The stormhoof chronicles: Tragic Elegance

by Stormhoof

Rating: teen
Tags: Rarity, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Sad, Other, Romance, Original Character
Length: 4139

Raritys new contract bares a surprize, A High ranking officer of the Equestrian gaurd

Cobalt strikes, the son of a blacksmith, has a sad story of his first mission as a recruit in the Equestrian gaurd, many many months later he Meets a White unicorn in ponyville who seems willing to talk with him about his troubles... What happened that was so bad? Why would he return to the guard if it was so terrible? Why in equestria was she contracted for this fitting!

Published 2012-03-24 06:54:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-03-26 19:42:23 UTC

Prologue:An intimidating contract

“Oh what ever will I do!” Rarity exclaimed to herself, Spike had just brought a letter to the Fashionista Unicorn moments ago from Princess Celestia. Still not believing what she read she hovered the parchment in front of her, examining it as if it would change before her eyes.

My loyal subject Rarity,

The equestrian guard has brought to my attention that many of their newer recruits require a custom
armor fitting as they have been assigned to a rather important battalion. Although I know that your experience is mainly centered around fashion it would seem that you are the only pony available
for the job, I am most certain that my student, and your friend, Twilight Sparkle will have some
useful books on the subject of armor. The contract pays 10,000 bits for 40 sets of armor, and it
specifically requested the work of a unicorn. By the time you read this letter you will have
two days before the battalion arrives for the fitting, the stallion in charge of the group also
assures that all material costs will be covered in addition to your payment.

My best regards,

Princess Celestia.

After lowering the letter to the desk again she let out a sigh, Opalessence let out a long meow causing Rarity to smile
“Your are very right Opal, this is a very important contract and I must do my best to learn about fitting armor, To the library!”

After her trip to the library Rarity nearly had a nervous breakdown, Armor fitting was similar to dress fitting in ways, but there were so many parts of it she could not understand, each type of armor had a different way it was supposed to fit, or a different amount of flexibility or protection, it was too much for her to take in through just books, and she did not even have any stallions she could experiment with. Pacing in her inspiration room she had to fight with her reflection in the mirror to convince herself to go to bed, It was gonna be a long night.

Her sleep was more refreshing then she would have thought it to be, She sighed to herself

"Oh Rarity, Just what are you going to do? Postponing the fitting comes to mind, oh but it could cost me the client...I Might just have to visit the library again, Twilight did have some helpful books...then it is settled...I shall visit the library later in the day, for now I think I shall just relax outside, it is a wonderful day after all."

Stepping back into carousal Boutique after enjoying the day and picking up a few books from Twilight, Rarity set to preparing what she knew she would need, Measuring tape, Measurement logs, Material lists, and she spent the rest of the evening researching how armors are properly fitted letting out a bored sigh

"Ugh, These are simply too boring, I just do not understand why these armors have to be so dull. Perhaps this Mr. Cloud would not mind me spicing a few of them up..After all, they may as well get their bits worth...Right Opal? "

At being addressed Opal simply turned away and dozed off, Rarity just noticed she had spent four entire hours preparing and was nowhere near done...Tomorrow was her last day to get the rest of the information she needed and she had better get and early start

" I do suppose you are right, and besides, I simply can not go without my beauty sleep, I do not care if the armor fitting takes a week of measurements, I must still keep myself looking as fresh as possible"

She climbed under her covers gently, careful not to disturb them much. Looking out her window she watched the moon floating high above Ponyville and smiled to herself, lowering her silken blind fold over her eyes, magically turning her lamp off, Welcoming warmly her dreams.

From Barracks to Boutique

Cobalt took a look at his troops, each idly waiting for the platform chariot to arrive, a bored look on most of their faces, a few of them sporting a small smile. A day off from training to be fitted for custom armor, seemed like quite the treat, they each had the perfect idea in their heads, nothing but the best would do for this small troop. One of the younger recruits, a lavendar Pegasus by the name of Dusk wing approached cloud silently

"U-um Commander Strikes? when are we to set out for ponyville? and just who is the one doing our fitting?" Dusk said his eyes averted slightly as he being the "soft-hoof", the name given to the recruits who have yet to be on a mission.

