently, only his orange eyes visible through his bright bronze armor. He gripped the ceremonial spear in his left hand and slowly extended his arm out towards me.

“It is time for the Coronation, Miss Sparkle,” the guard said politely.

I hesitated for a second before extending out my arm and gripping the guard’s gloved hand with mine own carefully decorated black gloves. He led me out the door into a corridor, tugging at me occasionally. I tried to break contact, but he only tightened his grip, nearly dragging me down the hall as people lined up to see the Coronation gawked. A royal in the crowd stifled a laugh a little too late at the sight of the Princess to be being dragged by a lowly guard.

When we finally arrived at the huge Mahogany doors, the guard released my hand and bowed his blue-feathered helmet to me. He walked away from me as I glanced around the mostly deserted hallway. Summer-themed paintings of all different sizes lined the grand marble hallway, a red carpet spread neatly over the white floor. There were a couple bronze-clad guards holding blue and yellow flags , each appearing like a statue.

Ignoring them, I slowly approached the door, my hands trembling more by the second. Reaching out one of my hands, I slowly pushed the wooden doors open, revealing the huge room that laid beyond them. The tall marble columns reached up to the checkered ceiling that soared what felt like miles above my head, dwarfing me with their grandeur. Mosaics scored in stained glass adorned the huge windows on either side of the giant hall, showing the entire story of Equestria, from Creation to the Changelings. The marble floor was so clean and bright that it was nearly blinding upon first glance.

In front of me, not one, but two thrones, one hastily made, and the other one so grand and huge, it reached from the ceiling to the floor. The red carpet decorated the floor and led right up to the throne of Celestia. I stepped through the doors, the entire walk up to the throne felt like moving through honey. There on the thrones, sat Luna and Celestia themselves. Celestia stared expectantly at me, her magenta eyes seemingly staring straight into my soul. Her white summer dress flowed elegantly around her golden sandals, seemingly imitating her multicolored hair that was in a perpetual celestial breeze.

Luna was no less grand, her big blue eyes appeared to know my every thought and emotion. Her dress wrapped around her like dark midnight shadows, her hair reflecting the night sky that was to come once the sun set and darkness ruled the lands. I finally arrived at the edge of the throne, my hands shaking violently as Luna stepped forward and took the silver crown from my clammy grasp. I stared up at the sisters, fear evident in my eyes, according to the worried looks that were passed between the two.

Celestia stood up from her place on the throne, the worried look still plastered across her face, “Are you okay, Twilight?”

I nodded, squeaking slightly in terror, unable to speak. Celestia looked down at me in doubt and kneeled down in front of me.

“Twilight, I want you to understand something,” She paused, lifting up my head with her gentle hand, “This decision is one that is completely up to you, I do not want you to be doing this just because I wanted this for you, you have to make it for yourself.”

At that, I broke down and bawled right there in the middle of the throne room. Celestia took my shoulders in her careful grasp and gave me a hug as I wailed loudly. I continued crying into my mentor’s hair as she hugged me tightly. After a few minutes of this, I was finally able to gain back some of my composure and speak.

“I-I-I-I’m sorry,” I wailed,” I-I don’t think I can do this, I have next to no political experience and I will mess up.” I shouldn’t have done this, why did I even show up. The royalty stared at me in shock from where they stood along the sides of the room before beginning to laugh mockingly at me.

“I told you, I told you that low-down filthy rat of a girl could not do it!” Yelled a man dressed in the finest silk I had ever laid eyes upon.

Another one giggled with laughter, her hand held close to her heavily laden makeup that covered her face, “ Look, look at the peasant, she will never be anything more than that, no matter what title she tries to take.”

Luna looked out upon the crowd, her face going red with barely-contained rage, “Silence!”

The crowd fell silent as the Princess bellowed loudly in rage, her midnight blue wings flaring in anger.

“Twilight, I need you to calm down,” Princess Celestia said quietly as the throne room fell silent.

I was starting to hyperventilate now, my breath coming out in short, panicked bursts.. Celestia stood up slowly, telling the guards, royalty, and servants to leave. The royalty laughed quietly at me as they left, their pointing and quiet ‘I told you so’s’ haunting me and causing me to curl up into a fetal position on the red carpet..

Nononononono, why, why did I do that!? Am I an idiot!? The entire population of Canterlot will know about this by sundown! My family will be disgraced, what if they disown me? No, they wouldn’t, they love me, but what if they do?!

The sister stared at me with a mixture of caution and concern. Luna stepped forward quickly and sat down on the step closest to me.

“Twilight, we-I do not believe mine sister would ever allow the royals to disgrace thy family, even if thou refused this title,” Luna said quietly and calmly,”But, thou needs to calm thyself, we do not intend to harm thee in any way.”

Did I say that out loud? I thought as I whimpered on the floor.

“Y-y-you do-don’t?” I asked quietly, calming down slightly but not leaving the safe little ball that I had become on the carpet.

“No, we do not, my most faithful student,” Said Celestia, sitting back down on her throne,”But-”

“But?!” I panicked, curling up tighter.

Celestia stared at me with pity in her magenta eyes, ”But, you need to think this over, as well as its consequences. I do not wish for your family to be the target of the royals’ mockery. But, you should find something that would allow you to gain that political and leadership experience that you think you lack.”

Luna gained a thoughtful look on her face at these words, but she did not say anything. I stared up at the sisters, slowly uncurling from my ball and standing up on the red carpet that had just previously been my refuge from the stares of the Princesses and royals. I stood there shakily, still not completely calmed down after my outburst. My dress was wrinkled and my makeup was running, but at that moment I could care less as the Princesses decided my fate. Luna inhaled sharply, sticking one of her hands in the air like a schoolgirl who knew the answer to the teacher’s question. Celestia turned and looked at the Ruler of the Night, motioning her to state her thought.

“What is it, my dear sister?” asked Celestia, curiosity strung through her calm gaze.

“We know what thee shall do!” stated Luna excitedly,”Seven cycles of day and night, seven cycles then thou shall answer thy question of what thou shalt do of importance.”

Celestia gave Luna the most confused face possible as she tried to understand her sister’s logic, ”seven cycles of night and day? one week, one week to decide her fate? Luna, I don’t believe that is enough-”

“Silence, thou beloved sister, it only requires seven days to understand, but many years to complete!” said Luna gleefully, causing even me to raise an eyebrow in confusion.

“Princess Luna, What are you talking about?” I asked, twirling my hair in thought and nervousness. I did not appreciate where this conversation was going.

“My dearest friend, We are merely talking about thy fate, nothing more,” stated Luna as she, too sat down on her throne, ”Thou shall discover shortly, within the cycles, a dream has predicted it.”

“Oh, Luna, you babble on nonsensically, we should allow Twilight to go back to her room and pack to go home in the morning.” said Celestia nervously, the translation would be “Luna, I have no idea what you are saying, so in the smartest way possible, please shut up because you are confusing everyone.”

“Alright, then, We shall be quiet and let thy friend go and pack up thy luggage to go back to Ponyville and be with thy friends. But remember, young friend, be open to whatever possibilities await thee, for fear is thy biggest enemy”

With that, Celestia motioned me out of the throne room. I walked out, feeling as if in a daze, the red carpet where I had curled up was flattened, leaving an imprint on the red. The throne room disappeared behind the huge wooden doors once more as I walked down to marble hall. The sun had since set, the night sky showing through the grand windows in the hallway leading to the west wing of the castle. I walked along, the guards seemingly at every corner.

They just ignored me, going about their night patrols silently. I continued walking for a few more minutes in silence, luckily having not run into any nobles for the time of night. I finally arrived at the door to my room, it was a plain brown color but had many grand designs in it. grabbing the door knob, I opened the door. It creaked slightly, signaling that it had not been oiled in a while. The room was big, two floors in total. The top floor was a huge library with a glass observatory, the bottom was a bedroom with multiple half-finished science projects littering the floor.

I stepped in and snapped my fingers. The candles in the room came on promptly, flashing a vibrant purple color and bathing the room in the colored light. My hands were surrounded with a purple aura as I levitated my clothes into the air and into the black suitcase sitting on my bed, clothes appearing to have exploded from its depths.

“I guess I really am quite the pig sometimes,” I mumbled to myself as I folded and placed the clothes in my bag with my magic.

Picking up my pajamas, I promptly switched my clothes and folded my dress into my suitcase.

What just happened? I feel like today was just a dream. I guess it is okay, the Princesses said they would protect me and my family from the royals. But that is what seemed so strange, it’s like they were expecting this. And Luna.... what was that all about, what was she talking about? What will I do, now that I am no longer a Princess?

I continued my self-inquiries for a few minutes as I finished packing, but I found myself at a loss for ideas or answers. I stepped back and admired my perfectly packed and organized suitcase, then proceeded to go to the bathroom and fix my hair and wipe off the running makeup. Looking in the mirror, I realized what a mess I was at that moment. my oversized red pajamas were hanging loosely from my body, my face had dark tear streaks running down from my reddened eyes, their violet irises staring back at me through the mirror. I wiped my eyes with a towel that was hanging off the towel rack and let my hair out of the black ribbon, the navy, pink, and violet strands falling onto my shoulders.

I smiled half-heartedly in the mirror, I was going home, to my friends- No, my family, and I would never leave them again. But, I still needed to figure something out within the week, something that I could do to fulfill my destiny in a different way. The only way I was going to do anything, though, is if I had my friends by my side and my wits about me. I walked to my bed, and jumped under the soft sheets, curling up and closing my tired eyes. I smiled unconsciously as sleep claimed me with dreams of my friends and family, dreams of warmth and home. If only I had realized that even those would be ripped away from me.

as the darkness of sleep claimed me , a voice spoke quietly to me,” Be not afraid of what might await you, embrace your fate and you shall be rewarded.”

Tomorrow I was going home, and this time I will not leave my friends behind.

Chapter 2: Homecoming

View Online

Translations at the bottom

I woke up, the white sheets that surrounded me were clumped together and thrown everywhere. The windows let a small amount of grey light in, signaling it was very early in the morning. I groaned as I rolled out of the soft sheets and into the cool late-summer air that poured through the windows, that, for some reason, were open.

I stood up in the grey light and stretched, my lavender wings popping as they flared. I groaned as I stared at the unpreened dark purple primary feathers and lavender secondaries. I guess I was stuck with these annoying limbs, at least I had an idea of how to fly and use the alien extremities. I walked through the dark room and into the bathroom. Once I stood in front of the mirror, I snapped my fingers, setting the candles in the room ablaze with an orange light.

My face was illuminated, the flickering light darkening the shadows around my eyes. I looked exhausted, probably from the lack of restful sleep I had the night before. I had awoken in the middle of the night and could not fall back asleep, so I laid wide awake reading books about the history of Equestria until sleep overtook me in the early hours of the morning. In total, I probably had about two hours of sleep the night before.

I reached out in front of me and turned the faucet on warm as the water poured out. Soon, the water went from freezing to a comfortable temperature, and I cupped my hands under the faucet. Splashing my face, I cleaned the rest of the makeup that had stuck stubbornly to my eyelashes and lips. I then cleaned my wings, using the warm water to set the feathers in line. It was quite a pleasant feeling cleaning my ruffled feathers, no wonder the Areos appeared to care so much about their wings.

After finishing up in the bathroom, I changed from my pajamas and into my day clothes that I had fortunately kept unpacked. As I pulled the purple shirt on over my head, I heard a knock on the door. Opening the plain brown door, I was greeted with the sight of yet another guard. It was the same guard that had dragged me through the halls to the Coronation, except this time, his helmet was removed.

His eyes appeared more of an amber color in the morning light, his hair was a mess of gray that stuck up from his head. He was wearing a plain gray shirt with the pocket stating his rank and Legion. He looked at me calmly, his blue wings relaxing slightly on his back, and opened his mouth.

“Hello, Miss Twilight, my name is Legionnaire Cobalt Snow, and I was the guard that took you to the Coronation.”

I stared at his uneasily, sucking in a breath as I realized he had probably seen what happened at the Coronation, “Oh? Well....I-I um...”

“I would like to report that I was assigned to go with you back to Ponyville and report to the Legion stationed there,” He stated flatly, his eyes filled with a hint of mirth before becoming emotionless once more.

“Really? Why?- and also, I apologize to you for having to see what happened at the Coro-”

“No, Miss Twilight, there is no need to apologize to me, although my daughter will be a bit upset to hear her favorite Princess isn’t actually a princess,” Cobalt responded, loosening up a bit,” Also, I was ordered by Princess Luna to go to Ponyville and keep watch over any political or leadership roles that opened up.”

“Well, that is good to hear. You have a daughter? How old is she?” I asked.

“Yes, my little Fiery, she is eighteen and she said to tell you it annoys her when I call her Fiery, although my nineteen year old son doesn’t exactly follow that agreement. I also have another son who is supposed to turn eleven in Fallen Leaves, as well as a daughter who just turned sixteen in Scorched Sun,” The guard responded, a smile spreading across his face as he talked about his children,” Teenagers are quite a handful, although I must say for being nineteen you are quite mature.”

I smiled, too, the image of my angsty thirteen year old self flashing through my tired mind,” So are you here to escort me to the train?”

“Yes ma’am, it is my duty to protect and advise you,” He said while extending an arm straight out in front of him and unfolding his wings in a salute.

“Just call me Twilight, please,” I stated as I went back into the room and grabbed my suitcase as well as a few of the books I had found, including an old tome on empa. I stepped into the hallway, Cobalt moved out of the way to stand on the other side of the grand corridor. I turned and locked the door, slipping the key under the mat. I stood up and turned right, walking down the halls with Cobalt, my new guard, close behind.

After a few minutes we passed by the barracks and Cobalt asked me politely to wait for him while he went into the barracks and retrieved his duffel bag full of weapons and armor. As he stepped into the hall, he strapped a sword around his waist and set his duffel bag across his back. We continued walking, the servants and nobles eyeing us curiously.

I huffed in frustration as a noble began snickering quietly, speaking in a rather loud whisper to the servant next to him, “There goes the failure, what a disgrace, not only to her family, but also to Celestia.”

The servant chuckled and whispered back,” Good riddance, let the peasant go back to whatever dirthole it came from.”

Cobalt loosened his sword from the scabbard in a sign of aggression as the servant reduced my pronouns to that of a mere animal, rather than a fellow sentient being. I waved my hand at the guard, willing him to leave it alone and save both of us the trouble of a lawsuit. He grunted in anger and tightened his sword once again.

We continued until we reached a door that led outside and into the gardens in front of the castle. The trees rose into the sky, their elegant branches displaying vibrant green leaves. The flowers lined the pathway with bright petals of every color. I breathed in the clean air as the birds chirped happily in the trees. I smirked as I remembered the time when Fluttershy had tried talking to the animals and ended up scaring everyone at the Gala half to death when she had begun yelling angrily.

