Broken Wings

Chapter 6

Fighting Fit

Luna had teased me that all trainee Archons cry in their first week, naturally I thought she was just teasing me but I learned for myself it was true.

The first day I was measured for armour, then put to training on how to control elements, I soon found that drawing lightning from a cloud was a lot more difficult than it looked. Drawing the lightning was easy, any Pegasus can do it, the trick was learning to control where it went. After been shocked unconscious for the eighth time I realised I had no skill with lightning.

The second day was dedicated to channelling the lightning. Simply put, Pulling it from the clouds my fellow Archons brought for my training and using myself as a lightning rod, then using that bottled lightning as a weapon. I spent half the day having electrical burns healed.

By the third day I was sure I had it, I stomped down on that cloud, the lightning crackled around me...and I woke up in the medical wing again. Everypony tried to help me, teaching me all they knew, Lieutenant Silverheart practically took me under her wing. It didn't help and the constant electric shocks had me twitching as I walked.

It was the fourth day that broke me, three days of being constantly electrocuted had my mane standing on end and a lot of random twitches. That days lesson was to use multiple clouds to try and create a powerful attack. It went wrong from the moment I tried to draw the lightning. The electricity froze me in place and danced across my whole body, I couldn't even scream as my flesh began to blister and char. The cocky Pegasus with the fireball cutie mark, who I later learned was named Hotshot, saved me. With no fear he body checked me off those clouds. I could only lie in a heap and sob in pain as the medical ponies were fetched.

“He's crying.”, Hotshot looked down at me in sympathy then handed a small pouch to Winter Sky with a frown. “I thought he would have broke yesterday.”

Silverheart looked down at me with a frown, “Captain, I don't think Starshot should continue the lightning training, He has no talent for it and its only getting him hurt.”

At this point three unicorns galloped into the hall and began throwing healing spells across me. Almost instantly the pain faded and a cool, soothing feeling spread across me. After a moment I was able to stand once more.

I glared at Hotshot, “You had a bet going on how long it would take me to cry?”

The red Pegasus grinned at me, “Of course! Its a tradition, Every Archon cries during his first week, don't let Blue Rain know I told you this but he didn't last two days.”

Winter sky called out, “Private Starshot, Fall in!”

Ill admit, its pretty tough for a free spirit like me to get used to having his life controlled by others but the discipline was doing me good too. I trotted to my commanding officer and stood to attention.

Winter Sky paced back and forth in front of me, “ Private, you are without a doubt the most incompetent weather manipulator I have ever seen. Now before I decide to have you clean each piece of armour in the armoury with a toothbrush I will give you a single chance to prove to me you have what it takes.”

Oh pony feathers, There was hundreds of suits of armour in there! Please don't let me screw this up!

Winter Sky was giving me a very odd look, as if he was considering something. “Starshot, I would like you to try a little experiment. Hold up a hoof, close your eyes and imagine air being pulled to that hoof, imagine a crystal forming above it.”

OK what? Am I turning into a combat jeweller? Still if the big guy says to do it...

I closed my eyes as instructed and lifted my right front hoof, in my minds eye I could see it, a blue jewel above that hoof, I could see the air swirl around it, my focus was total on that image. Even when the snow began to chill my face I refused to..wait snow?

My eyes snapped open and stared blankly, a swirling snowstorm blew around my hoof. Spinning in its centre was an ice crystal, almost exactly the same as the jewel I had imagined. Hotshots jaw was on the floor, Silverheart smiled at me, even Winter Sky gave an approving nod.

“Sir, what's going on? Why do I have a blizzard on my hoof?” I was understandably confused.

“Private Starshot, Lightning is the most common of elements for a pegasi to control, As such all Archons are trained in its use. It is uncommon for pegasi to control ice and snow as I myself do.”

Winter spread his wings, almost instantly the hall was engulfed in a roaring blizzard. The roaring winds and snow made it impossible to see my hoof in front of my face. I knew as the commanding officer Winter sky was powerful but this was insane!

Silverheart called out, “OK captain you made your point!”

The white-out subsided, leaving the great hall buried with a few feet of snow.

The captain smiled at me, “OK Private, I'm taking the Archons out on patrol, you have until we return to clear the snow. If I find any water in here when I get back your cleaning the whole hall with a hoof brush.”

Is he serious? Wait this is Winter Sky, he is always serious....

I saluted and watched as everypony left, how the hay was I going to clear this?

Hmm..I wonder.

Glancing around for a moment I checked the coast was clear and took in a deep breath. Focusing on the pain within me that had first brought this power out, I roared out a sheet of silver flames. The piled snow flashed to steam almost instantly, unfortunately it also left me dizzy and staggering.

