Under the Moonlight

Chapters

Prologue
Welcome to Canterlot
First Weeks
Air Under My Wings
Return to Ponyville
Love is Blooming
Bad News
Golden Warriors
Daynight
Harnessing Power
Cheating Mare - Part I
Cheating Mare - Part ll
Two Years Later
New Family, Old Friends
Protection Needed
Thunderblast from the Past
Prophecies
A Small World It Was
It Happened Again
All is Clear
Stargazing
Royal Threats
Security Breach
Lockdown
The Revolution: Part l
The Revolution: Part ll
The Revolution: Part lll
Explosive Personalities
Only a Miracle Can Save us All
Shining Iron Armor
Suspicious Friendships
Epilogue

Prologue

"Why.... why did everything have to happen?" said a grey pegasus, between the size of a colt and a stallion, tearing up while looking down at his adoptive parents' graves. “I…I’m so sorry mom, dad.”

“It’s not your fault,” chimed in the familiar voice of another colt.

The pegasus then turned around, and saw a slightly larger red earth pony colt with a light orange mane and tan trimmed hooves, as well as a piece of wheat sticking out of his mouth standing just a few feet behind him, looking down at the distraught pegasus.

“It is, Big Mac...I could have saved them,” the pegasus replied, choking up.

“You and I did everything we could, Thunder. We just weren’t strong enough,” Big Macintosh said back to the pegasus, laying a hoof on his shoulder from behind.

“I know…But why did it have to happen?” said the pegasus in a broken voice, shedding a couple of tears at the same time.

“Ah just don’t know… Things happen,” Big Macintosh replied.

“I don’t understand though.. Why does this keep happening to me? Am I just bad luck?” The pegasus asked, wiping the tears from his eyes.

“Hey, ya are anything but bad luck. It was just a tragic accident. I miss ma and pa too, but we gotta move on. If we continue to think about it, it won’t get us anywhere in life,” Big Mac comforted the pegasus. “Come on, let’s head back home. Applejack and Granny Smith are probably wondering where we are.”

“Okay. You head on back, I’ll catch up in a few,” the pegasus said back as he watched the bigger colt walk into the sea of apple trees, before turning his attention back to the graves. “I miss you guys. I wish you could come back,” he said, before sitting up straight and walking back towards a barn.

Not long later, the pegasus made it to the barn, climbing up a water chute to a window, quietly opening it, then sneaking in, leaving the window open behind him before crawling into a bed and snuggling into the sheets.

The pegasus groaned as he rolled around in bed for the next 10 minutes, before finally turning to face the window, getting a perfect view of the large white planet in the sky, the moon, before shutting his eyes and falling asleep.

The next morning, the colt woke to the sounds of rain quickly coming in through the window, realizing he had left it open all night.

"Ugh..." He groaned as he slowly rolled out of bed, only to land face down onto the wood floor. He then slowly got up and shut the window, before stretching like he does every morning. The sounds of his bones cracking from the stretch was the only sound that filled the air, other than the rain of course.

After stretching, he went downstairs to make an easy breakfast, Apple oats, not remembering today was the day he left his home town for Canterlot, the capitol of Equestria.

When coming downstairs, a filly’s voice rang out, startling the young colt.

“Thunderblast!!” said the voice, soon followed by galloping, and an orange filly, around the same size as the pegasus, with freckles and long blonde hair tackle-hugged the pegasus.

“GAAH!” squealed the pegasus, now pinned down by the filly. “Applejack! Get off of me!” He ordered, giggling a little.

The filly continued to hug him, also giggling. “I can’t believe my brother is leaving for Canterlot today! I’m going to miss you so much!” she said, sounding excited but sad at the same time.

“Leaving for Canterlot? For what?” The pegasus asked, seeming puzzled.

“You don’t remember? You’re going to sign up for the Royal Guard today!” The filly squeaked out, getting off of the pegasus.

“Oh gosh. That’s right. I forgot that was today.” The pegasus said, getting up off of the floor. “Do you think they’ll accept me?” He asked nervously.

“Oh, of course they will. I’m sure you’ll do good anyways.” She answered, smiling at the colt.

“Thanks, AJ. Where’s Granny Smith and Big Macintosh?” he asked.

“They’re in town right now getting a few things, they’ll be back just in time for you to leave though.” Applejack said back.

“Oh, alright.” The pegasus said, before trotting into the kitchen and making himself breakfast, while the filly went upstairs to check on the new puppy, Winona.

Thunderblast was just a young colt, who still unfortunately not figured out how to fly. He also still didn’t have his cutie mark, although he didn’t care much about it. He was planning on taking a train to Canterlot today so he could join the Royal Guard, his dream job. Thunder, however, was just 14 years old, which made him wonder if they’d accept him, despite his age.

Silence filled the air for just a few minutes after Thunder had eaten, before the front door was unlocked and opened, and an old green mare with a pale-white mane, and a red colt, Big Macintosh, entered the house.

“We’re home Thunder, Applejack!” Rang out the voice of Granny Smith, carrying a paper bag on her back, then setting it on the kitchen counter.

“Thunder? Applejack?” Big Macintosh called out as he searched around the living room and kitchen, worrying him when Thunder nor Applejack answered.

After trotting up the stairs, he gets pounced on by the filly and the colt, who then pin him down and tickle him.

“GAAAAAH!” Big Macintosh squealed, laughing from the tickles.

Thunderblast and Applejack soon joined in on the laughter, rolling off of Big Macintosh onto their backs.

Soon enough, the tickling was over, and the three played in Big Macintosh’s bedroom for an hour, knowing this would be the last time they ever play all together, ignoring the fact it was still raining sheets outside.

“Big Maaaaac? Applejaaaaack? Where are youuuuu?” Thunder searched slowly around the room, knowing at some point he will get caught by the two.

“BOO!” The two jumped out, startling Thunder.

“WAAH!” He screamed, leaping two feet in the air and backwards, before landing on his back.

“GET HIM!” Applejack yelled, giggling, before they ran over to Thunder and held him down, before rubbing his belly, one of Thunder’s ticklish spots.

“NOOOO, MY WEAKNESS!” Thunder squeaked, also giggling and trying to get away, only to be pinned down by Big Macintosh.

“Thunderblast? Big Mac? AJ?” rang out Granny Smith, standing at the bottom of the steps. “It’s almost time for Thunder’s train to leave!”

“Awww!” The three all said at once, knowing the fun is over, possibly forever.

“I’m not sure if I wanna go…” Thunder said, sounding nervous.

“Thunder, you already have your train ticket, you can’t just not go. They come after the ponies that don’t make it on the train.” Applejack said, carrying Thunder’s saddlebag before throwing it to him.

“Th-they do?!” Thunder said, now a bit scared.

“Nah, I’m joking Thunder. They don’t do that.” Applejack replied, giggling.

“Oh… Whew…” Thunder sighed for relief.

The three then came downstairs, Thunder putting on his rain coat, then they all gathered by the door.

“I’m gonna miss you so much, Thunder.” Big Macintosh said, wiping a tear from his eye.

“Me too.” Applejack said, eyes widening as if she’s about to cry.

“Come on you two, there’s no need to cry. I’ll still come and visit when I can. Besides, I’m just leaving for a couple of days.” Thunder comforted them.

“I’m so proud of you, Thunder. Taking on a big responsibility of protecting the princesses in the greatest city in Equestria!” Granny Smith exploited. “I’m sure your parents would be so proud of you.”

“Yeah.. I’m sure they would..” Thunder said, lowering his head, almost tearing up after hearing that.

“Don’t worry, big brother. You’ll do just fine.” Applejack said, trotting up to Thunder and hugging him, soon joined by Granny Smith and Big Macintosh, and even Winona, who was just a small puppy.

Not long later, Thunder trotted out into the rain and through town towards the train station. The rain soon died down slightly, but still came down.

Thunder arrived at the train station, gave the conductor his ticket, then boarded the train and sat down in a seat on the left side of the train, taking off his rain coat and settling in.

Less than a minute later, the car soon began to fill up with ponies of different colors, races, and sizes. A business pony then trotted up next to Thunder and asked. “Mind if I sit across from you?”

“No, go ahead. I don’t mind,” Thunder answered, moving his saddle bag under his seat.

“Thanks,” the business pony said, sitting down and putting his briefcase underneath his seat, then pulling out a laptop and typing up a storm on it, most likely not doing any work like he appears to be doing.

“So… Where ya headed?” The business pony asked, not taking his eyes off the screen.

“Hmm?” Thunder asked, not catching what he said.

“Where are you headed?” He asked again.

“Oh, uh. Canterlot,” Thunder answered.

“I know Canterlot, WHERE in Canterlot?” The pony asked.

“Uhh, I’m not sure if I want to tell you that,” Thunder replied.

The business pony looked up from his screen and looked at Thunder. “I’m not gonna follow your or anything, I have a meeting that I need to be to when I get off the train.”

“Promise?” Thunder asked.

“Does it look like I would lie to you?” The businesspony answered.

“Probably. We just met 5 minutes ago,” Thunder said back.

“Okay, fine, you got me,” he groaned, admitting defeat, then returning his attention to his computer screen.

A large jolt shook the train as it jerked forward as it departed Ponyville, and Thunder watched as his rainy home town slowly moved away from him.

“Goodbye, Ponyville.” Thunder sighed, putting his hoof on the window.

About 3 hours later, the train started entering more and more tunnels as it approached the capitol city, Canterlot. The rain also stopped and the sun was soon seen in a partly-cloudy sky. When the city became visible from the train, Thunder looked out the window at the massive city in the distance, passing a sign saying: “Welcome to Canterlot.”

Welcome to Canterlot

At about one in the afternoon, the train pulled into Canterlot station and in the blink of an eye, ponies were flooding out of the train cars and onto the platform, while the conductor stood by Thunderblast’s car and welcomed everypony to Canterlot.

Thunder stepped out of the train, mane blowing to the left slightly from the breeze. The temperature outside was so perfect, it the air could not be felt at all. He then took a deep breath and walked through the station building and out to the street, which was full of many different ponies.

After going to a hotel to check into a room to leave his bags, Thunder searched and searched the city for a Royal Guard recruitment station, not getting any luck for at least thirty minutes. Finally, he found one, stood in front of it and looked up at the two-story high building. He took a deep breath and trotted in, feeling so nervous he could just scream, but he couldn’t knowing that there was a royal guard at the end of the hall sitting at a desk, shuffling through piles of papers.

The guard kept his head down as he read a list of all of the new recruits, not noticing Thunder approaching him.

“Ahem.” Thunderblast said, hoping to get his attention.

The guard looked up at Thunder and investigated him for a couple of seconds. “Can I help you sir?” he asked.

“Uhh, well. I’m here to sign up for the royal guard,” Thunder replied.

“Oh, uh, okay.” The guard then turned his chair around and grabbed a piece of paper and handed it to Thunder. “I need you to sign this for me.”

“Alright. Thanks,” Thunder said, taking the paper and sitting down, going through some questions about himself.

A few minutes later, Thunder turned it in to the guard and he examined it.

“So, Thunderblast.. You’re from Ponyville and you’re….” The guard then noticed his birth date. “You’re fourteen. Is that correct?” he asked.

“Uh…yeah…is that a problem?” Thunder nervously asked.

“Well, a little bit. There’s a new rule in the guard, and the youngest you can join is at least seventeen, which means you can’t join for another three years,” the guard explained in a serious tone.

“Oh…” Thunder said, feeling upset.

“Don’t worry, I can still hire you, but not as a royal guard. All guards who join a year or two before regulations are hired as either coffee servers or janitors. You can choose whichever, although we really need more coffee servers,” the guard said.

“Coffee server then,” Thunder answered.

“Alright. I’ll call Iron Armor down here and he’ll interview you. Okay?” The guard said.

“Iron Armor?” Thunder asked, gulping. “Y-you mean… Captain Iron Armor?”

“Well, yeah,” the guard picked up the phone and dialing the captain’s office.

Thunder then felt a wave of fear hit him, knowing that the captain of the Royal Guard will be sitting right in front of him in just a few minutes. He somewhat managed to keep his fears inside of him.

“Alright, bye,” the guard said as he hung up the phone, which snapped Thunder out of his trance. “Iron will be here in a few minutes. Come with me,” he said, getting off of his chair and leading Thunder to a small office. After Thunder sat down, the guard noticed Thunder was worried.

“You alright?” he asked.

“Hmm? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I’m fine,” Thunder nervously said, squeezing in an awkward smile.

The guard raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be nervous, Iron doesn’t bite.” He said, trotting out of the room before stopping at the door and turning his head to look at Thunder. “That hard..” he said chuckling slightly, shutting the door behind him.

Thunder’s eyes shrunk at the guard’s last two words, causing him to shake slightly.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and a large white pegasus stallion with silver armor with a red mane and tail trotted in. “Are you Thunderblast?” he asked.

“Y-yeah,” Thunder stuttered, shaking enough to be seen by the stallion.

The guard raised an eyebrow before sitting down at the desk across from Thunder. “I’m Iron Armor. Nice to meet you.” He said, extending his hoof across the desk to Thunder, who kindly shook it.

“Nice to meet you too, sir.” Thunder nervously said.

“So, you’re here to join the guard eh? Think you’ve got what it takes?” He said, smirking a little.

Thunder then nodded, still smiling at Iron.

Iron then noticed Thunder’s slight body build. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to catch his eye.

“I see you have a slight build there. Do you work out?” Iron asked.

“No sir, I actually bucked apple trees back in Ponyville.” Thunder replied.

“Oh, okay then. I’m happy to see you’re in shape.” Iron said, writing down on a piece of paper. “So you’re an apple farmer?” he asked.

Thunder stopped for a second, wondering if he would laugh if he said yes.

“Yes. I am.” Thunder answered.

“Hmm.. You’re probably the 4th farmer stallion this month to sign up for the royal guard. I’ve never seen a pegasus farmer though.” Iron said, before returning his attention to the paper and writing something down on it.

Thunder nervously sat there for what seemed like hours, when in reality it was only a minute.

“So. Thunder.” Iron said, putting his pen down and his hooves together. “You know you can’t join at your age, right?”

“Yeah… That’s what that other guard out there said.” Thunder answered.

“Don’t worry, if you do really good, you might get promoted to a recruit.” Iron said, smiling at Thunder.

“And if I don’t?” Thunder added on.

“If you don’t, you’ll still become a guard in 3 years time.” Iron continued.

“Okay.” Thunder said, feeling a bit sad that he couldn’t join today.

“In your spare time however, we can still have you go through training if you want.” Iron added. “Mostly physical training and aerial acrobatics.

Thunder stopped and looked down, catching Iron’s eye.

“Everything alright?” Iron asked.

“No, sir. Here’s a thing.” Thunder said, looking back up at the stallion.

“What is it?” Iron asked.

“I…I can’t fly…” Thunder choked up, closing his eyes and lowering his head slightly.

“You can’t? But…You’re a pegasus.” Iron said.

“I am, but I never really learned how to fly. I tried my hardest, I just couldn’t do it.” Thunder said back.

Iron Armor then sat back in his chair, looking down at Thunder, feeling sympathy for him.

“I can sign you up in a flight program if you’d like.” Iron offered.

“No, sir. That won’t work. I give up on flying.” Thunder said.

Iron then sighed. “Well… If you can’t fly, I’ll have to consider you an earth pony guard, so they don’t send you through flight training.”

Thunder couldn’t say anything at that moment.

“Look, kid.” Iron said, standing up much taller than Thunderblast. “It doesn’t really matter if you can fly or not, you’ll still get accepted. You’re already off to a great start in physical terms, which means basic training won’t be as hard for you when you start it.”

“I know, sir. It’s just, I’d like to be able to fly as well. I don’t want to be an earth pony with wings, sir.” Thunder said, looking up at Iron.

“I know you do, Thunder. Someday, I’m sure your chance will come and you’ll learn how to fly.” Iron said back, bringing a small smile to Thunder’s face.

“Thank you, sir. I have a feeling that time won’t come for a while though.” Thunder said, looking back at his folded up wings.

“Well, not everypony learns how to fly at the same time. If it makes you feel a little bit better, there’s a couple of other guards i’m training who are still having trouble flying, so you’re really not alone.” Iron replied.

Thunderblast looked back up at Iron. “Really?”

“Yep.” Iron said back. “Well, it was great meeting you, Thunderblast. Your shift starts next Monday, I want you at Outpost 54 at 0700 hours to start your job.” He said, extending his hoof.

“Thank you sir, it was nice meeting you too.” Thunder said, shaking Iron’s hoof and standing up. “0700 hours?” Thunder asked, confused by what he meant.

“7 AM, Thunder.” Iron answered. “I’ll have to teach you the times we use in the guard as well.” He said smiling, before walking out with Thunder.

After that, Iron Armor went his own ways, and Thunder decided to take a walk around town and admire the scenery, looking at a map he brought with him so he doesn’t get lost.

“Wow, what a view!” said an earth pony stallion, standing dangerously close to a cliff which wasn’t blocked off by barriers.

“Sir, I’m gonna have to ask you to back away from the edge.” Said a unicorn guard as he trotted up to the stallion.

“Why? I’m not gonna jump.” The stallion said back.

“Still though, please, step back.” The guard replied.

Thunder was trotting by at the time and looked over and saw the two arguing, before stopping to look at his map.

Just then, there was the sound of concrete cracking and slight rumbling. At that moment, the edge where the unicorn guard and the earth pony stallion were standing gives way, causing the earth pony to fall. The unicorn grabbed hold of the edge and was holding on for dear life.

Thunder looked up and saw the guard hanging on to the edge, and quickly dropped his map and ran over to help the guard, only to get there one moment too late. The two ponies screamed as they fell from the edge.

Thunder then had a million different thoughts of what to do going through his mind, not focusing on any of them. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, he too was falling out of control.

“Oh, crap! Why on earth did I do that?!” He shouted as he tumbled through the air. Thunder then locked his eyes on the guard and the earth pony, and gradually stopped his tumbling, gaining control over his fall.

Thunder opened his wings and kept them straight out, finally catching up to the guard and grabbing him, still far higher than the earth pony.

A moment later, there was a sound louder than anything Thunder had ever heard before, which somehow caused him to black out, and when he woke up, he had the earth pony in his grasp.

Thunder then started flapping his wings and began flying quickly back up towards the city, where a crowd of ponies had gathered after seeing him jump after the two stallions.

After landing just outside of the crowd, he set the two down, still a bit confused about what just happened, only to have the sounds of hooves clapping and cheering break his trance of thought.

“Th-thank you…” The guard stuttered, missing his helmet from the fall.

“Yeah… Thank you.” The earth pony said to Thunder, shaking like a leaf in the wind.

“You’re welcome. But, what just happened?” Thunder said, still very confused.

The crowd soon stopped applauding and cheering and bowed down, confusing Thunder even more. He turned around to see a much taller white alicorn mare with a wavy blue, pink and green mane, which made his heart stop.

“P-Princess Celestia..” Thunder stuttered, bowing down to her.

“Are you Thunderblast?” Princess Celestia asked, smiling.

“Yes, your highness. That’s me.” Thunder said, standing up straight again.

Celestia’s smile widened slightly as she looked down at the colt.

“I have never seen bravery as much as yours, Thunder. You jumped after two ponies who most likely wouldn’t have survived their fall. Thank you for that.” She said, still smiling. “I also saw your sonic boom, which was magnificent.”

“Huh? Sonic boom?” Thunderblast's head tilted, confused once more.

Princess Celestia then brought him over to the edge where some ponies were standing, looking down at a large fiery ring in the colors of a rainbow, with a trail of grey smoke traveling in the same path Thunder took when flying down then back up.

Thunder’s eyes widened at the trail, then realizing that was what caused the loud boom during his fall. “I…did that?” He asked, still looking down at it.

“Yes, you did.” Celestia smiled, too looking down toward the magnificent formation. “One more thing, Thunderblast.” She added, then pointed to his flank.

Thunder glanced at his flank, and saw something amazing. His cutie mark, a lightning bolt surrounded by a silver ring, resembling the sound barrier being broken, had appeared. His eyes widened even more, causing him to squeal.

“Oooooh my gosh!” Thunderblast squealed, fluttering his wings and bouncing up and down in the air, then looking back at his wings and flapping them, causing him to rise just a few feet in the air. “I-I’m flying?” Thunder said, tearing up some. This was now the best day in his life.

First Weeks

After Thunderblast's possible near-death experience, as well as a major shift in his destiny to becoming a royal guard, he started his job as a coffee server in the mess hall, but also started his physical training to becoming a guard in three years.

Dear diary,

It's been just a couple of weeks since I first left for Canterlot to start a new adventure as a royal guard. The physical training is really tough, but it is showing some results, to Iron Armor and to my body. Since I started, I noticed some more muscle buildup in my hooves, but it's not much. I'm hoping this will all pay off in the end, and I will get my armor and be able to call myself a royal guard.

Thunder knew three years was a very long time, but he knew if he surpassed Iron's expectations, and quite possibly the drill sergeant's expectations too, he could get accepted as a guard early. However, there was a new problem. There was another recruit, a white, blond haired pegasus stallion named Spear, who wasn't exactly that friendly with Thunderblast.

"Lookie, lookie. It's Thundercrash, writing in his little diary again." Spear chuckled, walking up behind Thunderblast, who was writing in his diary, and trying to ignore him at the same time.

"Ugh. What do you want, Spear?" Thunder asked, turning around and facing him.

"You know exactly what I want." Spear replied.

"Your pen?" Thunderblast said, grabbing a pen and giving it to Spear.

"That too." Spear said, taking the pen, then grabbing Thunder by his face and pulling him backwards onto the floor.

"HEY STOP!" Thunderblast yelled, being pinned down by his enemy.

The sound of a pony whistling filled the room, and a slightly bigger unicorn stallion walked up to them.

"Get off of Thunder." Shining Armor demanded, shoving Spear off of Thunderblast and glaring at him as he ran away. "You alright?" he asked, helping Thunder up.

"I am now. Thanks Shining." Thunderblast replied.

"No problem. If you have any more trouble with him, just tell me and i'll take care of it." Shining said back, smiling at the slightly smaller colt.

At that time, both Thunderblast and Shining Armor were recruits, but Shining was older, so he could go into training before Thunder. They stood up for each other from the day they first met, which was ironically their first day.

"We better go, my uncle wants us at the running track at 1000 hours." Shining said, walking with Thunder out the barracks door.

"1000 hours is 10 O'Clock right?" Thunderblast asked, still confused about the times royal guards use.

"Yep, exactly." Shining replied. "When we have free time, i'll show you all of the times so you can get used to them, alright?"

"Alright." Thunder said back.

"COME ON LET'S GO! MOVE MOVE MOVE! ARE WE GOING TO TROT? OR ARE WE GOING TO GALLOP?" Iron Armor yelled at the other recruits, who were running down the dirt track by the castle.

Thunderblast and Shining Armor jumped back slightly when he yelled, but then remembered it's just his drill sergeant side.

"Ah, sorry if I scared you boys. These new recruits, do NOT KNOW HOW TO GALLOP!" He said, finishing off by yelling at the recruits who began to gallop faster.

"It's fine, Uncle. When do we start?" Shining asked.

"Right now, actually. I want you two to do thirty laps around the track. I will yell for you to stop once you reach thirty, alright?" Iron said.

"Yes sir." Thunderblast and Shining Armor both said, saluting at him, then galloping down the track.

Halfway through their thirty-lap run, they started talking to each other.

"Is it just me, or is your uncle starting to get meaner? No offense of course." Thunderblast said.

"None taken, i've noticed that too. I think it might be because he got yelled at for not being assertive enough to the recruits." Shining Armor replied.

"Oh, I see." Thunder said back, now panting.

"Alright, you two. Thirty laps!" Iron Armor yelled out, and Thunderblast and Shining Armor slowed down, panting and out of energy.

"Holy.....crap....I don't think.....we should have galloped that fast." Thunder said to Shining, collapsing onto the ground, still panting like a dog.

"Me neither..." Shining replied, sitting down and panting like Thunder.

After sitting down for lunch at the mess hall and getting some of their energy back, the two then had to painfully walk back to their barrack, where they had some time before more physical training.

"Ughh." Thunderblast groaned, shutting the door to their barrack behind them, Shining Armor slowly climbing up to his bed above Thunder's.

"You said it." Shining said sighing, faceplanted down into his pillow.

Thunder and Shining layed down on their beds for a short period of time, before a couple other guards came in and layed down on their beds, but only talked, which kept them up.

"Ugh are you kidding me?" Thunderblast said, turning over and putting his pillow over his head to try and block out their talking and laughter.

Before they knew it, it was time for more PT, only this time it was weight lifting, Shining Armor's favorite part of training.

"Aah, I love lifting weights." Shining Armor said to Thunder, putting a 50 lbs weight together, then laying down on a bed and lifting it up and down without much of an issue.

Thunderblast, however, stayed to 25 lbs weights, and lifted those with some issue, probably due to his lack of energy from the thirty lap run him and Shining had to do earlier.

"Aww, is poor Thunderbwast having some twouble?" Spear mocked Thunder, lifting a small weight with one hoof a couple of beds away.

"Look who's talking, you're lifting a five pound weight! My sister Apple Bloom could do better than that!" Thunderblast chuckled.

Spear then got up and leaned on Thunder's weight, giving him trouble lifting it up.

"Try and lift it now." Spear said, holding it just above Thunder's chest.

"Hey....Get off!" Thunderblast said, straining to push up.

"No, you need to learn how to lift weights." Spear laughed.

Suddenly, Thunder, his weight, and Spear were all lifted up, and a dark blue hoof smacked Spear in the face, sending him flying out an open window across the room.

"Woah." Thunderblast said, getting slowly put down by Shining Armor, then putting his weight on the stand.

"I couldn't just let him do that to you." Shining said.

"I know, and thank you for that, but I could have handled him." Thunder said back.

"Whatever." Shining chuckled. "Let's head back, our training is done for today."

"Okay." Thunder said, getting up and walking with Shining Armor back to their barrack.

The same routine followed for the next few days, as well as Spear's attempts to get to Thunderblast, all foiled by him and Shining Armor, and one day a couple of other guards.

After five more months, they progressed from physical training, to weapons training and even some medical training if a guard is injured without a medic nearby.

By now, Shining Armor is just one more month away from receiving his own armor, yet Thunderblast was still just over two years from receiving his.

"Hey Thunder." Shining said, sighing afterwards and shutting the door behind him.

"Hey Shining, what seems to be the problem?" Thunder asked.

"Oh, it's nothing really." Shining said back, cracking a small smile but quickly dropping it.

Thunder raised an eyebrow. "Something is wrong, isn't it?" he asked.

Shining looked at Thunder and sighed again. "Yes. There is something wrong."

"You're free to tell me if you're comfortable with it." Thunderblast said, scooching over and patting a spot next to him on his bed.

Shining came over and sat down next to Thunder. "It's my uncle. He's getting older and he refuses to retire anytime soon, what if something happens to him?"

"I don't know. But he's a strong stallion, I don't think anything will happen to him anytime soon." Thunder said back.

"I know, but i'm also worried about what will happen after he does retire." Shining said.

"And that is?" Thunder asked.

"He told me, he knows for sure, that he's going to make me Captain of the Royal Guard when he has to retire." Shining sighed.

"That's good, isn't it?" Thunderblast said.

"No. It's not. I'm not a leader at all." Shining said back.

"Yes you are. You're more of a leader than I am." Thunder replied, patting his back.

"No, Thunder. It's the other way around. You're more of a leader than me." He said, looking at Thunder.

"Are you kidding? I'd be the worst leader the royal guard has ever known. You, on the other hoof, would be a great one like your uncle." Thunder said back.

Shining Armor smiled slightly. "Thanks buddy."

After talking for a couple more minutes, Shining climbed up to his bed and they tucked themselves in, much earlier than the normal lights out time. Little did Thunder know, he had just two days before the next step of his training kicked in.

Air Under My Wings

Blackness. The only thing that Thunderblast could see for nine and a half hours, more like five minutes.

The sound of trumpets being played from around the castle shook Thunderblast and Shining Armor out of bed, Shining rolling off the wrong side of his bed and onto the floor, making a loud thud that woke the other recruits up.

"Ouch.." Shining said, laying on the floor face down.

"Do you mind?" An earth pony recruit said, taking a pillow off of his face and glaring at Shining, then hearing the trumpets go off. "Oh, I guess it's alright then." he said before crawling out of bed, as did his buddy on the bunk above.

Shining Armor peeled his face off of the concrete floor and stood up, dusting himself off.

Thunderblast yawned and slowly sat up and stretched his hooves. "Mmm. Is it Wednesday already?" he asked, sounding very tired.

"Yep. You know what today is right?" Shining said back.

"Hump day?" Thunderblast replied. "Yay that means we have tomorrow off." he said, rubbing his eyes.

"Yes, Hump day, but what else?" Shining Armor asked.

"I don't know. More PT?" Thunder said back.

"No! The flight race for the pegasi royal guards, to see who the fastest in the recruits is, and I think it'll be you." Shining said.

"Flight race? How come I didn't hear about this until right now?" Thunder asked.

"I thought you knew already." Shining replied.

"No, I didn't." Thunder said back. "Well, I did, but at the time I didn't know how to fly, and now I do."

"Well, maybe you aren't signed up for it. You can always ask Iron when you head out to the airport." Shining said.

"Alright." Thunderblast said, yawning and wiggling out of his blanket, mane, wing feathers and coat messy.

"You better get a shower first." Shining chuckled. "I don't think my uncle will be pleased to see you like that."

Thunderblast looked up at his mane and back at his body. "Oh, right." he said, chuckling lightly.

After showering and breakfast at the mess hall, Thunderblast lifted a few weights to get himself ready for the race, if he did have to participate, and then flew to the Canterlot airport, which seemed busier today than usual.

"Wow, i've never seen that many airships in my life." Thunderblast said, moving a pair of goggles similar to the Wonderbolts to his forehead, then he continued to the east side of the airfield, where pegasi guard recruits, Iron Armor, and a drill sergeant were waiting.

"YOU CALL THOSE WING-UPS? I BET YOUR MOTHER COULD DO TEN TIMES BETTER THAN YOU." The drill sergeant, a brown pegasus the size of Iron Armor yelled at some recruits doing lousy wing ups.

Iron Armor noticed Thunderblast approaching, and trotted up to him when he landed.

"Good morning sir." Thunder said, saluting.

"Good morning Thunderblast!" Iron Armor said back, returning the salute. "I didn't expect you to be here today."

"I was told I had to come here for a flight race?" Thunderblast said.

"Oh, well, when you told me you couldn't fly, I didn't sign you up for the race. Do you still want to participate now that you can fly?" Iron asked.

"Of course. I'd like to get to know my wings better and see how I can fly." Thunder said back, sounding very determined.

Iron chuckled. "Alright, Thunder. Go and join the recruits doing the wing ups." he said, pointing to them.

Thunder trotted over and dropped to the ground, and tried using his wings to do wing ups. He didn't do so well at first, but slowly got better and began doing wing ups slightly faster than the other recruits.

"YOU!" The drill sergeant yelled, trotting up to Thunder and lowering his head to Thunder's ear so he can yell. "GO FASTER! YOUR GRANDMA COULD DO BETTER THAN THAT. FASTER! FASTER! FASTER!" he yelled.

Thunder picked up the pace a little bit, but not by much.

"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING? FASTER! SWEET CELESTIA, YOUR MOM COULD DO WING UPS TEN TIMES FASTER THAN THAT." The drill sergeant yelled, causing Thunder to stop doing wing ups.

The moment those words hit him, he started to zone out into bad flashbacks, which he shook his head to block out, then he did one last big wing up, which pushed him into the sky, and he floated above where he once was, and he glared at the drill sergeant.

"When does this race start?" Thunderblast asked, now ticked off completely.

"When you finish your wing ups, recruit. Now GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE BEFORE I WHIP YOUR FLANK!" The drill sergeant replied.

Thunder groaned and floated back down and continued his wing ups, taking more degrading words from the drill sergeant, but he kept going, despite the feelings inside about to break him down.

After twenty more minutes of wing ups, Thunderblast and the other recruits were finally ready for the race. Then, suddenly.

"Hello Thundercrash." A familiar voice rang out, and chuckled afterwards. When Thunder looked to his left, Spear was standing right next to him. "I didn't think you'd be stallion enough to actually attend this race."

"Of course I would attend this race, unlike you, chicken. Bwak bwak bwak!" Thunderblast said, making chicken noises and flapping his wings.

"Is there a problem over here recruits?" The drill sergeant came over to them in a slightly angry tone.

"No sir." They both said, looking completely straight ahead of them.

"That's what I thought." He said, trotting back down the line of pegasus ponies.

Spear turned and smirked at Thunderblast. "I'm going to win this thing, and if you even get in my way to stop me, I will kill you." he whispered.

"Spear, this isn't that kind of race. This is just to see who flies the fastest, there's no trophy or anything." Thunder whispered back.

"Who will be me." Spear whispered, putting his hoof up to his chest. "I don't care what kind of race this is, I will win it."

"Whatever. May the best and fastest flyer win." Thunderblast said, smirking at Spear.

"You all will do two laps around Mount Solar, flying through checkpoints. If you miss one checkpoint, you will have five seconds added to your time. This is not I repeat not that kind of race. This is just to see how fast each and every one of you can fly. There will be NO bumping, hitting, wing slapping, punching, or competition of any kind. If any of you are caught doing those, you will be disqualified and demoted back to square one of training. Do I make myself clear?!" Iron Armor said.

"Yes sir!" The recruits said at once.

"I said, DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!" Iron Armor said again.

"YES SIR!" The recruits all yelled at once.

"Alright. You will all take off on my mark." Iron Armor said, pulling out a pistol.

Every pony opened their wings and got into a takeoff position, some scraping their hooves on the cement.

"GO!" Iron yelled, shooting the gun, and all of the recruits took off at different speeds.

Spear and Thunderblast stayed neck and neck for a couple of minutes. When they reached the other side of the mountain, opposite of the city, Spear flew closer to Thunder.

"Y'know Thunder, nopony can see us now." He said, smirking.

"Yeah, and?" Thunderblast said back.

"And THIS!" Spear said, kicking Thunder into the side of the mountain.

"AAH!" he screamed, crashing into the side of the mountain, then fell down the side of it, too dizzy to do anything.

A couple of recruits saw Thunder falling, and quickly flew after him, catching him just after he dropped into cloud cover, and they slowly lifted him back up.

"Ow... What happened?" Thunderblast said, rubbing his head.

"Spear kicked you into the mountain." A dark red pegasus said.

"He WHAT?" Thunder said, getting back into the air out of their hooves.

"Come on, we need to finish this thing." The other white pegasus said, and they all flew off, Thunder flying much faster than them, now angry because of what Spear had just done.

Spear laughed, now in the lead. "I'm totally going to win this thing!" he said, just before getting spun out of the sky by a grey and black streak.

Thunderblast raced past the others and Spear, close to breaking the sound barrier. He tried not to, as he was afraid it would disqualify him, but he couldn't slow down in time. Soon enough, there was a loud boom, and he blacked out for a brief moment, then landing and sliding to a quick stop at the end of the race, out of breath. Thunder collapsed onto the ground, a couple of royal guards rushing to him to help him onto a bench, and at that moment, a very angry Iron Armor ran up to Thunderblast.

"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? YOU KNOCKED THE OTHER RECRUITS CLEAN OUT OF THE RACE! Your sonic rainboom blew them into the ground!" Iron yelled.

"What? Sonic Rainboom?" Thunder panted.

"That." Iron Armor pointed to a rainbow trail leading from where Thunderblast just came from, as well as a fiery rainbow ring in the sky, which faded away a moment later.

"B..but." Thunderblast stuttered.

"No buts. You're not disqualified, you're FIRED. A sonic rainboom is a big no in these races." Iron said back in a very angry tone.

"Sir, you can't fire him." said the dark red pegasus that helped save Thunder from falling, who landed behind Iron with the other pegasus that saved Thunder.

"Stay out of this, Shuriken, you too Whiteblade." Iron turned around to face him, then back to Thunder to yell even more.

"I shouldn't have to, sir. He didn't mean to do a sonic rainboom. In fact, it's Spear that should be fired. He kicked Thunder into the mountain where nopony could see him do it except us, and Thunder fell. Had we not saved him, Thunderblast here would have died." Shuriken said.

"It's true, sir. But, I still do deserve to be fired. I did something that was not allowed." Thunder said.

Iron Armor looked at Thunderblast then to Shuriken and Whiteblade, then to Spear. He walked up to Spear and narrowed his eyes onto Spear's.

"Did you kick Thunder into the mountain?" Iron asked.

"No sir, he's lying!" Spear replied.

"The only one lying here is you, Spear. You're known to lie to me and to other guards, and for that..." Iron said, then punching Spear in the side of his face, hard. "You're going back to basic training."

Spear's jaw dropped, then he growled at Iron, before being taken away by another guard.

"And you, Thunderblast." Iron said, turning and walking up to Thunder. "You're suspended for a week. You are still allowed at your barrack and to the mess hall, however."

Thunder looked up at Iron, then to Shuriken and Whiteblade who were standing behind him, and they nodded.

Thunderblast sighed. "I accept my punishment, sir." he said.

"Good. Everypony return to your stations." Iron said, walking through the crowd of guards.

Thunder lowered his head, then got up and walked back to his barrack. When he got there, he slowly walked inside and layed down on his bed. Shining Armor was in there already, and he was tapping his hooves while staring at the ceiling from his bed.

"Hey! Thunder! How'd it go?" Shining Armor asked, hopping down from his bed and smiling at Thunder, who didn't return the smile.

"I got suspended." Thunderblast replied.

Shining gasped. "What? Why?"

"I did a sonic rainboom in the final leg." Thunder said, laying down on his bed.

"Oh... Yeah those aren't allowed." Shining said, sitting next to Thunder's bed.

"He didn't mention them not being allowed in the rules, so how would I know?" Thunder said back.

"True, but it was kind of obvious." Shining said. "How long are you suspended?" he asked.

"A week." Thunder replied.

"Oh, that isn't too bad. At least he didn't fire you." Shining said back.

"He was, until two other ponies saved my flank." Thunderblast replied.

"I'm glad he didn't fire you. Otherwise, I would have come crawling to him begging to bring you back." Shining chuckled.

Thunder smiled slightly and turned to look at Shining. "You'd do that for me?" he asked.

"Of course I would, you're like my best friend." Shining replied, smiling back.

"R-really?" Thunder sat up, now feeling happy.

"Well, duh." Shining said, moving his hoof while he talked. "Anyways buddy, i'm gonna head over to the recreation room, i'm gonna lift some weights. See you later." he said, walking out the door.

"See ya, Shining!" Thunder said back, watching Shining leave, before turning his head and looking up at the bottom of the bed above him, then closing his eyes and going into a deep thought.

After thinking, Thunderblast got up and wrote something down on a piece of paper and left it on his bed, then he went into his locker which he had under his bed, next to Shining's, and he grabbed his bits bag and walked out the door.

"Hey buddy, i'm ba-." Shining said, getting cut off when he noticed Thunder was gone, then he noticed the letter on Thunder's bed and picked it up and read it.

Dear Shining,

If you're reading this, i'm either on my way or already in Ponyville. Don't worry, i'll be back once my suspension is over. I thought i'd take this chance to head back and see family while I still can.

~Your friend, Thunderblast

Shining sighed, and climbed up in his bed and layed down.

Return to Ponyville

Thunderblast waited patiently at the Canterlot Train Station for his train to Ponyville to arrive, despite the cool night breeze nipping away at his body, but he didn't seem to mind. One of the main parts of training in the Royal Guard is to withstand any kind of weather, ranging from extreme heat to bitter cold, rain or shine, snow or ice.

He kept looking at the clock a few feet away from him, sticking out from the side of the station roof. It read '10:07', making his train two minutes late. Finally, just four minutes later, the train pulled into the station, and not as many ponies as usual walked out when the doors first opened. It was another ten minutes before Thunder could board. Instead of sitting down, he took a vacant room in one of the sleeper cars of the train, and he curled up in the bed, falling asleep shortly after the initial jolt of the train departing.

Just before dawn, Thunderblast woke up when the train hit a short stretch of bumpy track, and he opened his blind to see some town lights approaching.

"Aah. Ponyville." He said, smiling slightly then yawning, and crawling out of his bed and walking into the next car for deboarding.

The train pulled into the station, the moment some light began filling the sky over the sleepy town, and Thunderblast, along with some other ponies, as well as the Conductor and Engineer left the train. It had been a while since he was last in his home town, so he had lost track of where things were in town.

Thunder walked through town, trying to find his way to Sweet Apple Acres, knowing by now his family would be awake, but couldn't find the dirt path leading to it. The sun rose over Ponyville, and the streets started to show more signs of life as time passed.

He found his sense of direction, which was stuck in the farthest corner of his mind, and worked his way to the farm, now being on the complete opposite side of town from the orchard. A few minutes later, before he could react, he was knocked off of his hooves by a light blue mare, and tumbled on the ground with her clinging onto him.

"AAH!" Thunder screamed. "Take what you want! Just don't kill me, please!" he said, holding his hooves over his face, pinned down by the mare.

The mare fell over laughing next to him, holding her stomach, and Thunder looked to his side to see the mare, a slightly smaller than him pegasus mare with a rainbow mane and tail, and a cloud and rainbow lightning bolt for a cutie mark.

"Rainbow Dash!" He yelled, sitting up and looking down at the mare, who was having a laughing fit.

Rainbow Dash continued laughing, still holding her stomach. "I can't breathe!" she said, still laughing before catching her breath. "I got ya good!"

Thunder looked down at her and all he could do was smile and chuckle slightly with the mare, before standing up and helping her up. "I missed you, Rainbow Dash." he said, still smiling.

Rainbow wiped a tear out of her eye, finishing up her laughing. "I missed you too, Thundy." she said, giving him a peck on the cheek, forcing him to blush. "How's Canterlot?" she asked.

"It's good....sort of." Thunderblast replied.

"Sort of? What's wrong?" Rainbow Dash asked, dropping her smile.

"I got suspended for a week." Thunder sighed.

"Oh no." She said. "What did you do?"

"I did a sonic boom at a flying exercise thing." He said back.

"Oh, I see. I didn't think those were bad enough to get you suspended though." Rainbow said.

"I didn't think so either, but now I know never to do one again." Thunderblast said.

"I guess. So what brings you back to Ponyville?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, I thought i'd come back and see family, and of course you." Thunder replied, putting his hoof around her and pulling Rainbow Dash into a hug, who happily returned it and giggled.

"Aww! I've been wanting to come to Canterlot to see you, but I didn't know if i'd be allowed to see you while training." She said back, still hugging him.

"Probably not, although I am free on the weekends." Thunder said. "Until i'm un-suspended, i'm here in Ponyville for the week." he continued, smiling.

Rainbow Dash smiled, and nuzzled him. "I'm glad you're back for a little bit, I missed you so much. I had a couple of bad dreams that you died..." She said, shivering.

Thunderblast hugged her a little bit tighter, holding her against his chest to warm her up. "Don't worry, Dashie. I'm not going anywhere." he said to comfort her.

Rainbow nuzzled his neck and smiled again, feeling safer that her coltfriend was there.

"Well, I should probably get going. My parents are probably wondering where I am." Rainbow Dash said, laughing a little bit.

Thunder chuckled. "Alright, Dashie. I'll see you later." he said, kissing her for a moment.

"See you, Thunder." She said back, returning the kiss, then taking off and flying away.

Thunderblast watched her fly off, then continued towards his home.

He found the dirt path, surrounded by large trees which shaded the entire path to the farm, which was a beautiful area, no matter the season. Thunder took a deep breath, taking in the fresh, crisp, morning air, and the familiar smell of apples in the area.

After a nice long walk down the shaded path, he finally came up to some fence, and a sign hanging on a post reading Sweet Apple Acres. Thunder looked up at the sign and smiled, taking a huge sigh of relief that he was finally home after brutal times in Canterlot. He walked up to the barn, listening closely for the sounds of his sisters and brother, but heard nothing. Thunder started to grow worried, and perked his ears up for the littlest sound that could be a sign of their presence, but still heard absolutely nothing, other than birds chirping in the nearby trees.

Thunderblast walked around slowly, keeping a combat knife in his hoof just in case any unwanted attention is brought to him. He continued around the barn, still hearing nothing but birds chirping, which soon followed by pure peace. Not a single sound, other than Thunder's hooves slowly coming down onto the dirt ground, filled the air.

Suddenly, he was attacked by a larger pony, who pinned him down, and knocked the knife out of Thunder's hoof.

"WHO ARE YOU?" The colt asked, pinning Thunder down.

Thunderblast's face was smooshed into the dirt, so he couldn't talk, nor see who was holding him down.

"You have five seconds to tell me who you are, or ah'll slap the buck out of ya!" The colt said. "One.....Two.....Three..." he counted down, then noticed Thunder's wings. "Oh gosh." he said, getting off of him and helping him off of the ground. "Thunder!" he yelled, hugging him.

"Big Macintosh?!" Thunderblast said, hugging his brother back happily.

"I thought you were some intruder!" Big Macintosh said, pulling back from the hug and smiling at Thunder.

"I thought there was an intruder, there was nopony here." Thunder said back.

"Nope, but ya gotta watch where ya point that knife! You could hurt somepony with that thing." Big Mac said, pointing to Thunder's knife.

Thunder chuckled, and put his knife back in a small pouch he had on him. "I guess I do. I haven't had to use it really yet." he said.

"So, Thunder, what brings ya back? Anything wrong?" Big Mac asked.

"I got suspended for doing something wrong in a flight exercise, so I decided to come back here until I can get back into training." Thunderblast replied.

"Aww. You're not perminantly suspended are ya?" Big Mac said back, a little bit worried.

"Oh, no. It's just for a week." Thunder said. "I go back a week from today."

"Oh, that's good. APPLEJACK!" Big Mac called out.

"WHAT THE BUCK DO YOU WANT BIG MAC?!" Applejack yelled back in an angry tone, as if she was interrupted.

"COME OUT HERE! SOMEPONY IS HERE!" Big Mac yelled.

A minute later, Applejack stomped outside to see what her big brother wanted, then at the sight of Thunder, a large smile appeared on her face and she ran up to hug him. "THUNDER!!"

"Applejack!!" Thunder said back, hugging his little sister.

"We missed you so much!" Applejack said, giggling and looking up at Thunderblast.

"I missed you too little sister!" Thunder said, smiling back down at her.

Applejack backed up slightly, Thunder standing back up, and Applejack got a good look at her brother, who was different than last time.

"You've grown, Thunder! You almost look like Big Macintosh now with your muscles!" She said, smiling.

"Do I?" Thunderblast said back, chuckling.

"Nah, ah'm still bigger. Ah'm Big Macintosh." Big Mac said, smirking, and the two started laughing.

"Well, come in, Thunder! You gotta tell us all about Canterlot!" Applejack said, trotting over to the door and walking inside, Thunderblast and Big Macintosh following close behind.

Author's Note

Here it finally is, Chapter 5. In this chapter, Thunderblast returns to Ponyville to see his family, and his marefriend?! I know shipping your OC(s) with Rainbow Dash is common, so please don't bash me about it.

Love is Blooming

After a long evening of telling his brother, sister, and step-granny about his adventures in Canterlot, Thunderblast slept soundly in his bed in his room, which he cleaned out to make room for new things, putting his toys in a bag so he could give them to Big Mac and Applejack if they wanted them, or to sell to other foals who were interested. His room looked almost as if he was preparing to move away, and all that remained was his bed, night stand, book shelf, and a small desk.

The following morning, Thunder waited for the sound of trumpets to fill the air.

Nothing.

He waited a little bit longer.

Nothing.

Since his body was used to waking up before sunrise now, he got up and stretched, but stayed sitting up in bed, sitting completely still, as if he was a giant warm fluffy statue, just until the slightest bit of light started to invade the world outside. When the sun began peaking it's bright yellow top above the hill, and the rooster squawking out COCKADOODLEDOO, that's when Thunderblast thought it was the right time to move again, after putting himself in a guard paralysis.

He heard the sound of his older brother and younger sister outside, who were chasing each other around outside, Thunder looked out his window and watched and could only smile, but he knew that now that he was a royal guard trainee, he couldn't suddenly after nearly half a year to go back to his colthood self. So, he erased the thoughts of playing with them. He was a completely different colt than before he left.

Thunderblast went downstairs and made his favorite apple oats, sat down and ate, then went outside into the crisp, cool air, opening his wings slightly so he could let the breeze flow under them, and he closed his eyes and enjoyed the outside world. After that, he closed his wings back up and trotted around to find Big Macintosh and Applejack, now remembering that he forgot to show them the best part about his journey to the capitol.

"Big Mac? Applejack?" Thunder called out, trotting under the expansive ocean of apple trees, which at the time had ripe, juicy, sweet red apples in them, ready to be bucked out.

He trotted around for another five minutes before finally finding them by a cliff with the two ponies looking down at the raging rocky river below, not a smile to be seen.

"Careful you two, that cliff is unstable." Thunderblast said, standing at the edge of the trees, dropping his smile.

Big Macintosh and Applejack turned and saw Thunder, then turned back and faced down towards the water below.

"Ah just can't believe they're gone..." Applejack said, wiping a tear from her eye, before feeling a wing on her back.

"I can't believe it either, AJ." Thunderblast said, pulling her and Big Macintosh into a hug, all three starting to sob.

Just a few feet to their left, are two flower-covered crosses, which both said Stetson Apple and Golden Apple, as well as pictures of a brown mare with an auburn mane with freckles, wearing a stetson, and a light yellow stallion with a light brown-orangeish mane, with a blue bandana around his neck.

After their tearful hug at the cliffs, they headed back into the apple trees towards the barn.

"So, Thunder, what else have ya been doin' in Canterlot?" Big Macintosh asked.

"Eh, not much, just been busy with training and stuff like that, and-."

Before he could finish, Thunderblast stopped dead in his tracks, eying a wasp nest inside a log he was about to jump over.

"WAAAAAH!" He screamed, almost like a little filly, and flying up into the air above the trees, holding Applejack and Big Macintosh.

"WHOA" Big Macintosh said, eyes shrinking from what just happened.

"Thunder... Y-You're flying!" Applejack said, gasping and looking up at him.

Thunder's eyes also shrunk, then widened. "I knew I forgot to tell you guys something! I found out how to fly when in Canterlot. I also got my cutie mark!" He said, flying them to another area away from the wasp nest, and setting them down.

"Ya did?!" Big Mac said, smiling.

"Can we see it?" Applejack asked, also smiling.

"Sure!" Thunderblast said, unfolding his left wing so they could view his cutie mark; A lightning bolt with a light grey ring around it, meaning it's close to breaking the sound barrier.

"Woaaaah." The two both said, eyes widening at the sight of his cutie mark.

"It kinda fits in with your name, Thunder. It has a lightnin' bolt, but what's the grey ring for?" Applejack asked.

"I'm assuming it's a supersonic ring, like when a plane is close to breaking the sound barrier." Thunderblast said.

"So, the lightnin' bolt means Thunder....and the grey supersonic ring means blast? Yer cutie mark is yer name, Thunder..." Big Mac said.

"Hmm, you're kind of right Big Mac. I never thought of it that way..." Thunder chuckled lightly, folding his wing back up.

The three continued their way back to the barn, Thunderblast flying just above them the rest of the way.

After that, Thunder decided to stroll through town and memorize his way around again, due to him being gone for so long. He flew just above the ground like a normal pegasus, and even waved to a few ponies he knew before he left.

"Hey Thunder." Said a familiar mare voice.

Thunder stopped and turned and saw Rainbow Dash. "Hey Rainbow."

"I see you finally learned how to fly, what took ya so long, chump?" Rainbow Dash giggled.

Thunder chuckled. "I dunno, afraid of heights I guess."

"Oh come on, that's not a reason." Rainbow Dash nudged him playfully.

"I don't know honestly. Maybe it was just destiny that took me so long, maybe I was meant to just now learn how to fly." Thunderblast said.

"Maybe... So what's up?" Rainbow asked.

"Eh, ya know, just memorizing my way around town. I've been used to seeing Canterlot, not Ponyville." Thunder answered, which then gave him an idea. "Hey, Dashie?"

"Yeah?" She replied.

"Would you umm..." Thunder stopped for a moment, hovering up to her. "I dunno... Like to go somewhere with me tonight?" he continued.

"You mean...like...a date?" She asked, blushing slightly.

"Uhh...Yeah...?" Thunder nervously said back.

"I'd love to." Rainbow replied, smiling then kissing his muzzle.

Thunderblast smiled and hugged Rainbow Dash, who returned it a half a second later, and they hugged in public for about a minute.

"So.. What time, Thundy?" Rainbow Dash asked, still in Thunder's hooves and looking up at him.

"I dunno.. Six thirty? Where I want to take you is quite a way away." Thunder replied.

Rainbow smiled. "Alright. I'll see you later." she said, and gave him a peck on the cheek, then flying off.

