The Tales of Daisy Claw and Rainbow Thunderby Spiceywolf15ChaptersThe birthingAccpetedRun, Shadowbat, run!PrejudiceAn unexpected allyLearning.The birthing'Just keep running. step step breathe. step step breathe.' Shadow ran. she made sure to breathe after every second step, both to keep from hyperventilating and to keep circulation going. She could hear the yells behind her as she ran. Her Broken wing kept her from flying but she could run. she could run fast. But she needed to hide. she couldn't overexert herself or she wouldn't be able to fix her wing properly when she escaped. But where? She didn't even know where she was going. for all she knew she was headed for a dead end. Like the cliff bottom she just hit. She turned to run the other way but a batpony warrior swooped in, his spear held in the fetlocks of his forehooves, and landed in her way. She tried to turn around but another warrior landed there. then three more in between the two. "Alright ShadowBat, you gave us a good chase, but your time is up. come to your with us quietly or we will kill you here," The batpony in the middle said with a smile. Shadow backed up, "Don't make me hurt you... please..." Shadow pleaded with the group. The stallion laughed at her then pointed his spear, "Take her in hunters!" Daisy knew this would happen and had already prepared herself. As the group charged she took a deep breathe and her eyes went solid black. The area grew dark and spires of pure darkness shot up from the ground, impaling every hunter attacking her in the stomach. She saw blood shoot from their wounds as they screamed. another spire shot through each one's head, killing all of them. After several seconds she released the magic and the spires vanished. Her golden eyes went back to normal and the dead end lightened up once more. Shadow walked up to the middle stallion and placed her dark purple hoof on his cheek, her eyes growing teary, "I'm sorry..." she whispered. Shadow then walked away, leaving the bodys for the colony to find. "I had no choice... I have to survive..." Shadow reasoned to herself like this for a time before she stopped to rest. The magic and she had used and frantic run from the hunters had left her drained. **3 years later** Shadow Claw sat down in front of the fire, exhausted from a hard day's work. She had grown lean since she arrived at this rock farm, her muscles growing larger and her tolerance of sunlight growing exponentially, and there had been no sightings of the hunters in almost a year. She had also started courting the stallion in charge about a year and a half ago. She wasn't trying to get a promotion, he was just a noble stallion and exceptional on the eyes. 'I need to tell him... Why haven't I already?' She hadn't told him that she was a fugitive from her colony. She hadn't told him anything about herself before she started working at the rock farm. She looked at her flank, at her cutie mark. three long black parallel scratch marks. out of the scratches billowed dark purple smoke. Shadow Claw. It was amazing how names worked out like that so often. The door opened and her ears twitched. Shadow turned around and saw her coltfriend, Thunder Stryke, walk in. She wondered why he was running a rock farm. He was alabaster, the same as Princess Celestia herself she had found out, with a wild, dark blue mane and tail. His cutie mark was a silver lightning bolt arching into an open field. She had seen him use his special talent before. While not the strongest flyer he could control and shoot lightning from his own body. "Good evening Thunder," She said softly. Thunder looked at her in surprise, "Oh, Shadow, I thought you had went to bed already." "No, I was waiting for you," Shadow said patting the open space next to her. Thunder smiled and sat down next to her, wrapping his strong wing around her to cuddle, "Did you have alot of trouble with the southern field today Shadow?" She leaned into him and sighed contentedly, "Not today no. I think that the rocks just weren't quite ripe enough yesterday. He smiled, "That's good." They sat like this, watching the flames of the fire burn, for several minutes before either of them spoke again. Thunder kissed the top of his batpony lovers head before standing up and turning towards the bedroom. Shadow looked at him worriedly. Had she done something wrong? Did she stink? Was he just going to bed? "I'll be right back Shadow. I have something for you," He said with a wide smile before trotting to their room. A million thoughts ran through Shadow's head at once, but one predominated the rest. 'What did he get me?!' After several minutes of frantic mental guessing Thunder came out to the living room with something hidden under one of his wings. He helped her stand and then held out a small box. He opened it with his other wing and said, "Shadow we have been courting for almost two years now. I love you and I want to ask you: Will you marry me?" By the time he had said 'I love you' she had a hoof over her snout and tears in her eyes. When he said 'me' she immediately screamed yes several dozen times in rapid succession She tackled him with a hug and kissed him passionately. He gave her the ring after she allowed him up and they walked to the bathroom together. The two lovers took a long shower together before running off to bed. They had their wedding, a small ceremony with only a few guests and the local priest, several months later. A few weeks later Shadow found out she was pregnant. The birth was rough on her, almost losing the baby in the process, but she survived and had a healthy pegasus colt. They named him Rainbow Thunder. He had a white coat like his father with a red mane that had an orange undertone and matching tail. After another three years Shadow gave birth to another foal. The birth went along much smoother then the previous one and she had a beautiful batpony filly. They named her Daisy Claw. Daisy had a deep purple coat, and a very light bluish-purple mane. Shadow and Thunder raised their foals for 16 years before the dragon war began. Rainbow Thunder had gotten a cutie mark in rainbow making, making more beautiful rainbows then anypony else in Equestria, as well as inheriting his father's ability's with electricity, although having much more exact control being able to channel it through anything his hooves touched. His cutie mark was a rainbow connecting two storm clouds, each shooting a single bolt of lightning straight down. Daisy had gotten her cutie mark in growing flowers, and her mother's ability's in controlling the shadows. Her cutie mark was three blooming daises, each with a billowing set of dark purple shadow claws coming up out of them. And then the hunters found Shadow Claw again. AccpetedDaisy chiseled away at the boulder in front of her. It had been a long night and there were still many hours to go. Her fur was matted with sweat and grime. She had collected almost 150 jewels from the rocks that night, she was happy with her work. Daisy chiseled the rock off the small emerald she just pulled out and tossed it into the wheel barrel with the rest of them. She then flew to the wheel barrel and brought it back to the house. Sometimes Daisy hated working alone at nights, but her mom had grown too used to the day to stay up all night like a normal batpony. She emptied the wheel barrel onto the large transport carriage, already filled with a little over two thousand of the precious gems. Her and Rainbow would have to move them in the morning. Daisy put the wheel barrel up and then flew away from the farm, almost twenty miles, into the Everfree forest. She found her usual clearing and laid down on her back, looking up at the gorgeous night Luna made every cycle. Daisy smiled and basked in the moon's glow. After an hour she stood up. It was time to practice. She braced herself like a bull was about to charge her and took a deep breathe. She let her head go limp and let the breathe out, closing her eyes. Out of the corners of her eyes a dark purple shadow, akin to the glow of a unicorn using dark magic, leaked out, arching over her body. The shadows on the ground around her crawled up her legs and she was soon in a skintight blanket of shadows. Daisy concentrated and then her eyes shot open. She brought her hoof up in front of her face. 'Invisible. It worked... wait... IT WORKED!!!' Daisy let out several batty squeals of excitment. She hadn't thought it would work, hadn't even thought she could get the shadows to wrap around her like she wanted. 