Redemption

I find myself deep in thought as I follow after Luna. What do I know? There's some kind of perception altering affect on my wings, maybe more, it seems to twist the way everypony sees me.

After examining my memories of the various locations I'd been today, I can't see it being a spell cast on me, unless I was slipping big time. I don't have any odd objects in my possession, just two articles of clothing and a knife, so I don't think it's totemic in nature. Now, I do have more 'emotional' energy right now than I think I've ever had before, it's a pleasant experience to not be several weeks shy of emotional starvation.

I'm shaken from my thoughts by our arrival at what turns out to be a private dining room. The guards open the doors and Luna walks right in, I follow as well narrowing my eyes in the light. Obviously, not all of the palace is left unlighted. “Question, why was so much of the palace unlit?” I ask.

Luna shrugs. “Why not? Our Night-Guard has no need of artificial light sources, moonlight through the various windows this palace has a multitude of suffices quite handily. Now, the public sections are still lit, as are many of the servant's area's such as the kitchens, but elsewhere, there's no point, and We find it a pleasant change,” she responds.

I nod my head, I could see the pros and the cons to that setup, but I didn't particularly care either way, so yeah. “Okay, I didn't see any unicorns casting spells. I have no totems, nor do I have the knowledge of runes to do something like this,” I report.

Luna looks at me with a bemused smile. “We're not worried about that so long as it doesn't compromise security. Our Night-Guard was not aware of your presence at our sister's behest. But since thou art officially a member of Our Night-Guard, that shall be rectified,” She says smugly, obviously I missed something along the way, or it's an inside joke. She takes a seat at the head of the table and smiles back at me as I stand in place uncomfortably. “Well? Wilst thou have a seat?” She asks.

Blinking, I do as she requests, ignoring the death-glares her guard gives me as I sit only a few seats down from her. “What would you have me do, Your Majesty?” I ask, she makes a disgusted face.

“Well for starters, do not call us...me that. My name is Luna, and so few are willing to use that name it's rather an annoyance,” She states evenly, I bow my head respectfully.

“It will take a bit of time to deal with my training in that regard, but I shall try to do so, m-Luna,” I say with only the barest sign of a slip-up. Something I'm rather proud of since I was trained to NEVER use names with anyone but my 'handler', and that was only in private. And private this is not, I let my eyes wander the walls, noting ornamental screens that could house multiple unicorns, and I would never know it until they struck.

“Next, I'm rather hungry, apparently, some yellow eyed demon accosted our dear Prince Blueblood, so we were too busy sweeping the castle in search of said creature to eat before it was time to change the day to night. But now, with that 'monster' found and taken care of, I intend to rectify that, speaking of which,” She trails off as a servant pony enters and walks to Luna's side, obviously to take her order.

At the mention of food, I become aware I could eat, but it's not particularly pressing. So I simply maintain my silence. Luna leaning over to whisper in the servant's ear causes my curiosity to peak, and the servant's eyebrows to climb at whatever Luna is telling her. Nonetheless, the servant then bows, and walks from the room, obviously to deliver the order.

I look at Luna curiously, she just smiles back at me. “So, what have you been doing today, Redemit?” She asks, I nod my head as I set my thoughts in order.

“I've been getting settled in primarily, got my psychological evaluation done, did a little bit of instructing on my gear, apparently you intend to adopt some of my world's tools?” I state curiously.

Luna nods. “Yes, much of your gear is years ahead of everyone else militarily speaking, We haven't had a chance to see how the civilian side is doing, but we expect there will be some advances made there as well,” She states happily, like the cat that got the proverbial cream. “We expect that once we have your 'mobility kits' in widespread use in our armed forces, we shall have a much better position to deal with other countries.”

I tilt my head. “Do you expect any issues?” I ask, and Luna just shakes her head.

“Nay, we don't know of any, but we expect someone will get it in their head they should rule or we insulted their gods or some other silliness of the like,” She states languidly waving her hoof to illustrate the point.

