A letter attached to a parcel and a young stallion who is determined to deliver them.
My Darling,
It had been several moons since we last exchanged words but I wanted to let you know that I have not stopped thinking about you since. The days go by slowly but each day I feel closer to you. My service is almost over, but I fear that my days will go by slower each time, but I would enjoy nothing more than to feel your touch. To the Courier or Mail Mare that receives this letter and delivers it safely to my dearly beloved, you have my greatest thanks. The attachment to this letter holds something very dear to us and I will have no choice but to send it to the safety of our home, but my wish is that it is not opened it until my return.
My Darling, It had been several moons since we last exchanged words but I wanted to let you know that I have not stopped thinking about you since. The days go by slowly but after each day I feel closer to you already for my time of service is almost over. But I fear that my days will go by slower each time, it's tough not being able to see you and the only friends that you have would be your squad mates and captains. But I would enjoy nothing more than to feel your touch. To the Courier/Messenger/Mail Pony that receives this letter and delivers it safely to my dearly beloved, you have my greatest thanks. The attachment to this letter holds something very dear to me and I will have no choice but to send it to the safety of our home, but my wish is that you don't open it until my return. Deepest love and strongest bond. Your Little Soldier.
Solar re-read the letter over and over looking for some sort of clue, bit of information, name, address, but to no avail. Nothing appeared or happened whenever he did. Solar sighed to himself in dismay. "To be assigned to a parcel and stack of letters that has no information would be as challenging and difficult as finding a needle in a pile of hay." But whatever the cost, it was his job to do whatever his boss told him to do. Which was a real pain due to the fact that Solar's boss is a total jackass.
"Phoenix! Make sure you deliver this package and this mail! Report back to me at 6PM!"
"Phoenix! Get your lazy ass up and get to work!"
"Phoenix! Congrats, you get to stay overtime!"
And so on. So being the good courier that Solar is he does what he has to do in order to feed himself and pay late rent for his already ruined apartment at Cloudsdale. And trust me, it was far from worth it. But this was the only job where you meet the attributes. Flying
So there he was, house to house, delivering the packages and parcels that he was told to do. But it was nice on his behalf to walk around and say "Hello" to somepony every once in a while. But nevertheless it would be better than trying to deliver a parcel to someone or something that probably doesn't exist.
"Phew...finally done for the day..." Solar brought his satchel to his neck and stretched his wings as he prepared to ascend from the Earth to Cloudsdale. "Cmon where is it?!" Solar shuffled his wings hoping for his key to fall from the layers from his wing. *ting* "Finally." And so he grasped his key and unlocked his apartment and walked in. Ready for a refreshing shower he took off his glasses and threw them unto his bed along with his satchel and scarf. As he trotted over to his bathroom he couldn't help smile until-. *Knock Knock* "Huh?" Solar rubbed his mane and quietly walked to the door of his apartment and peeked through the hole, but he wasn't expecting to see his boss. Or even know that he knew where he lived. And with that thought he opened the door.
"Yes?"
"Solar! What in Celestia's name are you doing?! I still haven't gotten a report that you completed all of your deliveries!"
"Well, Mr-"
"I don't want excuses, I want answers!"
"Holy shit, was this guy gonna explode his lungs shouting at me specifically?!" Solar thought to himself quietly without listening to the raging stallion on his front door as he kept ranting about lowering pay and demotions but he didn't take it too seriously. Instead he just left him with a "Sorry Boss, it won't happen again." And with that, slammed the door on his face mid-sentence.
"Finally..." Solar sighed and went back into the bathroom and finally took his shower and prepared himself for the next long day of delivering.
As Solar woke from his slumber he yawned and reached over with his hoof to grab his glasses. Getting ready for his usual routine, shower first, breakfast and coffee, the usual that you would expect everyday from a hard-working stallion. Though it was getting boring. He wanted something unexpected to happen, but nothing out of the usual. (Obviously)
But instead he looked toward the stack of letters, while curiosity peaked his mind and set him off as he slowly grabbed another letter with his wing. Slowly adjusting his glasses he began reading.