'Now for the field test.' Daisy smiled to herself and took off once more. She returned to the house and went outside her brother's room. She looked into the lock. She focused on a spot in the room and vanished in a poof of purple smoke, reappearing in the room with another poof of purple smoke. She smiled to herself as she looked to see she was still invisible. Not only were shadows useful, but they also made no noise. She looked to her brother; peacefully asleep on his side, turned away from her. Daisy slowly walked up to the bed. Her brother had been hiding something from her and their parents for a few weeks now. Daisy wanted to find out what that was. She laid on her stomach and slowly reached a hoof under her bed. She felt around for almost a minute before she touched a small box. As soon as she did she felt a bolt of electricity shoot through her entire body. She let out a high pitched bat's squeal, just barely in the range for a pony to hear, and yanked her arm back. She lost control of the magic and saw Rainbow's ears twitch. "Oooh buck me..." She muttered as Rainbow turned to face her from his bed. Rainbow smiled at his sister, "How did I know you would try to get into that?" Daisy glared at the smug pegasus and whispered loudly, "Come on, Rainbow, just tell me what's in the damn box!" Rainbow sighed, "Fine, fine, But you have to swear on Luna that you won't tell mom and dad." Daisy nodded, "Alright, just show me!" Rainbow hesitated before climbing off his bed and pulling out the small box. Daisy realized that it wasn't actually that small, it was short but long, longer then your average pony by half a leg length. He opened it and showed the spear of a Celestial royal guard. Daisy looked at the letter on top of the blade as Rainbow pulled it out and handed it to her. It took her several minutes to decipher the runes. She didn't read often, and hadn't spent much time trying to learn her letters. It was unimportant at the farm. It read: Dear Rainbow Thunder, We have read your application letter to join the Celestial guards and we have found it acceptable. We find your determination and want to protect your country and princess amendable. We give you this training spear as your pass to enter the royal palace in two months for your boot camp. We hope to see you there. Sincerely, Captain Sharpspear: Celestial guard. Run, Shadowbat, run!Daisy looked up at Rainbow in shock, "W-What? You're leaving? Why?" Rainbow sighed and took the letter back. He folded it back up, put it back on the spear, closed the weapon's box and tucked it under his bed. "Because I want to do something more then be a simple rock farmer Daisy. I have electrical powers for a reason, and that reason is not breaking open rocks for gems. This is my chance to make a name for myself, we're at war with the dragons for crying out loud! And besides even if I don't make a name for myself as a guard I can help make a difference in the war!" Daisy was pissed, she wanted to slap him, "So you're going to leave your family?! Just like that?! What the hell is wrong with you Rainbow?!" Rainbow grabbed his sister's shoulders, "Daisy listen to me. I need to do this, I won't spend my life chiseling at rocks on this damned farm in the middle of bucking nowhere!" Daisy slapped his hooves away and made for his door and said harshly, "Whatever, I don't want to hear it." Daisy then left his room, slamming the door behind her. He's leaving us. Why the hell is he leaving us, we're his family for crying out loud!! And then she was surprised when her father came out, a sword in his mouth and hair disheveled, looking around wildly. Her mother followed close behind. "What was that banging?" "Ask my bucking brother," Daisy said storming to her room when the wall in front of her blew inwards. She yelped in surprise and stumbled backwards. Through the massive hole in the wall came a dozen ponies. There were four batpony mares, three stallions, a unicorn stallion, two unicorn mares, and two massive earth pony stallions. Each of them was armed with one weapon or another except the unicorns. Shadow went into action immediately grabbing Daisy and Thunder. She yanked them into Rainbow's room as a large fireball shot at them from the horn of the unicorn stallion. Thunder dropped his sword as they were pulled. Rainbow had his spear drawn and looked in surprise at his parents and sister, "What's going on?" Shadow flew to the window and opened it, "No time to explain, go! NOW!" Daisy did as she was told and was followed quickly by their father. Rainbow hesitated a moment before following suit as the door blew open. Shadow was knocked through the wall creating a large hole in it. She recovered before she hit the ground and used the moment of the impact to start her flight.She flew next to her family. "Keep low to the ground, keep moving, and whatever you do; DO NOT STOP!" Shadow yelled through the wind as they flew. Rainbow looked to Canterlot, "There, go that way! Towards the castle!" He turned, the rest of the family following suit. Just then a spear shot through the air impaling Lightning Stryke in the flank. "Buck I missed!" Yelled a batpony flying up next to them, followed quickly by the rest of the batponys, carrying the others of their group. Lightning hit the ground as blood trailed behind him and A large fireball exploded just in front of the group knocking them all out of the air. Shadow was on her feet in front of her family immediately, her eyes glowing black with her shadow magic. Daisy had several burns across her left side, and had landed awkwardly on her wing. She assumed it broken. Rainbow, who had been a lot closer to the blast, was in much worse condition. The fur on his entire left side was burned off and singed, his back leg was broken, as was one of his wings. Shadow watched as two of the bat pony mares landed next to Lightning, their spears pointing at him. The unicorns were dropped on either side of her and the Earth ponys next to them. The rest of the batponys surrounded the family as Daisy stood up, helping her brother. A batpony stallion with an eyepatch over his right eye and a large mace hooked into the loop of his belt stepped forward, "It is good to see you again Shadowbat. I doubt you remember me. I was a member of the group of hunters you killed before you married this trash." He nodded to Lightning who glared daggers at the stallion. "Now," He continued, "If you come quietly I may allow your family to live. if you resist I will have them all killed on the spot. Slowly. I do not want to hurt them..." He said walking to Daisy and Rainbow who immediately backed away in fear, "But I will not hesitate if you attempt to resist. Now, what will it be?" Daisy looked between them as her mother's eyes darted from pony to pony. She then looked at Daisy pleadingly and shook her head. Daisy understood and gave a microscopic nod back to her. Shadow looked down at the ground and the magic seeped out of her eyes, "Very well, I will surrender, as long as you promise not to hurt my family." The two Earth pony stallions walked forward, one wielding a broadsword in his mouth, the other a axe strapped to his side. in his mouth were a large pair of shackles. They knocked her over and chained her forehooves together with her back hooves. They then put a chain around her body to hold her wings down. The stallion with the sword then whirled around and gave Shadow a hard buck to the head. The stallion with the eyepatch looked at Daisy, "My name is Night Stalker. I am a shadowbat hunter for the colony," He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I know what you are, but I am a stallion of my word. I shall allow you to escape this one time, but I promise you that if We ever cross paths again I shall not be so lenient. Now run shadowbat, run..." He whispered to here smiling maliciously. Daisy nodded quickly and turned to run away, her brother's foreleg draped over her as her father was released. He didn't join them however. He shot a bolt of lightning at Night Stalker. The stallion sidestepped it and drew his mace with a hoof. In the same fluid motion he turned and threw the mace. It flew like an arrow right into Lightning Styke's chest, caving it in, causing blood to spew out of multiple puncture wounds from the small spikes on the head of the mace. He fell over coughing up blood and the mace hit the ground. Daisy didn't stay to watch what happened next. With her brother in tow the siblings made their way to Canterlot, an uncertain future ahead of them other than this; they would never return to their little farm with their parents. Never again feel the happiness of their father's pride or the joy of their mother's love. All they had left was each other. PrejudiceRainbow looked up at the castle looming before them. He had never seen something so large before. He gulped. I hope they don't mind me arriving early... Him and his sister walked up to the main gate, only to be stopped by two batponys with large halberds. The batponys dropped their halberds down into an x across the door and said at the same time, "Halt, you have arrived at the palace of Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. State your business or begone." Rainbow limped forward out of his sister's grasp and said, "I am a new recruit for the celestial guard, due to arrive one week from now. Circumstances have forced me to arrive early..." He glanced at each of them, his ears going down slightly, "I-I'm not sure if that is allowed..." The guard on the left nodded to his companion who immediately took off, flying up the castle. "We shall notify captain sharpspear to come and confirm you are a initiate. I have also sent for a medic to treat your wounds. You will wait here until the captain arrives." Daisy nodded and walked over to the side, sitting down. The guard looked right at her, for the second time moving something other then his mouth, and said, "I have my eye on you