The Tales of Daisy Claw and Rainbow Thunder

Daisy 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."