I nod my head slowly. “I actually wanted to speak to you about the training, I have an idea for accelerating the process, but it'll require the use of your domain, plus your help since I'm not a very capable dream-walker compared to you I'm sure,” I state, Luna just stares at me.

“Thou canst walk the path of dreams?” She asks incredulously, I nod my head slowly.

“Yes Ma'am. My Queen trained me, I was in a position to aid her greatly, and anything I learned would be ignored, since I was more of a sideshow freak than an actual intelligent being,” I elaborate, Luna just nods a few times with narrowed eyes as she considers me, which is kinda creepy after about 30 seconds. “Luna?” I ask, she doesn't respond for a few seconds before turning her attention to the ceiling.

I start getting very nervous, afraid I've trespassed somewhere I shouldn't have. “Ma-Luna? I'm sorry, I didn't know, I haven't gone beyond the boundaries of my ow-” She waves a hoof dismissively.

“Nay, do not worry on that Redemit, we are not angered. We just did not believe it was possible for others to walk the path of dreams, at least, we never succeeded in our experiments,” Luna elaborates, her gaze traveling down to me from the ceiling. “We thought it was only our magic that allowed such abilities,” She says while studying me thoughtfully.

I nod my head affirmatively. “It is,” I say, Luna gives me a confused look. “My Queen's magic was the catalyst. She claimed me as her own, and implanted a portion of her magic in me,” I elaborated. “It ensured my loyalty and also gave me certain 'perks', namely my eyes and the ability to access the dream-realm or path or whatever you care to call it.”

Luna narrows her eyes as she considers me silently. “What you speaketh of would be extremely dangerous,” she says. “In fact, We're surprised thou survived with a personality intact,” she continues admiringly, only to falter when I shake my head.

“I barely had one before, and I sure as hell didn't after. When I say she claimed me, I mean it, literally and figuratively. She broke what little remained of that poor creature, then rebuilt me, pulling heavily on my handler's emotions and habits. After what the animals in the labs did to me, the only thing I sought was death, I had nothing to live for, and my existence caused Vine continuous pain.” I elaborate. Needless to say, Luna does not take this well, if the look of terror on her muzzle and the ears pressed flat to her scalp are any indication. I wave my hand trying to placate her.

“Bad times, desperate measures, Ma'am. My Queen was trapped in a tight spot and needed any weapon she could get. She didn't turn me into a puppet, she left my mind my own . . . just gave it a few nudges in the right direction. Loyalty, Kindness, Love, all things I learned to cherish thanks to her, I bear her no ill will, and I ask that you do not as well.” I say respectfully, my eyes begging what my voice does not. “You don't walk away from what I did and retain any true civility. What came before my Queen was naught but a snarling animal that knew nothing but pain and the drive to protect its Alpha, I won't say it was the best course She took, but I am content with it, just as I'm content to serve you in whatever facility you require under the understanding that Vine is kept safe and looked after,” I say with a small smile.

Luna shakes her head silently, I hear a shifting among the guards at the door and glance over them briefly, giving a mirthless grin as I watch them watch me. “Do not antagonize Our Guard, they do what they do out of concern for our life, something you can relate to,” Luna chides, I bow my head respectfully.

“You're right, Princess, I apologize. Old wounds heal slowly,” I say with a rueful smile. Then, in an attempt to lighten the mood, I try to shift the subject. “So, what do you do at night?” I ask, glancing around the room we're in, it's pretty, but obviously just a dining room.

“We hold Night Court. We make ourselves available to listen to petitions or concerns Our subjects desire to bring to Our attention. We also handle certain functions and ceremonies,” she says in a tone bordering on boredom, I smile.

“Not the most exciting?” I ask, she nods.

“Our Night Court is rarely used by our subjects, We spend most of our night doing paperwork or other such tasks,” she states with a large degree of disgust, and a small trace of . . . loneliness?

I blink a few times. “Then why bother?” I ask.

“Because we have always held our Night Court since Our sister and I took the throne,” Luna says in an affronted tone.

