> Feathers and Flames
>  by UberBrony193
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1 - Equestria at War
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Featherweight rubbed his groggy eyes, stretched his wings and sat up in his bed. Judging by the pre-dawn haze coming from his window, it was still very early, probably around 5 am. That was good, because it meant more time for him to review his pictures that he planned on using in his school's newspaper. It also gave him a good opportunity for some great sunrise pictures over his hometown of Ponyville.

Even though Cherilee had recently promoted him to chief editor of his school's newspaper and gave the job of staff photographer to another colt, taking photographs was his passion. Whatever Featherweight found interesting, he took a picture of it, even if others thought otherwise. He wasn't the most popular foal in school, most likely because he was "different" from the other foals. He didn't mind the loneliness, in fact he kind of enjoyed being alone; he didn't talk that much anyway.
  
After snapping some decent pictures of the sunrise, he walked into the kitchen for some breakfast. 

He lived on his own, his parents both deceased. His mother was first to go from a bad pneumonia about 6 years ago. They could have prevented her death, but they were not the wealthiest of families in Ponyville, and could not afford proper treatment. His father was so depressed, that he took to alcohol to help him comprehend with the loss of his wife. Two years after the death of his mother, Featherweight's father had died from liver failure. 

Despite all this, Featherweight  wasn't very lonely. After his father died, he met a kind stallion named Caramel. They became good friends, and Caramel would often visit Featherweight and loan him money. He was the only pony who he considered his family. Aside from Caramel, Featherweight did not have many other close friends. Although, he was good friends with Scootaloo, who he met in his therepy classes that he took after his father's death about living as an orphan. 

After Featherweight fixed himself some oatmeal, he sat down on the floor and ate. While he did this, he looked over the many photographs that he took, deciding which ones he should use in the paper.

He stopped as he came across some pictures that he took for Diamond Tiara during her reign of terror as chief editor. What he saw filled him with grief: They were three embarrassing photos that he took of his classmates Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo on an assignment for Diamond Tiara. He threw them in the trash, put it aside and resumed his activities. Eventually, Featherweight settled on some pictures of a flood that took place in Ponyvile a few days ago that was caused by a breakage of a dam near Canterlot. 

"Well, at least it'll be a break from all this stuff about war," he said to himself absentmindedly as he placed the photos inside his saddlebags. When he finished his breakfast, he put on his saddlebags and headed for the door. But just as he was about to leave for school, a loud knock came from the door. Surprised, he nervously opened it, and was confronted by two royal pegasus guards who towered over him. Before he had time to ask, one of the guards read aloud from a scroll he pulled out from underneath of his armor. 

"As you may know, Equestria is fighting an evil and domestic enemy", he said in a loud voice. "Our fair country has been split in two, and those who remain loyal to her majesty Princess Celestia are now known as citizens of the great Solar Empire", read the guard. "By decree of her majesty Princess Celestia, all able-bodied ponies between the ages of 14 and 21 are to serve the Solar Empire in military service."

Featherweight was completley speechless. Having recently turned 14, he knew what was probably going to happen. When the guard was finished, the other guard asked Featherweight, "Young stallion, are your parents around?" He was too shocked to answer, and after a few seconds of silence he quietly forced out the words, "They're not around, sir." 

The guard looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean? Are they both working?" he said. Featherweight was about to answer, when outside the window he saw a tan stallion with a brown mane running up to the house. 

     "Featherweight, what's going on here?" said Caramel, who ran between the guards and into the house. "Sir, are you this young stallion's father?" questioned one of the guards with a slightly surprised look on his face. 

Caramel was taken aback for a moment and said, "No, his parents passed away years ago. But, I suppose you could call me his caretaker." The first guard then replied, "Well then sir, I'm sure that you've heard of the great civil war that has struck our fair nation. The Princess asks that this young stallion - Featherweight, is it? - would join his comrades on the field of battle to fight bravely for the glorious Solar Empire." 

Caramel was shocked to hear this, and started to protest. "But he's just a colt! You can't just take him away!" "I'm sorry sir, but it's the Princess's orders" said the first royal guard. He then told Featherweight, "Take a moment to say goodbye, then report to the train station at 0800 hours."