Chapter One - The Adventure
Beaming through the window, the sun poured over everything in the room and told me I was late. I threw the covers off of my bed and slammed my hooves onto the floor. I had to get my armor on fast and get down to the training fields. I had been running late for the past few weeks and the commander’s patience was growing thin with me.
I pulled on my helmet and fastened the clasps on my body armor as I ran out the door. The halls were empty, they usually were by this time of the day. The occasional soldier came back to their bunks to get something every now and then, but no one was caught here with the sun up. Then again, no one else was like me. I had the top grades in the academy, I nearly beat anyone who challenged me to a race, and I am so charismatic that no one has ever told me no.
I finally got to the exit and stepped outside. The sun blinded me at first, but I adjusted to it fast. Being up in the sky all day gets your eyes used to this kind of radiant light almost immediately. I took off into the sky. It would take a lot longer to trot all the way there. The air was cool and the clouds were sparse, making it easy to see my destination from a high enough distance. With my target in sight I started to descend. Touching my hooves to the ground, I was immediately greeted by my friends.
“Vaunt, really? The commander is starting to veer his anger towards you, on us.” The rusty red pegasus explained.
“The commander already put us through the exercises three times this morning. He hasn’t even explained what todays mission is going to be.” complained the green unicorn.
They stood facing me in an impenetrable wall. The red one’s name is Prate Merit, he and I go back to before the academy. We used to be each other’s only friends, until Stately joined our group. Prate likes to talk, a lot. He could go on talking about nothing for days. While on the other hoof, Stately says little. When he does talk its straight to the point. Stately is a green unicorn with an amazing talent for pointing out what nobody else sees. Hanging out with our little group has gotten him to come out of his shell lately, and he has been able to talk to other ponies recently.
“But really, what have you got to say for yourself? You’re gonna have to shape up if we’re going to extinguish the resistance.” Prate slammed his right hoof down the moment he said ‘extinguish’.
“They aren’t exactly just sitting around waiting for us to attack. They are training and they will attack us first.” said Stately a little aggravated.
A voice from beyond the two ponies interrupted, “And it is our duty to be ready to sacrifice all of our being to protect the ones we love.”
As he walked closer, and my friends parted and gave a salute. The pale blue unicorn, in fancy golden armor, proudly walked by. Fixing his gaze directly into my soul, he screamed, “Where were you!”
“Sleeping in, sir!” I replied while putting my hoof up to salute. I could practically see the anger surrounding him.
He stared at me a moment longer then dropped his head and sighed. “Vaunt, I know you have the best test scores and records in the entire academy. I also know that when it comes down to it you get the job done.”
“Thank you sir! But-“
“No no, let me finish. I know I can count on you. But you make me look like a fool in front of the other ponies…”
He looked back at the ponies still doing their exercises “and besides I can’t start the missions until I’ve accounted for everyone.”
“I meant to just skip practice, sir.”
“I know, but the others are questioning your privileges. You knew that if anyone were to question them you would lose them…”
He looked back at me. “Vaunt, you must now arrive at the time everyone else does.”
Noticing my hoof still up he said, “At ease soldier.” Then he looked at the other two and said the same thing.
“I’m sorry Vaunt but-“
“It’s okay, sir. Those were the rules.”
Prate burst in “So wait, if it was okay for Vaunt to miss morning practice!?! Why couldn’t we do the same, I mean we are in his squad.”
The commander glared at the outspoken pony. After realizing his fault Prate yelled out, “Sir! Sorry sir.”
The commander spoke, “Hmph good, it was a privilege given to our top student…as long as it didn’t bother any other ponies. But enough about this, you have your order Vaunt and now it is time to give your squad your mission for the day.”
The other ponies walked over to both sides of me.
“There has been a disturbance near Macintosh Hills. You will meet with our off duty officer down there, he will give you the details. His name is Horkos, he is… a, special officer.”
He shook his head as if bothered by the thought of Horkos and continued, “You’ll see when you meet him. Anyway you are to try and solve this problem before the sun sets and teleport back to report to me. If the mission will require more than you three, come back to me immediately. Do not attempt to ask Horkos for further assistance.”
“Is Horkos dangerous,… sir?” asked a cautious Prate.
“Not exactly, he’s just different and we need to conserve his energy for the final fight.”
“Ah I see, thank you sir.” Replied Prate.
“Good, then do you understand your mission Vaunt?” the commander said turning his full attention to me.
“Yes I do sir.” I replied.
“Well excellent then, I’ll see you later then. Good luck boys.”
We all saluted as he walked away. Stately broke the silence when the commander was far enough off.
“So, when do we leave?”
I replied, “Soon, but I gotta get a snack before we go…”
***
We walked up to the statue like usual. It was a stone unicorn with a fancy, pointy, wizard hat and piercing eyes. She was one of the four; but more specifically, the dark mage, Striga. She controlled all non-healing magic.
Stately nodded his head for me to give the signal. I started the ritual. Little did I know this one mission would change my life forever. I, as Vaunt Voyager, would never be the same.
“All set!”
They both nodded their heads at me.
“Yes sir!” exclaimed Prate.
I spoke slowly and clearly, “Command: teleport, Destination: Macintosh Hills.”
The statues eyes beamed green and whisked us away to our destinies.