shadowbat." Rainbow limped between them and sat down. He saw Daisy shiver and her ears flatten. They sat for several minutes before a brown unicorn mare rushed out, her mane disheveled, a red cross on her well toned flanks. Rainbow smiled at her as she rushed to him. "Hello," He said to her. The mare walked up to him hurriedly, "Lay down on your back, now," She commanded him. Rainbow was a little surprised by the forcefulness of how the hot nurse spoke and did as she said. The mare pressed down on his broken leg and he cried out in pain. The mare cast a spell and shivered. "Is it bad," Rainbow asked nervously. "Yes, your leg is broken completely in two places. It will take time to heal, even with magic," She responded. She then pressed her glowing horn against his leg and he bit his lip, groaning in pain. After several seconds she moved her horn away and said, "There, that's the best I can do right now. try not to put to much weight on it. now let me see that wing." As she treated Rainbow's wounds Daisy simply looked up to the moon. Who were those ponies that attacked. Why did they want mother? Why did he want me? She was interrupted by a stallion walking into the yard. He was tall, his horn long, and his features weathered from age. The batpony guards immediately went to attention when he walked into the courtyard. He looked at Rainbow. The stallion walked up to Rainbow who was standing up. He stared down his snout at the younger stallion, "You're the new recruit?" Rainbow nodded, gulping, "Yes sir." The stallion looked down at him for several seconds before smiling widely, "Welcome to Canterlot castle young stallion, its a pleasure to meet you." He held out his hoof for Rainbow to shake. Rainbow shook his hoof and Daisy walked next to her brother. The stallion sure was intimidating. He just then seemed to notice her. "And who is this beautiful young mare," He asked Rainbow. "This is my younger sister, Daisy Claw," Rainbow said, gritting his teeth, "And she can answer questions for herself sir." Sharpspear regarded Rainbow Thunder then looked at Daisy, "Come in both of you. It's chilly out here." The captain turned around and walked towards the door. Rainbow and Daisy followed quickly. One of the bat pony guards stopped Daisy and whispered to her, "Those hunters should have killed you and your mother." He then moved out of her way. Daisy quickly caught up with her brother and the celestial guard captain. Daisy was on guard now; she had no idea if the other batponys would most likely react the same. She looked around nervously before concentrating. After several seconds she turned invisible, just as a pair of batpony guards turned a corner in front of them. She made sure to take a wide berth around them as the two groups passed eachother. Sharpspear seemed to take no notice as he led them up a long flight of stairs right above the in castle barracks for both groups of guards. He stopped in front of a room about halfway down the hallway and looked at Rainbow. "You and your sister can stay here for the night... wait, where'd she go?" He said looking around for her. Daisy released the magic and stood close to her brother, "Right here sir... I don't feel comfortable with my kind seeing me right now..." The captain regarded her curiously for a minute before nodding and turning away, "I will come to begin your training at sunrise Rainbow. Be ready." Rainbow nodded, "Yes sir." He then walked into the room followed quickly by his sister. Daisy looked around as her brother yawned and looked at her, "What did that guard say to you?" "He said that they would be watching me. I have a feeling that more then them will want me as dead as those guys who attacked us..." Daisy said her words chocking in her throat. Their dad was dead, mom most likely about to be killed. She felt tears form in her eyes, her ears droop, and her head hang low as she began to weep. What had they done to deserve that? She could have saved them, she knew she could have, but she didn't. She should have done something, something other then sit there and watch as they took her. Her words were interrupted by hooves and wings curling around her. She looked up into the loving eyes of her brother. Her older brother who had never failed to care for her. Never hurt her. "Let it out Daisy, It's going to be hard but we have to move on..." He said, his own tears falling from his sapphire eyes. Daisy nodded and nuzzled his chest, openly crying into his fur. She could feel him crying above her. They had survived. Life wouldn't get any easier from here. She knew they would be fine as long as they stayed together. After all they only had eachother now. Not even a rock farm to look after, the home they had been raised in was destroyed. This was their new home now, and they had to stay together. Survive, and thrive. An unexpected allyDaisy woke up to a loud knocking on the door. She got up off the floor and opened the door, only to see a large batpony stallion in lunar guard armor with golden trim standing in front of her. She immediately backpedaled in surprise. The stallion stepped inside, closing the door behind him, "You the girl sharpspear told me about?" "W-what?" Daisy asked taken aback by the sudden question. He looked at her sharply, "Did I stutter? Sharpspear told me a new recruit of his had brought his sister and you were both banged up. Are you his sister?" Daisy nodded, "Y-Yes..." She gulped, "You won't be killing me." "If I had wanted you dead, you never would have seen me. You are a shadowbat, no?" "Yes, I am..." Daisy said cautiously. He looked around then back at her, "Have you been trained?" Daisy shook her head, "Not much, mother taught me the basics; shadow walking, invisibility, and shadow spears." "...My name's Deep Night. I'm the captain of the Lunar Guard," He said holding out a hoof for her to shake, "Based on what you've told me I am guessing that you're Daisy Claw, daughter of Rainbow Stryke and Shadow Claw. And before you ask I knew your mother; she was a good mare. I take it she's either dead or captured by hunters based on the fact that you're here with your brother." Daisy merely nodded and shook his hoof. "Right lets get to business Daisy. I want to teach you about your powers and your culture. Well Batpony culture that is. I want you to be my apprentice." Daisy raised an eyebrow at him, "Why?" "Because no shadowbat should be alone untrained. leaving a shadowbat alone with only minimal training is a death sentence." "o-oh..." Daisy said meekly. "However, civilians are not permitted to stay on the castle grounds for more then a visit unless they work here. You must become a Lunar Guard." Daisy looked at him for a few seconds trying to gauge whether or not he was serious. She finally spoke when she decided he was, "W-What?" "You heard me. You have another three days to decide. I am sure the princesses will be more then happy to rent you a room at the nearest inn. Think of it this way. Your only two options in this city are to accept my offer, or go work at the nearest brothel. Unfortunately Canterlot is a male dominated and sexist city. I will await your response. my room is the seventh floor fourth door on the right. Wait for me there if I am not in." With that he turned and left the room. Daisy looked at the bed and saw that Rainbow was absent. She then opened the thick curtains and was struck by a blast of blinding sunlight. she yelped in pain and fell backwards allowing the shades to close once more. She grumbled to herself and got in the bed. It was only midday she needed to sleep. *** Rainbow stood up off the bench he was resting on. He was coated with sweat and covered in bruises, and on top of that his leg HURT. There were only two other recruits who had shown up early and Sharpspear was driving them hard. Ironically they were a unicorn mare by the name of Red Rose and an Earth pony named Boulder. Boulder was by far the strongest of the bunch but he wasn't very bright. However Red by far made up for Boulder's idiocy. Rainbow was astonished at the feats of magic Red had pulled off that day to overcome obstacles in seconds that it took Rainbow and Boulder minutes or hours to do themselves. However Rainbow was the fastest of the group, and proud of it. Right now they were sparring. He had just watched Red, horn ring on to prevent him from accidentally casting a spell to kill Boulder, get his flank handed to him on a silver platter by said Earth pony. Now it was his turn. Rainbow stepped into the ring and faced the large stallion. He had a solid grey coat with a surprisingly bright pink messy mane and tail. His cutie mark was none other then a boulder. They both got into a readying stance. Boulder charged first. Rainbow jumped between the larger pony's legs; sliding behind him like a penguin. He got up quickly and punched the hulk of earthpony in the back of the head as hard as he could. All he got in response was a hard buck to the ribs. Rainbow stumbled back and, before he could react, was crushed by a massive grey boulder. Wait, scratch that. A massive grey earthpony. He tapped out. Boulder got off him and helped him up. Sharpspear walked over and gave them feedback. He told Boulder good job, which gave him a wide toothy