“Hey I thought I was the fire pony here!”

Shaking my head to clear the dizziness I glanced around, Firewall stood in the doorway at the far end of the hall, sucking on one of those paper rolls of his.

The fiery unicorn trotted over to me with a grin. “Hey brony, what's with the snow?”

What's a brony?

I signed, “Winter sky was demonstrating how powerful his ice control is, I just found out I have some skill with it so I think he wanted me to know how it can be used.”

Firewall grinned and slew out a stream of smoke. “Luna once gave me some advice on magic, just expect it to happen and it will.”

I gave him a blank stare, I am not a smart pony.

Firewall blew out another stream of smoke and sighed, “OK, what have you been training?”

“Well I was trying to control lightning but all that happened was I kept shocking myself”

The ash coloured unicorn laughed, “I bet you just don't know what went wrong eh?”

I grinned back at him, “Oh I know what went wrong, I have no skill for it.”

Firewall looked towards the vaulted ceiling with a sigh, “Why is it only Luna gets my jokes?”

That was a joke?

My fiery companion waved at the piled snow, “Well buddy, I think this is Sky trying to make you realise your a Pegasus so a natural weather pony.”

I looked past him, taking in the snow and thinking back, The captain has brought it here with wind so maybe he wanted to see if I could figure out how to do the same?

Slowly I spread my wings, trying to feel any magic I could use within me, other than the draconic magic I was now used to, I felt nothing. I was going to have to scrub the hall with a hoof brush.. I hate the military now.

Firewall gave me an odd look, “Just use a tornado or something to clear it out, Rain-blow Dry the place.”

Why do ponies always throw names and terms at me I don't know? I've been out of the loop for six years, I CANT know them! Fortunately Firewall seemed to understand my confusion and decided to give me some explanation, Firewall style.

“OK my little brony, Your going to fly an circles, as fast as your little wings can take you. With a little luck you'll create a whirlwind that will pull all the snow into it, then just fly outside and the snow will go with you.”

After a moment of looking at my blank stare, I'm not a smart pony, he finally relented and gave me the short version.

“Fly in circles real fast to make a whirlwind then drag it out the window”

Oh, why didn't he just say that?

I spread my wings and beat them down, lifting into the air. Picking up speed I circled the hall, taking tighter and tighter turns. Slowly my tailwind began to form the small twister Firewall had assured me would come. As the tornado began to gain strength I found it harder to keep the circling up, the winds were blowing me off course and the snow being drawn in was making it hard to see.
Right, I cant keep this up an longer, I'm losing control. With a sudden flap of my ebony wings, I rolled towards one of the halls openings, barrel rolling through and into the warm sunlight.

Snow billowed out, spreading out in the air, the sunlight glittering across the flakes as they fell.

After a minute or two the air was clear again and I winged back inside, the hall was clear and dry again. Wow it worked!

Firewall gave me a wide grin as I danced on the spot, the excitement of pulling off a trick like that was making me giddy. As I keep saying, I'm not a smart pony but I understood then that this was a test. Winter Sky wanted me to realise that I was so focused on my draconic magic, I was neglecting the magic I was born with, I was forgetting I was a Pegasus.

“Firewall, Winter sky asked to to help me didn't he? He wanted me to learn what I can do without the magic of the stars?”

Firewalls grin was threatening to remove the top of his head, he raised a hoof and made a loud buzz noise. Not really sure what that meant.

“Well my burly black buddy of brilliant breaks.” I face hoofed at the bad pun, “Sky told me, Firewall if you interfere with that bucks training I will tell Princess Luna who trashed the kitchens last week.”

I thought back, Luna had been very cross that somepony had managed to smash a cabinet of crockery and break half the shelves in the pantry... Yikes, if she realised it was Firewall, the crazy pony would be in for it!

“Firewall, if you don't mind me asking... why are you trying so hard to help me? I mean I'm not important, I'm just a scruffy Pegasus with a strange power.”

The fiery unicorn gave me a smile, then pulled out another of his paper rolls and lit it with a spark from his horn. “Starshot, I saw your memories. I know what its like to have to fight for what you hold precious. You fought against something so far out of your weight class you might as well have bucked an Ursa major in the teeth. I have a soft spot for any buck who fight to protect other ponies.”

“Actually I should thank you Starshot, ever since Page began to hang out with Luna, she's really come out of her shell. She finds it tough to make friends because she's a princess.”

I was confused, to say the least. “You know Luna well?”