Thunder blushed when she smooched his cheek, and his eyes widened in love, then he flew back to Sweet Apple Acres to prepare for the biggest night of his life so far.

Just thirty minutes before Thunderblast was set to pick Rainbow Dash up, he was trotting in circles stressing out, thinking he will look and smell like a scrub during his date.

"Hey Thunder, what's wrong?" Applejack said, standing at Thunder's door.

"I'm stressed, AJ. I don't have any cologne or really anything to make me look more appealing." Thunder said, still trotting back and forth.

"Don't be stressed, sugarcube. Just be who you are, no need to smell fancy or look fancy. That's what a mare wants, she wants a stallion who acts like himself and looks like himself." Applejack said, smiling up at Thunder and putting her hoof at his chest.

Thunder smiled back down at his sister. "I'm glad to have you as my sister, Applejack." he said, hugging her.

Applejack giggled and hugged him back. "And ah'm proud to have ya as my big brother, Thunder." she said. "You should probably get goin' if you wanna make it to Cloudsdale in time."

"Oh crud, that's right." Thunderblast said, looking at his clock on his nightstand. He trotted downstairs with Applejack, and opened the door to fly out. "Thanks AJ! I'll see you later tonight!" he said.

"See ya!" Applejack said, waving from the door as he took off.

Thirty minutes later, Thunderblast approached Cloudsdale for the first time in his life, and smiled at the sight of the massive cloud city, a true pony masterpiece to Equestria. He pulled out a piece of paper that was Rainbow Dash's address, and flew down to street level, looking for her house.

"Ah, there it is." He said, flying down to her doorstep and knocking on the door, then stepped back.

When the door opened, he expected Rainbow Dash to be there, but instead, a pegasus stallion the same size as Thunder opened the door. He had a darker blue coat, and a rainbow mane like Dash's.

"Can I help you?" The stallion grumbled, not excited at the sight of Thunder.

"Oh, uh. I'm Thunderblast, and um... I'm uh... Here to pick up Rainbow Dash." Thunderblast nervously said to the stallion.

"Hmm. Are you her coltfriend?" The stallion said, pushing the door completely open and checking Thunder out.

"Uhh..." Thunder said, before Rainbow Dash flew behind the stallion.

"No dad, he's not my coltfriend. He's just a friend of mine." Rainbow Dash said, smiling at her dad.

"Oh, okay then. Have fun, Dashie." The stallion said, hugging her, then trotting back inside.

"I will, dad." She said, smiling, then walking out in front of Thunderblast. "Hey, Thunder."

"Hey Dashie." Thunder said, smiling and hugging her, Rainbow Dash returning the hug. "Ready to go?"

"Yep." Rainbow Dash said, still smiling.

"Awesome. Hop on my back." Thunder said, lowering himself slightly.

"Why? I can fly there too.." She said back.

"I want to surprise you, that's why. Besides, it's not nice to force a mare to fly somewhere on her own." Thunder said, smiling at her.

Rainbow Dash giggled. "Alright.", then hopped on his back and held onto his neck.

"Hold on." Thunderblast said, taking off quickly but not too fast.

Rainbow Dash held onto Thunder's neck, and they flew through some cloud cover just outside of the city.

"So, where are we going?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"You'll see." Thunderblast said, smiling while navigating through the night sky.

Less than an hour later, they flew through heavy clouds, blocking Rainbow Dash's view.

"Are you sure you know where you're going Thunder? I can't see ahead of us." She said.

"Don't worry, I know where we are." Thunder replied.

Thunder flew down slightly and out of the clouds, revealing a massive lit up city in front and below them, Canterlot.

"Woah." Rainbow Dash said, eyes widening, admiring the view of the city below them. "Is this..."

"Canterlot? Yes ma'am." Thunder finished her sentence.

"Oh my.... It's beautiful..." Rainbow said, lowering herself to see the city more. "How did you know I always wanted to go here?" she asked.

"Who doesn't? It's the greatest city in Equestria, if not the world." Thunderblast answered.

Rainbow Dash was speechless, and could do nothing but smile.

Thunder then flew down towards Canterlot, and onto a skyscraper top floor balcony, which happened to be a restaurant.

Rainbow hopped off of his back and walked over to the barrier at the edge of the building, and looked out at the massive sea of yellow and white lights illuminating the area for two miles, causing her to fall in love with the view.

"Thunder... This is amazing... This is the best surprise i've ever had. Thank you." She said, turning and hugging him tightly.

"Hey, i'd do anything for you." Thunderblast said back, hugging her. "Now, ya hungry?"

"A little bit, yeah." Rainbow Dash replied.

"Well, have a seat." Thunder said, pulling a chair out for her and smiling.

Rainbow smiled and sat down. "Thank you, Thunder." she said, picking up her menu and looking at it, Thunder sitting across the table from her and looking at his menu.

After eating dinner, the two layed on a cloud above Canterlot and looked down, Thunder putting his wing over her back.

Rainbow Dash sighed a happy sigh. "This was the best night of my life." She said, looking up at Thunder and smiling.

"This was the best night of my life, too." He responded, also smiling.

When they least expected it, they made eye contact. Thunderblast looking into Rainbow Dash's fiery magenta eyes, and Rainbow Dash looking into Thunder's soothing blue eyes, and their heads slowly moved closer. Then, Rainbow Dash leaned up, and kissed Thunder on the lips and holding. Thunderblast was in shock for a split second, before slowly closing his eyes and enjoying the kiss which seemed to last forever, but only lasted a minute.

Rainbow Dash pulled back and smiled up at him, and Thunderblast opened his eyes and smiled down at her.

They smiled at each other for a minute, before Thunder came back to his senses.

"Oh, uh. I should probably get you home before your parents start worrying." Thunderblast said.

Rainbow Dash giggled. "Alright, but don't fly too fast this time. I want to hold onto you for a little while longer." She said, smiling up at the stallion.

Thunder smiled again down at her. "Okay, Dashie. Hop on." he said, and she hopped onto his back and held onto his neck. Thunder stood up and opened his wings, and the two took off into the night sky, towards Cloudsdale.

Rainbow Dash layed her head down onto his shoulder and yawned, and Thunderblast flew a little bit slower so the ride would be comfortable. Fourty five minutes later, they arrived in Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash half awake.

Rainbow yawned and got off of Thunder's back. "I sure had a great time, Thunder." She said, smiling up at him.

"I had a great time too, Dashie." Thunder said back, smiling at her.

The two hugged each other, and Rainbow Dash walked into her house, waving at Thunder just before closing the door.

Thunderblast waved back and watched the door close, before taking off and flying back to Ponyville. By the time he reached Sweet Apple Acres, everypony was already asleep. Instead of going in the front door, he decided an old method. He climbed up a water spout and to his window sill, where he quietly opened the window and crawled inside, then crawled into his bed and pulled the blanket over him, and staring outside at the moon, which was at a crescent stage, just before falling asleep.

"I had a great time..." He thought, as he fell into a deep sleep.

Bad News

The following days after Thunderblast and Rainbow Dash's date in Canterlot went like a breeze, and soon enough, he had to return to the city to continue his part-time job and full-time training. Thunder said his goodbyes to his family and Rainbow Dash, then boarded the train, and just a few hours later, he was back in Canterlot.

The train arrived in Canterlot, and he managed to get off before everypony else did, then he left the station and flew to the castle where he could let Iron Armor know that he is back to resume his duties. Thunderblast walked up to Iron's office door, which was in a small tower on the east side of the castle, and he knocked.

"Come in." Iron Armor said, not looking up away from the massive amounts of paperwork on his desk.

Thunder opened the door and walked in. "Afternoon, sir." he said.

Iron Armor looked up and smiled. "Ah, Thunderblast. Ready to continue training?"

"Yes sir, I am." Thunder said.

"Good. Have you learned your lesson?" Iron asked.

"Yes sir. I promise I won't ever do something stupid like that ever again." Thunderblast said, putting his hoof up to his chest.

"Great." Iron said, and Thunder turned to walk out the door, only to have Iron stop him. "Shining was worried about you this whole week. He wasn't sure if he wanted to believe your note you left him."

"He was?" Thunderblast stopped and turned to face Iron Armor.

"Yep. He thought you were leaving for good." Iron said. "It'll be a nice surprise for him to see you back." he said, smiling.

Thunder smiled back. "It sure will. Where's he at now?" he asked.

"Probably lifting weights or doing some other training." Iron Armor said. "If you want you can join him, you're un-suspended."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Thunderblast said, turning back and trotting out the door, then flying off of the balcony stairs to find his friend.

"Augh.... Dang it..." Shining Armor said, sinking into leg-deep mud and struggling to get out, far behind other trainees also trudging through. A recent heavy rain washed out the dirt path, turning it into what it is now, and causing many problems for the training system.

Thunderblast saw his friend struggling down below, and flew down.

"Woah, you alright?" Thunder said, hovering just above the ground.

"I'm fine. It's just mud." Shining said, not noticing Thunder and struggling more.

Thunder flew closer to Shining, grabbing his hooves and helping him out.

"Whew.. Thanks" Shining said, wiping his sweaty forehead, then looked up and saw Thunderblast. "Thunder?!" he said, smiling and glomping him.

"WOAH!" Thunder said, laughing, being squeezed by the unicorn. "Glad to see you too Shining!"

"I thought you were leaving for good!" Shining Armor said, squeezing Thunderblast, getting him dirty as well.

Thunder squeaked like a toy when Shining squeezed him. "Of course not! When I wrote that note, I wasn't lying about anything." he said, still pinned under Shining's hooves.

"I'm so glad you're back... You're my only friend other than my uncle..." Shining Armor said smiling, then getting off of Thunder and helping him up.

Thunder smiled back. "You're my only friend too. I couldn't just leave you, especially with that Spear." he said.

"I know, but he doesn't bother me that much." Shining said. "Come on, let's go clean up. I'm sure Iron wouldn't be happy to see us like this."

"Alright." Thunder chuckled, and they went off to the shower room to clean themselves up.

For the next year and a half, not much had changed, and Shining Armor still hadn't received his armor like he expected. He told his uncle, that if Thunderblast didn't get his armor, he didn't want to receive his, not until Thunder received his armor. The two grew stronger every week, slowly working their way up to becoming guards. However, Thunderblast and Shining Armor were oblivious to the fact that a major event that every recruit had to attend was coming up fast.

On a warm spring day in April 2006, Thunder and Shining sat down and ate their lunch at the mess hall.

"So, Thunderblast, how do you feel that you have just over a year left?" Shining asked, just before eating some sliced carrots.

"It feels great. Although, I still wish we could just become guards sooner, now that we're pretty much at peak physical condition, and, you know you don't have to call me Thunderblast." Thunder replied, smiling.

"I know, I just want to be official and call you by your name." Shining chuckled, chewing on some food.

"Yeah, but I like being called Thunder. I don't exactly like being called by my full name." Thunder said back.

"Well, alright." Shining Armor said, finishing up his lunch.

During the quiet part of their lunch break, they overheard some other guards talking and laughing about...

"A fight? What fight?" Thunderblast said, a large question mark filling his mind.

"I don't know. We should probably ask the capt-."

"ATTENTION! CAPTAIN IN THE HALL!" yelled out a random voice of a guard, walking into the Mess Hall in front of Captain Iron Armor, and the only sound following that was armor and hooves moving around, and every stallion in the room stood up.

"At ease, men." Iron said, and everypony sat back down, but continued looking to Iron. "As you all know, the annual Royal Guard Gladiator Fight is just a couple of weeks away, and i'm advising that you all, every single one of you, are ready to fight." he said, pointing to a few guards at the front. "Now for those that don't know, you won't be fighting enemies, or machines or anything that you would consider a fight. Instead, like always, you will be fighting your fellow guards and/or brothers." Iron continued.

Thunderblast and Shining Armor's jaws dropped at his last words, then turned to look at each other.

"W-we're fighting each other?!" Shining stuttered. "But sir, I don't see how this is disciplining us if we're fighting our own."

"It is, but it teaches you all how to kill. Royal guards are born warriors, we all need to know what to do." Iron said to Shining. "Carry on, men." he said, walking out of the room, and everypony continued eating and talking. When Shining Armor turned to talk to Thunderblast, all he saw was a grey pegasus, shaking like a leaf in the wind.

"W-w-we have t-to f-fight each other?!" Thunder stuttered, still shaking, irises the size of peas.

Shining sighed. "I guess that's what we have to do. Look, Thunder, it'll be alright. We just gotta train harder." he said.

"I-I guess." Thunderblast said, still shaking slightly.

After finishing their lunch break, the two did some easy training exercises, Thunderblast doing wing ups, push ups, and crunches, while Shining Armor tested some of his tactical magic skills, by shooting at targets.

While doing wing ups, Spear came over to Thunderblast and stomped on his wing.

"AAH!" Thunder screamed in pain, falling to the ground and struggling to yank his wing out from under Spear's hoof.

"Dirty bird can't fly with a broken wing, can it Thundercrash?" Spear chuckled, putting pressure down on his wing.

"G-get off!" Thunder cried, punching Spear's hoof and knocking him back.

"Oh no you didn't." Spear growled, getting back up and charging at Thunderblast to attack him, tackling Thunder and rolling around with him, throwing punches at each other.

"HEY! Both of you!" A unicorn guard yelled, pulling Spear off of Thunder, who had a bloody muzzle.

"He started it! Punish him!" Spear claimed, shoving the guard off of him and dusting himself off.

"I'm pretty sure that was all you, Spear." Iron Armor said, who was walking by at the time. "Fifty laps on the track, on the double." he grumbled.

"But...!" Spear stuttered.

"Make that one hundred. GO!" Iron ordered.

Spear groaned, lowering his ears and trotting off to the course.

"You okay?" Iron asked Thunder, lending a hoof to help him up.

"No sir. I'm not okay." Thunderblast replied, wiping his muzzle.

"What seems to be the problem, recruit?" Iron asked, straightening himself out.

"This guard fight coming up, I don't like knowing that we have to fight our brother guards." Thunder answered.

"Well, i'm sorry to say, but you have no choice, Thunder. You wanted to join the royal guard, and this is your chance to show that you can fight alongside other guards when the time comes that we have to defend our country. Are you saying you didn't join to fight and defend?" Iron Armor said.

All Thunderblast could do at that moment was sigh, and say...

"Yes sir. I did join the royal guard to fight and defend." Thunder replied, throwing up a salute, Iron Armor returning it and trotting away, lowering his head and ears slightly after the captain left his sight.

Shining Armor walked up beside Thunderblast and put his hoof on his back. "Hey, it'll be alright. It's just one day. If it helps, I don't want to be in it as much as you don't, and if it comes to where we have to fight each other, I want you to beat me senseless." He said, turning Thunder's head so he could look at him.

"I can't do that Shining. I can't fight my friend. I was raised too well." Thunder said, a tear rolling down his face and onto the ground, then he walked slowly back to their barrack, Shining Armor watching him leave and sighing, then returning to his training.

Back at Thunder and Shining's barrack, Thunderblast layed down on his bed to try and push the thoughts of fighting Shining Armor out of his mind, but nothing worked. Instead, further painful thoughts invaded. At that moment, he turned face down and cried quietly into his pillow, trying not to make too much sound to attract unwanted attention. He had just two weeks to prepare.

Golden Warriors

Light slowly filled the sky over Canterlot, a new day was just an hour or two from starting in the the magnificent city, and the rest of Equestria. Something, however, was off today. Instead of waking up at the sound of the trumpets, Thunderblast and Shining Armor were already wide awake, and had been preparing for the upcoming guard fight.

"Alright, Thunder. This is our last attempt. I want this to work as much as you do. Same thing. You take off, I shoot at you, then you avoid every blast, then attempt to pin me down." Shining Armor said, getting into an attack position and lighting up his horn in a light purple.

"Got it. Let's do this." Thunderblast said, getting his game face on and opening his wings.

"Ready?" Shining asked, slowly powering up his horn.

"Yes." Thunder responded, grinning.

"GO!" Shining yelled, firing a ball of energy at Thunder.

Thunderblast jumped into the air, dodging the ball of energy fired by his friend, and he flew towards Shining, dodging more electrical balls.

"Good....good." Shining said, as he fired at Thunder even more.

"Keep going!" Thunder said, flying erratically in the air to avoid getting hit, before diving towards Shining Armor.

Shining powered up his horn one last time, preparing to fire a massive beam which would only knock Thunderblast out, and not cause any harm. When he fired, suddenly, Thunder moved his wings in front of himself, and the beam bounced off and struck the ground a few feet away, then Thunder continued his dive down to Shining.

"Woah..." Shining Armor said, stunned from seeing his beam almost do nothing to Thunder, despite the direct hit.

Thunder crashed onto Shining at high speeds, pinning him down.

"Aha!" Thunder said, holding Shining's hooves down.

"Wow, Thunder, that was...really good. How did you do that?" Shining Armor asked.

"Do what? Shield myself?" Thunder said.

"Yes. How did it not affect you? It should have knocked you unconcious." Shining responded.

"I don't know. Maybe it doesn't affect me when I use my wings to protect myself." Thunderblast said back.

"Maybe. That was still very good. I just hope in the fight that you'll be allowed to fly around, because that's all i've got for you to take me out." Shining Armor said.

"Me too, but wait, why do you want me to win? Why don't you want to win the fight?" Thunder asked, helping Shining back up.

"Because, Thunder, you deserve to win this thing. Even if you don't make it to the last fight, I still want you to stand above some of the other guards." Shining replied, smiling.

"Thanks buddy, but I think you should win this thing." Thunder said back.

"No, Thunder, I want you to win. You're clearly stronger than me and probably many others if you can shield yourself just by using your own body." Shining Armor said.

"That doesn't change anything, i'm still not that good of a fighter. You on the other hoof are an amazing fighter." Thunder said, putting his hoof around Shining.

Shining smiled. "Maybe. We'll just have to see when the time comes." he said, just before the trumpets went off around the castle. "Ah, the trumpets. Let's go get some breakfast." he said, and him and Thunderblast trotted off to the Mess Hall to eat.

At breakfast, Shining Armor and Thunderblast were the first ones in line for breakfast; warm cinnamon oats with an apple and a carrot off to the side.

"Y'know, for some reason I always thought they served slop or some other weird food to royal guards. Guess I was wrong." Thunderblast chuckled.

"Me too, it must just be in the military that they serve that stuff, or it's just our imaginations." Shining said.

One thing that surprised both of them, was that Spear actually sat down at the same table across from them.

"What are you doing at my table?" Spear asked.

"What are you doing at our table, Spear?" Thunder responded.

"What does it look like i'm doing? Trying to eat, and as usual, my day was ruined by bumping into you two." Spear replied.

"We ruined your day? How do you think we feel when you screw with us?" Shining said back, hitting his hoof on the top of the table, shaking it and making a loud thud.

"Whatever." Spear said, picking up his tray and sitting down across the room.

"Ugh. He really needs to get a life." Thunder said, rubbing his forehead while facehoofing.

"I agree." Shining said, eating a piece of carrot.

After breakfast, the two went out onto the training grounds to continue preparing, both getting minor cuts and bruises along the way....and maybe something more.

"Ow..." Thunderblast said, laying on his back on the ground after being struck by a magic beam from another guard while training.

"You alright?" The unicorn guard asked, standing above Thunder with Shining Armor.

"Yeah...totally." Thunder chuckled awkwardly, cracking a small smile.

"Look, i'm gonna get you to a medic." The guard said to Thunder. "Mind helping me Shining?" he asked.

"Sure thing." Shining Armor replied, helping Thunder onto the guard's back.

"Guys, really, i'm fine." Thunderblast said.

"No, you're not. You took a big hit to your side. I'm getting you to a medic." The guard said to Thunder, galloping into the castle and towards the medical wing.

Shining Armor and the royal guard layed Thunder down on a bed, and a doctor came in to see what was wrong.

"What do you mean my wing is broken?!" Thunderblast said in a panicky tone.

"When that guard hit you with the beam, it broke your left wing. Don't worry, it'll heal completely in two or three weeks." The doctor said.

"B-but... I need it for the guard fight! It's in less than a week!" Thunder said back, looking back at his left wing as the doctor used his magic to wrap it up.

"Sorry. You're just gonna have to live without it for a little while." The doctor replied, finishing up bandaging Thunder's broken wing, then walking out of the room.

"Oooooh." Thunder groaned, lowering his head and getting off of the bed.

"Hey, at least it wasn't something worse." Shining Armor said, patting Thunder's back.

"I know, but now I can't use that move that we practiced." Thunder replied.

"Oh. That's right." Shining said, sighing. "Don't worry, at least this isn't a public event."

"Wait, it isn't?" Thunder said, looking at Shining.

"Nope. Well, I don't think it is." Shining said back.

"Oh, I feel ten times better now. I thought it was a public event in front of thousands." Thunderblast said.

"It could be, i'm not sure. You should ask the captain, he'll know." Shining replied.

"Alright." Thunder said back.

"Alright you sissies, now's the next step of your training." Iron Armor said, walking down a line of recruits, including Shining and Thunder. "Today, you will be doing water training. This is a very required part of becoming royal guards. Every guard must know what to do in the event if somepony is drowning, but first, you'll be doing speed swimming. We will be monitoring how fast you swim. Again, this is not a race, so don't get competitive. Do your best. GO!"

At that moment, everypony ran and jumped into the pool, while Thunderblast, jumped in slower than the others, and immediately sank for a moment, before popping back up and doggy paddling towards the other end of the massive pool.

"Thunderblast! Doggy paddling is NOT swimming! Swim like a real stallion!" Iron yelled.

"I'm trying sir!" Thunder said, head barely above the water, and slowly sinking down. All he could see was the others way ahead of him, and soon, he gave up.

Shining Armor turned to see where Thunder was, and saw him go under.

"THUNDER!" He yelled, turning and swimming back to save his friend, diving underwater and pulling Thunderblast out of the pool, getting out and dragging him out. "Come on buddy... You're not dying on me today. Not here, not now." he said, pressing onto Thunder's stomach, causing him to cough out water.

Thunder coughed and slowly raised his head up, the back of his head dripping with pool water. "D-did I swim? Hehe..."

Shining sighed, then looked up to see his uncle glaring down at them.

"Thunderblast! I can't believe you. You doggy paddled, and sunk to the bottom of the pool! That isn't swimming. I'm very disappointed in you soldier." Iron said, growling slightly.

"Uncle. Stop." Shining said, standing up and sticking his hoof out at Iron.

"And you Shining... You...you-."

"Swam back and saved Thunder? Yeah, I did. You got a problem with that? You got a problem with your men going back and saving their friends?" Shining shouted at Iron.

"Well...uh..y-you-."

"Should have let him drown? No way. I thought this part of training was about saving ponies from drowning, yet you scold us because I went back to save him. If leaving your fellow guards behind is what being a royal guard is, then I don't want any part of it." Shining continued, narrowing his eyes onto his uncle, who was backing up slightly, in shock.

"W-what are you saying, nephew?" Iron asked.

"I quit this stupid training." Shining said, snapping his dog tags off of his neck and throwing them into the pool, then walking away.

Iron watched as the dog tags sank out of sight, and then turned to see Shining walk into the pool locker room, then sighed and also walked away to check on the other trainees who were still swimming.

Thunderblast got up and saw Shining Armor walk away, then coughed up some more water and walked after him.

"Shining wait!" Thunder said, following him.

"No, go away Thunder." Shining said, sitting down on a bench, then curling up and crying into his hooves, his dreams of being a royal guard is now crushed.

"Shining..." Thunder said, trotting up next to his friend and sitting down next to the bench, putting his hoof on his back as Shining sobbed into his hooves.

"Thunder... I can't believe my uncle thought leaving you behind was the best thing to do..." Shining cried. "The captain of the Royal Guard himself said leaving you behind was better than going back to save you."

"Shining, he didn't say that. He was just saying that I needed to learn how to swim. I probably should have told him in advance." Thunder replied, sighing.

"You didn't know before?" Shining asked, still face down into his hooves.

"No... I never knew how to swim. Deep water scares me." Thunderblast said, rubbing Shining's back just behind his neck.

"I'm so sorry, Thunder. I can't continue this. It's too hard." Shining sobbed.

"Shining, please, don't quit. I need you." Thunder said back, hugging him. "Please."

Shining Armor calmed down slightly. "You don't need me, Thunderblast. Nopony needs me." he said, eyes full of tears.

"I do need you buddy, and if your uncle really means it, you'll become the next captain of the Royal Guard. I see you becoming captain." Thunder comforted his friend.

Shining smiled slightly. "You really think so?" he asked.

"Of course." Thunder responded, smiling down at Shining.

Shining smiled more, then sat up and squeezed Thunder in a lung-crushing hug.

"I'm glad you're my friend, Thunder." Shining said, squeezing Thunder's neck.

"I'm.....glad.....to have.....you as mine......t-too!" Thunder strained.

"OH JEEZ." Shining said, letting go of Thunder, who dropped onto the floor and coughed, then stood back up. "Hehe... Sorry." he said, scratching the back of his head and awkwardly smiling.

"That's alright, but we need to get back to the pool!" Thunder said, trotting over to the door and opening it. "Come on!"

"But, what about you? You can't swim." Shining said, getting off of the bench.

"Hey, don't worry about me." Thunderblast replied, smiling.

Shining smiled and walked into the pool room with Thunder, before they both jumped in, and Shining swimming much faster than Thunderblast. Thunder managed to swim a little bit farther than last time, but ran out of energy quickly and started to go under again.

"Thunder!" Shining yelled, stopping and watching Thunder for a moment.

"No! Keep going! I'll be fine!" Thunderblast yelled back, before slipping underwater.

Shining looked at the end of the pool, then back to Thunder, then sighed and continued swimming, quickly passing the other trainees. When he reached the end of the pool, he looked to see if Thunder was back above the water, but saw nothing.

"Th-thunder!" Shining said, looking around.

Suddenly, Thunderblast popped above the water next to him, gasping for breath and coughing.

"Wow... That was real trippy." Thunder said, breathing heavily.

Shining chuckled, then helped him out of the pool.

Iron clapped his hooves and walked over to them.

"Wow you two, you swam faster than all of the trainees, even after all of that back there!" Iron said, smiling at them, and handing them towels to dry themselves off. "So, Shining, you still quittin'?" he asked.

Shining Armor looked to Thunderblast then to his uncle. "No sir, I think i'll stay." he said, smiling.

"Alright, and please, call me uncle, not sir." Iron said, trotting away. "You two can head out early."

"Thank you, sir." Thunder said, still gasping for breath slightly.

"Yes, thank you s--I mean, uncle." Shining said.

Later that same day, Thunderblast trotted to Iron Armor's office, and knocked on the door.

"Come in." Iron said, looking up and expecting a report from another royal guard.

"Afternoon, sir." Thunderblast said, walking in the door.

"Oh, good afternoon Thunder, I didn't expect you here. What's up?" Iron asked.

"Well." Thunder said, sitting down at Iron's desk. "The guard fight this weekend, is it a public event, or what is it?"

"Yes, it's a public event." Iron said, putting a folder in his filing cabinet.

Thunder gulped. "It is?"

"Yep. As a matter of fact, it's one of the biggest events in Canterlot. Ponies from all over Equestria come to see this fight." Iron said, sitting back down at his desk, investigating the stallion in front of him.

Thunder's eyes shrunk. "And, we have no choice but to go, right?"

"Affirmative." Iron said, smiling.

"Grrreat." Thunder sighed.

"Hey, don't be scared. Just pretend nopony is watching. I had stage fright as a colt too. Alot of ponies do, it's not just you." Iron said, putting his hoof on Thunder's shoulder.

"I know, but..."

"But what?"

"...Never mind." Thunder said.

Iron raised an eyebrow. "Okay then. Anything else?"

"No sir." Thunder replied.

"Alright." Iron said, shuffling through some papers, while Thunder walked out of his office and shut the door, then slowly walking down the steps, feeling more scared than ever.

Soon enough, the day finally came, and Thunderblast, nor Shining Armor, were too prepared for the magnitude of this event.

"Thunder?" a voice rang out. "Thunder..."

"Hmm?"

"Thunder! Get up!"

"Mmm... Don't wanna."

"Thunder! I said... Get up!"

Out of nowhere, Thunderblast woke out of a dead sleep and was yanked out of bed by his hoof, landing face down onto the floor.

"Ow." Thunder said, voice muffled slightly from the cold concrete floor.

"Thunderblast... Come on. Get up. We need to get ready." Shining Armor said.

"Ugh. What day is it?" Thunder asked.

"It's Saturday, Thunder. The guard fight is tonight." Shining replied.

"Wait...WHAT?!" Thunder quickly stood up.

"You heard me. You slept through the trumpets. We need to get ready." Shining said.

"What are we waiting for?!" Thunder panicked slightly, grabbing a towel and quickly running to the shower house.

Shining watched a grey and black streak shoot out the door, then he sighed and grabbed his towel, following Thunder to the shower house.

After showering, Thunderblast and Shining Armor ate, and instead of training more today, Iron Armor told all of the trainees to head back to their barracks to rest, and that guards would come and gather them to take them to the Canterlot City Arena, where the fight was being held.

A few hours after showering and eating, Thunderblast, Shining Armor, and a few others talked in their barrack, when a unicorn guard in regular armor, but with a red mane, tail, and star on his armor walked in.

"Trainees! It's almost time. Come on, march!" The guard shouted in a tough soldier tone.

Thunder, Shining, and the other trainees got off of their beds and formed a single file line behind the unicorn, and they soon gathered with the other trainees and guards, and they marched through the city, all chanting the royal guard theme, before arriving at the massive arena, ponies clearing the way for the guards and trainees to walk in. In the arena, thousands of ponies lined the stands, cheering and taking pictures, as they waited for the event to start.

In the locker rooms below, some of the guards put on their armor, while some did funny moves that got them pumped up, all wrapping their hooves in bandages like boxers.

"Shining?" Thunderblast said, sitting down on a bench next to Shining Armor, who was wrapping his hooves up.

"Yeah?" Shining replied.

"I'm a little scared. What about you?" Thunder said.

"I'm...fifty-fifty. Half scared, half ready to do this." Shining replied, finishing up one hoof, and starting on the other.

"I'm ninety percent scared and ten percent ready to do this. Or maybe it's ten percent scared and ninety percent ready. I'm too confused." Thunder said, chuckling lightly.

Shining laughed. "That's what makes it so intense." he said, finishing wrapping up his other hoof, then throwing punches at the air in front of him to prepare.

"Guards! Trainees! It's time!" Iron Armor said, trotting into the room, and everypony got up and formed lines, following close behind him as they walked out into the arena only to be greeted by thousands of loud, cheering ponies, who got louder once the guards walked out into the fighting grounds, which was a massive dirt field.

Meanwhile, TV stations from all over Equestria were at the arena, broadcasting the whole event.

"Welcome everypony from all around Equestria to the National Royal Guard Gladiator Battle!" An announcer talked, ringing throughout the whole arena, in a voice similar to a commentator from a boxing match.

This was it. Zero hour. Thunderblast had very little time to get the fear out of his nerves, and knew that whoever he had to fight, would show no mercy.

Up in the higher stands, the military and Royal Guard high ranks, Princess Celestia and Cadence sat, watching the event start.

The first two to fight were picked, while the rest of the guards and trainees, including Shining Armor, Thunderblast, Spear, Shuriken, and Whiteblade. All ponies stood up for the national anthem, and after the anthem, the fight immediately roared into action.

After a few short rounds and two long rounds, Shining Armor was then picked for the next fight, and he was being forced to go against a light tan pegasus, who was around the same size as Shining.

"Wish me luck!" Shining said, walking out onto the battle field, waving at some spectators.

"You don't need it!" Thunderblast yelled over the crowd to Shining, then watched as he went into the fight.

Shining Armor and the pegasus circled in the center of the arena, thinking of ways to attack.

"You're going down, pinhead." The pegasus chuckled.

"Who are you calling a pinhead?" Shining said, jumping into an attack position and firing a blast of magic at the pegasus, striking his hoof, managing to dodge the energy blast by flying up.

"You're so on." The pegasus growled, then flew down and threw punches at Shining Armor, who blocked most of the hits with his hooves.

Soon, the fight got intense, and it was raging on. Thunderblast and other trainees shouted for Shining to take him down, as well as many ponies in the crowd chanting...

"Shi-ning! Shi-ning! Shi-ning!"

Shining Armor lit up his horn, then charged towards the pegasus, slowly powering it up. The pegasus charged towards him, and just before they collided, Shining teleported away, and behind the pegasus, tricking him. He then got into another attack position, sliding his hoof like a bull on the ground, making small dust clouds behind him, then the pegasus became agitated.

"Okay. THAT'S IT!" he yelled, then flew at high speeds, too quick for Shining to react, and knocked him off of his hooves, and grabbed Shining's hoof, and yanking it in a direction it was not meant to bend.

"AAAAAAUGH!" Shining Armor screamed and cried in pain, being completely picked up and swung into the air, and slammed onto his back on the ground, yanking his hoof free and holding it in pain, then struggling to block more devastating punches from the pegasus.

"Hey HEY! Somepony stop him!" Whiteblade yelled, standing up and yelling at a referee, who ran out to them and pulled the tan pegasus off of Shining Armor, who was shaking badly and very weak.

"HEY! Stop! I want to finish him off!" The pegasus yelled, trying to get free from the referee's grasp to attack Shining Armor, while a couple of medics rushed to Shining and helped him up.

"Shining!" Thunderblast yelled, running out onto the field and helping the medics help him walk.

"I-i'm fine... R-really." Shining said, trying to smile, his eye half open and blood dripping from his muzzle.

"You fought your best, Shining. I'm proud of you." Iron Armor said, lifting Shining onto his back and walking him to the medical station.

Thunderblast watched Iron take Shining away, and started to worry more.

"Could I be next?" Thunder thought, sitting back down.

More rounds followed Shining Armor's fight, including Spear, who had already taken out Shuriken and another stallion named Thunder Storm, and Thunder grew more nervous. The crowd of trainees and guards around him waiting to fight got smaller, and soon enough, Thunderblast was the last one.

"Aaaaand the final fight for this evening..." The commentator said, and on the jumbotron hanging above the field from the ceiling turned on, showing pictures of Thunderblast and Spear. "Thunderblast and Spear!"

Thunder's heart sank at that moment, and fear rushed through his veins all over his body.

"Hehehe.. Good luck, but I doubt you'll need it." Spear chuckled, getting up and walking out onto the field.

Thunderblast stared out into nothing, before being snapped out of his trance by a hoof guard on his shoulder.

"You'll do just fine. Go make me proud, Thunderblast." Iron Armor said, smiling.

Thunder took a deep breath, then got up and trotted out onto the field, the cheers from ponies around the arena louder than ever. He stood in front of Spear, and he winced, preparing himself for the bell and the possible bloodbath that would come from one of them.

"I hope you're ready to die, Thundercrash." Spear said, getting into an attack position.

"In your little pea-sized brain dreams, Spear." Thunderblast said, putting on his game face and growling slightly at the white pegasus in front of him.

A few heartbeats later, the bell that Thunder feared would come finally rang, and Spear flew up the moment Thunderblast threw a massive punch, sliding on the dirt where Spear once stood.

Spear laughed, almost insanely, then flew down to attack Thunder, pulling out a sword.

Thunderblast saw a sword slide on the ground in front of him, then briefly looked and saw Iron Armor in the direction it came from, also cheering for Thunder to grab it and defend himself. Thunderblast picked the sword up, turning over and the sound of metal striking metal screeched as the swords collided, and Spear slowly pushed it closer to Thunder, who was straining to push Spear off of him. Then, Thunder did something very in-smart; He wrapped his hind legs around Spear's hind leg, then slammed them down, flinging Spear backwards and on his back, giving Thunder a chance.

Thunder stood back up, sword in his hoof, and waited for Spear to stand back up. When he stood up, they charged at each other, again swords colliding with each other, and they slowly pushed each other around, before Spear flew up and over Thunder, causing him to shoot forward and knock his sword out of his hoof, somehow becoming lodged into the ground, too much for Thunderblast to pull out with his remaining strength, crippling him.

"I'm going to enjoy this, Thunderblast." Spear said, slowly approaching Thunder, dragging his sword along the ground, making a long line in the dirt.

Thunder's hearing was bouncing from Iron Armor and other guards telling him what to do, to the sound of the crowds cheering, to the sound of him mentally beating himself for getting himself into this mountain of chaos. He waited until Spear was right above him, before turning onto his back and bucking the sword out of Spear's hoof, high into the air, and far behind them. Spear watched his sword get knocked out of his reach, then turned and faced Thunder, who was struggling to get up. Spear then threw multiple punches at Thunderblast, who opened his wings, breaking the bandages on his left wing, and shielding himself with them, his bad wing taking most of the hits.

"Thunder! Fight back!" Iron yelled from the stands.

"Not yet!" Thunderblast yelled back, still shielding himself.

"Come on, Thunder! Fight back! Take him out!" Other guards yelled, as well as a few injured guards and trainees, who were all cheering for him.

Thunder blocked out the others talking to him, and started talking to himself, closing his eyes for a moment, and counting down.

"Now..." He said to himself, before closing his wings, and in a matter of milliseconds, shooting up and super-punching Spear's chin with both of his hooves, and Spear was knocked far into the air, crashing back down into the dirt twenty feet away, Thunderblast landing back on his hooves, wiping some blood from his muzzle, then looking up at Spear, who had medics around him.

Thunder smiled slightly, but then his vision faded, and he collapsed onto the ground.

"Thunder... Wake up. You need to finish the fight!" A voice called out, mostly muffled.

Thunderblast slowly opened his eyes, and saw himself staring up at Iron Armor, and a couple of other guards, as well as a medic. When he looked at his stomach, there was a sword on it.

"I-I don't get it..." Thunder said. "I knocked him into next week."

"Yes, but it's tradition for the winner to kill his opponent." An earth pony guard said.

"W-what?!" Thunder said, standing up slowly.

He looked over to Spear, who's hooves were tied up behind his back, struggling to get free, and he immediately knew he didn't want to kill him. Thunder looked down at his sword, then back to Spear, then back to the sword, and picked it up slowly, then walked out of the small group of ponies who were around him, then he walked over to Spear.

Spear saw Thunder approaching him, and tried to get away, but then stopped struggling.

Thunderblast held the sword, now standing in front of Spear.

"Go ahead... Kill me." Spear said. "You earned it." he continued, smiling slightly up at the grey pegasus stallion, before sighing and shedding a tear, which rolled down his face. "At least I made it this far." he said, closing his eyes and preparing himself mentally to be killed.

Thunder looked at Spear, then to his sword, then he slowly raised it in the air, and the crowd immediately went quiet. Spear started to cry slightly, and when he felt the slight breeze of the sword, he thought to himself that it was over. But instead, he opened his eyes and saw the sword lodged in the ground next to him, and Thunder with his head down and eyes closed.

"What are you doing Thunder?!" Iron shouted.

Thunderblast raised his head and turned to look at Iron.

"I'm not killing him." He said.

A collective gasp filled the air around the arena, and the cameras focused on Thunderblast's face, broadcasting him across Equestria and on the jumbotron in the arena.

"What do you mean?" Iron Armor said, walking closer to Thunder.

"I'm not killing him. It's not right." Thunder said, glaring at Iron.

"Thunder, you have to. You won the fight." Spear said.

"Shut it, Spear." Thunder said, then turning to look back at Iron.

"And why not?" Iron said, attempting to scare Thunder by narrowing his eyes onto him.

"Sir... You thought it wasn't right when your nephew, Shining Armor, swam back to save me when I was drowning during that water training. You made him want to quit, and I got him to come back. Now, you think it's right for me to kill my opponent after knocking him out. You don't think he has family?" Thunderblast said.

"Well...uh..." Iron said, before being cut off by Thunder.

"Don't well uh me. I don't care who you are, I don't care if you're a normal pony or if you're captain of the Royal Guard. I am not taking this order to kill this innocent stallion behind me." Thunderblast said, trotting behind Spear and untying his hooves. "Tell me, every single one of you." he said, pointing his hoof around the arena. "Do you all think it's right for the winner to kill his opponent without giving him a last chance to fight for his life?"

Ponies around the arena looked at each other, then they all started chanting "Let Spear go!" over and over, and a small smile cracked on Thunderblast's face.

Iron looked around at the crowd, then to Thunder, and sighed.

"Thunder. You're right. Killing your opponent is not right, and when Shining went back to save you, I don't know what I was thinking by scolding him. I was completely wrong, and i'm sorry, and for that, Private Thunderblast..." Iron said.

"Private Thunderblast?" Thunder asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.

He looked behind him, and saw Princess Celestia standing there with a medal in her hoof.

"I, Princess Celestia, award you the National Royal Guard Gladiator Battle winner medal." She said, levitating it with her magic onto Thunder's neck. "And, I understand you are underage to be a Royal Guard, yes?"

"I-I am, your highness." Thunder stuttered lightly, looking up at her.

"Well, that doesn't change anything. Thunderblast, on Monday, I want you to go to the castle armor fitter." Celestia said.

"What for?" Thunder asked, eyes widening slightly.

"You will receive your armor." She said, smiling.

"You're one of us now." Iron said, saluting him, as well as a few other guards around them.

Thunder's irises widened even more, then saluted Iron back. "Thank you... All of you." He said, smiling. "May I ask for one more thing?"

"Certainly." Iron happily replied, dropping his salute.

"I ask that Shining Armor is also to receive his armor on Monday with me. He did after all say he didn't want his armor until I got mine." Thunderblast said, smiling.

"Of course. I'll let him know." Iron said. "For now, get some rest. You fought hard today." he continued, before walking away with Princess Celestia and the other guards.

"Th-Thunder?" Spear said, standing behind Thunder.

Thunderblast turned around to face Spear. "Yeah Spear?"

"Uh... I-I just wanted to say... I'm sorry. For everything." Spear said, lowering his head.

"Hey, that's alright." Thunder said, lifting Spear's head back up with his hoof.

"It's not. I was a jerk to you and I deserved to die back there. Why didn't you kill me?" Spear asked.

"I couldn't hurt you. It's not in my nature to do that." Thunder replied, smiling at Spear.

Spear smiled back at Thunder slightly, then hugged him. "I admit... You kicked my flank. C-Can we be friends?" he said.

"I'd love to." Thunderblast responded, hugging Spear back.

Author's Note

Whew... It's finally here. My brain hurts from brainstorming the chapter. Anyways, i'd like to give a shoutout to ST477, as Thunder Storm, mentioned in the chapter, is his OC and i'd like to thank him for letting me use it. I will try to put him in future chapters more, as well as Shuriken and Whiteblade, just so I can build them up a little bit more.

Daynight

Peace and quiet. Exactly how Thunderblast liked it, most of the time.

It was the middle of a cool, crisp, June night, most if not all of Equestria would be asleep by now, but tonight was special. Most if not all of the ponies in Equestria are awake. All except one grey pegasus stallion.

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

"Oh come on... shut up ya stupid clock!" Said the muffled voice of Thunderblast, who had set his alarm clock to wake him up early. Very early. He had guard duty somewhere he never thought he'd have guard duty, Ponyville. Today was the Summer Sun Celebration, and this year's location happened to fall right in his homes back yard.

Thunder slowly rose out of bed, mane and feathers ruffled from a rough nights sleep, and he sat up for a few moments to let his brain reboot. After waking up, partially, he got out of bed and walked out into his apartment living room, leaving the light off so he doesn't get blinded.

Thunder made some eggs and and oats, a healthy breakfast to get his body going for the long day ahead. Afterwards, he took a shower, cleaned the rest of himself up, then put his armor on, and went out onto his balcony, which was still dark from night time. He gazed over the massive expanse of lights below and around him. Thunder had bought an apartment in a high rise not far from Downtown, giving him a breathtaking view of the city.

He opened his wings and kept them level to the horizon, and let the cool breeze get into his coat and feathers. He took a deep breath, then took off from his balcony, and to the castle where the Princess was getting herself ready. Thunder and another guard were assigned a job for today, pull Princess Celestia's chariot to Ponyville, then stay by her side while the sun rises. It was a job Thunderblast had never done before.

"Good morning, Skipper," a sleepy but mostly awake Thunderblast said, flying into the castle grounds.

"Hmm? Ah, good morning Thunder," said a white pegasus stallion with a blond mane who went by the name of Cloud Skipper. He resembled Spear, but was just slightly taller than Spear, and had crystal-blue eyes like most guards. The only differences the two had were their cutie marks, mane styles, and names.

"You ready for today?" Thunder asked the stallion as he landed in front of him.

"Of course I am. Are you?" Cloud Skipper smirked.

"Eeyup," Thunder replied, sounding a bit like his brother Big Macintosh. "Something feels off today, though."

"What is it?" Cloud Skipper asked, putting on his helmet.

"I don't know. It just feels...weird," Thunder said, looking up at the moon, and three bright stars which were slowly, too slow to see by the eye, moving towards the white planet.

"I doubt it's anything," Cloud said. "Come on let's hook ourselves up, Celestia will be coming out soon."

"Alright, just give me a second," Thunder responded, turning and looking back up at the moon and investigating it, narrowing his eyes onto it.

Inside the castle, in her bedroom, Princess Celestia looked at herself in the mirror, and sighed, shedding a tear.

"Everything alright, your highness?" A unicorn guard asked, standing at her doorway waiting to escort her to her chariot outside.

"Y-yes," Celestia quickly replied.

"Are you sure?" The guard asked.

Celestia sighed again. "No... Not everything is alright, Corporal."

"What's wrong? Are you sick or hurt?" The guard asked, walking up next to her.

"No. Today is a day I feared for a thousand years," Celestia replied.

Outside, Thunderblast and Cloud Skipper waited and waited for the Very Important Pony, Skipper constantly checking a clock on a street lamp.

"Ugh, where is she?" Cloud said in a frustrated tone.

"I don't know. She isn't normally late," Thunder said.

"I know, but she can't be late for this. It's the Summer Sun Celebration."

"Just give her some time, maybe she had to do some last-minute things and got caught up."

"Fine."

"My apologies, boys. I uh, got caught up," Princess Celestia said, as she walked out of the castle.

"It's perfectly fine, your highness," Thunder and Cloud both said, bowing in respect.

"See? What'd I tell you?" Thunder whispered to Cloud, who rolled his eyes.

"Whenever you're ready, sirs," Celestia said, sitting down on the comfy seat in her chariot.

At her word, the two stallions took to the skies, attached to Princess Celestia's chariot, and they worked their way to Ponyville, the princess bringing up a couple of small conversations with the guards, something not so typical for the guards or the princess.

After arriving in Ponyville, just outside of Town Hall where the ceremony is to be held, ponies lined the square, bowing in respect as the princess landed and got off of her chariot. She said a few words to the townsponies before walking into the town hall to speak with Mayor Mare, then up to the backroom where some last minute things had to be taken care of.

While Cloud Skipper kept watch outside of the building, Thunderblast walked through the crowd, hoping to see a certain blue rainbow-maned mare.

"Rainbow Dash?" Thunder called out, working his way through the crowd, as a few more pegasus royal guards landed outside town hall to allow ponies in without stampeding the place. He continued looking around for her, then started to wonder if either she couldn't make it, or if she was looking for him at the same time.

After searching the crowd for her, he sighed and went back to the town hall, only to get tackled by somepony.

"Thundy!" Rainbow Dash said, giggling and hugging Thunder after tackling him.

"Dashie!" Thunder said, hugging her back, getting a few awws from the crowd.

"I'm so glad you're here!" Rainbow squeaked, getting off of Thunder, squeezing him again once he got back on his hooves.

"I'm glad to be here! It's about darn time that they hold the Summer Sun Celebration here."

"I agree. By the way, I saw you pulling that chariot," Rainbow said, nudging her coltfriend's arm.

"Y-You did?" Thunder replied, smiling sheepishly and blushing.

"Mmhmm. I also gotta say again, Thunder. That armor looks great on you," Rainbow said, checking out the stallion in armor in front of her, then winking at him.

Thunderblast blushed a bit more, then moved his hoof over his face to avoid anypony seeing it.

"Hey, don't you have to be guarding the princess?" Rainbow asked.

"Yeah, but the celebration doesn't start for a few minutes. I'll go back just before it starts," Thunder said, smiling down at the mare.

Rainbow Dash smiled back. "I wish you could come back to Ponyville all the time, Thundey."

"Me too, Dashie." Thunder replied, walking with Rainbow Dash through the line of ponies to the town hall.

After reaching the door...

"Hey Dashie, i'm gonna go up to Celestia's balcony and check on her. I'll be back down after the sun comes up, alright?" Thunderblast said.

"Alright." Dashie said, and they both gave each other a quick peck on the cheek, before Thunder walked up the stairs to the room just behind the balcony where Celestia is to raise the sun.

"Your highness, are you almost-."

Princess Celestia was not there.

"Huh, maybe she's using the restroom or something." Thunder said, looking around the poorly-lit room.

After a few moments, he heard the sounds of hooves clicking on the stairs and onto the wooden floor.

"Oh, Thunderblast. I didn't expect to see you up here. Where's the princess?" A white unicorn with a purple curly mane asked.

"Oh, hi Rarity. I think she's in the restroom or something." Thunder replied.

"Hmm. Alright then." Rarity said, quickly checking out the stallion's armor. "Eugh, didn't the royal guard give you something less dirty and sweatier to wear?"

Thunder looked down at his armor. "It's not that dirty, Rarity. Besides, this is the Summer Sun Celebration, not the Grand Galloping Gala."

"I know, but still. A suit is better than sweaty armor." Rarity said, backing up slightly to avoid getting dirty herself.

"Hey, this armor gets hot when you wear it. What do you expect?" Thunder said, grumbling slightly.

"Hmph." Rarity said as she trotted back downstairs.

Thunderblast rolled his eyes. "Ugh... Fashion mares."

"I HEARD THAT!" Rarity yelled, and Thunder dodged a few flying objects.

"Princess?" Thunder said, knocking on the bathroom door, accidentally opening it. When he peeked inside, it was empty, and Thunder gasped, then frantically ran around the entire second floor looking for the sun princess.

After searching every nook and cranny for her, he stopped by her balcony and took a deep breath, and started to think she was doing other things elsewhere. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, which had shrunk, the moment he heard Mayor Mare's voice talking on the first floor to the townsponies.

Then, out of nowhere, he noticed a purple smoke fill the room, and circle around him.

"H-hello?" Thunder stuttered, starting to shake in fear.

"And today, is where we mark, the longest day of the-."

"AAAAAGHH!" Screamed Thunder, as he was knocked out of the doorway to Celestia's balcony, spinning out of control, then landing and crashing through the floorboards in a hole in the crowd, and everypony gasped once they saw a royal guard had just been tossed in front of them. Suddenly, there was a scream, and everypony looked up to the balcony where Celestia was due to walk out, and the purple smoke slowly formed into a black mare the size of Celestia, as well as a starry-smoke mane and tail, which waved on it's own.

"Well, well, well. Look at all of my subjects." The pitch-black mare said. "I bet none of you know who I am.."

"I do." One light-purple unicorn mare with a darker purple with a pink-striped mane said, with a purple and green baby dragon on her back. "You're Nightmare Moon." she said, gulping.

"Well, looks like one of Celestia's students is here too." Nightmare Moon cackled. It's a shame none of you will ever see the day again! Today isn't the summer sun celebration anymore. Today is the day night time lasts, FOREVER!" she cackled more.

"SEIZE HER! Only she knows where the princess is!" Mayor Mare ordered some guards, who flew up to attack the dark pony.

"Stay back you foals!" Nightmare Moon shouted, before some lightning struck the guards, knocking them out of the air, landing in more holes in the crowd. She then fired a beam of magic, and tore some large wooden pieces out of the building, and dropped them onto the guards, trapping them, and she cackled even more, before returning to her smoke form and racing out of the town hall.

"HEY! You come back here!" Rainbow Dash yelled, flying out with the smoke, but was too slow to catch up with her. "N-night time... Forever?"

"Ergh..." Thunder groaned, struggling to pull himself free from the hole in the floor that he somehow fit into. He then felt something grab his tail, and he, along with some edges of the floor, came up and he was set down by a purple magic field. Thunder dusted himself off, and pulled some splinters out of his fur and wings. "Thanks" He said.

"Don't mention it." The purple unicorn said. "Where's the princess?" she asked.

"I don't know. I looked everywhere for her but she wasn't up there." Thunderblast replied, looking up at her and slowly standing up, but then sitting back down. "Agh." he said.

The unicorn looked at the dragon on her back. "Let me see your leg." she said.

Thunder looked up at her, ears down, and slowly moved his left hind leg out towards her, removing his hoof guard from his hoof so she could examine it.

"Oh dear. You sprained your hoof." She said, gasping.

Thunder sighed. "Grrreat."

The purple unicorn grabbed a first aid kit, and wrapped up the area of his hind leg that hurt the most, then helped him stand up and learn to walk without using his hind leg.