I continued along the cobblestone path, suitcase in tow, until I reached the gates that would lead to the main grounds. Cobalt ran in front of me and opened the gate for me, nodding as I thanked him. We walked through the main plaza, the stone bricks that made up the floor and castle walls appeared worn by thousands of years of use. I stared up at the castle walls and the giant wooden gate that was lowered to allow people in and out of the castle walls.

This is it. Once I walk out of those gates, life goes back to normal. Well, as normal as life can be until I get some type of job involving leadership or politics. But, what was Luna talking about? I will know within the week because of a dream she had? I don’t know about this. Well, I guess it is time to deal with the nobles.

Steeling myself, I walked through the gates and into the city below. Saying Canterlot was big was an understatement, there was over two million people within its giant stone walls, and even more outside of it. It spread out in front of me as I walked through the Plaza, the same one every Legion went through on festivals or the occasion of battle or war.

Legions were the lifeblood of the military, the biggest grouping of soldiers, nearly 16,000 per Legion. They were then split through the Cohort and the Century , each Cohort consisting of a little less than 500 men, Centuries consisting of between 80 to 100 men . I believe that the Third Legion was stationed in Canterlot at the time, according to the insignia on my guard’s shirt.

I continued through the city, the crowds quickly engulfing me and Cobalt into the rivers of people as they went about their day. As I walked, I noticed a few of the nobles either laughing and pointing at me or just putting their noses up in the air and ignoring me. Fortunately, most seemed to just ignore me and my guard as we made our way to the train station.

We arrived at the station after a good thirty minutes of walking and entered the building where we would grab our tickets. Like most of Canterlot, the floors of the station were made of polished stone slabs, the walls were a white-painted wood. Considering the time of day, the station was strangely empty. Only about thirty people waited out on the platform for the train, even fewer were in the ticket lines.

I approached the salesman as he handed a pair of tickets to a young Terra couple, their rounded ears and lack of wings a strange sight in the Uni capital of the world. The salesman stared at me expectantly as I walked up to the ticket booth, the golden bits gleaming in my hand, illuminated by the faint glow of the lavender Empa swirls on my palm.

“Good morning, M’lady. one ticket to.....where will the young lady be going?” asked the Pink-haired Uni as he smiled tiredly, obviously having not completed his shift quite yet.

“Actually, Cobalt is coming with me, so.... two tickets to Ponyville, First class.”

“Oh? Okay M’lady, That will be...hm... forty bits.”

I handed the man the forty bits and took the tickets with a thank you. I looked down at the two pieces of paper between my fingers. The train would be leaving in ten minutes, that is, if it would arrive. As if on cue, a loud whistle sounded in the distance, causing me to jump slightly as I looked up. The train pulled into the station, the steam bellowing out of the machine as it came to a stop. The doors opened, letting out a good twenty people before the conductor jumped out of the train.

The man, Ironically named Conductor, yelled through his black handlebar mustache,” All aboard!”

I walked forward and handed him the tickets as he greeted me with a warm smile, “Hello Conductor, how is business today?”

“Hello, Miss Sparkle, business is a bit on the slow side, but it is quite a pleasure to see you,” He grinned mischievously as he added on,” A week is a very long time, did you find a special someone?”

“Ha, Conductor, you know me, too busy to date these days,” I laughed, our banter coming naturally as breathing after traveling so much on this train, “and where have you been, you said you would visit, or is once a week too much for you to handle?”

The terra smirked and bowed in an over-exaggerated way as he swept his hand toward the train doors. I curtsied and entered the train, the floor creaking slightly as I stepped into the car. Cobalt followed close behind and sat down in one of the cushioned seats after he set his duffel bag under it. I followed and sat down next to him, using my magic to lift the suitcase into the compartment above our heads.

Cobalt looked around , “You know, you didn’t have to pay for my ticket.”

I smiled as the train whistle sounded off, the last of the ten people getting on the train, “I thought it would be nice. Anyways, you and I are stuck with each other until I get that political experience, so why not?”

Cobalt grunted an acknowledgement and laid his head against the back of the seat, closing his eyes and falling asleep as the train begun its journey. I followed his lead and was soon asleep, despite the uncomfortable position.

I looked around, the forests that surrounded me were silent. I knew this was bad, so I adjusted my shield on my arm, the blood roaring in my ears. I continued marching along, any movement in the trees alerting me of creatures near. Looking around, I realized I was somewhere north of Stalliongrad near the Gryphus border. There was about fifty soldiers behind me, they looked familiar, but every time I got close, their faces would fade into blobs of color.

The armor I was wearing was a dull gray color, the nimbus steel scratched and battered from much use. A short sword hung loosely on my waist, the scabbard made of fine leather. I snapped my head around as I heard a guttural cry sound in front of me. I unsheathed my sword and raised my shield, yelling out orders to the soldiers behind me.

The silent forest exploded with the barbaric cries of the Gryphus Army as they beared down upon my Century with nearly one hundred soldiers. I yelled as one of the Gryfos collided with my shield, swinging his sword wildly as his thick mane flowed in the air behind him. I thrusted my sword forward and it made contact with his exposed abdominal muscles, crimson blood falling to the ground as the Griffos followed, dying as the vitality left his body. I felt a dizzying sickness at the sight, but I steeled myself , merely continuing my fighting, Gryphus soldiers falling around me.

Soon, the ground was soaked with the crimson liquid and the dead bodies of the soldiers of Gryphus, only ten still standing of the previous hundred. I stared defiantly at their leader, only his green eyes visible through his battered armor.

He stared back, his huge white wings rising from his sides as he took to the air, calling in a strange tongue, “Смотрите назад , вам бесполезно сволочь , король найдет вас , и вы умрете от меча.”

I stared after him before turning to the griffos I had felled, he was lying haphazardly in the crimson dirt around him. he stared at me, not quite as dead as I had previously thought. He stood up weakly falling to his knees as the blood poured out of him, the vitality gushing out in rivulets as he stared me dead in the eye.

“ублюдок умирают ....,” he spoke weakly as he lunged at my exposed throat, baring his bloodied teeth in hatred.

I awoke with a jolt, the train continuing along its way as the landscape passed by the window. I inhaled slowly as I looked around for the Gryfos that had lunged at me. Realizing it had been a dream, I laid my head back on the seat as the adrenaline left my body. I sighed heavily as I sat up, looking around as the train approached the tunnel carved into the side of the mountain leading into the valley that held Ponyville below.

We still had about two hours before we arrived at my home. I glanced around, chuckling as Cobalt began to snore rather loudly, his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth as he slept. But the smile left my face as I remembered the nightmare I had not but minutes before.

What happened, why was I a Legionnaire? Why did the griffos trying to harm me? What did he say to me?

I laid my head back against the seat as I stared at the ceiling of the car, ignoring the cramps that were beginning to take hold of my poor neck. My stomach turned as I recalled the crimson that had painted the ground, the dead bodies of soldiers surrounding me. Why would I dream of something like that? was it a sign? A prophecy? I had not the smallest idea as I stared blankly at the world around me, the colors becoming like black and white.

Soon, however, sleep overtook my tired mind as I rested against the seat. As I fell asleep, the face of the bloodied gryfos flashed through my mind once more, his black eyes burning with hatred.

------------------

The people around me gave me strange looks as I arrived on the train platform in Ponyville. The travel bags fell from my hands onto the wooden planks below me as I rolled my wrists in a vain attempt to get the stiffness out of the joints. I looked around, the familiar sight of the platform nothing new. Rows of buildings lined up behind the platform, the mainstreet filling up with people either setting up shop or strolling along, minding their own business.

Rolling my neck, I heard a crack as I sighed, rubbing my neck, "For Celestia’s sake, I think I should file a complaint about the effects of those seats on people's backs."

A whistle sounded behind me, making me jump slightly at the loud noise once again. I turned around as the last train of the day left the station. It pulled away, its whistle letting out one more shrill noise as it sped off. I watched the sleek train go over the horizon, staring in awe at how quickly it moved. Cobalt watched with me, his duffel bag resting once again across his surprisingly small shoulders.

I turned to him and smiled, spreading my arms out in a sweeping motion to the town behind the station.

“Welcome to Ponyville, the Cohort stationed here is the 19th of the 1st Legion.”

Cobalt groaned loudly, “No, not the Whiskey drinkers, thought I shook them back in Red Leaves during the training session of ‘84.”

I raised an eyebrow as Cobalt continued his groaning," The Whiskey drinkers?"

"The Group of Drunks from the First, every Legion has at least one, "He said bitterly," They cause the most trouble and tend to get.... Violent with the civilians. Makes me sick to think about it,"

"So the Princess is going to make you stay with those people?" I asked, sensing the sorrow and disgust in his eyes.

“It is my duty, I don’t really have a choice.”

“That is not acceptable, you, Mister Cobalt, are welcome to stay in the guest room in the Library.”

Cobalt nodded his head silently as he looked me in the eye, “I am your elder, you realize, and of current have a higher political and social ranking than you-”

My ears dropped slightly out of embarrassment, to command someone of higher ranking than you to do something was a violation of basic social rule.

“But, I accept your offer and thank you for your generosity, young lady,” Cobalt said, extending his hand and shaking my own in agreement.

I smiled as I looked around, the other people giving me strange looks as I stood there with a guard.

I jumped as I felt a hand on my shoulder, "Well, if it isn’t the town’s own hero, Twilight Sparkle."

I turned angrily to see who had decided to invade my personal space, "You know, it is rude to go and scare- oh, hi Ambrosia."

She gave me a crooked smile, her white hair falling out of her yellow construction hat, "Afternoon Miss Sparkle, or should I say Princess Sparkle, might I ask why your back so soon?" She gave me a questioning look as she adjusted her tool belt and orange construction vest.

I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, "Well.... You know, princess stuff..."

"Reeeeally.... What kind of Princess stuff?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Buck my life, "Um, I-I.....uh, got....to....build a castle?"

“Sorry to question your integrity, Miss Twilight, but I honestly don't believe a single word you are saying," she said, folding her arms awkwardly as she stared at me accusingly.

My shoulder slumped slightly in defeat, "Fine, you caught me, I am trying to get a job so I am eligible for the role of Princess."

Ambrosia hugged me, a strange action from the usually reserved and sarcastic Terra, “I am sure you’ll be fine, glad to have you back Twilight.”

With that she left, walking down the train platform towards train repair depot on the other end. I sighed in relief before hurriedly picking up the violet suitcase and setting off towards the library. I continued to get confused looks as I walked a fast as possible to the library, Cobalt nearly jogging to keep up. .

I let out the breath I had been holding as I stopped in front of the door of the huge oak that was my home. I raised my fist to the door, but never knocked. I was blown sideways by what felt like a very fast rainbow brick wall. I went straight through the bush next to the doormat and landed a few feet away from the front door. I laid on the ground, trying to regain lost breath as the brick wall, also known as Rainbow Dash, sat up from her position on the doormat, her cyan wings flaring open in frustration.

She stood up angrily and turned to Cobalt, grabbing his shirt aggressively as she yelled at the poor man "Hey, what the hay, dude. Watch where you’re bucking going you sonofabitch.”

Cobalt stared at her, his eyes wide in shock as he stammered nervously, “Twilight, uh I am here, with Twilight.”

“You’ve got to be kidding,” She said, her shoulders slumped and her ears flattened,” The Princess isn't back, the library is cl-........ Dafaq."

Rainbow stared at me with a very blank expression, her goggles sliding sideways on her head, as I waved awkwardly at her from where I had stood up near the bush. Her hands released Cobalt’s shirt and he stepped back, rubbing his chest in an attempt to flatten the wrinkled fabric. Though she continued to stare at me, she kicked the other Areos in the gut, causing him to double over in pain and fall face-first in the dirt.

"Hi, Rainbow......?" I lifted an eyebrow, she appeared frozen in shock, her mouth hanging open,” Are you okay?”

She shook her head to clear it, staring at me with an incredulous expression on her face, "The hay Sparkle, you were supposed to be back in a few months...... Are you real..... or are you a clone?"

I gave her a look, "No, I am Celestia...... of course I am real, and those aren't even technologically possible."

Rainbow stuck her tongue out, "Never doubt the power of the sci fi genre."

I rolled my eyes and sighed before heading towards the door to the library. Cobalt picked himself off the ground and dusting his shirt off, following close behind. All of the sudden the air was squeezed out of me as Rainbow Dash hugged me really tight. Cobalt took a step back and looked on, a small smile adorning his face.

"Oh My Celestia, thank Luna your back.... W-we missed you a lot, Twilight."

I turned around and hugged the teary-eyed Aeros, "Well, I don't think you guys will have to miss me again..."

Rainbow broke the hug before wiping her eyes with her grey and black flight jacket," Uh, I wasn't crying..."

"Sure you weren't, let's head inside and you can tell me what you have been up to for the past few months."

I knocked on the door again, successfully not getting killed by one of my closest friends this time.I heard shuffling and grumbling as the lock turned and the door was opened. A Drakos around fourteen or fifteen looked up at me with tired green eyes, his red shirt and jeans rumpled as if he was sleeping. He looked at me with a bored expression, his lizard-like eyes shining, before speaking.

"Looks like the Princess finally decided to come home, hello... I guess?" And with that he ran outside and picked up my bags off the ground.

Cobalt stared at the teen with a confused expression as Spike walked back inside, “Is that your brother?”

I looked back at Cobalt as I stepped through the door and motioned everyone to sit down on the couches scattered around the middle of the library,” No, he’s more like

my assistant and friend.”

“Oh, then, do you live with his family?” His question made Spike’s ears perk up, the spiked corners standing on edge.

“Yes, I am his family, my parents raised him with me and I’ve been his primary caregiver since we moved here three years ago.”

Cobalt processed the information and hummed lightly as he nodded his head. Rainbow, who was sitting across from the blue-winged man, glared at him. I stared at her, raising an eyebrow when I caught her attention. she just shrugged and went back to glaring angrily at the other areos.

I turned my attention to both Rainbow and Cobalt on the couch. They looked at me expectantly, a questioning expression plastered across Rainbow’s face.

"What did you do this time?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, I am not a Princess, and I need a job besides librarian."

"What happened?"

"I backed down from that position and now I have a week to come up with an idea and present to the Princesses," I said, sitting down in one of the chairs opposite from Rainbow Dash.

"Maybe you should start a community service thingy or something."

"Ah, well, I can't because every town, city, and village in Equestria already has one."

Dash drummed her fingers on the back of the couch as she hummed in thought. A confused expression slowly came across her face as she clearly came up empty handed. Cobalt shot up from his chair and took a letter out of his pocket.

“Maybe, Miss Twilight, you should join the military.”

I stared at him uncertainly,” I don’t know how good of an idea that is.”