The ash coloured unicorn laughed, “Well you could say that, she's my girlfriend!”

Well shut my mouth, I never thought Luna had a special somepony. Now I think about it, Firewall would be a good match for her, both use a lot of funny comebacks and love annoying me.
I found myself actually liking this crazy unicorn, heck, I'm proud to call him a friend.

“Well catch you later brony! I have got to go see my favourite troll.”

With a lazy wave, Firewall cantered away and left the hall. I flapped my wings, lifting myself up as I flew to one of the openings in the wall. I looked out over the city of Canterlot, The great city spread out before me. Hundreds, thousands of ponies living their lives, free of worry and pain. I felt jealous but I was at peace. All my life I had felt alone, I had been in silent pain, terrified of what was happening to me. Just to feel the peace of simple acceptance was something I never believed would be mine. I had friends, I had a girl who loved me, even with my many faults. I had a family who loved me and wanted me to be with them always.

I closed my eyes, feeling the wind stir my silver mane. The colour change had taken some getting used to, I had tried to dye it back to its original crimson but Page had told me she preferred the silver. Besides, it refused to stay any other colour than that.

On a whim I leapt out into space, my wings beat down as I ascended to the skies. My mane and tail whipped around in the strong winds, I felt so free. I had never really appreciated being a Pegasus, I just accepted it as a fact of my life. I had to admit now that the freedom of flight, just riding the winds and seeing the world spread out below me was intoxicating.

I found myself thinking of the snow, up here I couldn't do any harm so I decided to experiment a little. In my minds eye I pictured a sphere of swirling winds around me. I felt the cold winds stir, flakes of snow beginning to form, glittering in the bright sunlight. The air chilled as the weather responded to my pegasi magic. Silverheart had told me on my first day that what I was learning was just basic weather magic on a much smaller scale. Well this was turning into something a little bigger. The winds and snow had gathered around me, spinning around as if in a blizzard. With a grin at my success I released the magic, watching as the snow filled winds broke away and scattered.

*** ***

Winter Sky had returned a little over an hour ago and had me creating items out of ice to train me in its use. Everything from crystals to cubes and even an ice rose that I hoofed to Lt. Silverheart, much to my fellow Archons laughter. Well at least until she glared at them, silencing the laughter instantly. That girl is one tough pony.

Finally The captain decided I was ready to spar using my new found icy powers. Surprisingly the first pony to volunteer to spar with the rookie was Blue Rain.

Just like last time we faced off in the middle of the hall, the Archons lined up on one side, only difference was Hotshot taking bets on the fight. I wasn't too happy with the way the bets seemed to be in favour of Blue Rain, but then again he DID have years of experience on me.

I stretched out my wings, recalling the captains words to me. “Starshot, in this fight I want to see you use what you have learned. If I'm satisfied at your progress we will move onto the next phase of your training.”

Blue Rain glared at me with... almost like hate. Guess he was still sore that a rookie had kicked his flank in 10 seconds flat.

“Wait! Wait! Don't start without me!”

I glanced over my shoulder to see Firewall galloping across the hall, The crazy unicorn skidded to a halt behind Hotshot. Panting with exertion the ashen unicorn hoofed the red Pegasus a small bag.

“I'm putting 200 bits on the rookie, and another 500 same way from Storm Wing.”

OK THAT got a bit of a reaction, Firewall I understood, he liked me but the idea that Storm Wing, one of the toughest ponies I had ever saw thought I could beat a seasoned veteran a second time? My mind is now blown.

I looked down and took a deep breath, closing my eyes. My eyes snapped back open, locking gazes with Blue Rain. His eyes... I could see anger in them, was he going to try to seriously hurt me?

Winter Sky brought his hoof down to begin the fight.

I leapt into the air, ready for anything. Well except for my opponent flying at me, trailing electrified smoke and body checking me so hard I crashed into the far wall with bone crunching force.

I staggered back to my hooves, more winded than hurt as Blue Rain called out across the hall to me, “Well it seems your not as tough as you believe yourself to be, without surprise you have nothing. Time for me to show you where a rookie like you sits in the pecking order.”

He was right, it was time for me to show him how I survived all this time against everything Equestria could throw at me.

“Hey Blue Drizzle! You going to flap your gums at me or are we going to fight?”

I flew at him, The blue Pegasus launched at me again, trailing electrified smoke. I brought both of my front hooves down onto the floor hard, creating a wall of ice right in front of my opponent. With no time to dodge, Blue Rain crashed through, meeting my back hooves coming the other way. The impact sent him crashing back through the remains of the ice wall. I followed fast, sweeping his legs from under him with a wing as he tried to stand. My wing slammed down into his stomach on the backstroke, driving the air from him and slamming his body back into the marble floor. My right front hoof swung towards Blue Rains face, my ice control forming a long icicle as it descended. I pulled up short, the frozen point an inch from his face.