Darling,
I have received your last letter and had hoped to see your response in my questions. What is it like back home? Has anything changed? What is it like to be home alone without anyone to hold you? And many more, I hope that you manage without me until I return. Your presence is what keeps me going through this cursed war, and it motivates me to come back to you. Until we meet again my sweetness...I love you all the way to Equestria and back. But I guess you know that already. I hope to hear more from you and the progress of our child. Until I return to our Canterlot home I will have no choice but to let time to take it's course.
Solar's eyebrow raised slightly and he gently set the letter back in it's rightful place.
Then he finally stretched and let out a big yawn, getting ready to regain his lost energy, preparing himself for the deliveries of the rising sun.
Setting his glasses onto the desk next to his bed and tossing his scarf over to the bed frame he rest his head upon the comfort of the pillow and fell into a deep sleep.
Solar's eyes shot open and he quickly rose to his hooves and put his saddlebags on looking for the source of the screaming. He looked everywhere and noticed a mare with a red crimson eyes and a red multicolored mane. From what you could tell she was running from something, but it didn't matter Solar knew he had to help.
Solar spring away from his dead campfire and ran toward the mare with a knife he purchased with the other supplies in his mouth. "You alright?" Solar managed to say dagger-in-mouth. "Help me get it away!" The mare ran right passed him and he noticed a rose on her cutiemark and chased after her. "Away from what?!" And that's when solar heard it. grr...RARGH!!! Right behind them was none other than a Manticore, it's menacing teeth and glaring eyes pierced Solar's heart as he kept running. "Fuck..." Solar kept running and caught up the the terrified mare and flew up as he grabbed the mare around her waist and took her to the nearest building that he saw, which happened to be a cottage. "AHHH!!" The ear-piercing scream of the mare made Solar cringe as he made it past the manticore he landed safely with the mare and the first contact he had with her was a punch to the face, followed by a nose-bleed. "Ow...! W-what the he-..." Followed by a kiss on the cheek. "Uhh..." Solar kept his hoof over his nuzzle to prevent any blood from touching the ground. "Thanks...for saving me..." The mare finally spoke without a terrorized tone in her voice. "Why the hell did you punch me?!" Solar erupted from nowhere. "S-sorry, I just didn't expect you to do that, I got really scared and I overreacted and..." Solar held up a hoof. "It's fine..." He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a cloth to cover up the blood. "What were you doing this far away from town? He asked.
"So...you're a flower pony named Roseluck who is just looking for an exclusive rose that happened to match your cutiemark?
She only nodded with a look of sadness on her face. "I...I know it seems stupid bu-" Solar cut her off briefly and held up a rose that matched her cutiemark. "You mean this?" I was going to give it to a friend when I came back from where I'm going but if it means that much to you than you could have it. Dumbstruck by the actions of the pegasus Roseluck reached for the delicate flower and her eyes seemed to glisten at the sight. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She embraced Solar in a soft hug and gave him multiple kisses on the face to which Solar responded with a face of crimson. She felt infatuated for a second and blushed as soon as she thought of her actions. "Hehe...sorry again about the punch." Solar smiled and chuckled it's no problem, I'm Solar Phoenix." Roseluck smiled and held out her hoof. "Roseluck, so where are you going?"
After a brief moment of explaining the letters and feelings Solar had experienced during his traveling Roseluck couldn't help but make a small squee followed by some cute sounds. "That's so romantic! Perfect for anypony's special some-pony!" Solar chuckled and rubbed his mane. "Yeah, I'm just trying to deliver her this package and these letters he sent but she never received. So it's my job to make sure that happens!" Rose smiled and giggled. "That package must mean a lot to you and the soldier doesn't it?" Solar looked at her. "Of course it does, it's my job to make sure that this family doesn't feel the same way that I did a long time ago when..." Solar cut himself off. N-nevermind, I'm just trying to get this parcel to her it's not my business really but I can't help but feel connected to them.