"Private Dusk-Wing you will look me in the eye while addressing me, and you will grow a back-bone, Being a soft-hoof does not make you any less of a stallion in this troop. are we understood?" Cobalt said in a stern, but almost warm tone continuing on he says "We should be departing in about half an hour, and the one doing our fitting is a Unicorn by the name of Rarity, she lacks experience with armor working so I advise you not to be too critical." he finished raising his voice so the rest of the battalion could hear him, as much discipline as they had from running drills he knew they all wanted the perfect armor and would likely scare the unicorn from the job.

Dusk Wing made eye contact, hoping not to offend the commander saying "Yes, sir, Sorry sir!"

This caused Cobalt to chuckle before saying "Lighten up, down in Ponyville if you call me 'Sir' Or 'Commander' Then you owe me a drink" this remark got quite a few chuckles out of the rest of the battalion and a red-tinted face from Dusk.

"O-ofcourse sir...No 's-sirs' or 'C-commanders' in Ponyville...sir..." Dusk said nervously, wracking his brain about how to proceed, looking up though to see a large chariot pulled by 10 Pegasi.

Cobalt smiled gently looking up as well and raised his voice addressing everypony "Alright chariot's here lets get down to Ponyville, quick lets go go go!" and they all quickly rose making their way to the large gilded chariot that awaited them.

Cobalt smiled wide as the wind swept his mane past his horn, his Dark blue coat was ruffled but the steady gust and he looked about to see Dusk right next to him saying "Private Dusk-wing, please fly ahead to Ponyville and let the proprietor of the carousal boutique know that we are on our way"

Dusk stood at attention and gave a short Salute "Yes Commander!" and flew off as quick as he could.

Cobalt just chuckled one more time and shouted "Next time I see. you and you call me that you owe me a drink private!" his comment again getting chuckles from the rest of the battalion.

Rarity paced gently outside the boutique watching the sky for her clients, having finally relaxed herself enough to stop shaking. In the sky she seen a small lavender and bronze blur, which landed about 50 feet from her boutique. Then looking forward she seen a lavender Pegasus running towards the boutique who stopped right in front of her.

"Ma'am, Private dusk-Wing here to deliver a message, The stormhoof battalion is on its way to Ponyville and will arrive within the hour" Dusk said, catching his breath a little, standing at attention, his Bronze armor shining brightly in the rays of the afternoon sun.

Rarity smiled and said to the young stallion "Marvelous, now I can get this whole ordeal done with, Would you happen to know how many members there are?"

Dusk replied, still using a rather official tone "Including Myself and the commander there are 51, 15 are Pegasi,11 are unicorns,and 25 are earth-ponies." he finished adding on the last information incase it might help her.

Rarity smiled again and turned to walk into the Boutique "Come inside if you wish darling, perhaps I can get you fitted before the rest arrive." she said the door swinging open with her magic.

Dusk stepped inside, noticing that the cutiemark on her flank bore 3 diamonds. Careful to avoid being caught looking he quickly diverted his attention from her flank, "This is quite a place here, You design all these yourself?"

Walking over to her desk and levitating her red-brimmed glasses on she nodded "Yes dear, and I must apologize in advance if I am slow to measuring, I have never done armor fittings before."

Dusk just nodded adding "The commander let us know that this was your first time working on armor"

With nothing else to do rarity said "Be a dear and remove your armor, that would being in the way of an accurate measurement." she unraveled her measuring tape as he removed his armor and then set to gathering ever possible needed measurement, from neck, to wing, to hoof, she took as exact measurements as possible, and set to jotting them down.

Author note:I will edit the chapters and story in general as I progress, this may not be my first story but it is my first Ponyfic.
Rate,comment,track or do whatever, Criticism on all levels is welcome, even trolling XD. Name Cobalt strikes inspired by FIMF chatroom members

Cobalts Critique

Slowing their descent, the pegasi pulling the chariot landed gently near the Ponyville park. Cobalt looked around for a building he was told would "stick out like a glowing horn". Eventually his eyes laid upon a carousal shaped building designed with almost excessive flare to it, from the bright yellow awning to the large sign, no detail had been spared, he made his way toward the boutique, allowing his troops to follow behind.