smile, and gave Rainbow hints on how to gain leverage over such a massively stronger pony. After that they were sent to lunch. They sat together in a back corner of the large break room largely ignored by the seasoned guards and soldiers getting ready for the evening shift or getting off the morning shift. Each of them had a rather bland Daisy sandwich with a side of oats. He looked over at Red. "Where'd you learn to use spells like those? I mean using a spell to grant you wings made of Water to get to the top of the rock wall? Genious!" The pony smirked and said in a rather high class accent, "I was accepted to Celestia's school for gifted unicorns at an early age. I learned quite alot of magic there. It is only natural for a noble like me to be versed in many schools of magic. I have learned everything from levitation to even a bit of dabbling in the dark arts. With consent from their majesty's of course." "Ah take it yer from canterlot then Red," Said Boulder in a long deep southern drawl that was quite pleasing to the ears. "Yes I am. What about you?" "Muh family's farm is about a two hours trot from Trottingham," He paused at his choice of words and then shrugged it off before looking at Rainbow, "What about ya'll Rainbow? Ya certainly dun look like yer from round these parts." Rainbow looked into the sapphire eyes of the farmer, "I actually live here now I guess haven't quite figured it out yet... I used to live on a rock farm with my family about an hours flight from here before last night." Red looked at him concerned, "What do you mean, 'used to?'" Rainbow looked at the stallion, with his emerald eyes, soft pink coat, and crimson mane, "Our house was destroyed last night by a fairly large group of ponys. Most of them were batponys like their leader, although there were a few unicorns and earthponys mixed with them." "Do you know why?" "They took my mother so I guess they were after her. The stallion told her he would let the rest of us live as long as she came quietly... My guess is they would have taken my sister to if she hadn't agreed." "Are your mother and sister batpony's," He asked seriously. "Ah dun see what that has to do with anythin'," Boulder interjected, "Sounds like it was somepony hired to take her tuh me." "Oh it has everything to do with it Boulder." "Call meh Pinkie. That's what muh Friends back home would call meh," He interjected receiving a nod from both ponys. "Well as I was saying, are your mother and sister batpony's? And if they are can they control the shadows?" Rainbow nodded, "Yes, is that important?" "Your home was destroyed by hunters my friend. Oh terrible things they are. I simply don't understand batpony culture." "Hunters?" Rainbow and Pinkie asked together. "Yes, in batpony culture one who controls the shadows is called a shadowbat. In their religion the shadow bats where granted their powers by a benevolent all powerful being who seeks the destruction of all life on the planet of Equis. The hunters are ones who capture these shadow bats and imprison them. Or kill them if they do not cooperate. These hunters are made up of the best warriors each colony has to offer, as well as highly trained earthponys and unicorns to add an extra edge to their side. I am afraid either your mother is imprisoned. Or dead." Learning.Rainbow looked at the Unicorn, "Yeah, I could have guessed as much. I wanted to get an audience with the captain this evening but he's gonna be out." Red shook his head, "I am afraid that won't help." "Why not? Sounds reasonable tuh meh," Pinkie said asked raising an eyebrow. "Because Luna and Celestia do not want to interfere with the batponys. We're already at war with the dragons, we don't need to start one with them, they're an incredibly well trained warrior race. At least the ones that live within the colonies are. Even their women from what I read," Red explained to the larger pony. Rainbow shook his head, "Wait a second, back up. How in the hay do you know all this about them? I think you know more then my sister does." Red rolled his eyes as if that was a stupid question, "Because I studied them at great length in Celestia's school. In fact I did a 6 page essay on them for my midterm. Most student's chose to study griffons, or dragons, or zebras. All races we already know quite alot about. But very few ponys know that batponys even exist. Even less know anything other then what they are." She finished smugly. As much as Rainbow respected the mare, the way she talked down to them as if she was better definitely rubbed him the wrong way. "So askin' fer help is out o' the question then. An' ah doubt ya'll 'er a good 'nuff fighter tuh break in there. Even if ya got professional help by the sound o' it," Boulder said chewing his food slowly as he thought. Rainbow nodded, "I know..." After several moments of thinking he sighed heavily, "I guess the best option I have is to keep training here until an opportunity presents itself..." Red finished off her sandwich, "Yes, I would say that is the smartest idea you had today." Rainbow rolled his eyes as a messenger pony trotted over. He gave each of them a letter. Upon opening it Rainbow saw that it was a work order. He was to report to Sharpspear each morning at sunrise for training, then at noon have lunch, and be at the front gate for guard duty at two. He was dismissed at moonrise. He sighed and stood up looking at Red. "There a tavern nearby?" He needed a drink. *** Daisy was sitting in her and Rainbow's room looking out the window at the full moon. She was contemplating Deep Night's offer. She knew he was right, even by the way Sharpspear had spoken to her brother instead of her proved what he said about Canterlot being a sexist city. The only work she would find would be as a whore from what she had seen in the streets below that night. But, becoming a Lunar guard? That was definitely NOT something she wanted to do. She wanted to go back home with her mom, dad, and brother. But she was smart enough to know that wouldn't happen. She might be able to learn something from that batpony to. But he was hiding something. That was the only way he could have known so much about her. Maybe he was with those ponys that attacked them previously... No, that couldn't be. She doubted that princess Luna would let somepony like them into the castle. Much less be captain of her guard. But she didn't have much choice did she? If those ponys came again there would be nothing her or Rainbow could do to fend them off. She needed to be trained. But more importantly, she needed answers. And whether it was a good or bad idea she would only get them from that bat. Daisy sighed to herself and said a prayer to Luna before making her way to the door. She went upstairs to the designated room and, before she could even knock, heard the stallion's voice call from inside, "Come in." Daisy gulped and stepped inside closing the door behind her. On the bed she saw him, sharpening a strange pair of claw like weapons with a wet stone. "I take you are here to accept my offer." He said not really asking, "But you look like a mare looking for something, so I take it you want to ask me some things first." Daisy stared at him baffled, "How did yo-" She started before he cut her off. "I will only answer your questions if you accept my apprenticeship. and only if I conclude that you are ready for the answers," He said firmly leaving no room for argument. Daisy considered this a moment then sighed and nodded. "Very well. My first question is simple. How do you know so much about me? I most certainly did not tell you anywhere near enough information last night for you to deduce all of that." The stallion thought for a moment then put the weapon he was sharpening down, "How many shadowbats are living in Equestria? Do you know?" Daisy shook her head. "Exactly 5. Me. You. Your mother. and two others, one living in Trottingham and one in Manehatten. How many of them live on rockfarms? Two. You and your mother. How many have a Pegasus as a brother? One. You." "Ok..." Daisy said slowly as she followed the logical train of thought, "Why are you so adamant about training me? I don't believe all that crap about me not surviving." "That, I will explain later," He said standing up, "Come, lets get going." He suddenly opened the window and prepared to jump out. "Wait where?" Daisy asked as he jumped, she sighed, "I have a bad feeling about this..." She said before spreading her leathery wings and following him out the window. Over the next week both siblings went through intense training. For Rainbow Sharpspear put him and his new found friends through intense endurance and strength training along with a limited schooling to learn basic math and military tactics. Daisy on the other hand was trained alone. She was put through intense combat training, earning her more then a few broken bones, and extremely difficult mental training to increase her control over her powers. By the end of the week they where both formidable opponents, Rainbow because of his speed and strength and Daisy because of her new found shadow abilities. But like many things their safety didn't last, for on the eighth day the dragons attempted a direct invasion of Canterlot. And that was the day they had returned to look for their father to bury him.