"Do I know you?" The unicorn asked, looking at Thunder and investigating him.

Thunder looked at the unicorn closely. "I think so. Are you Shining Armor's sister?" he asked.

"I am. Why?" She replied.

"He's told me a lot about you." Thunderblast replied, smiling at her.

The unicorn mare smiled back. "Good or bad things?"

"All good, all good." Thunder responded, chuckling. "Pleased to finally meet you, Twilight."

"Good to meet you too, er, what's your name?" Twilight asked.

"Thunderblast. You can just call me Thunder though." Thunder said back.

"Alright, Thunder. Look, I know it's your job to protect the princess, but..." Twilight stopped.

"But what?"

"I need for you to stay here in town and keep the ponies from panicking." Twilight continued.

"That'll be easy alright." Thunder sighed, hearing some screams outside as ponies panicked.

Twilight giggled some, but had to continue being serious.

"Does that hurt?" A yellow pegasus mare with a pink curly mane asked a royal guard in a quiet voice, who's wing was broken.

"Y-yes..Agh! It does." The guard replied, trying to fight off the pain.

"I'm sorry, sir, but it'll hurt for juuust a little bit longer." The mare said, still in a quiet voice, as she wrapped up the stallion's wing.

Meanwhile, the other guards, including Cloud Skipper, were being treated outside by medics. They all had similar injuries.

"Look, Thunder. I'm going to go out into the Everfree and look for the old castle that the princesses once ruled in. Maybe the elements of Harmony are still there." Twilight said, wrapping up Thunderblast's wing, which was also broken.

"The Everfree? Are you crazy? I can't let you go out there." Thunder replied.

"I have to. Only I know where the elements might be." Twilight said back, finishing up wrapping Thunder's wing.

"No, Twilight. I can't let you go out there. It's too dangerous. Especially with that Nightmare Moon thing out there." Thunder said, standing in front of Twilight as she tried to walk out the door.

"Please, Thunder. Let me go out there." She begged.

"No. I'm sorry. It's too dangerous." Thunder said in a serious tone.

"HEY! YOU!" Another mare's voice yelled, and Twilight was tackled by Rainbow Dash. "You know who that...Nightmare...Moon or whatever it was called was. Are you a spy?!"

"No! I'm not. I swear!" Twilight said, pinned down by Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow, she isn't a spy, now get off of her." Thunder ordered, walking over to them.

"Fine." Rainbow said, getting off of Twilight, allowing herself to stand up.

"Do ya know how to stahp her?" Applejack asked, walking up next to Thunder and looking at Twilight.

"Sort of, but I need to go so I can figure it out." Twilight replied.

"No way, uh uh." Thunder said, still in a serious tone.

"You can't go out there." Rarity said, trotting up to them.

"See?" Thunder said, closing his eyes and smiling, somepony finally saying his point.

"...Alone." Rarity continued, and Thunder opened his eyes.

"Gawh!" He grumbled.

"I appreciate the offer girls, but I need to do this by myself." Twilight said, walking over to the door."

"No can do, sugarcube. We're comin' with ya." Applejack said, walking alongside Twilight.

"Mmhmm!" The rest of the mares said.

"No! There's no way i'm letting you all go out into that monster forest. What if something happens to you six?" Thunderblast said.

"Thundey, we'll be fine. I won't let anything happen to them." Rainbow Dash said, walking up to Thunder and smiling.

"Dashie, what if you get hurt? What if you get trapped? I'll never know to come to you." Thunder said, his glare turning into a worrisome face.

"We'll be fine, Thunder." Rainbow Dash said, kissing Thunder on the cheek, causing him to blush, then flying back over to the other mares.

Twilight sighed. "Fine, i'll let you come. But stay close. We're going to be in the Everfree, especially at night time." she said.

"Be careful, you six." Thunder said.

"We will." Twilight replied, before running out of the town hall.

"Don't ya fret one bit, brother. We'll be back before ya can say Zap Apples." Applejack said, and the rest of the mares ran out with Twilight.

Thunderblast watched them leave, then lowered his head, feeling as if he failed his duties of being a royal guard, not to mention letting six mares, two of them being his marefriend and his sister, go out into the Everfree forest.

"Thunder!" Yelled a familiar voice of a stallion, and when Thunderblast looked up, he saw two pegasi stallions, one mid-blue with a darker blue mane, and a white pegasus with a blue with a cyan-striped mane, similar to Shining Armor's mane.

"Stormfire! Blitz!" Thunder stood up carefully, removing his helmet and smiling.

"What the hay is going on?!" The white pegasus, a trainee Wonderbolt known as Blitz, said, as they stopped right in front of the injured stallion.

"And what happened to you?" Stormfire asked, at the time an off-duty royal guard.

"I got tossed across the room and into the floor." Thunder replied, pointing to a massive hole in the floor where he crashed.

"Oh... Ouch." Blitz said, looking at the hole then back to Thunder.

"Where's Rainbow Dash?" Blue asked.

"She went out with a few other mares, including Applejack. They went into the Everfree looking for some....Elements of Harmony or whatever." Thunderblast said back.

"What?! And you just let them go out there?" Storm asked.

"They seemed confident that they could find it. Hey, if this helps bring back the day time, i'm willing to let them try." Thunder said.

"How long have they been gone?" Blitz asked.

"Thirty minutes." Thunder replied.

"Don't you think they should have been back by now?" Storm asked.

"I don't know. Maybe it takes a while to get there, I mean you never know." Thunder said.

"True. Why don't we go and see if they're okay?" Blitz said.

"No, Blitz." Thunder replied.

"I agree, what if they're hurt or trapped?" Storm said.

"Guys, I'm not letting any more of you go in there," Thunder puffed his chest out.

"He's not a guard, he's a chicken." Blitz said, laughing.

"Bwak bwak bwak," Storm laughed with Blitz.

Their laughing was then interrupted by Thunder's guard helmet smacking their heads.

"Ow!! W-what was that for?" Storm said, rubbing his head, now on his back on the floor.

"You really want to go out there? Fine. Let's go." Thunder said, walking out the door, leaving his helmet on the floor.

Stormfire then looked at Blitz, then they both watched Thunderblast leave, and got up to follow him.

Thunder's seriousness suddenly dropped the moment the three reached the edge of the Everfree, and they were all shaking.

"Uh... W-who wants to go in first?" Blitz asked, sounding very nervous.

"Obviously...i-it's Thunderblast. He's the one with the w-weapons.." Storm stuttered.

"Of course." Thunder groaned, then pulled out his spear and slowly entered the forest, Blitz and Storm close behind him.

Suddenly, a new sound, other than the crickets and hooves patting the ground, began to fill the air.

"W-what's that?" Blitz asked, and he huddled against Thunder and Storm.

The three nervously looked around, hoping to find the cause of the sound.

Blitz and Storm then turned to Thunderblast.

"Oh, sorry. It's my armor rattling..." Thunder nervously said. "Sorry guys."

"Dude, I thought you were a royal guard, not a chicken." Storm said.

"I am a royal guard..." Thunder said, acting slightly more serious and less childish, but then opened his eyes which were small, and he looked around. "It's just... The Everfree scares me."

"I think we can all agree..." Storm nervously said, still huddled against Thunder and Blitz.

They looked around for a few more moments, then when they heard a twig snap, they screamed like little fillies and took off running deeper into the forest, Thunder leaving his spear behind by accident.

Where the twig had snapped, out hopped a small rabbit, which sniffed the air and hopped in another direction, away from the screaming stallions.

The three slid to a stop when they reached a cliff, a large chunk which had already broken off.

"Whoa... That's a long way down." Thunder gulped, vision zoning out from the huge drop.

"It shouldn't matter, we're all pegasi." Blitz said.

Storm then pointed to Thunder's broken wing.

"Oh." Blitz said.

"I could always just do this..." Thunder said, before jumping down the edge and sliding on his hooves down the slope. "WOOHOO!" he yelled, and the two pegasi flew down after him. When Thunder looked ahead of him, he saw the slope dropped straight down. "Oh no.. No no no!" Thunder said, trying to stop, before falling down the cliff, screaming.

"THUNDER!" Storm yelled, flying after his falling friend, catching him on his back.

"Whew..." Thunder sighed, clinging on to Storm. "Thanks buddy," he shook.

"Don't mention it, next time be more careful," Storm said, landing on the ground below.

"I will, trust me," Thunderblast said, hopping off of Storm's back, accidentally putting pressure on his hind leg. "Ow.." he said, collapsing slightly, Blitz catching him.

"We need to get that hoof checked out when we get back to Ponyville bro." Blitz said, helping Thunder walk.

"It's fine, trust me," Thunder said, walking on his own again.

After a few more minutes, they continued to search the dark forest.

"Applejack?! Rainbow Dash?!" Thunder called out.

"Rarity? Pinkie?" Blitz yelled.

"Fluttershy?! Twilight?!" Storm yelled.

"Pinkie?" Thunder asked.

"You haven't met her, have you?" Blitz replied.

"Nope."

"She's fun, I'll tell ya." Storm said.

A few more minutes later, they came to a small break in the forest, where they could see the sky again.

"You think we're getting close?" Thunderblast asked.

"I hope so," Storm said.

"I thought you knew, Thunder?" Blitz said.

"I don't. Twilight did mention something about castle ruins, so maybe we should look out for that," Thunder said.

"Or... We could keep an eye out for them..." Storm said, gulping.

"An eye out for who?" Blitz turned and looked, eyes shrinking.

"Oh crap," Thunder said, as he looked at three royal guards, in what appeared to be nightmare lunar armor, and instead of regular wings, they had bat pony wings, and slits for eyes, as well as fangs in their mouth.

"You're a little far from home, aren't you?" One of the bat pony guards said, licking his lips while another one hissed, all slowly approaching the three stallions, who slowly backed away.

"Uh... L-look boys. We don't want any trouble..." Blitz said, getting slightly closer to Thunder.

"Oh, don't worry, we're not here to give you trouble," another bat pony said, also hissing at them, then pouncing at Thunder, pinning him down and showing his fangs.

"Aaah, Get off!" Thunder screamed, struggling to get back on his hooves.

"Don't worry, this won't hurt at all," the bat pony said, opening his mouth and slowly lowering his head to Thunder's neck, who closed his eyes and braced himself for pain.

Then, suddenly...

CLANK!

Thunderblast opened his eyes, and saw the bat pony unconscious on the ground next to him. When he looked up, he saw Blue holding Thunder's helmet, which he used to take out the guard.

"Whoa, thanks," Thunder said, standing back up.

Blue smiled, but then got tackled by another bat pony, Blitz getting chased around by the other.

"HEY! You get off of him!" Thunder shouted, prying the bat pony off of Blue, then picking up a rock and smashing it into his face, knocking him unconscious, but when he blinked, the guards disappeared into thin air.

"Wow. That was...strange," Blitz said, trotting over to them.

"I agree," Storm said, looking at his surroundings to make sure they aren't hiding somewhere, or if there are more around.

"We should probably keep moving," Thunder said, continuing down the path, Storm and Blitz close behind as always.

After another short amount of time, they reached a foggy area.

Thunder wasn't paying attention, and while he looked around, his hoof slipped off a cliff, but he pulled himself back.

"Whoa, what's with you falling off cliffs today?" Blitz said, flying over to him.

"I dunno," Thunder chuckled.

"Hey, a bridge!" Storm said, pointing to a very unstable wooden bridge, which they all crossed without a problem. When they crossed, they came up to an amazing sight.

"The castle ruins!" Blitz said, smiling slightly that they finally found the ruins that Twilight mentioned.

Inside, they heard yelling, and evil cackling.

"Oh no..." Thunder said, running in the front door with Storm and Blitz, and they came into a large room, where Twilight was sobbing slightly, looking at grey shattered orbs.

"B-but... Where's the sixth element?..." Twilight cried.

"Muahahahahahaha," Nightmare Moon, standing at the end of the long room, cackled as lightning flashed around her.

Thunder, Stormfire, and Blitz all watched, and then, the rest of the mares came out to Twilight.

Twilight then looked back at the mares, then a light bulb lit up in her mind, then she turned back to Nightmare Moon, and the shattered remains of the elements begun to slowly levitate into the air, and in bright colorful flashes, they formed into five elements.

"W-what is happening?!" Nightmare Moon said, watching the elements form.

"You see, Nightmare Moon. When I first came to Ponyville, I didn't know anything about friendship. Now that I realize it, the spark, was me finding friendship," the purple unicorn mare levitated the elements, which formed necklaces around them, around the mares' necks, and naming off the element names, as well as her own, which was the sixth element. The element of magic.

Suddenly, the six levitated into the air, and their eyes glowed white, and a small rainbow from each element formed above them into one large rainbow, which circled around them, then at Nightmare Moon, slowly defeating her.

"NOOOO!" Nightmare Moon cried, as she was blasted by the power of the elements, slowly transforming her into a dark blue alicorn mare, around the same size as a normal royal guard stallion, and she lay on the floor, with small glass shards around her.

"We did it..." Twilight said, cracking a smile, as they were slowly set back down on the ground.

"Indeed you did, Twilight," said the majestic voice of Princess Celestia, and suddenly, the sun rose into the sky over Equestria, bringing much missed light onto the land.

The three stallions watching from the end of the room, smiled, cheered, and ran out to the six mares, Thunder picking up Rainbow Dash and spinning her around, then pulling her into a tight hug, Dash gladly returning it.

Then, Princess Celestia appeared next to them in a bright flash of white light, and the nine ponies all bowed in respect to her.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight said trotting up to the princess after bowing.

"Twilight! It is so good to see you once again. I also see you made some new friends today," Celestia looked over ponies behind her, including Thunderblast, Stormfire, and Blitz.

"I have," Twilight smiled, then turned and smiled at her friends.

"Ah, Thunderblast. Stormfire. Two of my best guards," Celestia said, walking up to them and smiling. "I see you had a journey getting here as well."

"We did. It was quite the adventure," Blitz smiled up at her.

"I bet it was, Blitz. Now, as you know, the girls over here got their elements, but what about you three?" Celestia said. "Hmm, oh right." she continued, then levitated out three more element charms, which were different from the elements the mares had received. One was a yellow lightning bolt, in the same design as the element of Loyalty, which was Rainbow Dash's element, as well as a silver cloud element, and a sword and shield element, in the color of Thunderblast's eyes.

"Blitz, I give you, the element of speed. Your flying skills meet those of the fastest fliers in Equestria, such as Rainbow Dash, and the Wonderbolts." She said, smiling, and levitating the yellow lightning bolt, which formed a necklace around itself, to Blitz.

"Thank you, your highness," Blitz said, close to cheering uncontrollably, and he bowed again.

"Stormfire. You were a weather pony before joining the guard, yes?" Celestia asked.

"Yes, your highness," Storm nodded once.

"I give you the element of weather. Your weather-changing skills are some of the best, if not the best in Equestria," Celestia said, levitating the cloud element necklace around his neck.

"Whoa. Thank you Princess Celestia!" Storm said, also bowing.

"And Thunderblast... One of my best royal guards out there. I'd like to thank you for your service as a guard, as well as being concerned for your friends. You didn't want them to go into the Everfree as much as you didn't yourself, but you still found the courage to go in to look for your marefriend, sister and her friends, and for that, I give you the Element of Defense," Celestia said, levitating the element around Thunderblast's neck, and smiled.

"Thank you, your highness," Thunder said, bowing and smiling at her.

"Waaait a minute, I thought there were only six elements?" Twilight spoke up.

Celestia then turned and looked at Twilight, again smiling. "There are only six, Twilight, but their elements are special. They are weapons. The answers will come later in your studies."

"Whooooa," the three stallions looked at each other, then to their elements.

"They are not actual elements, but they have powers similar to that of the elements, and have the ability to transform into weapons. Don't worry, you'll figure them out over time. But for now..." Celestia said, walking over to the purple alicorn mare with a light blue mane, who gasped in fear when she saw Celestia approaching.

"Princess Luna," Celestia said. "It's been one thousand years since I've seen you like this."

"S-sister?" Luna stuttered, tearing up in fear.

"Please... Can we go back to before I was forced to banish you?" Celestia asked, kneeling down to her.

Luna looked around, then quickly got up and hugged Celestia tightly. "I missed you, big sister," she cried.

"I missed you too, little sister," Celestia said, also crying slightly.

At that moment, the nine other ponies in the room all smiled, while Pinkie Pie cried like a foal, but quickly became happy.

"You know what this calls for?!" Pinkie asked.

"A party?" Storm said.

Pinkie gasped, and immediately got into Stormfire's face. "Are you psychic?!" she asked, eyes popping out of their sockets cartoonishly.

"Uh... N-no," Storm replied, before Pinkie dropped him onto the floor.

"Oh, okay then!" Pinkie then hopped out cheerfully.

Then, all eleven of them, walked over to the windows and looked out at the bright sunshine, all smiling. Luna nuzzled her big sister's side, while Rainbow Dash hugged the grey pegasus, and they all watched the sun rise, before returning to Ponyville to celebrate the longest day of the year.

Dear Diary,

It is the twenty-second of June, and probably one of the best, but also strangest days of my life happened yesterday. It's too long of a story to write on one page, but I'll break it down. First, Nightmare Moon, formerly and now known as Princess Luna, returned to bring eternal night time to the world, and I went on an adventure with my best friends Blitz and Stormfire, and we all got specialized element weapons. One thing I'm unsure of, is why they were given to us. I guess that's another thing we'll have to find out in the future.

Harnessing Power

"I don't get it. What the hay does this thing do?"

Thunderblast stared and stared at his element necklace, at a table in a room at the royal guard building with his buddy Spear and Shuriken.

"I'm not sure. Have you tried saying something?" Shuriken asked.

"What am I supposed to say? Princess Celestia didn't say what."

"Hmm, good point."

"What about touching it?" Spear asked.

"Dude, seriously? I've been holding this thing for about a week now." Thunder replied.

"Alright then. I don't know what to say bro." Spear said back.

"Ugh, me neither." Shuriken said.

Thunderblast sighed. "There's gotta be something to activate it."

"How do you know you're ready to wield a powerful weapon like this? Whatever it is?" Shuriken said.

"I don't know man... Maybe Shining's right, maybe when it's time, it'll activate for me. Until then, i'll keep trying." Thunder replied.

"Alright. I'm out of ideas though." Shuriken said, before turning and walking out the door with Spear. "See you later, Thunder."

"See you." Thunder said, watching them leave, then lowering his head, eying the mysterious and so called 'weapon' in front of his eyes.

Later that night...

"Mmm....no....go away.....p-please!"

After a long day at work, Thunderblast was sleeping almost soundly in his bed at his apartment in Canterlot. Not really soundly at all, more like horribly. He was experiencing a rare nightmare, something he hasn't had in years. Thunder tossed and turned, rolled in every possible direction, even face planted into the pillow and hung off the bed, bending in ways he never was built to go, but nothing worked to shake away the bad dreams. In his dreams, he was at his current age and size, but was different. Thunder was running through a burning forest, trees and embers falling all around him.

"S-stop following me!" He said, running and jumping over fallen trees, past burning bushes and skeletons of small woodland creatures.

"Sssssstop running, Thunder." A very creepy yet quiet voice echoed.

"Nngh! No! I will never stop running from you." Thunder said, trying to shake off a headache the voice gave him, before coming up to a cliff at the edge of the fiery destruction behind him, which fell straight down into a three-hundred foot chasm, which ended with a rocky rapid river below.

"There issss no hiding from meeee."

"I-I wouldn't have guessed." Thunder stuttered, desperately looking for a bridge to walk across, before looking back at his wings and opening them to reveal his flank had no cutie mark. "I gotta do this." he said, taking a deep breath and running towards the cliff and jumping, flying forwards, before falling straight down.

"Thunder..."

...

"Thunder... Wake up..."

"No... I don't want to..."

"Please, son. Wake up. You're safe."

Thunder opened his eyes, which hurt at first due to the amount of unexpected brightness, which seemed to go on forever around him. He was laying on a cloud high in the sky.

"W-where am I?"

He looked around, slowly standing up and rubbing his eyes to see if he was dreaming.

"Over here son."

"Where?"

Thunder turned, and he saw a large, muscular pegasus stallion, and a smaller, light blue pegasus mare standing side by side, and smiling.

"You're safe now." The stallion said.

"M-mom? Dad? H-how....how?!" Thunder said, staring in disbelief.

The stallion slowly walked up to the smaller stallion, who was beginning to tear up.

"Thunder, listen to me." He said.

"I-I'm listening." Thunder replied.

The stallion smiled more, resting his hoof on Thunder's shoulder.

"I'm proud, son. Very proud." The stallion said.

"We couldn't be prouder, Thunder." The mare continued.

"Proud of what?"

"You, and who you are." They both said.

"You're a corporal in the Royal Guard, and at such a young age too. That is something special." The white stallion said, pulling Thunderblast into a tight hug, Thunder returning the hug.

"This...all feels so real." Thunder said.

"It does." The mare said.

The stallion sighed. "We wish it could be, son."

The mare then came over and hugged Thunder, all embracing tightly in an inseparable hug, Thunder bawling his eyes out as he felt their bodies touch his. In a bright flash, he woke up in his bed in the dark room, which had a slight amount of moonlight flooding in, making a cut light on the wall from the blinds on his window.

Thunderblast whimpered, tearing up even more, before turning over and crying face down into his pillow uncontrollably.

"I wish you were here..."

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

"Uuugh. Come on you stupid clock!" Thunder grumbled, covers completely over him, his hoof reaching out from under the blanket and feeling for the clock to turn it off...

CRACK

...Or simply destroy it.

"Stupid...clocks!" Thunderblast quietly said, sounding out of breath and exhausted. He had not gotten much sleep after his rough night, and was slightly baggy-eyed. Thunder rose out of bed and quickly got out, something he doesn't normally do. Usually he sits there, like a statue, staring at nothing, letting his mind start up. Instead, he walked into the bathroom and brushed his teeth, looking crabby and tired, top eye lid hanging down, making him look angry. After brushing his teeth, he showered and ate, then put on his armor. After putting on his armor, he walked over to a mirror to see if everything was right, smiling slightly at his looks, before his eyes shrunk and jaw opened slightly.

"My necklace..." he said, just before running into his living room, out to the balcony, and flying out as quickly as possible to the guard outpost, where he thought he had left his element necklace, but unknowingly left it at his apartment. Thunder needed it to see if his friend Blitz could help him get it to work today, as he was off from the wonderbolts academy today.

Outside the outpost, Blitz sat in a bench in the small park next to the main building, wearing a tag of clearance, something civilians need to enter royal guard outposts.

"Hi Blitz! I'm sorry i'm late." Thunderblast said, quickly flying in and landing in front of the white pegasus.

"That's alright, you weren't late at all actually. Got your necklace?" Blitz said, standing up.

"That's the problem, I think I left it here or something." Thunder replied.

"Okay. We'll find it, no worries. I doubt anypony would have taken it." Blitz said back.

"Why wouldn't they? It's a powerful weapon." Thunder said.

"Oh, right. Still, let's go look for it. You lead me in, i'm unfamiliar with these places." Blitz said.

After walking in...

"Alright, Thunder. Where did you leave it?" Blitz asked.

"I think the mess hall." Thunder said, trotting quickly towards it, Blitz by his side.

When reaching the mess hall and the table Thunder supposedly left it at, it was...

"GONE?!" Thunder and Blitz yelled, eyes shrinking.

"W-where did it go?!" Thunder stuttered.

"Are you sure you left it here??" Blitz asked, looking at his friend.

"Yes! I'm perfectly sure!" Thunder replied, looking back at Blitz.

"It couldn't have gone far if it was just simply moved... I'll check the east side of the building... You check the west!" Blitz said.

"Alright. We'll meet back here when we're done." Thunder said, running off to look for his element, Blitz running off in the other direction.

After an hour of searching, as well as getting accidentally zapped by unicorn guards a few times, the two met back up in the main hall.

"Nothing." Thunder said, wiping some sweat from his forehead.

"Ditto. Where could it have gone I wonder?" Blitz said, tapping his hoof.

They both thought for a moment, before a gasp broke the silence.

"What?!" Blitz said.

"I brought it back to my apartment last night."

Cheating Mare - Part I

Dear Diary,

I have decided to continue writing in this old thing for a little while longer, i'm quickly running out of reasons to write in it. I've become busy with the royal guard, and a very awesome mare who I am proud to call my marefriend. However, i'm having thoughts of taking our relationship to a whole new level. She is the only mare, other than my sisters and step-granny, that I love dearly, and I would most definitely take a bullet for her. I'm not sure when I want to do this, though. It's become the only thought on my mind, other than that strange necklace I have in my bedroom, and the dream I had a couple of weeks ago. I'm still trying to figure out how to activate my so called 'weapon', and what that dream was about, and why I could see, talk, and touch two ponies I have not seen in ages. Again, only time will tell.

"Hmm, alright. That should do it." Thunderblast said smiling, reading over his newest writing in his diary, which was close to being finished, before closing it and flying out of his apartment in Canterlot, and towards Ponyville, where he was planning to meet up with Rainbow Dash.

At the Ponyville Train Station, sat a very bored and fidgety Rainbow Dash, who was waiting for her coltfriend to arrive, not knowing he wasn't taking the train today. When the train arrived, she quickly got up from the bench and ran around the building to the platform, smiling brightly and her wings fluttering slightly, but to her shock, her coltfriend was not on the train.

"Where is he?" She said, her smile dropping into a sad face, along with her ears drooping down as she slowly turned around and walked away, facing down. Suddenly, she bumped into something hard, like a statue. When she looked up, she saw a mid-grey, muscular pegasus stallion with a black mane smiling down at her, the stallion being just under a head taller than her.

"Can I help you ma'am?" The stallion said, still smiling.

"Thundey!" Rainbow said, tackle hugging and squeezing him.

"Dashie!" Thunder said back, hugging his marefriend back tightly. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too!" Rainbow said, followed by a squee.

Thunderblast chuckled. "Was that a squee?"

"Yes! It was!" Dash replied, smiling wide down at her coltfriend, who was pinned down by her.

"You know I love it when you squee, right Dashie?" Thunder said.

"I know you do big boy, that's why I do it!" She responded, just before Thunder turned over and stood up quickly, the rainbow-maned mare still on his back. "Whoa... You're strong." she said, admiring his fit, muscular body from a new point of view.

"Hehe am I?" Thunder said, walking through the streets of Ponyville, Rainbow Dash laying on his back, laying her head in Thunderblast's mane.

"Yes, Thundey, you are. It must not have been easy getting to look like the stallion you are now, was it?" Rainbow asked.

"No, it wasn't. I'm glad the hard part is long gone though." Thunder said, chuckling and continuing to walk through town, suddenly stopping dead in his tracks.

The moment before Thunderblast stopped walking, Rainbow Dash had started to play with his wings, sitting like a foal on his back, opening his left wing and feeling it from his body to the very tip of it, which at full length, extended out nearly two and a half feet, a wing length not many ponies had, except pegasus royal guards, and very well trained athletes.

"H-hey! What are you doing?" Thunder said, looking back at Rainbow Dash messing with his wing with a curious face.

"I'm feeling your wing!" Rainbow said, putting some pressure on it, which would normally cause pain to another pegasus. Instead, Thunder laughed slightly.

"That tickles!" He said, smiling and laughing a little bit more as Rainbow Dash rubbed his wings, transitioning from tickling to a very calming feel, which made him smile more as he walked.

After a little while, Rainbow Dash finally stopped being lazy and hopped off of Thunder's back, trotting along his side, feeling small compared to his size, which to her was enormous, but in reality he just had a slightly bigger and more buff body.

"Rainbow Dash!" A voice yelled from above.

Thunderblast and Rainbow Dash stopped when a light blue pegasus stallion with a dark blue, blown back mane landed in front of them, the exact same size as Thunder.

"What are you doing, Dashie?" The stallion asked.

"Uh...um..." Rainbow Dash replied, shaking slightly.

"Who are you?" Thunderblast asked, stepping closer slightly, opening his wing and moving it in front of Rainbow Dash, just in case this is some sort of attack.

"I'm Soarin. Who are you?" The pegasus asked.

"Thunderblast. Soarin?! I've heard of you.... You're a wonderbolt!" Thunder said, folding his wing back up and smiling lightly.

"Yes, I am. What are you doing with my mare?" Soarin said.

"Huh? Your mare? Hate to break it to you, but she's my mare." Thunder said, his smile dropping into a much more serious face.

"You wanna bet?" Soarin said, walking up to Thunderblast and getting into his face.

"Guys..." Rainbow quietly said, her ears lowering.

"She's my mare. Back off." Thunder said, pressing his face into Soarin's.

"Guys!"

"Who are you supposed to be exactly?" Soarin said, shoving Thunder back slightly.

"I'm a royal guard. Who are you supposed to be? I thought wonderbolts were acrobatic flyers, not whiny little punks." Thunder replied.

Soarin then gasped. "You take that back!" He said, tackling Thunder and pinning him down, then beating on him.

"SOARIN!" Rainbow yelled, peeling him off of Thunder.

"So, are you with this poor excuse of a stallion now Dashie?" Soarin asked, glaring at her, then to Thunder, who was slowly getting up, slightly bruised from Soarin's attack.

Rainbow Dash then teared up and looked at the two stallions in front of her, then she sighed and wiped the tears away. "No."

Thunderblast's eyes shrunk and his jaw dropped. "What?"

"I'm sorry, Thundey. I meant to tell you a while back..." Rainbow said, trotting up next to Soarin.

Thunder was in too much shock to reply, his eyes filling with tears.

"I've been with Soarin for over a year now." She continued.

"A-a-a year?" Thunder stuttered, backing up slightly.

"Yes. A year. What? You got a problem with that?" Soarin said.

"Quiet, Soarin. Let me talk." Rainbow said, wing slapping Soarin lightly, not enough for it to hurt, then slowly approaching Thunderblast, who's head was down. "Thunder... Look at me."

Thunder slowly looked up, sniffling, and was greeted by a small smile from Rainbow Dash.

"It's not that I don't like you, Thunder. I like you a lot, but Soarin..."

"What's so great about him that I don't have?" Thunder snapped at Rainbow.

"He's...far more mature, than you." Rainbow said, sighing. "And, he has some things about himself that you'd have to change yourself to be."

"Then why did you date me in the first place if you think i'm immature and not what you're looking for?" Thunder asked.

Rainbow didn't know what to say then. "Because, Thundey-."

"No, you call me Thunder. I'm fed up with this 'Thundey' crap." Thunder snapped again.

"Okay, Thunder. I really liked you for who you were... But now, you've become too focused on your job, and being alone most of the time." Rainbow continued.

"Alone? If I liked being alone, why did I fly myself out here to see you?" Thunder said.

Again, Rainbow Dash was speechless, but instead...

"Come on, Soarin. Let's go." Rainbow said, close to crying.

Soarin smiled. "Alright, Dashie." he said, walking away with her, Thunder sighing and quickly flying away to Canterlot.

After arriving back at his apartment in Canterlot, unlike his old apartment which was in a high rise, his new home was in a Manehattan-style three story brick building, and was much more roomier than his old apartment. When he landed outside of the building, he casually walked upstairs to his apartment on the top floor, unlocked the door and walked inside, then collapsed on his couch, stunned that his marefriend had been cheating on him for a wonderbolt.

"Sure she loves the wonderbolts, but I didn't think she loved them enough to dump her coltfriend for one." Thunder thought to himself, trying his hardest not to cry.

"Rainbow did what?!" Stormfire and Spear said, shocked, as Thunderblast told them what happened the day before.

"She left me for that Soarin guy." Thunder said.

"Wow. Why would she do that?" Spear asked.

"Don't ask me." Thunder sighed. "I'm never dating again."

"Don't say that, Thunder. I'm sure there's somepony else out there you'll find." Storm said, resting his hoof on Thunder's shoulder.

"I doubt it, Storm. She's the only mare I admire. Well, did admire." Thunder said back.

"Well, uh..." Spear stopped.

"What?" Thunder said, looking at Spear, raising his eyebrow.

"There's this...new mare. Her name is Spitfire. She's joining the guard for the winter season, now that the wonderbolts can't preform when the weather gets cold." Spear continued, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Spitfire? A wonderbolt?" Thunder growled slightly.

"Y-yes. She's a wonderbolt....and...she needs somepony to show her around." Spear said.

"I'm never getting near another wonderbolt." Thunderblast said back.

"Come on, Thunder! Just show her around, you don't have to make a move if you don't want to. Just be a gentlecolt. That's what us royal guards are supposed to do when we're not busy defending Equestria." Storm said, nudging Thunder playfully.

"Ugh... Fine!" Thunder said, trotting away.

Spear and Stormfire watched Thunder trot away.

"Poor Thunder. He's scarred for life again." Spear said.

"Yup." Storm said, watching Thunder disappear into the distance.

Cheating Mare - Part ll

The day following Thunderblast breaking up with his now ex-marefriend Rainbow Dash, he trotted through Canterlot on his way to the main Royal Guard building near the castle, where he is to meet yet another wonderbolt, this time Spitfire. Thunder was not too happy about meeting another wonderbolt, or a mare wonderbolt for that matter. In fact, he almost didn't want to meet her after what happened yesterday. He grumbled the entire way there, finally arriving outside the large two story building, where Spitfire was waiting on a bench facing a large fountain, with a royal guard statue in the center.

"Are you Spitfire?" Thunder spoke in a calm yet serious tone.

"Hmm?" The yellow mare turned and pulled her aviator shades down so she could get a look at the stallion. "O-oh, yes sir. I am." she said, standing up, feeling awkward that she just briefly checked Thunder out.

"Hi there, I'm Thunderblast. I've been given orders to show you around. You are joining the guard for the cold season, if I'm not mistaken?" Thunder said.

"Yes Thunder." Spitfire replied.

"Please, call me sir for now," Thunder replied, still in his serious tone. He tried his best to avoid being rude, but also tried to show he was unsettled around mares, yet he didn't want to scare her off.

"Oh, my apologies sir. I-I'm just new," Spitfire replied, sounding slightly awkward.

"It's perfectly fine. You're not the first. Most likely when I get more comfortable around you, I'll let you call me Thunder. Alright?" Thunderblast kept a stoic tone in his voice. "For now, I'd like to welcome you to Canterlot. Please, come with me." he continued, turning around and walking casually away, Spitfire trotting up by his side, secretly admiring the stallion.

"Man, did Shining Armor send a handsome stallion..." Spitfire thought to herself, her eyes gazing from his hooves to his front, his flank, all the way up to his eyes, which to some relief, was one of her favorite colors.

Thunder then got a sense that she was watching him closely, and he looked at her, Spitfire quickly looking away and whistling awkwardly, then he faced straight ahead, checking to see if she was watching a couple more times along the way, catching her once.

"Ma'am, are you..." Thunder raised an eyebrow.

"Ch-checking you out? Nawh, of course not. Why would I be checking out such an amazing and hot stallion like you?" Spitfire smiled awkwardly, momentarily realizing she just gave herself away.

All Thunder could do then was smirk, his heart warming slightly that he was just called the two words that most royal guards would panic about if they were called that on duty.

"Well, uh.. Thank you, Ms. Spitfire," Thunder then stopped to think of something nice to say back. "You're...beautiful yourself," he continued, mentally facehoofing himself.

Spitfire then blushed brighter than her orange mane and gasped. "Why...th-thank you," she smiled and blushed harder. "A royal guard just called me beautiful! Especially a very...very...admirable one." She thought to herself.

The two remained speechless to avoid starting an awkward situation out in public.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash sat by a window at Soarin's house in Cloudsdale, ears down, her head laying on her hooves.

She sighed.

"What's wrong, babe?" Soarin asked, trotting into the room with a couple of cups for the two of them.

"I don't know, Soary," Rainbow responded in a quiet and depressed voice.

"This doesn't have to do with that royal guard, does it?" Soarin asked, trotting up behind her.

Rainbow then turned around and faced him. "It is. I feel like I was too harsh on Thunder."

"You weren't. As a matter of fact, you should have scolded him more," Soarin raised a hoof and motioned it.

"No, Soarin. I was too harsh on him. I didn't even tell him I still want to be friends," Rainbow turned and faced the window once again.

"You still want to be friends with...a royal guard? What's so special about them? All they do is stand around and act like stupid little statues!" Soarin yelled.

"They do not act like statues! I've seen Thunder and what he does. Sure he stands around on some days, but others he goes around Canterlot protecting ponies," Rainbow yelled back.

"Really? Protecting ponies? Like they did when Nightmare Moon returned?" Soarin said, making somewhat of a point.

"He tried his best, Soarin. Just please, stop. I like both of you, okay? You both have certain things I like, but I can't choose which one I want," Rainbow Dash started to cry.

"You're going to choose me, Rainbow Dash," Soarin slowly approached her.

Rainbow looked up and saw Soarin standing above her. "W-what are you doing?"

"You want to be with that stupid stallion? Fine. I'll let you keep your hopes of being with him, but you will never be with him," Soarin said, holding a rope under his wing, and pinning Rainbow Dash down.

Rainbow screamed. "Help! SOMEPONY HELP!"

"Shut up!" Soarin yelled, headbutting her and knocking her unconscious, before tying her hooves up and dragging her away.

"So... Here it is," Thunderblast stood in front of the castle with Spitfire, who was in total awe that the Canterlot Castle was right before her eyes.

"Whoa... The Canterlot castle!" Spitfire's eyes widened.

"Amazing sight, ain't it?" Thunder said, smiling lightly.

"It's...it's magnificent. I've seen pictures, but..." Spitfire said in total awe.

"It's much more beautiful in person, I agree. I was the same way when I first came here in o'four," Thunder opened the door for her, following her inside after she entered.

Even after walking into the castle, Spitfire's wide smile and wonder never left her face, as she looked around the large rooms with cathedral ceilings.

As Thunderblast trotted through the large hallways, he stopped once and chuckled. "Ya coming?"

Spitfire was knocked out of her awe trance, and looked at the stallion smiling at her from around a corner, then smiled back. "Sure thing!" she ran over to him.

After the tour of the castle, as well as a surprise visit from Princess Luna, the two sat on a ledge on one of the castle towers, looking at the sunset.

In Spitfire's mind, she had a million different thoughts flying through, but only one she could read. "Should I ask him to remove his helmet?" she thought, as she looked at the stallion smiling slightly at the bright orange sunset, unaware Spitfire was looking at him.

"Hey uh...sir?" Spitfire nervously started.

"Hmm?" Thunder turned and looked at her.

"Can you, um...maybe...take off your helmet? I want to see you without it on." Spitfire nervously continued.

Thunder smiled lightly. "Of course." he smiled and took off his helmet, revealing a slightly messy black mane, which fell down slightly, not being held back by an iron helmet.

Spitfire's eyes widened, now staring at Thunder in awe, feeling as if cupid had struck her with an arrow.

"What?" Thunder raised an eyebrow at Spitfire's face, which appeared as if she was in some sort of dream, with him in it.

Spitfire then came to her senses, sitting up straight. "Oh, er, nothing. Sorry. I just wanted to see you without your helmet on." she quickly looked out at the sunset and away from Thunder, briefly turning her eyes to look at him, who was still staring at her.

Thunder cracked a small smile on his face. "I saw you checking me out all day today, don't think I didn't." he said.

Spitfire felt a large chill down her spine, knowing she has been caught red-hooved. "B-but...I-I wasn't.."

"Shh..." Thunder tried to calm her.

"But..."

"Shh. I saw you do it, and I'm not mad." Thunder scooted closer to her and smiling.

Spitfire started to panic inside. A strong, admirable guard stallion without his helmet was just inches from her, and was actually smiling. She had more thoughts fly through her mind, but they were all one. "Should I kiss him?"

When she re-entered reality, she then realized her hoof was in his.

"S-sir?" She stuttered.

"Please, call me Thunder." Thunderblast replied in a soothing voice.

Suddenly, Spitfire's wings slowly unfolded and straightened out, which made her feel even more uncomfortable and embarrassed.

"I need to make a move...but what if I scare him off?" She thought to herself.

Thunder then made another unexpected move, and scooted against her. He was now right against her side, which shocked her even more.

"Thunder?" Spitfire whimpered lightly.

"Yeah?" Thunder glanced over, smiling lightly.

Spitfire sighed. "I really like you."

Thunder's jaw hung open. "You do?"

"Yeah... You're...a very handsome stallion." Spitfire smiled awkwardly. "I'm sure by now you're taken though..." she said, scooching a few inches over.

"I'm not." Thunder said, opening his wing and wrapping it around her, and sliding her against his side.

"Y-you aren't? But you're so...amazing. How are you not taken?" Spitfire said.

"I was...but the mare I loved, loves somepony else." Thunder said, sighing and lowering his head.

Spitfire felt sympathy for the stallion, then leaned closer and gave him a slow peck on the cheek, which made his eyes shrink and his face to blush, before turning and looking at the mare, jaw hanging open from the kiss.

Spitfire smiled back and giggled lightly, before the two made eye contact.

Thunderblast stared into Spitfire's fiery orange eyes, and Spitfire stared into Thunder's deep-blue eyes, similar to an ocean at night. During their trance, the two had unknowingly moved closer, and were now muzzle to muzzle. Then, Thunder leaned forward slightly, closing his eyes slowly, and Spitfire leaned closer as well, both kissing deeply.

"Mmm...augh.."

"Rainbow, wake the hell up!"

"Mm wah?"

Rainbow Dash woke up, tied to a bed inside a darkened room, which appeared to be part of a shack. The windows had basic everyday blinds, and next to the bed was a nightstand and a lamp. The only thing off, was Soarin sitting menacingly on a stool across the room.

"Finally, you're awake." He said, standing up and slowly approaching the bed.

"W-where am I?" Rainbow nervously asked.

"Nowhere special. Listen, Dashie. I love you too much to let you fall into the hooves of that guard. I'm sorry about the ropes, it's just I can't let you leave to tell anypony. I hope you can understand." Soarin walked closer to the bed.

"No, Soarin. Let me go! I promise I won't tell anypony." Rainbow struggled slightly against the ropes holding her to the bed.

Soarin then held her down. "Stop struggling. I will only untie you when I need to. You know, to let you eat and stuff like that."

"Please...Let me go. I just want to talk to him. I still want to be with you." Rainbow begged, tearing up.

"No. I'm sorry, Dashie." Soarin walked over to the door.

"No. SOARIN! Don't go! Please!" Rainbow cried.

Before she could finish, Soarin turned off the lamp with a simple switch on the wall, and shut the door behind him, leaving the rainbow-maned mare tied to the bed. He walked out of the house, a partially broken down shack in the middle of a pine forest near a lake.

"Thunder...please...I need you back." Rainbow whispered to herself, quietly crying.

"AH!" Thunderblast screamed, waking up in a shock, eyes the size of marbles, and breathing heavily, before realizing he just had another bad dream. "Ugh." he grumbled, slowly laying himself back down after fiddling with his pillow to make it puff up again. He laid in bed with his eyes wide open, before hearing a sound out in his living room. Thunder slowly and quietly got out of his bed, and grabbed a small flashlight he had on his nightstand, then slowly opened the door and peeked out into his living room, which was completely dark, before shining his flashlight around.

"Anypony there?" He called out, before being yanked from the door, dropping his flashlight, and being pinned down. The flashlight dropped, shining on him, and the light revealed Soarin on top of him. "Soarin? What on earth are you doing?!"

Soarin held up a rope and a cloth. "I'm sorry I have to do this, but you leave me no choice."

Thunder's pupils shrunk as he saw Soarin reach down to tie him up, unable to move to do anything.

"H-hey, w-what are you doing?!" Thunder screamed, before being gagged and tied up by Soarin, then knocked unconscious and dragged away.

An unknown amount of time later, Thunderblast woke, tied to a chair, and blindfolded.

"H-hello?" Thunder stuttered.

He then heard some hoofsteps.

"I hear you coming. Who are you?"

"Thunder, it's just me. No need to panic." Soarin said in a calm tone.

"Soarin. I'm ordering you to untie me this instant!" Thunder said, gritting his teeth in an angry way.

"Shush, Thunder. Or i'll kill you." Soarin threatened, and the sound of a knife being sharpened could be heard.

Thunder quickly quieted down.

"You see, I really love Dashie. But she really loves you, so I can't exactly let you and her roam the streets." Soarin smirked insanely.

"What is it you want with me?" Thunder asked.

"I want to rid of you so I can have your love. But, I can't let her leave here, or else she'll get your buddies to come after me." Soarin continued.

"She's here too?" Thunder's eyes widened.

"Yes. She is. But you won't get to see her again." Soarin chuckled darkly.

Thunder's jaw hung open, then he growled. "If you do anything to her, ANYTHING, I will kill you. You hear me?" he said, struggling.

Soarin laughed. "That won't happen, Thunder. I would never do anything to her. You, on the other hoof..." he said, before flipping out a pocket knife and stabbing Thunderblast's hoof, causing him to scream.

The scream and cries from Thunder could be heard by Rainbow Dash.

"Thunder?! WHERE ARE YOU?" She yelled.

Thunder heard her, despite his scream.

"Dashie?! I'm in another room! Soarin's in here!" Thunder yelled back, before getting silenced by Soarin's hoof.

"SHUT UP!" Soarin yelled, holding Thunder's mouth shut, Thunder's muffled screams still heard by Rainbow Dash.

"SOARIN! Stop doing whatever you're doing to him! THUNDER! I'm coming to you... Don't worry." Rainbow said, managing to slip herself free from the ropes after spending the last hour struggling, then untying the rest of herself, and running to Thunder's distress.

"See what you did now, Thunder? She's coming for you." Soarin pulled his hoof out of Thunder's mouth and stepping away.

"Soarin, what is your problem?" Thunder struggled harder to free himself.

"My problem? What is your problem? Why is it that you should get the mare, and I shouldn't?" Soarin angrily glared back at Thunderblast.

"Because she was mine long before she was ever yours, Soarin!" Thunder shouted back. "Why do you need to kidnap us and kill me, just so you can have her? Go find another mare!"

"Shut it! Just shut it! Worthless guard..." Soarin walked over to the door, before getting smashed into the wall unintentionally by Rainbow Dash, who ran in and up to Thunder.

"Thundey! Did he hurt you?" Rainbow asked, quickly untying the stallion and taking the blindfold off.

"Agh...he stabbed my hoof with a pocket knife, but that's it. Where is he?" Thunder replied.

"I don't know, but we need to go before he finds us." Rainbow Dash said back, helping Thunder walk due to his injured hoof, before the door slammed shut, and Soarin popped out of it, eyes spinning and stumbling around from being smashed into the wall by a door.

"Ouch..." Soarin said, falling onto his back, eyes still spinning. He shook his head and got back on all four, then got into an attack position in front of Thunder.

"I should kill you Thunder! You stole my mare!" Soarin yelled.

"No, Soarin. It is you that stole me from Thunder!" Rainbow said, stepping forward.

"Quiet, Dashie. This is between you, and me guardie." Soarin growled.

"Pfft. Guardie?" Thunderblast said, laughing.

"Come here so I can open a can of whoop flank, Thunder!" Soarin shouted, before being tackled by Thunder and repeatedly punched, instantly overwhelmed.

Rainbow Dash watched, tearing up, as the two fought on the floor, Soarin taking most of the beating.

"Okay, both of you, STOP!" Rainbow Dash screamed, before getting punched by Soarin accidentally.

Thunder gasped and ran over to Rainbow, who was on the floor crying.

"Thunder! Get him!" Rainbow said, rubbing her cheek, before Thunder got back up and ran to the light blue pegasus, delivering a massive, painful punch to the muzzle, which threw him into the wall, stunning him.

Soarin peeled himself off of the wall, now very weak and bloody. When he tried to get up, Thunder pinned him down.

"N-no... P-please... Have mercy." Soarin begged, unable to get up.

"Why should I have mercy?" Thunder growled.

"L-listen... All I wanted...was a marefriend. I really wish it did not have to come to this. Please, Thunder." Soarin begged more, sobbing afterwards.

Thunderblast continued to sit on Soarin, holding him down, then looked at Rainbow Dash who was now standing beside the two, then nodded yes, and Thunder rose off of Soarin, and the two helped him up, then let him stand on his own.

"Th-thank you." Soarin said, shaking and badly beaten, with a black eye and a bloody muzzle.

Before anypony else could say a word, Thunder flew out of the building and away, Rainbow Dash quickly following him. "Thunder wait!" she yelled, trying to catch up with him.

Thunder wiped some tears from his eyes, as he flew through the cloudy night sky towards Canterlot, before being tackled and pinned down on a cloud by Rainbow Dash.

"HEY! Get off of me Rainbow!" Thunder yelled, trying to get out from under her.

"No, Thunder. Stop. Just stop." She continued to hold him down, and he quickly stopped after he received a slap.

"What do you want?" Thunder asked.

"Thundey. I want you back. I want to take back everything negative I said about you. Please." Rainbow teared up.

Thunder's glare softened slightly. "No, Rainbow. You cheated on me, and I think I may have found somepony else."

"Wh-who?" Rainbow asked, sniffling.

"Spitfire." Thunder replied.

"Spitfire?! Her?!" Rainbow's eyes widened in shock.

"Yes... Why?" Thunder's eyebrow raised.

"She has a crush on Soarin." Rainbow replied.

"Then why didn't he go with her?" Thunder's eyes widened at her response..

"He didn't want her. He wanted me, but he can't have me, because I want you." Rainbow started to sob. "Please Thunder, I want you back. I regret ever leaving you."

Thunder's glare softened more, then he reached up and pulled her into a tight hug, and she cried into his shoulder as he rubbed her back to calm her.

"I love you, Thunder." Rainbow continued to sob.

"I love you too, Dashie."

Two Years Later

The sun slowly rose over Canterlot, only a few clouds dotted the sky. The city slowly came to life as ponies opened their shops and went to work. The castle opened it's doors for ponies who worked inside of it, and to tourists from around Equestria.

"Sergeant Thunderblast?" A voice called out.

A moment later, a grey pegasus guard stallion with a black mane on his helmet approached an earth pony guard, who had called his name.

"Yes sir?" Thunderblast said, throwing up a salute, the other guard happily returning it.

"Captain Shining Armor would like to have a word with you in his office. He said come anytime." The guard said, dropping the salute.

"Alright. Did he say anything else?" Thunder asked.

"No. All he said was he would like to talk with you." The guard said. "Carry on soldier." he continued, trotting away.

Thunderblast then resumed his guard duty, in the castle gardens. Knowing the captain, this could be anything.

"I didn't do anything wrong, did I? Maybe it's a promotion or something." Thunder thought to himself as he kept a straight face and slowly patrolled through the gardens.

Not long later, on his way to Shining's office, Thunderblast thought of the numerous things he could be in to talk about. He hadn't done anything wrong, had he?

"Come in." Shining said after Thunder's initial knock on his door, and a slightly nervous stallion slowly entered the office.

Thunder threw up a salute.

"At ease, soldier." Shining said, and Thunder walked up to the desk.

"You wanted to speak with me sir?" Thunderblast said.

"Yes, I did." Shining started, sitting up straight. "You are one of my best guards. You know that right?"

"No, sir. I didn't."

"Well, you do now." Shining replied, smiling slightly.

"Thank you sir." Thunder said back.

"You don't have to call me sir either, Thunder. We're best buds."

"Yes, but you're captain of the guard, so I think it's best if I call you sir when we're on the job." Thunder said.

Shining Armor sighed. "If you insist, but know you don't have to call me sir. Anyways, you've been very good at your duty here in the guard, and I'd like to personally thank you for your service."

"Just doing my job for the princesses, sir. But... What are you saying?" Thunder asked.

"I'm saying, you should go home for a little while. You're not in trouble at all, I'm just saying you should go home and see your friends and family." Shining said, putting his hooves on the desk.

"Are you sure sir?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Go home, take a little vacation. You've earned it." Shining said, smiling again.

Thunderblast smiled back. "Yes sir. Thank you sir." He said, saluting.

Shining Armor returned the salute this time, then turned his attention to the papers on his desk. "You may leave whenever you desire after today."

"Okay. Again, thank you sir." Thunder said, before walking out of Shining's office.

After finishing his guard duty for the day, Thunderblast went back to his apartment and packed a few things, then crashed on his bed earlier than usual.

A whole nights sleep later, Thunder rose out of bed, showered, put on his saddle bag, then flew to the train depot where he waited for his train to arrive. When the train arrived, and after ponies disembarked, he saw a familiar face.

"Diesel?" He said, trotting up to a sand-tan earth pony stallion with a brown mane and tail, wearing a basic blue-and-white striped engineer hat, and a red with white detailing bandana around his neck.

"Ah, Thunderblast!" The stallion said, after turning around from doing a check on his locomotive. "How're you doing?"

"I'm doing great! What about you? How have you been?" Thunder said.

"I've been awesome. I finally found a mare." Diesel replied, smiling.

Thunderblast's grin widened. "That's great!! What's her name?"

"Snowmight."

"Snowmight? I know her." Thunder said.