"Alright here we are, today is mainly measurement and over all design. We can fuss on the details later in the day, lets hurry over now"

Cobalt knocked his hoof on the purple upper door...No response. He knocked one more time a bit louder and listened for any inside noises.

"Come on in dears! we have been waiting for you"

He stepped in to see her taking measure of Dusk-wings' wingspan.

"Ah yes an even 60 inches on your total wingspan, now if you will just raise your right wing so I may take individual measurements"

Cobalt stood there with a smirk, he had heard that she was serious about her work, but he had never quite seen anybody who could keep Dusk still for very long. Then he turned his attention to behind him hearing whispering among the troops.

"Your right she's got quite a flank"

"Can't wait for her to get her hooves on me like that"

"Yeah I have something she can measure all day"

At that last comment Cobalt turned angrily eying the three pegasi who where whispering about the white unicorn in the center of the boutique

"Excuse me? Sergeants Rainfield! Blaze! IronFeather! What is it the three of you where talking about?"

The three pegasi stopped dead silent and finally Blaze, the orange coated, yellow maned pegasi in the middle spoke up.

"W-we were just um...Talking about how eager we are to finally get the armor fitting...right guys?" Blaze looked to the other two for support

The other two could only nod as Cobalt stared them down

"No more speaking so vulgar as we are in the ladies place of business, Am I clear?" He added the last part glaring

All the three could do is nod guiltily,not wanting to upset Cobalt any further.

After a few minutes Rarity stepped away from dusk and let him walk away as she reviewed his measurements, Cobalt approached her clearing his throat to grab her attention

"I am Commander Cobalt Strikes, I would like to take a look at your measurements if you do not mind"

Rarity smiled saying "Of course darling, you will find they are spot-on" she finished stepping aside for him to see the Measurement chart. He frowned upon seeing it, though they were accurate several important measurements were missing.

"It's ok...but did you forget to measure top wing joint to end? and what of his hoof circumference? its diameter? you forgot to measure round his nose for a proper helmet fitting, and when measuring his length you must do a measure starting from top of the head and one from base of the skull, as for the wingspan you forgot to get a measurement of them folded." he finished looking at her now confused and almost hurt expression

"I...I never even thought of those I am terribly sorry, I...Have never done armor fittings before." she finished dropping her voice a bit

Cobalt sighed, he did not mean to hurt her feelings but these were all critical elements he took a quick breath and chose his words carefully saying "I am aware that this is your first time doing measurements for armor, but these are all very important and could mean One of my soldiers lives, I am sorry if I sounded harsh" He finished lowering his head in a low nod.

Rarity bit her lip "It is not a problem at all... I suppose a few extra measurements will do" she finished perking up a bit as she trotted over to Dusk with a smile "Dear would it be ok if I took a few more measurements? It seems that I have missed a few important details"

Looking up at Rarity dusk gave a small nod "No problem at all Miss Rarity" and stepped back onto the short platform where he was being measured previously, followed by Rarity.

Just that moment as she turned an orange-feathered wing struck her flank with a loud smack, making the unicorn gasp loudly as She turned to see a smirking orange Pegasus highhoofing another. Her face reddened and she started to speak through gritted teeth "Why you lit..." she stopped seeing that he had been flung at the wall with a dark blue glow of telekinesis...

Consequences and cocktails

Rarity stood there, face still red in anger but now twisted into a look of shock, pressed against her wall was the pegasus who just moments ago had slapped her flank, the only thing she could make out was a bluish glow about his neck, Looking around she seen Cobalt glaring at him, horn glowing, it was he keeping the soldier pinned to the wall.

"This young mare is going out of her way to work on a project she knows little about for less then a tenth of the bits a professional blacksmith would charge and you have the audacity the gall to slap her flank as if she was a run of the mill tavern hussy!?" Cobalt said, his voice firm,loud, and angry.