“I'm sorry, I know you don't like me but I respect you. Your a hero of Equestria and I'm just a buck with strange powers. But there's too much riding on me getting a lot stronger for me to worry about pecking orders. Besides, its not always the most experienced fighter that wins, sometimes its the smartest.”

I stood back and shook off the icicle. I reached out, offering a hoof to Blue Rain, hoping he could at least respect me. After a moment he took my hoof and I pulled him back upright.

“Hey captain!” Blue Rain called out, “I've changed my mind, I'm curious how far this buck can go. Besides, he's tough but has a good heart, I like him.”

Well shut my mouth? He liked me? Then why the hostility? I glanced at the Captain, Winter Sky was smiling? Oh...he set this up... I remembered hearing around the castle when I tried to find out more about the Archons that Winter Sky didn't care about being abrasive and underhanded if it trained a better Archon, so he had gave me a target to focus on to make me learn fast how to take on a stronger opponent? Well I must say it worked, I had never once thought of my wings as a weapon unless edged by my draconic magic.

It sank in then why Winter Sky wanted me for this group of his, it wasn't my size, or my odd magic's. He wanted me because I was a Pegasus who refused to stop, one who would never quit fighting for what he cared about. Plus it seems that with the training I was working through I was turning into a real bad flank. Heh, that's actually kind of funny even to think, the shy Pegasus with no confidence, the young colt who was bullied every day, has grew up to be a member of Equestria's most elite fighting force. Winter must have seen something in me that I never saw myself.

“Starshot! Stop daydreaming and fall in!” My body was moving before my mind had even registered the captains order.

I stood at my place in the front row, behind me and to my left stood Night Feather. She was my unofficial partner, as the captain said, I'm the worst at weather control he's ever seen, my combat skills are way above average though so I was assigned the role of a Sword Archon. My role was to hit the target while my partner used the elements to attack from a distance.

“Archons!” Winters impressive voice boomed across the hall, “Who here believes this recruit is ready for the room? All who agree step forward!”

In unison each pony stepped forward, even Firewall oddly enough. Wait, what the hay is the room?

Winter Sky led me through the Halls of the Archons, the pretentiously named area we trained in... wow that was a big word for me, Page's smarts are rubbing off!

After a few minutes of walking we reached a heavy metal doorway. The Captain opened it with a hoof and led me inside, it was so very dark. The light from the doorway barely lit a few hoof steps into the chamber, what little I could make out consisted of glittering gems set every few feet into the floor, a light glittering in the dark made me think that gems were set like that into the walls and ceiling as well. Oddly there seemed to be broken pillars of all shapes and sizes stretching away into the gloom. Winter Sky gave me a stern gaze.

“Starshot, this stage of training is much different from any you have experienced before. When you enter this room the training will begin, you will have to spend three days in there. I will warn you now that you will see things, some good but most will be disturbing but most of all this will test your endurance to its limits and beyond. If at any point you decide you have reached your limits then call out 'I quit' and the training will end. Oh and one rule, no using that dragon magic of yours.”

Lt. Silverheart trotted over and laid a hoof on my shoulder.

“Starshot, you have shown great promise. If you think your not ready for this then say so now and we will wait a week before trying again.”

As an answer I trotted through the door. The light was cut off completely as the door slammed shut, leaving me in total darkness.

“What's the worst that this place could be?”

One of these days Page's smarts will rub off on me enough that I would stop asking such stupid questions...

A bolt of lightning arched down from the ceiling, striking me between my wings, I screamed in agony as a second bolt shot from the darkness to my right and hit me in the neck. I took to the air, narrowly dodging the third bolt as it arced from the floor. I span, swooping low to avoid more bolts as they arched at me at random from every direction. With a grunt I ran straight into a pillar, then screamed as two bolts caught me at once.

Time for me stopped existing, all there was was the strobe lights of the lightning shooting from the gemstones and the darkness. There was no pattern to learn, the lightning was purely random, sometimes it came in bursts, sometimes it stopped for a while, once every gem fired at once, wreathing the room in cracking energy and forcing screams of agony from my lips.

The attacks I could handle, it was the periods of total darkness that got to me. I began to see things, the burning towns I couldn't save, I saw Page crushed under stone ruins. I saw Nightmare Blaze sneering down at me, I even heard her odd duel toned voice mocking me.