The birthing'Just keep running. step step breathe. step step breathe.' Shadow ran. she made sure to breathe after every second step, both to keep from hyperventilating and to keep circulation going. She could hear the yells behind her as she ran. Her Broken wing kept her from flying but she could run. she could run fast. But she needed to hide. she couldn't overexert herself or she wouldn't be able to fix her wing properly when she escaped. But where? She didn't even know where she was going. for all she knew she was headed for a dead end. Like the cliff bottom she just hit. She turned to run the other way but a batpony warrior swooped in, his spear held in the fetlocks of his forehooves, and landed in her way. She tried to turn around but another warrior landed there. then three more in between the two. "Alright ShadowBat, you gave us a good chase, but your time is up. come to your with us quietly or we will kill you here," The batpony in the middle said with a smile. Shadow backed up, "Don't make me hurt you... please..." Shadow pleaded with the group. The stallion laughed at her then pointed his spear, "Take her in hunters!" Daisy knew this would happen and had already prepared herself. As the group charged she took a deep breathe and her eyes went solid black. The area grew dark and spires of pure darkness shot up from the ground, impaling every hunter attacking her in the stomach. She saw blood shoot from their wounds as they screamed. another spire shot through each one's head, killing all of them. After several seconds she released the magic and the spires vanished. Her golden eyes went back to normal and the dead end lightened up once more. Shadow walked up to the middle stallion and placed her dark purple hoof on his cheek, her eyes growing teary, "I'm sorry..." she whispered. Shadow then walked away, leaving the bodys for the colony to find. "I had no choice... I have to survive..." Shadow reasoned to herself like this for a time before she stopped to rest. The magic and she had used and frantic run from the hunters had left her drained. **3 years later** Shadow Claw sat down in front of the fire, exhausted from a hard day's work. She had grown lean since she arrived at this rock farm, her muscles growing larger and her tolerance of sunlight growing exponentially, and there had been no sightings of the hunters in almost a year. She had also started courting the stallion in charge about a year and a half ago. She wasn't trying to get a promotion, he was just a noble stallion and exceptional on the eyes. 'I need to tell him... Why haven't I already?' She hadn't told him that she was a fugitive from her colony. She hadn't told him anything about herself before she started working at the rock farm. She looked at her flank, at her cutie mark. three long black parallel scratch marks. out of the scratches billowed dark purple smoke. Shadow Claw. It was amazing how names worked out like that so often. The door opened and her ears twitched. Shadow turned around and saw her coltfriend, Thunder Stryke, walk in. She wondered why he was running a rock farm. He was alabaster, the same as Princess Celestia herself she had found out, with a wild, dark blue mane and tail. His cutie mark was a silver lightning bolt arching into an open field. She had seen him use his special talent before. While not the strongest flyer he could control and shoot lightning from his own body. "Good evening Thunder," She said softly. Thunder looked at her in surprise, "Oh, Shadow, I thought you had went to bed already." "No, I was waiting for you," Shadow said patting the open space next to her. Thunder smiled and sat down next to her, wrapping his strong wing around her to cuddle, "Did you have alot of trouble with the southern field today Shadow?" She leaned into him and sighed contentedly, "Not today no. I think that the rocks just weren't quite ripe enough yesterday. He smiled, "That's good." They sat like this, watching the flames of the fire burn, for several minutes before either of them spoke again. Thunder kissed the top of his batpony lovers head before standing up and turning towards the bedroom. Shadow looked at him worriedly. Had she done something wrong? Did she stink? Was he just going to bed? "I'll be right back Shadow. I have something for you," He said with a wide smile before trotting to their room. A million thoughts ran through Shadow's head at once, but one predominated the rest. 'What did he get me?!' After several minutes of frantic mental guessing Thunder came out to the living room with something hidden under one of his wings. He helped her stand and then held out a small box. He opened it with his other wing and said, "Shadow we have been courting for almost two years now. I love you and I want to ask you: Will you marry me?" By the time he had said 'I love you' she had a hoof over her snout and tears in her eyes. When he said 'me' she immediately screamed yes several dozen times in rapid succession She tackled him with a hug and kissed him passionately. He gave her the ring after she allowed him up and they walked to the bathroom together. The two lovers took a long shower together before running off to bed. They had their wedding, a small ceremony with only a few guests and the local priest, several months later. A few weeks later Shadow found out she was pregnant. The birth was rough on her, almost losing the baby in the process, but she survived and had a healthy pegasus colt. They named him Rainbow Thunder. He had a white coat like his father with a red mane that had an orange undertone and matching tail. After another three years Shadow gave birth to another foal. The birth went along much smoother then the previous one and she had a beautiful batpony filly. They named her Daisy Claw. Daisy had a deep purple coat, and a very light bluish-purple mane. Shadow and Thunder raised their foals for 16 years before the dragon war began. Rainbow Thunder had gotten a cutie mark in rainbow making, making more beautiful rainbows then anypony else in Equestria, as well as inheriting his father's ability's with electricity, although having much more exact control being able to channel it through anything his hooves touched. His cutie mark was a rainbow connecting two storm clouds, each shooting a single bolt of lightning straight down. Daisy had gotten her cutie mark in growing flowers, and her mother's ability's in controlling the shadows. Her cutie mark was three blooming daises, each with a billowing set of dark purple shadow claws coming up out of them. And then the hunters found Shadow Claw again.
AccpetedDaisy chiseled away at the boulder in front of her. It had been a long night and there were still many hours to go. Her fur was matted with sweat and grime. She had collected almost 150 jewels from the rocks that night, she was happy with her work. Daisy chiseled the rock off the small emerald she just pulled out and tossed it into the wheel barrel with the rest of them. She then flew to the wheel barrel and brought it back to the house. Sometimes Daisy hated working alone at nights, but her mom had grown too used to the day to stay up all night like a normal batpony. She emptied the wheel barrel onto the large transport carriage, already filled with a little over two thousand of the precious gems. Her and Rainbow would have to move them in the morning. Daisy put the wheel barrel up and then flew away from the farm, almost twenty miles, into the Everfree forest. She found her usual clearing and laid down on her back, looking up at the gorgeous night Luna made every cycle. Daisy smiled and basked in the moon's glow. After an hour she stood up. It was time to practice. She braced herself like a bull was about to charge her and took a deep breathe. She let her head go limp and let the breathe out, closing her eyes. Out of the corners of her eyes a dark purple shadow, akin to the glow of a unicorn using dark magic, leaked out, arching over her body. The shadows on the ground around her crawled up her legs and she was soon in a skintight blanket of shadows. Daisy concentrated and then her eyes shot open. She brought her hoof up in front of her face. 'Invisible. It worked... wait... IT WORKED!!!' Daisy let out several batty squeals of excitment. She hadn't thought it would work, hadn't even thought she could get the shadows to wrap around her like she wanted. 