"Oh you have? She's a really sweet mare." Diesel said, smiling, then entering what appeared from Thunder's perspective, a daydream.

"She sure is, and uh... Don't mean to sound rude, but shouldn't you be doing your job?" Thunder asked.

"Oh dear, right. Anyways, you should come by again sometime. She's also a train driver." Diesel said.

"She is? Hmm. She never told me that. Yep, I'll definitely have to stop by again while i'm in town. I'll see you later, Diesel." Thunder said, before walking back to his car.

"Alrighty. See ya Thunder!" Diesel said back, then continuing his inspection of the train.

It wasn't long before Thunderblast was back home in his home town of Ponyville. Once the train pulled into the station, he happily trotted out and sniffed the air. To his surprise, it smelled a lot like Canterlot. He then left the station and pranced around town in an in-breakable cheerful mood. Though, there was one thing he tried his best not to think about, which he was very good at. After leaving his saddle bag at Sweet Apple Acres, where he was staying, he then decided to meet up with his good friend Blitz, Spitfire and wait...

"Hey Soarin." Thunder said, sitting down with them at a sports bar in Cloudsdale.

"Ah hey, Thunder! What's up?" Soarin asked.

"I'm doing great, I'm glad to finally be back in town." Thunder said.

"It's great to have you back here, bro." Blitz said. "Me and Soarin were wondering when you'd return."

"Really? Well, I'm only back for a week, so we could do anything we want I guess."

"Well that's awesome! I'm not off from the wonderbolts sadly, but Soarin here is." Spitfire said, taking a sip of her drink.

"Hehe yeah. It feels good to get some time off." Soarin said, then kissing Spitfire on the cheek.

Thunderblast's jaw dropped slightly.

"What? Didn't anypony tell you the news?" Soarin said.

"What news?" Thunder asked.

"Soarin and Spitfire are together, they have been since the incident." Blitz said.

"Wow, congrats you two! You make a great couple." Thunder said, smiling.

Spitfire giggled slightly. "Thank you, Thunder." she said, before nuzzling Soarin's neck.

"Hey, Thunder. You want some cider or something? Drinks are free tonight." Blitz asked, drinking a cider.

"Oh, uh, no thanks Blitz. I don't drink." Thunderblast said.

"Come on, just one drink." Soarin said, nudging Thunder.

"No. I don't like drinking." Thunder said, taking a sip of his water.

"Please? Just try it." Blitz said, giving Thunder a shot glass of strong cider.

Thunder stared at the glass for a few moments. "Eh, okay. Sure." he said, taking the small glass and looking at it, then gulping it down. Suddenly, his wings opened out straight, and his feathers fluffed up. "Whoa. That. Is. Strong." Thunder said, putting the glass down.

"Want some more?" Blitz asked.

"Oh, no no. That's way too strong for me." Thunder replied.

"Come on, Thunder. Just have some more, it'll wash the stress away." Blitz said, giving Thunder a larger glass of the cider.

"Why do you want me to drink so much? I told you I don't drink." Thunder said, putting the glass on the table.

"It's fun! Just drink with us please." Soarin said, sounding different than before.

"Ugh. If it makes you happy." Thunderblast said, picking up his glass and taking small sips at a time. After another glass, the room started to appear weird to him, and Thunder started to feel the full effects of the cider.

"Heeeey Thunder. Yooou alright?" A voice what sounded like Blitz's called out, slightly blurred out and sounding strange.

"I-I don't know.... I'm gonna g-go home..." Thunder said, slowly getting up from the chair and walking a few steps, before stumbling and collapsing on the floor.

"Thunder?"

"...Augh..."

"Thunder!"

Everything at that moment went pitch black.

"AAH!" Thunderblast woke with a scream, panting slightly after waking up. When he looked around him, he wasn't in his apartment in Canterlot or at Sweet Apple Acres. Where was he?

Then, the door opened, and a unicorn doctor trotted in.

"Ah, good. You're up." The unicorn said.

"W-where am I?" Thunder asked.

"You're in the hospital, you've been out for two days." The doctor said, writing something on some paper with his magic.

"Two days? What happened?" Thunder asked again, rubbing his head.

"You had a very powerful drink that your immune system is not used to. You're lucky to be alive." The doctor said, setting the paper and pencil down on a small table. "Had it been any stronger, you wouldn't be here talking to me right now."

Thunderblast was speechless at that moment.

"Now, would you mind telling me why you drank that cider?" The doctor asked, sitting down on a stool next to the bed.

"I...um...my friends pushed me to drink it. I had a tiny shot of it and I didn't like it that much." Thunder replied.

"Why didn't you just say no if you didn't like it?" The doctor asked.

"I did, they still pushed me and I finally gave in." Thunder sighed. "Were they trying to kill me?"

"I doubt it, they probably didn't know it would affect you as bad as it did, or how it could have affected you." The doctor said back, writing more things down on the paper.

Thunder laid his head back on the pillow. "When will I get out of here?"

"A day or two. Your immune system needs to recuperate. Again, you're lucky to be alive. If you need anything, just call for me." The doctor said, taking his paper and pencil and walking out the door and shutting it behind him.

A few moments after the doctor left, Thunderblast then thought of many things.

"I'm going to have a talk with them when I get out of here..." He said to himself, before turning over and snuggling into the bed more.

New Family, Old Friends

"Mr. Blast?" A voice rang out from outside the room. "May I come in?"

No response.

"Mr. Blast? A-Are you there?" The voice called out again, with no response from the stallion occupying the room.

The door then was unlocked and opened, and the doctor, a unicorn, dropped his board from his magic to the sight of nopony in the bed, and the window opened with the breeze flowing through the curtains, before running out to alert security.

"Blitz..."

. . .

"BLITZ!"

"Hmm what?"

"Wake the buck up!"

Blitz reached his hoof out from under the blankets of his bed, and turned on a lamp on his night stand, which hurt his eyes at first.

"Thunder?" He said, rubbing his eyes and stretching some, before receiving a hoof to the throat, which remained there.

"Were you trying to kill me?" Thunderblast angrily asked, holding Blitz's throat, pinning him against the back of his bed.

"W-what are you talking about, Thunder?" Blitz asked, scared out of his mind.

"You know damn well why. You and your friends made me drink that stupid cider that almost killed me." Thunder said, putting more pressure on Blitz, completely pinning him down.

Blitz winced, unable to get up, his heart close to beating right out of his chest. "I-I-I didn't know....N-none of us knew Thunder...We just know not to do it again..."

"You obviously knew something if you kept pushing me to drink the damn thing." Thunder said in a loud voice, and not long after, a sleepy Soarin walked to the door crease, wiping at his eyes, then gasped once he saw the scene in front of him.

"Thunder what are you doing?!" Soarin yelled, standing perfectly still in shock.

Thunderblast turned and looked at the stallion, examining him. "What are you doing here?"

"I live here..." Soarin said, and Thunder slowly took his hoof off of Blitz's neck.

Blitz coughed some after being released from Thunder's grip, then slowly caught his breath and calmed down, while Thunder lowered his head, ears drooping down in shame that he snuck into his friend's house and came close to possibly choking him to death. Before anypony could say anything else, Thunderblast flew out an open window and away, Soarin running over to check if Blitz was okay.

"Thunder?" A southern mare's voice said, and an orange earth pony mare with bleach-blond hair and a stetson trotted up to Thunderblast's bedroom door, who at the time was reading a book in bed.

Thunder looked up from his book at the mare. "Hey AJ." he said, putting a bookmark in his book and setting it onto his night stand, and the mare walked over and sat down on the bed next to him, leaning against his side.

"Are you ever goin' ta forgive yerself after what happened back in July?" The mare asked.

Thunder sighed. "Probably not. Just like I won't forgive myself for what happened sixteen years ago."

The mare held Thunder's hoof and nuzzled his neck, being a head shorter than the stallion. "Listen big brother, it hurts me too that we couldn't save them, but there was nothing we could do. And I know it hurts you that you nearly killed one of your good friends, but i'm sure by now he's forgiven you and moved on, just like we all have."

"I don't see how I can move on from any of this, Applejack." Thunder said, looking down at her. "Wounds heal, but mine don't, and probably never will."

Applejack then rubbed his hoof gently. "They will someday, big brother. It takes time."

"How much longer can it take?" The pegasus said, getting out of bed and walking over to the window, looking out at the pitch-black sky. "It will be sixteen years in just a few days. Sixteen years is a long time for wounds to heal if you ask me."

"Thunder, what ah'm saying is, they will heal someday, but ya have ta do something about it before that happens, to make way for the healing process. Ya have to...ah dunno...think about it...do whatever it takes. It worked for me, sugarcube." Applejack said, looking at Thunderblast from the bed.

"Hmph." Thunder said, walking to the desk in his room and picking up a picture frame and looking at it, trying his best not to tear up, before feeling a hoof on his shoulder.

"Ya have to let it go, brother. There's no other way. If ya don't now, it will only make yer future worse." Applejack said in a stern yet calm and quiet voice.

Thunder set the picture back down, and trotted over to his bed, crawling in and pulling the covers over himself. "I can't. Can't you see that, AJ? It hurts too much. Maybe I should just give up." he said, sighing and turning onto his side, his sister walking over to him and sitting in front of him, next to the bed.

"No. You should never give up, no matter the circumstances. You have to keep fighting the emotions. If ya give up-."

"Maybe things will get better. You never know." Thunder said, cutting Applejack off.

Applejack sighed. "If ya say so." she said, standing up and turning off his lamp. "Get some rest, sugarcube."

"I'll try." Thunder said, completely snuggled into his bed, as Applejack went to her room. He turned onto his back and stared up at the ceiling, while down the hallway, Applejack took off her stetson and slowly walked over to her wall, which had pictures of her as a filly, Big Macintosh as a colt, a stallion with a blue bandana around his neck, and a mare with a similar stetson on her head. As she looked at the picture, she put her hoof up to it and begun to tear up.

"Ah miss you. Ah wish you could come back." she whispered, then crawled into her bed, trying not to let her emotions take over.

"Thunder? Thunder wake up!" Another southern accent, yet higher pitched voice called out, waking Thunderblast up from his sleep. When his eyes opened, he was staring straight up at a yellow filly with a red poofy mane, with a pink bow the size of her head in it.

Thunder yawned. "Good morning, Applebloom."

"Good morning, big brother. You said we were gon' play today!" The filly said, standing on Thunder's chest.

"I did, didn't I?" Thunderblast said, yawning again. "How long have you been up?"

"A few hours." Applebloom replied.

"A few hours? What time is it?"

"Seven AM." The filly said, smiling.

"Seven? So you've been up since..."

"I never went to sleep!" She said.

"Aren't you tired?" Thunder asked.

"Nope! Not one single bit!" Applebloom said back.

Thunderblast tiredly sighed, and the little filly hopped off of his chest and onto the floor, and the grey stallion rose out of bed and walked out of the room with Applebloom, who was hopping like Pinkie Pie, then outside.

"What do you wanna play, big brother?" Applebloom said, smiling widely.

"Whatever you'd like." Thunder said back, putting down some parts of his mane that were sticking up from being in bed, and rubbing his eyes as they adjusted to the brightness of dawn.

It wasn't long before Applebloom started to slow down, no longer hopping, but walking slowly and head hanging low.

Thunderblast watched her for a few moments, before she collapsed onto the ground, flank in the air, eyelids hanging down, and he chuckled. "Everything alright little sis?" he said, trotting over to her.

"Y-yeah, everythin's fine." Applebloom said, yawning.

Thunder laid down near her, and a very sleepy Applebloom crawled over and snuggled against his side, Thunder putting his wing over her like a blanket, watching her grow more and more tired.

"I think i'm just gonna....lay down for a few minutes. Alright Thunder?" She said, closing her eyes.

Thunder chuckled lightly, still looking down at her. "Alright, little sis."

Less than a minute later, Applebloom begun to snore quietly, snuggled against Thunder's left side, his wing still around her, blanketing her completely.

"Ahem..." Another voice, this time unfamiliar, called out, and a slightly startled Thunderblast looked up.

Just a few feet away, a light grey pegasus stallion just slightly smaller than Thunder stood. He had a green and black mane, slightly like an afro, but also curved around the right side of his head. He had light blue eyes, and a video game controller with a pair of headphones for a cutie mark.

"Oh, um. Can I help you?" Thunder said quietly, trying not to wake a sleeping Applebloom.

"Uh, yes. I'm here to buy some cider." The stallion said, also quietly.

"Ah, alright. Just go knock on the door and AJ will get you some." Thunderblast quietly said back.

"Okay." The stallion said, before trotting up to the door and knocking, then talking to Applejack once she opened the door, before handing him a keg of cider, the stallion trading her for a few bits, before walking by with the keg on his back. "Have a nice day." He said, walking by.

"You too." Thunder said back as the stallion trotted down the path into some apple trees towards town. He watched him leave, not recognizing the stallion at all.

It wasn't long before Thunderblast carefully got up, and carried Applebloom to her bed, where he tucked her in snug as a bug in a rug, then walked out quietly to avoid waking her up. After putting her in bed, Thunder showered and decided to go to town. On his way there, he trotted down the path to town from the barn, the sight was breathtaking. All of the leaves in the trees shimmered orange and red, some leaves floating down to earth in the cool autumn breeze, covering the path with hundreds of multi-colored leaves of different shapes and sizes, some making a crunching sound as the stallion walked over them. When Thunder reached town, he casually trotted through the open streets, past many ponies, ranging from fillies and colts playing by the fountain, to mares shopping at stores and open stands, to stallions, whom one or two might have been trying to impress some mares sitting on a bench. Thunderblast continued his way through town, before noticing a tan earth pony stallion with a brown mane and tail, standing in front of a much shorter blue mare with a blue and dark grey mane, her left eye was completely greyed out, meaning she was half blind, and had a horn and wait what?

"Horn and wings?" Thunder said, before chuckling to himself. "Must be Snowy."

Thunder trotted over to the two, the mare out of nowhere tackling him and pinning him down.

"Who are you?!" The mare asked, pinning Thunder down.

"Jeez, she's gotta be ten times stronger than me..." He thought to himself. "Snowy get off!"

The mare gasped, then pushed Thunder further into the dirt. "How do you know my name?!"

Thunderblast rolled his eyes. "It's me, Thunderblast! Your brother!"

The mare gasped again, then quickly got off of the stallion, who slowly rose from the ground. "Oh my, i'm so sorry Thunder." she said, as the earth pony stallion laughed some, before being nudged by the mare.

Thunder dusted himself off after being taken down by a mare much smaller than him. "It's fine, I would have done the same thing most likely." he said, chuckling. "It's great to see you two again."

"It's great to see you too, Thunder!" Diesel said. "Wait a minute, brother?"

"Yeah, me and Snowy here decided we should be brother and sister." Thunderblast said, smiling.

"Yup!" Snowmight, who goes by Snowy to many ponies, said, before giggling.

"Oh, I see. Hey, Thunder. Did you hear the news?" Diesel asked.

"What news?"

"Me and Snowy..." Diesel started, moving closer to the mare.

"Yeah?"

"We're getting married!" Snowmight said in a cheerful voice.

Thunder smiled. "That's awesome! Congrats you two!" He said, before hugging Snowmight and Diesel.

"Thanks, Thunder. We can't be more excited." Diesel said, smiling.

"What about you, Thunder? And that mare of yours?" Snowmight asked, holding Diesel's hoof.

"Oh, uh... I'd like to propose...soon. I just don't know when." Thunder replied.

"Just propose anytime you want, or listen to your heart." Diesel said.

"I know, it's just i'm too chicken to propose." Thunderblast said back.

"I was scared proposing to Snowy, but I still did it." Diesel said, nuzzling her.

"Yeah, but." Thunder said.

"But what?" Snowmight asked.

"What if she doesn't like me enough to marry me?" Thunder said.

"Why wouldn't she? You two are a match made in heaven." Snowy said back.

"Maybe..." Thunder said, before being nearly knocked over by another stallion. "HEY! Watch where you're going."

"I'm so sorry..." The stallion said, before helping Thunder up. "Wait a minute...Thunder?" he said, pulling down his green shades, revealing a pair of light blue eyes.

"Do I know you?" Thunder asked.

"Yeah, we met at Sweet Apple Acres earlier...and my sister is your marefriend." The stallion said.

"Wait, you're Rainbow Dash's brother? She never told me." Thunderblast said.

"Well, adopted brother. She told me about you a little while back, and it's great to finally meet you." The stallion said, putting his shades back up and smiling.

"Adopted brother eh?" Thunder said.

"Yup. The name's Light Assassin, but you can just call me Light if you want." The stallion said, extending his hoof, Thunder happily shaking it.

"Light Assassin? Why does that sound familiar?" Thunder said, putting his hoof up to his chin after shaking the stallion's.

"Well, i'm a disk jockey. I go on tours sometimes around Equestria, mostly Manehattan and Canterlot." Light Assassin said, kicking his hoof into the dirt a couple of times.

"Disk jockey? Oh yeah! I remember now." Diesel said. "You were on my train a few times."

Light then looked at Diesel. "That was you?"

"Yup!" Diesel said, smiling.

"Well, no offense, but you need to work on stopping the train without slamming on the brakes at the last minute." Light said.

Diesel's smile dropped into a bit of a disgusted face, before trotting away.

"Diesel wait!" Snowmight said, running after him.

Thunder watched his sister and Diesel leave, then turned to face Light again.

"So, I guess since you're my sister's coltfriend, that makes us brothers." The stallion said.

"I guess..." Thunder said.

"You should totally come by my house sometime and we could hang out!" Light Assassin said.

"Sure." Thunder said, smiling back.

"I live in a house on the lake, it shouldn't be too hard to find. Anyways, see ya later!" Light said, before flying away.

"Alright, see you!" Thunder said back, waving, before trotting away to find Diesel and Snowmight, before they pulled him into an alley.

"Hey what are you-."

"Shh!" Diesel said, putting his hoof on Thunder's mouth.

Thunderblast then calmed and moved Diesel's hoof off of his mouth. "What was that all about?"

"Ugh, I never liked that guy." Snowmight said.

"Why was he so rude to you, Diesel?" Thunder asked.

"I have no idea." Diesel replied, looking out of the alley, watching Light Assassin from a distance.

"He moved here a year or two ago, and not many ponies like him. Some say he's killed fillies and royal guards before." Snowmight said.

"R-royal guards?" Thunder said, gulping, his heart sinking.

"Yeah, he hates royal guards to death. He must not hate you if he was happy around you." Diesel said.

"Or, he could have just been happy around you now because it was in public." Snowmight said.

"Maybe. But, he...wants me to come over to his house...to hang out." Thunder said.

"What did you say?" Diesel asked.

"I said....sure."

Protection Needed

About a week after Thunderblast met his marefriend's adopted brother, Light Assassin, he returned to Canterlot to resume his duties. In the following days, tranquility came across the capitol city, but things did not change for Thunder, or his fellow guards. Their duties were the same as always; Patrol, protect, and if nessicary, arrest any threat. But, there are no threats, no crime, nothing interesting.

In the time between the stallion returning to Canterlot, and now, Thunderblast's station was moved to one of the viaducts at the castle, overlooking the gardens and a busy shopping street. Ever since his station changed, he was allowed to handle it himself, as nopony but guards, castle staff, and very rare times, royal celebrities, used it.

Thunder yawned, and grumbled slightly to himself. "Another boring day...again. I should have joined the army instead."

He continued to keep a straight face, eying ponies on the street below as they went by, checking for any suspicious activity that could be a threat to the castle or the princesses, that he could fly down and intercept, and stop. But as usual, nothing happened. As a matter of fact, it was calm enough outside where he could fall asleep, still standing, hard as a rock, and nopony would notice unless they looked him in the eye. There was a cool breeze, not many clouds in the sky, and few ponies on the streets talked to one another. There were a trio of mares chatting up a storm at a cafe across the street, two foals playing by the fountain in the royal garden, which was allowed, and some vendors hoping to sell merchandise of theirs, while stores kept their doors wide open, with one or two ponies entering, or leaving.

But, something didn't feel right to the stallion. He felt as if something was bound to happen that day. As a guard, he knows, as well as the other thousands, maybe hundred-thousands of guards know that when they receive their armor, they must be prepared for death, in any dangerous circumstance. Thunder wasn't scared to die, but he also isn't prepared to either. He had thoughts of leaving the guard so he could be with his marefriend happily, and possibly become a wonderbolt instead, but the royal guard was his kingdom come.

As the day passed, he received a magic-sent letter from the captain, summoning the stallion to Shining's office on the other side of the castle. On his way there, Thunder stopped for a few moments, and watched some smaller trainee pegasi do wing ups, as well as a drill sergeant screaming explicit and degrading sentences at them, while unicorns and earth ponies ran down the newly extended track, others practicing marching. It made him smile lightly, but he had to get to the captain's office before he blew a fuse, and probably get discharged.

There was a knock at the door, in a small office in the castle.

"Come in, Thunder." Said the white unicorn stallion sitting at his desk, wearing the captain's armor.

Thunderblast entered, removing his helmet from his head. "You wanted to see me sir?"

Shining Armor looked up at the stallion. "How many times do I have to tell you, Thunder?"

Thunder gulped, feeling a lecture coming.

"Don't call me sir, call me Shining. You're my friend." Shining continued.

"Whew." Thunder mentally said. "Yes si-. Shining."

Shining Armor then smiled. "Have a seat, soldier."

Thunderblast seated himself across from Shining at his desk, setting his helmet on the back of the chair.

"Now, you and I both know that you're one of my best guards, if not my best overall." Shining said.

"Aw, no i'm not." Thunder said, attempting to deny.

"Oh, yes you are, now stop it." Shining chuckled. "As I was saying, you're one of my best guards, and you've been with us total for nine years. So, I am offering you this. Would you like to do night shifts on occasion as well?"

Thunder's eyes shrunk slightly, his jaw hanging open. "Night shifts?"

"You heard me." Shining Armor said.

"But Shining, that's for the lunar guards." Thunderblast said.

"Yes, but guards like you also do night shifts at times, in the event of others being out sick, or on vacation. Besides, it gives you more opportunities." Shining said.

"True, but....truth is. I can't see well at night. What I mean is, I don't have bat pony eyes, sir." Thunder replied.

"So is that a no?" Shining asked.

Thunder groaned. "It's a yes."

"Excellent, you have a shift tonight. I suggest you take the rest of the day off and go get some rest, soldier." Shining Armor said.

"Tonight?!" Thunder yelled.

"Yes. Is that a problem?" Shining asked.

Thunderblast calmed down some. "No, sir..."

"Very well. Dismissed." Shining Armor said, returning his attention to some untouched papers, and Thunder stood, sliding his helmet back onto his head, before trotting out and shutting the door behind him.

"Ugh...night shifts." He grumbled quietly to himself.

Thunder then clocked himself out, hours early of course, before flying out to the barracks to get some rest, on captains order. He laid down on one of the vacant beds, being the only pony in there at the time, and attempted to go to sleep. Thunderblast had to be back up by nine, which gave him about five and a half hours to rest. Unlucky for him, he tossed and turned most of the time, only getting about two hours. When he woke back up, he quickly showered, then clocked in for his night shift, being stationed back on the same viaduct as earlier. Thunder yawned many times, his eyes attempting to shut, but he persevered and stayed awake, but could not see much around him, due to the endless abyss of darkness from the night, Luna's moon not making much of a difference.

But before he could yawn again, something darted behind him, making a whoosh loud enough to wake him up completely, and get him alert enough to chase after it.

"HEY!" He yelled, running after it, but quickly loosing sight of it in the darkness, and he ended his five second long pursuit, before returning to his station, looking from side to side suspiciously, now completely wide awake, and tensing up.

For the next few minutes, nothing happened, before the whoosh came back, and he got a quick glimpse of what looked like a blue and black tail, before becoming worried enough to spread the word. Thunderblast flew off, away from his station, to find Shining Armor, who unknowingly was at home with his wife Princess Cadence.

Thunder entered his dark office, and found nopony there. "Shoot." he said to himself, before trotting quickly out to find another high rank. With no luck after fifteen minutes, he finally finds a dark grey pegasus stallion in Lunar armor.

"Hey, you!" Thunder said, running up to him, out of breath.

"Hm?" The stallion said, looking at Thunderblast. "Oh hi, Thunder."

"H-how do you know my name?" Thunder said, looking up at the stallion, panting for breath.

The stallion then smiled, revealing two fangs in his mouth. "It's me, Night!"

"Night? As in Night Shadow?" Thunderblast asked, still breathing heavily.

"Theeee one and only." Night replied. "What's up buddy?"

"Somepony or something kept darting past me at my station at the northeast wing. I think we may have had a breach." Thunder said in a serious tone.

"Whoa whoa whoa, WHAT?!" Night Shadow said, dropping his spear in shock.

"Yeah... It was moving too quick for me to catch it, or really see anything." Thunder said back.

"And you abandoned your station to tell me?" Night said, picking up his spear.

Thunderblast's heart dropped at that moment, his eyes widening. "I...abandoned my station. Yes."

"Don't you think you should be there now?" Night asked.

"Y-yes... I went off to find Shining and alert him, but he's off duty and probably at home. Look, just keep an eye out for stuff, alright?" Thunder said.

Night Shadow nodded, before the tall doors to the room next to them opened, and a slightly taller dark blue alicorn mare stepped out.

"WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE HAPPENING OUT HERE WHILE WE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP?!" The mare yelled out in a very loud voice, causing the two to jump and cower slightly.

"Your highness, Thunderblast here just notified me that weird occurances have been happening at his station, we think there may have been a breach." Night Shadow said, turning to face her.

The mare calmed down, now putting on a face of concern. "Oh dear. Does thou know what it was?" Princess Luna asked Thunder, who shook his head no.

"It was moving too quick for me to catch or see, your highness." Thunderblast said.

"I see. What do you suggest we do?" Princess Luna asked.

"Nothing right now, but we should probably increase security. Ever since the royal wedding attack, we can't let something else that big happen again." Night Shadow said.

"I agree. Guards!" Luna yelled out, and a unicorn guard in lunar armor, next to a bat pony stallion also in lunar armor, trot up.

"Yes, your highness?" One of the guards asked.

"I want you to let the captain of my personal guard, and of the lunar guard that more troops must patrol tonight and tomorrow night. As for you Thunderblast, I want you to wake up Shining Armor and the captain of Celestia's personal guard and let them know what's going on." Luna said, in a slightly worried but serious tone. "And you, Night Shadow, I want you to stay here with me. Please."

The four then saluted, and all said. "Yes, your highness." Before everypony but Luna and Night Shadow went off to follow her highness' orders.

The rest of the night, more guards, mostly lunar, but also with some solar guards mixed in, became more of a presence around the castle, as the mysterious figure did not make another.

Thunderblast from the Past

Thunderblast sighed, he was not happy. As a matter of fact, the past couple of days had been nothing but stress loaded on him and captain Shining Armor, who lectured Thunder for leaving his post, though he had a good enough reason to, which the captain understood. But, this was different. Thunder had dreamed once again of his late parents.

“Ugh…” Thunderblast grumbled, tossing and turning in bed. He could not get the thought of the last few days out of his already stressed out mind. Instead, he got up and went out into his dark apartment. He stared into darkness, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness so he could see slightly better. Normally for him, a glass of cold milk would put him out within minutes of drinking it, which is what he did. He grabbed a glass, poured some milk in, and drank it before slugging back to bed. After snuggling into the bed, which was still warm from his body laying in one spot for the past few hours. Thunder shut his eyes, hoping to fall asleep. Soon enough, he was out cold, and begun to quietly snore. Moments later, he woke up in his bedroom. But...wait a minute.

"This bedroom...I haven't slept in it in years. Where am I?" He said to himself, getting out of bed. When Thunder's hooves touched the floor, there was a squeak. When he looked down, he saw a small yellow ball with a blue stripe in the center, and he picked it up slowly, investigating the small ball. "I haven't seen this in years either..." He said mentally.

Thunderblast walked out of the strange room, into a familiar hallway that lead right to a set of stairs, which he slowly walked down. Halfway down, he came to a point where the left side turned from a wall into a fine wooden railing, which turned to the left a few steps further down. He looked around. Again, to his left, was an extremely familiar sight. A couch with two end tables, one with a lamp on it, the other with a magazine from some company based out of Manehattan, another from Los Pegasus. Next to them, was a recliner chair with a small red blanket folded up on it. On the wall, was a fireplace, with a TV sitting on the mantle, as well as two picture frames. One was a white pegasus stallion finely dressed in a Royal Guard suit, the other with the same stallion holding a small grey pegasus colt.

"Is that...me?" Thunder said to himself as he looked at the picture, at the small colt, before looking elsewhere and seeing the stallion and the mare next to him, and a small tear streamed down his face and onto the floor. He then looked behind him, and walking to a point next to the dining table and staring down at it, before collapsing onto the floor and bawling his eyes out. Before anything else could happen, everything faded to white, and the stallion woke up back in his apartment, somehow now on his couch. He looked at the window, and saw light. It was morning already?

Thunderblast yawned, and got off the couch, stretching his hooves, before getting himself ready for work...again.

Just before afternoon came, Thunder felt something wasn't right. This time, it had nothing to do with security breaches, and strange lightning-fast beings darting past him.

"Come on Thunder... You gotta forget what happened," he said to himself, trying to calm down. At that moment, some pictures of a small grey pegasus colt, and the same white stallion and light blue mare from his dreams appear. "Urgh...Damn it."

The stallion snuck to the barracks, past some guards, and went into one of them, laying down on an unoccupied bed, armor still on his back. He hoped a small nap would freshen up his mind.

"Thunder, come on! It's time for school!" A voice called out.

"Coming dad!" A much younger voice said, and moments later, a small grey pegasus colt, with a black mane and ocean-blue eyes skipped down the stairs, in front of a much larger and muscular pegasus stallion, wearing golden Royal Guard armor, but also missing the helmet.

The stallion smiled. "You're growing up so fast, Thunder. I'm so proud of you," he smiled to the little colt.

"Aww, dad! Stop making me blush!" The colt, Thunderblast, said to the stallion, blushing slightly.

The stallion chuckled, and a light blue pegasus mare trotted out with two lunch boxes on her back. "Here you are boys!" She said, giggling some, and both the stallion and Thunder took one of them.

"Thanks mom!" Thunderblast said, hugging the mare, who hugged him back and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"Thanks dear," the stallion also hugged the mare.

"You're both welcome. Have fun at school, Thunderblast!" She said.

"I will!" Thunderblast said, trotting out the front door.

"And you...Thunder Strike. You have a great day at work, my big strong stallion," the mare nuzzled the stallion's neck, nibbling on some of his fur.

Thunder Strike chuckled, and nuzzled the mare. "I will. You have a great day as well, Winter," he hugged her back.

The mare giggled and hugged Thunder back, then trotted to the door and watched the two leave, waving at them. After walking back inside, Winter begun to feel queasy, and sat down on the couch to watch television, thinking maybe she caught some sort of bug.

Meanwhile, Thunder Strike dropped Thunderblast off at school, before flying off to Canterlot to his work as a royal guard. After a long day, Thunderblast trotted home, running into his father on the way, who happily walked home together. When they trotted inside, Winter was in the kitchen cooking.

"Hey boys!" She said happily.

"Hi honey!" Thunder Strike said, taking off his helmet and hanging it on a coat rack by the front door.

"Hi mommy!" Thunderblast said, quickly running upstairs to put his saddle bags in his room, before coming back downstairs to see what his mom was up to.

"I'm making your favorite, hay fries!" Winter said.

"Oh, yummy!" Thunder Strike said, nuzzling the light blue mare. "Can't wait."

The mare nuzzled the stallion back, and giggled. "I know you two love hay fries, and we haven't had them in a while, so I thought it'd be a good treat to end the week."

"Mmm, hay fries!" Thunderblast said, grabbing a juice box from the refrigerator and putting the straw in to drink out of it.

After a few more minutes, Winter plated the hay fries, squirted ketchup next to them, and set them on the dining table.

"Dinner's ready!" She yelled to get their attention, and Thunderblast trotted down the stairs, soon followed by Thunder Strike, who had just showered.

"Yay! Hay fries!" Thunderblast said, sitting down and beginning to eat. "Thank you mommy!"

Thunder Strike also sat down, dipping some hay fries into the ketchup. "Yes, thank you dear," he smiled and ate.

"You know you don't have to thank me for food, right boys?" Winter said, pouring some water into a glass.

"We know, we're just grateful," Thunder Strike said.

After dinner, Thunder Strike offered to do the dishes for Winter, while Thunderblast did some weekend homework. While Thunder did the dishes, Winter got up to get some more water to pour into her glass. As she set the glass down on the counter, Winter suddenly collapsed, and she screamed. Before she could hit the ground, Thunder Strike caught her.

"Honey, what's wrong?!" He asked, becoming extremely worried for his wife.

"Aww...I don't know dear...I-I feel sick," Winter groaned, now breathing slightly heavily.

"Okay...Thunderblast!"

"Yeah dad?" Thunderblast yelled back.

"Come on, we need to go to the hospital!" Thunder Strike shouted, lifting Winter on his back.

"Hospital? Why?!" Thunderblast said, peeking around the corner on the stairs.

"Just come on!" Thunder Strike said, and without hesitation, Thunderblast hopped onto his father's back next to his mother, and the three rushed to the hospital, where Winter was taken in quickly to recover.

"Thunder Strike?" A unicorn doctor called out, and moments later, the white stallion trotted up to him.

"Is Winter okay? What happened?" Thunder Strike asked worriedly.

"She's fine, but she needs to stay with us for a couple more days," the doctor said, seeming slightly concerned.

"Doc, why aren't you looking me in the eyes? What's wrong?" Thunder said, his eyes widening.

"She has the feather flu," the doctor said, tensing up.

"What else?" Thunder Strike said, also toughening up, knowing something is wrong.

"It's a very rare case of it, something we have not seen since the last changeling war. She has Strain C, a much deadlier but less contagious case. You're lucky you brought her in just after she collapsed, she should be fine with the right medication," the doctor said. "Would you like to see her?"

Thunder breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, please."

"Alright. Come with me," the doctor said.

"Thunderblast?"

"Yeah?" The colt said.

"Come on, let's go see mommy," Thunder Strike said, and the colt hopped onto his back, who then followed the doctor to a basic hospital room, where the mare was laying in a bed.

"Hi boys," Winter smiled weakly.

"Mommy!" Thunderblast said, climbing onto the bed and sitting next to her. "Are you coming home?"

"Oh, sorry honey. Not tonight. They want me to stay a couple more days to make sure everything's working the way it should," Winter said, hugging him.

"But, you will be okay right?" Thunderblast asked, looking at her with a concerned face.

"Yes, she will," The doctor wrote things down on a clipboard and then smiled at him.

"Yay!" Thunderblast said happily.

The mare then giggled. "Thank you for catching me back there," she said to Thunder Strike, who was sitting in a chair next to her bed.

"You're welcome. Thank you for not dying on us," he chuckled.

"Oh, come on, I couldn't die on you two... Not without seeing my little colt grow up and be as strong as his daddy," Winter said, smiling at them.

About seven months after Winter becoming diagnosed with Strain C of the feather flu, and getting out of the hospital three days later, things went well for the three, and Winter had considerably improved, and could fly again.

"Thunderblast? Come on it's time to go!" Thunder Strike said, waiting by the front door.

"Hang on dad!" Thunderblast said from his bedroom, quickly finishing up on a detailed drawing of him as a royal guard, before hiding it mostly under some untouched paper, and trotting downstairs.

"What took you so long?" Thunder Strike asked, smiling some.

"Oh, nothing dad. Ready to go?" Thunderblast replied.

"Yup! Winter, you sure you don't want to go?" Thunder Strike asked, looking at his wife sitting on the couch with a blanket over her, eating some steaming noodle soup.

"I'm sure. Maybe next time boys," she said, smiling. "I love you two!"

"Love you too, mommy!" Thunderblast said.

"Love you too, dear," Thunder Strike said, smiling at her, before trotting outside with Thunderblast, shutting the door behind them.

"Where are we going, daddy?" Thunderblast asked, looking up at the stallion curiously.

"A very special place, Thunder." He said, smiling down at him.

Not long later, the two arrived at a hilltop overlooking Ponyville, mostly covered in short golden wheat, which almost reached Thunderblast's chin.

"This, son...This is a very special place, to me and your mom." Thunder Strike said, smiling as he looked around, trotting over to a tall tree, the only tree for a mile.

"Wow, dad. This is a pretty place." Thunderblast said, looking around, the sunset making the wheat glow slightly.

"And, this is also where you're going to learn how to fly." Thunder Strike said.

"What? Fly?" Thunderblast said, looking at his father, confused.

"Yes. I'm going to teach you how to fly." The stallion said, smiling.

"But, dad. Are you sure i'm ready?" Thunderblast nervously asked, beginning to tremble.

"Yes, son. Come on, it isn't that hard." Thunder Strike said, trotting up to the colt.

"But..." Thunderblast started, trembling even harder.

Thunder Strike rested his wing onto the colt's back and smiled down at him. "You can do it. I'll tell you what to do."

Thunderblast soon calmed down, and took a deep breath. "Let's do this." He said, putting his game face on and opening his little wings.

"That's my son." Thunder Strike said. "Alright, first thing you do..." He started, looking at the colt's wings. "Okay, second. You need to run. Not as fast as you can, but just simply run, and last but not least, flap your wings. Then, you should be off the ground."

"Got it." Thunderblast said, closing his eyes briefly to take a whiff of fresh air, before opening them back up, and running.

"Good! Keep going, then flap your wings!" Thunder Strike said, sitting and watching.

Thunderblast continued running for a few moments, before beginning to flap his wings.

"Am I doing it?! Am I doing i-." He said, before running directly into the tree. "Ouch!"

Thunder Strike sighed. "You were doing good. What happened?" He said, casually walking over to Thunderblast.

"I don't know, daddy. I did everything you said for me to do. M-maybe i'm not fit to fly." The colt said, tearing up.

"No, don't think like that son. I'm sure you'll fly someday." Thunder Strike said, pulling him into a hug. "I believe in you, because I love you." He continued, nuzzling him.

Thunderblast smiled, wiping a tear away and nuzzling Thunder Strike back. "I love you too daddy."

The two continued to hug for a few moments as the sun slowly went down over the horizon, a cool breeze ruffling their feathers slightly.

"Come on, son. Let's go home and see what mom's up to." Thunder Strike said.

"Okay daddy, but, can we fly there?" Thunderblast asked, smiling.

"Of course. Hop on." Thunder Strike said, and the colt hopped onto his back, the two then taking off into the evening sky, arriving back home within ten minutes.

After getting home, and not very long later, the family all went to bed.

In Thunder and Winter's bedroom, the two crawled into bed, but Thunder Strike noticed something.

"Oh, honey. Why are you so cold?" Thunder asked, looking at her.

"I don't know... I've been cold all day. Might just be the air conditioning, since we got it fixed last week." Winter said back, giggling some.

"Heh, maybe." Thunder said. "Here.." And he pulled Winter against his chest, beginning to warm her up.

"Mmm, so warm." Winter said, nuzzling his warm chest. "I love you, my big strong stallion."

"I love you too my little cherry blossom." Thunder Strike said back, laying his head on top of hers, and the two snuggled the rest of the night.

The following morning, the sun rose over the sleepy town of Ponyville, a cool, damp mist covering the land around it. At Thunderblast's house, the young colt remained asleep, as it was still very early. In his parents' bedroom however, the day was starting for Thunder Strike.

He yawned, slowly stretching his hooves. "Mmm. Good morning honey." Thunder said, slowly getting out of bed, noticing Winter still asleep, and he whispered. "Heh, still asleep I see."

After going downstairs and drinking some water, and grabbing the paper from the doorstep, he sat on the recliner reading it. Not long later, a very sleepy Thunderblast trotted downstairs.

"Morning dad." He yawned, going into the kitchen and pouring himself some orange juice.

"Good morning son. Sleep well?" Thunder Strike asked, still reading the paper.

"Yup." Thunderblast replied, drinking his orange juice and sitting on the couch. "Where's mommy?"

"Oh, she's still asleep. You know her." Thunder Strike chuckled lightly.

"Oh, alright daddy!" Thunderblast said, continuing to drink his juice.

A few hours later, the two watched a hockey game between Manehattan and Los Pegasus, but also realized Winter was still in bed.

"Daddy, is mommy going to come downstairs?" Thunderblast asked, looking up at the stallion.

"She should... Let me go check on her." Thunder Strike said, Thunderblast hopping out of his lap to let him go upstairs. "Honey?"

Strike walked into the bedroom and saw she hadn't moved.

"Honey, get up, it's almost evening." He said, nudging her lightly.

No response.

"Come on, Winter. I know you like to sleep in but this is ridiculous. Please, wake up." Strike said, nudging her again, before feeling her body, which was ice cold. "Winter?! WINTER!" He yelled, nudging her more, before picking Winter up and carrying her on his back, flying quickly downstairs. "Thunder, let's go. Now."

"Th-Thunder Strike?" A nervous unicorn doctor said, looking into the hospital waiting room at a large white pegasus stallion.

"What is it doc?" Strike said, standing and looking at him.

"I need to talk to you, um, in private." The doctor said, before walking around the corner.

Strike walked over to the doorway, wondering what was going on. "Hey Thunder?"

"Yeah dad?" Thunderblast said, looking up at his father from his coloring book.

"Go get yourself something from the vending machines, i'll be back in a minute." Strike said, tossing Thunderblast a couple of bits and smiling.

"Thanks dad!" Thunderblast said, catching them and smiling back, then trotting to a vending machine.

The doctor then lead Strike to just outside Winter's room.

"What's wrong, doc?" Strike asked, looking at him with some concern.

The doctor then wiped a tear from his eye. "I'm so, so sorry, Mr. Strike."

"What are you talking about?!" Strike said, his eyes shrinking slightly.

"She's gone."

Thunder Strike's heart dropped. "W-what?"

"She was dead before you brought her here." The doctor replied.

"What do you mean?!" Strike said.

"The autopsy states that she passed at approximately four AM this morning, and the bed, and or you, kept her warm, which made you think she was alive." The doctor said back.

"But...y-you said..."

"I was wrong... The medications we gave her... They did not help one bit."

"So..." Strike gulped, tearing up. "My wife, and Thunder's mom is...dead?"

"Yes, sir...I am. I wish we could have saved her. It wasn't possible." The doctor said.

"W-what do I tell him?" Strike asked.

"I don't know... Bring him in here." The doctor said, walking into the room.

Strike then walked to the doorway with teary eyes, trying his best to disguise them. "Son?" He said, looking at Thunderblast from the doorway, who was sipping on some juice.

"Yeah dad? What's wrong?" Thunderblast answered, looking at his father in concern.

"Come here..." Strike said, before turning around and walking towards Winter's room, Thunderblast following from a slight distance.

"What's wrong daddy?" Thunderblast asked, not getting an answer. "Daddy?"

Strike then walked into the room, which was cold, and sat next to Winter's bed, taking her hoof and holding it. "I'm so sorry honey."

Thunderblast then slowly walked in, stopping and looking at Strike. "Dad, what's wrong?" He said, before looking up and seeing Winter. "Mommy? What's wrong with her?"

"What does it look like son?" Strike said, looking at Thunder, tears streaming down his face.

"Is...mommy..."

"Yes..son...Mommy's...s-sleeping."

Prophecies

"Nnngh... No...mom! Please...don't do this to us...please...MOM!" Thunderblast sleep-talked during his brief nap. He had hoped a nap would clear his mind. But instead, it seemed to push it in more. Moments later, he shot up like a dart, and was breathing heavily. After regaining his senses, he realized he wasn't in Ponyville at the hospital with his father.

Thunder grumbled something to himself, before rising out of bed and cantering out to resume his duties, hoping nopony noticed he abandoned them. Prior to returning to guard duty, he remembered he still had yet to go to his marefriend's adopted brother's house, thus, he calculated in his mind what days would be suitable to stop by. As he did, he lost his consciousness and where he was going, and ended up marching straight into a dark alley. When he ran muzzle-first into a garbage bin, is when Thunder realized he went way off track. The stallion then turned tail and trotted the way he came, before tripping over something.

"Ouch." Thunder said, slowly getting up and looking at what he tripped over. To his surprise, it was Thunder's strange necklace, and it was...

"It's glowing?" He said to himself, kneeling down and looking at it closely. The sword and shield on the necklace pulsed a light blue, and the stallion picked it up and held it in his hoof. "How on earth did you get here?"

After a few more moments of staring at it, he shrugged it off, shoved it in his armor pouch, and trotted out of the alley to his station on the castle viaduct. But as Thunderblast walked out onto the bridge, he looked up and saw two guards had taken his place.

"Hey, what gives?" He said, walking up to them, and one of the guards turned to face him.

"Let me guess, you abandoned your station again?" The guard said, gritting his teeth in anger afterwards.

"What? No!" Thunder replied, backing up slightly.

"Then what did you run off and do?!" The guard asked, slowly approaching Thunder, who continued backing up until he was backed against the wall of the tower connected to the bridge.

"I-I...w-was..."

"Did you go make out with your marefriend?" The guard asked, pinning him against the wall.

"No! I-."

"THEN WHAT DID YOU DO THAT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR STATION?!"

"I was told I needed help on the northwest side damn it! I had to help another guard wrestle somepony down!" Thunder replied, now muzzle to muzzle with the guard, his buddy watching in shock from behind.

The guard turned around and looked at his friend, who's jaw was slightly open. "My mistake... But your station has been moved to the gardens for today."

"Okay! Can you get off of me now?"

The guard then got off of Thunder, allowing him to fly away to his station, which is what he did. Soon after landing at his station, by himself, he didn't notice it at first, but Thunder's thoughts about his parents were almost at the back of his mind. After finishing his shift and went home to his apartment, and after staying up a bit longer to read a book, Thunder tucked himself in bed for another good nights rest...hopefully.

*VWORP*

"Son of a...WHAT NOW?!" He yelled, as a bright purple flash lit up his bedroom, a small scroll falling out of it. Thunder turned on the lamp on his night stand, unwrapped the ribbon from it, and opened the scroll and begun to read.

Dear Thunderblast,

Me and Blue Skye require you to come to Ponyville as soon as possible, our elements have been acting very strange, and we were wondering if yours has been too. We think they might be trying to show us something. Please come as soon as possible.

Your friend,

Blitz

Thunder grumbled and rolled the letter back up, before tossing it to the side and clicking off the lamp, and face-planting down in his pillow and immediately dozing off.

For once in the past week, he did not have one single dream or nightmare. Just a five minute image of total blackness. When Thunderblast woke, he actually felt...refreshed, regenerated. He wasn't drowsy, he wasn't sluggish, as a matter of fact, he felt like a foal again, when he used to play a lot. He got up out of bed and grabbed his saddle bag, then dug into his armor to grab his element. To his surprise once again, it wasn't there. Suddenly, he saw a blue glow come from inside his saddle bag. He pulled the strap off and lifted the top open, and his element sat in there neatly.

"What the..." Thunder said, his heart now racing. "Who's doing this?"

"I thought you said he'd come the moment he got the letter, Blitz?" Stormfire said as they waited at the train staion.

"No, I said he might come, I didn't say he would that second." Blitz replied.

A few moments later, the train pulled into Ponyville station, and Thunderblast trotted off of the train.

"Yo, Thunder. I'm guessing your necklace did in fact go ballistic?" Storm said to Thunder as he trotted up to them.

"You have no idea. What do you think it could be?" Thunder said back, reaching into his saddle bag and pulling out his necklace and looking at it.

"I don't know... I think they're trying to tell us something though." Blitz replied, pulling out his necklace, which was glowing like Thunder's.

"Hmm...very strange." Storm said, looking at them both.

"Where's yours?" Thunder asked.

"At Blitz's house, i'm staying with him 'till we figure this whole thing out." Storm replied.

Blitz and Thunder's eyes suddenly shrunk. "Uh, are you sure?" Blitz said, looking down at Blue's chest.

"What?" Storm asked, looking at them curiously.

"Look down." Thunder said, still looking at Storm's chest.

Storm then looked down. "What on earth?!" He said, staring at his element necklace, which was around his neck. "Was that you guys?!"

"No! The same thing's been happening to me!" Thunder replied.

"And me too!" Blitz said, looking at his.

Suddenly, Storm's necklace levitated from his neck, Blitz and Thunder's levitating out of their hooves and to each other, where they formed a triangle, a surge of energy in the color of that element stretching off to the necklace to the right of them, the three stallions watching as they slowly turned.

"Whoa." Blitz said.

"Yeah...whoa." Storm chimed in.

Moments later, the three elements darted off at high speeds, kicking up dust. The three coughed, then looked up and saw them dart away.

"HEY! Come back!" Thunderblast said, flying after them, Blitz and Storm quickly following. Their pursuit stopped when the necklaces went into the Everfree, and the stallions hovered there.

"I...am not...going back in there." Blitz said, beginning to tremble.

"I don't think we have much of a choice boys." Thunder said, gulping.

"Ugh...I hate that forest." Storm said, before flying in with Thunderblast and Blitz.

Finding where they went wasn't hard, as they left a narrow trail of dug-up dirt, which twisted and turned throughout the forest. At the end of the trail, sat the came castle ruin that Nightmare Moon was defeated in. After flying across the foggy ravine, Blue noticed a newly-formed hole in the ground.

"Hey guys! Look!" Storm shouted, pointing at the hole from above, before flying down to it.

"You think this is where they went?" Blitz asked, looking down into it.

"I don't know... Could have been a ground hog." Storm said.

"That ground hog must be one big chiburro then." Blitz replied, raising an eyebrow as he stared down at it.

"I've never seen a ground hog hole this big before." Thunder said.

"Good point. Let's go." Storm said, about to step inside.

"Whoa whoa whoa, we don't know what's down there!" Blitz said, putting his hoof on Storm's chest to stop him.

"If it's our elements, we need to see what they're doing down there." Thunder said, jumping down into the hole and sliding on the dirt.

"Ugh." Blitz said, moments after Storm jumped down the hole, following Storm and Thunder down the hole.

At the bottom, they came into a stone room with what appeared to be a book room, with shelves lining the walls. In the center of the room, floated their elements, still in their triangular formation.

"What are they doing?" Blitz said to himself, but loud enough for Storm and Thunder to hear.

"I do not know." Thunder said, standing and staring in wonder.

Storm then slowly approached the elements, stopping just in front of them.

"What are YOU doing?" Blitz asked, beginning to tremble.

"I'm asking myself the same question, Blitz." Stormfire said back. He then slowly lifted his hoof, and moved it towards the turning elements.

"Wait...Storm...I wouldn't do that." Thunder said, his heart beginning to race again.

Storm's hoof didn't stop moving, however. When it touched the elements, nothing happened at first.

Suddenly, everything went black.

Thunderblast opened his eyes, but he couldn't believe what he saw. He was falling through what looked like a portal. Then, it went black again, and a strange, deep voice talked in his head.

"A stallion, will rise above everypony else, and bring chaos to the land. But one, along with an army of his family and friends, will fight back against this tyrant, and save the ponies. This stallion, a stallion with armor of steel, will bring the light from the sun and moon combined, and bring it back down to earth, breaking the clouds, and ridding it of this threat."

"DESTROY HIM!"

"MOVE MOVE MOVE!"

"Thunder...wake up!"

"Mrrr. Whaaat?"

"Thunder... Get up! Please!"

"Rrgh..."

"THUNDER!"

Thunderblast was then hoof slapped by Blitz, waking up suddenly.

"OUCH!" Thunder yelped.

"Sorry man, but we gotta go. NOW." Blitz said.

"What? Why?" Thunder asked, slowly standing.

"There's others here... They're looking for us." Storm said, his hooves trembling.

"Who? And where are our elements?" Thunder asked, looking around.

"They're on our necks. Let's go." Blitz said, running over to the hole they came down, and quickly flying through it.

Storm and Thunder followed without hesitation, and took refuge in some trees near the ruins, observing some strange stallions walking around the outside of the ruins.

"Wait a minute." Thunder whispered, narrowing his eyes on one stallion. He had a green and black mane, pegasus wings, some strange armor, and shades the color of his mane. "Is that...no. It can't be."

"We should go... Before they find us." Blue said, flying away.

"Yeah, good idea. Let's go." Blitz said, flying away as well.

Thunder sat there for a few more moments, looking over the strange ponies, before flying off with his friends, arriving back in town not long later.

"This whole thing is strange... And, that...what was that?" Blitz asked, looking at Storm and Thunder as they sat at a table in his home.

"What was what?" Soarin chimed in, eating a slice of cherry pie.

"I think we had...a vision." Thunderblast replied, rubbing his head. "It gave me a headache whatever the hell it was."

"One stallion will rise above the others...and bring chaos to the land? What?" Storm said.

"Yeah, I can't make out anything other than that. Who would do that?" Blitz said.

"I don't know...I hate to say it, but I hope we're just crazy right now." Thunder said, looking at them both.

"Me too man." Storm said.

