The Tales of Daisy Claw and Rainbow Thunder

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.