"Sounds like somepony is getting attached!" Solar blushed at the comment. "I-I am not. I just happen to feel the same way as this other stallion. You know, father away from home makes it hard for any child to live their life without a manly tough role model." Roseluck smiled and ruffled his mane. "You really can relate can't you?" Solar sighed and nodded. "Yeah, when I was younger my father died of a heart condition...and that was years after my mother walked out, I was left alone with my brothers with only my dad who could barely support for us, then we were taken away from dad we stayed with a foster home and that was much worst. Out step-mom stepped in and help us reunite with our dad so we consider her our real mom...it stayed like that then..." Solar's mane covered his face and a tear or two were shed before Rose rested her head on Solar's chest making him feel tense slightly.
Rose then began nuzzling his chest making him breathe rapidly before gulping quietly to himself. "Shh..." Rose gave him a quick hug before backing off and wiping the tears off his snout. "Better?" Solar didn't speak, he only nodded and sniffled quietly to himself. Roseluck held out her hoof and Solar grabbed it and stood. "Let's take a stroll while the night is young. Solar smiled and looked up as he adjusted his glasses. "I'd like that..." And so they trotted along side each other looking up at Luna's moon and stars.
Some time later they couple found themselves on a hill sitting beside each other staring at the golden horizon as the Celestia's sun rose from the mountains. "It's been nice Roseluck, but I have to go now, these letters won't deliver themselves. Solar chuckled to himself as he stood up from his place and began taking off but was stopped by somepony grabbing his wing. "Hmm...?" Solar looked behind him to see a faint smile from where Roseluck stood. "Good luck" Solar smiled and took his glasses off before patting her on the head. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll meet again someday in the future." Roseluck smiled and they nuzzled each other. "I'll be looking forward to that." Solar laughed quietly. "Me too" Roseluck smiled back and quickly gave him a quick peck on the lips before hiding her flushed and embarrassed face. Solar chuckled at the adorable sight. "Goodbye, Roseluck." And with that he walked away toward his next destination while pulling out another letter.
Dear Angel,
I have yet to receive word of our progress throughout our campaign to drive back the enemy. I also regret the choice of our general's foolish decisions. We have yet to return, alas the wait continues. Many thoughts have been dwelling through my mind And I fear of what I may do, to myself. I have been feeling angry toward the others and the only thing that could keep me sane for much longer is you.
The disoriented and blurry image was implanted within Solar's mind.
The Soldier and his "Angel" or so he called them embrace each other as well as the child in a hug. Mixed with happiness, tears, and other feelings that even Solar has not felt, or not yet however.
Just as Solar was about to see what was in the box he woke.
"W-what, it was a dream..." He sighed and looked up toward the sky only to see the everlasting night be perished by Princess Celestia and her great power.
"Hmm..." Solar kept thinking to himself putting his hooves to temples to try not to lose sight of the image from his dream. But to no avail. He sighed to himself and stood as he stretched out his wings and put his saddlebags back unto his waist. Only to feel a sudden tinge of pain across his flank covering his cutiemark as blood seeped out slowly and fell unto the clouds leaving a spot of red. "Gah!" His legs soon gave out and he fell unto his knees attempting to fight back the pain.
He looked up to only see a gang of griffons and one holding up his claw licking off blood, without a doubt Solar's. "It's been a while since we've eaten, and we haven't seen anything appetizing to eat except you..." The gang chuckled menacingly and slowly flew towards him slowly. Solar backed away as his eyes kept a straight sight locked on each one of the griffon's moves. "Just do us a favor and keep still, we like out meat tenderized!" The "Leader" or from what Solar assumed charged toward him and threw a claw in his direction only to slightly cut his cheek.
