Author's Note

First chapter of MANY to come

The Flight

Chapter 1

Ever since Steelwing could remember, he wanted to belong somewhere and be useful , and most of all be safe. Growing up in the distant lands east of Equestria across the sea, in a town bordering Griffin Kingdoms, he always knew what fear and worry meant since the day he could understand words his mother, a silvery unicorn mare with thunderstorm-purple eyes, said to him each day when he walked with her through cobblestone streets to her work. "They are a brutal kind, not very forgiving either. In Equestria, Princess Celestia ensures peace for all ponies, but she can't be here and there at one time, so it's up to us to be careful and alert so we don't have to fight. No one wants an angry griffon on their flank." Steel recognized the sad look in her eye, she was remember his father. He scarcely remembered his father, a black stallion pegasus, who had been killed when Steel was only a young colt of two years old. Never wanting her son to suffer the same fate, she was sure to teach her only foal how the world overseas worked; with no ruler who wanted peace year long for everyone, pony or other race. "Be courteous and alert, and you'll always know what's happening around you."

That was so long ago, and right now, Steelwing couldn't feel more free, soaring with the thermals under his wings and beautiful landscape below, Steel relived what Princess Celestia and Luna had asked of him in his head as he let the winds carry him higher as he went over it again.

"Ever since the attack we realize how vulnerable ponies could be to these creatures. They have proven how dangerous they are as a whole, and Chrysalis proven how bold she is to go to such lengths! I've trained you the past seven years as best I can in spells and Luna has overseen your progress with me, but no one can prepare you for what we must as of you," Celestia said somewhat sorrowful to him. Her mane and tail flowed around her as beautiful as ever while her robe bearing Canterlot's insignia sparkled gently over an ivory silk gown; every part about her echoed radiance and perfection despite her troubled expression.

"You know I'd do anything for either of you, Princess. It's my honor to do such after how well you've treated and taught me all these years." Steel replied dutifully. Though he had to admit, this made him feel very anxious.

Celestia nodded with a hint of a smile. "After the brief tragedy that happened, Luna and I have decided it best that you need to infiltrate their 'Hive' and gather any knowledge you can from them. It is now a necessity for us, and the future security and safety of all Ponies we watch over."

"Thou must use utmost care!" Luna added in hastily, "for thou art not immune to such deception and hypnosis as Theirs'." The night Princess looked much more worried for Steelwing than her sister but, she had in truth come close to the colt when she'd become freed of Nightmare Moon and returned home with her elder sister. She cared for him as she would her own brother.

Steel smiled sympathetically and nodded. "Thank you for your concern but, I will be careful, Princess Luna," he looked up from her to Celestia who now stood a few hoof steps away from him. "I will not succumb to their hypnosis and if I must, I'll leave if my life is threatened but otherwise, I'll do whatever I can to get information from them."

She inclined her head saying at last, "depart with care then, if you do not send word of anything at the turn of spring, we will assume the worst and attack them with full force. We will keep you in our hearts and prayers of good luck."

Steelwing stifled a nervous gulp and with a last look from the Princesses and a tender caress of his cheek from Celestia, he left the throne room and took to the sky.

Hours of flight later, Steel took enjoyment from the sun warming his wings and back from the noon-high sun while he began to cross miles of jagged peaks that jutted out of the ground, he was now well past the expanse of the EverFree Forest and into the Badlands of Equestria. It was now his silvery-grey wings began to tire from the constant flight and he started to search for a place that could hold some drinkable water to quench his thirst while he rested a while. Gazing over the new landscape he finally spotted a small pond sheltered in the shade of one of the massive peaks that were scattered across the rough, rocky terrain. "Thank the Stars," he muttered in a sigh as he made the descent towards the water. Landing a few steps away he hurried over and stuck his muzzle down into the clear coolness of the liquid and drank deeply, bringing relief to his dry throat. Once he was satisfied, he lay back near the edge of the water to take a quick rest, trying to recall just how far away the Princesses' advisers theorized the Changelings' Hive might be.

"I'm stumbling around with no good facts to go off of, this could take a while..." He knew if he couldn't find them soon, he'd have to find tolerable shelter for the night because although the day felt warm now, come nightfall in early autumn the temperature would plunge harshly. With a sigh, Steel knew he couldn't stay here and got up. Just as he was about to spring back into the sky, he heard a voice calling out in a distressful tone. It was distant but sounded female. "Who could be this far out here? Don't they know any better?" Steel thought out loud, knowing he couldn't have reached the destination for Changeling scouting yet. Following the voice, he found it true, a lovely chestnut-brown mare unicorn with a black mane in a tattered green sundress seemed to be stuck in disgusting looking magenta goop. "Hello?"

Hearing him, her eyes brightened with hope, although they appeared clouded as though she may be blind. "Please, help me?! I've been trapped out here for days now! I'm so hungry! Please, help get me out?" She begged Steel as he approached.

"How did you get so far out here? Don't you know its dangerous?" He started to tug her out as she grasped his forearms and he did the same with hers. Soon, her legs and hooves were freed and she stumbled a bit before smiling at him.

"Thank you so much!!" Steelwing looked her over, and he noticed with horror that her horn was jagged at the tip as if it had been broken in half.

"What happened to your horn?!" Steel asked in a quite tone, trying not to offend her. "Can you do any magic?"

The mare grinned. "Certainly! Want to see?" Unexpectedly Steel felt a raging pain in his head as his whole body stiffens, and his joints lock up just before his body hit the ground.

A paralysis spell! How?! Steel thought, glaring up to the mare through blurry eyes, the last thing he could make out was a dark skinned pony with a sickly looking horn and large eyes that were pale green and turquoise in color with menacing slits for pupils, standing where the beautiful mare once stood seconds ago. With his mind going hazy, it dawned on Steel that the Changelings hunting grounds must stretch farther out than predicted. I found them... His eyes soon shut and he faded into unconsciousness.