"Ditto." Blitz said.

"Hmm.." Thunder said, looking at the trio of necklaces, which were no longer glowing.

A Small World It Was

After the strange, and quite frankly, random vision Thunderblast and his friends had at the old ruins in the Everfree, they went into a day of hiding until things cooled down. They begun to wonder why there were ponies following and looking for them. Will they ever know? Probably not. In the mean time, after the commotion faded, Thunder flew up to Cloudsdale to spend some time with his marefriend. Instead of going to Ponyville for the day, they went to a park and...played like foals?

The two chased each other around the mostly-vacant cloud-assembled playground. They played tag, which wasn't fair for Thunder considering Rainbow Dash was three times faster than him in reflexes and speed. That, and she cheated once by flying after him.

"Hey! You can't fly!" Thunder said, after getting playfully knocked down.

"Who says I can't?" Rainbow let out a small chuckle, smirking and spitting a raspberry his way.

"Oh, you asked for it," he said, flying up and grabbing her, before tickling under her wings.

Rainbow Dash burst out laughing. "Nooo! Sto-ha-ha-ha-ap Th-Thunder!" She winced, as he tickled her wings more, but also trapping her in an inescapable grip. The tickling was then followed by Thunder being pinned gently against a cloud tree. He struggled to move, but also wasn't trying because he didn't care. Soon after, Rainbow Dash sat in his lap, laying her head on his warm chest, listening to his gentle heartbeat as she did.

"Mmm," she sighed happily.

"I love you, Dashie."

"I love you too, Thundey."

The two snuggled there, apathetic to those who trotted or floated by and watched, a couple in disgust that they would do such a thing in a park centered towards foals. At one point, Thunder gave a warning growl at a mare who wouldn't stop trotting by, looking at them in utter disgust each time she did. Not long after, she stopped bugging them, Rainbow Dash unconscious to the fact that somepony was actually there.

As the day passed slowly, the air begun to cool, with frigid breezes brushing through their coats, causing Dash to shiver.

"Brr... Is it just me or is it getting cold out here?" She said, trembling slightly.

"It is... I can tell we'll have an early winter this year," Thunder replied.

"What m-makes you think that?" Rainbow asked, still trembling.

Thunder wrapped his wings around her, to shield her from the freezing breeze, before pointing at the sky.

"Those birds are headed south, and it's only September," Thunder said as he watched a massive flock of birds deviate south.

"Don't they normally do that?" Rainbow Dash asked in confusion, while snuggling into his soft wing feathers.

"From what I know, they fly south in October or November around here. Then again, I never really pay attention," Thunder said back, chuckling lightly.

"Aah," Rainbow nuzzled the grey pegasus' wings. "You have soft wings. You know that, right big boy?"

"Well, it kind of is a regulation to have your feathers well taken care of while in the guard." Thunderblast said, stroking Rainbow's mane.

"Huh, I thought you boys were always rough stallions who don't mind getting dirty?" Rainbow said sarcastically.

"I mean, I don't mind getting dirty," Thunder shrugged. "But it's not like we don't shower every day, Dashie," he chuckled.

Rainbow Dash let out another light chuckle. "I know, Thundy," She snuggled into his wings and chest, which acted as a blanket around her. "Do you realize how cute you are?"

"My parents called me cute...so...kind of," Thunder replied.

"No, Thunder. I mean, you're...really...REALLY cute...Like...it's hard to explain how cute you are. You're the perfect stallion that i'm sure any mare would want. You're big, strong, caring, warm-hearted...a great pillow," she paused, and they both laughed some. "I don't know one mare who doesn't love royal guards. I just can't believe one actually likes somepony like me."

Thunderblast looked down at her. "I don't like you, Dashie."

"Oh..." She replied in a sad tone, before getting a kiss to the cheek.

"I love you," Thunder continued, smiling.

Rainbow Dash smiled and let out a cute squeak, and Thunder chuckled.

"I love it when you squeak too. It's so unbelievably adorable," Thunder smiled warmly.

Before anything else could happen, Rainbow Dash tightly wrapped her hooves around his body, directly over his wings, before squeezing him with all her might. The result was a small squeak, similar to a toy meant for a dog or a cat.

"D'aww, Thunder! I've never heard you squeak before!" Rainbow blushed and giggled.

"Uh...that...wasn't a squeak," Thunder's cheeks blushed a dark red.

"Oh, yes it was." Rainbow said back, before squeezing him again, making him squeak louder and blush harder. "That is so cute! A royal guard who squeaks like a mouse!"

Thunder then groaned, knowing he had been defeated. He then hugged her, massaging her back lightly, his wings still around her. "Yes, that was a squeak then."

Rainbow Dash nuzzled his chest, beginning to purr like a kitten. When she opened her eyes and looked at a clock pole near them, she gasped. "Oh my, Thunder. My dad's gonna kill me!" She said, before quickly pushing out from under his wings and hooves.

"What? Why?"

"He wanted me home thirty minutes ago!" Rainbow said in panic mode.

"Oh...Let's get you home then."

"Ugh... Where the hell is that mare?" A periwinkle stallion, just a hair smaller than Thunderblast, said as he trotted in circles by the front door. Moments later, a knock came. He opened the door and saw Rainbow Dash staring in slight fear.

"Dad, I'm so sorry. I wasn't keeping track of time," Rainbow Dash said, bracing herself for a lecture.

"You're over thirty minutes late, Dashie. Get your flank in here," the stallion glared, Rainbow Dash struggled to ignore his angry look.

Thunderblast sighed from down the short path leading to their house, before turning tail to fly away.

"Hold on, boy. You get in here too," the stallion said, staring out the door at Thunder.

Thunder's heart sank at that moment. He knew Rainbow's father didn't like him that much, and didn't believe he was worthy enough to be called one of Celestia's guards. Thunder trotted up to the door, where Rainbow's father had sat down on the couch.

"Come in...and sit down," he said.

Thunderblast's muscles tightened as he slowly shut the door behind him, and sat down next to Dash.

"No, you two, sit apart!" Her father yelled in displeasure.

The two scooted apart quickly, before eying the stallion.

"Now, you both knew, you BOTH knew, you had to be back by four-fifteen." The stallion said, eying Rainbow Dash.

"Dad, we're sorry! I swear we lost track of time!" Rainbow proclaimed.

"Excuses, Dashie. I can tell when you are using them. May I ask why you begun dating this stallion in the first place?"

"Dad! He's the only stallion who shows love for me, who cares for me! And I love him back..." She said, smiling lightly at Thunder before returning a blank expression her fathers way.

"He isn't the stallion for you! If you ask me, I think Soarin was a better choice!" Her father yelled, sitting forward in hostility.

"You wanted me to date...a...a...a rapist...a kidnapper?" Rainbow shouted, her voice filling with fear and anger.

Her father stared at her, his jaw hanging open. "He kidnapped you and RAPED YOU?!" He said, standing on all four hooves.

"Uh...d-did I say that?" Rainbow stuttered, backing against the couch cushion as her father came around the coffee table and up in her face.

"You're in trouble for not telling me, missy. You're going to tell me everything that he did, so I can rip him apart," her father said in a menacing voice.

"Dad...n-no!"

"DASH, I SHOULD BEAT YOU RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF YOUR WORTHLESS COLTFRIEND FOR NOT TELLING ME THAT SOARIN GUY TOUCHED YOU THAT WAY!"

"DAD!"

"DON'T YOU DAD ME. YOU'RE LUCKY TO STILL HAVE ME. I'M ONLY TRYING TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU. IS WHAT I'M DOING NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU?!"

"DAD!!"

"DID I RAISE YOU FOR NOTHING? DID I RAISE YOU TO BECOME THE MARE YOU ARE NOW?"

"D-dad..."

"APPARENTLY YOU WANT YOUR MOTHER TO PARENT YOU, NOT ME. YOU WISH I DIED INSTEAD, DIDN'T YOU?"

Rainbow Dash sat there speechless, whimpering lightly and on the verge of crying. She looked up at her dad, who had shoved his forehooves into the cushion behind her like some maniac, and was literally inhaling and exhaling like a bull. Thunderblast, on the other hoof, watched with his jaw hanging open. Moments later, Dash started to cry, and the stallion's eyes before her turned glassy, his irises beginning to tremble.

"Oh Dashie..." He pulled the rainbow-maned mare into a hug as she sobbed.

Thunder just simply watched as they embraced. He was absolutely speechless, and like most would be, utter shock.

"I should have died...you're right...your mother didn't have to do what she did.."

At that moment, Thunder realized Rainbow's mother must have fallen to a similar fate of his, which also brought him to tears. Without hesitation, he hugged them both. And for once, her father didn't flinch. As a matter of fact, it comforted him slightly.

"I-I miss mom..." Rainbow cried as the two stallions hugged her.

"I know, Dashie..." Her father said, stroking her mane. "I miss mom too," he continued, glancing up at a picture of a sky-blue pegasus mare with a yellow mane, wearing a candy-cane scarf around her neck, and smiling at the camera.

It Happened Again

Thunderblast sighed. He laid quietly, and motionless in his bed. He didn't even have the will to open the blinds to allow the sunlight to enter his bedroom. The little grey pegasus colt stared at the wall, as two extremely small tears sat in his eyes. His irises stayed perfectly still. In fact, if somepony had poked them with their hoof, he wouldn't have flinched. The colt almost looked dead.

It had been almost a week since the confirmation of his mother's sudden death. Thunder's father was as distraught as himself, and was struggling to get answers from the hospital, who refused to pass any his way. Frustration came over him as now he had nopony to watch the colt while he was away in Canterlot for his guard duties.

The colt's eyes gazed slowly down his empty sky-blue wall with some small circular things painted on to represent what appeared to be clouds, and locked onto a stuffed white bengal tiger, not much smaller than himself. His hoof reached to it and grabbed the tiger, pulling it against his chest and hugging it with all his might. The worst part about it, was his mother gave it to him on his birthday a month ago. He didn't know what to think anymore. His heart literally felt like someone used magic to phase their hoof through his body, and out his chest, directly through his heart. Thunder's slightly-muffled whimpers caught the attention of his father and idol, who slowly walked up the stairs and opened the door to his bedroom, sighing some. What he saw, was something he never thought he'd see. Thunderblast, laying on his bed, not only hugging his favorite stuffed animal, but whimpering and crying into it.

His father slowly entered the small bedroom, moving a ball over to the side to avoid slipping on it, before sitting on the bed and resting his hoof on Thunder, who rolled over some, looking up at his father with glassy eyes. Thunder Strike looked down at him, his eyes also glassing up, before embracing each other.

"W-why did she leave us, daddy?!" Thunderblast whimpered and sobbed.

"I don't know, Thunder." His dad replied, shedding a tear as he hugged the colt tightly. "Stuff happens...it's just a way of life I guess."

Thunderblast opened his mouth to say something, a few stutters croaking out, before nuzzling Thunder Strike's chest and crying even more.

"Shh..." His father said, massaging Thunder's back gently. He tried his best not to cry for seeing his son cry, but his feelings were too much. Soon enough, Thunder Strike begun to cry slightly, but not as hysterically as Thunderblast.

No longer than a month later, the two slowly recovered back to their old selves, but still hurt in the wake of Winter's passing. Thunderblast's grades dropped, not enough to become a real issue, but it was definitely noticeable. A couple of days, he was caught not paying attention, with too many other thoughts on his mind, and was told to leave the classroom. His father was fed up with the school, and soon transferred him to another school house on the west side of Ponyville, near the infamous Sweet Apple Acres. The first days went like a breeze, and Thunder managed to make a couple new friends. Then, one day...

"Kiiiids! We have a new student in today! Oh Big Mac!" The teacher, an ice-blue unicorn mare, wearing a pair of black eyeglasses, called out in a cheerful voice. Moments later, an apple-red earth colt with an orange mane shyly walked in. He kept his head somewhat low, and looked at the other fillies and colts staring at him in curiosity. "Well, Big Mac?"

"U-Um...h-hi everypony." The colt spoke in a crackly, nervous voice. He had a bit of a country accent, but he tried his best to disguise it and put on a normal voice. "I-I'm...Big Mac..intosh."

"Hi Big Macintosh!" Some of the colts and fillies said simultaneously, and his ears perked up, as well as his head slightly.

"Care to tell us about yourself, Big Macintosh?" The teacher asked, smiling at him.

"S-sure.." He nervously replied. "I work over..a-at Sweet Apple Acres...with my sister Applejack...and my parents Golden and Stetson Apple." He stopped, then looked at the teacher. "C-can I sit down now, please?"

"Oh, certainly!" The teacher replied, then levitated a piece of chalk, standing from her chair and facing the chalkboard.

Big Macintosh slowly walked down one of the aisles between desks, and sat down at a vacant one, across from a mid-grey pegasus colt, who was looking at him.

"W-what?" Big Macintosh asked, looking at him nervously.

"Hi." Thunderblast said quietly, smiling at the colt.

Big Macintosh smiled some back. "Hi." Before turning to face the teacher at the chalkboard.

At recess and lunch, Big Macintosh sat under the shade of a large tree, opening his lunch box and pulling out a plastic bag with a sandwich inside, as well as some apple slices. A minute later, Thunderblast happily trotted over to him.

"Can I sit with you?" He asked, smiling.

The red colt looked at Thunder, then moved his lunch box to his other side. "Sure." He said, patting a spot next to him, where Thunderblast sat and opened his military-style lunch box his father gave him.

"I'm Thunderblast by the way." Thunder said. "I prefer to be called Thunder though." He giggled some, and begun eating his sandwich.

"I'm...well..you already know my name." Big Mac spoke, slightly muffled by the food in his mouth.

Thunder giggled some more, then looked around at some other foals playing.

"Nice day, ain't it?" Big Mac asked.

"Sure is." Thunder replied, opening his little wings slightly.

The two sat speechless after that, before finishing their lunches and standing.

"Hey, you wanna play a game?" Thunder asked.

"Uh...I-I dunno..." Big Mac replied, feeling nervous once again.

"Oh, c'mon. It'll be fun!" Thunder said, motioning his head for the colt to come with him.

"It's just...I-i've only played with my lil' sis before...not with anypony else." Big Macintosh said.

"Please?" Thunderblast looked at him.

Big Macintosh looked up at Thunder, who then put on the puppy face act. "Oh...okay fine." He said, smiling.

"YAY!" Thunder said, bouncing and fluttering his wings, but not staying airborne.

Soon enough, time flew, and thirteen months had already passed. It was already past the one year anniversary of Winter's death.

A young Thunderblast trotted home from school, pulling out a house key he got himself in case his father wasn't home, and trotted inside. Luckily for him, he was home, but looked very distraught.

"Hi dad!" Thunder said in a cheerful voice, shutting the front door behind him, before noticing his dad. "Dad?"

His father sat still as a statue, like a guard outside her highness' throne. His eyes stared at the fire in the fireplace, which he had just lit. Thunderblast hopped up on the couch and looked up at his dad.

"Dad!" Thunder yelled, and Thunder Strike snapped out of his trance and looked down.

"Oh...uh...h-hi son." He said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Dad? Are you okay?" Thunder asked.

His father begun to tear up again. "Y-yeah...sure."

"Dad...no you aren't."

"Yes...I-I am!"

"No, dad, you aren't. You never say 'yeah'."

Thunder Strike stared down at Thunderblast, who stared straight back up at him, before sighing. "It's been over a year, Thunder."

"Oh..." Thunderblast replied moments later in a broken voice, his ears drooping down in sorrow, before he went up and snuggled against his father's wing.

Strike smiled some, wiping another tear away, then moved his hoof down and held Thunder against his side.

"I love you, Thunder. Nothing will ever change how much daddy loves you." Strike said.

"I-I love you too dad...i-is something else wrong?" Thunder asked, looking up at Strike with glassy eyes.

"No! Of course not... Yes, mommy is gone...I miss her and so do you...but I still have you, and that's all that matters." Strike replied, attempting to hold back a sea of emotions.

"P-promise me you won't ever leave me, daddy." Thunder said, burying his face into Strike's hoof.

"Son...I can't promise anyth-."

"Promise me dad! Please!!" Thunder cried, looking up at his father, who begun to tear up even more.

Strike then pulled Thunder into a tight hug, and begun to quietly cry. "O-of course son...I will never leave you...no m-matter what." He spoke in a broken, depressed voice.

The two huddled together for another hour, before Thunderblast went up to his room to play. Strike, however, had other plans. He snuck out late at night, and flew up to the hill where he played with Thunder a year back, and where his wife was buried. He then landed next to Winter's grave, and laid on the slightly snow-covered grass, staring up at the stars and sighing.

"I remember when we used to do this, Winter. Do you?" He said, looking at the tombstone, smiling with teary eyes.

Thunderblast yawned. After a late night of playing, he had fallen asleep just before dawn, and ended up sleeping the whole day. Lucky for him, it was a Saturday. He yawned and stretched his tiny wings, before looking off of his bed and tackling a royal guard doll that he must have set up standing on the floor over night. After wrestling with the already beaten toy, he trotted downstairs to see what his dad was up to. By now, the sun had already set, and it was barely blue outside from the remaining sunlight, slowly diminishing under the western horizon.

"Hi da-."

He stopped when he didn't see or hear his dad in the living room.

"Hmm...maybe he went out to do something." He said to himself, walking towards the kitchen. When he passed the dining table, he saw something that absolutely horrified him.

His father laid on the ground, a red fluid flowing down his white-coated chest and onto the floor, with his combat knife shoved deep into it.

"D-DAD!" Thunder screamed, running over to his side, beginning to tear up. He then grabbed the knife, and with all his might, struggled to pull it out.

"N-no...s-son...stop..." Strike barely spoke, his eyes hardly opening.

"D-dad...who did this t-to you?" Thunder asked, still gripping the knife, his eyes tearing up dramatically, before straining to pull the knife out.

"I-I did...son..." Strike stuttered, squinting his eyes.

Thunderblast stopped and looked at his father, square in the eyes. "W-what?!" He cried.

"I...c-can't take it...anymore...i'm so...so sorry..." Strike said, breathing heavily.

"No...dad...n-no!" Thunder said, now hugging his hoof. "Y-you said you'd never leave me! Y-you promised!" he cried more.

Strike breathed heavier. "Promises...can't be kept...I l-love you."

"I love..y-you too dad!!" Thunder cried more. "Please..d-don't go!"

Before anything else, Strike's body went limp. Thunderblast cried into his hoof, unsure of what to do.

"D-dad...please...! Don't...l-leave me..."

All is Clear

"Dashie, wait!" Yelled a mid-blue, rainbow-maned stallion as he ran out of his house, after his fleeing daughter.

"No, dad! Leave me alone, just this once!" Rainbow Dash yelled back, running down the cloud-built sidewalk and onto the street.

Soon after, a slightly larger grey pegasus with a black mane trotted out, wondering what just happened. He, however, was too late. Rainbow Dash was already flying out of sight. He then turned to the stallion standing to his right.

"Dash...please..i'm sorry." The blue stallion said, watching the mare fly into the distance, past some taller buildings. The stallion then turned to Thunderblast, with an angry look on his face. "Come back inside...I need to speak with you."

"Wh-... What did I do?! I didn't even say anything!" Thunderblast replied, looking back at Rainbow's father.

"You did enough!" The stallion yelled back, before grabbing Thunder by his chest and dragging him inside. Luckily for Thunder, the stallion found it harder than it looked to grab him and throw him wherever he wanted. He did manage to at least push Thunderblast down, who also managed to stop himself by flapping his wings.

"What is your problem?!" Thunder yelled at the stallion, turning to face him.

Thunderblast flew around Cloudsdale, desperately looking for a familiar rainbow-maned mare before the sun officially set. Cloudsdale was a big city, perhaps larger than Canterlot and the other villages on the mountain combined. He scanned over every inch of town, as if he was some sort of living computer. After about an hour of searching, he flew down to the park where he spent time with his marefriend earlier that day, to find her crying next the exact tree they cuddled against.

"Dashie?" He said, floating just above the cloud-ground, eying the sobbing mare closely.

"Go away, dad!" Rainbow cried, not checking to see who was present before her.

"It's me, Thunder." He said, landing and folding up his wings.

The mare didn't say anything else, but continued to cry.

"Shh...Dashie..." Thunder said, trotting up and hugging her tightly. The mare then turned and cried into him. It comforted her some to know her coltfriend was there, and that she had a warm chest to nuzzle whenever. She wrapped her hooves around his waist and squeezed, while Thunder brushed his hoof through her brightly-colored mane.

"W-why is my dad...so mean?" Rainbow sobbed.

"I don't know, Dashie...i've never seen him this angry before." Thunder replied, trying his best to calm Rainbow Dash.

After a few minutes, he finally managed to calm her down, and Rainbow pulled her tear-soaked muzzle away from his chest and noticed he had some cuts and bruises, as well as his eye slightly turning black.

"What did he do to you?!" Rainbow teared up even more at the sight of her coltfriend.

"He...um...it's nothing bad..." Thunderblast replied.

"You have a black eye!" Rainbow yelled.

"It's nothing, really. It doesn't hurt." Thunder said, smiling lightly. "Hey, don't worry about me."

Rainbow sniffed, Thunder wiping a tear from her face.

"C...can I stay at your place? Y-you know, until it's safe to go home?" Rainbow asked, trembling lightly.

"Of course." Thunder smiled more, wrapping his wings around his marefriend.

"Thanks...Thunder." She said, nuzzling his chest.

A day later, Thunderblast returned to Canterlot, with his marefriend, who now temporarily resides at his apartment. Once again, he had his duties in the royal guard. Security was still bumped up after the strange occurrences the night Thunder begun his night duties. Once he arrived at the castle, on his way to his post, he was stopped by some strange-looking stallions. Instead of golden armor, or dark blue lunar armor, the color of their armor was dark grey, with a darker shade of red star emblem.

"Halt!" One of the guards spoke, in an extremely gruff voice. The two stallions were slightly larger than Thunder, and they both narrowed their shaded eyes onto him.

"I.D please?" The other asked.

"Oh, er, of course." Thunderblast reached under the front of his armor, taking off his dog tags and presenting them to the two stallions, who looked at each other, then back to the grey stallion.

"Alright, you may enter, Sergeant." The guard said, moving their spears, allowing Thunderblast to enter. Before he could enter, however, one of the guards put his hoof on Thunder's wing, causing him to jump lightly, but not enough to be noticed.

"Captain Armor demands to have a word with you in his office." The guard said.

Thunderblast nodded and trotted into the castle, and stopped outside Shining's office, preparing to knock.

"Come in, soldier." Shining Armor said from behind the closed door.

Thunder then entered his office, wondering how Shining knew he was outside the door. He greeted him with a salute.

"You wanted to see me s-...Shining?" Thunder spoke, hoof still at his forehead.

"Yes. Please, have a seat." Shining said, eying Thunder.

Thunderblast sat, setting his helmet on the floor next to him.

"As you know, you reported the strange occurrence to Corporal Night Shadow and Princess Luna, am I correct?" Shining Armor said.

"Yes sir." Thunder replied.

Shining nodded. "And security has been bumped up ever since. I'm sure you've bumped into some...different...guards, right?"

Thunder remembered the stallions at the front door, and slowly nodded.

"Yes sir, I have...but, who are they?"

Shining put his hooves together. "They are the elites, best of the best. A mix of the Solar and Lunar guard. It was decided by both me and Captain of the Lunar Guard, Fallen Star, that elites might be necessary in future times. Anyways, back to security. I have decided, that after a week of little to no strange activity in and around the castle grounds, the security block will be lifted city-wide. Unless something else happens, things won't be as tight, and you certainly won't have to go through the elites at the door." He chuckled lightly. "Also, I am putting another guard with you on your post. I know how you are when you are alone, on duty. You may know him from what happened a year ago."

The grey pegasus in fine golden armor trotted out onto the castle bridge, where he was stationed for his post, to find a dark grey unicorn stallion with a greyish-white mane and tail.

"Ah, Thunder! Great to see you again!" The stallion said, smiling.

"Sharp?!" Thunderblast's irises shrunk at the sight of a familiar unicorn.

The unicorn then trotted up to Thunder, who was still in some shock.

"Miss me?" The stallion asked, smirking.

"You got let back into the guard after last year?" Thunder asked.

"Yup!" The stallion replied.

"I thought you were punished."

"Technically this is punishment, as well as having most of my spells removed. Oh well, as you can tell, i've changed since the attack on the city. Oh, by the way." The stallion said, before flashing his dog tags. "Bam."

"Lieutenant Sharpblade?" Thunderblast said, looking at the tags, then back at the unicorn.

"Yup! I got promoted just last month."

"Celestia help us."

Stargazing

Light prevailed over the night sky in Canterlot as it slowly turned to day. The sun however was out of everypony's sight. The weather ponies had overdone themselves and shrouded the whole of the sky with thick, dark clouds.

Thunderblast rose from his bed, he had trouble sleeping that night. After his near-deadly encounter with his marefriend's step brother, Light Assassin, he was in total shock. Diesel was right, he is insane. Thunder's right hoof ached and stung in pain from being slit that night. After arriving home, he had bandaged it up, almost making him appear as if he was some sort of boxer pony. He rose out of bed and opened the curtains in his bedroom. He expected to be briefly blinded by the sunlight, but instead, he was greeted by grey clouds and pouring rain, which made him smile lightly. He thanked the heavens that the sun wasn't exactly there to hurt his eyes like every other morning, and once again that it was a rainy day. It seemed strange to most ponies, but he preferred rainy days over any other day on some occasions. It was a feeling he couldn't explain, but he loved it. The only problem about today, was he still had his post on the castle bridge, putting him directly under the soaking downpour. Then again, it could be worse he thought, before remembering a few days back in winter where his hooves literally froze to the ground, immobilizing him until somepony stopped laughing enough to dump searing-hot water on him to free the stallion.

Thunder went by his normal routine. Morning stretch, breakfast, shower, brush teeth, brush mane, put armor on, then work his way through the inclement weather to his post. Instead of flying, he decided to walk through the streets. Something was different today. He didn't feel right ever since he visited Light Assassin last night. He tried his best not to think about it, and hoped nopony would notice the bandages he wore, after replacing them that morning for cleaner ones. Lucky for him, the rain forced most ponies inside, so he wouldn't have to squeeze through the massive Canterlot crowds. The stallion didn't mind the cold, frequent pounding of rain drops as it soaked what ever parts of him weren't shielded by his gold armor. The other plus side to the walk there, was his post was closest to his apartment, meaning he was closer than ever to briefly getting out of the rain.

After a few minutes of walking, he stepped under the awning to allow his body to dry off. Despite his coat drying, he was still cold. He couldn't show it, however, as it would most likely wreck his reputation with his job in the guard. Moments later, he stepped into the castle, which was surprisingly warm. Thunder's coat warmed quickly, which made him feel comfortable again. Following the maze of halls in the castle, he walked up the small tower stairs, which lead to his post, only to find his post mate Sharpblade wasn't there. Was it possible that his post was shifted again? He made sure nothing was off, before flying to Shining Armor's office to check with him.

"Come in." The unicorn spoke up a heartbeat after the knock on his door came.

Following his words, Thunderblast entered Shining's office, greeting him with a salute. "Sir, I have a quick question, then I will be out of your hair."

"Speak your mind, sergeant." Shining Armor replied, keeping his mind focused on paperwork.

"Thank you sir. I was wondering, where is Lieutenant Sharp? He is supposed to occupy the bridge with me." Thunder asked.

"He called off today, he said he is sick with the feather flu." Shining Armor responded, still focusing on his work.

Thunder then eyed Shining closely. "Sir, with all do respect, I don't think he is telling the truth."

Shining Armor raised his head and eyed the grey pegasus before him. "Why do you say that?"

"Unicorns don't get the feather flu. Only pegasi." Thunder kept his stern face throughout hiss objection.

Shining then raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't think one of my best soldiers would lie about that. If he visited a doctor, that could be what he diagnosed, even though he is a unicorn."

"I don't think so, but okay." Thunder mentally said. "I guess so. Alright, i'll be on my way." He saluted, Shining Armor returning it, before he walked out. "Something isn't right...unicorns cannot get the feather flu."

Later that day, the rain stopped and the clouds quickly cleared, moving on to the eastern cities to drench even more ponies. It cleared out well enough, that the moon could be seen. Even more so, the stars. Instead of going home like he normally would, Thunderblast went to the park, took off his helmet, setting it down neatly, and laid in the damp grass, as a cool, gentle breeze rustled the leaves of trees and bushes. He stared up at the pitch-black sky, and the moon that Luna had just raised, admiring the beauty of the night, which threw him in a bit of a trance.

His trance was soon broken by a voice, which was very close.

"May I join you?" A stallion, standing near Thunder, asked.

Thunder looked at the stallion. He was a light grey unicorn with eyes as green as his older brother's, with a longer red and brown mane. His cutie mark was obscured by the darkness, and didn't care to ask. "Oh, er, sure"

The stallion then laid next to Thunder, putting his forehooves under his head in relaxation as he gazed up. Thunder then sighed, as if he was depressed.

"Is something on your mind?" The stallion asked, turning his head and looking at the pegasus in armor next to him.

"Hmm? Oh, no." Thunder looked over, trying to hide his thoughts from his face.

"I think there is, but alright." The unicorn replied, turning his attention back to the stars. "Such a beautiful night."

"It is." Thunder said, looking across the sea of black, with bluish-white distant stars dotting the sky.

"I'm Tech by the way...Otto Tech." The unicorn said.

"Thunderblast." He replied, still staring at the sky.

"Nice to meet you Thunderbl-."

"Call me Thunder...please."

"Alright." The unicorn sighed contently. "Do you do this often?"

"What?"

"Stargaze?"

"No, not really. I haven't since my colthood actually." Thunder eyed a particular bright star in the sky.

"I see." The unicorn's, Otto Tech, eyes soon caught the same star. "That's a beautiful one."

"Which one?"

"The one we're both looking at."

"How the hell do you know what I'm looking at?" Thunder's voice begun to break.

"The way your eyes are facing. Does it mean something to you?" Otto questioned.

"What, the star?"

"Yes."

"No...not really." Thunder tried to look elsewhere, but the star seemed to be everywhere his eyes moved.

"It must, you keep looking at it." Otto said, now looking at Thunder. "Does it represent your parents?"

"You know what?" Thunder begun, sitting up and looking down at the unicorn. "Leave me alone."

"Hey, i'm sorry. I just wanted to ask." Otto also sat up.

Thunder sighed in a frustrated way, before laying back down.

"But seriously, does it mean that?"

Royal Threats

Thunderblast sat absolutely motionless. He struggled to keep his nerves from making him twitch as he stood perfectly still on duty. His ears stood up tall and hard as cement, like most of his body. It's likely that if anypony tried to move him, he'd remain in the exact spot, as if he was glued to the floor. The stallion kept his bad encounter with Light Assassin under wraps, as he was afraid he'd get in trouble. If he really did kill Royal Guards, he would most likely be on the 'Equestria's most wanted' list.

Lucky for Thunder, nopony noticed he was a bit off, and that the cut on his hoof had healed much faster than he previously thought, which made him happy. Of course, he could have always said it was a simple accident while cooking, considering it occurs a lot to the infamous mess hall cook. He had been re-stationed to a hall in the castle, by a closed room along with another guard he met that day, and they were not allowed to talk, not even for a hair of a minute, unless they were looking to receive a hard hoof from the drill sarge, or perhaps two-hundred forced push or wing ups. Nothing could interrupt the calm air inside.

"Sergeant Thunderblast? First Sarge Featherhoof?"

Almost nothing...

"Hmm?" The stallion looked around, studying the hall for the rough voice that called for him. After a moment, he found the source, a white earth pony guard trotting up to them.

"What is it, Corporal?" The white pegasus eyed him, still standing in his guarding position.

"Your presence is required with Captain Armor, and Princess Celestia." The stallion looked between the two.

Feather and Thunder exchanged looks between the guard and each other. "What's going on?" Feather asked.

"They have called a meeting about urgent security matters. We believe there may have been a breach last night." The guard looked at Featherhoof.

Both of the pegasi's eyes widened as the last few words came out of the earth guard's mouth, but had nothing to say back.

"Please, you two must report to the meeting center at once." The earth guard said.

"Very well. Let's go." Thunderblast said, before the three fast-trotted down the winding halls, searching for the meeting center. In all of his time in Canterlot, Thunder still had yet to get to know the castle and all of it's rooms. That, and the castle had been expanded slightly over the late spring and summer, which of course made it harder to navigate.

Somehow, the earth guard knew it better than Thunder, despite being one of the newer stallions in the Canterlot guard. Which for them, meant getting to the meeting faster, without having to stop and get directions, an embarrassing thing for a guard to ask another. Finally, the three stallions slowed down at the meeting center, where a short line of other guards stood waiting to enter. Most of the guards had the typical golden armor, white coats designated for pegasi and earth guards, grey coats for unicorns, while two guards wore silver armor, with red manes instead of blue or white.

"Platoon sergeants." Thunder thought to himself, getting in line behind them all with the earth guard and Featherwing.

"How could anypony breach the castle at NIGHT? Th-the Lunar guards are, I have to sadly admit, somewhat better and quicker than us!" One of the silver-armored stallions said to the other. Both were nervous, one's legs actually trembled.

The stallions spoke loud enough that Thunder and Feather could hear, which didn't bring much comfort to them. After a two minute wait, everypony seated themselves in the upper rows. The meeting room was similar to ancient Romane architecture, and was built very much like an old gladiator fighting stadium, except the roof was closed off with a brilliant silver dome, with what looked like golden pillars stretching across with silver vines wrapping around them. The room could easily fit a couple thousand, definitely not like the gigantic stadium Thunder fought to his very job in nearly ten years ago.

Down below stood a podium, all of the microphones sitting at different heights, one pony seating at each one. The microphone in the center stood in front of a fine white, tall alicorn mare with a blue, green, and pink mane which waved on it's own, Princess Celestia herself. The seat to her left sat a dark blue alicorn with a much more sparkly blue mane, which also waved on it's own, Princess of the night, Luna. To Celestia's right sat Shining Armor, in the exact suit he wore the day the changelings attacked. Seeing it again gave some guards a cold chill down their spine, including Thunderblast. Behind the remaining three microphones sat Captain Fallen Star of the Lunar Guard, as well as two other presumably new high ranks. A loud thud echoed through the room, a signal that the doors had been shut.

"Good afternoon, everypony. I appreciate you all coming here today. We have pressing matters to discuss today." Princess Celestia begun, taking a bit of a breath to continue. "Yes, I am certain you have heard about the security breach last night. Everything is being done to check how the suspect entered the castle, and where guards were at the time. But, that is not all." She stopped again.

Everypony in the room leaned forward slightly to listen closer, before the Princess of the sun spoke again.

"We have reason to believe this suspect is kidnapping guards as well." Princess Celestia continued, shivering at her own words.

A collective gasp filled the room, and some frightened guards looked at the others around them.

"Please, everypony, calm yourselves." Shining Armor stood up, slamming his hoof on the table in front of him, causing the stallions in the room to settle down.

"THANK YOU, CAPTAIN." Princess Luna yelled in the Royal Canterlot voice, nearly deafening everypony in the room, then received a bit of a glare from Princess Celestia, before turning her attention to the gold armored and dark-blue armored stallions around her. "Oh, my apologies. We've only known this to occur at night, which is fairly strange. So far, we can count at least five of my guards have been reported missing, and two of my sister's guards as well. We have yet to know who this pony is, or if they are working with a known enemy to do this. Sister?" She faced Celestia.

"One of my mail couriers also read to me a very distinct threat to our fair country. We can't make out what it really means, but it is enough to take into consideration to increase security for the third time this year. I know two stallions in this room who reported a similar occurrence a few weeks back, which also triggered a larger guard presence in and around Canterlot. Until we can confirm it is safe, security WILL stay tight at all times, and I will see to it that security on trains will be increased as well, and full luggage scans will be performed at all Equestrian stations, mostly here in Canterlot, Manehattan, the Crystal Empire, and Los Pegasus."

Security Breach

Later that night, following the massive security meeting with the princesses, a few of the high ranks and Captain Armor himself, Thunderblast, as well as many other guards, were given most of the day off to get rest to help the Night guard with their duties, to make sure the mysterious visitor was caught if he did appear again that night.

The stallion stood at his post like earlier, with First Sergeant Featherhoof. The night went like clockwork for the two, mostly since they were staring at black for a long while. Normally, they would have been swapped for the night guard gear, but the guard had been lacking extra armor for a while, so they were forced to wear the same golden armor like any other day. Every once and a while, a lunar guard would walk by on patrol, most of them not batting an eye at the two pegasi as they stood at constant attention outside the closed room, which they soon found out belonged to Prince Blueblood. When Thunder realized it was safe, he decided to bring up a quiet conversation with Featherhoof.

"Just so you know, I really hate Blueblood," he smirked.

Featherhoof cracked a smile on his face, making him look like an idiot, before he begun to snicker. "I do too. I don't know anypony who likes him, to be quite honest."

Thunder quietly laughed. "Perhaps they should have named him Prince Blueheart, since his heart is as cold as ice when it comes to being a gentlecolt." The stallion remembered the Grand Galloping Gala a couple of years back, when his marefriend, as well as her friends, came and literally wrecked it, and her friend, as well as a pony he despises, attempted to grab Blueblood's heart, only to find he had no heart.

The two joked on a bit, slowly befriending each other, until another lunar guard passed by, which is when they returned to their attention state.

"I heard you two talking down here." The pegasus Lunar guard chuckled quietly.

Thunderblast and Featherhoof didn't say a word or moved a muscle, which is when the stallion decided to stop what he was doing and walk up to them, staring them closely in the eye.

Featherhoof kept his cool and didn't blink, causing the charcoal grey pegasus to give up on him, and move on to the black-maned stallion to his left. Thunder remained at attention like Featherhoof while the Lunar guard eyed him closely, until they became muzzle to muzzle, where his eye twitched slightly. Unlucky for him, the lunar stallion caught his sudden eye movement, and smirked. Before anything else, he gave him a sudden peck on the muzzle, causing Thunder to lose his cool completely.

"AAAAW NIGHT SHADOW!" Thunder screamed, dropping his spear and wiping his muzzle frantically. His scream echoed throughout most of the halls connecting that one, and he quickly covered his mouth, irises shrinking beyond tiny. Night Shadow broke down laughing, falling onto his side and trying his best not to laugh too loud, while Featherhoof stared at both of them in some shock, before walking over to the lunar guard and putting his hoof in his mouth, causing him to shut up instantly.

Night squealed, which was thankfully mostly muffled due to a hoof in his mouth. He spit it out, leaving saliva all over Feather's hoof, and wiped his tongue very quickly. "Eugh! Do you even know what is on your hoof man?!"

"Yeah, your saliva. Eugh." Featherhoof lifted his hoof from the floor, which left a spot of Night's saliva on it, as well as some thick strands of it connecting the floor to his hoof guard, which was half-covered in the sticky substance, which made him gag slightly as if he was about to throw up.

Night picked up his spear and glared at Feather, before continuing his patrol down the hall and into the darkness.

Feather pulled out a handkerchief he had in his armor, something all guards have if needed, and removed his hoof guard to wipe it clean, then wiping Night's saliva from the floor to avoid a storm of anger from Blueblood, being the clean freak that he is. Thunder couldn't help but snicker at the sight of Featherhoof's predicament, only to receive a dirty glare from the fellow pegasus.

Moments later, they heard a scream, and quickly looked in the direction it came from, which as frightening as it was, was coming from the direction Night Shadow just went. They had no choice but to find out what it was, and begun galloping down the dark halls to find the source. Thunder kept the lead as they ran down the maze of castle hallways, before coming to a dark corridor and finding one of Night's hoof guards and his spear.

"Night!" Thunder yelled, running to them, looking around frantically for the stallion.

"Where'd he go?!" Featherhoof also looked around, before a pair of doors in between them slammed shut, seemingly on their own.

"FEATHER!" Thunder yelled, running to the door and banging on it. "Are you alright?!"

He was replied with a low-pitched scream, presumably from the white pegasus, which was then followed by the clatter of armor. Thunderblast continued with all of his might to open the door to rescue his friend, but failed badly. After a minute, the doors finally opened. What Thunder saw, or didn't see, shocked him even more. Feather was completely gone, everything except not only his spear, which laid untidily on the floor, but also a small picture of him standing next to a slightly smaller unicorn stallion, he presumed to be his brother or a good friend. The pegasus picked it up and looked at the photo, his hooves beginning to tremble.

"I-I will find you two... I promise." He stuttered as tears begun to form in his eyes. Moments later, three lunar guards rushed to his distress, and he looked up at them in some shock.

"What happened here?" A unicorn guard eyed Thunder closely.

"It happened again..." Thunder trembled. "Whoever this pony, or whatever they are is, we need to find them ASAP."

"What do you mean Night Shadow and Featherhoof are gone?!" A near-wide awake unicorn with a multi-shaded messy blue mane said in shock, as he stared at two guards who had awakened him to inform the stallion of what just occurred.

"Sergeant Thunderblast said they just vanished, sir!" One guard said to the unicorn.

"Did he see what happened?" The unicorn asked.

"No, sir. He said him and Featherhoof ran to Night's scream, and found he was gone. Then, Thunder said the doors shut between him and Feather before he could save him." Another guard replied.

The unicorn, Shining Armor, trotted over to a window looking out at Canterlot and groaned. "This needs to stop...We can't go on like this. Guards are going missing left and right, we have somepony breaking into the castle and no one can see or confront him long enough to stop him. This has got to be something big." He then turned to the guards. "I want Canterlot on full lockdown."

Lockdown

The sun rose over magnificent Equestrian capitol of Canterlot, like any other day. Today was different for everypony, however. Royal Guards could be seen at almost every street corner, after last night's castle breach, which prompted a massive city lockdown, something that had not been seen since the Royal wedding and it's following attack by Chrysalis and her changelings. The kidnapping Thunderblast witnessed happen was kept inside the castle, with most of the Royal and Lunar guards. Even Shining Armor was forced to stay in town, despite previously planning to return to the Crystal Empire and to his wife, Princess Cadence. The Captain not only did his best to ensure the safety of the ponies, but he also was forced to make sure Cadence stayed in the Empire, despite her demanding to be by his side and help her husband.

Thunder laid in a bed in one of the barracks, tossing and turning, contesting his mind to allow him to sleep soundly without thinking of his now missing friends. His duties were lengthened another two hours, which meant less sleep for him on nights he didn't have to be at his post. Not only that, but orders were he had to stay at the castle grounds until the lockdown ended, unless his station was changed again, or even to a day patrol. Other than those, he was not allowed to go home to his own bed.

"Urgh..." He mumbled into his pillow. The entire lockdown and what happened the night before had thrown him off completely, and was giving him lots of trouble thinking about other things, like his marefriend. The one thing preventing him from getting rest, was the sounds of guards outside training themselves and others marching by, with their hooves stomping on the ground which made many loud thuds. Finally, he gave up and turned over, chest up. His eyes were bloodshot from the lack of sleep, but he couldn't sleep now. He had to be out to his station by nine, and it was already eight-thirty.

The stallion rose out of bed, armor still on his back and hooves. Thunder figured sleeping in his armor wouldn't be much of a difference than sleeping without it, only to find he was dead wrong. His armor got extremely hot, making him sweaty and uncomfortable. Moments after waking up, he soon found out the showers were down for repairs, which meant for him that his only other option was to bathe in a pond, something he wasn't going to do. Instead, he freshened himself up by quickly washing his mane in a sink, before drying it off and setting his helmet fittingly on his head. Out of all of the things, his helmet was most likely the most comfortable piece of his set of armor. The main piece sat on his back, making him uncomfortably warm despite the cooling temperatures of autumn, while his hoof guards were beginning to feel a bit small compared to how they fit a year ago, meaning he would probably have to get new ones and have them fitted. He had also heard that the magic in the armor fades out after a few years, which meant it has been gone since just before the return of Nightmare Moon, also meaning his armor can't refit on it's own.

The outside temperature dropped throughout the day, only reaching it's highest point of sixty-one degrees, a comfortable point to Thunder where the air can barely be felt. The breeze, however, made it feel a lot cooler than it really was, which made him grateful for his hot, sweaty armor. During his duty, he noticed something strange. Despite the city edges being completely guarded, he spotted the spec of what looked like a pegasus flying over the city, carrying something large in it's hooves. Somehow, the pony made it over the walls without being spotted by anypony but Thunder. He knew even he couldn't leave the city, but he was desperate to see where this one pony was going. Anypony leaving at that time would certainly land them in jail for a month, as it makes them a possible suspect to the cause of the lockdown in the first place.

The risks were great, but the stallion could not let it go. Instead of staying at his station, he flew out after the pony, quickly but quietly to avoid being seen. By dusk, he realized they were almost to Ponyville, as Thunderblast saw approaching lights of small buildings. As the sun fell behind the hills, followed by the slow rise of Luna's moon to begin the night, he lost visual of the pony, and immediately thought he or she flew in another direction when he wasn't looking.

"I can't go back now." He turned and looked at the distant city of Canterlot as it sat on the side of Canter Mountain. Instead, he flew down to Ponyville and looked around. Not many ponies were out at that time. Then again, he was in the less-busier part of town. As he trotted further in, ponies were no longer a rare sight. Most were at restaurants eating, others trotting around and going into shops before they closed for the night, while some eyed Thunder as they walked by. It was unusual seeing a guard in Ponyville again, the last time being the Summer Sun Celebration that turned out to be the longest night of the year, rather than the day.

Something, however, did not feel right. The stallion got a strange chill down his spine, thinking he was being watched by somepony. He looked around to see if anypony was in fact watching, only to find his mind was simply overreacting. But, in the corner of his eye, he spotted a dark mass stare at him for a brief moment, before running into an alley. He turned his head the moment it did, catching it's tail disappear between two buildings. Once again, he pursued it. The only thing Thunder could make out was a dark grey hoodie on the stallion. Lucky for him this time, it ran slower than it flew, giving him the chance to tackle. The moment Thunderblast was close enough, he tackled the pony.

"GET OFF OF ME!" The pony, a stallion, screamed in anger, as it begun to throw hooves around, one making it to Thunder's jaw.

Thunder yelped, somehow getting thrown off of the pony. His helmet was thrown off by the force, and now sat in a small puddle. The pony quickly got on top of Thunder and pinned him down, before putting a knife at his throat.

"Who are you?!" The pony asked in anger.

"Ouch..." Thunder groaned as he moved his jaw around to make it feel less pain.

"TELL ME DAMN IT!"

The stallion looked up at the one pinning him down, and saw a pair of blue eyes, not quite like his own, but close.

"How about you tell me first, and why you're holding a knife at my throat?" Thunder stared up at the stallion.

"That's not important right now. What is important, is why were you following me all the way here?" The stallion's eyes narrowed onto Thunder.

"I noticed somepony leaving Canterlot when it's illegal to at this time. I had no choice but to follow you." Thunder replied.

"Hmph." The stallion said, still holding the knife at Thunder's throat.

"Would you mind taking the knife away? Having it at my throat makes me want to arrest you more and more." Thunder eyed the stallion back.

The stallion pushed the knife against his throat further. "Please, you don't even have hoofcuffs."

"I don't need hoofcuffs." Thunder smirked, before moving his hind legs into a new position, before bucking the stallion off of him.

"AAAAHOW!!!" The stallion screamed, falling back to the ground behind Thunder.

Thunderblast rose to all fours, looking at the stallion. His buck must have stunned the stallion, as he was still down and was holding his lower stomach in some pain. Without hesitation, he ran to the stallion and pinned him down.

"Now, mind telling me why you ran from Canterlot?" Thunder glared down at the stallion in pain.

"I-I..." The stallion stuttered, gritting his teeth in pain.

"Oh come on, I didn't kick you that hard." Thunder rolled his eyes.

"Y-Yes you did! Don't you guards realize how strong you are?!" The stallion whined.

"Just..quit the whining and answer my question."

"Fine! Fine." The stallion sighed, slowly letting go of his stomach, opening his eyes to look at Thunder. Before he could say a word, Thunder felt a knife being stabbed into his hoof.

"Degh!" Thunder held back a scream in pain as he fell to his side, holding his hoof in pain. Before he could get back up, the stallion had run away. Thunderblast looked down at his right hoof, seeing the deep stab wound and the blood coming out of it. He reached into his armor, pulling out a small medical kit all guards have with them in their armor, before removing his hoof guard and wrapping some bandage around it. The stab wound came just above where his hoof was slit during his bad encounter with Light Assassin the week before. After wrapping it up, the bleeding slowed and soon stopped. Moments later, he begun to feel drowsy again, realizing the knife must have had something in it that would most likely kill him if the stab didn't first. Thunder tried his best to stay awake, thinking this might in fact be the end. Instead, his eyes slowly shut and he dozed off.

"Thunder, wake up!"

"Nngh...w-wha?"

"Please, wake up!"

Thunderblast opened his eyes slowly. To his surprise, he was no longer in an alleyway, but inside a darkened bedroom. Once his vision cleared, he saw a light blue pegasus with a blown back navy-blue mane staring down, his irises shrunk smaller than normal. Next to him, stood a white pegasus with a mane similar to Shining Armor's in color.

"Blitz and Soarin." Thunder mentally said. He somehow found himself silenced, and unable to speak.

"Th-Thunder! You're okay!" Blitz smiled, wiping a tear away.

Thunder nodded, opening his mouth to speak, but not finding anything to say.

"What happened to you? Why can't you talk?" Blitz stared down at him, a small chill running down his back.

Thunder shrugged, a sign that he doesn't know either.

"Maybe that stab wound has something to do with it." Soarin looked at his hoof, which had slightly-bloody bandages around it.

"I doubt a stab to the hoof would have to do with him losing his voice." Blitz then faced Soarin.

"No, what I mean is, maybe the knife had something that made him fall asleep or something. I've seen it before." Soarin put his hoof to his chin, thinking.

Thunder coughed, gagging on his own spit slightly, before gasping for some air. "W-what happened?" He spoke in a mostly-destroyed voice.

Both Blitz and Soarin took a sigh of relief. "We found you in an alley sleeping, so we took you here."

"Where is...here?" Thunder coughed some more.

"Our house. I think everypony is inside as well." Blitz said.

Thunder slowly sat up. "What for?"

"We should probably show him Blitz." Soarin looked at Blitz with a concerned look on his face.

Blitz sighed. "I guess." He then grabbed a remote and switched on the small flat-screen in his room, which was broadcasting a major news network based in Manehattan in it's 'Breaking News' stage.

"What's going on?" Thunder stared at the TV.

"Sh!" Soarin put his hoof up as he watched.

"Reports are coming in from Baltimare and North Manehattan that a war has broken out between the Royal Guard and hundreds, if not thousands of ponies. We cannot confirm what this is, but it appears to be some sort of coo." The news stallion stared at the camera, before leaning over as if he was looking around it, before his irises shrunk in fear. "Okay...we're evacuating" He then got up and ran off of the screen, before everything went to static.

"Guys, what aren't you telling me?" Thunder looked at Blitz and Soarin, who were staring at the television with fear all over their faces.

Moments later, the camera showed a grey pegasus with a green and black mane, wearing neon-green shades. The stallion took the shades off, and shook his head to reveal his eyes to be blood red. "Good morning, Equestria."

"Light?!" Thunder's irises shrunk to beyond marble size.

"Say hello to your new leader. The princesses have betrayed us for far too long. The Royal Guard reigns supreme over the capitol city of Canterlot. It's time that we take back OUR land, and put an end to their evil. As you can see, we already run Baltimare and Manehattan. Next, we will take the rest of the east coast. Then, it will just be a matter of time before we take Ponyville and Canterlot as well." He laughed insanely, then moving out of the way of the camera to reveal a royal guard tied to a chair, without his helmet. "Say hello, whatever your name is."

The guard looked up at the camera, before saying quietly. "H-help...me..." He trembled, before being stabbed from behind by Light Assassin, dying moments later.

The three gasped as they watched, Thunder tearing up at the sight of the murder.

"He's just one of many that I plan to kill today. One, I may mention...Thunderblast." Light smirked at the camera.

Blitz and Soarin then looked at Thunder, who looked back at them.

"He's...after you too?" Soarin's jaw hung further open.

"But...I-I didn't do anything!" Thunder trembled.

"I know you're there, Thunder. I know you will do anything to save your guard friends, and your worthless apple relatives, might I mention, are not part of your family." Light came closer to the camera, the three stallions looking back at the TV. "Don't bother hiding, i'll just have to find you. It's your choice. Run and hide...or fight me like a real stallion would."

Thunder gulped, his body still trembling lightly.

"This...is our revolution."

The Revolution: Part l

"Come on, we're going!"

Thunderblast ran down the stairs in Blitz's house, frantically looking around.

"Wh...going where? There's nowhere to go!" Soarin said as he flew down after Thunder and Blitz.

"Oh, yes there is," Thunderblast turned and faced them. "We need to pack up whatever food we can carry and get the hay out of town before Light's followers get here."