“Little foal? Do you really believe this will make you strong enough to face my power?”

“I will find you and I will kill you, You hurt ponies I cared about and threatened the girl I love. You died when you did that, all that remains is for me to find you.”

Wow, even I was surprised at the hate in my voice.

The visions became warped memories that cut me to my very soul, I saw Page standing over me as I lay crushed under rubble, a sneer of hatred on her face. I saw Sunspot and Page standing over my grave. Some visions were too twisted and warped for me to even describe.

The time passed slowly, I was in constant pain, tired to the point of exhaustion from constant flying and dodging. Even in the times I had to rest I was racked with those hallucinations. The room suddenly lit up, I braced, expecting another storm of lightning but nothing came.

Two unicorns galloped into the room, looking panicked as they headed towards me. I took a stop forward and promptly fell on my face, as I passed out a single thought came to me.

“Yep, That's my limit.”

*** ***

Groan...

If I woke up in this medical wing much more they will give me my own private bed. Now I could finally see I checked out my injuries. Burns covered me in random places, I had a hole burnt through the feathers of my left wing. Some kind of cool mist surrounded my bed, soothing my burns. I settled down, hoping for more sleep when Luna's voice made the walls shake.

“YOU DID WHAT?”

“Princess, please calm down, the royal Canterlot voice will wake my patient.”

“I'm sorry doctor, now Captain Winter Sky, you will explain to me why you sent a barely trained recruit into a training room set for ten year veteran Archons.”

“Princess, As an Archon he will have to overcome impossible odds as a part of his duties. I must also point out that he has already reached a point in his training where I would promote a five year veteran.”

“That doesn't explain why you never even warned Starshot that you were advancing his training!”

“Princess, As you yourself will have noticed, if we don't tell that pony he shouldn't be able to do something, then he never finds out.”

“I'm not sure I get your meaning captain.”

“He should not have been able to take on a dragon, he should not have learned to control an element like starlight, he should not have been able to beat a veteran Archon with a century more experience than him once let alone twice. He was not told this and he never found out. I never told him that he would not be able to pass this stage of training for another ten years and he never found out.”

There was a soft sigh. “Captain, I am aware you know the best ways to train an Archon but I feel what your doing with Starshot is excessive.”

I rolled painfully to my hooves and walked towards the voices, I found Luna and the captain in the hall outside my treatment room, both seemed shocked I was up.

“Luna, I know you care if I get hurt but I need this kind of training if I'm going to be ready for when Blaze shows herself again.”

I gave Winter Sky a nod, “I must get back to training, I'll see you both later”

I took two steps down the hallway before my legs gave out and dropped me on my face. An indigo light surrounded me as I was gently lifted by Luna's magic. With care she took me back to my misty bed and lay me down.

“Starshot, I understand why your pushing yourself like this but if you kill yourself training then who will be there for Page?”

Oh Luna, that was low...

I knew Page was scared to sleep alone now, but I had been away from her for days at least.

“Luna...How long was I training and how long have I been in here?”

Luna stared down at me with sad eyes, “You really don't know? You where in there for almost a week before Page sought me out, You've been away from her for almost seventeen days...”

I tried to stand up again, seventeen days? How could I leave her for so long without telling her what I was doing? What was wrong with me?

Luna pushed me back down gently, “Rest now, when your healed you can go to her.”

I tried again to rise, I had to see Page and apologise. Luna sighed, her horn flashed and all my strength failed me, I felt myself fall back into unconsciousness.

“Sleep now, She will be there when you wake.”

*** ***

I stood outside the door to my room, for the first time in months I was actually afraid. What is she didn't want me any more? What if she had found somepony else? I couldn't take it if she left me, I would deserve it for what I did but it would break me again.

I swallowed nervously and knocked, feeling a little foalish as this was my room.

“Who is it?”, Pages voice tugged at my heart, my fears of losing her rushed to the front of my mind. With a shaking voice I called back.

“P..Page?...Its me S..Starshot...”, What a time for my old habit of stuttering to return.

“And what do you want?”, Her voice cut to my heart, I felt myself begin to cry. I had hurt the girl I loved.

“I...I'm sorry Page, I was....obsessed, I let my need to protect the ponies from that thing out there distract me from...from the girl I'm in love with...I..I'm sorry...”

Silence came from behind the door.

“I'll go now...”

Page's voice called out, “Oh no you don't! You have to make it up to me, get your flank in here now!”

I fumbled with the door handle, suddenly as clumsy as a newborn filly. Page wasn't in the sitting room, I trotted into the bedroom and froze. My jaw hit the ground as I began to sweat.