'Now for the field test.' Daisy smiled to herself and took off once more. She returned to the house and went outside her brother's room. She looked into the lock. She focused on a spot in the room and vanished in a poof of purple smoke, reappearing in the room with another poof of purple smoke. She smiled to herself as she looked to see she was still invisible. Not only were shadows useful, but they also made no noise. She looked to her brother; peacefully asleep on his side, turned away from her. Daisy slowly walked up to the bed. Her brother had been hiding something from her and their parents for a few weeks now. Daisy wanted to find out what that was. She laid on her stomach and slowly reached a hoof under her bed. She felt around for almost a minute before she touched a small box. As soon as she did she felt a bolt of electricity shoot through her entire body. She let out a high pitched bat's squeal, just barely in the range for a pony to hear, and yanked her arm back. She lost control of the magic and saw Rainbow's ears twitch. "Oooh buck me..." She muttered as Rainbow turned to face her from his bed. Rainbow smiled at his sister, "How did I know you would try to get into that?" Daisy glared at the smug pegasus and whispered loudly, "Come on, Rainbow, just tell me what's in the damn box!" Rainbow sighed, "Fine, fine, But you have to swear on Luna that you won't tell mom and dad." Daisy nodded, "Alright, just show me!" Rainbow hesitated before climbing off his bed and pulling out the small box. Daisy realized that it wasn't actually that small, it was short but long, longer then your average pony by half a leg length. He opened it and showed the spear of a Celestial royal guard. Daisy looked at the letter on top of the blade as Rainbow pulled it out and handed it to her. It took her several minutes to decipher the runes. She didn't read often, and hadn't spent much time trying to learn her letters. It was unimportant at the farm. It read: Dear Rainbow Thunder, We have read your application letter to join the Celestial guards and we have found it acceptable. We find your determination and want to protect your country and princess amendable. We give you this training spear as your pass to enter the royal palace in two months for your boot camp. We hope to see you there. Sincerely, Captain Sharpspear: Celestial guard.
Run, Shadowbat, run!Daisy looked up at Rainbow in shock, "W-What? You're leaving? Why?" Rainbow sighed and took the letter back. He folded it back up, put it back on the spear, closed the weapon's box and tucked it under his bed. "Because I want to do something more then be a simple rock farmer Daisy. I have electrical powers for a reason, and that reason is not breaking open rocks for gems. This is my chance to make a name for myself, we're at war with the dragons for crying out loud! And besides even if I don't make a name for myself as a guard I can help make a difference in the war!" Daisy was pissed, she wanted to slap him, "So you're going to leave your family?! Just like that?! What the hell is wrong with you Rainbow?!" Rainbow grabbed his sister's shoulders, "Daisy listen to me. I need to do this, I won't spend my life chiseling at rocks on this damned farm in the middle of bucking nowhere!" Daisy slapped his hooves away and made for his door and said harshly, "Whatever, I don't want to hear it." Daisy then left his room, slamming the door behind her. He's leaving us. Why the hell is he leaving us, we're his family for crying out loud!! And then she was surprised when her father came out, a sword in his mouth and hair disheveled, looking around wildly. Her mother followed close behind. "What was that banging?" "Ask my bucking brother," Daisy said storming to her room when the wall in front of her blew inwards. She yelped in surprise and stumbled backwards. Through the massive hole in the wall came a dozen ponies. There were four batpony mares, three stallions, a unicorn stallion, two unicorn mares, and two massive earth pony stallions. Each of them was armed with one weapon or another except the unicorns. Shadow went into action immediately grabbing Daisy and Thunder. She yanked them into Rainbow's room as a large fireball shot at them from the horn of the unicorn stallion. Thunder dropped his sword as they were pulled. Rainbow had his spear drawn and looked in surprise at his parents and sister, "What's going on?" Shadow flew to the window and opened it, "No time to explain, go! NOW!" Daisy did as she was told and was followed quickly by their father. Rainbow hesitated a moment before following suit as the door blew open. Shadow was knocked through the wall creating a large hole in it. She recovered before she hit the ground and used the moment of the impact to start her flight.She flew next to her family. "Keep low to the ground, keep moving, and whatever you do; DO NOT STOP!" Shadow yelled through the wind as they flew. Rainbow looked to Canterlot, "There, go that way! Towards the castle!" He turned, the rest of the family following suit. Just then a spear shot through the air impaling Lightning Stryke in the flank. "Buck I missed!" Yelled a batpony flying up next to them, followed quickly by the rest of the batponys, carrying the others of their group. Lightning hit the ground as blood trailed behind him and A large fireball exploded just in front of the group knocking them all out of the air. Shadow was on her feet in front of her family immediately, her eyes glowing black with her shadow magic. Daisy had several burns across her left side, and had landed awkwardly on her wing. She assumed it broken. Rainbow, who had been a lot closer to the blast, was in much worse condition. The fur on his entire left side was burned off and singed, his back leg was broken, as was one of his wings. Shadow watched as two of the bat pony mares landed next to Lightning, their spears pointing at him. The unicorns were dropped on either side of her and the Earth ponys next to them. The rest of the batponys surrounded the family as Daisy stood up, helping her brother. A batpony stallion with an eyepatch over his right eye and a large mace hooked into the loop of his belt stepped forward, "It is good to see you again Shadowbat. I doubt you remember me. I was a member of the group of hunters you killed before you married this trash." He nodded to Lightning who glared daggers at the stallion. "Now," He continued, "If you come quietly I may allow your family to live. if you resist I will have them all killed on the spot. Slowly. I do not want to hurt them..." He said walking to Daisy and Rainbow who immediately backed away in fear, "But I will not hesitate if you attempt to resist. Now, what will it be?" Daisy looked between them as her mother's eyes darted from pony to pony. She then looked at Daisy pleadingly and shook her head. Daisy understood and gave a microscopic nod back to her. Shadow looked down at the ground and the magic seeped out of her eyes, "Very well, I will surrender, as long as you promise not to hurt my family." The two Earth pony stallions walked forward, one wielding a broadsword in his mouth, the other a axe strapped to his side. in his mouth were a large pair of shackles. They knocked her over and chained her forehooves together with her back hooves. They then put a chain around her body to hold her wings down. The stallion with the sword then whirled around and gave Shadow a hard buck to the head. The stallion with the eyepatch looked at Daisy, "My name is Night Stalker. I am a shadowbat hunter for the colony," He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I know what you are, but I am a stallion of my word. I shall allow you to escape this one time, but I promise you that if We ever cross paths again I shall not be so lenient. Now run shadowbat, run..." He whispered to here smiling maliciously. Daisy nodded quickly and turned to run away, her brother's foreleg draped over her as her father was released. He didn't join them however. He shot a bolt of lightning at Night Stalker. The stallion sidestepped it and drew his mace with a hoof. In the same fluid motion he turned and threw the mace. It flew like an arrow right into Lightning Styke's chest, caving it in, causing blood to spew out of multiple puncture wounds from the small spikes on the head of the mace. He fell over coughing up blood and the mace hit the ground. Daisy didn't stay to watch what happened next. With her brother in tow the siblings made their way to Canterlot, an uncertain future ahead of them other than this; they would never return to their little farm with their parents. Never again feel the happiness of their father's pride or the joy of their mother's love. All they had left was each other.