"But, where are we going?!" Blitz put his hoof on Thunder's chestplate.

"I don't know yet...just start packing!" Thunder ran around the house, looking for small boxes.

"You just said you knew, Thunder!" Soarin yelled, staring at the stallion going insane.

"Darn it, we need to go SOMEWHERE! There, you happy?!" Thunder yelled back, pushing into Soarin's face.

"Stop it you two! Let's just do what Thunder says, alright Soarin?" Blitz pulled Soarin onto the floor by his hoof.

"Fine." Soarin rolled his eyes, then ran into the basement, grabbing some boxes.

"Thunder, where should we go? No city will be safe if his followers are taking over the country." Blitz began packing some canned food.

"Either the Crystal Empire..." Thunder helped Blitz. "Or somewhere really far east, maybe across the ocean...the Griffon Empire perhaps."

"How do we know it'll be safe there?" Blitz then grabbed a cooler and put some refrigerated items into it.

"As far as I know, he's only after Equestria...I do know why he wants Ponyville the most though." Thunder continued packing food while Soarin brought some empty cardboard boxes upstairs.

"Why's that?" Soarin helped with the packing.

"He's planning for his followers, or..." Thunder stopped packing suddenly.

"Or what?" Soarin and Blitz stared at Thunder.

"Or whoever doesn't follow could be made slaves, and help his cause...he wants to build a castle directly over town." Thunderblast looked back at them.

"Sweet Celestia." Blitz exhaled, showing fear at the same time.

"Which is why we need to go." Thunder continued packing.

After a few minutes, they had packed five boxes, plus a cooler, of food, two for each to carry.

"Okay, let's go." Thunder picked up the cooler and one box, balancing it on his back carefully.

By the time the three stallions stepped outside, Ponyville was in utter chaos. Some of Light's revolution followers were already in town when his speech was broadcasted.

"We're too late... They're already here!" Blitz hovered in the air next to Thunderblast and Soarin.

Ponies, big and small, screamed and ran in fear to escape town as fast as possible, while a group stallions, with a few mares mixed in, grabbed whatever weapons they could find to begin the process of taking over.

"We have to help! We can't just leave them here!" Soarin set the boxes down and flew off towards one of the stallions, before being yanked back by Blitz, who had grabbed his tail.

"No, it's not worth your life! We need to go, NOW!" Blitz struggled to reel Soarin back, his hooves digging into the hard dirt.

"But what about the other lives?!" Soarin reached back to grab his tail out of Blitz's grasp.

"Please, you guys! I can't sit and watch this happen! We need to fight back!" Soarin ripped his tail out of Blitz's hooves.

"What? Three against, I dunno, A FEW THOUSAND? Maybe more?!" Thunder yelled at Soarin, gritting his teeth simultaneously.

"We could at least fight back here! Any small revolt could start something big!" Soarin yelled back at Thunder. "I thought you were a Royal Guard, not a running coward!" He growled, pointing his hoof in anger at Thunder.

"I am a Royal Guard, and I know we can't stay damn it!" Thunder grabbed Soarin by his chest, pulling the stallion's muzzle into his own.

"Guys!" Blitz stood to the size, staring at them both.

"You aren't a very good one if all you do is run! That night when I kidnapped you, you yelled 'Help me! Help me!'" Soarin mocked Thunderblast, motioning his head at the same time.

"Guys!!"

"Yeah, because I had nothing to defend myself with you conceited piece of garbage!" Thunder pushed his muzzle further into Soarin's face.

"Guys!"

"Oh, is that how you see me? Look around you, the world is falling apart and ALL you care about is running away and being the little chicken that EVERY guard is nowadays." Soarin hissed.

"GUYS!" Blitz reached his hooves up, slamming them down on both of their heads, forcing both of the stallions into the ground.

"OUCH! What the hay Blitz?!" Soarin yelled, staring up at Blitz in anger.

"Why are you two fighting when clearly everything else is going to tartarus!?" Blitz glanced between them both, holding them down by his hooves on their backs.

Thunderblast sighed. "I never really liked you, Soarin. I'm sorry, but...maybe you should stay behind and help fight them off. Me and Blitz'll leave."

"What?!" Blitz stared at Thunder, tears forming in his eyes.

"Fine by me! See you later, chicken guard! Or maybe not, after all, it is the end of Equestria!" Soarin flew off at high speeds.

Blitz watched as Soarin flew off into the distance, behind some buildings, before turning his attention back to Thunder, who was also watching him go with tears forming in his eyes.

Thunder glanced over at Blitz. "He's putting us all in danger."

"He is? Or should I say you? You don't even know what to do, but he does! If you ask me, he was the smartest one here!" Blitz hissed at Thunder, before running off in another direction.

"Blitz, wait!" Thunder ran after the white stallion.

Blitz began to cry as he ran away, his feelings hurt that two of his best friends fought like cats and dogs right before his eyes.

"Wait!" Thunder panted, running after him. "Blitz!"

The white stallion then began to fly, before Thunder leapt up and snatched him out of the air, before pinning him down against the dirt.

"G-get off of me Thunder!" Blitz cried, struggling to shove him away.

"Blitz, no, stop! Calm down!" Thunder held Blitz's hooves down while he struggled.

"Get off and leave me alone!" Blitz cried even more.

"Shh-sh..." Thunder put his hoof over Blitz's mouth, followed by one brief muffled scream as the stallion inhaled quickly and excessively. "Please, calm down...and let me talk."

Blitz slowly calmed and nodded, before Thunder took his hoof off of his mouth.

"I promise you we will get Soarin back, but for now, we need to get out of town. Just until we can form some sort of plan." Thunder breathed heavily, making eye contact with Blitz.

He nodded again. "W-where do we go though?"

"I don't know...the Everfree...somewhere Light or his followers can't find us." Thunder looked around as smoke begun to rise over the town and into the grey sky. "Just somewhere other than here."

Blitz nodded for a third time. "Let's go."

Thunderblast hovered up above Blitz, offering a hoof to stand, which he took. The two then flew back and grabbed whatever food they could carry, before high-tailing out of town and into some fields, and minutes later, into the depths of the Everfree forest.

There was a knock on Shining Armor's office door.

"Come in." The unicorn spoke, staring at the door as two guards rushed in.

"Captain Armor, sir." One guard said, both saluting.

Shining returned the salute. "Yes, what is it?"

"Ponyville has been taken, sir." The other guard said, his eyes widening in fear.

Shining gasped, before slamming his hoof on the desk, forcing the guards to jump slightly. "No! Damn it!"

"Mareami and Fillydelphia have also fallen, sir. About half of Equestria belongs to the revolutionaries now."

"What do you mean he's not there?!"

"We've searched everywhere, sir! He's left town!" A stallion said, wearing a tan tactical vest while holding a spear over his shoulder over a video communications call.

Light Assassin slammed his hoof on his chair. "Grah! That, or he's hiding very good." He mumbled, standing up and staring out the window of an office tower, out at the city of Baltimare which was completely overrun by his forces. "I want you to search everywhere, even outside of town. I don't want you to stop until he's in ropes."

"Yes sir." The stallion saluted, before ending the video call.

"Where are you, Thunderblast. I know you're out there. You won't stop us so easily." Light said to himself.

"Talking to yourself again, are you brother?" Another voice rang out.

Light turned around and saw a light grey Pegasus, with a black and white anime-ish mane.

"Ah, Ash. Great to see you again." Light said, trotting up to the stallion.

"I expect you to bow to me, brother." The stallion said, eying Light Assassin.

"We rule together, do we not?" Light eyed him back.

"Of course, brother." The stallion smirked.

Out in the Everfree, Blitz and Thunderblast found a large, hollow tree where they could find refuge.

"We should be safe in here as long as they don't search everywhere." Blitz said, setting up some small beds with leaves.

"I wouldn't worry right now. What we do need to worry about, is finding out how the hell to fight back without getting ourselves killed." Thunder took off his main armor piece, leaving his hoof guards on. "We're limited to just knives right now for weapons, lucky for us I carry two on some occasions." He then tossed Blitz a folded up combat knife.

Blitz caught it and tucked it away into a saddle bag. "Thanks." He smiled.

Thunder looked out a small hole, which had somewhat a view of Ponyville. He sighed at the sight of the fire and smoke as the town was ripped apart by the revolution.

The sounds of static broke the distant sounds of war, and Thunder turned around to see Blitz holding a small portable radio.

"Turn that down!" Thunder whispered.

Blitz put his hoof up as he got a decent signal. "Shh!"

Thunder came closer to listen in, as Blitz slowly turned up the volume.

"This is an emergency broadcast transmission. All of the following actions are required by all citizens of Equestria. Please, stay indoors, lock your doors and windows, and do not show any signs of activity at your location to avoid attention being drawn to yourself. A catastrophic war between civilians and the Royal Guard has broken out across the country, and it's forces have fallen back in the fear of more collateral damage. All civilians not affected are advised to evacuate as far west as Los Pegasus, San Prancisco, Vanhoover, and if at all possible, the city of Cloudsdale."

"My gosh." Blitz stared at the radio in fear.

"Do not engage the hostiles in any form of way, as the result could mean murder on sight."

"Murder on sight?" Thunder mumbled to himself.

The radio went back to static, before Blitz switched it off to conserve battery magic. Afterwards, Thunder noticed him begin to tremble.

"Blitz?" Thunder looked at the fellow Pegasus.

"H-hmm?" Blitz trembled more.

"Don't be scared...please." Thunder smiled lightly.

"H-how can I not b-be?" Blitz trembled even more, beginning to panic.

"Hey, it'll be okay. We'll fight them off together, and we'll get Soarin back." Thunder hugged Blitz tightly to calm him, which managed to work.

Blitz trembled still as he hugged the slightly larger stallion.

"I hope Soar is okay." Blitz trembled less and less.

"He's a fighter. I betcha he's doing fine." Thunder patted his back.

"A-and if he isn't?" Blitz trembled more.

"We'll find him. I promise."

The Revolution: Part ll

A few hours had passed after Blitz and Thunderblast discovered refuge in a hollow tree in the Everfree forest, lucky for them, no one following the revolution had come searching for them...yet. The two sat and ate some dinner, unsure of what to do at that time. Their main priority at that time was to bring up a plan to thwart the plans of Light Assassin's castle being built directly atop Ponyville. They only had one problem; they need more ponies to help prevent it.

Moments after eating, they heard a crack.

"What was that?" Blitz whispered, looking in the direction of the noise.

"I don't know." Thunder reached for his combat knife, holding it close to his chest and flipping the blade out, now being able to call it a knife. He then slowly stood up and peeked out a gap in the tree, giving him quite a view of the forest around them, and looked around for the source of the sound.

"See anything?" Blitz's hooves begun to tremble lightly, straining his best to hide it.

"Nope. It was probably a squirrel or something." Thunder whispered back, glancing around the ninety-degree view one last quick time, before flipping his knife back into it's handle and setting it on the ground, then sat down next to Blitz.

Blitz's quaking hooves stopped after Thunder's last words, taking a deep sigh of relief.

Minutes later, a light drizzle came down over the forest, which soon turned into a heavy downpour, followed by distant rumbles of thunder. Blitz then scooched somewhat closer to Thunderblast, his ears perking up when the first rumble rolled.

"Are you alright?" Thunder smiled faintly.

"Of course." Blitz trembled lightly, barely enough to notice.

"You never got over your fear of thunderstorms, have you?" Thunder looked down slightly at Blitz.

"I have...mostly. The thunder still gets me sometimes." Blitz looked out the gap at the pouring rain.

Thunder wrapped his right wing around Blitz's back, giving the stallion some comfort.

"Don't worry about it, it can't hurt you." Thunder smiled.

Blitz smiled back. He liked the fact that his friend was a Royal Guard, especially one who is honored in terms of a few of the guard's high ranks, including Captain Armor. He felt...safer...around him. But then again, who wouldn't?

The two heard another crack, this one much louder and closer than the first, which forced both of them to jump almost out of their coats.

"Wh-what was that?!" Blitz yelped in fear, covering his face with his wings.

Thunder didn't reply, but instead stood up, grabbing his knife again and flipping the blade back out, trotting over to the gap, where he went into a hiding position against the wall of the tree trunk, and peeked his head out to see what caused the noise. He let out a sigh, calming his muscles once again, before turning to face Blitz.

"The storm knocked a tree branch down across the path, nothing more." Thunder said, flipping the blade back into the knife handle.

Blitz, this time, continued to tremble. "I-I want to go home." He whimpered slightly.

"Hey, don't worry...we'll go home soon." Thunder walked over to the stallion, hugging him.

Blitz whimpered, beginning to cry into Thunder's shoulder. He was scared about the revolution, and the thunderstorm occurring overhead wasn't helping.

Thunder rubbed his friend's back, trying his best to comfort him. Inside, he was scared as well, knowing that he is likely one of the last guards who isn't dead or incarcerated by the revolutionists. Even if he did try to fight back with whoever didn't follow the revolution, which would definitely be a lot less numbers of ponies than the ones following it, meaning they'd be outnumbered by a ton, and they would most likely fail.

Blitz continued to tremble, even after shutting off the waterworks. He was cold, but lucky for him, Thunder's body, mainly his chest, was warm.

There was another crack minutes later.

"Okay, that's it. I'm going out there." Thunder broke the hug, flying up a foot off of the ground, before grabbing his knife for the third time.

"No, don't go out there!" Blitz trembled more, looking around. "What if it's revolutionists?!" He whispered in a fearful tone.

"Then I'll kill whoever it is. Stay here." Thunder flew out the small doorway without another peep, leaving a quaky Blitz behind, who curled up in a corner in fear.

Outside, Thunder's mane was soaked by the pouring rain, which drooped down slightly. The rain drops flowed off of his wings as he flapped them hovering just above the ground as he scanned the area around their hiding spot.

"Where are you..." He mumbled to himself, his deep blue eyes looking over every inch of the forest that he could see.

A bright flash of lightning, followed by a deafening crack of thunder, forced the stallion to wince unexpectedly. Before he could do anything else, a hoof reached up and yanked Thunderblast out of the air, tossing him into the wet earth.

"Agh!" He yelped, his knife flying out of his hoof and landing on the ground a few feet away. As he reached to grab it, a navy blue hoof stomped onto his own, pinning it down. Thunder went to move his other hoof, only to have that one stomped into the mud as well, with his head also being shoved into the ground. He squirmed, straining to stand up.

"Thunder, stop it!" The voice of the pony called out, struggling to hold the stallion down.

Before Thunder could process what he said, even after it was muffled by the roaring storm above, he kicked his hind legs, managing to kick what felt like the pony's hind leg out from under him, causing the pony to fall. Thunder pulled himself out from under the pony, and ran for his knife. His tail was then yanked, pulling the rest of him back with it, his hooves giving out under him as they slid on the wet ground. The pony stood back up, bodyslamming Thunder moments later. He yelped in pain the second he heard a slight crack in his lower back, which immobilized him temporarily.

The pony laid on Thunder's back, attempting to hold the stallion down, but after a minute soon realized Thunder was much stronger than him. Thunder's muscles flexed slightly as he pushed himself back up with his forehooves.

"Nngh." The pony strained to hold Thunder down. Before he could think, Thunder yanked his hind legs out from under the stallion, delivering a devastating, swift buck to his upper chest, knocking the wind out of the pony. Thunder spun around and got a good look at the stallion, scanning over him. He was wearing golden Royal Guard armor, and had a navy blue coat, with a darker blue tail and mane.

"What the...Stormfire?!" Thunder's irises shrunk to pinpricks, coming closer to him.

Storm wheezed and gasped for air, the buck Thunder used on him had knocked the breath out of his lungs completely. He coughed a few times, the last time spitting out some blood.

"Oh jeez. Are you okay?!" Thunder ran around him and leaned down to him, before the stallion's right hoof shot up and punched Thunder in the chin, knocking him back. "OUCH!" He yelped.

Stormfire sat up, wiping some blood from his mouth, still wheezing slightly. "Next time, d-don't buck me. Alright?"

Thunder held his muzzle in pain, letting off a slightly muffled groan.

"Oh...sorry." Storm wiped his muzzle again, wiping the blood on a fallen leaf.

"I think you broke my nose!" Thunder screamed into his hooves, looking at Stormfire in pain.

"Sorry." Storm snickered lightly.

"No you're not!" Thunder screamed again.

"Okay, maybe I'm not. You did buck me, so I punched your chin." Storm laughed some.

"Stormfire!" Came a third voice. Thunder and Storm looked to the side and saw Blitz running at them. "Oh thank Luna you're okay." He smiled lightly.

"Barely. It's tartarus out there, man." Storm stood up.

"Weren't you in Canterlot?" Blitz asked, as Thunder moved his jaw around to ease the pain.

"Was, yes. They came at us with everypony in town! Well, everypony except us and those running away. We were outnumbered. It was another civil war, like the one a thousand years ago, maybe worse." Storm looked at them both with a blank expression.

Thunderblast stood up with them moments later. "How'd you get out?"

"A unicorn guard fired a beam at me which slowly teleported me here...he..." Storm gulped, tearing up slightly. "Some ponies ran up and stabbed him before I was teleported away...he died right in front of me."

Thunder and Blitz gasped.

"Sweet Celestia." Blitz's jaw hung open, his eyes watering up as well.

"Did anypony else escape with you?" Thunder asked, staring at Stormfire.

"I don't know...maybe. All I know is, we've lost most of Equestria. The western cities, and I think Appleloosa and Dodge Junction remain untouched." Storm wiped his muzzle free of blood, leaving a red splotch on his left arm, just above his hoof guard.

"My gosh...what do we do?" Blitz looked between the grey and navy blue stallions.

"We gotta do something, we can't just stay here!" Stormfire stomped his hoof into a small puddle.

"What are we supposed to do?! We're obviously outnumbered thirty million to three!" Thunder hissed at Stormfire, stomping his hoof in response.

The navy-blue stallion recoiled back, before sighing. "I do not know. If the Royal Guard were here, or at least Captain Armor, this would be a whole lot easier."

"Yes, definitely. Where is he actually?" Blitz looked at Stormfire.

Storm groaned. "The Crystal Empire."

"Why? Shouldn't he be here, leading the Royal Guard into defending Equestria?!" Thunder's eyes widened.

"It wasn't him. Princess Celestia sent him there to protect him. I did notice something though. The revolutionists are doing everything in their power to capture guards, rather than kill them. They kill whoever doesn't cooperate, which happened to be the stallion that teleported away, and whoever else." Stormfire looked between Blitz and Thunder as he spoke.

"Which is why they're after us, isn't it?" Thunder looked in the direction of Ponyville, unable to see it.

A loud crack of thunder filled the air, causing Blitz to jump a foot off the ground.

"Most likely. Where are you guys hiding exactly? You're obviously hiding somewhere near here if you're right here with me right now." Stormfire wiped his muzzle for another time, to find it isn't bleeding anymore.

"We found a hollow tree just down the path." Thunder said, before looking up at the storm as it continued to pour, a raindrop going into his eye, forcing him to wince at the cold drop. "We better get to it before we get lost."

"Alright. You lead the way." Storm said back, before the three galloped to the tree.

No longer than three hours later, the sun had set and the stallions soon fell asleep, not thinking to keep watch throughout the night.

"You wanted to speak to me sir?" A grey unicorn stallion wearing silver guard armor trotted into a mostly-dark office, staring at a desk, with the back of an office chair facing him.

The chair turned around, revealing Light Assassin without his shades.

"Ah, Otto Tech. So nice to see my second in command again." He smiled insanely.

Otto saluted briefly. "You said you had a mission for me, sir?"

"Yes." Light Assassin opened a drawer and dug through it, pulling out a folder and tossing it onto the desk, up to the stallion.

Otto used his magic to open the folder and levitate three pictures out.

"I need you to find these stallions for me, and bring them to my lab in Ponyville. If they don't cooperate..."

"I will kill them for you, master." Otto smirked.

Light laughed insanely. "Good. Now get moving."

Otto saluted. "Eye-eye sir." Before galloping out of the office, and out of the building in Baltimare, which had massive Equestrian flags with a red 'X' over the two alicorns circling around the sun and moon, a sign that the revolution has completely taken over. The stallion then ran to the train depot, where a train was waiting for him to board. On the platform stood charcoal grey stallions, wearing elite guard armor. Their eyes were an evil green, their irises red as blood. In the center of the platform stood two other guards, who were smirking at two white stallions who were tied up, the armor formerly belonging to them. One of the guards then grabbed a knife, stabbing one of the stallions in the throat, allowing him to bleed out and perish before Otto's eyes.

"What?" The guard glared at Otto, who was staring at him as he killed the stallion.

Otto ignored him and trotted onto the train, which minutes later departed for Ponyville.

The train pulled into Ponyville station just before two in the morning, the platform soaked with the still-pouring rain. Lightning lit up the sky over town as Otto Tech stepped out of the train, a cold chill running down his spine the moment the brisk air touched his skin under his coat. He nodded at a guard, who moved his spear from in front of the door, and trotted into the station, out the front door, and into town. In town, some ponies wearing construction uniforms stood with spotlights shining over them, water dripping from their helmets. They were going over the plans to build Light Assassin's castle.

Otto levitated the pictures of Thunderblast, Blitz, and Stormfire out and looked over them, before trotting around town looking for the three stallions. After another two hours of searching, he finally realized they must have run into the Everfree. He trotted up to the edge of the forest, and stared in. The stallion then levitated out a flashlight and flipped it on, shining it into the darkness. A rumble of thunder rolled across, causing him to recoil back and grit his teeth in fear as he looked back at town, which was somewhat lit up by the construction lights.

"I could just run back to town and say I couldn't find them...but then Light will kill me." Otto thought to himself, before taking a deep breath. "Okay...here I go." He said moments before trotting into the dark forest.

The ground squished under him due to the heavy rains which continued to drench the area. The loud pitter-pat of rain drops hitting the thick leaves of the forest was the only other sound, to some of Otto's relief. After a near-death experience a few months back, he never wanted to go back in, unlucky for him that he had no choice this time.

Back in the tree hideout, Thunderblast, Blitz, and Stormfire all slept soundly, the three stallions snuggled close to each other to keep one another warm against the cold breeze of the storm outside, which swept through the tree holes like butter. Luckily, the storm had calmed so the lightning and thunder was no more, and it was now just a cold and windy downpour.

Thunder's right ear perked up at the sound of what sounded like hoofsteps sinking into the wet earth as they walked. His head lifted up and he yawned quietly as his vision slowly cleared. It was dark, and it was very hard to see. The stallion stood up slowly and carefully to avoid waking Blitz and Stormfire, before grabbing a flashlight to add some light to where he was looking. He looked out into the abyss of black, the round burst of light shining upon wet leaves, trees, and bushes, as well as some small twigs the storm kicked around throughout the day. His ear then peered back as he heard more hoofsteps behind him. He turned tail to face the small doorway, shining the flashlight onto the outside of it, before walking over to it and out the tree trunk into the cold rain and wind.

"Brr.." He shivered as his wings briefly popped open, his feathers ruffling and fluffing up in an attempt to keep himself warm. Thunder shined the flashlight around, looking for the source of the hoofsteps. He was still tired, and his eyes were half shut. The cold rain was enough to slowly wake him up completely, but it would still be a little while before his eyes would open completely.

The hoofsteps continued around him, and he shone the flashlight around, his eyes finally opening as his heart begun to race.

"Who's there?" Thunder called out, looking around desperately for whoever was stalking him. He continued to look around, before noticing some bushes move in front of him. He moved slightly closer, leaning his head forward and squinting his eyes.

Otto Tech smirked, a knife in his hoof, as he quietly came up behind Thunder, using his magic to rustle the bushes. He then tackled Thunder, who dropped his flashlight.

"GAH!" Thunder screamed as he was tackled, flailing his hooves in an attempt to get whoever or whatever tackled him off.

"Hold still damn it!" Otto yelled, struggling to pin Thunder down, who resisted no matter his demands. He then threw his armed hoof down, Thunder quickly moving to the side and dodging the knife, which ended up getting stuck in the ground.

Thunder then punched the stallion in the muzzle, knocking Otto off of him, standing to all four hooves moments later. Due to the darkness, he couldn't see where he was going, and ended up tripping over Otto.

Otto yelped, holding his muzzle in pain, before delivering a swift punch to Thunder's upper right hip, knocking him onto his side. Thunder held his side in pain, curling his hind legs as well uncontrollably, before Otto stood up and searched for his knife, ripping it out of the ground with his magic. The unicorn then turned to Thunder, running over to the stallion to kill him with the knife, before a pair of hooves wrapped around his neck.

"BLITZ, NOW!" Stormfire yelled, his hooves holding Otto back.

Out of nowhere, a rock came flying out of the darkness, striking Otto in his head, instantly knocking him unconscious. Storm fell over with Otto, quickly getting up moments after, then trotting to Thunder. "You alright?" He asked.

"Y-yeah, sure...it's just...it's just a bruise...I'll be fine." Thunder laid there, holding his side in pain still. "Did you get him?"

"Yeah, we got him." Blitz trotted over to them. "We better tie him up before he wakes up."

"Good idea. Thunder, can you walk?" Storm looked down at Thunder.

"I should in a few...just...give me a second." Thunder groaned in pain.

Stormfire and Blitz then ran off to find a vine to use as a rope to tie Otto up with in case he woke up hostile as a minute ago.

Minutes later, Thunder dragged him up against a smaller tree, where Blitz and Stormfire brought back a long, thick vine, tying the unicorn to the tree. The three sat beside him for another half-hour, before he finally awakened.

"Hmm...wha?" Otto slowly opened his eyes, not remembering what had happened before he blacked out. He squinted his eyes as he tried to look around, before trying to move. He looked down and saw the vine, before struggling against it. A moment later, a knife was held point-first at his muzzle, causing his irises to shrink to pebble-size.

"Quit struggling." Stormfire growled at Otto, holding his knife to the stallion's muzzle.

"Wh-who are you? What do you want with me?!" Otto trembled.

"Don't play stupid with us, we know Light Assassin sent you to hunt us down!" Blitz stomped his hoof against the tree.

"What? Light Assassin? Hunt you down? What?!" Otto struggled some more, now trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Thunderblast then turned on his flashlight, shining it on the stallion and gasping. "What the...Otto?!"

"Thunder?!" Otto's jaw dropped. "Wh-what are you doing?"

"More like, what are you doing?" Thunder growled. "You attacked me! You-you tried to kill me!"

"What? N-no I didn't!" Otto shook his head in denial.

"Don't deny it! You attacked me with the same knife that is at your muzzle right now!" Thunder stomped his hoof on the ground, gritting his teeth in anger. Otto's armor rattled as he trembled. "You also did this!" Thunder continued, holding his hoof up to his face, revealing a three-inch long, bloody cut moving diagonally up his hoof.

Otto recoiled back, cowering in fear. "H-how? Wh-when did I attack?!"

"Fourty-two minutes ago!" Blitz yelled.

"A-are you crazy? All I remember is meeting up with Light Assassin for something, and...then I blacked out...now I'm here. How'd I get here?" Otto looked between the three stallions in front of him.

"Wait a minute, guys." Stormfire pulled the knife, as well as Thunder and Blitz, back and they huddled together to talk in private. "What if he was being mind controlled?"

"How do we know he isn't now?" Blitz asked, staring at Storm.

"I don't think he is, he seems pretty innocent right now." Storm looked between the two stallions.

"Storm may be onto something, maybe he is being mind controlled. You know what, maybe they're all being mind controlled!" Thunder gasped slightly.

"But how? That would take a lot of magic!" Blitz said, unsure of what to think.

Thunderblast then looked at Otto, who was struggling against the ropes still.

"Let's let him go." Thunder looked at them, before standing and trotting over to Otto with the knife, cutting the vines off of him.

"Y-you're not going to kill me?" Otto sat in the same position, curling his forehooves before his chest while looking up at Thunder.

"No." Thunder smiled lightly, pulling the stallion up. "We need your help."

"Of course. What is it?" Otto smiled back.

"We're gonna do what?!" Stormfire yelled, staring at Blitz.

"There's four of us, and not enough room in this tiny tree trunk. We'll need to hide in town." Blitz stared at Stormfire, then to Otto Tech, who was wrapping up Thunder's cut hoof with magic.

"But they'll come looking for us!" Thunder stared at Blitz as if he was crazy.

"That's the thing, they expect us to be hiding out here in the Everfree, not in Ponyville." Blitz smirked lightly.

"Okay, but we also need a plan to prevent the building of that castle." Stormfire motioned his hoof around as he spoke.

"Hmm..." Thunder and Blitz thought.

"Oh!" Otto spoke up, finishing up wrapping Thunder's hoof.

"You got something in mind?" Storm looked at Otto Tech.

"What about mini bombs? As distractions? Or something that would make the location not good to build the castle?" Otto smiled brightly, looking at the three.

Thunder looked at Blitz, then Stormfire. "I like the way you think."

"Yes, but where will we get bombs?" Blitz laid his head on his hoof, unamused.

"We build them ourselves." Storm smirked.

"Oh...great. Blitz, Thunderblast, Stormfire and Otto Tech, the bomb makers. Perfect."

The Revolution: Part lll

"Oh come on Blitz, you want to save Equestria, don't you?" Thunderblast nudged Blitz.

"Yeah, but...I didn't expect us to be building bombs." Blitz pushed Thunder's hoof away, unsure of their plan.

"Seriously? You loved playing with firecrackers when we were younger. What changed?" Thunder stared at him, raising in eyebrow.

Blitz then gulped.

"What's wrong?" Stormfire asked, looking Blitz in the eyes.

Blitz looked at the two Pegasus ponies and the unicorn around him. "I almost got killed by one."

"What?! How?" Thunder's eyes widened at the stallion's words.

Blitz sighed. "One and a half years ago, on Equestria's Founding Day, I was given the honor of launching the first firework in Cloudsdale. I lit the fuse, but it wouldn't take off, and the fuse went out. I walked back over to it and looked at it..." He looked down at his hooves.

"It exploded in your face?" Thunder's jaw hung open slightly.

Blitz looked up at Thunder. "Close...it was about to explode, and my friend...he was a lieutenant in the Lunar Marines. I guess he knew something that I didn't, and he ran up and pushed me away. Next thing I know..." He winced, tearing up. "There's a loud boom...I look up, he's gone. All that's left is part of his uniform, the sleeve on fire. No one can explain what happened to the rest of him...some say he was blown into space and is still there."

"He was...blown up?" Otto said, his eyes beginning to tear up with Blitz.

Blitz nodded slowly, shedding a tear, which fell onto the ground.

"Blitz...I...I don't know what to say...I'm so sorry. I had no idea." Thunder wiped at his eyes, knowing the same feeling.

The white pegasus wiped a tear from his eye. "Which is why I don't go around fireworks, or any kind of explosive anymore...it just brings me bad luck. I can't even go out when Cloudsdale lights up the sky on New Years, or on Equestria Founding Day. Then you saw earlier, thunderstorms still scare me. That's why. It's not because I never got used to them, it was because of that one day."

Stormfire sighed. "I know the feeling...kind of. The day after I was born, my mother found out my dad had been killed by the griffons when we had that war a couple of decades back. I-I never got to know him."

"I know it too." Thunder sniffled slightly.

"How?" Blitz looked at Thunder.

The grey pegasus raised his eyebrow, reminding Blitz.

"Oh...right." Blitz lowered his head, his ears drooping down.

"Is that why you were staring at the stars that one night, Thunder?" Otto asked, looking him in the eyes.

"Yes. My dad was one of Celestia's most respected guards...he commit suicide a year after my mom passed away from a rare case of the Feather Flu. During that time, Equestria didn't have the vaccine for it. She was perfectly fine the week before too, the whole thing was strange. Even now I still don't know what the doctors know happened to her." Thunder fought against his emotions, slowly fighting back the tears building in his eyes, but unable to stop his voice from breaking slightly.

"Oh." Otto's face saddened at Thunder's story of what happened.

"I'm pretty much over it now." Thunder smiled lightly, but was hiding his pain.

"Are you?" Blitz raised his eyebrow at Thunder, noticing his eyes glassing up.

"Ye-yes." Thunder looked away. "Listen, we should probably go find a hiding spot in Ponyville. It'd be best if we at least have a bigger place to stay while we prepare." He said, putting on his armor.

"Good idea, let's go." Stormfire stood up, crouching down slightly to follow Thunderblast out of the tree trunk, Blitz and Otto gathering whatever they needed and carried it out in two decent sized boxes. The four stallions quietly and cautiously made their way through the cold, rainy forest towards town, which was still lit up with construction lights. After reaching a hill just outside of town, they peeked over it and towards Ponyville. There were many ponies standing in the paths, mostly construction workers, others being guards, with some mares and children mixed in. Lucky for them, nothing in the process of the castle construction plans had been started yet.

"I wonder where Soarin is in all of that mess." Blitz looked around.

"Somewhere safe, hopefully." Otto responded.

"Hmm..." Thunder moved his eyes around the possible ways into town. Unfortunately, each path had either construction workers or guards.

"Awh, great. How will we get in without being seen?" Stormfire groaned.

Otto Tech turned around, seeing a steel round cover with a horseshoe printed into it, detailed with what appeared to be nails. "Hey guys! The war tunnels!" He stood up, trotting over to it.

Thunder, Storm, and Blitz turned around and looked at Otto.

"I thought those were filled in a decade ago?" Thunder looked at him as he levitated the cover off of a hole with a ladder going down into darkness.

"Heh, they did. Buuut, I dug them back out myself, and even made a shelter for severe weather." Otto had already begun climbing down, smirking lightly.

"Do you know where we can go other than the shelter? They might be expecting us there too." Blitz trotted over to the hole, Otto sliding down the bars quickly, his hooves making a small splash as they hit the wet stone below.

"Probably into a shop or two if we're lucky, if we find another exit in an alley that isn't being watched." Otto said, his voice echoing.

"Whoa, there's an echo too?!" Stormfire trotted over to the hole, Blitz climbing down the ladder carefully. He stuck his head in. "Eeeechooooo"

His voice echoed many times, causing him to laugh.

"Testing, testing, one two--."

Thunder slapped Storm behind his head, glaring at him.

"What?" Storm pulled his head back up, watching as Thunder climbed down the ladder, before following him and pulling the cover back over the hole, immediately blackening the already-dark tunnels.

"Jeez its dark down here. Anypony got a light?" Thunder looked around at the darkness. "I think mine's dead."

Blitz pulled out his flashlight and flipped it on, moments later flickering and dying. "Son of a barrel of hay."

Otto snickered lightly. "That's funny. I might have to steal that from you...er..."

"Blitz. My name is Blitz." He said, trotting down the tunnel blindly.

"I might have to steal that from you, Blitz." Otto chuckled, before following Blitz, Thunderblast and Stormfire following close behind.

"Don't you dare." Blitz said sarcastically.

After about ten minutes of walking, some light shone through a tiny hole from what appeared to be another cover.

"Hey, I think there's an exit here!" Thunder looked up through the small tunnel leading to the surface. "I'll check it out." He climbed up, lifting the heavy cover up with all of his strength. When the cover lifted, he was looking at the hooves of a revolution guard. He yelped in surprise and quickly dropped back down, the cover making a loud, heavy metal thud, which startled the guard enough to check the cover. Thunder pulled the stallions back into the shadows and behind a wall corner as the cover was lifted back up by the guard, presumably a unicorn as it levitated up.

"Alright, who's down there?" The guard's rough voice quietly said, though enough to cause a bit of an echo in the tunnels. The stallion then climbed down the ladder and used his magic to create light, looking around in the three directions he could go. Of course, he decided to go the direction Thunder and his friends were hiding. As he walked by the corner, he looked in the opposite direction of the hiding stallions, suddenly being knocked unconscious by Otto Tech, the light on the guard's horn fading slowly.

Blitz and Stormfire looked at Otto.

"What? He was going to find us sooner or later." Otto shrugged with one hoof.

"Hmm...we could probably use his armor...or if he's being mind controlled, see if he'll join us." Storm scratched his chin with his hoof.

"Let's take his armor. If he is being mind controlled, it's unlikely we'll be able to set him back to his right mind like we did with Otto." Thunder looked at the stallion, stripping him of his armor and handing it to Blitz, who put it on his back to wear at a later point.

"So, I guess that exit doesn't work. What if we split up to find one?" Otto suggested.

"That wouldn't work. We could end up getting caught if we do that." Storm replied.

"Storm's right. If we split up and one of us gets caught, there won't be another there to stop it." Blitz struggled to balance the armor on his back as it rattled.

"Ugh. Then what do we do?" Storm groaned, sitting down.

"What we're doing now. Hey Otto?" Thunder called out, not being able to see the stallion, also finding he wasn't there. "Otto?"

No reply.

"Otto?!"

Again, no reply.

"Oh sweet Celestia. First a guard follows us down here, now Otto's gone." Stormfire looked around frantically.

"Hey guys!" A voice yelled from down the tunnel, which the stallions ran towards, to find Otto hanging upside down somehow from the exit of an open cover which came into a slightly-lit alley. "I found a place we can hide!" He said, climbing back up and using his magic to pick the lock of the back door of a shop.

"Great job!" Blitz climbed up the ladder, followed by Stormfire, and after checking around some to make sure they got up safely, Thunderblast.

Otto entered the shop, flipping on the lights in the small storage area in the back, behind the main counter. To their surprise, the boxes on the shelves were filled with knives, swords, and ammunition for a basic gun, mainly a Desert Eagle.

"And how lucky we are!" Otto's smile widened as he ran to one of the boxes, dumping out three different boxes onto the floor. There were unloaded Desert Eagles painted in steel-grey and black, with clips of ammunition, as well as some flip-out knives similar to Thunder's, and smaller swords that one would most likely consider a dagger.

"Jackpot." Thunder said, reaching down and grabbing one of the Desert Eagles and five clips, loading one into the handle with a click.

"Looks like we're set, other than the explosives of course." Stormfire picked up a knife, tucking it into his armor. "I think i'll stick to melee weapons though."

"Suit yourself." Otto Tech said, levitating two desert eagles with eight clips of ammunition, clicking two of them into his guns, before tucking them into pouches on the sides of his armor.

Blitz didn't take much, only a small sword and a beret. Soon after, the four realized they were in some sort of military surplus shop. Lucky for them, the owner was out of town and he had left a spare key in the register for his apartment upstairs, which the stallions set up in.

After falling back asleep comfortably this time, now being in a warm building, the four slept soundly the rest of the night.

"You guys!" Stormfire suddenly shot up, yelling.

Thunder and Blitz then woke up in a shock, Otto somehow still snoring.

"What's wrong?!" Thunder looked at him, his heart racing from being awakened suddenly.

"What happened to our weapons?!" Storm stared at Thunder and Blitz as if he was crazy.

Blitz yawned. "They're right here." He then put his hoof on his sword.

"No, I mean, our weapons." Storm eyed them closely.

Thunder's eyes opened wide; Storm was on to something. "You're right...where are they?"

"Are you delusional? They're right next to us." Blitz groaned, laying his head down on the pillow and shutting his eyes.

"No, Blitz. Our elemental weapons." Thunder stood up.

Blitz's eyes opened back up, his irises shrinking. "No! I left mine at home!"

Thunderblast groaned. "So did I."

Storm facehoofed. "I left mine at home too."

"We could really use those about now." Blitz put his hooves over his head, burying his face into the pillow.

Suddenly, a blue flashing glow came from Thunder's armor. The stallion spun it around and saw the star on his armor chestplate was flashing the same color his element charm flashed. He stuttered for a moment, before the necklace somehow phased out of his armor and onto the floor before him.

"What...what the heck?!" Thunder stared, backing up slightly.

Soon after, the same thing happened to Blitz and Stormfire; their elements phasing out of their armor. They all stared at each other in shock.

"How in Celestia's name..?!" Storm picked up his necklace, holding it in his hoof as the charm glowed and flashed.

Blitz then picked up his, staring at it closely. "I think these things are stalking us!"

"More like, they're a part of us or something. It would explain why they phased out of the armor right where our heart would be!" Thunder said, holding his necklace in his hoof.

Stormfire and Blitz both looked at Thunder. "Do you think they're trying to tell us something again?" Blitz asked.

Thunder shrugged. "Beats me. If it is, I bet they would have done something else by now."

"What if...they're ready to show their weapon form?" Storm looked back at his element, putting it close to his face.

Blitz's eyes widened. "It could be...that prophecy thing that flashed in our minds that one day? Do you think it was telling us of this revolution?"

Thunder looked at Blitz as he talked, before returning his attention to the element necklace in his hoof. "Hmm..." "A stallion, will rise above everypony else, and bring chaos to the land. But one, along with an army of his family and friends, will fight back against this tyrant, and save the ponies. This stallion, a stallion with armor of steel, will bring the light from the sun and moon combined, and bring it back down to earth, breaking the clouds, and ridding the land of this threat." He thought to himself. "A stallion will rise above everypony else, but one will join his family and friends to fight back...and he will bring light from the sun and moon combined, bringing it back to earth." Thunder trotted over to the window, peeking out of the blinds, before gasping.

"What is it?" Storm stepped closer.

Thunder turned around and faced Storm and Blitz.

"Is the prophecy talking about me?" Thunder stared blankly at the two stallions, unsure of what to think.

"I don't know...it could be talking about any of us, Thunder. Either you, me or Blitz. We were the ones who found it, and I'm sure we were the only ones meant to find it. So, either one of us could be the stallion in steel armor. It's hard to explain what it means, but so far it's been spot on about the revolution and stuff." Stormfire said, motioning his hooves slightly.

Thunder sighed, before laying back down and looking at his element. "Even if it does mean me, does that mean I will become overpowered? Or even worse, an alicorn?"

"I doubt that. If anything, it would just be us revolting back against the revolution, which is what we plan to do in the first place." Blitz said, laying back down on his blanket.

Thunder glanced over to Blitz as he replied, soon looking back at the strange object that phased through his guard armor just a few minutes ago.

"I dunno, this is all too strange, and its not even close to dawn yet. We should probably get back to sleep, rather than worry about these darn things." Thunder said as he laid his head on a pillow, pulling his blanket back over himself.

Storm and Blitz groaned, but followed suit, tucking themselves back in to their makeshift beds on the floor, falling back asleep minutes later.

At early sunrise, a train pulled into the Ponyville station, where guards remained standing at attention. This time, the platform was buzzing with Revolution guards. As the doors opened, the massive line of guards leading from the train to the station door all saluted simultaneously. Moments later, a grey Pegasus stallion with a neon-green and black mane, neon-green sunglasses in his mane above his eyes, stepped out of the train and walked slowly down the line of guards, smiling. Once outside of the train station, a chariot pulled by an earth stallion and a pegasus mare, both looking exhausted and extremely dirty.

"Ew, I am not getting on that thing. GUARDS!" Light Assassin yelled, followed by four guards trotting up and standing at attention. "I want two of you to pull this thing, not these ruffians I see right here."

"Yes master." All four guards said at once, before two trotted up and removed the ponies from the chariot, who screamed in fear as they dragged them away, while the other two hooked themselves up.

"Very good." Light smirked, stepping on to his chariot and sitting down. "Take me to Town Hall, boys."

The guards nodded and began trotting quickly towards the center of town, where most of the activity had been going on.

"Guys, wake up!" Whispered a voice.

"Mrrr...what?" Blitz mumbled, still extremely tired.

"Come look out the window!" Otto said, nudging the three stallions to wake them up.

Stormfire sat up, rubbing at his eyes. "What is it, Otto?"

Thunderblast too sat up and rubbed his eyes, yawning.

"Light Assassin's out there!" Otto responded, looking out the window.

"Wait, what?" Thunder opened his eyes and pulled the blanket off of himself, standing up and trotting over to the window and looking outside at the plaza around Town Hall.

"Light's outside? What is he doing?" Blitz stood up, moving some of his mane out of his eye.

"I don't know." Otto replied.

"It looks like he's checking on preparations for his castle." Thunder narrowed his eyes on the grey pegasus in the plaza outside, who was barking orders at other ponies.

Stormfire and Blitz trotted over the window next to Thunder and Otto, peeking out through the blinds at the activity outside.

"What do we do?" Blitz looked at the other three stallions.

"Well, I do remember something..." Otto lowered his head slightly.

Thunder looked down at Otto. "What?"

"I'm supposed to meet up with Light after he arrives by train, which makes me late. He's probably looking for me." Otto looked down at his hooves.

Thunder stared down at Otto, thinking for a moment, before saying. "You go do what you have to do."

"Okay...should I kill him while I'm down there?" Otto raised his head, looking at Thunder.

"No, too risky. Just meet up with him, do whatever he asks you to do, and come back. Simple as that. Then, we can carry out our plan." Thunder trotted over to Otto's armor, bringing it over to him.

"Alright. I'll be back you guys." Otto put on his armor, leaving his guns on the floor and trotting out of the apartment.

Thunder returned his attention to the window the second Otto walked out, watching him leave and trot up to the grey pegasus.

"You told ME he was going to be here when I got here!" Light yelled at a guard, who was recoiling back from the stallion's ear-piercing voice.

Otto Tech cleared his throat, now standing behind Light Assassin.

Light turned around and saw the unicorn. "You're late!"

"Yes master, my apologies. I got caught up." Otto bowed his head slightly in response.

Light sighed and trotted closer. "At least you're here. Did you find those stallions for me?"

Otto's heart sank as he struggled to think of something to say.

"No sir. I looked everywhere and I still have yet to find them." Otto replied with a blank expression.

"Otto, you were supposed to find them last night! Why didn't you?" Light stuck his hoof out to go with his yelling.

"Master, I am still looking for them. They are hiding very well." Otto recoiled back slightly.

Light grumbled and facehoofed. "Okay. We should probably go somewhere more private."

"Yes, master. You lead the way." Otto stood up tall once again.

Light Assassin then trotted around Otto Tech, beginning to walk out of sight of Thunder, Storm and Blitz. He looked up at the window which Thunder was looking from, unsure if he should escape at that moment. Instead, he followed Light through town.

"Ugh...it may be a while you guys." Thunder pulled the blinds back down, no longer able to spot Light and Otto in the plaza.

"Sir, if you don't mind me asking...where are we going?" Otto trotted just behind Light Assassin.

"You'll see." Light smirked, unnoticeable from Otto's point of view.

After a few minutes, the two stallions approached a warehouse on the outskirts of Ponyville, which was also heavily guarded. Light walked up to the door, the guards removing their spears from blocking it and saluting, allowing the stallions to enter. Inside, more guards stood at attention, others training and loading up on weapons.

"What are they doing?" Otto pointed out.

"Preparing for war." Light trotted up to another door, which lead to stairs to go into the basement.

"War? Why?" Otto trotted up to Light, looking at him.

Light facehoofed. "Against the Royal Guard of course! Well, whatever's left." He smirked.

"Oh..." Otto lowered his head slightly, before walking down the stairs into the basement, Light Assassin following from behind.

After walking down the long flight of steps, it wasn't until Otto looked up when he saw the long room extending for a couple thousand feet to the side, with guards strapped to the walls at different heights, all either struggling to escape, or crying in fear.

Otto gasped. "Why'd you bring me down here?"

"Just to show you what I've been collecting." Light smirked, trotting over to a table with torture weapons.

"It's...it's a nice collection sir." Otto gulped as he slowly walked through the basement, looking at the different assortments of guards, Royal and Lunar guards, with a few of the elites mixed in, but were missing their armor. Most of the guards looked at Otto with fear in their eyes, while the other few glared at him, undaunted by the fact that this might be the end.

"I can't imagine it was easy getting all of these guys, was it?" Otto looked at Light, who had followed him with a hammer tucked under his wing.

"It wasn't, but with the help of a few friends, it was made a bit easier. Half of the guards you see are guys I found over time, taking them one by one, when their buddies weren't there to save them. Such a pity that a few of them forced me to kill them." He said, looking up at a Lunar guard who's body was completely limp, with a stab wound in his right chest.

"And the other half?" Otto stopped and looked at Light.

"Well, when the revolution started, the Princesses deployed squads to take care of it, and keep it contained. I guess they found out after a few minutes that they were far outnumbered a thousand to a hundred. In turn, whoever wasn't killed was brought here." Light replied, smirking insanely at Otto, before walking up to a guard and slapping him for being noisy.

"What do you plan to do with them?" Otto watched as Light slapped the guard.

"Use the amulet on them, make them a part of our army. If not, kill them." Light continued to stare at the guard. "I SAID SHUT UP!" He yelled, punching the guard's jaw.

Otto cringed and crouched down slightly as the guard yelped in pain, before noticing a button on the wall which read 'Emergency Release', meaning he could release the captured ponies at any point at the risk of his own life.

Suddenly, Light appeared next to him. "I see you looking at that button." He smirked, leaning closer.

Otto jumped, turning and facing the pegasus, backing away slightly. "No-no I wasn't. I was, uh..."

"I know everything, Otto. I know you're faking your loyalty for me." Light narrowed his eyes on Otto angrily.

"What? Nonsense!" Otto backed into a tool chest, pushing it back slightly.

"You aren't my second in command. I know you found Thunder and his friends, you just don't want to hand them over to me. Where are they?" Light growled, slamming his hoof into the tool chest, Otto cowering underneath him.

"I-I...I don't kn-know what you're talking about...s-sir!" Otto trembled, knowing he had been caught red-hoofed.

Light grit his teeth, his blood beginning to boil in rage. "You liar!" He yelled.

"Ple-please sir...have mercy." Otto trembled more, now sitting down on the floor.

Light crouched down, putting his muzzle up to Otto's. "I'm going to have a lot of fun with you."

Blitz trotted around in circles impatiently, looking down at the floor. "Ugh, when is he gonna get back?"

Thunderblast reached his hoof out and stopped the stallion from trotting any more. "Blitz, stop it. You're making a circle in the floor!"

Blitz looked down, and saw that the wooden floor where he had been trotting was worn down and was now creaking loudly whenever someone walked over it.

He laughed and smiled awkwardly. "Hehe...whoops."

Thunder groaned, pulling away from the white pegasus.

"But seriously, when is he going to get back? It's almost one in the afternoon, we need to start the operation!" Stormfire sat down, also impatient.

"I don't know you guys, I don't know! He didn't say anything. As a matter of fact, I don't think he was planning to go with Light as long as he is." Thunder hissed back at them, stomping his hoof.

Blitz recoiled back at the hoof stomp. "You don't think he killed him, do you?"

Thunder looked at Blitz, entering a bit of a deep thought. "No. No, he didn't. He wouldn't."

"If he found out he wasn't under mind control anymore, he could have, Thunder." Storm looked at Thunder.

Thunder laid down on the floor, putting his hooves on the sides of his head. "No, stop saying that guys. Light wouldn't kill his second in command."

Explosive Personalities

Stormfire groaned loudly, showing signs of frustration in his voice. "Where is Otto?!"

"Calm your feathers Storm. He's probably finishing up with Light." Thunderblast said, bringing some glasses of water to Storm and Blitz.

"No, Thunder. He said he was going to be back in a little bit. It's been five hours." Blitz responded, taking his glass and sipping on the cold water.

The grey pegasus rolled his eyes and laid down on the floor, holding his water in one of his hooves, before sipping on it.

"I'm seriously beginning to believe he turned tail on us man." Blitz moaned, setting the glass on an end table.

"He wouldn't. He was being mind controlled." Thunder replied, looking at the two stallions.

"What makes you so sure?" Storm raised his eyebrow at the grey stallion.

"If he's still working with Light, then he would have killed us by now, or at least imprisoned us, but he didn't." Thunder looked at Stormfire as he spoke, removing one of his hoof guards and rubbing a painful spot on his hoof caused by wear.

"How do you know he won't still?" Blitz said, crossing his hooves.

"He just wouldn't, okay? I just don't think he would actually kill one of us unless he is being mind controlled somehow. Which leads to another question, how are these ponies being mind controlled?" Thunder continued to rub his hoof, looking between the two stallions.

Stormfire and Blitz looked at each other, before turning back to Thunder.

"Good point. It has to be some sort of magic device or whatever they're using, a simple spell fails if too many ponies are being controlled at the same time." Stormfire said, before raising his glass to sip on some of his water, moments later stopping it just before his lips. "Except alicorn magic."

"Exactly." Thunderblast grinned, knowing they have a bit of a lead.

"Perhaps they're forcing the princesses to do the magic?" Blitz awkwardly smiled.

"I don't think so. They obviously don't need the princesses if they're overthrowing them, or at least trying to." Stormfire moved the glass around, forcing the water and ice cubes to bounce around with quiet clinks.

"Unless..." Thunder set down his glass hard, looking at his hooves.

"What?" Blitz looked up at the stallion.

"They could be...-" Thunder stopped himself "-no...it was destroyed."

"What?" Blitz asked again.

"The Alicorn Amulet. It's the only thing that has alicorn magic other than the princesses. It was used on that attack in Canterlot a year ago, when me and two others teamed up with Con Mane. Didn't I tell you guys about that?" Thunder raised his eyebrow suspiciously.