Rainbow lit up, sitting up from her chair, “What’s that?” She asked, grabbing the letter in his hand.

“It was given to me when Celestia sent me here, it is a chart with all leadership jobs in Ponyville on it, although the positions that are filled are crossed out.”

Rainbow opened the note eagerly, a smile spreading across her impish features. Though, as her eyes viewed the list the smile slowly fell from her face, instead replaced with a frown. I grabbed the papers from her as she gestured for me to grab them. Reading through them eagerly, I soon realized that nearly every position, except for military official, had been crossed out.

I grumbled in frustration as I gave the note to Cobalt, his faced steeled once more with barely an ounce of emotion. I looked at Rainbow and asked her to follow me, telling Cobalt to get something to eat from the kitchen. As he walked away to eat, I turned to Rainbow and walked up stairs. She followed me, hovering up the spiral staircase and down the hallway to the guest room.

Closing the door behind us, I turned to the prismatic girl, her face illuminated by the half open blinds on the window. She stared at me as she reclined lazily in the air, her wings somehow managing to keep her afloat.

“So, Sparkle, are you planning on joining the military?”

“No, they would have to draft me to get me to go.” I said bitterly,” My grandfather was killed by a Windago in his sleep in the Desert Shrouds War back in 7960.”

“Oh, I’m sorry then,” Rainbow said with sympathy in her voice, “Well, in my case, I would pay a thousand bits to fight alongside my mom and dad, they’ve missed every birthday since I was twelve, now I am seventeen. I still have a year, but Celestia be damned if I’m not the first one in line when training starts.”

I smiled at her loyalty to her dreams, wishing I could do the same, “I guess I’d do the same for my brother, I only saw him when I was young and at the royal wedding, otherwise, I really haven’t seen him in the past ten years.”

She sighed,” I want to do something good, something that everyone will look at and go ‘wow, Rainbow Dash sure was amazing’. I want to help others and protect the Empire, maybe even reconcile peace between the Gryphus Nation and us, but I doubt I’ll ever have the chance.”

I looked at her, remembering the words of Luna as she sat on her throne;

Seven Cycles of Night and Day, and then you will know the answer.

Chapter 3: Seven Days

View Online

The week passed by quickly, but not without a few mishaps. Four days after I had arrived back in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash was able to gather everyone together to meet at Carousel Boutique, a challenging task considering everyone was extremely busy that week.

A few days after our talk and many failed attempts to see my friends later, Rainbow had managed to drag me over to Rarity’s while she went to gather the others. I sat there awkwardly as Rarity fussed over me, telling me how she had missed me so dearly and that she hoped the dress was okay. I looked at her, politely telling her about my trip and what had happened in the castle.

As I told her about the Coronation, she gasped in horror,”Twilight! Do you have no dignity? A lady does not stir up ruckus at any event, especially not a coronation. Why, you're the first Princess to refuse the crown! Oh, what will the Nobles think?” I huffed as she inhaled sharply,”what will the Princesses think?!”

“The Princesses said they think no less of me and will protect my family’s name from being ruined.” I said, rubbing my temples as Rarity continued to panic, her purple hair becoming ratty as she grabbed at it.

“Oh, Dear, that truly is fantastic news, hopefully this will not affect my business or name either, hm?” She replied through gritted teeth.

“It will not, Princess Celestia promised no harm on me or any of my friends.”

“Good, now continue on,” She prompted me, the Uni staring at me expectantly.

I continued on with my story, telling Rarity all that had happened in the past few days. She grinned when I mentioned the Princesses and their kindness, and frowned in thought when I told her what Luna had said to me not a few days prior.

“Seven cycles of night and day? That is very unnerving, have you found anything that you might be able to do?”

I shook my head,”No, not yet, I haven’t had time to study in on the matter.”

“Well, that seems quite a short notice,” Rarity said, staring at me with her light blue eyes,” I wouldn’t doubt it if Princess Luna might have been ill.”

I continued on telling her of Cobalt and the nobles. She smiled as I mentioned that Cobalt had tried to defend my honor. after that, she managed to keep a straight face until I told her about how Rainbow had scared my Areos guard half to death.

Rarity burst out laughing, which was very unusual for her,” Oh, why that is a hilarious image. The poor man, brought to his knees by a meer weather patrol member.”

I chuckled slightly as I remember the event that happened not more than three days before. Rarity grinned as she willed me to finish my story.

“I have been studying the jobs around town for the past few days....And now I am here,” I said, ending the story abruptly.

“Oh, what an interesting tale, so how do you plan to find a position?”

I grumbled half-heartedly, “I do not have a clue.”

With that, we fell in to companionable silence as I looked about the boutique. Dresses laid scattered around the room, fabric lay haphazardly on the floor from Rarity's latest design spree. The curtains were drawn closed across the huge windows, having been that way the moment I arrived. The doors burst open, causing Rarity to jump in surprise while I winced.

Rainbow jumped through, followed by Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and lastly Fluttershy. Rarity huffed indignantly at Rainbow as she alighted onto the couch, her wings snapping shut. Rainbow caught her expression and shrugged in apology as the others filed in. Pinkie Pie all but bounced in, her crazy pink curls flying around her grinning expression and bright blue eyes. Applejack strutted in, a quiet confidence in the blonde farmer that surpassed that of all her friends except Rainbow. Fluttershy followed, quiet as usual, but not quite as nervous as she was when I met the light pink-haired girl three years prior.

I smiled warmly at my friends as they each said their hellos, sitting down in their respective seats. Applejack was the first to speak, sitting with her hands clasped and her elbows on her knees.

"Nice ta see ya, Twi. But aren't ya s'pposed ta be in Canterlot?" She said with a drawl, lifting one of her hands to correct her Stetson.

I rubbed my hands together nervously, " Yes, but- some..... Issues arose and now I need to do some type of job that will give me political experience."

Her green eyes gave off some confusion as she straightened up and threw one of her arms around the back of the sette. Pinkie Pie soon spoke up as the honest farmer remained silent.

"I knew something was up when my cupcakes exploded!" She said cheerily.

"What?" Asked Rainbow to the eccentric baker.

"Well, I was just sitting there at the front counter, giving a really serious guard a cupcake and some coffee, then-BOOM," we flinched as the nineteen year old screamed," the cupcake exploded , which means something horrible just happened, like the bad-bad kind!"

"Well, Pinkie, nothing happened that was catastrophic..." I trailed off as the pink-haired girl continued, ignoring me.

"And then the guard was all like whoa, and I gasped!" She went on, rambling slightly," cupcake explosions are really horrible, and I told that to the guard. But he didn't believe me!"

Fluttershy squeaked, curling her arms around her legs in her chair, "How horrible?" She spoke in a near whisper, somehow stopping Pinkie in the middle of her rant.

" Like-Like assassination death horrible!" Pinkie stated, causing Fluttershy to cower behind her legs like a shield.

"Pinkie! Be quiet! You scared Fluttershy!" Rainbow said angrily, her protectiveness of the older girl reminding me of a mother and her daughter.

I lifted an eyebrow at Pinkie Pie as she settled down, apologizing to Fluttershy. Rarity sat quietly, having not spoken since the others came in, rather choosing to cross her arms over her chest and white blouse.

I broke the silence after a few seconds, directing my attention to Pinkie," what are you talking about, assassination?"

"Yep, I bet a big old meanie Gryfos got ahold of a poor old governor and killed him!"

I gaped at the girl for a second,"Wait, why would that happen?"

"Tension between our empires," said Applejack nervously, "Ah don't quite agree with th' girl, but ya never know with those good fer nothin liars y'all call Gryfos."

"If this actually happened-" I spoke quietly as the doorbell rung.

Rarity stood up and answered the door, a look of surprise crossing her face as she faced my guard, "Um, hello sir. Can I help you?"

Cobalt looked at her with intense orange eyes, his blue wings ruffled, " I am looking for Twilight."

I raised my hand slowly as Rarity stepped aside to let the older Aeros in, " I am here, Cobalt."

His shoulders relaxed as he hurriedly marched up to me, ignoring the others, "I am sorry to disrupt your get together, but I need to ask you to come with me."

I stood up and followed him, telling everyone to relax while I spoke to him. Going out the door to the boutique, Cobalt led me to a bench a few meters from Rarity's. Despite the option to sit, we both remained standing, my eyebrow raised in question.

Cobalt looked at me nervously, shifting from foot to foot where he stood," Twilight, I just received news of an assassination."

If it was even possible, my jaw would have hit the floor, "What!?"

"The Governor of Roam was murdered by the Gryfos King's personal assistant, Red Wing," Cobalt said calmly, his ruffled feathers the only sign he was just as shocked as I felt.

"Bu- What?" I said, my mind unable to process this information, " S-so, what is going to happen?, are we going to negotiate peace? Send a diplomat? Assassinate? Invade?"

"Twilight, they declared war, they have an army of nearly three million. We are going to fight back, otherwise there might not be an Equestria for you to rule."

My eyes were starting to water as I stared up at the older man, his face having aged fifty years in the past five minutes," A draft?" My voice came out in a small whisper, the words nearly lost in the late-summer air.

Cobalt bowed his head," I am sorry, Twilight."

I wanted to cry, scream, get drunk, shoot myself, but all I could do was stare ahead blankly, tears streaking my face. Cobalt looked at me once and, much like my father once did, hugged me as I sobbed. After a few minutes, or maybe even hours, I stood back and looked at the door to the boutique.

"W-will they be drafted?" I asked quietly, Fluttershy's face flashing through my mind.

"Yes, I am sorry, I truly am."

"Then I should probably tell them," I said sadly, my voice sounding defeated as I walked towards the door.

" I will help you." Cobalt said, placing a hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

I took a deep breath as I looked up at the boutique and grabbed the doorknob. Opening the door slowly, I looked over my friends. Rainbow was perched on the settee above Applejack and was chatting casually with the other girl despite the inconvenience of their position. Fluttershy was talking to Rarity and Pinkie about her animals and how she had used her Air Empa to make a nest for some birds.

I stepped in the door and cleared my throat, my friends falling silent as they stared at me and Cobalt. I could feel my palms sweating as I rubbed my hands together, thinking of some way to deliver the news.

"H-" no that would be stupid to say hey, "Um...."

"Are you okay, dear?" Asked Rarity as I breathed deeply, gathering my nerves and thoughts together.

"No, I have some bad news."

I had everyone's full attention at that, Fluttershy looking especially nervous.

"Well?" Said Rainbow impatiently, tapping her foot on the cushion next to Applejack.

"The governor of Roam is dead and the Kingdom of Gryphus has declared war."

Nearly everyone in the room gaped in shock, except for Pinkie, who gave me a look that screamed 'I told you so'. Rainbow was the first to snap out of it, glaring at the man behind me. Cobalt looked at the young Aeros nervously, clearly still intimidated by her. Rainbow launched herself in the air, causing Applejack to fall over, and landed in front of me with a 'thump'.

She shoved me out of the way and grabbed Cobalt roughly by his shirt, still having little respect for the unlucky guard. Her expression turned to one of pure rage as she threw Cobalt to the floor.

"What the BUCK!?" She screamed angrily, glaring at the Aeros at her feet, "You bucking took my family from me! And now you're gonna take my best friends. Why can't you just leave me alone!? You bucking bastard, answer me!" She growled as she kicked him angrily.

"I-I didn't take your family or your friends! You're drafted too!" Said Cobalt as he stood up, blood dripping from his nose.

Rainbow charged at Cobalt, her wings crackling with Storm Empa and her hands filled with electricity. I could hear Applejack yelling and Fluttershy crying as I stepped between the two.

"STOP!" I bellowed as My hand connected with both Aeros' stomachs.

Cobalt stood down immediately, most likely from military drills rather than calming down. Rainbow had to be restrained, having landed a few punches on me before I could stop her.

I turned to Rainbow, glaring at her angrily, " What is your deal? You realize you could go to prison for assault."

Rainbow sneered at me, her rage flaring up,"Okay, Mom."

I sighed as I turned to Cobalt, my look demanding answers, " You need to explain what Rainbow just said."

Cobalt looked down at his feet, blood slowly dripping from his nose, "I was her father's Second in Command of our Cohort. He was captured by the Gryphus Kingdom two years ago, and I was to blame because I did not try to save him. I stepped down from Senior Centurion to remain close to home, Rainbow Dash still blames me for it."

I turned back to Rainbow, her snarl slowly fading to be replaced with sorrow and regret, " Rainbow, I am sorry about your father but you need to let this go."

Rainbow hung her head as she heard Fluttershy crying, "I-I don't know if I can forgive him, but I will for Fluttershy. I'm sorry Flutters," She said as I released her, turning to Fluttershy, "I'm sorry for scaring you."

She turned back to Cobalt and glowered at him, though she still shook his hand in truce. Nodding my head approvingly, I turned back to Cobalt.

"Speaking of the separation of friends, is it possible to keep us six together?" I asked as I deflated from the fight.

Cobalt thought for a minute, running his hands through his wild grey hair, "Actually, yes, it is. But that would require the formation of a Century. But the only Legion short on a Century, a Cohort for that matter, is the First...."

Applejack stood up suddenly, an idea clearly forming in her head, "Th' Seventh."

"Excuse me?" said Rarity as she comforted Fluttershy.

Rainbow lit up, too, clearly understanding whatever Applejack was talking about, "AJ, are you sure? Wasn't that entire Cohort killed off?"

Applejack turned to the prismatic Aeros, "Exactly, ya see, my Pa died in that invasion, but he gave me their 'signa thingy 'fore he left, a falcon."

Cobalt looked between the two girls, "You are both right, that Cohort was killed off and the Insigna was a falcon, the Seventh hasn't existed for eight years."

Fluttershy surprisingly spoke up, "Well, let's do that, I would feel better going with my friends than with strangers."

I nodded slowly, "But a Cohort is 500 men, where are we going to find enough soldiers?"

Cobalt smiled, "Let me get ahold of the Princess, then I think I know exactly where we will find them."

"Yay! We are gonna be awesome bad guy chopping machines of doom! I already got the airship!" Said Pinkie, hopping up and down.

I smiled, forgetting for a second that our lives hung in the balance, "Well, then I will take Cobalt to send that letter, then we should all get some rest. once we receive a response, we start looking for our Cohort."

Everyone, even Fluttershy and Rarity cheered as we left the boutique, filled with childish excitement. If only I realized what I would lose.

Chapter 4: Recruitment Pt.1

View Online

I awoke the a few days later to the sound of Spike's snoring emanating from his bunk and the smell of pancakes in the air. Rolling out of bed, I went to the bathroom, snapping the lights on with my Spirit Empa. Brushing my hair into order, I thought about the events of the past few days and all that had happened. How in the world was I going to assemble a Century, much less a Cohort? But this was also an opportunity to gain the experience I needed to run the country. Some of the best governors had military experience, and so did two of the Princesses. As I thought about it, I realized how quickly my opinion on joining the military had changed, but then I also realized I did not have a choice otherwise.