"I...hng...ah...c-can't...b..." the deep orange stallion tried to choke out but to no avail, the magical telekinesis felt like a rope pull taut around his throat. He kicked his hooves struggling wildly before Cobalt continued.

"Respect,Honor,Dignity, and justice is what we are sworn to uphold and here you think that just because we are outside of canterlot that the rules no longer apply to you?" he continued growing angrier, allowing the Sergeant just enough air to keep him conscious but nothing more.

Rarity stood in awe having no clue what could resolve the situation, sure she was mad, but was this Unicorn going to kill the pegasus now pinned to her wall over something so simple?

Blaze continued his struggle his eyes flitting as he now felt light headed.

"You will apologize to Miss Rarity this instant!" Cobalt barked out the order,his voice willed with malice and venom as he forces the Pegasus into a bowing position in front of the shocked mare "Now!".

Blaze hasped for air, his vision bleary,he felt the pull of magic on him as he looked up to Rarity "I-I a-am..." he started but was cut off by Cobalt ramming his hoof into Blazes' side

"Louder!" He barked out fully aware of a crowd gathering outside the boutique

"I a-am Sorry M-miss Rarity, I....S-should not have done what I d-did and m-my actions were foolish...p-please f-forgive me" blaze finished his body shaking and he went limp as he passed out.

"I-I ddont know what to say Mr...erm...Commander Cobalt, it was far from necessary, but I thank you for um...assisting me, could we possibly finish the fitting in measurements later? In all honesty this whole ordeal has me rather shaken up" Rarity said, poking out her bottom lip after finishing, her eyes pleading fir her to have a mental break from all the drama of the day.

Cobalt breathed deeply collecting his thoughts before he started to speak "That would not be any problem at all, I am truly sorry for the commotion this all caused, I usually just make a point to issue a punishment the instant I witness any foul play, and I am furthermore sorry you were at the receiving end of crude antics" He finished giving his head a quick bow adding on "Take all the time you need, me and my troops will not need this finished for a few months, a small break will not eat into either of our time." he turned to the door stepping out magically dragging the unconscious soldier behind him.

Having left the boutique Cobalt ordered an earthpony among his troops to return blazes unconcious body to the chariot and made for sugarcube corner.

"Commander Strikes should I have Rarity finish those other measurements later?" Came the voice of Dusk Wing from behind

Cobalt chuckled before saying "You owe me one drink, and yes we will do it later". Dusk shrank back with a nervous laugh saying "Oh sorry si...I mean Cobalt...wont happen again sir...oh oops...I.." Dusk struggled with his words and then found Cobalts hoof over his mouth.

"Come on kid I said lighten up a bit. We are around people who rarely see importance in rank... come on, we shouldn't return to the boutique till tomorrow and you owe me some drinks" he finished again with a laugh adding "With todays incident I think I will ask the young mare to maybe make Blazes armor bright pink"

Dusk managed a small chuckle and they started walking towards the bar from sugarcube corner. Cobalt stepped through the doors and looked around to see a plum colored mare behind the bar who flashed them a smile.

"Hey Boys, I'm Berry Punch, what can I get for you?"

"Hello ma'am I am Cobalt, and this here is Dusk, is there anything you could recommend?"Cobalt said looking at various bottles behind her.

She smiled and said without missing a beat "Well my personal favorite is the raspberry blackberry daiquiri. but if your looking for something with a little more buck to it then I would go with a glass of Celestia-royal" she smiles holding up a clear bottle with dark liquid.

Cobalt thought for a moment "Alright i'll have it on the rocks, Get Private dusk here a glass of hard cider" He smiles at the mare who quickly got there drinks.

"This ones on the house sweetie" She said sliding the cider to dusk who proceeded to blush. Cobalt smiles as he took a drink of the Celestia royal, it burned his lips and sent chills through his body as it went down. He could see Dusk fighting to swallow the cider, gasping a bit and slapping his lips.

"I am gonna guess you have never had anything with more kick then water eh?" Cobalt teased.