"Weeeeell..." Blitz awkwardly chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I wasn't entirely listening...it sounded like you were speaking chipmunk."

Thunder's ears and eyelids flattened, before he facehoofed himself.

Blitz continued to awkwardly smile, before receiving a slap to the back of his head from Stormfire, who raised his eyebrow at him in a small glare.

"Anyways, I was certain it was destroyed when the Amulator exploded at the castle." Thunder sat up, taking a quick peek outside.

"You don't think they made a new one, do you?" Stormfire looked at Thunder with a worried expression.

"No, that's impossible. The gem it the magic was embed in was one of a kind, no other was found like it. Another can't be created." Thunder replied.

"Hmm.." Stormfire tapped his hooves together. "I've got nothing."

The three stallions went into a deep thought of the possibilities, before Blitz gasped.

"Could the amulet have been rebuilt?" Blitz looked Thunder in the eyes.

Thunder shrugged, before nodding. "It's possible, as long as the gem wasn't damaged."

"There you go. They're using the Alicorn amulet." Storm then put his hooves on the floor, standing up.

"Perfect... It was hard enough destroying the Amulator, how hard is it going to be getting it out of the hooves of a psychopath?" Thunder groaned.

"As long as they aren't putting it into a machine like Scarwings and Goldbar did, we might have a hoof to stand on." Storm said, trotting over to the window and looking out. "We just need to get the materials to build explosives to distract the revolutionists."

"Why not propane or something?" Blitz stood up, staring directly at Stormfire.

"Good thinking, that should work." Thunder responded, standing up as well.

Blitz smiled lightly. "The only problem is, where are we going to get propane without digging into the earth?"

"I don't know...hey Thun-."

Stormfire turned around, noticing Thunder was no longer standing there.

"Thunder?" He looked around, before trotting around the apartment to look.

"Hey guys! You won't believe what I found." Thunder said, standing in the doorway of a closet.

"What'd you find?" Storm asked, trotting over with Blitz.

Thunderblast then turned around, holding two small tanks of propane in his hooves.

"How convenient!" Blitz smiled brightly, his tail wagging briefly.

"There's more in the closet too." Thunder smirked. "All we need to do is figure out a way to set them down and detonate them on our command."

"No problemo." Storm smiled lightly.

"Great, then I guess we're set."

"Aw, don't you fret Dashie. I betcha ol' Thunder's alright. He knows what he's doing." An orange earth pony mare with a blond tied mane and tail, wearing a light brown stetson said to the rainbow-maned pegasus said.

"B-but...he could get himself killed AJ!" Rainbow Dash whimpered, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Don't say that, he will be just fine, sugarcube." Applejack responded, hugging the blue mare in an attempt to comfort her about her missing coltfriend.

The day following the start of the Revolution, most ponies were evacuated to Cloudsdale to prevent a mass casualty rate. The city, as well as Los Pegasus and Vanhoover, were heavily guarded with every remaining Royal Guard. No one came in after the gates closed, and no one went out. Thanks a magic solution developed four years, ponies of all race could now roam the city in the sky.

Rainbow continued to sob as she hugged her friend, who tried her best to comfort her.

"Please don't cry, Rainbow Dash. Thunder's a strong stallion, he doesn't know when to quit." Chimed in a purple alicorn mare with a purple mane, with a pinkish-purple stripe to the right side, newly-crowned Princess Twilight Sparkle.

"T-Twi...you don't understand. He's my coltfriend, and h-he's in danger out there...for all we know, he might already be dead." Rainbow cried, before running upstairs into her bedroom.

Another stallion, Rainbow Blaze, trotted into the living room. "She's worried about Thunder, isn't she?"

Twilight and Applejack nodded, the brilliant purple alicorn looking up the stairs where Rainbow Dash had just darted to hide in her bedroom.

"I just wish we could help her." Twilight lowered her head.

Applejack sighed. "Ah wish we could too, but it's too dangerous to go back."

Rainbow Blaze sat down, putting his hoof to his head as he strived to defeat a pounding headache. Twilight noticed and walked over to the stallion.

"Are you okay sir?" Twilight asked, clearly concerned for the stallion.

Blaze looked up at the mare and smiled lightly. "Yeah, sure."

Twilight then sat down next to him. "I don't think you are telling the truth. You're stressed about something other than this revolution and Dashie, aren't you?"

Blaze looked at her, then down at his lap, before turning his face away to hide tears. "No, that's all I'm worried about...that, and her coltfriend. Is he really stuck out there?"

Twilight nodded slowly. "I'm afraid so. But, he's a Royal Guard. I'm sure he has a plan to get out."

"He is?" Blaze turned and faced Twilight, tears building in his eyes. "I had no idea...I-I guess I can admit...I never paid any attention to Dashie after she turned eighteen. She thinks I hate her..." He stopped and gulped his emotions. "I love her more than anything in this world. I'm a bad father, I know. I should have listened to her."

Twilight looked him in the eyes, before hugging him gently. "That doesn't mean you can't listen now. Right now, she needs her father more than anything, to give her comfort. Her coltfriend, a Royal Guard, is out there risking his life, and I'm sure is also praying you are keeping her safe."

Blaze looked her back in the eyes, more tears building in his eyes, before he hugging her back tightly.

"Y-you're right." He sobbed. "Dashie needs me. I was never there for her when I should have been."

"Hmm, alright. That should do it." Stormfire smiled, pulling his hooves away from a glass bottle, filled with propane with a custom-built hoof triggered detonator wire, connected to the detonation switch.

"Whoa, looks nice. Does it work?" Thunder trotted over and sat down in front of it, looking at the small device.

"It should. Only one way to find out however." Storm picked the device up in his hooves. "We need a plan of where to put these things."

"Easy, we get a map of Ponyville, mixed with the castle plans. The plans are only drawn onto a map of town." Blitz trotted over to the two stallions.

"But where do we get one without being caught by the workers or the guards?" Storm set the explosive back down onto the floor, lifting his hoof so it is facing upward.

Thunderblast stood on all fours, smirking lightly. "We take out a couple of them and steal their armor or vests, they'll never know we're fighting back. After we do that, we find some of the blueprints and take them. I doubt anypony will stop and ask us why we're taking them if we're dressed like guards or workers."

"Huh, good plan. Then, we take the plans back here and mark places where we can plant these things to distract the workers and guards, and if necessary, start a bit of a fight and take out the revolution's followers." Stormfire continued.

"Then, we find out where everypony who's been kidnapped is being held, we rescue them, and start a revolution against the revolution!" Blitz finished, smiling.

"That's the spirit." Thunder smiled, followed by the three stallions hoofbumping each other at once, before getting to work on building the propane explosives.

"Alright you guys. It looks like they've got some blueprints over there. But, there are too many guards over there right now. If we cause the littlest distraction, it should lure them away so we can steal those workers' vests and helmets. It's unlikely they'll know its us, since I doubt most of them don't know who we are or what we look like. To them, we hopefully are revolutionists." Thunder whispered to Stormfire and Blitz, peeking around the corner of the alley at some workers surrounded by guards.

"Hmm...maybe I could fly elsewhere, maybe that street over there-" Blitz pointed. "-and lure them away."

"No, too risky. They might end up catching you." Thunder protested, eying the four guards.

Storm raised his hoof. "How about we just make a loud noise in another direction so they leave?"

"That's what I'm thinking. I'll do the distraction, you guys get the plans. Easy as that." Thunder turned and looked at the two stallions, who nodded. He trotted over to a couple of trash cans, stealing the lids off of their tops. "You guys wait here until the guards leave."

"Got it." Blitz nodded, before peeking back around the corner at the guards.

Thunder then flew up, low over the buildings to avoid being seen, then flying down in another alley, crouching in a corner and picking up the trash can lids. The stallion unreluctantly smashed the lids together as hard as he could, creating a loud, aggravating noise which brought two of the guards away, leaving only one.

"Darn it, only two guards went." Storm stomped his hoof quietly.

"No biggie, he doesn't look like the others." Blitz shrugged.

"What do you mean?" Storm looked down at Blitz.

"That guard is new, I can tell. He is scared and won't do much. He'll probably be the easiest to take out." Blitz smirked.

"What makes you so sure?" Storm raised an eyebrow as he stared at Blitz.

"Look at his rank." Blitz pointed.

Stormfire looked at the stallion, all over his body for a rank insignia. "Hey, there is no rank!"

"Exactly!" Blitz smiled, looking up. "He's new, he's weak."

"Oh. I see now. Let's go before the others get back." Storm pulled away from the corner, allowing Blitz to stand.

"Okay. The guard is definitely the weakest one there. The earth pony worker looks pretty small too, the pegasus looks like a strong one. I'll get the smaller guys, you get the pegasus worker. Alright? You're stronger than I am" Blitz explained to Stormfire.

"Got it, let's go." Storm nodded, before trotting out of the alley with Blitz.

"Alright, looks like we need pillars-" The earth construction worker pointed at the blueprints. "-here, here, and....here."

The other worker nodded at the smaller stallion, before the guard behind them noticed Blitz and Stormfire approaching.

"Hey you two, you need to get away from here." The guard stepped slightly closer.

Blitz and Stormfire just simply smirked as they approached the stallion.

The guard grit his teeth, before grabbing a sword out of his armor and clenching it in his mouth tightly. "Ah said shep back!"

Before he could do anything else, Blitz tackled him and pinned the stallion down. He yelped, dropping his sword, which fell over to Storm.

Stormfire picked the sword up and stuck it in his armor. "Ah, thank you!" He smiled at the guard, before Blitz headbutted him, knocking him unconscious. Storm then trotted over to the pegasus worker and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hmm?" The worker turned around and stared at Storm's muzzle. "Hey! You're not supposed to-."

Stormfire delivered a punch to the muzzle, which instantly knocked him unconscious and somehow also onto the earth pony worker, who struggled to get out from under the much heavier pegasus stallion.

"Hey, I was going to take care of him!" Blitz pouted.

"Too late." Stormfire rolled up the blueprints and held them in his hoof. "We kinda diverted from the plan, but we got the blueprints. We better go before the other guards return."

"Unless Thunder's taking care of-"

"Hey! You two!" Came the rough voice of a guard.

Blitz and Storm turned around to see the two guards staring at them with anger written all over their faces.

"Put your hooves in the air!" One said, the other pointing a spear at the two stallions.

Storm and Blitz looked at each other, unsure of what to do at that moment.

Suddenly, both stallions were knocked unconscious by a large wrench. Both guards fell to the ground, revealing a tan earth pony stallion with a brown mane and multi-shaded brown tail. Around his neck, he was wearing a red bandana, which had white details on it as well.

"Thought you could use some help." He smirked.

Another pegasus, Thunderblast, landed a few feet beside him. "Diesel?"

The stallion nodded, still holding the wrench in his hoof.

"What are you doing out here?" Thunder trotted over.

"Saw what you three guys were doing and decided to help. I figured you were all putting something together if you were stealing the blueprints and knocking these guys out." Diesel pointed to the guards under his hooves.

The three pegasus stallions looked at each other, before smiling.

"Great to have you out here fighting with us, Diesel." Storm trotted closer, Blitz slightly behind.

"Wait, where's Snowy?" Thunder looked at Diesel with concern.

"Cloudsdale, everypony who managed to get out of the affected cities evacuated there." Diesel sighed. "I was told to stay to run the trains for revolutionists whenever they needed it. Just until now that I've had enough of this and demand justice." He stomped his hoof.

"So, more ponies are safe than we thought?" Blitz wiped at his forehead, taking a sigh of relief. "That's the best news we've heard in these past couple of days."

"Kind of, those who tried to fight back, which wasn't many, were either killed or captured. I overheard when running the train a little while earlier, something about the guards and a few others are being held at a warehouse on the outskirts of town. It seems pretty plausible, coming from a revolutionist." Diesel stepped off of the guards, fixing the bandana around his neck.

"That kind of explains the guards being captured, where else would they put them? Then again, they'd need a hell of a big place to keep 'em all." Storm chimed in.

"You know, they may actually be using the old bread packaging place that closed down six years ago. It was a pretty big place." Blitz looked between the three stallions.

Thunder nodded. "Sounds about right."

"What are you guys planning to do? Why'd you steal the blueprints anyways?" Diesel asked, looking at Stormfire with the blueprints in his hoof.

"We built these trigger detonating explosives that we plan to use in certain places where the castle is supposed to be built. If we put them in the right places, it will make the area not suitable for construction." Thunder replied.

"They're building a castle? Where?" Diesel turned his head and stared at Thunder, his eyes widening.

"Right here. Right on top of Ponyville. Which is why we want to do this, to stop the plans. It'll throw off the revolution." Blitz responded.

"By stealing these plans, and also using a map of town, we can figure out where to put these explosives and detonate them from a distance." Thunder continued for Blitz.

"I see. Do you guys have a hiding spot?" Diesel looked between the three.

Thunder and Blitz nodded. "We do." Blitz pointed at the surplus store behind them.

"Oh. That makes sense." Diesel chuckled.

"We better get back inside before more guards or workers come, we don't want to start a war just yet." Storm suggested.

"Good idea." Blitz replied, before flying over to the shop and opening the door for them, followed by the three stallions entering, Blitz following behind them.

"Dashie?" Rainbow Blaze knocked on Rainbow Dash's bedroom door.

Inside, Rainbow Dash was crying into her pillow, somewhat loud enough for anyone outside her door to hear.

Blaze slowly opened the door and peeked inside. "Dashie?"

Rainbow stopped crying for a moment, remaining face down into her tear-drenched pillow. "What dad?"

Blaze walked over and sat down on her bed, before noticing a picture of Thunderblast in a black Royal Guard suit, with red collars and brilliant golden buttons, with a 'Sergeant' rank insignia on his upper arm. He then picked up a smaller, similar picture, but with Rainbow Dash, standing next to the head-taller grey pegasus, and the rest of her friends in a line, with Princess Celestia standing behind them, all smiling at the camera, a picture taken during the Royal Wedding a year ago.

Blaze sighed. "So...Thunder's a guard, huh?"

Rainbow whimpered slightly, nodding into her pillow.

Blaze thought of things to say. "I've completely changed my thoughts on him."

Rainbow Dash didn't reply, instead beginning to shed more tears.

Blaze sighed, setting the picture back down on her nightstand, before hugging the mare tightly. "I'm so sorry, Dashie. I'm sorry for everything. I'm such a bad father." He begun to tear up.

Rainbow Dash turned around, before hugging him tightly, beginning to cry.

"Shh, don't cry Dashie." Blaze gently rubbed her back.

"P-please, dad...a-all I want...all I need...is you right now. Th-Thundey is in trouble...I don't even kn-know if he's still-."

"No, Dashie,-" Blaze cut her off. "-you must not give up hope. If he's out there, I bet you he's fighting like no one else." Blaze begun to tear up as well, as he stared into her magenta eyes.

Rainbow Dash breathed heavily, tears sitting in her eyes. She was uncertain what to do at that moment, other than hug her father tightly. The two embraced for a few minutes, allowing Dash to calm down enough to speak again.

"Dad...I-is Thunder coming home?" She asked, still breathing heavily, her cheeks soaked from tears.

"Yes, Dashie. Thunder will come home."

Later that day, just before sunset, Thunderblast, Blitz, Stormfire and Diesel had finally completed their collection of explosives, and were planning out where they needed to be placed.

"Alright you guys, it looks like this place may be bigger than we originally thought. It now covers all of town, plus more." Stormfire groaned.

"Oh...perfect." Thunder facehoofed, shaking his head slowly.

"Will we have enough explosives to stop this thing?" Blitz looked between the stallions.

"Definitely. It isn't a hundred percent bigger, Blitz." Storm replied.

Thunder removed his hoof from his face. "Oh, then I guess we're good."

Storm nodded, before looking back down at the blueprints. "Alright, I'm thinking if we plant the explosives...hmm. Here-" Storm then drew circles using a pencil. "-here, here...and here." He finished, setting the pencil down. "Then, the ones we have left, we can use to destroy the building sites."

Thunder, Blitz, and Diesel glanced down at the blueprints, which now had four pencil-marked circles over key locations.

"Are you absolutely sure this will prevent them from continuing the plans here?" Diesel's eyes moved over the blueprints.

"Prevent, maybe. Throw off, or even delay, definitely." Storm rubbed his hoof.

"And if they don't do much?" Blitz looked back up at Thunderblast and Stormfire.

"Then it just gives us the bigger challenge of fighting an entire army." Thunder reached over to one of his knives, beginning to clean it off with a cloth.

"We can't do that until we find where Light is holding everypony captive, however." Storm stood up, staring at Thunder.

"Easy, we kidnap a revolutionist, a guard maybe, and torture information out of him." Diesel raised his hoof slightly, glancing between Thunder and Storm.

"Perhaps." Thunder thought for a moment. "Alright, that's what we'll do. First things first, we detonate at these points,-" He pointed at the blueprints. "-then find a lone guard, capture him, bring him here, and do whatever it takes to get whatever we can out of him, and if we're lucky, he'll give up and help us."

"Yeah, real lucky." Blitz rolled his eyes.

"Calm down Blitz, something will work out. Trust me." Storm smiled calmingly.

Rainbow Dash sighed, sitting in the same park where her and Thunderblast spent time together, next to the same tree the two cuddled. She was still worried about her coltfriend, and was oblivious to his actions in Ponyville, and was beginning to question if he was even still alive. A tear descended down her cheek as happy memories flashed through her mind. The mare was struggling to fight off the thoughts of what she would do if she found out her coltfriend had been tortured to death, or executed alongside his friends. She knew Thunder didn't give up, and never would until the end.

"Dashie, you know...it's not exactly safe to be out in the park all by yourself." Came the voice of a familiar stallion.

Rainbow turned around, her eyes now meeting the chest of a sky blue pegasus stallion, with a navy-blue blown back mane. The stallion was smiling lightly.

"S-Soarin!" She sniffed, backing against the tree in fear.

"Easy, I'm not going to do anything. I just want to talk." The stallion sat down beside her, wrapping his wing around her back.

The mare trembled, before looking up at the stallion. "W-why did you come back? You know we're not allowed to be seen near each other, r-right?"

Soarin sighed. "I know. Just, with this whole thing going on, and after what I went through these last couple of days, I can't seem to fathom that this might be the end."

Rainbow nuzzled his chest, beginning to feel more comfortable around him after what he did to her and Thunder a while back.

"What happened?" She looked up at him, wiping a tear from her eye.

"I was in Ponyville when it happened." Soarin gulped. "Me and Thunder fought like cats and dogs again, and I feel extremely bad for it. It's only now I realize he was trying to keep me safe. I learned the hard way." He then pointed to a massive gash in front of his flank, a stab wound.

Rainbow Dash gasped, hugging Soarin tighter. "W-what did you do?"

"I tried to fight back. I was way outnumbered. I tried my best to hide...this guy, he had black and white hair, cyan-ish eyes and black trimmed hooves. He...he sent mercenaries after me. I hid in an alley, they found me somehow, tied my hooves up. I was confronted by the same stallion. I think his name was Mountain...something. I didn't catch it all because I passed out, and when I woke up, I was fine." Soarin trembled as he explained.

Rainbow shuddered. "Th-that's horrible. Do you know where Thunder is?"

Soarin shook his head. "I never saw him after I flew away to fight."

"Oh." Rainbow lowered her head, looking down at his chest.

"Hey, I'm sure he's fine. He's brave." Soarin hugged her, smiling down at the mare.

"I-I hope so." Rainbow laid her head on his chest.

Moments later, a charcoal-grey pegasus wearing golden Royal Guard armor, with armor pads over the center front of his arms, landed just a few feet in front of the two ponies with a loud thump, causing Rainbow Dash and Soarin to jump and stare at the stallion. He was wearing black military shades over his eyes, his dirt-brown mane falling over them slightly.

"You, rainbow hair. I need you to come with me." The stallion spoke in a deep, slightly rough voice.

Soarin hugged her tighter as she trembled. "No, she's fine with me. Leave us alone."

The stallion's lip moved up slightly in anger, a low growl churning in his chest. He then walked closer.

Rainbow whimpered, holding on to Soarin tightly. "D-don't let him take me Soar!"

The stallion grabbed Rainbow Dash by her wing forcefully, slowly ripping her away from the sky-blue stallion.

"NO!" She screamed as the stallion grabbed her.

"HEY! Give her back to me!" Soarin stood up in a defensive stance, growling at the stallion who ripped Rainbow out of his grasp.

"Or what?" The stallion replied, holding the blue mare tight enough to crush her body if he tried.

Rainbow Dash flailed her hooves, struggling to hit the stallion. "Put me down you jerk!"

Soarin lunged at the stallion, only to be stopped by another pegasus who grabbed him by his back, holding his hooves against his body. "H-HEY!" He yelled, before being thrown into the ground with enough force to feel it later on even worse than now.

Before Soarin could stand, the stallions had already flown away with Rainbow Dash, who was screaming multiple inaudible words at the stallions, a few times yelling Soarin's name in fear.

"Okay guys, looks like we need to be sneaky. Blitz, you still got the construction gear?" Thunder whispered as he stared at some workers and guards by a small building site.

"Yup. Here Diesel, you better wear these." Blitz handed an orange and black helmet, as well as a vest and belt in the same colors to the tan earth pony stallion, who quickly replaced his engineer bandana for the gear, which barely fit.

"Uh, it's a little too big on me." Diesel strained to fit the construction gear on, the helmet moments later sliding over his eyes. "Ugh." He groaned.

"I know, but I don't have any your size. Sorry." Blitz whispered back, putting on his helmet, vest and belt, before tucking an explosive in a large pocket. "Storm, you got the detonator?"

Stormfire smirked and held up a small switch, which was offline at the moment.

"Alright, good. I think we're set." Thunder whispered. "I'll see if I can lure some of the guards away so they aren't as suspicious."

"And I'll stay here until we're ready to deliver the package." Storm tucked the detonator into his armor.

"Let's go Diesel." Blitz whispered, trotting out the other side of the alley to avoid being seen walk out from there, Diesel close behind.

"I better go too. Blitz or Diesel will give you a signal to detonate. If not, wait until they're out of range." Thunder explained, before flying up.

"Good luck." Storm looked up at Thunder as he flew up.

Rainbow Dash woke up, had being knocked unconscious while being taken away from Cloudsdale. It didn't take long for the mare to realize she was strapped to a chair in a dark room. She sighed. "Not again."

The lights turned on, briefly hurting her eyes as it took a few moments to adjust to the sudden light. The mare looked up, focusing on a light grey pegasus with a black and green mane, with a pair of green shades similar to his hair.

"Oh, hello sister." Light Assassin smirked.

"Light?" Rainbow trembled. "What on earth are you doing?"

"Why, reclaiming the country for the ponies of course. What are you doing?" Light sat down across the table from her, putting his hooves together while smirking.

"What have you done with my coltfriend Light?" Rainbow struggled against the restraints slightly, gritting her teeth in anger.

"Who, that poor excuse of a guard, Thunderblast?" Light stood up, trotting over to a table in a far corner of the room.

"He isn't a poor excuse, he's the bravest stallion I've ever met." Rainbow snapped back.

"Sure, whatever you say Dashie." Light smirked to her, before returning his attention to a small wooden box on the table.

"Where am I?" Rainbow looked around. The room had no windows, no detailing, one door, and of course the chairs and tables.

"You're a real question asker, aren't you?" Light replied, chuckling.

"Just answer my question, please." Rainbow squirmed to get more comfortable on the hard wooden chair she was stuck to.

"My temporary palace...well, I don't know what to call it. It's just a warehouse." Light then picked up a small necklace, staring down at it and smiling more.

"It's awfully small." Rainbow looked around.

"This is just a room inside of it. You haven't seen the rest...yet." Light put the necklace around his neck, turning and facing Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow looked at the necklace, before her irises shrunk. "Is that..."

"Yes, Dashie. The Alicorn Amulet." Light trotted over, showing off the amulet.

"Only my dad and Thunder can call me Dashie!" Rainbow yelled.

"Is that so? Then how come you let Soarin call you Dashie?" Light smirked, sitting down.

Rainbow Dash remained quiet, struggling some more. "You know you can't use that without being a unicorn, right?"

Light chuckled. "Or so you think." He moved his mane, revealing a basic unicorn's horn.

Rainbow gasped. "But...that's impossible."

"With a few tweaks, the Amulet transforms whoever wields it, who isn't a unicorn into an alicorn. Which means I can hunt down your stupid coltfriend and kill him in Ponyville town square!" Light smirked insanely, standing up. "Guards!"

Two guards then trotted in. "Yes master?"

"Tie her up with the others, show her our 'collection'" Light trotted past them.

The guards saluted and trotted over to the mare.

Rainbow struggled angrily. "You won't get away with this Light."

Light stopped at the door and glanced back at her. "Oh, but I already have."

Blitz and Diesel trotted around a corner, towards the construction site to carry out their plan, the two stallions walking side by side casually. The two walked up to the workers and guards, a few of them ignoring Thunder's distracting noises, acting like they were sent to help.

"Whoa, who are you two?" One of the workers asked, standing in front of them.

"We're, uh..." Blitz thought of things to say.

"We were sent from one of the other posts." Diesel responded, puffing his chest out slightly.

"Oh, perfect. We need all the help we can get." The worker smiled and trotted off.

Diesel turned and glared at Blitz.

"What?" Blitz recoiled embarrassingly.

"Nothing, just think ahead next time, alright?" Diesel trotted over to a workbench, signaling for Blitz to plant the explosive there.

Blitz trotted over, looking around and seeing the guards facing away, the workers having a chat, one of them pouring coffee into a styrofoam cup, breathing a sigh of relief as he pulled the small device out of his vest pockets, and placing it underneath a tool box.

Diesel leaned closer. "Let's get out of here." He whispered.

Blitz nodded and begun trotting away with Diesel, only to have one of the guards notice.

"Hey, come back you two!" The guard trotted after them slowly. "HEY!"

Blitz waved his hoof, and moments later, the site was instantly destroyed by a devastating explosion caused by the device Blitz and Diesel just placed, the guards and workers laying on the ground dead or severely injured. The fireball rose high into the sky, lighting up the cloudy night sky in a bright orange, which signaled other guards in the area. The two stallions ran as fast as they could into the alley, where Thunder had just landed.

"Great job, that was fantastic." Thunder smiled, hoofbumping the others. "Sorry the distraction didn't work."

"Don't worry about it, we got the job done. Now we just need to hit the other spots." Diesel replied.

"Right, but we should wait a bit until it cools down. A couple of hours maybe, then we get some rest." Storm threw the detonator, which was now useless, onto a pile of trash stacked into a trash can.

"Good idea, then we do the rest tomorrow." Thunder said. "Who has the other explosive?"

Stormfire then held up a glass bottle, filled with some propane, capped with the other end of the detonator. "I do." He then held up the detonator, which was deactivated at the time.

"Good. We better go then." Blitz suggested.

Storm and Thunder nodded, before the stallions trotted into the back door of a shop, and out the front door cautiously to avoid being seen.

Light Assassin sat in an office chair in an office, reading a report from a revolution guard. The reports weren't as good as he had expected, but he could not complain. Suddenly, the door burst open, and a guard ran in.

"Sir!" The guard ran up to his desk, hesitatively saluting. "My apologies, sir."

"Yes, what is it?" Light stared at the stallion.

"There's been an attack at one of our sites! The grounds have been completely destroyed!" The guard dropped the salute, staring at Light with widened eyes.

Light jumped over the desk and tackled the guard, before picking the guard up with magic and suspending him in the air.

"What did you just say?" Light gritted his teeth in anger.

The guard begun to tremble. "S-some workers apparently bombed the site...that's what one of the guards said before he died."

Light sighed, before tossing the guard into the wall as hard as possible, injuring the stallion. "They're still here."

"Okay guys. I bet you after that attack we just did, Light Assassin's gonna step up security at the posts. Which means, we may need to do it differently." Thunderblast said, chewing a sandwich as the stallions ate in a dark restaurant.

"Like, bomb from above?" Stormfire asked, sipping on some water.

Thunder nodded. "Which means once the explosive hits the ground, we must detonate. It's the only way we can now."

Diesel set his sandwich down. "That'd probably better to do than casually walking up and placing the explosive, considering they'd most likely stop and interrogate us, or at least make sure we aren't carrying anything, which would also mean that would be a suicide mission."

"Exactly, which is why doing it by air is what we'll do from here on out." Thunder looked between the stallions, finishing his sandwich.

"And-" Blitz gulped down the last big bite of his sandwich. "-how long until we can continue our operation?"

Diesel looked down, flipping the his railroad pocket watch. "Forty-two minutes." He replied, before closing the lid and tucking it away.

"Which means we stay hidden until then, and we also have time to form other plans. For example, getting the guards out of that warehouse." Storm finished his sandwich.

"So, we just wait here? Boooooring!" Blitz leaned back against his chair, forgetting they didn't seat themselves in a booth, which unfortunately for him, his chair, as well as himself, fell back onto the floor with a thud. "Ow!"

Stormfire and Thunderblast laughed, while Diesel simply chuckled after Blitz's accidental fall. Their laughter suddenly stopped when the sounds of guards moving outside could be heard, forcing the stallions to hide under a booth table closest to the window. Diesel reached his hoof out, grabbing Blitz by his tail and yanking him under the table with them.

Outside, four guards were on patrol, looking for the 'fugitives' who attacked one of the construction sites. Lucky for them, the guards ignored the fact that they could be inside the diner, or one of the other multiple shops in town.

Diesel raised his head, peeking his eyes just above the table surface and out the wrap-around diner windows, watching the guards run off on their patrol, breathing a sigh of relief. "We're clear you guys."

The others then crawled out and looked around.

"We're lucky they didn't come in here." Blitz brushed some dust off of his wing.

"You said it. We might as well hide somewhere else where we know the guards won't come and search for us, then air-bomb the next site." Storm stood up after crawling out from under the table.

"That would probably be our best bet. We better get moving then if we want to find a new hiding spot. Still got the blueprints Blitz?" Thunder turned and looked at Blitz, who had recoiled back slightly.

"Uh...I um...kind of left them at the surplus store apartment." Blitz awkwardly chuckled.

Thunder facehoofed. "Really, Blitz?"

"I'm sorry! I-I'll go get them!" Blitz turned around to trot out the door, before Stormfire grabbed his tail.

"No! It's too dangerous to go by yourself." Storm yanked him back.

"Easy man, I'll be quick and quiet." Blitz pulled his tail out of Storm's grasp and fixed it so it was neat once more. "You guys just stay here or something, i'll go get the blueprints, alright? I still have a weapon in case I need it."

Thunder sighed. "Okay. Be quick, please. Oh, and make sure no one follows you."

"I know, Thunder. I'm not eight." Blitz looked back at him with a concerned face, before flying out the front door.

Thunder sighed again.

"Sometimes, I think he's trying to get himself killed." Storm turned tail and trotted in another direction.

Blitz flew low over Ponyville's buildings, swiftly and quietly to avoid grabbing unwanted attention from workers, or even worse, guards. Lucky for him, the surplus store where him and his friends hid for a day was close puddle jump, as most pegasi would call a short flight. When he reached the end of the block he flew over, just down from the diner and across from the surplus shop's block, a platoon of guards were patrolling the street down below. Even if he flew quietly overhead, the likeliness was one would end up seeing him.

"Okay Blitz, you can do this." He thought to himself, shutting his eyes and taking a deep breath. Moments later, he reopened his eyes and stared across the gap between buildings, before walking back a few steps. He stopped for a heartbeat, before running across the rooftop, and jumping across, opening his wings to allow him to glide swiftly across. One of the guards down below, however, caught the very tip of his tail disappear onto the rooftop, which raised suspicion. The stallion then hopped over to the surplus store's roof, entering through a doorway which immediately lead into stairs, which took him to a door which lead into the apartment above the store owner's. Blitz turned around, before using his hind legs to buck the door, breaking it in half instantly. He then entered the apartment, and looked around.

"Okay, it's downstairs." He mumbled to himself, walking over to the door quietly and trotting out, before flying downstairs and into the shop owner's apartment, where he saw the blueprints laying on the floor, as well as his gun which he left behind by accident. "Aha."

The white stallion grabbed the blueprints, rolling them up neatly and sticking them into a pouch in his vest, which stuck out slightly, and grabbing his gun, sheathing it into another pouch opposite of the blueprints.

"Alright, time to get out of here." He thought, before turning around to walk out. Suddenly, he could hear hoofsteps. They were different this time, they were outside the door. The hoofsteps were loud and heavy, likely the hooves of a guard. Blitz crouched down behind the couch, not making another sound as he heard the steps approach the door. There was a knock, followed by the door slowly opening.

"Anypony here?" The guard called out, shining a flashlight around the pitch-black room.

Blitz remained quiet as the guard shined his flashlight around. The guard then turned around to trot out, before a large spec of dust fell onto Blitz's muzzle, forcing him to sneeze. The stallion quickly covered his muzzle, irises shrinking. The guard heard the loud sneeze, and turned back around and trotted into the room, continuing to shine his flashlight around. Blitz struggled not to sneeze again, quickly wiping the spec of dust off of his muzzle to avoid another sneeze, and looking around the couch side to his left. He suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder, and quickly turned around to see the guard staring right at him, causing him to jump and land on his back.

"Oh, hello there." Blitz awkwardly said.

"Who are you, and why are you hiding?" The guard gritted his teeth as he stared at the smaller stallion, who was mostly laying on his back on the floor.

"Um...I-I thought you were an intruder." Blitz's hooves begun to tremble.

"I'm just checking around. Shouldn't you be down there working?" The guard stared at Blitz, believing he was a worker, before noticing the blueprints and pulling them out. "Oh, what are these?" He looked at the blueprints, noticing the marks. "Hey, these are attack locations!"

The guard moved the blueprints down to look at Blitz, only to see he was gone. The stallion came up behind the guard, hitting him square on the head with a fire extinguisher, knocking the guard unconscious. Blitz dropped the extinguisher and grabbed the blueprints from under the guard, tucking them back into his vest, then grabbing a rope out of the stallion's armor, tying his hooves together and throwing his weapons away to avoid escape. He then ran out of the apartment and back upstairs, where he flew the rest of the way back to the diner.

Thunderblast sat in a chair, tapping his hooves, while Stormfire and Diesel explored the two floors above the main diner floor, waiting for Blitz to return. About ten minutes after Blitz had flown off, the white stallion flew in the front door, locking it behind him.

"Got the blueprints." He smiled.

Thunder looked up at Blitz, smiling back. "Great job. Did you get caught by anypony?"

"Had to deal with one guard. He's a little tied up at the moment now."

Author's Note

It is finally here, the longest chapter to the whole story!

Enjoy!

P.S.

This chapter is not in ANY WAY supporting terrorism with the explosives part, so please do not think it is.

Only a Miracle Can Save us All

"Damn it, tell us EVERYTHING!" Thunderblast slammed his hoof on the table in the diner, standing across from a lone patrol unicorn guard who they managed to overwhelm and capture. The guard jumped at Thunder slamming his hoof, but shook his head no. "Oh, I forgot." Thunder reached his hoof across, ripping duct tape off of the stallion's mouth.

"Gah!" The guard yelped in pain, struggling to free himself from the chair he was tied to.

"Just tell us everything and we MIGHT let you go," Stormfire stepped forward, gritting his teeth in anger.

"Over my dead body," the guard's eye twitched as he replied.

"Very well. Blitz, Diesel?" Thunder turned around to Blitz and Diesel, who trotted up with a small tool box of torture weapons.

"Oh what, you're going to rip my teeth out until I speak? Is that what this is?" The guard watched the stallions shuffle through the toolbox.

"Perhaps." Thunder said, picking up a set of pliers and staring directly down at them, before quickly turning around and cracking the guard in the jaw with them.

"Gah!" The guard yelped again, his head forcefully moving over to his left as the pliers struck him.

"Are you going to talk now, or shall I continue?" Thunder smirked, standing over the table and glaring down at the guard.

The guard slowly moved his head back into a straight position, moving his jaw around to check if it was broken in any way.

"Hmm, I guess that's a no," Blitz raised an eyebrow, before trotting into a dark corner and picking up a small object, which made a click as he pulled the top back. The stallion trotted back over, handing Thunder his desert eagle that they took from the surplus store.

"Oh, you're going to shoot me now?" The guard grit his teeth, not showing any fear or weakness despite being captured.

"Not if you tell us everything," Thunder held the barrel of the small gun up to his upper chestplate.

The guard once again did not say a word, his eyes moving down to where the gun was pointed at his upper chest, which would likely instantly kill him if Thunder fired it. Before the guard could do anything else, Thunder cracked the stallion with the gun from under his chin, luckily not firing it simultaneously. The guard made a small painful yelp, a tear shooting out of his eye as the pain struck him.

"Talk, damn it!" Thunder yelled, grabbing the guard's chest while wielding the gun in the other, which now aimed at his eye from the side.

"Never!" The guard yelled back.

Thunder grabbed the mane piece on his helmet, pulling on it, in seconds ripping the helmet off of his head to allow a long auburn mane to fall down, almost over the stallion's eyes. Thunder moved the gun to the guard's forehead, pressing it hard against the skin.

"It doesn't have to end this way. Just tell us everything," Thunder calmed his tone, feeling a tons-worth of pain in his chest which appeared when he realized he might be about to kill an unarmed guard, though he also realized it was an enemy that he couldn't exactly allow to leave unharmed.

The guard's eyes met Thunder's. This time, fear and anger could be seen in them, which forced Thunder to hesitate. The guard then headbutted Thunder, sending him a few feet back and onto the table, dropping his gun.

"You want the answers? Fine. But don't put another damn gun to my head, alright?" The guard finally spoke, his voice not as rough as earlier.

Thunder climbed off of the table, holding his head in pain. "Go ahead."

"You all I'm sure think Light Assassin is the one running this revolution, don't you?" The guard smirked lightly.

"Isn't he?" Diesel trotted into the light, standing beside Blitz and Thunderblast.

The guard shook his head. "The true leader is his brother, Mountain Ash. Over time, he's been the one capturing the guards and whoever else interfered with the plans. Light is his second in command, but is the ruler of Ponyville, while Mountain will be the new ruler of Equestria, after we find the princesses and enslave-...overthrow them. Most of the Royal Guard has been captured and are being held at the old bread factory outside of town."

"Mountain Ash? Who's he?" Stormfire asked.

"You think Light Assassin is bad, wait till you meet him. He'll rip you apart," the guard sighed, looking down. "Like he did my friend."

Thunder's glare somewhat softened as he stared at the guard, who raised his head and eyed them.

"To be honest, I've been wanting these last two days to find a way out of this revolution, so whoever is blowing up these construction sites doesn't kill me," the guard shrugged.

"Oh," Blitz slowly stepped back into the shadows.

The guard looked back up at them. "Wait...oh...I see now," the guard's eyelids shut halfway and he groaned.

Diesel leaned closer and whispered into Thunder's ear. "He must be really stupid."

"Next time, mind stepping away and talking crap about me?" The guard rolled his eyes. "I'm having second thoughts of joining you four now."

Thunderblast, Diesel and Stormfire stared at the guard in shock.

"You...want to join us?" Storm tilted his head slightly.

The guard nodded, blinking.

"What makes us think we should trust you?" Diesel stepped closer.

"Many reasons, but my main one is I hate both Light and Mountain, and hope they burn in Tartarus when this is over," the guard stared at Diesel with a blank expression.

The stallions looked between one another, before Thunder nodded to Diesel, who trotted up and untied the guard from the chair.

The guard nodded to Diesel in thanks, before standing up.

"One thing however," the guard stared at Thunder.

"Name it," Thunder trotted closer.

"I'm gonna need lighter shaded armor."

"Rainbow Blaze, sir!" Soarin pounded on Rainbow Blaze's home frantically, his heart racing.

The door opened and Rainbow Blaze jumped back in surprise.

"Soarin! What the hay are you doing at my house?!" Blaze hissed at the stallion.

"S-sir...th-they...uh..." Soarin stuttered, his hooves trembling.

"Spit it out!" Blaze growled, unhappy that somepony who kidnapped his daughter previously was now at his door.

"Th-they took Rainbow!" Soarin's pupils shrunk to pinpricks.

Blaze's heart sunk, his irises shrunk with Soarin's, and the lower half of his body slowly sat down as he stared at the stallion in utter shock.

"Who took her?" Blaze spoke in a quiet voice.

"The revolutionists," Soarin replied, staring at the rainbow-maned stallion.

Blaze lowered his head, now staring at his hooves which were close to giving out underneath the distraught stallion.

Soarin approached the stallion and rested a hoof on his shoulder.

"Listen, uh...sir," Soarin gulped as fear crept up his spine. "I want to apologize for everything...for what I did to her a long time back, and for not keeping her safe today. I am so sorry...please, forgive me," he continued with tears building in his eyes.

Blaze continued to stare at the ground, blocking out Soarin as he spoke. The wonderbolt soon realized he was being ignored.

"S-sir?" Soarin's voice began to croak in fear.

Blaze then slowly raised his head, staring up at Soarin, before the tears in his eyes dried up.

"Sir?" Soarin backed a step.

Blaze stood up quickly, clearing his throat. "Soarin, forget what happened. Dashie and her coltfriend and whoever else is down there needs our help. Gather everypony and anypony in the plaza by the coliseum. I'll meet you there after I do the same. Go!"

Soarin quickly flew off, searching for ponies to gather like Rainbow Blaze ordered, while Blaze flew off to do the same.

"Okay guys. Time to unload package number two. This time, we won't need a distraction if we're dropping the explosive by air. Stormfire, you still got the explosive?" Thunder looked over at Stormfire.

"Yup. Shall I drop it and detonate it?" Storm replied.

"If you're up for it. After that, we wait a little bit before we head to the next drop site. We must make sure the operation is complete before dawn, so we won't be seen in the daylight." Thunder looked between the stallions. "And now, we have the help of unicorn magic to fight." He then looked at the grey unicorn guard, who was now wearing golden guard armor.

The guard smiled lightly. "Its great to be back on the good side."

"You mean you weren't evil before?" Blitz smiled, sarcastically joking.

The unicorn raised an eyebrow. "No."

"Okay. Stormfire will drop the explosive and detonate. I will take the third one and drop it on this point here," Thunder pointed at a circle on the blueprints in between the stallions. "Then the fourth, we must detonate here," he pointed at the fourth and final circle. "Before the sun rises."

The others nodded. "Should I get going so we get this done faster?" Stormfire looked up at Thunder.

"That would probably be wise," Diesel glanced at Storm.

Storm nodded. "Alright. I'll be back later," he stood up, before flying out an open window and into the night sky.

The others watched him leave, before Thunder returned his attention to Blitz.

"Blitz, you stay here while I go take the third explosive. When me and Storm get back, we will take the fourth and deliver the package. Alright?" Thunder stared at him.

Blitz nodded and saluted. "Yes sir."

Thunder chuckled. "No need to salute."

Blitz awkwardly smiled and dropped his hoof, while Thunder picked up one of the bottles and it's detonator, tucking it into his armor.

"Don't cause any trouble, and certainly don't attract any unwanted attention," Thunder glanced between the stallions.

"Don't worry Thunder, go do your job," Diesel smiled lightly.

Thunder nodded and flew out the window in another direction, towards one of the drop points.

"Aaaand...what are we supposed to do?" The unicorn turned and looked between Diesel and Blitz.

"I'm not sure. Get some rest maybe?" Blitz glanced back at the unicorn.

Diesel yawned, stretching his forehooves. "Good idea," he stood up, before trotting over to a blanket and laying on it.

"You two can, I'll stay up and keep watch," the unicorn smiled at Blitz.

"Are you sure? We're-we're not forcing you...uh," Blitz stuttered.

The unicorn nodded. "Flashblade."

"We're not forcing you, Flashblade." Blitz replied.

"Don't worry, I'm not tired," Flash stood up.

"If you say so," Blitz stood up, yawning. "Wake us up when Thunder and Storm return."

Flash nodded. "I will."

Back in Cloudsdale, hundreds of ponies, big and small, were gathered in downtown, just outside the coliseum where Rainbow Blaze told Soarin to gather the ponies. Most of the ponies were stallions, with a few mares mixed in, as well as a large line of guards standing in the crowds. All of the ponies talked, wondering what this was for, while Soarin hid behind a statue to avoid embarrassing himself in front of them, as he did not know why Blaze asked him to gather them. No longer than a minute later, a familiar rainbow-maned pegasus landed in the center of the plaza, facing out at the massive collection of ponies, who all changed their glances to him.

Blaze took a deep breath. "Ponies of the cities below, and from the city of Cloudsdale. I bet you are all wondering why you're here, why my friend Soarin here gathered you," Soarin peeked his head out from behind the statue, awkwardly trotting out beside Blaze. "We are all here, because I have something to say about this revolution going on."

The ponies quieted themselves as Blaze spoke out. The stallion checked over to make sure everypony was listening, with one mare a few moments later yelling from the back of the crowd. "Go ahead."

Blaze cleared his throat, standing tall and puffing out his chest slightly. "This revolution, has taken over our land. It's followers have killed our friends and family, and are holding them against their will down there, and they need our help. This Light Assassin guy needs to see that we aren't cowards, and that we are willing to fight for our country in it's darkest time. I know there are guards out in that crowd, I bet a lot of them have friends and family down there who are helpless to defend themselves. I just want you to know, you aren't alone. My daughter, Rainbow Dash, was taken from Soarin when revolutionists ripped her out of his hooves. Her coltfriend is a royal guard, and I know he is still down there, struggling to survive. If we stand here and do nothing, hundreds, if not thousands could be killed. But if we fight back, we can save those who cannot save themselves. I'm asking you all, to join me, and get back what belonged and should always belong to us. Equestria." He looked across the ocean of multicolored ponies, who stared back at him.

The ponies looked at each other, many of them talking, too quiet for Blaze or Soarin to hear.

"Who's with us?" Soarin spoke up.

Moments later, hundreds of hooves raised into the air, as well as many ponies saying they'll go with him. The guards in the crowd looked at each other, before removing their helmets and raising them high into the air.

"Great," Blaze smiled. "We leave at dawn."

Stormfire flew over the buildings of Ponyville, swift like a hawk. He was just minutes away from dropping one of the explosives onto a construction site. He noticed a cloud above the site, and flew up to it. Storm landed on the cloud, before looking directly down at the site, a perfect spot to drop the package. He dug through his armor and pulled out the bottle and the detonator, setting the detonator on the cloud, before holding the bottle of propane over the edge of the cloud.

Storm smirked. "Asta la vista, motherbuckers." Before throwing the bottle down at the site, which hit the ground moments later. He quickly picked up the detonator, and flipped the switch, before a massive fireball destroyed the site below, blowing the cloud he sat on to dust, forcing him to fly again. The explosion destroyed the entire site, as well as half of a shop below. Two of four had been detonated, and their plan was working like a charm so far. The dark blue stallion then flew back to where the others had been hiding out, wondering how Thunder was doing with his part of the plan.

On the other side of town, Thunderblast flew over the buildings, high enough where he couldn't be seen in the darkness, but low enough to spot where he needed to carry out the operation. He approached the third construction site, pulling out the explosive and it's detonator, holding each in both hooves. When he was close enough, he threw the explosive like he threw a ball for Winona, which landed directly in front of a guard. The guard leaned down to look at it, before Thunder clicked the trigger, which made a beep.

"Oh shoot." The guard's irises shrunk, before the device exploded, ripping the site to shreds as the fireball rose into the sky just minutes after Stormfire finished his part of the job. Thunder then glided quickly back to their current hiding spot, which was somewhat hard to spot in the darkness. He noticed windows blown out across town from the explosions, stopping and hovering once to see if the explosion did it's job, which it did, thank Celestia, which left them with just one more spot to destroy.

Back at the apartment above the diner, Flashblade kept watch while Diesel and Blitz slept on blankets on the floor. The stallion had slept the day before, which meant he could stay awake all night if he wanted to. He knew he'd need to get some more rest soon, if they were to go out and trigger a battle and hopefully get somewhere else while fighting back against the revolution. He heard the flutter of wings outside, and his ears perked up. He levitated his spear up, his irises narrowing on the windows. Moments later, Stormfire and Thunderblast flew in through the window.

"Put down that spear, soldier." Thunder ordered, and Flashblade dropped the spear with a faint clank.

"My apologies, I was making sure an enemy was not coming." Flash bowed his head in apology.

"Don't worry about it, you were doing the right thing. Where are Blitz and Diesel?" Stormfire looked around.

"I told them to get some rest until you two got back. I better go wake them up." Flash chuckled.

Thunder nodded. "Alright."

"How did the operation go, by the way?" Flash stood up.

"I'd say it went good, we just need to drop the last one, then we're on to the next part of our plan." Thunder sat down on a pillow.

"Which is?" Flash raised an eyebrow.

"We'll explain when Diesel and Blitz are up." Stormfire replied.

Flash nodded and walked into the room Blitz and Diesel were napping, waking them up.

"Ugh-" Blitz slowly walked out, rubbing his eye with his hoof. "-what's the big de-." He looked up and saw Thunderblast and Stormfire. "Oh, uh, how'd it go?"

"It went like a charm." Storm replied.

Diesel smiled lightly. "That's great to hear. What next?"

Thunder trotted up with the fourth and final explosive. "Well, we take this one to the next site and detonate. Then, we come back here and form a plan to rescue the guards, and if he's there, Otto Tech."

Blitz nodded in response. "When do we take this one?"

"Now. But this time, all five of us are going just in case." Storm glanced at Blitz.

"What are we supposed to do?" Flashblade raised his hoof.

"I'm assuming the final spot will be heavily guarded. If necessary, we need you and Diesel on the ground to fight off guards if the time comes." Thunder replied.

"Okay. We better get going, the sun should be rising within the hour." Diesel looked out the window.

"Which means we'll need to get there quickly. Diesel, hop on my back. Storm, you get him." Thunder pointed at Flashblade.

"Call me Flashblade, or if you'd like, Flash." He trotted over to Stormfire, climbing on to his back and hanging on, while Diesel climbed on to Thunder, also clinging on.

Without hesitation, the three pegasi, Thunderblast and Stormfire carrying both Diesel and Flashblade, took to the skies with the fourth and final explosive to deliver at the last site. They flew quickly through the pre-dawn night sky to the center of town where the last site was set up, just a block down from Town Hall. Diesel and Flash were set down on the roof floor of the town hall to keep watch just in case, Thunder and Storm flying up to a cloud Blitz laid on while they dropped the other two stallions off.

"Okay, who's got the package?" Thunder landed on the cloud, glancing between Blitz and Stormfire.

"I do." Blitz held the bottle up, as well as the trigger.

"Good." Storm looked off of the cloud, down at the site, which was heavily guarded with at least fifteen guards, oblivious to the sky beginning to lighten. "Looks like we've got...thirteen...fourteen...fifteen guards down there."

"It also looks like the sun is beginning to rise, which means we better hustle." Thunder turned his attention to the east sky, where the sky was beginning to turn blue and green, a sign the sun was in fact rising. It soon became light enough where Blitz could be seen if the guards looked up, which made the mission extremely risky.

Blitz took a deep inhale. "Okay, here we go. Final explosive." He then flapped his wings, flying off of the cloud and down towards the guarded construction site.

As he flew down, out of the corner of his eye, came a black object which struck him square in his side where his left wing was located, forcing him straight down into the ground. The stallion yelped in pain as he hit the ground, dropping the explosive and the detonator. Three guards ran over to hold him down as he struggled to get away, pinning him into the dirt as hard as their muscles allowed them.

"THUNDER! STORMFIRE!" Blitz yelled in pain and fear as he was pinned down, struggling against the might and weight of the guards.

Thunder and Storm noticed Blitz in distress. "Oh no..." Storm's irises shrunk, as they both flew down to assist him.

"AYE! GET OFF OF HIM!" Thunder yelled, grabbing his desert eagle and shooting at the guards as he dove down at dangerous speeds, towards the screaming pegasus. He landed on the ground hard enough to form a small crater, which forced dust to blow around upon his hooves' impact, Stormfire landing a few feet over to the side. "You leave our friend alone!" He tackled a guard, beginning to beat the ever-loving breath out of him.

The guard yelped, but managed to kick the grey pony off of him. It only took a moment for Thunderblast to stand on all fours again, just barely dodging a guard from tackling and pinning him down. He flipped his gun out, shooting the poor thing in his wing to hopefully keep him down in pain. Thunder spun around, noticing Stormfire wrestling another guard on the ground, before looking over and seeing more guards rushing over from all directions. He flew up just as the guards were about to tackle him, and ended up tackling each other by accident, causing him to chuckle a bit.

Blitz slowly regained his strength, managing to buck one of the guards off of him and onto another, before picking up the detonator and striking the other guard directly in the muzzle with it, forcing him onto his back. He quickly stood, looking around desperately for the explosive, noticing it between him and three guards, rolling to a stop closer to them. The white pegasus then flew as fast as his wings could carry him, managing to grab the explosive and slide under the guards, knocking one of the guard's hooves out from under him. Without hesitation, Blitz stood up and looked at the fight going on behind him, before looking at the construction site. He wanted to go back and help his friends fight off the guards, but he knew he had to destroy the final construction site. Blitz looked down at the explosive, before dropping it where it was and running back to help Thunder and Storm.