Solar quickly drew his knife and slashed all around him managing to cut some of the members. But was soon stopped from something holding him back. But it got worse, one of the griffons managed to bite his neck, drawing blood but Solar resisted and threw him off by struggling and bucking everywhere.
One of the bucks managed to connect with the griffon's beak and shattered it to bits. Now was Solar's chance, he managed to fly away as fast as he could, and he was lucky to spot something in the air, it was a dark blue with a tint of yellow but a claw reached his hoof and pulled him away from the possible saviors.
His knife was locked tightly in his jaw and he threw his head back and head-butted the fiend while connecting the knife to his claw. Earning an ear shattering screech from the griffon which luckily enough managed to get the attention of the flying group of...something. Solar felt one last tinge of pain on his left wing and managed to catch a glimpse of a griffon's beak and a knife in his wing.
Then they were soon knocked away by an unseen force, couldn't have been magic, and Solar fell towards a rocky mountain and knocked his head on a rock upon impact drawing more blood, the last thing he saw when he soon gave away from blood loss and fatigue, was a group of pegasi, all dressed in Wonderbolt uniforms then the blurry image faded.
"Daddy, look!"
That's very cool honey, did you do that?
The Soldier and his daughter soon sat beside each other practicing magic and that was all that Solar could witness before shooting his eyes open to a sting all over his body. As he gasped for air he looked around cautiously hoping not to see skulls and blood splattered around him. But instead a window, and several Pegasi surrounding him with a worried and shocked look. Taking controlled and deep breaths to absorb the new setting. "W-where...where am..." All thoughts and feelings were put to the side as Solar desperately looked around for his saddlebags. "W-where is it?!"
"You seem to care more for your belongings more than your own self, don't cha kid?" A bright orange and yellow mare walked toward Solar with what seemed to be a captain's outfit as she held the saddlebag up with her hoof. "H-hey!" Solar tried to get up and claim his sack before being held back by a hoof. A turquoise colored mare with a rainbow mane looked at Solar. "Calm down kid, we're only trying to help." Solar sighed and lied his head back. "Thanks..." This made the two smile and nod to each other. "I'm Spitfire, and this is Rainbow 'Crash'." This made the turquoise mare blush slightly and scoff. "It's Dash."
"So...where are we?"
"The Wonderbolt's Academy duh!" Rainbow Dash smirked and chuckled. "In the presence of the greatest flier in Equestria!"
This made Solar somewhat interested in the situation he was currently residing in. "The greatest flier in Equestria?" Rainbow stared at Solar dumbstruck with a bewildered look on her face. "Y-you're not serious...are you?" Solar only stared at the pegasus with the straightest face he's ever had in his life and simply nodded.
A small glance toward Spitfire made Solar start feeling more confused than he's ever felt in a while. "You're not kidding are you rookie?"
"Rookie? What did I do to earn that title?" Solar just shrugged and looked toward Dash again earning the most hilarious look that he thought she could make.
"Uhh...you ever heard of the Elements of Harmony?" Spitfire suggested.
"Can't say I have." Solar held a hoof up to his temple and rubbed the soreness of his wounds.
This line even earned a look or glare from a couple of the other patients in the room as well as the two pegasi accompanying Solar. Even a pegasi outside hollered from the distance. "Are you kidding me?!"
Solar just shrugged off the looks and lied his head back as if nothing happened.
"Kid, you really need to find out about the Elements, you might have met one and not even known it." Solar looked toward Spitfire. "Is it really that big a deal? I have my own problems and things to do, I don't have time for magic and monsters." Solar thought that might have been too harsh to lie upon the two but he spoke the truth, he had enough to worry about with his family and income situations. But the two mares insisted on telling him about the achievements on the Elements and how they saved Equestria countless times, which was to be honest was amazing and made Solar feel like a colt at kindergarten. Learning history, which was actually one of his favorite subjects growing up.