Sighing, I set my brush down and went back to my room, switching out of my night clothes with a flash of light. Dressed in a white shirt and a pair of dark pants, I walked out of my room and down the stairs. As I neared the first floor, I heard the voices of my friends. I gave a questioning look to my friends as they sat around the coffee table, eating pancakes in the early morning light.

Pinkie Pie was the first to jump up, joyfully stating what sounded like a good morning around the pancake shoved in her mouth. Everyone else waved at me and said their good mornings, although Rainbow looked miserable, never to be a morning person. I walked into the kitchen, following the heavenly smell of pancakes, and was surprised to find Cobalt at the stove, setting the last of the pancakes on a plate.

"Good morning Cobalt, you know you didn't have to make breakfast," I said as I walked over to the cabinet, grabbing a mug.

"Considering I am now your Centurion, I am the honorary 'Dad' of you six," he said as I poured coffee into my mug, skipping on the cream and sugar.

"So therefore you make us breakfast?"

"Exactly, also, The Princesses responded to me last night and theSeventh is now an official Cohort, I am Senior Centurion, which means I am in charge of your training and care," he said as he handed me some pancakes and took some for himself.

"That is great news."

I sat down on the couch next to Rarity and ate my pancakes quickly, their light, fluffy texture and sweet taste making them disappear all too quickly from my plate. Rainbow let out a belch, causing Applejack to snort and Rarity to make a face. I smiled as I sipped on my coffee, the conversation between the seven of us settling on the topic of finding recruits.

"- So I was thinking we could start with people we know who also are drafted, considering the draft orders went out two days ago," said Cobalt as he tapped a small notebook that sat on the worn oak of the table.

"What about Big Mac?" Said Rainbow, causing Applejack to glare at the colorful girl, "Don't look at me like that! He would make a perfect heavy cavalry."

Applejack sat back in thought, elbowing Rainbow in the ribs as she did, "Yer right, RD, but what 'bout th' farm? Also, how'd ya think Ah'd feel if my big brother died?"

Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck nervously, her arm thrown around her best and second oldest friend, "Well, I guess I never really thought about it, but he's gonna be drafted anyway. It would be better if he got stuck with us than with some other Cohort."

Applejack sighed, "Ah guess ya have a point. Cobalt, would ya put his name on th' list?"

Cobalt picked up his quill and scratched out the name along with a few others I did not recognize.

I turned to Cobalt, pointing at the names in the book,"Who are those people?"

Cobalt sat back, "My two oldest children and their friends, at least the ones I remember."

We talked for a few more hours and finally had a list of about sixteen people we could think of. Cobalt decided that me, Rainbow, and Applejack would go to get Big Mac while him and the others discussed finding the others. It was about midday by the time we left the library to head towards Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack led us through the town, dodging automobiles and carriages all the way. Technology in this part of Equestria, or really any part besides major cities, was rare. There was only about ten automobiles in the entire town, three of them belonging to Sweet Apple Acres. Unfortunately, Applejack had left her automobile at the farm in favor of walking.

"AJ, this would've been faster if you brought that magic roller thingy," groaned Rainbow as she walked with the rest of us, clearly not enjoying the slow pace of walking.

"Stop yer complainin', ya know Ah only use th' truck for important business," Replied Applejack," 'sides, gas is expensive."

"Well, you guys are the richest family in The Plains," I commented under my breath, thinking aloud.

The rest of our walk was uneventful, the dirt beneath our feet turning to gravel as we neared the gate. Applejack opened the gate, which creaked on its rusty hinges. One minute later, we stood in front of the Apple family home, the farmhouse old but sturdy, having stood well over a century of storms and droughts. Applejack walked up the stairs to the front porch and took a key out of her pocket. Opening the door, I heard her call out "Ah'm home!".

We followed her in, Rainbow giving Granny a hug at the old woman's command. I greeted the old woman with a hug and turned to find the youngest Apple, Apple Bloom, running towards me for a hug. I picked her up in my arms, the eight year old nearly squeezing the life out of me with a hug.

“Hiya, Miss Twilight,” said a deep voice from the kitchen on my right as I set Apple Bloom down.

“Hello, Big Mac, we were actually just looking for you,” I said as I turned to the quiet blonde-haired man.

He stared at me with vibrant green eyes, nodding his head slowly, willing me to continue on.

“Um, well, you see.... Me and my friends were drafted into the military as of three days ago...” I trailed off, trying to think of a way to continue on.

Applejack appeared in the corner of my vision,”-And we brought back th’ 7th.”

Big Mac’s eyes widened, “Pa’s Cohort?”

“Yeah, and my Dad’s old friend is the Centurion,” said Rainbow, having finally reconciled with the other Aeros a day earlier.

“-And we were wondering, since we know you are drafted, would you join?” I finished, staring up at the taller Terra.

Silence met us as the twenty-four year old looked on, contemplating our offer, “What ‘bout th’ farm.”

Granny’s voice was loud and clear, “Oh, quit yer worr’in youngun, I got some strength in these here bones of mine.”

“Granny, ya can’t run th’ farm yerself.” said Applejack firmly.

“Oh dontcha worry, I already sent a letter ta your Uncle, he’ll be here within th’ week,” said Granny hastily, knowing exactly the situation, “Big Macintosh, ya go with yer sister and her friends, Celestia knows you’ll be safe with em.”

Big Mac sighed and turned to us,”Eeyup, Ah’ll go with ya.”

“Hey, Brother, ya remember th’ old standard we kept in the attic?”

Big Macintosh nodded in reply, raising an eyebrow at his sister.

“Ya think ya can grab it?” Asked the blonde farmer.

Big Mac nodded and walked away, heading for the stairs at the other end of the living room.

Apple Bloom looked up at Applejack with a sad expression, "Where 're ya and Big Mac goin', Sis?"

"We have ta go an' fight like Pa did," Applejack replied to the young girl, kneeling down on one knee,"Dontcha worry, we'll come back in a few months. Maybe ah'll even bring ya back a treat from Gryphus."

"Ya promise?"

"Cross my heart, hope ta fly, an' stick a cupcake in my eye." Said Applejack as she stood up and hugged her sister.

"Ah'm gonna miss ya, Sis," said Apple Bloom sadly as she hugged the eighteen year old.

"Ah'm gonna miss ya, too."

I watched on sadly as Applejack went over and hugged her Grandmother, crying in the crook of the old woman's neck. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to find Rainbow Dash and Big Macintosh standing behind me, a sack over the man's shoulder. My breath caught in my throat as I looked up at the standard, the steel having rusted over the mighty relic. An angry falcon stared back at me from atop its post, it's wings snapped open and it's mouth frozen in a shriek. A tattered grey banner hung below it, the faded words starting out a simple message:

Remember the 7th. Night and day we stand and fight, do not surrender.

"Who did this belong to?" I asked, turning to the twenty-four year old. Big Mac looked at me, his attention snapping from the scene of Applejack and her grandmother.

"Th' Twenty-Seventh?" He replied, asking more of a question than giving an answer.

"No, what she means to say is; was it carried by a Storm, Spirit, Earth, Air, Water, or Fire Empa?" Said Rainbow, saving me the trouble of an explanation,"it is Tradition that the standard bearer always be the same race and Empa type."

"Ah think it was carried by a Fire 'mpa, an Aeros, if Ah'm not mistaken."

I sighed in defeat, slouching slightly, "Where are we going to find a Fire Aeros?"

They were run out of the country nearly fifty years ago.

--------- (pov: Cobalt)

I looked around at the three girls still remaining at the coffee table as the door closed. Rarity and Pinkie Pie looked on comfortably.The smaller one, Fluttershy, sat between them, looking ready to bolt at a moment’s notice. sitting down across from them, I immediately got to work explaining what we were going to do and how.

“Rarity, I am going to need you to go to the local garrison, tell them I sent you, we need to sign up our Century with a Legion and you must inform them that we require additional soldiers for the 7th Cohort.”

"Um, I am sorry to interrupt, Captain Cobalt, but I have no idea where the garrison is."

"You are friends with the apple farmer, correct?" She nodded, her curled purple hair bobbing, " Well then, I imagine you've been to the farm multiple times. The Garrison is a bit down the road on the left when you hit the gates."

"I will leave as soon as Twilight comes back," She responded, nodding her head.

Turning to Pinkie Pie, I raised an eyebrow as she shook excitedly. Ignoring that, I leaned forward and looked her in the eye.

“Pinkie Pie, your father is Igneous Rock?”

She nodded her head, her high-pitched voice a bit too cheerful,” Yeppy deppy!”

“He is an engineer, correct?” I asked, ripping out a sheet of paper and grabbing a charcoal stick from my bag beneath the chair, "Did he ever teach you demolition?"

“Of course, silly. that was the first thing I learned when I started harvesting rocks!” Pinkie Pie replied as she took the paper from me," Some rocks were really stubborn, so we'd take some charges and blow them up. Why?"

“You will be signing up for specialist training when we arrive at basic training, got it?"

“I am sorry to interrupt, Cobalt, but we do not have any soldiers besides us seven-”

“That's why you are going to the garrison.” Said Pinkie Pie flatly, her change in tone a bit jarring, “ Anyways, Rars, signing us up will make us strong, cause we'll have a big force once the draftees go to us. Duh."

“O-okay,” said Rarity with a raised eyebrow.

Turning to Fluttershy, I smiled at the shy girl, “Fluttershy, do you happen to know any veterans?”

“For leading the Century?” asked the Aeros as she relaxed.

“Yes, we need about three experienced soldiers, this will ensure a strong leadership.”

“M-my uncle is a veteran of the Windago Wars, I think my cousin, Lead Hooves, was drafted,” She said softly.

“Good, where is your uncle, exactly?” I asked.

“He lives near Roam in a town named Rode-”

The door burst open as Rainbow Dash ran in, followed closely by Applejack, Twilight, and a tall blonde-haired Terra. Twilight was holding a standard, a falcon placed firmly on top of the ancient relic. I stood up as Rainbow Dash ran up to me and began yelling unintelligibly as she shook my shoulders.

“And, and soldiers, and fire, and falcon, and Empa!” She yelled at me, my posture uncomfortably rigid as she shook me.

“Rainbow, is yer head on sideways? stop yellin at th’ poor guard,” said Applejack as she grabbed Rainbow Dash roughly by the arm and dragged her into a chair .

I glanced over at Twilight and the Terra in confusion, “What is wrong?”

Twilight stepped forward and set the standard across the coffee table,” We have that standard, but one small issue.”

I grunted and nodded my head, “And what is the issue?”

“According to Big Macintosh, here,” she said, glancing at the Terra next to her,” The customary bearer of the standard has to be a Fire Empa Aeros.”

“And?”

“And there hasn’t been a known Fire Aeros in Equestria since the Windago Wars of 7960. Most of them fled to Cothage afterwards. In Equestria they were used as weapons because of their powerful abilities, usually through less than humane methods."

I felt a sly smile cross my lips, causing Twilight to frown, “I think it is about time you, Miss Twilight, met my children."

Chapter 5: Recruitment Pt. 2

View Online

Pov: Unknown

My feet hit the ground as I ran down the dirt road, the rocks beneath my feet spraying out behind me as I jogged. The early morning air was crisp, a slight chill warning of winter, which remained many months away. The feathers on my back were light, my wings not quite big enough to cause a problem whether it be sports or even just sitting down. Stretching out the red-tipped feathers felt good, the stiffness of sleep still in the joints. I stopped as I approached a fallen tree that wasn't there before. Remembering the storm the night before, I grumbled angrily and I began pushing on the trunk. The tree slid across the dirt, the branches slowing the movement down to snails-pace.

"Oh, c'mon you stupid tree, I need to get you out of the way," I grumbled, it was in these moments I wished just slightly that I was a guy. It'd definitely make stormball easier, not to mention moving a tree five times my size.

"Give me a break," I hissed under my breath as one of the branches caught on a rock. My rust-colored bangs moved out from behind my pointed ear and into my face, only serving to make me angrier.

"Gah! Why won't you just move?" I said as one of my hands alighted with flame, the orange Empa glowing. I stared down at my hand and then looked around, no brother or water in sight to help me.

"Fire Flight! I swear I will not hesitate to throw you to the sharks if you torch my property again,' said a man's voice from somewhere behind me.

I twirled around on my feet, blindly punching at the air behind me, the fire sputtering out as it left my hand. Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw a very shocked man with hair green enough to make the grass tremble with fear and eyes so blue they could’ve been made from the ocean. Smiling sheepishly, the slight glow of Empa left me, my orange eyes becoming a tamer shade of the bright color.

The teen’s expression soon transformed from one of shock to one of exasperation, “Did you really just try to set me on fire?”

“Sorry, Lightning, it isn’t my fault you have the step of a Windago,” I replied, crossing my arms and smiling at my friend ,”We should consider buying you a bell from the market- oh wait, I forgot, I don’t have any money.”

“Complain to my sister about your poverty, she always wanted to be rough and tumble and live without guards or money,” replied Lightning as he relaxed, his gold and purple silk clothing showing his rank.

I played with the bottom of my burlap and twine shirt,”Well, didya get the draft order? we are pretty much on the same level now with that.”

“Wait, a draft order? Why?” asked the Aeros, his mouth hanging open in shock.

“I dunno, you guys have the radio, not me,” I replied, my thoughts drifting to my father,”I wonder what Dad is doing, is he on the front lines, or sitting up in Canterlot wearing silk and eating with the Princesses?”

“Probably neither, last I heard, Cobalt was being stationed in Stalliongrad. Although that was two years ago...”

“I haven’t got a letter from Dad in about a month, he was in Canterlot then.”

“Anyways, a draft order?” Lightning asked, causing me to put a hand up, telling him to wait.

“Yeah, it went out a week ago,” I said, remembering something, “We got a stormball game tomorrow, so are you gonna stop being such a lousy runningback?”

“First off, I am not a lousy runningback,” I snorted, causing him to glare at me,” and secondly, since it’s been a week since the order, we have to go to the military offices tomorrow.”

“Bad timing, very bad timing. Are you sure? If so, bad timing by the Princesses."

“Do not question them, they are the reason we are even still a country.”

“They’re also the reason I live in a wood house and wear potato sacks all the time,” I said sarcastically,”It would be great if they, I dunno, got rid of the unequal rights of men, provided better education, get rid of the diarchy so the rest of the country can voice their opinion, and make more jobs for us who weren’t born rich.”

“Well, everyone our age is drafted, so there is your job,” Lightning Hoof replied,” And you shouldn’t be speaking that way, you have always been a lousy bum and a slacker, you haven't done an ounce of work in your life.”