PrejudiceRainbow looked up at the castle looming before them. He had never seen something so large before. He gulped. I hope they don't mind me arriving early... Him and his sister walked up to the main gate, only to be stopped by two batponys with large halberds. The batponys dropped their halberds down into an x across the door and said at the same time, "Halt, you have arrived at the palace of Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. State your business or begone." Rainbow limped forward out of his sister's grasp and said, "I am a new recruit for the celestial guard, due to arrive one week from now. Circumstances have forced me to arrive early..." He glanced at each of them, his ears going down slightly, "I-I'm not sure if that is allowed..." The guard on the left nodded to his companion who immediately took off, flying up the castle. "We shall notify captain sharpspear to come and confirm you are a initiate. I have also sent for a medic to treat your wounds. You will wait here until the captain arrives." Daisy nodded and walked over to the side, sitting down. The guard looked right at her, for the second time moving something other then his mouth, and said, "I have my eye on you shadowbat." Rainbow limped between them and sat down. He saw Daisy shiver and her ears flatten. They sat for several minutes before a brown unicorn mare rushed out, her mane disheveled, a red cross on her well toned flanks. Rainbow smiled at her as she rushed to him. "Hello," He said to her. The mare walked up to him hurriedly, "Lay down on your back, now," She commanded him. Rainbow was a little surprised by the forcefulness of how the hot nurse spoke and did as she said. The mare pressed down on his broken leg and he cried out in pain. The mare cast a spell and shivered. "Is it bad," Rainbow asked nervously. "Yes, your leg is broken completely in two places. It will take time to heal, even with magic," She responded. She then pressed her glowing horn against his leg and he bit his lip, groaning in pain. After several seconds she moved her horn away and said, "There, that's the best I can do right now. try not to put to much weight on it. now let me see that wing." As she treated Rainbow's wounds Daisy simply looked up to the moon. Who were those ponies that attacked. Why did they want mother? Why did he want me? She was interrupted by a stallion walking into the yard. He was tall, his horn long, and his features weathered from age. The batpony guards immediately went to attention when he walked into the courtyard. He looked at Rainbow. The stallion walked up to Rainbow who was standing up. He stared down his snout at the younger stallion, "You're the new recruit?" Rainbow nodded, gulping, "Yes sir." The stallion looked down at him for several seconds before smiling widely, "Welcome to Canterlot castle young stallion, its a pleasure to meet you." He held out his hoof for Rainbow to shake. Rainbow shook his hoof and Daisy walked next to her brother. The stallion sure was intimidating. He just then seemed to notice her. "And who is this beautiful young mare," He asked Rainbow. "This is my younger sister, Daisy Claw," Rainbow said, gritting his teeth, "And she can answer questions for herself sir." Sharpspear regarded Rainbow Thunder then looked at Daisy, "Come in both of you. It's chilly out here." The captain turned around and walked towards the door. Rainbow and Daisy followed quickly. One of the bat pony guards stopped Daisy and whispered to her, "Those hunters should have killed you and your mother." He then moved out of her way. Daisy quickly caught up with her brother and the celestial guard captain. Daisy was on guard now; she had no idea if the other batponys would most likely react the same. She looked around nervously before concentrating. After several seconds she turned invisible, just as a pair of batpony guards turned a corner in front of them. She made sure to take a wide berth around them as the two groups passed eachother. Sharpspear seemed to take no notice as he led them up a long flight of stairs right above the in castle barracks for both groups of guards. He stopped in front of a room about halfway down the hallway and looked at Rainbow. "You and your sister can stay here for the night... wait, where'd she go?" He said looking around for her. Daisy released the magic and stood close to her brother, "Right here sir... I don't feel comfortable with my kind seeing me right now..." The captain regarded her curiously for a minute before nodding and turning away, "I will come to begin your training at sunrise Rainbow. Be ready." Rainbow nodded, "Yes sir." He then walked into the room followed quickly by his sister. Daisy looked around as her brother yawned and looked at her, "What did that guard say to you?" "He said that they would be watching me. I have a feeling that more then them will want me as dead as those guys who attacked us..." Daisy said her words chocking in her throat. Their dad was dead, mom most likely about to be killed. She felt tears form in her eyes, her ears droop, and her head hang low as she began to weep. What had they done to deserve that? She could have saved them, she knew she could have, but she didn't. She should have done something, something other then sit there and watch as they took her. Her words were interrupted by hooves and wings curling around her. She looked up into the loving eyes of her brother. Her older brother who had never failed to care for her. Never hurt her. "Let it out Daisy, It's going to be hard but we have to move on..." He said, his own tears falling from his sapphire eyes. Daisy nodded and nuzzled his chest, openly crying into his fur. She could feel him crying above her. They had survived. Life wouldn't get any easier from here. She knew they would be fine as long as they stayed together. After all they only had eachother now. Not even a rock farm to look after, the home they had been raised in was destroyed. This was their new home now, and they had to stay together. Survive, and thrive.
An unexpected allyDaisy woke up to a loud knocking on the door. She got up off the floor and opened the door, only to see a large batpony stallion in lunar guard armor with golden trim standing in front of her. She immediately backpedaled in surprise. The stallion stepped inside, closing the door behind him, "You the girl sharpspear told me about?" "W-what?" Daisy asked taken aback by the sudden question. He looked at her sharply, "Did I stutter? Sharpspear told me a new recruit of his had brought his sister and you were both banged up. Are you his sister?" Daisy nodded, "Y-Yes..." She gulped, "You won't be killing me." "If I had wanted you dead, you never would have seen me. You are a shadowbat, no?" "Yes, I am..." Daisy said cautiously. He looked around then back at her, "Have you been trained?" Daisy shook her head, "Not much, mother taught me the basics; shadow walking, invisibility, and shadow spears." "...My name's Deep Night. I'm the captain of the Lunar Guard," He said holding out a hoof for her to shake, "Based on what you've told me I am guessing that you're Daisy Claw, daughter of Rainbow Stryke and Shadow Claw. And before you ask I knew your mother; she was a good mare. I take it she's either dead or captured by hunters based on the fact that you're here with your brother." Daisy merely nodded and shook his hoof. "Right lets get to business Daisy. I want to teach you about your powers and your culture. Well Batpony culture that is. I want you to be my apprentice." Daisy raised an eyebrow at him, "Why?" "Because no shadowbat should be alone untrained. leaving a shadowbat alone with only minimal training is a death sentence." "o-oh..." Daisy said meekly. "However, civilians are not permitted to stay on the castle grounds for more then a visit unless they work here. You must become a Lunar Guard." Daisy looked at him for a few seconds trying to gauge whether or not he was serious. She finally spoke when she decided he was, "W-What?" "You heard me. You have another three days to decide. I am sure the princesses will be more then happy to rent you a room at the nearest inn. Think of it this way. Your only two options in this city are to accept my offer, or go work at the nearest brothel. Unfortunately Canterlot is a male dominated and sexist city. I will await your response. my room is the seventh floor fourth door on the right. Wait for me there if I am not in." With that he turned and left the room. Daisy looked at the bed and saw that Rainbow was absent. She then opened the thick curtains and was struck by a blast of blinding sunlight. she yelped in pain and fell backwards allowing the shades to close once more. She grumbled to herself and got in the bed. It was only midday she needed to sleep. *** Rainbow stood up off the bench he was resting on. He was coated with sweat and covered in bruises, and on top of that his leg HURT. There were only two other recruits who had shown up early and Sharpspear was driving them hard. Ironically they were a unicorn mare by the name of Red Rose and an Earth pony named Boulder. Boulder was by far the strongest of the bunch but he wasn't very bright. However Red by far made up for Boulder's idiocy. Rainbow was astonished at the feats of magic Red had pulled off that day to overcome obstacles in seconds that it took Rainbow and Boulder minutes or hours to do themselves. However Rainbow was the fastest of the group, and proud of it. Right now they were sparring. He had just watched Red, horn ring on to prevent him from accidentally casting a spell to kill Boulder, get his flank handed to him on a silver platter by said Earth pony. Now it was his turn. Rainbow stepped into the ring and faced the large stallion. He had a solid grey coat with a surprisingly bright pink messy mane and tail. His cutie mark was none other then a boulder. They both got into a readying stance. Boulder charged first. Rainbow jumped between the larger pony's legs; sliding behind him like a penguin. He got up quickly and punched the hulk of earthpony in the back of the head as hard as he could. All he got in response was a hard buck to the ribs. Rainbow stumbled back and, before he could react, was crushed by a massive grey boulder. Wait, scratch that. A massive grey earthpony. He tapped out. Boulder got off him and helped him up. Sharpspear walked over and gave them feedback. He told Boulder good job, which gave him a wide toothy smile, and gave Rainbow hints on how to gain leverage over such a massively