A tan Pegasus flew rapidly glancing up at the setting sun nervously, if he was late again the commander would definitely have a fit. He knew he shouldn't have flew above the Everfree forest, and he was right. He went inside a thunderstorm, A big one at that. He got disoriented inside and when he finally got out he was way off course and had to push himself to get back on time. Much to his dismay Celestia finally set the sun, casting Equestria into darkness until Luna would raise the moon. He landed with a soft thud and trotted quickly to the guards entrance where an angry looking unicorn stood tapping his hoof. "Late again. Oh Fleet, whatever are we going to do with you." He said slowly as if enjoying Fleet's discomfort, which he probably was.
"Sir, I swear it won't happen-" He started.
"No, it won't happen again or you are gone. You understand? Good, you have patrol duty tonight, alone. Alright then get suited up. Your dismissed." Fleet huffed a sigh before walking to the Armory.
He pulled on each strap making sure that each was properly secured into place. The armory was as quiet as death and Nopony was around.
"I bucking hate patrol." He muttered aloud. He walked outside of the castle to start his punishment for the night.
Nothing was considerably out of place. The trees were still trees, Luna still rose the moon into the night sky. But Fleets favorite part was the stars. He felt like each one has a different story. If only he could figure them out.
He leaned against a wall resting his legs for only a moment. The wind kicked up rustling the leaves in the trees for a moment, Fleet looked up at the stars again. He knew if he wasn't a Pegasus his Cutie Mark would be something about stars. His attention was ripped away from the twinkling lights when he saw a shadow fly past in the corner of his eye. He walked quietly in the direction he thought he had seen the figure go.
"Anypony there?" He called out into the darkness that surrounded the trees. A twig snapped. "I know your in there. Show yourself!" A grey stallion stepped out, his coat was spotted with blood. A gash was cut into his side leading from his flank to his shoulder.
"If that is deep he won't last very long." Fleet thought to himself. "What happened? Are you ok?" The new comer answered by coughing blood. "Oh buck!" Rushing forward to catch him before he fell. "Come on. . . Let's get you some help. ." He dragged the now unconscious pony into the castle while shouting for help.
"He's fine." The doctor said sitting next to Fleet. "Just a minor cut. Some lacerations but other than that he's fine. What happened?" Fleet shrugged.
"I found him after he landed. I wonder what a Pegasus was doing out there at this time of night anyway." The doctor gave a confused look.
"You didn't notice? Well this pony is definitely not a Pegasus."
The doctor stood gesturing for him to follow.
"How could he have been flying if he isn't a Pegasus?" The doctor lit a candle and walked forward in silence. They walked into a room that was completely dark except for the light that was given off by the candle. Against the farthest back wall sat a bed surrounded by curtains.
"He hasn't woken up yet." The doctor explained. Then he pulled back the curtain and Fleet gasped in shock.
"How didn't I notice that?" He thought to himself. The stallion in front of him had wings but they weren't like a normal Pegasus. They were darker than his coat and were folded against his side. "They look like bat wings." Fleet stated. And they truly did look like bat wings. Fleet could slightly see the veins through the thin membrane.
The sleeping stallion shifted slightly then woke up. He rubbed his hooves against his eyes. "Whe-where am I?" He said with difficulty. The doctor took this as his cue and stepped forward.
"Your in the medical wing of the royal castle. You were found injured in the forest nearby. Can you remember what injured you?" A dark look came across his face.
"I wish I couldn't. . " He turned to Fleet, "Who are you?"
"My name is Fleeting Wind I am a Royal Guard." The strange stallion eyed him wearily.
"My name is BlueBerry Pie. You can call me Blue.. I was attacked. .s-so I flew as fast as I could. I don't remember much just flying and crashing through a tree. ." The doctor spoke up,
"Are you a Pegasus?" This made Blue mad.
"Do I look like a Bucking Pegasus?!" He yelled. The doctor shrunk away with his ears down.
"What are you then?" This caused him to stop and think for a moment.
"I-...... I don't know. I have always been different than the others Colts in my village. Lily was the only one who really accepted me. . ." Then he suddenly looked as if he had just remembered something important, He pushed the thin blanket off of himself. "I have-to-go. ."He said struggling to his hooves.
"Your not going anywhere! Your still hurt!" But still he persisted.
"I have to. . .Lily." a tear came to his eye. "I have to see her again- I just have to. ." He struggled against the two stallions blocking his path. "Please. ." He suddenly lost his strength collapsing where he stood, Fleet caught him before he hit the ground
"When will he be able to leave?" The doctor sighed.
"When his wounds have healed. We should leave, he needs his rest." Fleet looked back at the sleeping stallion.
"Why are you here?" He thought to himself.
The door clicked as it shut. "Fleet go sleep, I will tell Swift that you have done your job tonight"
"Swift?" Fleet asked confused.
"Your commanding officer. Swift Wish." He said rolling his eyes. "I must bid you farewell, I have patients to attend to." With that the Doctor walked away humming quietly to himself. Fleet trotted quickly down the hall towards the armoury more than eager to get out of his armour and relax for the rest of the night. The room was quiet like it usually is when he was in here. He threw the armour into his Chest, locking it before he left.
Every night after he was done doing whatever it is that he was assigned that night, Fleet would drink cider while watching the Sun rise. He has done this for years, even before he joined the guard. His mother always scolded him.
"Fleeting Wind!" She would yell. "How do you stay up like this? You haven't slept at all for three days, there is no way that this is healthy." He laughed at the memory, He could understand why she wasn't surprised at his decision to join the guard.
Fleet snapped out of his reverie when a light on the horizon caught his attention.
"Here we go . ." He murmured to himself. He never understood why he's done this for so long, but he's also never really questioned it. When the light began to hurt his eyes, he stood and walked to his bed. Without any words he flopped onto his side, sleep finding him instantly.