“I-I.... Uh! What the hay, that was a low blow.”

“Why? I was only stating the truth."

“Well, maybe sometimes I like to forget the truth."

Lightning sighed, changing the conversation, “So where are you heading, anyways?”

“I heard that the Elements of Harmony arrived yesterday on important business, so I was going to see them,” I said with a shrug, "that is, after I ran out here to see if you wanted to go with me."

Lightning’s eyes bugged out and he glanced nervously at my hands. Grabbing some bandages out of the bag on his back he handed them to me.

“What are these for?” I asked, staring down at the cloth in my hands.

“You are special and you don’t need to accidentally light on fire.”

“I’ve always been able to light on fire. Sure, once it starts, I can't control it like Grasshopper or Dad, but it's not a big deal,” I said, running the strange new fabric between my fingers,” Wait, is this cotton? Doesn't this light really easily?"

“It's rare for an Aeros in Equestria and quite truthfully, I don’t know what I’d do if they took you,” He said, ignoring my question,” Just put them on, I’ll even help you.”

"I thought you weren’t allowed to touch those outside of the one class rule,” I replied, as I unrolled the bandages. The one class rule, which applied to all accept royalty, allowed a certain class to interact beyond talking with those one class above and below them. Hence why The Farmer-Merchant class could talk to or even hug the Traders and Warriors.

“We are both soldiers now, so we are the same class,” Lightning said as he took the other bandage from me and started wrapping it around my arm.

we sat in silence at Lightning Hoof wrapped and tied the cloth into place. The touch was weird, for he had never even shaken my hand. It was actually pleasant, to have someone help me and not be afraid to come near me. People tended to be wary of me and my inability to control my Empa beyond activating it, avoiding me except for a few of my friends, who all couldn’t even hug me or shake my hand because of our class difference. Lightning made a face as his hands brushed my hands.

“Why doe the hands feel the same as the rest of the skin?” He spoke to himself as he finished tying the knot on my right wrist, stepping back to look at his work,” Celestia, that was weird.”

“Meh, I agree with you,” I smirked as I opened my arms wide,”Now I get to hug you.”

“What!?” He squeaked, his voice going up several octaves.

“Haha, I was just kidding, but can I at least shake your hand since we are the same class?”

He stuck out his hand stiffly and I shook it.

“Why are your hands so rough?” He asked.

“Why are your hands so soft? It’s like shaking a newborn hairless cat.”

“What’s up with you and your similes?” He asked, beginning to walk down the road towards the tree.

“I said I was poor, not under-read.” I replied, walking up to the fallen tree and hopping over it in one swift motion.

I heard Lightning land next to me and we walked on together. The fields soon turned into forest as we neared the coast. I looked through the trees and saw the start of town, a small guard house hidden among the trees. The trees thinned out as we neared the town center, the sand and gravel of the beach visible from the road into town. Fishing boats sat lazily in the harbor, the fishermen most likely sleeping on the job. Picking up the pace, me and Lightning ran down the road and into the town center, where a crowd was beginning to gather.

In the middle of the crowd was an automobile, its sleek black walls and roaring engine a strange sight in our small fishing village. A man stepped out of the automobile, his dark cloak making impossible to tell who it was. He walked through the crowd and up to one of the small houses in the town center. It suddenly dawned on me that that was my house from the simple fact that is was made of wood rather than stone, unlike the other houses in the area. I watched closely as he knocked on the unpainted wood of the door.

Mom was at work right now, so the only other person at home right now would be-

“Grasshopper.”

My brother opened the door, his black hair neat as usual and his red eyes half-lidded behind his bifocals. He worked weird hours being a night guard at a local fishery, so he was usually home most of the day and left for work late in the evening. His eyes widened as he looked at the cloaked man and back at the automobile. Grasshopper nodded and walked back inside, closing the door.

The cloaked man walked over to the automobile and opened one of the back doors. A girl not much older than me stepped out of the automobile, her neat violet-streaked dark hair, ears, and wings signalling her as royalty. Out came a nervous young woman after her, her yellow and blue clothing showing her as a possible Trading-class. Next came a farmer, her blonde hair in a loose ponytail and her green eyes sparkling. Lastly, a young girl who would be exactly my age jumped out of the car, her multicolored hair and leather flight jacket giving her the air of a warrior-class.

They walked to my house, following the cloaked man as he opened the door for them. The door shut behind them and I ran up to it. Lightning ran right on my heels and looked nervously at the front door.

“Um...”

“Come on, you’re not gonna die from going in my house,” I said as I fished the key out from my pocket.

“Fine,” Lightning said, his lime wings slouching in defeat as I opened the door.

I sucked in a breath as I walked in, letting it out in one long yell,” Hey, Bro! I’m back! I got Lightning with me and we saw you had guests!"

The people from outside stared at me blankly as I ignored them, instead choosing to wait for my brother to reply. Looking around, I quickly noticed that Grasshopper was missing, most likely in one of the two other rooms of the house reading a book or something. I shrugged and walked over to the only bookshelf in the room.

I browsed through the books and soon realized nothing looked very interesting. I heard someone walk up next to me as I fished one of the old books out of the bookcase and sighed, turning to face them.

“Hello, I’m Twilight. Do You..... Live.....Here...” the violet-eyed girl trailed off as I held the book up in her face and tapped on the cover incessantly.

“Yeah, I live here, and you are royalty, did you forget the one class rule?" I said as I tucked the book under my arm, "Have you ever read one of the old books on the military history of Gryphus and Equestria? They are actually pretty good."

“Wait, this idiot is the so-called Fire Aeros?” said the rainbow-headed girl as she alighted next to the violet girl.

“I also happen to play on the stormball team and am friends with some of the Nobles,” I said, my speech pattern becoming clearer as I glared at the Aeros.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re not impressing me,” said the girl as she waved her hand at me, “save it for someone who actually cares.”

“why don’t I just set your hair on fire and then you tell me how impressed you are,” I mumbled, setting the book back on the shelf.

Little did I realize that my hands were on fire and the cotton bandages had already burned away and failed their mission. I looked down at my hands, a surprised look crossing my face. The rainbow girl had an eyebrow raised and Twilight had a look of complete fascination. I shook my hand in a vain attempt to set out the fire, but naturally it didn't work.

I looked desperately around the room, looking for something to stop the flames. The cloaked figure was starting to pull their cloak off, but I ignored them. The pink-haired girl looked a bit scared and the farmer just stood there with her arms crossed. Turning to Lightning, I faintly noticed the red mark beginning to grow on his forehead.

"Um, Lightning, help me, I can't remember how I set them out last time," I said with a begging tone, causing Lightning's open hand to meet his forehead.

"Didn't you punch something?" He asked, causing me to shake my head in frustration.

"The house is made of wood."

"Water?" Someone suggested, though I didn't bother to look and check who.

"Maybe, could someone- Grasshopper!" I nearly cried in relief.

Grasshopper walked out of one of the back rooms and stared at me and my flaming hands. He shook his head and walked up to me, grabbing the fire off my hands and making them into a little ball in his own. He then forced his hands away from one another, the flames dispersing into nothing. He nodded and walked away in the direction of the kitchen, waving awkwardly at the four girls and Lightning as they gawked at him.

Twilight shut her mouth and got a focused look on her face, “But there are two Fire Empas here...."

“Um, I think you mean three?" I said, causing an even more confused look to cross her face.

“Fire Flight?” said a voice from the other side of the room.

I looked over, forgetting the confused Teraruni and the annoying prismatic girl next to her. My eyes widened as they settled on the somewhat familiar figure of my Dad. He had left when I was thirteen, he never was stationed close enough to come home. He looked so much older, it was actually saddening to see wrinkles beginning to form in the corners of his eyes.

"Dad?" I said quietly as I walked towards him

"Dad?- wait, Cobalt is her dad?" I heard the voice of the rainbow girl say, quickly followed by the sound of a hand connecting with her head and what I could only assume was the voice of the farmer telling her she was as dumb as a hay bale

"It's me, Fiery," He said with a tired smile, a snort sounding from the direction of Lightning.

"Heh, Fiery, looks like someone has a new nickname," he as I groaned.

I looked back at my father, a glare falling across my face," You, Cobalt, abandoned us."

A hurt look crossed his face, a frown and scrunching of the eyebrows signaling slight confusion.

"You left us, to go and be a hero, you forgot about us. I haven't even seen you since I was thirteen. And you expect me the forgive you, well I'm sorry to offend you, Captain, but I don't."

"Wait, Fire Flight!" Dad called after me as I took off out the front door, flying away towards the boats sitting in the harbor.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I could feel the tears stinging my face as I landed aboard one of the vessels. I heard footsteps approach me as I sat down on the wooden deck, trying to stop the tears that ran down my face.

"Hey, you Aeros, you ain't allo- Fire Flight, what's wrong?" Asked a feminine voice, a hand grabbing my shoulder.

"Hey Mom," I said, standing up and turning to look at the shorter woman.

Her blue eyes flashed with worry, her dark brown hair done up in a bun. She hugged me as I cried, not quite ready to speak.

"So, what's wrong?" She asked after a few minutes, stepping back from me.

"D-dad came back today, I got mad and said a bunch of nasty things."

The Uni sighed, shaking her head, "I've told you before and I'll say it again; he did not abandon you."

I nodded, wiping the last of the tears from my eyes. She always told me the same thing, he left to fight for Equestria, to provide food for us, and to follow his destiny. I never quite believed her, instead assuming he had just abandoned us.

I sighed," I know."

"And with this war, he probably wanted to make sure he saw his children one last time, in case he didn't return."

"B-but me and Grasshopper have to go, too," I replied, rubbing my hands together,"The newest Teraruni and her friends are at our house right now, I don't know what they want."

Mom got a contemplative look on her face as she studied me, "You are telling me we have the Elements of Harmony at our house, and you are sitting out here on a fishing boat crying to your mother."

I nodded, my face flushing with embarrassment, "I should probably go back, shouldn't I?"

"Fire Flight, I believe you are destined for greatness, but your mentality of running when something gets tough is going to hold you back. It already has, unfortunately, so you better go, find out what the Elements want, and do something great."

I smiled and nodded, opening my wings and taking off, back towards home.

-------

“So, why are you here?” I asked, relaxing in the chair as everyone else piled onto the wood bench I called the couch.

I had flown in not five minutes earlier. Dad was standing in the corner and wouldn’t meet my gaze. Not that I would forgive him that quickly anyways. The Elements, minus two, looked on, Twilight with a look on her face that signaled she was thinking.

“We were actually looking for soldiers for the Seventh,” Twilight replied.

“I’ll join, so will Lightning, Solar, Grasshopper, Prism, and Lily,” I said, listing off the names of my friends who were drafted with me.

Grasshopper walked out of the kitchen, looking at me with a ruffled expression,” I never said I would join.”

“Neither did I,” said Lightning as he sighed,”But I guess I could.”

Grasshopper shook his head,”I will join because you and Dad are going. I am sure Cloud, and Zypher will be fine with Mom. “

The blonde farmer smiled from where she sat next to the rainbow-haired girl,”There ya go, Twilight, now we jus’ have t’ go back t’ Ponyville, get some more draftees from th’ military offices, an’ go an’ train.”

----------------Pov: Twilight

“It’s not that simple, remember, Rarity and Pinkie are discussing the papers with the Garrison right now, they won’t be able to attend boot camp with us until it is done. Plus, we don’t have any soldiers until the paperwork goes through,” I replied, sitting back in the surprisingly comfortable burlap chair.

Looking at the girl across from me, I took note of her appearance. She was younger than me, probably around the same age as Rainbow Dash. Her bright orange eyes shone with intelligence and arrogance. Her hair hung loosely in a quickly done ponytail, the rusty brown becoming lighter at the ends.

Looking back around the room, I glanced at Cobalt. This Fire Flight girl reminded me of a ruder and more arrogant version of him. Although I couldn’t have guessed that Cobalt came from a smaller and less noble family, it explained why he cared about his children so much. Nobles tended to ignore their children, letting servants and guards watch over them. The lower classes usually had to take care of their children, making them more attached and protective of them.

A young man stood off near the entrance, slight discomfort thrown across his square face. His blue eyes looked on curiously, his green hair reminding me of Spike in the way it stood. He was probably not much older than Applejack, but clearly lived a more comfortable life than the farmer. Despite his more well fed appearance, it was easy to tell he was an athlete.

Focusing back in on the conversation, I heard Applejack comment that we could always leave them out of training.

I huffed,” No, they will train with us, we still have to do paperwork, gather together the rest of the Cohort, and find other guards willing to train us.”

Cobalt nodded, “ We will be heading up to Fort Landbridge near The Windago border for training, It is a two day journey by train, but first we need a Cohort to send there. It will be about a week before we have everything together, so we will wait.”

The words of Fire still confused me, there were three Fire Aeros here, but who was the third?

Glancing over at Cobalt, My eyes widened. He was dancing fire across his hands unconsciously as he listened in on the conversation.

“Wait, wait, wait. I have a life that need to be living in the next week, I can’t just sit around and wait for two people I’ve never even met,” commented Fire Flight, shaking her head.

“It looks like your life is going to have to wait, we are at war, if we want to be able to have a life to go back to, you will be patient,” Said Cobalt to his daughter, a stony expression settling on his face as the fire disappeared from his hands.

Chapter 6: Welcome to Fort Landbridge

View Online

The week went by quickly, Rarity and Pinkie not appearing out of the garrison for days at a time. We would end up having to make them food and Fluttershy would end up taking it to them. We discovered shortly after arriving back in Ponyville that the railroad to Fort Landbridge was in use for supply transports. After much arguing and many diplomatic discussions on the issue, we gained the ability to use the tracks. Lead Hooves, an eccentric cowboy from the Plains, arrived a few days after our visit to Nott Himmon with his father, Lieutenant Potshot. Today, we were arriving at Fort Landbridge.

The book in my grasp was of little interest, which was fairly unusual for me. But the welling feeling of nervousness in my gut was distracting me. I stared blankly at the open pages of the military history book, a glass of water hovering near my lips as I scanned the page for what felt like the fifth time in the past few minutes. Sighing, I gave up and closed the heavy tome, putting under the train seat for later viewing.

Standing up, I stretched out my tired legs, the candle sitting next to me the only light in the early morning. Picking up the candle, I moved through the train car quietly. Going to my bed, I climbed up the ladder, but jumped as I heard noise from behind me. Turning around quickly as I landed back on the ground, I relaxed when I saw it was just Cobalt’s daughter, Fire Flight. She looked at me calmly, her orange eyes tired and rusty hair unusually ratty.

“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked in a quiet tone.

“No, you couldn’t either, I see.” I said, ushering her over to the chairs in the car.