"Well when I was sworn into the guard I had wine but that was really it" Dusk said taking a small sip this time. Cobalt took his time with his drink, but not so much that the ice would completely dilute it.

As time passed and they drank a few more ponies entered the bar, Blaze had looked for them and told Cobalt that he apologized to rarity and was willing to accept the consequences of what he did. Eventual more joined as the evening rush hit, Cobalt even noticed Rarity and 6 other friends sitting at a small table, among them was a small purple dragon.

"excuse me berry punch? send those ladies a glass on me, Preferably something you might know they like" Cobalt said, now on his third glass.

"Yeah they come in every week or so I know what to get them, and I will send it right over." she giggled a bit, cobalt couldn't tell what for.

He turned to Dusk and said "now I am pretty sure we are up to 13 drinks you still owe me."

"Yes cobalt...maybe you should do shots?" dusk suggested, the 4 glasses of hard cider seemed to help him relax quite a bit. Cobalt was even starting to buzz from his CR on the rocks, It had been a long time since he indulged himself in any spirits. So long in fact that he was getting a buzz off a mere three glasses. He ordered the rest of his drinks not as shots but full glasses straight, He wanted to finish the night with a bit of a bang.

He was through his eighth drink and the group of Rarity and her friends wandered over, by this time he was thoroughly sauced. He took his last drink and berry Punch refilled the glass before he could even look up, taking the drink of his now ninth glass he said "Alright...only five more to go...woohoooo." he looked up to see rarity looking at him and Dusk.

"Darling I wanted to thank you once again for handling that...Blaze earlier, He even seen fit to apologize to me on a more personal note." Said the white unicorn, Cobalt smiled and spoke up before his thoughts eluded him "He is a good soldier he just forgets his boundaries some times." taking another drink he looked up at her friends "Would you care to introduce me to your friends?" He asked managing to keep his words from slurring.

"Oh but of course! Mr.Strikes I would Like you to meet Twilight sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, And Spike. Spike, Girls, This is Commander Cobalt strikes, He is the one who contracted me for the Armor fitting that kept me busy earlier." She said naming them left to right, They had all dressed up a bit for the get-together, Rarity in a dark sweater, Twilight in a stylish lavender saddle, Dash wore a short jacket, Applejack her signature hat and a jacket like Dash's, Pinkiepie was sporting a multicolored umbrella hat, and Fluttershy had a saddle like Twilight's only with a leaf print. He gave them all a nod before shotgunning then next four of his drinks in rather quick succession.

"Woah pal aren't you worried about a hangover with all your drinking?" Came the voice of the Cyan pegasus Rainbow dash.

"Oh no, I have never really gotten them, dull twinge in my head is the worse its ever been." He replied taking a drink of his final glass "Plus This is the first time in months I don't have to act all official around anypony, feels great", Another drink, his eyes went a bit bleary as he looked about the bar.

Dusk in the meantime had struck up a conversation with the yellow pegasus in the leaf print saddle, Though Cobalt was not really able to make out anything but the saddle so he gave dusk a quick knock on the arm.

"Hey Private, what are you doing talking to a TREE...I didn't even know this bar had any trees, you should socialize with other ponies...not trees..." Cobalt said, now slurring slightly.

"Uh..s-I mean Cobalt,you oughta go get some sleep, your drinks are addling your brain" Dusk said as he and the others fought back laughter.

"You are probably right...Ima go to those *hic* quarters the mayor was kind enough to lends...remember, the reast of the fitting is at...um...11 AM sharp...yeah...be there Private!" Cobalt said, getting up and stepping out of the pub, after he left the rest of them could be heard cracking up.

"Well fluttershy you did say you wanted to be a tree! all we have to do is get everypony drunk hahaha" Came the voice of rainbow dash. This prompted another wave of giggles from the group of mares.

The rest of the night was rather uneventful all that really went on was dusk talking to them and spike eventually falling asleep, he had to go anyways, didn't wanna be late for the fitting.

"Well ladies im off,enjoy the rest of the night" he said as he went to find his quarters.