Thunder held his hooves up, which trembled as he strained to hold a guard off of him, before glancing over at Blitz, who was now helping fight off the guards.

"What...are you doing?" Thunder strained, gritting his teeth.

"I can't just leave you two!" Blitz ducked as a knife flew directly over his head from another guard, who he later tackled.

"You need to detonate that explosive!" Storm yelled as he punched a guard unconscious, grabbing cuffs and putting them on another's hooves, leaving him stuck on the ground.

Diesel and Flashblade watched from atop the town hall.

"Th-they could really use our help you know." Diesel glanced at Flash.

"Yeah, let's go." Flash jumped over the deck rail, sliding down the shingles with his horn lighting up in a light blue aura, preparing to fire magical beams at the enemy. He landed on all four hooves, quickly running over to the fight to join in, while Diesel ran down the stairs, knowing he most likely wasn't as agile as the unicorn.

Flashblade fired multiple sleeping beams at the guards, striking a couple square in the head, instantly knocking them out cold. Diesel came close behind, grabbing a knife he found earlier and stabbing a guard in the hoof, which did not do anything for he hit the stallion's hoof guard, which are near-immune to combat knives. The guard smirked and tackled Diesel, who quickly began throwing punches at the stallion on top of him.

Meanwhile, Thunderblast headbutted an earth pony guard pinning him down, knocking him unconscious somehow, glancing over and noticing the detonator to the explosive, which had been accidentally kicked to the construction site. He pounced next to it, grabbing the detonator and flipping the switch to destroy it. Nothing happened. Thunder looked up, seeing a guard holding it and smirking, the wires cut. His irises shrunk as he stood up. "We need to get out of here!"

Stormfire looked over at Thunder. "Just a second!" He struggled to kick three guards who had dogpiled him off, his gun knocked out of reach.

Thunder ran over to help the others with the remaining guards, before a whole two-platoons worth of guards galloped to the fight, quickly overwhelming the stallions. The guards on top of Blitz managed to tie his hooves and wings up, while the others knocked Diesel and Stormfire unconscious and begun to drag them away, the remaining guards cuffing and taping Flashblade and Thunder's mouths.

The platoon leader trotted over to Thunderblast, who was struggling against the cuffs in pure anger. He punched the stallion in the jaw, knocking him off of his hooves. "Not so tough anymore, now are you?" The platoon leader smirked. "Light Assassin will be very pleased. Let's get them home boys."

The guards saluted and dragged Diesel, Blitz and Storm away, while Flash and Thunder were forced to walk on their own, hooves in chains. Instead of resisting, Thunder gave up and lowered his head as he walked. Minutes later, the guards as well as their prisoners arrived outside the near-abandoned warehouse which had guards lining almost every five feet of the building.

Light Assassin sat in his office in the warehouse, shuffling through reports his contributors sent in. Most of them had to do with the attacks Thunderblast and his friends did, while the rest were placement reports on newer guards. He then heard a knock at his door.

"Come in." He continued looking down at the papers, before the door opened. A guard threw Thunderblast in, his hooves giving out under him, forcing the stallion to land on his stomach with a loud muffled grunt, catching the grey stallion's attention. Light smirked. "Oh, hello Thunder." He stood up, trotting around his desk and lifting Thunder up on to a chair forcefully, before punching his jaw. Thunder tried not to scream in pain, his eyes shutting tightly as pain rushed through his muzzle. He reopened his eyes, which instantly met Light Assassin's, helpless to get away now. Light quickly grabbed his hunting knife, stabbing it into Thunder's wing, which was followed by a muffled scream of pain.

The green-and-black maned pegasus laughed at his scream, before ripping the knife out sitting back down at his desk, smirking insanely at Thunderblast.

"It's about time our guards found you and your worthless friends. I must say though, that was quite the plan you had. It's such a shame you couldn't finish it and save your friends and family." Light chuckled, standing up. "But seriously, you ruined the plans for my castle!" He picked up a letter-opening knife, throwing it past Thunder's ear and into the wall behind him. "Now we have to build in the Everfree!"

Thunder winced in pain, his eyes staring directly at Light Assassin.

"Oh well, at least you can help with the construction." He smirked.

Thunder struggled to speak, but failing to squeeze anything audible out.

Light walked around his desk, ripping the tape off of Thunder's mouth painfully. "What was that?" He leaned closer to hear what Thunder tried to say, only to be bit in the ear by the stallion. Light yelped, punching Thunder hard enough to knock his chair back. He then used magic to levitate Thunder back into the chair, holding him in it with a red aura, standing a few feet from his prisoner. "Okay, that's it! I'm making sure my guards kill you at noon!" He hissed.

Thunder whimpered in pain, shutting his eyes tightly as he struggled to move against Light's magic aura.

"Quit struggling, you worthless excuse of a guard. Each time you do, it's one more minute I take away from your life!" Light growled, rubbing at his ear, which was now red from Thunder biting it. "Guards! Take him to the others!"

Two guards ran into Light's office, grabbing Thunder out of the chair, now released from the magic paralyzing the stallion. Thunder struggled to fight off the guards, despite his hooves being chained together, quickly failing as one of the guards levitated him away with magic, bringing him downstairs into the 'Collection Room', where he was strapped to the wall and removed from the chains around his hooves and tape covering his mouth. Minutes later, he passed out the moment ponies began calling out his name to stay awake.

"N-now what?" Blitz looked to his right at Stormfire.

Storm sighed. "I do not know."

"Son...wake up!"

...

"Son! Wake up!"

...

"Thunderblast! Wake the hay up!"

The grey pegasus stallion opened his eyes, now laying next to a tree with golden leaves, surrounded by a sea of pure-golden wheat, with the warm sun beating down on his feathers. He slowly stood and looked around, the breeze brushing through his black mane, causing it to bounce slightly.

"H-hello?" He looked around.

Suddenly, a large, white pegasus stallion wearing magnificent Royal Guard armor landed directly in front of him, removing his helmet and staring back at the grey pegasus.

"Oh, hey dad." Thunder smiled.

"Son, listen to me. Your life, as well as all of your friends lives, are in grave danger." The guard spoke in a slightly rough but calm voice.

"W-what?" Thunder stared at the stallion, stepping closer.

"You need to wake up, or else you and your friends will die." The stallion looked down at Thunder, being almost a head taller than him.

"But...h-how am I supposed to save everypony?" Thunder sat down in the grass as it swayed in the breeze.

"Your weapon, son. It's ready. You're ready." The stallion smiled.

Thunder looked down, beginning to hyperventilate, looking around himself as the world begun to spin rapidly.

"Son, wake up!"

Thunderblast opened his eyes, screaming and breathing heavily, before struggling against the steel restraints holding him against the wall.

"Give up Thunder." Came a grey pegasus down below, with a black-and-white spiky mane, who was standing next to a similar looking stallion, but with a black and green mane, Light Assassin.

Thunder growled at the two stallions. "Mountain Ash, I presume?"

"Oh, so you do know who I am?" Mountain smirked. "Don't worry, it'll all be over for you soon. In an hour, you'll be executed on the same hill your parents were buried, so they can watch the end of their son's life."

Thunder's growl thickened as he grit his teeth in anger.

Light leaned over and whispered something into Mountain's ear, before trotting off in another direction.

"Speaking of which, we have a surprise for you." Mountain walked closer, smirking insanely.

Light Assassin flew back a minute later, holding Rainbow Dash, wings and hooves tied up completely.

"Put me down you imbecile!" Rainbow screamed, struggling to move, before noticing Thunder and gasping. "Thunder?!"

"Dashie?!" Thunder's irises shrunk, tears beginning to form in his eyes.

"Quit squirming you piece of garbage!" Light picked the mare up, throwing her on to the floor and grabbing a pistol, handing it to Mountain Ash, who cocked it and aimed it at the mare's head.

"Now, how about you hand us that little element thing of yours, and your marefriend lives?" Mountain smirked.

"Don't do it, Thunder!" Rainbow yelled, tearing up,

Mountain shot the pistol, barely missing Rainbow Dash's hoof.

"You hurt her, I'll rip you all apart!" Thunder hissed.

"Right, you're strapped to the wall in steel restraints, and you threaten to kill us?" Light laughed insanely.

"I'm ready." Thunder said to himself, looking directly forward, inhaling and shutting his eyes.

"Sorry, what?" Light put his hoof to his ear.

"I...am...ready!" Thunder opened his eyes, which were now glowing a lighter blue than usual, before the ground trembled in the building, tables rattling. Moments later, Thunder's necklace shot out of his armor, which had been stripped off of him while he had been out cold, immediately hitting his hoof, shattering the restraints. He flew down, element in hoof, which in the blink of an eye, transformed into a sword with a golden handle, the blue sword and shield which glowed embed into the top of the handle, with lightning bolts stretching out both sides of the blade, extending from the handle all the way to the tip of the sword.

The captured guards in the room cheered at the sight of Thunder breaking free, as well as being armed with a new weapon. He lifted the sword, before stabbing it into the floor, releasing a massive surge of electricity which blew out lights in the room, also electrocuting the guards who were running to attack him, and sparing Rainbow Dash. Mountain Ash and Light Assassin flew up before they could be electrocuted, quickly flying upstairs to gather more guards. Without further hesitation, Thunder ripped his sword out of the ground, throwing it at the emergency release button and destroying it, thus releasing the captured guards, as well as his friends. He grabbed his sword once more, before flying to Rainbow Dash and cutting her free of the ropes.

Rainbow whimpered. "Th-Thundey!" She hugged him tightly.

Thunderblast hugged her back tightly as the guards fell to the ground around him, now released from captivity.

"We need to go. We have a country to save." Thunder stared at her with a stoic expression, the mare slowly nodding and releasing him from the hug. He then ran over to his armor, putting it on and flying above everypony else.

"Soldiers! This is our land, let's retake it!" Thunder held his sword up, which fired a lightning bolt into the ceiling. The guards cheered as he did. "Everypony outside! We're headed to battle!"

He then flew down to his friends, and Otto Tech as the guards ran up the stairs, attacking the building's guards. Otto slowly stood, looking around.

"Well done, Thunder." Otto smiled, hugging the stallion tightly but briefly. "Let's go."

Thunder turned and glanced over to Stormfire and Blitz. "You guys are ready too." He smiled, before tossing them their element necklaces.

Stormfire caught his, which transformed into a sword much similar to Thunder's, but instead of lightning, the blade wielded flames. "Cooool!" He smiled brightly, holding the sword in both hooves, the fire not harming him at all.

Blitz then caught his, which transformed into a sword, but with a different design, which glowed the color of his mane. "Aw, sweet! It's about time!"

The stallions ran out, as well as Rainbow Dash on Thunder's back, upstairs into the main building where Royal guards slowly retook ground, while others ran outside into battle with other revolutionists. The ponies of both sides clashed in the fields, most of the sounds coming from war cries of the Royal Guard, other sounds of weapons colliding with other weapons.

"Dashie, get somewhere safe. It's not safe here." Thunderblast looked back at Rainbow Dash, who nodded and darted into the sky at high speeds, watching her fly away.

"Thunder, watch out!" Yelled a voice, grabbing Thunder's attention and forcing him to look ahead of him, at a pony who wielded a knife in his mouth, moments from attacking Thunder. Before the pony could attack, he was tackled by a charcoal grey pegasus wearing Lunar guard armor.

"Night Shadow!" Thunder smiled, running up and hugging him. "I thought you were dead!"

"I thought you weren't coming for us!" Night hugged the stallion back, chuckling. "Great to be back on the front lines with ya, man." He pulled back, before lunging over Thunder and biting a revolution soldier in the neck, who screamed in pain and collapsed.

Thunderblast returned his attention back to the battle ensuing around him, which he quickly joined in on, fighting off revolutionists, but not killing any. As he fought, Light Assassin levitated up a sword using his magic, slowly approaching Thunder from behind and smirking. Before he could swing his sword, Thunder twisted around, striking the stallion's sword with his own, knocking it briefly out of it's magical grasp, stunning Light.

"You think you can kidnap my friends, threaten my marefriend, and everything else you've done and thought you'd get away with it?!" Thunder lunged at the stallion, who quickly stood back up with the sword in his hoof, both swords clashing.

The two wrestled for a few moments, before Thunder ducked under Light, his momentum forcing him into the ground afterwards. Light regained his ground, grabbing the sword and spinning around to find the grey pegasus no longer standing there.

"Ey! Up here!" Thunder flew back down at high speeds at Light, who moved out of the way in the nick of time as Thunder stabbed his sword into the ground, electrocuting Light, but not enough to bring him down.

The stallion took to the skies, Thunder ripping his sword out of the dirt and chasing after him, sheathing the sword into his armor. He tackled the pony, pinning him into a cloud, punching him rapidly. The two wrestled on the cloud, both delivering punches to one another, before Light stabbed Thunder's hoof with his hunting knife, allowing him a quick escape, which he took. Thunderblast recoiled back, holding his hoof in pain, watching Light Assassin fly away. He was injured, but was still able to escape quickly as he disappeared into some clouds. Thunder gave up pursuit, before flying back down to the battle, which was quickly being won by the Royal Guard and his friends. Most of the revolutionists gave up, while the revolution guards were tied up, their right minds being given back to them by unicorns who knew that type of magic. The remaining revolutionists retreated, leaving their weapons behind and completely giving up. Both Royal and Lunar guards cheered, knowing the battle had been won, but not the war. They knew more would come later on, and it was just a matter of time.

Thunderblast walked through the field, through the slowly clearing crowd of guards, most of the stallions with some sort of wound. On the ground, at least five or six bodies of Royal Guards could be seen, each one with major wounds to their vulnerable deadly spots, mainly the chest or head. It made him cringe and hurt seeing the guards that didn't make it, but what had been done was done, and no one could have prevented it. He glanced over to a pegasus Royal guard, who was hugging a Lunar guard tightly, a rare sight for most. The reason was clear; a unicorn guard lay dead on the ground beside them, with a large stab wound to his side. Thunder sighed, wiping at his eyes as he strived his best to ignore the bodies of those who perished at battle. He felt responsible for it all, knowing Shining Armor wasn't there at the time to lead the guards into battle. He then felt relief it wasn't the captain leading the guards, considering he didn't deserve the blame.

Moments later, he was tackled by something heavy. Thunder looked up, seeing Stormfire, Blitz, Otto Tech, and even Night Shadow dogpiled on top of him.

"GAAAAH!" He laughed, a few guards surrounding them watching and smiling.

"Tackle huuugs!" Blitz laughed.

"Noooo!" Thunder laughed even more, looking up at his friends.

Before the fun and laughter could continue, a massive dome made entirely with magic appeared over Ponyville, and parts of the Everfree. Moments after, panic swept across the field as guards looked around at each other and at the sky, now seeing a blood-red shield spell shrouding over the area.

"The Alicorn Amulet..." Thunder crawled out from under his friends, staring up at the sky. "They're using it to trap and kill us."

"But...h-how do we stop it?!" Night Shadow looked around.

Blitz looked in the direction of the Everfree, noticing a pulsing beam of red shooting from the ground up. "There!" He pointed.

Without a moment to spare, Thunderblast took to the skies in the direction of the beam, flying slower than usual due to his injured wing. He flew high over the forest, before realizing the beam was coming from the old alicorn sisters' castle in the Everfree, where Nightmare Moon was defeated and reformed to Princess Luna. Thunder flew lower, now able to see the castle, which was completely fixed up, no longer in a destroyed and abandoned state. He stopped and hovered in the air, just above the tree tops, Night Shadow and Blitz flying up beside him.

"Whoa, how'd that get there?" Blitz's jaw dropped as he stared in awe at the palace.

"Light used the amulet to fix up the castle, and make it his own." Thunder stared as the red beam shot up high into the sky through the roof. "We need to get them."

Night Shadow heard a distant explosion, his ear cocking back at the sound. He turned around and noticed hundreds, if not thousands of other ponies entering Ponyville through the sides of the shield. "Uh, you guys?"

Thunder and Blitz turned around and stared as the ponies entered town.

"I think ponies can enter from the outside, but can't leave from the inside!" Night stared as another battle broke out just outside of Ponyville between the revolutionists and the Royal guard.

"No...we need more ponies than we already have to fight!" Thunder felt fear creep up his spine, his feathers ruffling as he got a cold chill. "That's it, I'm going inside and killing them both." He continued, before going to fly down.

Night quickly flew in front of Thunder, stopping him. "Whoa, whoa. No you're not! Not without me!"

"Or me!" Blitz flew over to them.

"No, you two, it's too dangerous." Thunder lowered his head.

"And it isn't over there?!" Night hissed, pointing to Ponyville at the ensuing war.

Thunder glanced between the war in the distance, and at his friends, before sighing. "Fine, fine."

Night and Blitz smiled, hugging the stallion tightly.

Thunder yelped as Night pressed down on his injured wing, who quickly pulled back. "Sorry!"

"It's fine, don't worry about it. Let's go." Thunder said to the two stallions, flying down to the main gate of the palace, the fissures around it now filled in with dirt and rock.

At the door, two unicorn guards fired beams at the stallions as they approached, Thunder and Blitz landing on top of them, knocking them unconscious. The three then opened the doors and flew inside, quickly taking out guards as they flew along. Minutes later, they flew into the main throne room, where Light Assassin sat with his brother Mountain Ash.

"Ah, Thunder. Back so soon?" Mountain smirked.

"Take down the shield. Now." Night grit his teeth in anger.

"Hmm....nah" Light smirked, cackling insanely as lightning cracked around him.

"Fine. We'll have to do it the hard way." Thunder unsheathed his sword, powering it up with it's power, Blitz grabbing his sword and powering it up as well.

Night looked at the two stallions. "Aw man." He lowered his head, not having a weapon.

"I wouldn't do that." Light Assassin's smirk dropped, before using his magic to open a trap door underneath Night Shadow, causing him to fall in.

Night screamed, steel bars sliding over the hole to prevent him from escaping. The pit wasn't too far down, but the moment he stood back up, the walls begun to slowly close. "NO!" He yelled, looking between the two closing walls quickly.

Blitz gasped and dropped his sword, which transformed back to it's necklace form, running over to the hole which Night fell down. "Night! Hang on buddy, I-I'll get you out!" He panicked, struggling to pull the bars apart.

Thunder kept his ground, still grasping his sword and growling at the two stallions. "Let him go!"

"Or what? He's dead meat anyways." Mountain stood up, trotting down the throne steps and towards Thunder.

Thunder's muscles tensed up, his forehead beginning to sweat as the stallion approached.

Mountain pulled a lever, which slowly rotated down a weapon wheel, stealing a sword from it and holding it in his hoof. "This ends now."

"Indeed." Thunder hissed back, lunging at the lighter grey pegasus.

Mountain leapt towards Thunder, their swords clashing and screeching upon impact. Mountain landed on his side on the floor, sliding to a stop, while Thunder slid to a stop, landing on all four hooves. He then ran back directly towards Mountain Ash, who quickly grabbed his sword and defended himself from Thunder's elemental sword.

"Blitz! Don't worry about me, help Thunder!" Night yelled, putting his hooves on both of the walls to try and slow them, his body trembling.

"No! I'm going to get you out!" Blitz continued to struggle to pry the bars apart, before his hoof slipped into the gap and immediately getting stuck, now squeezed in. "Crap!"

"Blitz, please! Go help Thunder!" Night looked up at Blitz, who was pulling on his hoof to try and free it.

"I can't! I'm stuck!" He yelled back, struggling harder than ever.

Thunderblast glanced back at Blitz, unable to help him at that point without putting his life in danger even more. He turned back to face Mountain Ash again, only to meet his hind legs, which kicked him directly in the face, bucking him into a pillar and knocking him silly. The light grey pegasus ran up to Thunder, holding his sword at his neck as he shook his head to regain his senses.

"You're out of time, Sergeant." Mountain smirked, pressing the sword against Thunder's neck.

Thunder growled at Mountain Ash, not moving a single muscle.

"Light, give me a rope." Mountain kept his eyes on Thunder, holding the sword at his neck still, while Light Assassin levitated a long rope over to him, Mountain grabbing it and tying the stallion to the pillar, unknowingly not tight enough to restrain him. "Good." Mountain backed off, taking Thunder's sword, which turned back to it's necklace form before he could grab it, and brought it back over to Light.

"Oh, what's this?" Light smirked, levitating the necklace over to him and investigating it.

"It's my weapon." Thunder responded, not attempting to struggle against the rope knowing it wasn't tied very tightly, giving him the chance to slip out easily.

"I know what it is, Thunder." Light hissed back, the walls close to crushing Night Shadow to nothing suddenly stopping, buying him some time.

Mountain stared up at Light as he investigated the necklace, before suddenly grabbing Light's hunting knife and stabbing his upper arm with it, ripping the Alicorn amulet from his neck and putting it on himself.

Light screamed in pain, before being thrown off of the throne chair by Mountain Ash with his magic and into the same pillar Thunder was tied to.

"Ohh, Light. The only reason I started this revolution and made you king of Ponyville was just so I could overthrow you like we overthrew the princesses. Such a shame I have to kill you now. I guess I was and always will be mom and dad's favorite child!" Mountain cackled insanely.

"But...brother..." Light slowly sat up, taking his broken shades off and dropping them on the floor, staring at the pegasus in shock. "Y-you...betrayed me?"

"Of course! I don't need you to help run my new Equestria!" Mountain stomped his hoof in anger.

Light Assassin stared at Mountain, his jaw hanging open. Less than a moment later, his blood begun to boil. He suddenly grabbed the desert eagle from Thunder's armor, cocking it and without time to aim, firing, and amazingly striking Mountain Ash square in the heart.

Mountain's eyes widened as pain flowed through his veins. He looked down, noticing the wound where the bullet went in, before he coughed up some blood, looking back up at Light across the room. Before he could say anything, he collapsed, falling down the steps of the throne, the Alicorn Amulet shutting off, allowing the shield around Ponyville to be destroyed. Light slowly dropped the gun, before quickly untying Thunderblast and helping him up.

"Are you alright?" Light asked, staring at Thunder with concern.

Thunder just stared back, in utter shock of what just happened. "You..."

Light looked closer as Thunder stuttered. "Yeah?"

"You...killed your own brother?" Thunder's jaw hung open slightly.

Light sighed and nodded slowly, looking down at his hooves, before looking back up. "Hey, listen...I'm sorry...for-for everything. I'm such a jerk and-"

"Shh, stop. Just help me get my friends out and let's go, alright?" Thunder put his hoof over Light's mouth, cutting him off.

Light nodded, before running over to the throne and pressing a button, removing the bars from the hole Night Shadow and Blitz were trapped in. Night flew up, landing next to the hole and looking back down briefly, before glancing at Light Assassin, who tossed Thunder's weapon necklace back to him.

"Come on, let's stop the revolution." Light smiled, flying up to them.

Thunder smiled back lightly and nodded once, before flying out with Night Shadow and Blitz, Light Assassin close behind.

After the magic field of the Amulet wore off, the ground that was filled in collapsed back into a canyon, the castle slowly and partially going with it, returning to it's original destroyed state in the Everfree. Back in town, the final battle continued on, with the Royal Guard slowly losing ground once again. Thunder and his friends landed in the center of battle, helping out with the efforts to defeat the remaining revolutionists.

"EVERYONE!" Light flew up, gathering the attention of the revolutionists. "The revolution is over. Stop this madness at once."

The revolutionists soon ignored him, and resumed their battle against the Royal Guard and whoever else was fighting back against the revolution.

Light sighed, before suddenly being hit by a rock and knocked out of the sky, faceplanting into the ground. Four stallions with the revolution approached him, knowing he was no longer on their side, swords and knives drawn.

"HEY!" Night Shadow yelled, flying at the ponies and quickly taking them out, standing over Light Assassin with one of their swords to protect him.

In the crowd, Stormfire wrestled with one of the revolution soldiers, slowly losing the fight with him. "We need more help!" He yelled.

Suddenly, there was a massive bright blast of pinkish-purple light in the sky, and everypony, except the guards and those fighting back against the revolution, instantly fell asleep. Pink flurries of magic hovered in the air just above the ground shortly after, as the guards looked around wondering what just happened. Stormfire kicked the guard off of him, who was luckily out cold, and slowly stood up. When he raised his head, he saw Captain Shining Armor standing there with his horn lit up in a bright pink aura, holding the sleeping spell quite well.

"Captain Armor!" Night Shadow yelled, landing directly in front of him and saluting, the rest of the Royal Guard on the field following suit.

Shining chuckled. "At ease, soldiers. Well done you all." He smiled, his eyes moving across the ocean of golden-armored stallions.

In the crowd, a blue Rainbow-maned pegasus mare moved around, her magenta eyes sweeping across each of the guards. "Thundey?"

The guards moved out of the way for her, smiling as she walked by. As she walked through the crowd of guards, her smile widened as her eyes met one.

Blitz and Stormfire smiled as they looked around Thunderblast, who turned around to see what they were looking at. Without a moment of hesitation, a wide smile appeared on his face, and he slowly approached the mare.

"Rainbow..." He begun.

"Thunder, don't." Rainbow Dash stopped him.

"What? W-why?" Thunder's smile dropped into a frown of concern.

"Because...we haven't done this yet." Rainbow smiled and hugged him tightly, tearing up simultaneously.

Thunder smiled again and hugged her back, tighter than he's ever hugged her before.

A massive "Aww" swept across the crowd of guards and other ponies as the two embraced, followed by a wave of clapping and cheering from most of the ponies. Behind them, Night Shadow, Blitz, and Stormfire hoofbumped, giving each other manly hugs, even pulling Shining Armor embarrassingly into one.

Thunder opened his eyes after a minute of embracing his marefriend, noticing a familiar stallion with a mane just like Rainbow Dash behind the mare. He was smiling and nodding, wiping tears out of his eyes. Rainbow Dash pulled back from Thunder and turned around, smiling brighter and tearing up, running into her father's hooves.

"Daddy!" She cried for joy, hugging Rainbow Blaze tightly.

"Oh, sweetie. I love you so much." Blaze cried for joy as well, pulling Thunder into the hug as well.

Later that day, I got my wing bandaged up, as well as my hooves, and finally got some rest. I must admit, it was the best rest I've had in years. The revolutionists were given back their right minds, after being mind controlled by the Alicorn Amulet, which was fished out of the castle ruins and destroyed for good. Forty-two guards died that day, as well as five more civilians who fought back. It has been put in the record book as the largest war Equestria has ever seen since the Lunar revolt a thousand years back. A month later, I received the worst news I've heard since my parents' deaths, and whatever else really bad that happened in my earlier life. This is my final entry, before I start my new diary of life. I will someday give this to my children...well, if I ever have children.

Until next time, Diary, until next time...

Shining Iron Armor

The following day of the guard fight that took place at the Canterlot City Arena, a few royal guards took Thunderblast to celebrate his victory, as well as his promotion. A few other ponies also swarmed Thunder, most of them having seen him on TV. He made a few new friends that night, and he felt great that not only did he surpass his own expectations in fighting, but he also took a step up in his life, and is just a few days away from living his dream.

Thunder and his new royal guard friends sat down at a bar restaurant in Downtown Canterlot, which was packed with ponies. They were immediately given a table, a typical treat for those who fought, or were there to attend and watch on the day of the fight.

"So, Thunder. How does it feel to be a guard now?" Steel Shield, a dark grey unicorn sitting across from Thunderblast asked.

"It feels great," Thunder replied, smiling. "I honestly didn't expect any of what happened yesterday to actually happen."

"Neither did we, but what did happen was amazing. You completely changed the future of the royal guard fights, bro," a large white muscular pegasus stallion by the name of Titan Tank said.

"Well, I couldn't just kill Spear, even though the way he's treated me for the last two years," Thunderblast responded, taking a sip of his soda.

"We know. You did the right thing. I think everypony can agree," Steel said, looking down at his menu.

"Thanks guys," Thunder said, smiling. "And thank you for all the support out there."

"Anything for a friend," Titan said, smiling back at Thunder.

After they had dinner, they each went back to their barracks at the castle, which coincidentally were right next to each other.

When Thunderblast got back to his barrack, he walked in, and stopped at the door and looked around.

It was empty. Emptier than normal. Was he missing something or somepony?

"Shining," he mumbled to himself, sighing and remembering his friend was beaten out of his mind the day before.

Thunder laid down on his bed, belly up, and stared at the bottom of Shining Armor's bunk, leaving the covers off of himself. He then turned over facing the wall, and slowly fell asleep, thinking to himself that tomorrow, he will have changed yet again.

After what felt like just a few minutes, and at times a few hours, Thunderblast rose out of his bed slowly, not sleeping well that night, and stretched. He turned and sat on the edge of his bed, zoning out almost immediately after, and staring at the door across the room, not flinching one bit.

Suddenly, the door opened, and his ear twitched, snapping him out of his trance.

"G'Morning, Thunder!" Rang out the voice of Whiteblade, one of the stallions that saved Thunder from falling uncontrollably during the flight training a while back.

"Ah, good morning!" Thunderblast said, standing up off of his bed.

Whiteblade shut the door behind him and trotted up to Thunder. "I have some news from the captain."

"You do?" Thunder said.

"Yep. He sent me to tell you that training for today is not required unless you want to, and that the only thing you have to do today is pick up your armor," White smiled.

Thunder's eyes widened. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I must just be tired from last night," he said, chuckling.

Whiteblade also chuckled. "Well, Iron also said you may go to the armor fitter any time you want, there's no time set up, but the fitter does know you and Shining Armor are coming."

"But, Shining's in the hospital," Thunder replied.

"Not for much longer, the doctor is sending him back today. His wounds are healing much faster than expected, not to mention the help of a new potion Cadence developed," White smiled.

"That's great! I'll wait for him to come back so we can get our armor. Thanks for letting me know, White," Thunderblast said back.

"Ey, no problem. See you later," Whiteblade said, turning around and trotting out the door.

"Alright, see you," Thunder said, before walking over to a small desk shared by everyone in that barrack, and he pulled out his diary.

Dear Diary,

It's been a long time since I wrote in this old thing, and I have a feeling I won't need it much longer. This was written just a few hours before I can officially call myself a Royal Guard, and I will receive my armor alongside my best friend, Shining Armor. Turns out my worst fears drove me through the fight, and I learned and did things I never thought I could do.

I can't wait to get back to Ponyville to show my family, and my love Rainbow Dash. This will be quite an adventure.

Thunder checked over his writing to make sure everything was the way he thought it all up, then he closed his diary and put it back in his locker under his bed.

Not long after, he went out for a jog around the castle, which was much easier to do than it was two years ago. While doing so, he got a few friendly waves from ponies walking by, and a couple of hoofbumps by some foals. Thunder liked that his troubles of being the doormat of the group was behind him, and that he finally befriended who was before his worst enemy. After his morning jog, he took a shower, feeling quite fresh afterwards. What could go wrong?

BOOM!

A loud crash of thunder rocked the castle, the sound echoing through the tall buildings in the area, amplifying the sound to be louder. Moments later, clouds filled the sky and it started to rain, then ponies scattered for shelter. It wasn't a normal drizzle either, you could compare it to a monsoon.

"Darn it, I thought it was supposed to be sunny today!" Shuriken said, running into Thunder's barrack and shutting the door behind him quickly, soaked in rain water.

"Me too. The weather ponies must know something we don't," Thunderblast looked out the window, jumping back when a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky like a giant arm, followed by a loud boom which shook the entire castle.

Not long later, a white unicorn wearing a hoodie jacket and bandages around his hooves ran up to the door and quickly unlocked it, then walked in.

"Wow. What a storm," the unicorn said, shivering slightly before shaking like a dog to dry himself off, then pulling back his hoodie.

"Shining!" Thunderblast shouted, running from the window up to Shining Armor, who put his jacket on a coat rack.

"Thunder!" Shining Armor smiled wide.

"It's great to have you back buddy!" Thunder said, standing in front of the stallion.

"It's great to be back! The doctor wants me to keep these bandages on for a while though, he said my wounds should heal by the end of the week," Shining said.

"That's good. I'm glad it's not worse than we thought it was," Thunder said.

"Me too. So, my uncle told me that you and me are getting our armor today," Shining said back, smiling.

"Yep! I told him what you said about you waiting until I get my armor to get yours, and he arranged that we get our armor together." Thunderblast replied.

"Awesome! When should we go?" Shining asked.

"When the storm clears up, if not when it calms down slightly," Thunder said, walking over to the window and looking out at the sheets of rain flying by the window, as well as some trees bending in different directions from the high winds.

"Alright. Hopefully that'll be soon," Shining said, coming over to the window and looking out with Thunder.

Out of their luck, the storm raged on for another hour, and they finally decided to just go to the armor fitter, despite the deteriorating weather.

"Aaaagh, I hate the rain!" Thunder yelled, running through the rain, getting pelted in the face and eye many times by hard, cold rain drops.

The winds did not help much either, and it slowed them down on a walk that would normally take ten minutes, instead it took almost twenty, just to get to the side of the castle where the fitter is located. They made it into the castle, and a guard offered them a towel to dry themselves off, to avoid leaving a wet and muddy trail through the castle. After drying off, they walked casually to the northwest side of the castle, and down into the lower parts where the dungeons are located. A pretty funny place to put an armor fitter, but they didn't mind at all.

"Ah, Thundahblast aynd Shinin' Ahmor," Said a brown unicorn stallion in the armor fitter room, who was the fitter himself. He had an accent similar to Thunder's family back in Ponyville.

"Oh, uh, hello. Are you-"

"Metal Forger? Yes siree ah am," The stallion replied, finishing Thunder's sentence. "Are yah here ta get yer armor?"

"Yes sir, we are," Shining Armor said.

"Aaaalrighty, come with me!" Metal Forger said, leading them to a back room, lined with shelves with golden and dark blue helmets, golden for the day guards, dark blue for the night guards, as well as the main armor pieces in both colors, and hoof guards.

"Woah," Thunder gasped, looking at the different assortments of armor, then just before he took another step, Forger set down golden armor in front of Thunderblast.

"Go ahead, trah it on!" He said, sitting down on a stool.

Thunderblast put on the main armor piece, which was much bigger than him, and would most likely fit a stallion the size of Iron Armor. He tried on the helmet, which slipped down over his face, and the hair piece was plain white. Then, Thunder tried on the hoof guards, which did not fit to his hooves at all. In fact, every time he lifted his hoof, they stayed on the ground.

"Uh, these don't fit at all, sir," Thunder said, looking at himself.

"Hold on, just give it a minute. The magic inside of it will fit to yer shape," Forger said.

A moment later, the armor glowed a bright yellow, and slowly it conformed to Thunder's shape.

"Whoa!" Thunderblast yelped in surprise.

"Easy, it's just fitting to yer size. It'll also most lahkly change yer coat and mane color too," Forger grinned, helping Shining Armor into his set of armor.

Thunder closed his eyes, getting a sense of fear that his coat and mane colors changing will be painful in some way. Suddenly, everything went calm. He opened his eyes, and the armor was fit onto him perfectly. The helmet sat on his head neatly, the main armor piece fit to his body and was slightly warm from his body heat, and his hoof guards stuck to his hooves like they should, almost like glue.

"Woah... Thunder?" Shining Armor said, looking at the stallion in awe.

"W-what color am I?" Thunder stuttered, afraid to look at himself.

"Grey..." Forger's eyes widened, also staring at Thunder.

"Eye color?" Thunder asked.

"Same as before... Blue," Shining said.

"M-mane?" Thunder stuttered.

"Black..." They both said.

"What?" Thunderblast said, turning and looking at himself in a mirror. "Oh my gosh..."

"Yer armor....Ah don't understayund. It should have changed yer coat and mane!" Forger said, checking Thunder out.

"I don't understand either... Did the magic fail?" Thunder asked.

"No, Thunder," Shining said.

"What is it then?" Thunder asked, still looking at himself in the mirror.

"My uncle told me a while back, when I asked why royal guards were all white and grey, he told me that's because the magic in the armor changes their coat and manes to colors. It's like a camouflage, it's to prevent assassinations I guess, but he also told me that very rarely, the armor chooses to leave some stallions' manes and coats alone. It only does that to guards that the magic thinks are special," Shining explained.

"Special? I'm not special. Am I?" Thunder said, checking himself out.

"You're special to me, buddy," Shining Armor replied, smiling.

"Thanks, Shining. But I don't mean that kind of special," smiled Thunderblast.

"Oh, well... I don't know. Only time will tell," Shining said. "I must say though, you look pretty good in that armor."

"You think so?" Thunder asked, looking at Shining through the mirror and smiling.

"Yep," Shining replied.

"Ah think ya look good too, Thundah," Forger said. "Yah both look good."

Thunder then turned and looked at Shining, who's coat did not change as it was already white, but his mane also stayed the same.

"Wow, you look great Shining!" Thunder said to Shining, smiling at him.

"Thanks. Now I really am Shining Armor!" He said, and they all chuckled.

After leaving the armor fitter, they headed back to their barrack to show off their armor, which got them slightly popular in theirs and the barracks to the left and right of theirs.

Dear Diary,

This is it. I'm a changed stallion. I am no longer a trainee or a recruit, but I am now Private Thunderblast of the Royal Guard. I received my armor, and I also found that due to my armor not changing my coat or mane, but instead fitting to it, I might have something greater in store for the future. According to Shining Armor and his uncle, mane and coats staying the same while wearing armor means the magic embed in the armor has chosen you to be somepony special in the future. Only time will tell, but for now, i'm excited for my future.

Two Years Later

While Thunderblast, Spear, a new guard named Stormfire, and a couple of others were talking in their barrack, Shining Armor opened the door slowly and walked in. Something was not right.

"Hey Shining, what's wrong?" Blue Skye asked.

"N-nothing," Shining Armor replied, walking by slowly to his bed with fear stamped all over his face.

"Something is wrong. What is it?" Spear stood up and walked over to Shining.

Shining then collapsed just before reaching the bed, breaking his fall with Thunder's bed.

"Whoa, are you okay?" Thunderblast asked, running over with Spear and Blue to Shining, helping him onto the bed.

"I-I'm fine. Really," Shining cracked a small smile, that everyone could easily see through.

"I can sense you're lying, Shining. Tell us what's wrong," Shuriken said, trotting up behind Thunder and Storm.

Tears built up in Shining Armor's eyes, then he lowered his head and started to cry slightly.

"My uncle..." He started.

"Iron Armor? What happened?" They all asked.

"He collapsed and hit his head on his desk. They think he had a heart attack or something," Shining cried.

"A heart attack?!" Storm's eyes widened, turning and looking at the others.

"Yeah... He's fine now, but they don't think he's in the condition to lead," Shining said, crying a little bit more.

"But, who's going to lead?"

Shining sighed. "Me."

Then, a collective gasp filled the room.

"That's right... You told me a few years back that Iron would make you captain once he couldn't go on any longer," Thunderblast said, scratching his chin.

"Yep," Shining sighed. "I don't want to be captain yet. I want to work my way up to it, not get promoted from a Corporal to Captain of the whole Royal Guard."

"Shining... Even if you are the next leader of the guards, I'm sure you'll do great," Spear said, resting his hoof on Shining Armor's shoulder.

"You guys really think so?" Shining looked up at them, wiping a tear away.

"Mmmhmm," they all said in unison, Shining smiled.

"Thanks guys..." Shining said.

"I, Shining Armor," Princess Celestia started, reading a large book in front of her, standing in front of Shining Armor, who was being sworn in.

"I, Shining Armor," Shining Armor repeated.

"Take responsibility of Captain of the Royal Guard," Celestia stopped.

"Take responsibility of Captain of the Royal Guard," Shining repeated again.

"And swear on my life that I."

"And swear on my life that I," Shining repeated yet again.

"Will defend my friends and family from harm and chaos," Celestia stopped.

"Will defend my friends and family from harm and chaos," Shining repeated.

Princess Celestia then smiled at Shining Armor.

"Congratulations Shining Armor. You are now Captain of the Royal Guard," she smiled, and everyone in the room, royal guards and a few others, clapped their hooves and cheered, as Princess Celestia lit up her horn, and in a bright flash, Shining Armor was wearing the Captain's armor, which was different from his uncles when he was Captain.

"Thank you, your highness," Shining happily said, bowing his head to her.

After being sworn in, Shining Armor walked out of the castle to find Royal Guards lined up on both sides of the sidewalk, and immediately threw up a salute, which appeared as a wave as he walked down the aisle of guards, including Thunderblast, Spear, Stormfire, and the others.

A new era of the Royal Guard had begun.

Suspicious Friendships

"Aw man, I hope I'm not late."

Thunderblast flew at a quick pace over the Everfree towards his home town of Ponyville, where he was running slightly late to meet up with his marefriend's step-brother. Today was one of his shorter shifts, so he could make it to town before the sun set around seven-thirty. Lucky for him, it stayed daylight long enough until he saw the lights of the small town, before landing in the square, outside of town hall. His journey wasn't over yet, as he still had to find Light Assassin's house, which from what he could remember, was located outside of town on the lake beach. Once again, lucky for him, there was a newly-built path that lead to the beach, which he followed under the constant darkening of the dusk sky. After a couple of minutes, he saw house lights just ahead.

"This must be the place," Thunder continued down the path towards the house.

He stopped at the door and knocked, like any good pony would, and waited.

"Who is it?!" A voice yelled from inside, most likely coming from the second floor.

Thunder then decided to mess with the stallion, and cleared his throat. "It's the Royal Guard! Open up!" He acted in a slightly gruff voice.

The door then opened, and Thunderblast was met with a blade in the stallion's hoof.

"Get off of m- Oh hi Thunder...um...sorry about that," The stallion said, tossing the blade over to the side.

"Uh, what are you doing pointing knives at guards?" Thunder said, his head recoiled back from the blade being pointed at him moments ago.

"That's...uh..."

*DING*

"Cookies are ready!" The grey pegasus said, quickly darting into the kitchen, avoiding Thunderblast's question. "Come on in, have a seat!"

Thunderblast entered the house and looked around for the living room, shutting the front door behind him and turning to his right, where a slightly modern living room set up sat. He then sat down on the couch, scanning the room around him to make sure this wasn't some sort of trap.

"He kills royal guards," Thunder mentally murmured, remembering what Diesel said about two weeks earlier.

After completely scanning over the room, a calming sense fell down his spine that nothing bad was waiting for him, allowing his muscles to ease gently.

What felt like forever due to some instant boredom the stallion picked up, but in reality was three minutes, Light Assassin cantered out of the kitchen with a plate of cookies on his back, and set it down on the coffee table in front of them, before sitting on the recliner to Thunder's right side.

"So, Thunder. Tell me a bit more about you, and please, help yourself," Light Assassin smiled, eating one of the cookies.

"Ah, thank you," Thunderblast smiled back, picking one up and biting into the warm cookie. "Well, as you know, I'm in a relationship with Rainbow Dash...I have been since my early guard days."

"Oh really now?" Light took another bite of his cookie. "I had no idea."

Thunder nodded and finished his cookie. "We had a conflict a little while back that would have destroyed our relationship. I found out she had been spending time with a Wonderbolt for about a year."

"What Wonderbolt?" Light swallowed the rest of the cookie, now eying Thunder.

"Soarin. He's with Spitfire now."

"Oh, good," Light then sat back into the recliner, releasing some tension from his body.

"Ever since then, we've kind of been talking about one of us moving closer. The problem is I can't really go anywhere," Thunder said, sitting back.

"I see," Light then picked up another cookie. "Do you enjoy being a Royal Guard?"

"Eh, yeah, I guess. The job does get boring on some days. Then again, it's not like we really want anything big to happen. Y'know, like when the changelings attacked last year. That was just plain horrible," Thunder looked down at his hooves in some embarrassment.

Light chuckled, despite having half of a chewed-up cookie in his mouth, then quickly swallowed. "I take it you do night shifts too sometimes?"

"Yeah, I do. How'd you know?" Thunder looked back up at the stallion.

"Most guards have night shifts." Light fiddled with his hooves. "I travel to Canterlot often, mostly since I do raves in cities from time to time, so I should know."

"You're a traveling DJ? Heh, I had no idea," Thunderblast smiled some. He had always wondered where the city-shaking music came from. Now he knew.

"Yup! Oh, silly me. Would you like anything to drink? I've got cider," Light stood up.

"No thank you, I don't like to drink. But uh, where is the bathroom? My stomach feels strange," Thunder winced at the slight pain in his stomach, most likely the cookies not setting right with what he had eaten just before his shift ended.

"Upstairs, go left, first door on the right," Light trotted into the kitchen, then poured himself some cider.

Thunderblast stood up and trotted up the stairs, following Light's directions. After doing his business, he went to go downstairs, but noticed Light's bedroom, as well as the edge of a table which seemed to have blueprints on it.

"Huh?" He slowly entered the room, feeling guilty for walking into somepony's room without prior permission. But, he had a strange feeling crawl up his spine. Thunder completely entered, now able to get a complete look at the blueprints. They were for a new castle.

"To be built on top of the remains of Ponyville..." He read the notes on a separate piece of paper. "What are you planning, Light?" He said to himself.

Shortly after getting somewhat of an idea that the stallion was in fact in the stages of planning something big, he stood and turned to the door. Before he could walk out, he saw Light Assassin standing there with a blank expression on his face, causing him to jump slightly.

"What are you doing?" Light asked.

"Uh...um...nothing," Thunder's pupils shrunk a bit, knowing he had been caught.

"Why are you spying on my stuff?" Light growled, slowly approaching Thunder.

"I-I'm not!" Thunder replied, backing away some.

The grey stallion stopped before stepping any further, and cocked an eyebrow. "Alright then," Light then turned around and walked out into the hallway, then trotted downstairs, with Thunderblast following close behind.

Light trotted into the kitchen, while Thunder sat back down on the couch, staring down some in a deep thought, before it was interrupted by a cup appearing almost in front of his face, causing him to jump again.

"Here, just try some cider. It's really good!" Light smiled.

Thunder took the cup hesitantly. "Thank you," He smiled back lightly, taking a sip of the cider.

Light then sat down, drinking some of his cider.

"You're right, this is good cider," Thunder was surprised about how the cider tasted, and it only took him a few minutes to finish it.

Light watched the stallion drink the cider the whole time, causing Thunder's irises to shrink slightly once again, but he quickly calmed. Somehow, the cider seemed to have soothed him to not worrying about anything. Soon after however, he begun to feel drowsy.

"Hey Light?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you put something in that cider?" Thunder yawned. "I feel tired."

"Nope... Just lay down, take a nap, I don't mind," Light smirked in a sinister way, causing Thunder to feel uneasy for a brief moment, before suddenly passing out on the spot.

"Wakey, wakey Thunder."

"Augh.."

Thunderblast opened his eyes, squinting them a few times prior to his vision completely returning. His mind was in a complete fog, and memory of just before he passed out was completely gone, which lead to a new question.

"Where am I?" Thunder's eyes hung open barely, he was still tired.

"Same place, Thunder," Light said, followed by a slightly insane laugh.

"Wha?" Thunder tried to sit up, but something stopped him. He looked to his side and saw his hooves were tightly tied to the bed he was laying on.

"Don't even try to sit up. I know what you saw, buddy," Light spoke in a serious voice, trotting over to the same table Thunder investigated earlier.

"Saw what?" Thunder lifted his head up, briefly pulling at his bonds while the stallion looked away.

"Don't lie to me. Tell me everything you saw," Light turned to face Thunder, a sharpened hunting knife now in his hoof.

Thunder's eyes met the knife being held in the grey pegasus' hoof, gulping at the sight of how sharp it was.

"You're not gonna use that on a guard, now are you?" Thunder smirked.

"I might if you don't tell me everything," Light smirked back insanely.

Thunder's smirk faded into a near-frown. "How about you tell me everything first?"

"I don't think that's any of your business," Light moved closer to the bed. "Now, tell me everything you saw."

"Or what?" Thunder glared up at Light.

Light then grabbed Thunder's right hoof, stripping it off his hoof guard, and setting the knife facing down against the skin.

"Or you'll be seeing your hoof on TV at the Manehattan Hockey Arena," Light replied, before slitting his hoof. "I will let you go if you explain."

"Gah!" Thunder yelped in pain, as his hoof bled a little. The cut wasn't too deep, but still enough to drip blood. He shut his eyes tightly for a moment, before reopening them.

"Tell me what you saw damn it!" Light shouted.

"Fine!" Thunder squirmed into a more comfortable position, where his head and his shoulders sat up despite being tightly bondaged down. "I saw those blueprints...about a castle. Why is it positioned dead center over Ponyville?"

"Is that all?" Light cleaned the blood off of his knife.

"Yes." Thunder spoke truthfully.

"Good, you didn't see it a-." Light stopped himself. "It's my new castle."

"I can see that. Why is it over every building in town?" Thunder continued staring at Light Assassin.

"Where else would I put it?" Light turned to face Thunder.

"Um, the Everfree?" Thunder sarcastically suggested.

"Why there, when I can put it right in my own back yard?" Light smirked, trotting back over to Thunder and putting a wet cloth over the cut he created.

Thunderblast winced in pain again and bit his lip.

"Quit being a wimp, guards don't whimper in pain," Light said, putting pressure on the cut.

"What is it you are planning, Light?" Thunder looked back up at the stallion, who's shades had fallen down some, revealing his eyes to be red, before Light pushed them back into their rightful position on his face.

"Not what I'm planning, what the master is planning," Light smiled insanely, before delivering a swift punch to Thunder's muzzle, causing him to yelp.

Thunder moved his jaw around to make sure Light hadn't broken it, before yanking on his hooves in an attempt to free himself from Light's trap.

"I always thought you were smart enough not come by my house, you had to have known I would do this to you sooner or later, right?" Light picked up his knife again.

Thunder continued to struggle against the ropes, before the knife suddenly pressed against his throat, causing him to stop.

"A-actually...I wouldn't have guessed," Thunder stared at Light, gulping again.

The knife pressed further against Thunder's throat. "Wow, that's surprising. Why else would I move out away from town?" Light then moved the knife away and sheathed it under his wing, trotting around his bed and over to the window, staring out at the lights of Ponyville. "The day is almost here, my friend. It's a shame you won't be around to see it."

"I thought you said you would let me go if I explained, which I did," Thunder stared at Light.

Light Assassin turned and faced Thunder once more. "I lied," He smirked.

Thunder rolled his eyes. "Of course," he struggled against the ropes some more.

As Light walked over to stab Thunder again, the doorbell rang.

"Ugh! I'll be back... Don't go anywhere," he winked, before flying downstairs.

Thunder waited until he was gone, then managed to reach his hoof into his armor for his combat knife, which he grabbed and quickly cut the ropes off of him, before quietly opening the window and flying out.

As Light trotted back in, he noticed the ropes being cut, then looked out his open window. Thunderblast hid himself in a cloud near Light's house, and flew out when he saw Light shut his window.

"I'll find you again, Thunder," Light then picked up a grey feather Thunder accidentally left on his bed, before smirking again.

Epilogue

"Sergeant Thunderblast?"

"Yes sir?"

"Captain Armor wishes to have a word with you. It is very important that you see him at once."

Thunder sighed. "I wonder what's wrong now..."

He trotted to the Captain's office, and walked up to the door which was...open?

Shining Armor noticed Thunder at the door through the open part, and smiled. "Ah, Thunder. Come in!"

Thunderblast trotted in and stopped, standing at attention.

"Before you salute, at ease soldier," Shining chuckled.

Thunder's muscles eased, and he walked up to the unicorn's desk. "You wanted to speak with me, sir?"

"Yes. I wanted to talk to you about something very important. Something about the next step of your career in the Royal Guard." Shining shut the door with his magic, putting his hooves together.

"Oh boy..." "Yes, sir?"

"You have reached a point where you are able to move on to becoming one of the higher ranks of the Royal Guard. You've been a sergeant for over a year now, am I correct?" Shining stared at the stallion with a bit of a smile on his face.

"Yes sir, I believe so," Thunder replied, staring back at Shining Armor.

"Well, as you know, everypony who makes it this far must be transferred into the military...and," Shining sighed. "I must transfer you to Manehattan...to begin your military training."

"...What?" Thunder's irises shrunk to pinpricks.

"You heard me. You have no choice either, Thunderblast," Shining stared at the stallion with a blank expression.

Thunder sighed. "I see. When do I leave?"

"November 3rd. Three weeks from now."

"How long am I supposed to be gone, sir?" Thunder gulped, his hooves trembling.

"It depends, anywhere from four months to a year. If you do well, you'll be home before May. If you do okay, or not well, you'll be home a year from then. I guarantee you, you will be a whole new stallion when you come back."

Author's Note

And, there it is. The final part to Under the Moonlight.

After four months, it is finally done!

*Massive sigh of relief*

I hope you enjoyed it!