“Too nervous,” Fire said,” I was trying to read myself to sleep, but my mind runs too fast sometimes.”

“Really? You, of all people, are nervous?” I thought aloud, causing the other girl to glare at me.

“I’m just..... scared,” The Aeros said in a near whisper.

I remained silent, sensing that the girl next to me didn’t want me to speak. We sat in silence for a few minutes, no words seeming important enough to say.

“This war... it may seem pointless, but I bet you haven’t seen the border towns. I haven’t either, but Lightning would tell me all about it and what he heard on the radio,” said Fire Flight.

“What did he hear?” I inquired, rubbing my hands together.

“The Gryphus Army, they are murdering innocent people. Men, women, children, this is not just a war against soldiers, this is a war against our very existence.”

”So, are you willing to fight if you know they want to kill every last one of us?”

“I don’t know what I am doing or where I’m going, but this path seems more noble than drinking my life away in the side of a ditch,” She laughed, obviously telling a joke that I missed.

“I guess it does, we should probably try to get some sleep, it is nearly three in the morning,” I spoke, standing up,”And we arrive at the fort at seven.”

Fire Flight nodded and walked to her bunk, pulling the blankets over her as she turned her back to me.

I climbed up the ladder and collapsed on the bunk, falling asleep as my head hit the pillow.

--------

From the moment I woke up to the moment I fell asleep, the entire world seemed to devolve into chaos. Yelling, pure unadulterated screaming graced my fuzzy mind as I awoke. Laying still for a few seconds, I stared up at the ceiling above me. It took me a few moments to realize what had just occurred, I had been pulled from my bunk and onto the floor.

A face appeared above mine, the man’s red hair no longer visible under his steel helmet. Lieutenant Potshot took me by the shoulders and shoved a duffel bag into my confused grasp as I found myself on my feet once more.

“Get out the door!” Potshot yelled, shoving me in the back, causing me to stumble.

Following his command, I jumped out the door and onto the platform beneath the train. Still in too much shock to speak, I nodded to my friends as we were all lined up. Soldiers I had not even seen before were yelling at us to move down the platform. Following the commands silently, we approached the gates to a huge encampment on the hill above the train station.

“Look ahead, Recruit!” I heard a soldier yell up in front of me, her eyes trained on Rainbow.

Though I could not see her face, I could feel the grimace as she looked straight ahead. The soldiers wore some type of armor, it was thinner and made of half plate armor, half some type of fabric. The pants were a dull green-grey color, the only protection coming from the knee pads and steel-plated boots they wore. They looked nothing like the Royal Guard, but I had a feeling they were just as highly disciplined.

As the gates loomed over us, the only thought that came across my mind just added to my already dampened mood.

What have we gotten ourselves into?

-------- (POV: Fire Flight)

A duffel bag held tightly in my arms, I marched hastily towards the barracks, the soldiers’ yelling all the incentive I needed to get there. Once inside, the soldiers split us off into smaller groups of twenty-five. We were marched down the blinding white hallways, old electrical lamps lighting the way. As we marched into the bunk section of the barracks, the first thing I noticed was the smell; metallic with a hint of dirt and gunpowder.

The soldiers told each person to claim a bunk, gendered barracks now out of question as I took a bunk above a white-haired man. Taking a quick glance around, I noticed that Grasshopper had been placed in my group, he had taken the bunk on my right. We stood still, the soldiers yelling at us to stand attention, whatever that meant. Following the white-haired man’s lead, I snapped my arms at my side and stood as straight as possible.

My eyes widened as Da- I mean Captain Cobalt meandered down the middle of the bunk section. He looked each draftee up and down as he passed, the scrutiny in his gaze slightly terrifying. He walked past me, looking me up and down calmly, almost as if he didn’t know me at all. As he finished his inspection, he turned on his heel, his arms behind his back.

“Good morning, soldiers, and yes, I am calling you all soldiers, for that is what you are now; not recruit, not draftee, you are all, as of now, soldiers,” His words were smooth but precise, I suddenly understood exactly why my father was a Captain,” And today is your first day of Basic. Now, you are probably very, very confused.”

We all nodded, causing Captain Cobalt to glare at us.

In a very passive-aggressive tone, he responded to our out-of-place nodding,” Don’t worry, the Drill Sergeants will be happy to answer any... reasonable questions you may have. Although it will most likely be answered with your face in the dirt. Listen, and follow orders, step out of line once, forget one tiny thing, that you will find out just how scary your Sergeants actually are.”

“And one that note, welcome to Fort Landbridge, your new home for the next two months.”

With those words, he left the room, the distant sound of boots hitting stone fading as he left. The Drill Sergeants looked at us quietly, their steely gazes unnerving. I jumped as one of them began talking.

“Okay, you low-down scuffs, since I have to walk you around like a bunch of toddlers; Get your duffel bags and go to the armory!” Yelled the woman in front of us, she was probably no older than twenty-five.

We all scrambled towards the door, and after much yelling, marched in a single file line to the armory. Once there, a bunch of soldiers without armor told us to go down a little path through a bunch of boxes. As we walked on to the path, we were handed a list. It listed all the clothing and hygiene stuff we would need, as well as a few different kinds of weapons.

I was asked my clothing size too many times I lost count, as well as shoe size. At one point, they asked me helmet size, but the look on my face caused the soldier to take out a measuring tape and put it around my head. My duffel bag slowly filling up, I continued down the line until I faced the weapons, none of which were actually real. A combat sword, rifle , and revolver were all placed inside my bag as I passed.

The soldier at the end of the path gave me a good look before directing me towards the place where I would change and get my hair cut. I was still so confused on what was happening, I was woken up by Dad yelling at me and getting put in a line, and now I was holding a duffel bag on my way to get changed and my hair cut.

Running into the stone room, I waited in line to go into a changing room. as soon as I was inside, I pulled off my old clothes as quickly as possible and threw the cotton shirt and my issued green pants on. Tying up the steel-plated boots, I ran out of the changing room, throwing my duffel bag over my shoulders.

Slowing down as I reached a door to a hallway on the other side of the supply room, I walked through the door and waited in line once again. At the end of the line was a man with styled hair, a pair of scissors in his slender hands. He made quick and stylish work of each person’s hair, either putting their hair up into buns or cutting it off.

As I approached the man, he gave me a quick nod and sat me down in the chair,” Now, bun or cut?”

I felt like I couldn't speak for a second, but was finally able the make some sort of sound,”Cut?”

He nodded, his orange hair bobbing as he did. I felt him take all of my hair up on top of my head and run his scissors through it. Standing up from the chair, I walked away and looked in a mirror near the exit. My bangs were still nearly the same length, but the rest of my hair was loosely the same length, which happened to fall right below my ears.

I nodded and walked out of the room, back into the armoury. Looking around I spotted Lightning, his hair now close-cropped and neat. I waved, but did not get a response, his focus on something else.

“Once you get all your stuff, get back in your line,” I hear a Drill Sergeant yell, snapping me out of my relaxed state.

I ran over to my squad, everyone standing in a straight line, the Drill Sergeant walking up and down the line, observing her recruits. Now, without all the chaos, yelling, and running, I was able to get a good look at the woman. The Terra was taller than me, her blue hair contrasting her nearly white eyes. Her face was hard, her eyes steely, trying to intimidate every recruit here. She had a white scar running from underneath her right eye all the way down to her collarbone. All in all, she was pretty intimidating.

With a swift nod, the Sergeant led us out of the armoury and down yet another white hallway. We followed behind her silently, our heads held high more from fear of punishment than pride. We entered a dining hall, three long tables side by side in the middle of the room. After a quick pass through the line for food, I sat down next to Grasshopper at the table. My brother sat with his back completely straight, his red eyes focused in front of him as he ate. He wore a pair of goggles rather than glasses, it was rather silly looking.

I faced forward and followed my brother’s lead, eating my food silently as the Sergeant began telling us important information regarding our schedules and phrases we should memorize. I signed.

This will probably be the longest two months of my life, won't it?

Chapter 7: A Different Kind of Warfare

View Online

I shook my head, causing my short hair to fly about my head. I sighed, looking down at the journal sitting in front of me on my bunk. It had been nearly two months since Basic Training had started. The first two months had been all physical training and drilling to perfection, it had been horrible, except for some moments, like learning how to navigate the obstacle course or field first aid.

The pink-haired girl, Fluttershy, had been struggling throughout the first month, her scores and performance just barely passing. She had her moments, though. She was an excellent field medic and actually pretty good at non-weapon combat, which definitely surprised everyone.

The purple-haired woman, Rarity, who was usually what I would describe as prissy, turned out to be really, really good at hand-to-hand combat. She picked up each technique flawlessly, and applied each with deadly accuracy and force. She complained a lot in the first week, but the Sergeant soon fixed that with a hilariously strange punishment; She was ordered to find every rock in the fort and place them in a pile in the middle of the field, after which she was commanded to do fifty push-ups in the rocks and dirt yelling "here comes Tom" after each push-up.

Rainbow was the master of everything athletic, she was the polar opposite of Twilight. Despite her amazing performance in the physical part of things, she was severely lacking in respect and attention to detail. She was constantly in trouble with the Drill Sergeants, accepting each and every punishment, creative or otherwise. Though besides this, she was one of the highest ranking on the scoreboard that we kept in the Dining hall.

Twilight wasn't that strong, her performance was mostly average. But, she also happened to be the best at paying attention to every tiny detail. Her bunk area was always spotless, making her a favorite of the Sergeant, a favorite for punishment, that is. During week three, Twilight had forgotten about a small red string stuck to her grey uniform shirt. The Sergeant had noticed this during inspections and commanded her to name the string Mr. Snake and that it would be her duty to guard it at night, yelling "who goes there? Mr. Snake is mine" at every person that passed. No one slept that night, either awoken by her yelling or the sheer amount of laughter in the barracks as every Private stood in a line to pass her.

Pinkie Pie was a genius and was actually pretty good at everything. She had great talent, especially in attention to detail and clearing the obstacle course. If there was one thing she struggled with, it was conduct. The Sergeants got irritated with her high pitched and hyper way of speaking, so they locked her in the supply closet with a clock and some helium. Whenever anyone opened the door, she was required to say that person's full name and rank and tell them the time, all while sucking on a helium balloon. After an hour, though, she passed out from lack of oxygen and we all had to put her in a chair and pour water on her until she woke up.

Applejack was the average one, she was pretty decent at everything, including attention to detail and conduct. The one thing she lacked, though, was agility. The obstacle course always took her more time than with anyone else. Despite this, she never received any punishment beyond being ordered to do a couple push-ups, sit-ups, or running.

Sergeant Sea Foam was by far the scariest and most creative Drill Sergeant in the entire barracks, my own punishments falling into the category of too many pushups to count and cleaning the entire Barracks with a toothbrush. She always managed to keep a scowl on her face, even when she handed out strange punishments. Although we had yet to make her laugh, it was always funny when she started yelling the most insulting and creative words to ever grace my ears.

Then there was me, and boy did I struggle, though not in the way you'd think. I was okay when it came to physical training and the obstacle course.I was okay at attention to detail and conduct, I was okay at hand-to-hand and field first aid. I had yet to stand out in pretty much anything. I was just okay and it was driving me insane, Mom told me to be great, do something great. She trusted that I could do something amazing, and I felt like I was letting her down by just being okay.

When I had a break, I discussed my issue with Grasshopper. He just replied that I should keep my head low and get out of here, then do something amazing. He was right, as much as I hated to admit it, the Elements were constantly singled out, especially Twilight, for being great and 'special'.

Sighing, I closed my journal and placed it back under the bunk. I stood up and stretched, turning to the white-haired man, Lead Hooves. We had become good friends over the past two months, his sense of humor balanced with wisdom was calming in the chaotic cycle of everyday life. He was a few years older than me, being drafted at the ripe old age of twenty.

He smiled as I sat down next to him on the floor,"Hey, Fire, how's yer day goin?"

His accent made me grin, reminding me of when Mom took us down near Bayston a few years ago," Not bad, especially now that Phase two is over."

His purple eyes lit up,"I know, 't's great, finally gonna learn howta shoot our guns and slash wit the fancy swords."

"I didn't even know that guns existed until I got here, I wonder why the other guards back home don't have them."

"T'as somethin' to do wit them being imported from Saddle 'Rabia," Lead replied, tapping his restless fingers against the ground, "an the fact that the Army didn't need em til we got in this whole mess wit Gryphus."

"Really, Saddle Arabia is more advanced than the biggest empire on the continent?"

"Acctually, Gryphus is tha biggest 'mpire, didn't ya here? They conquered half o' Colthage a few months back, they're usin their guns and the whole nine yards o fancy military tech," he replied, his hands moving around expressively as he spoke.

“They conquered Colthage? What kind of military are we facing?” I asked, my eyes widening.

“One o’ the biggest and greatest unconventional militaries the world had ever seen,”Lead replied, his purple eyes looking at the ground in front of him.

“Unconventional?”

“They were int’ usin guerrilla warfare and insurgency durin their invasion o Colthage, hear it was 100,000 Gryphus soldiers that overtook the 500,000 Colthage sodliers. ,” He replied,” I hear Sarge talking to Captain Cobalt the other day bout trainin us to fight like the Gryfos as ‘pposed to fightin like we’re “used to”.”

“When are they planning to do this? We only have two months left then we are gonna be stationed somewhere,” I replied unsurely, rubbing my hands together,” And we’ve already been learning traditional warfare.”

“The Sarge said they’ll whip us int’ fightin shape by the end o week sixteen, they’re planin on this phase o trainin to teach us.”

“So, we’re starting tomorrow?”

“Think so, Fire. lights out is gonna be called soon, might want to go an get to sleep fore Sarge starts yellin ‘gain,” He replied, standing up and offering me a hand.

I hopped up next to him and glanced around, he was right, it was almost time for lights out. Climbing into my bunk, I set my head on the pillow and drifted into a fitful sleep.

-----------

We marched silently in the early morning light, heading for the rock outcroppings a few miles south of the base. The cool fall air caused me to shiver, it was nearly time for winter. The ocean roared beneath us, the waves colored satin as the sunrise spilled out over the horizon. We had been marched for nearly three hours, mostly along the coast, as we headed towards the combat training grounds.

My duffel bag felt heavy across my shoulders. The Sergeant had woken us in the early hours of the morning, telling us to grab everything of value and leave behind our fake weapons. We soon discovered we were leaving behind the base and were going to be living in a camp of tents between the coast and mountains near Baltimare for our combat training.

The brittle leaves that had fallen from the auburn trees cracked under the leather of my shoes. The sound of the waves combined with the smell of fresh salt air only served to calm my frayed nerves a bit. I breathed in through my nose heavily, letting out the air through my mouth as I looked up ahead.