"So, these Elements are what represent the power and strength of friendship?" The two mares nodded in unison. "Don't forget that I am one of the 6 Elements! The Element of Loyalty!" Rainbow blurted out and smirked toward Solar. He could only nod and listen to her babbling but he was actually thinking about getting back on his hooves and keep traveling. "So, I believe that I've been here long enough so I'll pay whatever I have to and be on my way, thank you very much." The pair looked at each other somewhat bewildered and stared at Solar. "Look Rookie, you're gonna be here for a while with those wounds, you could have a concussion or something worse." Solar's eyes widened. "N-no! I have to leave, this package is very important to me and I have to get it to it's destination!"
Spitfire rubbed her hoof on her face. "Sorry Rook but it's better to be safe than sorry."
"I'd rather be sorry if it means getting this package to that family!" Solar snapped back and clenched his teeth which admittedly hurt his head but he chose to ignore it.
The two gave him worried looks and kept denying his choices to leave. But Solar wasn't finished yet, not until dusk comes upon them.
As the moon rose from it's slumber Solar stood on his hooves and felt dizzy. But he didn't care, he quietly trotted over to the desk where his belongings were and rested it upon his back, it seemed lighter, mostly because of the rest and food that he received from the care but he was sure to leave a small bag of bits and a note on the desk explaining himself.
Dear Spitfire and Rainbow Dash
I thank you both for your care and service but you both have no idea how important this is for me to complete. It's not that I'm not thankful but my time is short and I'd rather be in less trouble with my boss than he already would be with me. I can take care of myself without your aid but this task is completely crucial to me. Thank you once again.
Solar Phoenix.
And with that Solar snuck out of the hospital and avoided all contact from any other ponies that were on duty. But he didn't expect his descent from the Academy to be so painful, with the account of the wounds that still haven't healed from the attack. Blood was still stained on his bandages and his coat. But luckily aside from a couple of bruised apples his supplies was as fit as a fiddle. He wished he could say the same about himself though.
Solar limped quietly and quickly across the road till he saw a small light. "Maybe a campfire..." Solar peered through some bushes as quietly as he could and his eyes dilated at the sight.
A gang of griffons surrounded a campfire, with some small makeshift tents or shacks around them. "How does a pack of Griffons get their asses handed to themselves by a gang of namby wamby ponies?!" It was a female griffon and no doubt she was pissed. "G-Gilda please, we tried looking everywhere for food, there's just no luck!" The one called Gilda stretched out a talon and scratched the other griffon, obviously drawing blood, possibly leaving a scar. But something broke that tension, sniffing. The leaded lifted her head and took a deep inhale the exhale. "I think I found our dinner guys..." The griffon then began leaping toward the bushed where Solar took refuge. But Solar was quicker. He took flying toward the clouds, but Gilda was on his trail, with the scent of his blood in the bandages and his coat.
He felt a claw wrap around his hoof and brought himself tumbling toward the mountains.
GAH!!!
He kept falling but the claw kept a tight grip around him and a greater force brought them both tumbling to the mountains. The last thing he saw while they fell was a giant shadow covering the moon, then darkness...
Solar thought to himself in his moments of darkness.
About the letters, about Roseluck, about Ditzy.
He just couldn't get them out of his head.
Then a blurry image of a tree, no multiple trees and a mountainside. Solar rose to his feet and rubbed his temple with a hoof and felt something wet. Most likely blood, his hoof went toward his face and saw the obvious crimson liquid all over his hoof. "Damn...I probably lost my bandages during the crash..." A small groan startled him and made him jump back, and he had every right to be afraid. The griffon known as Gilda was lying not that much further from him and where he landed. But something was wrong, he saw the majority of the blood coming from her as she lay lifelessly on the ground.