stronger pony. After that they were sent to lunch. They sat together in a back corner of the large break room largely ignored by the seasoned guards and soldiers getting ready for the evening shift or getting off the morning shift. Each of them had a rather bland Daisy sandwich with a side of oats. He looked over at Red. "Where'd you learn to use spells like those? I mean using a spell to grant you wings made of Water to get to the top of the rock wall? Genious!" The pony smirked and said in a rather high class accent, "I was accepted to Celestia's school for gifted unicorns at an early age. I learned quite alot of magic there. It is only natural for a noble like me to be versed in many schools of magic. I have learned everything from levitation to even a bit of dabbling in the dark arts. With consent from their majesty's of course." "Ah take it yer from canterlot then Red," Said Boulder in a long deep southern drawl that was quite pleasing to the ears. "Yes I am. What about you?" "Muh family's farm is about a two hours trot from Trottingham," He paused at his choice of words and then shrugged it off before looking at Rainbow, "What about ya'll Rainbow? Ya certainly dun look like yer from round these parts." Rainbow looked into the sapphire eyes of the farmer, "I actually live here now I guess haven't quite figured it out yet... I used to live on a rock farm with my family about an hours flight from here before last night." Red looked at him concerned, "What do you mean, 'used to?'" Rainbow looked at the stallion, with his emerald eyes, soft pink coat, and crimson mane, "Our house was destroyed last night by a fairly large group of ponys. Most of them were batponys like their leader, although there were a few unicorns and earthponys mixed with them." "Do you know why?" "They took my mother so I guess they were after her. The stallion told her he would let the rest of us live as long as she came quietly... My guess is they would have taken my sister to if she hadn't agreed." "Are your mother and sister batpony's," He asked seriously. "Ah dun see what that has to do with anythin'," Boulder interjected, "Sounds like it was somepony hired to take her tuh me." "Oh it has everything to do with it Boulder." "Call meh Pinkie. That's what muh Friends back home would call meh," He interjected receiving a nod from both ponys. "Well as I was saying, are your mother and sister batpony's? And if they are can they control the shadows?" Rainbow nodded, "Yes, is that important?" "Your home was destroyed by hunters my friend. Oh terrible things they are. I simply don't understand batpony culture." "Hunters?" Rainbow and Pinkie asked together. "Yes, in batpony culture one who controls the shadows is called a shadowbat. In their religion the shadow bats where granted their powers by a benevolent all powerful being who seeks the destruction of all life on the planet of Equis. The hunters are ones who capture these shadow bats and imprison them. Or kill them if they do not cooperate. These hunters are made up of the best warriors each colony has to offer, as well as highly trained earthponys and unicorns to add an extra edge to their side. I am afraid either your mother is imprisoned. Or dead."
Learning.Rainbow looked at the Unicorn, "Yeah, I could have guessed as much. I wanted to get an audience with the captain this evening but he's gonna be out." Red shook his head, "I am afraid that won't help." "Why not? Sounds reasonable tuh meh," Pinkie said asked raising an eyebrow. "Because Luna and Celestia do not want to interfere with the batponys. We're already at war with the dragons, we don't need to start one with them, they're an incredibly well trained warrior race. At least the ones that live within the colonies are. Even their women from what I read," Red explained to the larger pony. Rainbow shook his head, "Wait a second, back up. How in the hay do you know all this about them? I think you know more then my sister does." Red rolled his eyes as if that was a stupid question, "Because I studied them at great length in Celestia's school. In fact I did a 6 page essay on them for my midterm. Most student's chose to study griffons, or dragons, or zebras. All races we already know quite alot about. But very few ponys know that batponys even exist. Even less know anything other then what they are." She finished smugly. As much as Rainbow respected the mare, the way she talked down to them as if she was better definitely rubbed him the wrong way. "So askin' fer help is out o' the question then. An' ah doubt ya'll 'er a good 'nuff fighter tuh break in there. Even if ya got professional help by the sound o' it," Boulder said chewing his food slowly as he thought. Rainbow nodded, "I know..." After several moments of thinking he sighed heavily, "I guess the best option I have is to keep training here until an opportunity presents itself..." Red finished off her sandwich, "Yes, I would say that is the smartest idea you had today." Rainbow rolled his eyes as a messenger pony trotted over. He gave each of them a letter. Upon opening it Rainbow saw that it was a work order. He was to report to Sharpspear each morning at sunrise for training, then at noon have lunch, and be at the front gate for guard duty at two. He was dismissed at moonrise. He sighed and stood up looking at Red. "There a tavern nearby?" He needed a drink. *** Daisy was sitting in her and Rainbow's room looking out the window at the full moon. She was contemplating Deep Night's offer. She knew he was right, even by the way Sharpspear had spoken to her brother instead of her proved what he said about Canterlot being a sexist city. The only work she would find would be as a whore from what she had seen in the streets below that night. But, becoming a Lunar guard? That was definitely NOT something she wanted to do. She wanted to go back home with her mom, dad, and brother. But she was smart enough to know that wouldn't happen. She might be able to learn something from that batpony to. But he was hiding something. That was the only way he could have known so much about her. Maybe he was with those ponys that attacked them previously... No, that couldn't be. She doubted that princess Luna would let somepony like them into the castle. Much less be captain of her guard. But she didn't have much choice did she? If those ponys came again there would be nothing her or Rainbow could do to fend them off. She needed to be trained. But more importantly, she needed answers. And whether it was a good or bad idea she would only get them from that bat. Daisy sighed to herself and said a prayer to Luna before making her way to the door. She went upstairs to the designated room and, before she could even knock, heard the stallion's voice call from inside, "Come in." Daisy gulped and stepped inside closing the door behind her. On the bed she saw him, sharpening a strange pair of claw like weapons with a wet stone. "I take you are here to accept my offer." He said not really asking, "But you look like a mare looking for something, so I take it you want to ask me some things first." Daisy stared at him baffled, "How did yo-" She started before he cut her off. "I will only answer your questions if you accept my apprenticeship. and only if I conclude that you are ready for the answers," He said firmly leaving no room for argument. Daisy considered this a moment then sighed and nodded. "Very well. My first question is simple. How do you know so much about me? I most certainly did not tell you anywhere near enough information last night for you to deduce all of that." The stallion thought for a moment then put the weapon he was sharpening down, "How many shadowbats are living in Equestria? Do you know?" Daisy shook her head. "Exactly 5. Me. You. Your mother. and two others, one living in Trottingham and one in Manehatten. How many of them live on rockfarms? Two. You and your mother. How many have a Pegasus as a brother? One. You." "Ok..." Daisy said slowly as she followed the logical train of thought, "Why are you so adamant about training me? I don't believe all that crap about me not surviving." "That, I will explain later," He said standing up, "Come, lets get going." He suddenly opened the window and prepared to jump out. "Wait where?" Daisy asked as he jumped, she sighed, "I have a bad feeling about this..." She said before spreading her leathery wings and following him out the window. Over the next week both siblings went through intense training. For Rainbow Sharpspear put him and his new found friends through intense endurance and strength training along with a limited schooling to learn basic math and military tactics. Daisy on the other hand was trained alone. She was put through intense combat training, earning her more then a few broken bones, and extremely difficult mental training to increase her control over her powers. By the end of the week they where both formidable opponents, Rainbow because of his speed and strength and Daisy because of her new found shadow abilities. But like many things their safety didn't last, for on the eighth day the dragons attempted a direct invasion of Canterlot. And that was the day they had returned to look for their father to bury him.