There were about twenty soldiers in front of me,all marching with their duffel bags over their backs. The officers were sitting on the backs of horses, their guns slung over their shoulders and swords sheathed. I could clearly spot all of my friends, family, and some of the Elements.

I was near the back of the Platoon, I knew that much, I was in the twentieth row, third row in the middle. Two soldiers marched on each side of me, the Sergeant marching right behind us on her horse. The Standard was in the hands of my Dad, Captain Cobalt, as he rode in front on his horse. The falcon looked angrily on, its worn gold eyes watching the crowd, its flared silver and steel wings snapped out on its sides. Its ebony talons grasped at the air, its tail attached firmly to the top of the flat wood and steel of its perch. It drew my eyes, it looked dead, worn, like its seen too much, but it attracted me, I wanted to see it closer.

My eyes snapped forward, focusing on the air in front of me as we approached a crest in the hill. The camp laid out in front of us, the grey of the tents standing out against the green and oranges of the clearing below. There were a lot of tents, so many, in fact that I was pretty sure that there was a least three other Platoons in the camp.

On one side of the camp sat a large range, the grass cut short and targets at various distances set up. On the other side sat the ocean, small boats lined up on the beach. I could spot small shadows flickering through the outcroppings, the distant sound of a Drill Sergeant could be heard as he instructed his soldiers. Soldiers marched throughout the camp, some sitting in front of tents cleaning their weapons or warming up near a fire. Their shirts were were either brown or black, the brown-shirted soldiers appearing to have the most freedom around camp. I could even spot some of them coming back from the direction of Baltimare, carrying food and alcohol with them.

I smiled half-heartedly as we marched into camp, we had just one more month, then specialized training for the last month. One month to figure out my talent, then one more month to master it, I was officially dead.

“Get out your tents and set up camp!” Yelled Sergeant Sea Foam as we arrived.

me and the other four soldiers in my line split off, found an empty area, and set up a tent in the middle of it. Unrolling my bedroll after I retrieved it from my duffel bag, I set it to one side of the tent. The other soldiers in my tent followed my lead, the badge on my shirt signaling me a squad leader. Lead, Solar Flare, and Ice Charmer were all in my group. It was comforting knowing I would be spending a good amount of my free time around the people I knew.

“Okay, after you guys set up your stuff, go outside and stand attention in front of the tent,” I said as I set my duffel bag at the end of my bunk like a chest,” Wait until Sarge explains what we’ll be doing.”

Everyone nodded as they set their stuff out, Solar Flare pulling a divider out of her duffel bag and setting it at the far end of the tent. She turned and noticed my questioning expression.

“What? It’s a mixed gender tent and I got this from the Sarge, just thought I’d put it to good use,” She said with a shrug, her blonde hair cut short and shaved on the sides in a flat mohawk.

The Bat Aeros turned and walked out of the tent, slowly followed by everyone else, including me. Captain Cobalt was back on the ground, striding up and down the lines of soldiers, observing each of us for any mistakes in our uniforms. Once he was satisfied, he stood in the middle of the lines of soldiers and looked around.

“Good morning soldiers, hope you had a pleasant hike. I bet you are wondering why, exactly, we left the fort to come here.” He said as he waved his hand, signaling us an ‘at ease’ as he continued addressing us,” We are here for Combat and specialty training, simply put.”

“But, as you can probably tell, we are training differently from our older military, we are teaching you all unconventional warfare tactics. You see, Gryphus has already managed to claim some of the land up north, near the Crystal Empire. They are using sheer numbers to overpower us, which they have managed to do efficiently in the past few months.”

He paused, causing all of us to stare wide-eyed at him while he observed us.

“Their current military is somewhere around three million, Which means we have the smaller army, but this could also work to our advantage.”

I swallowed nervously.

“We will be learning insurgency, sabotage, unconventional warfare, and sky-to-sea tactics over the next month. After this month, you will be split off into different teams for specialized training, then graduation and stationing. Okay, now go on!” he ended his speech, a chorus of whoops sounding from the soldiers as he left for the middle tent.

Sea Foam walked down the middle of our Battalion, glaring at everyone with her white eyes,” You buckers will put on your new shirts and report to my tent at Eight Hundred sharp!”

And with that she walked away, leaving it up to the lower ranking officers to hand out the new shirts. The officers walked through the lines of soldiers, handing each soldier in our Platoon a black shirt. I looked on after them, turning back to my squad as they disappeared from view.

“I think we should probably go and put these shirts on,” I said walking back in the tent and taking off my shirt, switching out of my grey shirt and into the new black shirt.

I heard Ice make a noise somewhere between shock and confusion,”We have a divider!”

I turned around and glared at the Uni, his shirt halfway over his blue-white hair,” We can use the divider for changing all of our clothes, it doesn't matter otherwise. I mean, we are all stuck in the same tent.”

He grumbled as Lead laughed, slapping the smaller man on the shoulder as he walked past him. Everyone was soon changed and we all walked down the pathway to Sergeant’s tent. All hundred soldiers positioned outside the tent, Sea Foam yelled at us to stand attention while she verbally read the schedule.

“Okay, Soldiers, repeat everything I just said!” She bellowed, a fumbled list of our schedule pouring out from the soldiers.

She glared at a soldier standing near her,” What was that, Private Dawn?”

“Um, Food, Swords fighting, Insurgency Tactics, Navigation, Battlefield First aid, Food, and uh....um..”

“Stop mumbling, come here.” Sarge commanded sharply, causing Dawn Feather to salute and run up directly in front of the woman.

“Did you forget the schedule?”

“Yes, Ma’am!”

“Were you distracted?”
“Yes Ma’am!”

“Why? Were you staring at Raven Flight’s flabby ass again?” The Sergeant yelled, looking down at the terrified brown-haired girl.

“No Excuse, Ma’am!” Dawn yelled, her face red like a tomato.

“Well, then, you will follow Private Raven, if anyone asks, tell them you were mesmerized by his ass, understood!?” Sergeant Sea yelled, more than a few stifled laughs rippling through the crowd of soldiers.

“Miss Princess, would you care to repeat the schedule,” Sarge said sarcastically, singling out the Teraruni once again.

“Yes Ma’am,” Twilight said with a salute,” Physical Training, Clean up, Food, Swords fighting, Insurgency Tactics, Navigation, Food, Battlefield First aid, Marksmanship, Boat Drills, Advanced Hand-to-Hand Combat, Food, Drill Instruction, Free Time, Bed.”

Sea Foam nodded, someone in the back of the crowd coughed loudly, slipping in neat freak between the coughs. Sarge shot a glare at the crowd, then proceeded to turn away and walk back to her tent,” Dismissed! you group on the left; follow the schedule forwards! Right: Backwards! Start at Food, end at Food!”

The crowd dispersed, heading towards the long tent at one end of the encampment.

I sighed, This was going to be a long day.

--------

"Here."

The sheath landed in my hands, causing me to stagger slightly. The sword felt heavy, the smooth leather of the grip polished and new. I glanced up at the officer in front of me, bowing my head as I stepped back. Nodding, the officer moved on to the next soldier, handing them a sword as well.

I breathed out heavily as I glanced around. The sand of the arena was surprisingly solid beneath my feet. Dummies lined one side, a giant red circle sat in the middle of the arena. I felt Rainbow Dash shift next to me, the soft hiss of steel against leather sounding through the cool air.

Turning to look at the other Aeros, I noticed she had unsheathed her sword. The polished steel glowed in the sun, the sword plain yet elegant. She smiled slightly as she resheathed it, looking back up at the instructor as he walked into the middle of the arena.

The dark-skinned Terra looked at us calmly, his brown eyes gleaming as he observed his newest students.

“Good morning, recruits,” A small voice floated through the air.

One double-take later, I realized the voice had come from our instructor. Unsure how to respond, our squad shuffled their feet nervously. The swordsman gave a short laugh as he waited.

“I am your swords instructor, Silver Blade, and no, my job is not to yell at you. But that doesn’t mean I don’t expect respect and discipline from all of you,” He said, his voice deep but quiet.

We all nodded, waiting for him to give the lesson.

He sighed,” You can talk, you know, just don’t speak while I’m talking.”

The squad relaxed, a chorus of ‘yes sir’ s sounding from our group.

Silver drew his sword from his sheath, swinging it calmly around him, almost like it was a part of him,” So, any volunteers?”

Rainbow Dash’s hand shot up like a rocket.

------------

One sword lesson, black eye, and multiple clumsy swings of the weapon later, my squad was following me to our next lesson. I rubbed my eye, trying to get the stinging to go away. Solar Flare snorted at my antics, tapping on my shoulder to catch my attention.

“You know, you should probably go and have the medics take a look at your eye. I mean, you were hit in the eye with a sword hilt,” She said, pointing to the infirmary on the other side of camp.

“I’d rather not explain that it was my sword hilt.” As it turned out, I was pretty horrible at sword fighting.

“Your loss,” she replied with a shrug.

We walked up into the outcroppings above camp, looking around for our insurgency instructor. As we passed a huge rock, a loud explosion sounded to our right. I hit the ground, my ears ringing as I laid in the dirt.

A man was crazy red hair walked out of the rubble,”Good mornin’, soldiers!”

We shakily rose to our feet, standing attention as the man, Lieutenant Potshot, laughed.

“Ah, ya shoulda seen the look on yer guys’ faces,” He chuckled,” Hope the charge woke yall on up a bit, you guys ‘re marchin ‘roud like abuncha zombies.”

We chuckled nervously as the tall man stood up to his full height, a gleam in his green eyes. He was our Drill Sergeant for half of our stay at Fort Landbridge, so it was fair to say he made our group of fifty nervous.

Looking past Potshot, I took notice of our surroundings. We were on the edge of a forest, the clearing we were standing in covered in long grass. Rocky outcroppings were behind us, falling off into a cliff-face above the camp. A lone pathway led up the face of the cliff, running into the camp below.

“So, ya guys ‘re all here ta take some insurgency?”

We nodded, Potshot smirking.

“I’m hopin we’ll get ta use these here tactics when we head North, go an’ take back the Crystal Empire an’ all that jazz.”

They took over the Crystal Empire? I thought as Twilight tensed next to me.

“An’ with that, yall go over ta the forest and try ta find yer gear!” He said, clapping his hands together as we took off towards the forest,” Whoever gets theirs last hasta be cleanup!”

-----------

The ringing in my ears was barely fading as we walked to the firing range. The Insurgency had been fun, except for the fact that when we learned how to use the charges and mines, we weren’t given earplugs. Navigation had been interesting, the sun, stars, and compass teaching us how to get to where we were going. Battlefield First Aid was actually more advanced and a hell of a lot harder to learn, but still pretty intense all at once. In the end, I still had yet to find something I was really good at.

Lightning Hoof had finally appeared in my group after lunch, his presence was comforting, knowing that he had my back if I messed this up. The instructor told us all to line up as she observed each of us.

Her eyes peered directly into mine, making me uncomfortable as she studied me. Her grey eyes alit with some type of understanding as she continued down the line, doing the same thing to each soldier.

Once she was finished she walked calmly in front of the group,” Good afternoon, soldiers. My name is Corporal Deadeye, I will be your weapons instructor for the next month, or two if you decide to go into the advanced course.”

We all stood on, nodding our heads as she continued to speak.
“Now, with the introductions out of the way; Private Fire Flight, Private Fluttershy, step forward.”

I jumped, looking at Deadeye in confusion,” Um, I don’t know-”

“I don’t expect you to talk, Private, I expect you to shoot.”

I shut my mouth,” Yes ma’am.”

Stepping forward hesitantly, I looked to my left at Fluttershy. She looked terrified, her blue eyes wide and her arms held close to her. She never really stood out to me, but now I realized why, she didn’t want to be put on the spot. Deadeye nodded as she handed me a pistol, the iron and wood feeling somehow familiar to me. Glancing over at Fluttershy again, I raised an eyebrow as the instructor handed her a sharpshooting rifle; at least, that is what I assumed it was, considering I’ve seen the tower guards at Fort Landbridge carrying them around.

Deadeye stood back and looked at both of us,” Guns either up in the air or downrange, I don't need either of you accidentally killing someone. Good, now, you see the button right above the trigger? That is the safety, we take those off of the weapons on the battlefield, but we will use them here. Red is dead, black is live.”

we nodded as we approached the shooting line. I looked down at the pistol in my hands as we stood on the line, waiting for further instruction.

I swear, if this thing somehow manages to shoot me.......

“Fire Flight, hold up the gun up.” Deadeye commanded, causing me to snap my arms up with the revolver pointed downrange.

“No, I need you to hold it with both hands, Dominant had on the grip- good, feet shoulder-width apart, lean forward, put your left foot forward a step. Don’t hold it so loosely, that could get you killed. Lean forward more. Raise the gun up, aim at that target over there, and shoot.”

I brought the gun up, looking down the range at my target. Lining up the sights, I pressed the safety off and put my finger on the trigger.

Bang!

I flinched, my ears ringing as I lowered the pistol to look downrange. The hole was right on the shoulder of the target, I heard someone snort behind me.

“Ah, she ain’t even that good!” Someone yelled, causing Deadeye to glance up from where she was helping Fluttershy.

Blocking out Deadeye’s response, I brought my gun back up again. Looking down the sights, I pulled the trigger.

Bang!

a little to the left.

Bang!

up, aim for the head.

Gotcha.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I lowered the gun and turned back on the safety. Looking back up, I smirked as I saw the five holes; one in the shoulder, one in the heart, and three in the neck and head.

Maybe I’m not so bad at this after all.

I stepped back from the line as Fluttershy raised her gun, a surprising grace in her movement. Everything was silent as Fluttershy turned off the safety and aimed.

some smartass finally spoke up after a few minutes,” It’s just a target, shoot it alrea-”

Five shots, all clustered around the head and chest. We gawked at Fluttershy as she lowered the gun and turned back on the safety, handing it back to Deadeye.

“Eep!” She squeaked as she saw everyone staring at her,”I-I’m s-sorry.”

“What the buck, Flutters, I didn’t know you could shoot!” Rainbow Dash said as she went up and patted Fluttershy on the back, taking her back to the line.

“Me neither.” I heard the pink-haired girl whisper as she walked with Rainbow.

----------

I walked back in my tent, collapsing on the bedroll as I groaned.

“Buck the universe,” I said as I rubbed my eye, the stinging acting back up.

“I don’t know what you’re complaining about, you are one hell of a shot,” I snorted as Solar Flare sat down across from me.

“Nah, I’m not that good, that award goes to Fluttershy.”

“It’s always the quiet ones,” Ice Charmer muttered, causing Lead to hit him on the back of the head,” Hey, no innuendo intended!”

Lead laughed,” Ha, sure, mister smoothtalker, ain’t my problem Rarity nearly broke yer neck t’day.”