Page lay on my bed, her glasses were off, her pale green mane hung loose across her shoulders. Her legs were covered in deep purple socks that rode all the way to her flank, with a smile she beckoned to me with a hoof. I don't think I have ever been so scared and confused.

“Oh my gosh...”

Shortly after that for me, Equestria moved.

*** ***

I awoke with Page curled up against my chest, I had to get up but I was so focused into the afterglow of last night, Page had been understanding of my inexperience, she took control and led me through every action. It had to have been the best night of my life to date.

I carefully climbed out the bed, making sure not to wake page. I drew the blanket over her sleeping form and planted a kiss on her cheek. I wrote her a note, letting her know I was going to the Halls of the Archons, and with a sigh I left to return to my duties.

I knew something was up the moment I walked into the main hall, every Archon, Well all but Winter Sky, was smirking at me. Firewall stood next to the captain with a grin so wide I expected the top of his head to fall off.

Hotshot slapped me on the back, “Well looks like our rookie is all grown up now!”

They knew..me and Page had...

With a groat I dropped to the floor and covered my face with my hooves, why Celestia? Why do you do this to me?

“Fall in!”

Without thinking all of us formed up into our lines and stood to attention. Winter Sky paced back and forth in front of us before speaking.

“Today we will be patrolling the area between Trottingham and Canterlot, there has been reports of a large green dragon attacking settlements. You are to find it and force it out of Equestria's borders. Private Starshot, You will not be on this patrol, you are going to spend the day in the royal library. By the days end you will bring me a list of every captain the Sky Archons have had since we were formed. Night Feather, you are to head to the armoury and collect Starshot's armour. You have your assignments, consider yourselves dismissed and testing my patience.”

That's the captain for you, all business.

As the other Archons filed out I headed back to the hallway, Firewall fell in beside me. His smile was getting to me, I KNEW he was going to annoy me about last night. Finally the ash coloured unicorn turned to me.

“So..you and Page huh? Bow Chicka Wow Wow!”

“Bow chicka what? What do those noises mean?”

Firewall shook his head at me. “I mean you and Page finally got it together. I'm not trying to troll you buddy, I'm genuinely happy for you two.”

“How do you all know about it anyway?”

“Two reasons Starshot, First Page isn't a quiet pony...”

Oh pony feathers....I could feel the blush on my face spread.

“And secondly, Luna helped set it up, those socks were hers!”

Yep, that will do it, Celestia just kill me now and end it all.

With a lazy salute, the fiery unicorn headed off towards the royal apartments and I headed into the library....oh no...

The library was massive, five floors of books towered above me, shelve after shelve stretched into the distance. Looking up at the skylight set into the distant ceiling made me feel dizzy, pretty ironic as I fly every day. With a defeated sigh I began to wander the shelves.

“Hmm lets see.. Archons, Archons, arches, arrows, armour...zebras?”

I had not even got halfway along the first shelf and I was confused, how the hay did anypony find anything in here?

“Can I help you?”

I turned to find a unicorn staring at me with an oddly appraising look. A thick brown mane hung in lank locks to one side of his face, his coat was an off white colour, red scars criss crossed his body and face. Green eyes, flecked with silver stared hard at me. Something about those eyes seemed sad, I got the feeling this stallion had seen a lot of horrible things in his time.

“Hi, my name is Starshot. I'm looking for something on the history of the Sky Archons?”

The scarred unicorn gave me an odd look, then slowly smiled and broke into laughter! With a grin he pointed a hoof at me.

“Your a new recruit right?”

Now I was confused, Why in Equestria does everypony know everything about me before I even meet them?

The scarred unicorn gave a chuckle, “Princess Luna warned me you may be sent here, from what I understand its a tradition. There is no official history on the Sky Archons. But the Princess has left some notes, she said it was to make up for the training room?”

I grinned back, lifting a hoof to show some of the bandages I still wore around my more serious burns.

The white unicorn winced, with a smile he held out a hoof, “Davy Downpour, resident librarian.”

I bumped his hoof with mine, “Starshot, resident butt of every joke.”

With a friendly smile, Davy led me deeper into the enormous library, huh so he had a pencil cutie mark. An artist? We stopped at a long table and Davy motioned me to a pile of paper set on top of a thick book.

“OK Starshot, I must get back to caring for these books. Especially that book...”

I almost missed the last few words they were spoken so softly.

“There's one book you look after more than the others?”

“Well...Yes, Its not one that you will have heard of. The Necronomicon is not well known.”