"W-what the...?" Gilda searched her surroundings and felt a surge of pain travel throughout her body, but something else was off. She was moving, not on her own, she was lying on top of a large plank of wood with her head on a saddlebag, it wasn't as comfortable as a pillow but it was better than nothing at this point. She looked to the front of the plank and saw a struggling pony with a light blondish coat and a red and black mane. Wearing a black and red tinted scarf and cracked glasses, she looked at his cutie mark and saw a bird in front of a sun. He was pulling her with a rope tied around the plank and his chest.
She looked around once again until she finally spoke up. "What gives?!" Solar jumped at the voice and looked behind him till he fell over. He looked at the angry and confused griffon who was giving him a huge glare. "We're moving..." Solar responded straightly and kept moving along the path until something yanked the rope and forced a gasp of air out of Solar's lungs. "Ack...what...gives?!" There was a small strain in getting that question out. "I don't know what the deal is but we're not moving another inch until you explain to me what happened!" Solar sighed and dropped the rope from his chest and sat on his haunches. "Fine...ask whatever you want. We're only wasting daylight at this rate anyways."
Gilda stared at Solar the entire trip, after he explained to her the entire situation and how he found her on the ground and nursed her as they traveled with each other for the last couple of hours. But Solar was desperate getting his job done so he didn't rest or eat. He just kept going. "Hey...you...pony..." Solar sighed at this comment. "I have a name, it's Solar." Gilda rubbed her head and stretched out her wings. "Let me take over for a while. If anyone knows the way to Griffonstone, it's me." Solar sighed. "Look Gilda, I only did this because I felt bad for you...it's not like you could feel that. So I decided to help you out until we reach Griffonstone, then I'm out." Gilda flinched at this remark.
"Hey, time out! How do you know my name?!"
"I heard your friends call you that before you tried to maul me to death. And eventually bring my corpse back to your friends for a little feast."
"I was only trying to get something to eat!"
"I was too, when I got attacked by them...luckily somepony came to help me at the last second."
Solar looked toward his busted wing and sighed to himself. "Consider yourself lucky that my wing is making me walk." Gilda scoffed. "I didn't ask for your help just so you know!" Solar looked back a he kept going. "You're right, you were lying on the ground on the brink of death. Let's hope Griffonstone isn't much further..."At this point he was just angry, at this griffon, the rate of speed they were going and his wing for being busted, but that was her fault."
Solar sighed and pulled out his journal and wasted no time to begin scribbling hastily into it leaving several details unanswered. But it was out of anger. He didn't even other to write down the date.
Entry #___
Another day of pain for my wing. Ever since that Griffon and her friends attacked me. I'm stuck with this griffon until I reach Griffonstone. Which is a bigger pain than my wing. And it's all *HER* fault! She better say sorry soon or I'm gonna release a *LOT* of steam on her. And that's gonna end worse for one of us...
Maybe me.
Solar kept walking for a good 3 more hours until Gilda forced him to a full stop. "What are you doing?" Gilda held a stern look on her face. "We're stopping, what do you think?" Solar sighed and unwrapped the rope from his waist. "I'm gonna keep going." Before he could take two steps Gilda grabbed his tail and yanked him back to her, which admittedly made Solar yelp. "Not without me you're not!" That struck Solar, made him snap for a second before coming to his senses. "You said you know the way. So I'm leaving it you. I'm late enough this delivery as it is. So I'm not going to be late for it because some griffon wanted to satisfy her appetite!" He mocked her, bringing up the incident time and time again.
Gilda stared at Solar for a second before limping toward him slowly for a moment and Solar braced for the worst.
Clawing out his eyes.
Being mauled to death with those frightening talons...
Solar's eyes were closed tightly and braced himself for the pain he was about to endure.
"Oof!" Solar was knocked back slightly and looked down to see his pack on the ground. He then looked toward the griffon and stared at her for a brief moment. Before walking away he heard a quiet whisper just barely leave the griffon. "Thank you..." Solar looked back with a small smile and shrugged.