“I don’t mean any of it that way! I was just complimenting her and she tried to kill me! Buck my accidental flirting,” Ice grumbled, sulking as Lead laughed.

“Oh good, I thought ya were tryin to hint to me that ya swinged both ways, if ya know what I mean,” Lead said, causing Solar to laugh loudly and Ice to bury his head in his hands, his pointed ears bright red.

“You guys would make a cute couple,” Solar said with a smirk, causing both Lead and Ice to groan,” You have only known each other for what? Two months? And you guys already fight like an old married couple.”

“Hey, Miss Squad leader, permission to shove a cat in Private Solar Flare’s mouth,” said Ice.

“Ooooo, kinky.”

“Permission denied. Privat Solar, shut up,” I said as I laid on the ground staring up at the ceiling of the tent.

Solar snorted as she went over the her bedroll and curled up under her blanket, “Night, see you bastards tomorrow.”

I sat up and took off my boots and pants, then proceeded to get into my bedroll as well,” I’m gonna get some sleep as well, give you two lovebirds some privacy.”

“Hey! I-I don’t like him! I just accidentally flirt a lot!”

“Aw, shut up, Ice. Their jus’ tryin to piss ya off.”

“Make me!” I heard him yell.

“Just make out already!” I heard Solar Flare yell at the two, both going silent as they glared at the Bat Aeros.

“Everyone shut up! The Sarge is gonna hear us! I’d rather not have to face her in my underwear,” I huffed causing everyone to look at me and surprisingly shut up.
I sighed and stood up, blowing out the lantern in the middle of the tent. Walking back over to my bedroll, I laid down under the fleece blanket.

“Good night,” I said shortly as I fell asleep, ignoring the annoyed groans as everyone else went to sleep.

Chapter 8: War Games

View Online

-----------(Pov: Twilight Sparkle)

The cold winter air burned my nostrils as I observed the camp. Applejack sat next to me on top of the cliff, the sun barely visible over the horizon. I breathed out through my mouth, watching as the steam floated lazily up into the air. It was nearly time for graduation, which would take place four days from now.

I somehow made it, I somehow survived bootcamp. The first week there, Princess Celestia had sent me a letter, it stated I could quit and go home whenever I wished. I never went through with it, knowing my friends couldn’t leave even if I did. But it had become so much more than just a loyalty to my friends, it had become a loyalty to my fellow soldiers.

“Ya think it’ll snow?” Applejack asked.

“Not that I know of, the Baltimare weather team said they will not allow it to snow here until the war is over.”

“Speakin’ of th’ war, why did they bother t’ teach us a’vanced courses? Shouldn’t we be goin out t’ war after Phase Three?”

“I heard from Cobalt that after the initial invasion, the war has fallen into a standstill, we might just end up being cleanup,” I said, running my hands through the short grass covering the top of the cliff.

“Ah reckon yer correct. You ready fer th’ war games today?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I heard Cobalt talking to Fire Flight about becoming the Standard bearer if the 27th win.”

“We’ll win, we got a damn good sharpshooter and Rarity’s part ninja or somethin’ fancy like that,” Applejack said with a snort, standing up,” Ah should probably go an’ wake up my tent.”

I nodded, standing up as well. This was either going to be great or horrible.

----------(POV: Fire Flight)

I lifted up my unsheathed shortsword, hitting it against the lantern in the middle of the tent.

“Wake up, War Games are today!”

“Five more minutes, I was just at the good part....” Solar mumbled, stuffing her face under her pillow.
I walked over to the blonde-haired girl and grabbed her arm, yanking her to her feet,” I’m expected to wake you guys up on time, and I am not getting smoked because of your laziness again.”

“Haha, very funny, you just wake up too early. What happened to the seventeen year old who never wanted to wake up?” Solar asked, yawning as she stretched.

“She was replaced with the eighteen year old who wants to win the War Games so I can get that Celestia-damned Standard.”

“What is up with you and that Standard? It’s old and rusty, and the last person who carried it died in a blizzard,” Ice remarked, frost dancing off his fingertips as he, too, stretched,” Hm, funny, ice kills fire.”

“We both know that I would kill you before you killed me in a real fight,” I said, waving my hand in a joking manner,” Besides, the Standard is going to be mine, Grasshopper is not winning this time. C’mon, we have to head out now or Sarge is gonna start yelling at us again.”

Lead, Ice, and Solar all nodded, following me out of the tent once we put on our armor. The steel of my armor was smooth and silent, the leather underneath muffling any noise. I latched my helmet on as we walked, The black plume signaling my Legion.

Sergeant Sea Foam stood outside of her tent, looking over the crowd slowly gathering around her.

“So, soldiers, today are the War Games. I’m expecting this Platoon to win, because if you do, I will treat every single one of you to drinks up in Baltimare.”

We cheered as she continued.

“But, I will not be leading you, neither will Cobalt, I am expecting all of you to do it yourselves.”

Our smiles feel from our faces, this was bad. Glancing over at Twilight, I raised an eyebrow. She was an amazing strategist as far as I was concerned, I’d definitely put her as Centurion. Centurion was more of an honorary title, held by the person with the highest ranking in a Platoon, or the smartest in this case.

Twilight smiled sheepishly as everyone turned to look at her,” Um, I guess I could lead.”

Everyone cheered once again, chanting Twilight’s name. Sergeant Sea Foam looked on with a neutral expression, uncharacteristically waiting for everyone to quiet down.

“The rules are simple, don’t commit any war crimes, dont poke anyone’s eye out, and for Celestia’s sake, please put the dulling enchantment on all your weapons,” Sea Foam said as everyone settled down,” You have forty-eight hours to capture the other Platoon’s base, the Games start at noon. Report back here to Captain Cobalt in thirty minutes for preparations.”

----------

“Be careful with the paint, it is enchanted to simulate the actual feeling of getting wounded,” Dad said as he handed each soldier a rag with red paint on it, ” The bullets that you will be using are made from rubber and filled with the paint, so don’t play around with them too much.”

The Platoon gave nods of understanding as we painted our weapons with the crimson shade. The War Games were scheduled to begin in four hours, just enough time to get to the battlefield and set up our defenses .

“How will we know when we are dead?” someone asked from the crowd. I quickly spotted them, a young woman with orange hair and either blue or grey eyes.

“Oh, the enchantment will be sure to let you know,” Dad replied with a wicked grin,” I should know, considering I had to make sure it worked before I brought it here.”

My eyes widened as I finished with my shortsword and began to load my revolver with the rubber bullets. I feel sorry for the guy I’m gonna shoot these at. Ouch.

I glanced over at Applejack, watching as the Terra loaded her rifle and began painting her shortsword as well.

“Hey, Applejack, is my squad in your guys’ battalion?” I asked, causing her to look up at me.

“Yeah, Ah think so,” She said shortly, we never really talked that much anyways.

I nodded as I finished, sheathing the shortsword once it dried. Standing up from where I sat on a supply crate, I walked over to my father and gave him a salute.

“Captain, permission to ask a question.”

“Permission granted,” Dad said with a mostly neutral expression.

“May I take the Standard to the outpost for the Games?” I asked, a pleading tone in my voice.

“I am afraid I cannot grant that request.”

“Wha- Yessir.” I said, biting my lip in frustration.
Dad dismissed my offer and turned away, walking back through the crowds as I remained in the same spot. With a sour look on my face, I turned on my heel and marched back over to my friends. I huffed as I planted my rear in the dirt next to Solar, the Bat Aeros giving me a knowing expression.

“Didn’t budge?” She asked.

“I don’t understand! Why can’t he just give me the Standard? It’s all old and rusty anyways, I don’t see the point of not giving it to me,” I looked angrily at the dirt in front of me, Solar giving me three hard pats on the back.

“Listen, you’ll be fine, just win this thing and then the old rusty bird is all yours, my friend.”

“Why is that thing so important to you anyways?” Ice asked as he packed his backpack for the Games.

“She’s a Fire Areos, I’d think she’d find that ol’ thing important considerin’ it’s either her or Grasshopper,” Lead said, sheathing his sword and standing up,” Now c’mon, we’re gonna be headin’ out in a sec.”

“I knew your flaming hands were good for something!” Solar said, laughing abruptly as she remembered something,” Hey, Fire, remember that one time your hands set on fire and my mom wouldn’t let you in the house because of your class? You ran around in a panic and set the forest near our house on fire. Your mom was furious when she found out, she made you work with her for the rest of the week.”

I groaned as Ice and Lead started laughing, “Yeah, I remember, the smell of dead fish haunts me.”

“Soldiers, get into marching formation!” Dad yelled as everyone finished their preparations, snapping us out of our laughter.

Throwing our backpacks on, we marched into our formations and faced northwards. Dad held the Standard in his grasp as he jumped onto his horse, which was tied up near his tent. Riding around in front of us, he yelled out our orders as we began to move.

“Forward march, doubletime!” He yelled, our pace picking up to something just under a jog as we marched northwards.

I looked out over the water, our direction taking us right along the cliffs above the ocean. I could see small boats out in the water, soldiers rowing them out onto the open water. In the distance was the fuzzy outline of an airship. Little black dots flew around it, as if on patrol.

The air burned my lungs, the cool sting of winter laced through the branches of the dead trees above us. The crunch of fallen leaves beneath my shoes filled the midday air with some type of sound besides the clinking of metal and the movement of feet. My helmet sat on my head, the familiar weight of it calming as we marched on up the coastline.

A good hour of silent marching followed, but only near the end did I notice the snowcapped mountains coming closer and the smell of gunpowder and ash laced in the air. Dad rode up a narrow pass near the start of the mountain and up into a small clearing.

A wooden structure stood proudly in the middle of the clearing, the trees near the edges thinned out to prevent an ambush. Giant walls of stone rose on all sides of the outpost, The jagged spires rising up into the sky above me. Little pathways were cut into the stone, appearing hastily made by the rough patterns that cut through them.

I turned to watch as my father ran into the building. Following him, I stood near the entrance to the outpost. He lifted the Standard up with both hands, and, with a grunt, he buried the pointed end of the Standard into the ground. He turned around, a glint in his eye as he walked out of the wooden structure and back to his horse.

Jumping on the back of the black and white beast, he yelled out one last command, “Set up defenses, I will be leaving now, soldiers, I know we will win!”

A panicked jolt went through me as Dad took off out of the outpost, causing me to look around frantically. What am I supposed to do? Where the hell is Twilight? What if I get hurt? What about the Standard? Are we defending it? Wait.

Despite the noise of people shouting and setting up the base, I remained frozen in place, my mind running through a million thoughts per second. But in the middle of my rapid thinking, one thought stood out as I looked around the clearing and up at the pass obscuring it, one eyebrow raised.

Do we even know where the other team is?

-----------

Twilight ruffled her short hair with one of her hands as she looked over a roughly sketched map. I shifted from foot to foot, my wings twitching with impatience. My helmet was placed snugly under my arm as I waited for our Centurion, who sat cross-legged on the ground, to speak up. The Elements of Harmony stood in the room with me, as well as Lightning Hoof, Grasshopper, and the other squad leaders.

Twilight cleared her throat, causing all of the soldiers in the room to look at the Teraruni,” Okay, so, what I have figured out is that we have no clue as to where the enemy outpost is.”
I rolled my eyes. Thank you, Captain Obvious, we totally didn’t know that already.

“ But, we do have the ability and numbers to send out scouts,” She said, one hand on her knee and the other on the map,” I say that we send out a small team, maybe three or four scouts, to locate the base.”

“And who will these scouts be?” Lightning asked, crossing his arms.

“We should take a vote, out of every person currently in the room,” Twilight said, glancing around for approval as we all nodded.

I raised my hand,” I vote for Fluttershy.”

The quiet girl glanced at me and smiled nervously as everyone turned to look at her.

“Who else votes for Fluttershy?” Twilight asked

Out of all twenty people in the room, more than half raised their hands. Twilight smiled over at Fluttershy as the girl squeaked under all the attention. Turning back around, Twilight waited for another vote to begin.

Grasshopper raised his hand,” I vote for Rarity and Pinkie Pie.”

Rarity glanced up in surprise from where she sat next to Twilight. Pinkie Pie bounced on her heels, a barely contained grin erupting across her face.Twilight nodded as she glanced around the room.

“Who votes for Rarity?” She asked, most of the hands in the room shooting up, including my own, “ Now, who votes for Pinkie Pie.”

There was a moment of silence, no one raised their hands as they glanced around nervously. The smile on the pink- haired Terra’s face fell slowly as seconds ticked by.

Twilight, sighed, looking over at the girl, whose long hair had fallen flat, “Well, then, I’m sorry Pinkie, but-”

“I vote for Pinkie Pie,” I said, raising my hand.

Everyone stared at me, but slowly, others began to raise their hands. Pinkie looked at me, a smile coming back across her face as she was voted on the scouting team.

“Anyone else?” Twilight asked.

A soldier I had never talked to raised her hand,” I vote for Fire Flight.”

I nearly choked on air as I looked at the green-haired girl. Coughing, I straightened up,” Um, I am the least qualified for this and I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Slowly, more hands began to raise as I shook my head. I looked over at Twilight with a pleading expression, but she just sat there, her eyes narrowed in thought.

“Fire Flight,” she said, catching my attention,” As the group has voted, you will be on the scouting team.”

“Um, I- uh,” I stuttered, my shoulders falling,” I-I- yes Twilight.”

Twilight smiled at me and stood up,” Okay, so now that we have a team, we need to think of where to send you, and at what time.”

“Maybe we should go when it is dark, Twilight,” Rarity said, adjusting her armor,” It will be harder to see, but there is a lesser chance of us getting captured or ‘killed’.”

I nodded my head,” They will probably light a few fires to avoid an ambush, it’ll make our job easier.”

Pinkie jumped up and down, her hand in the air, “Oh, oooooh! Do we get to use explosives?”

Twilight shook her head,” No, this is a scouting mission, you can use them during the actual battle... Are we even allowed to use explosives?”

The leaders looked at one another and shrugged, a chorus of ‘I don’t know’s going through the group. Twilight ran a hand through her hair and picked up the map, handing it to Fluttershy.

“Anyways, this is a scouting mission, so.....do not attack unless attacked,” Twilight said with a shrug, the last part coming out as more of a question.

Our small team nodded, Fluttershy speaking up from where she sat with the map,” Um, Twilight, what do we take with us?”

Twilight put her hand under her chin, thinking aloud as she spoke,” Take.... your weapons, some food, and..... the map.”

We nodded again, Twilight sitting back down.

“You four should go and get ready, sundown is in an hour,” Twilight said, turning to the other leaders,” I have to come up with some plans for defense and watch rotations.”
I nodded and walked out of the room. looking up at the Standard in the main room, my eyebrows lowered in frustration. You will be mine by graduation.