I recalled a horror story I had read as a colt, There was an evil book that created zombie ponies, what was the name?Oh yes, The Necronomicon ex equine mortis, book of the pony dead. Nah, it couldn't be.

With a friendly wave, Davy left me to my reading and disappeared among the shelves.

The pile of paper had a handwritten note clipped to it,

Starshot,

I left you the information you will need in these notes.

First look at the marked page in the book, I have been doing some research of my own.

Luna

With a wing shrug I flipped to the marked page, there was a picture of two ponies on one page. A midnight black earth pony of incredible size, blue eyes and a white mane gave him a look of power. Next to him stood a small Pegasus mare, Her grey coat shone, her red eyes and mane was tempered by a heart warming smile. Why did Luna want me to read this?

I looked at the writing on the other page, blah blah guardsmen, something about a marriage... My mind froze as I read the words before me.

Celebrations in Trottingham today as Lt. Starfall of the Trottingham city guard, and his wife Skyshot of the Equestrian Skyguard celebrate the birth of their son. The young colt, named Starshot has been called a joy to behold. The black coated Pegasus child has inherited his mothers red mane and eyes and is hoped to join the town guard when he grows up.

“Mom..Dad..”

The parents I never knew looked back at me from the page, now I knew what I was seeing I saw parts of myself in each of them, my fathers huge build, my mothers eyes. Tears fell on the page, I knew I must have looked strange but at that moment I couldn't have cared one bit.

I turned the page, A newspaper article covered the spread, a small note was pinned to the bottom of the page.

Tragedy in Trottingham

Horror struck today in the city of Trottingham when the attack of the rogue dragon Hell-fang claimed the lives of hundreds, most noticeably was the husband and wife duo of Starfall and Skyshot.

These two ponies held back the dragons attack for almost ten minutes, saving the lives of hundreds. Both later died of their injury's.

The deceased have left there son, a two year old named Starshot without immediate family, With no relatives to claim the colt he will be given to the custody of the Trottingham Orphanage.

The town mayor had this to say, “These ponies showed incredible courage and strength, even when hurt with wounds that would have dropped any other pony, they still refused to quit. If not for them, the town would have been lost.”

My eyes fell on the note, written in Luna's neat hoof writing, was a simple message.

They would have been proud of you.

I hugged to book to my chest, tears flowed down my face. I wasn't abandoned, my parents loved me, they fought to protect ponies and died for what they believed in, I was more than proud, I was honoured that I was their son. Starfall, Skyshot.. even my name was a part of them.

I must have looked funny, a huge Pegasus, member of the most elite force in Equestria's history and I was crying like a little foal. I swore to myself I would never let this book go.

Composing myself, I began reading Luna's notes. Even with my dislike of reading I found myself interested, The Archons had existed for well over two thousand years but only two captains where listed.

Winter Sky
Storm Wing

I read the names of each Archon with wide eyes, Silverheart, Hotshot.... bar a few name, the roster was identical to today's Archons..that means...

The Sky Archons were immortal? How was that even possible?

I glanced up to the skylight, The sky was fading to orange.. oh pony feathers! if I didn't shake a hoof I would be late! Taking the book and notes in my mouth, I galloped out of the library and down the halls.

I sprinted through the doorway into the Halls of the Archons and skidded to a halt. The hall was empty bar Night Feather and Lt. Silverheart, The lieutenant waved me over.

“Private! Good timing, The dragon has been found, Support is needed and Winter Sky wants all Archons mobilised, get suited up and back here in 10 minutes.”

Night Feather flew towards the armoury, I joined her, excited that I would finally get a suit of that cool white armour. I pulled up short as I passed the door, Night Feather stood next to a huge suit of barding, It was crafted in shining silver metal, edged with white, intricate dragon scales was etched into the shining metal. The helmet was incredible, scaled like the chest plate, long plates covered the sides of the muzzle, a thick plate curled over the top, split down its middle to allow my horn access. Leg plates left the hooves bare, a note was pinned to the side.

Starshot,

This armour is different from our standard issue, the hooves are bared to allow you to use your magic's as required, now stop admiring it and move out!

Winter Sky

With help from Night Feather, I got armoured up.

“Wow, you look good!”, Night Feather grinned at me as she bound my tail in the same metal ringlets as my mane.

I gave a grin back, “Thanks I guess?”

“You sure your up for this? I know you never got a lot of sleep last night!”

Oh please no, not her too!

Silverheart's shout came from the hall, “No time for chitchat, Move it!”

with the lieutenant in the lead we flew from the castle, the weight of my new armour took a little adjusting too. Still maybe it will stop me from being hurt in every fight.

