Career Change

“Don’t worry kiddo, you’re gonna be alright. When your brother gets back with his first aid kit you’ll be fine, I promise,” assured Flitter, petting Rumble’s head.

“I’m alright, honest Flit. Just a little woozy.” Rumble swiped at Flitters hoof, and almost lost his balance on the chair. The compassionate pegasus immediately steadied the chair with her hoof.

“No, you’re not alright. Not until we get a better band aid on those bites,” said Flitter with absolute finality.

Rumble groaned. “It’s not even bleeding.”

Flitter tutted and paced around the kitchen. Thunderlane had departed back to his home to find the first aid kit there. Not that the one she and her sister kept around wasn’t fine, but the items she wanted weren’t there. Odds were that Thunderlane never even touched his own kit. Rumble had two bandaids on his neck fit for a light scratch and that wouldn’t sit right with Flitter. Especially when she came home to find him white as a sheet and reeling from blood loss.

“Cloudchaser,” she whispered, looking back at Rumble again. To think she had assaulted him. Bit him. Drained his blood. It had sounded absurd after hearing the story straight from the horse’s mouth. The evidence; Rumble himself, and the pile of purple feathers, seemed to fit.

“Finally!” exclaimed Flitter, the sound of wingflaps drawing near. “I swear Rumble your brother couldn’t find his way out of a paper bag. Good thing he’s here. It’s soooo late.”

Hoofsteps landed on the porch. Flitter swung open the door. For a brief moment her heart stopped.

Cloudchaser… or, what looked like her, stood opposite the mare. Flitter wanted to say something but she was too floored by the sight. The dark hued coat, the slitted purple eyes, the hint of fangs under her lip, those large leather wings tucked at her sides; it was like looking at a complete stranger and lifelong companion at the same time.

The crickets droned on in the background.

“You… what. I-” Flitter found her voice, shaking her head a few times. “What did you do to yourself?”

“I… went for a career change.” Cloudchaser gulped. This was much harder to talk about than she thought. “The wonderbolts wasn’t happening. I ran into these guards. There was an opportunity with them and I took it. So I chose to become one of them.”

Cloudchaser took a step forward. The new difference in height was evident.

“I am one of them.”

Flitter’s wings drooped. “What… why? Why did you do what you did to Rumble?” she pointed at the young colt, who shrank from the attention.

Cloudchaser trotted over to Rumble. There was fear in his violet eyes, but he didn’t flee, even when Cloudchaser got right up to his face.

“Rumble, I’m sorry for what I did to you. I was starving and couldn’t help myself. Like, really starving starving,” she looked him square in the eye. “Could you ever forgive me?”

The question didn’t seem to weigh heavy on his mind. Rumble bit his lip, rubbed his neck where the bandager were, and nodded his head.

Cloudchaser beamed, and hugged him tightly. “Thanks kid, you’re tough. Be good, kay?”

“Kay,” replied Rumble, with a slight smile. Cloudchaser cantered over to the porch, to face her sister.

The batmare spread her wings. “I have to go soon. I don’t know when I’ll be back, Flit.”

“WAIT!” shouted Flitter. She put herself in front of Cloudchaser, feeling small in front of her now taller twin. “Wait… sis, you can’t just leave… what about us?”

“We’ll be fine, Flit,” assured Cloudchaser. “It’s just a job. I’ll be back here on my days off. I’m going to still see you, Thunderlane, everyone!”

Flitter cast her eyes to the ground. “I feel like you’re not the sister I grew up with anymore.”

Cloudchaser pulled Flitter into a hug once more, and this time the smaller twin shared the embrace, throwing her forelegs around Cloudchaser’s mane and pulling tightly.

“You’re sure you want this? It’s not too late to say no. Have one of the princesses undo it...” whispered Flitter.

“I’ll be fine. I mean it. This job, it’s going to work out for me. Honest. I’ve never felt more confident over it - I look different on the outside sure, but like, I’m still your sister, Flitter. That’s not going to change. Even if my appearance did.” Cloudchaser gave her sister a reasurring pat on the back. “C’mon, I’ll be around. Now chin up. You were always better at handling things than I was.”

Flitter sighed, and pulled away. Cloudchaser spread her large bat-like wings and turned around.

“Remember to write, ‘kay sis?” asked Flitter, stepping back.

“Of course,” laughed Cloudchaser, flipping her silvery hair out of her eyes. “I’ve got to get to work. Goodbye! See ya soon!”

Cloudchaser flew off into the night, disapearing quietly into a patch of cloud. Soon the porch was quiet once more, the cacaphony of buzzing insects in the air drowning out Flitter’s sniffles.

“Hey! I found the first aid kit!” Thunderlane abruptly landed on the porch, a small bright red box in his grip. “You would not believe where I left it uh,” he looked to his brother, then back to Flitter. “Did I miss something?”

***

It was weird how much of her life had changed in the small clearing where she first met Echo and Morsemere. The return flight was much easier thanks to the improved eyesight she’d been gifted. Seven minutes later she touched down in front of her comrades. They were stretching their limbs and yawning.

“How’d it go?” asked Echo, folding her wings.

“I think it went well. Everything’s chill, actually. I’m a little surprised to be honest.” Cloudchaser rubbed her leg. “I thought they’d cast me out over this.”

“Naaah,” piped up Morsemere. “We’re not a bunch of wild animals. We serve royalty. Guard the castle. Take care of security for other important ponies. Get paid weekly…” he trailed off, losing his place.

“We even get dental,” finished Echo.

“Yeah, that too.” Morsemere stood up and spread his wings. “So, Cloudchaser, you ready to get your suit of armor and schedule?”

“Also, you’re probably going to meet the Princess.” the shocked look on Cloudchaser’s face drew a giggle from Echo. “Calm down gorgeous, she doesn’t bite.”

Morsemere nodded sagely. “Expect an earful out of her though. The Princess is kind of loud. Even though initiatiates are welcome because it’s good for diversifying our gene pool… we really were supposed to write in a formal notification request.”

Cloudchaser balked. “Are you sure she doesn’t bite?”

“Morsey!” said Echo sharply. “Quit trying to freak her out. After handling all what’s happened to her so far is that really cool of you?”

Morsemere whinnied. “I’m just saying!”

“Alright,” Echo snapped, spreading her wings. “Are we ready?”

“Yeah, we’re good. Let’s go!”

On that prompt they took off towards Canterlot Castle for their meeting with Princess Luna. Cloudchaser banked left and right, enjoying the cool night air on her face. There was no feeling of hopelessness gnawing at her heart now, only the security and confidence of the new life she had ahead of her. Blasting through a cumulus cloud and spotting the spires of Canterlot Castle ahead, Cloudchaser grinned to herself, and pumped her wings even harder.

Life was back on track.