The flight took almost an hour, I knew we were getting close as the flashes of flame and noises of battle loomed in the darkness. Patches of woodland burned, lighting the fight in flickering light. The great green dragon was backed against a cliff wall, preventing the Archons from flanking it.

“Night Feather, assist in distractions, Starshot. Your to attack directly. The palace has authorised lethal force.”

With our orders fresh in out minds, we attacked, Night Feather flew in close and blew the dragon a kiss, A bolt of lightning struck down, blinding the creature for a moment, Hotshot flew in from the left, smashing a hoof across the dragons face, I repeated the action from the right.

The twin strikes seemed to stun the beast for a moment and the rest of the Archons struck. Blue Rain slammed his back hooves into the dragons gut, Hotshot dropped from the sky like a stone, all four hooves slamming down on the dragons muzzle, I came in low and with my hooves trailing frost, smashed both front hooves under its chin. Everything was going so well..

Night Feather swooped in to try another flash, That's when it all went wrong. The dragon blew a stream of fire, tracking Hotshot with its attack. Blue Rain was forced to dodge skywards as the flames crossed near him. The flash of light from the attacks burst blinding my partner, The dragon swung a claw at Night Feather, There was no way for her to dodge in time. I did what I always did and body checked her out the way. The claw smashed me from the sky. I bounced from the force I hit the ground, feeling a leg break, Then a claw pressed down, slowly crushing me into the broken stone. I tried to force my way up, my magic and my strength pushed upwards slowly before the dragons weight forced me back down. I felt my armour begin to bend under the pressure and felt a rib crack.

Silverheart shouted orders, trying to rescue me before I was crushed, “Night Feather! Hit it with lightning, Blue Rain! Hotshot! Hit that thing with everything you have! Get it off Starshot!”

Darkness edged my vision as I began to black out, The dragon lowered its face down to me and spoke.

“Pathetic, once I have killed you and your friends I will hunt down those you love. Your family will die screaming. All because you were weak!”

He was going to kill Page, my family? I saw them all in my mind, Charcoals stern face, Summers sweet smile, the smirk that never left North Winds face, Page with her clumsy advances...
He was going to kill them...

Something in my head broke, fire burned through my limbs as a presence began to force itself into my body. The invading presence took control, I was too weak to stop it.

My voice spoke but it wasn't me talking! “You will not touch them...”

Silver flames erupted from my body, the dragon reared back in pain and surprise as my body slowly stood. I was trapped inside my mind, seeing the actions but unable to control them. The flames died away, all but my mane, which now seemed to be made of the silver fire, armour covered me, not the magic I was used to, this was dark. Sharp edges covered every surface, two horns curled from the helmet down to my muzzle.

The other me stared at the dragon as I felt my broken bones knit back together, what the hay is happening to me?

The green dragon attacked, a claw swinging down, with almost like contempt, one of my wings flicked out, the magic sheathing it sliced the beasts claw from its arm. I couldn't do that!
My body attacked, silver fire erupted from my muzzle,washing over the great beast. Its screams of pain echoed as the Archons watched in shock.

My body trotted to the whimpering form of the dragon, and with a smile that had me screaming inside my mind, reared up and brought two hooves, trailing silver flames, down on the dragons injured arm with a sickening crunch.

I battered against the other presence, trying to regain control as my body took to the air and began to slam my flame wreathed hooves into the dragons head again and again.

“Starshot! Stand down! Stand down now! That's an order private!”, Silverheart's plea was ignored as my body continued to beat the beast slowly to death. Blood covered my hooves to the knees and was splattered across my face. Still I was wearing that sadistic smile. Please somepony stop me!

Shut your whining now.

Wait what?

I said shut up, you don't have the stones to do what's necessary, I'm tired of watching you hurt our body because of your incompetence.

Who or what are you?

I'm you, I'm the you where your soul and Alganon merge.

No! your not me! I'm not sadistic!

You are now.

Chilling laughter echoed in my mind,this other me was strong, far stronger than me. How could I regain control?

You cant.

I watched in horror as my hooves came down a final time. The dragons head was now just chunks of blood and bone. Gore dripped from me. Oh Celestia did I feel sick.

The massive shape of Winter Sky flew at me, my body just laughed and swung to attack. Please no!

The big Pegasus seemed to fade as he neared and then slammed into me. I was thrown backwards, bouncing across the ground as I fell limp. As my vision began to fade I saw the twisted version of my silver magic's floating above me, before fading away. Before I lost consciousness I heard Hotshot ask the same question I was asking myself.

“What in Equestria IS he?”