I keep my face impassive, this is obviously a sensitive subject, but it's also causing her pain. “And in a generation or two, it will be again, but for now, the current nobility is used to centuries of only one period of activity. Trust me, I lived in constant night for 3 years, Even with court running nonstop most weeks, the nobility generally only came during the same 8-12 hour period, something about trends or like crap,” I wave my hand dismissively. “I'd view this as an advantage, rather than a problem, you've both been separated from each other for a thousand years. You were all alone, you're mental instabilities notwithstanding, but in a way, Celestia had it worse,” Luna opens her mouth angrily, but I hold a placating hand. “No, seriously think about it, there's only one thing she cares about that compares to the stability of her kingdom, and that's you. She not only had to deal with the knowledge that she failed her duties as your sister so terribly she had to imprison you for a thousand years, but she was CONGRADULATED on it, by the mindless little mayflies which are her subjects. I can't begin to imagine the kind of life you must lead, but I think I have an idea.” I say, Luna falls quiet as we both think a moment. “To borrow one of my Handler's analogies, imagine a field, now fill it with weeds, they come, they grow, they get ripped up and are replaced, their impact on the field is minimal, but imagine a tree, growing from a seed into a great oak with deep roots, and heavy moss covered limbs. Now imagine what happens when that tree is ripped up, the damage is immense, and takes YEARS to heal, but will always leave a scar.”

I shake my head. “That's Celestia's heart, I don't know much about the various Element Bearer's genealogy, but from what little I learned from Twilight, her family has been in the royal's favor for a long, long time, several generations at least, now this is just guesswork, but I think Celestia has been planning your return from the harrowing moment she was forced to rip part of herself away to save some mindless insects that probably didn't even realize what she'd paid for their continued miserable short existence.” I snarl.

Luna just stares at the table, tears running down her cheeks, the guards in the room are thankfully silent, I barely hear them breathing. I reach out slowly and rest a hand on Luna's shoulder.

“Now, I can't speak for you, but if my Queen were in your situation, Night Court be damned, she wouldn't leave her sisters side for a few years, I know I wouldn't in her situations. You're night is beautiful, anyone with a brain in use can tell you that, but Celestia's been carrying a burden for a very long time,” I say quietly, my voice growing thick as I fight my own emotions. “My suggestion, hang Night-Court for a few years, go to bed until it's time to raise the sun, it doesn't matter what time you spend awake, what matters is who you spend your waking moments with. Celestia's your family, and family is what makes life worth living. I …I miss mine, for all the pain, all the fear, all the scars, I miss them all.” I choke up and bow my head tears running down my face as I cry silently.

I hear a choked sob before the table in front of me is wrenched away and I'm pulled into Luna's warm embrace. Pure, unfettered love hits me like a drug and I lay my head on her chest and cry, the feeling of warmth and security only causing me to sob all the more.

After a few minutes,my tears have stopped and I'm simply content to bask in her presence. I raise my head and look at the servant's door. “Someone's coming,” I warn, looking up at Luna, she blinks at me a few times, I just give her a confused look. “You don't mind if someone sees you like this?” I finally ask, she just laughs softly.

“Nay, in this, we do not mind,” She says gently, I nod my head in acknowledgment, but still insist on pulling away from her and setting the table back to rights before taking a seat as the door to the dining room opens.

A unicorn walks in, levitating several covered dishes, when she sees me, she blinks, but gives no other reaction. Walking up to Luna, she bows before placing one of her dishes before Luna, and pulling the cover off, revealing a sandwich and a pastry of some sort.. Glancing at me, she turns back to Luna. “I'm sorry, Your majesty, we received an order for two, do you want me to go get a bowl for the Human to eat out of?” She asks, I'm only partially insulted.

Luna glances at me a moment but I just return an incredulous stare before shrugging as I nod my head back at my wings with a grimace and a roll of my eyes. Luna just shakes her head slightly before giving the servant a warm smile. “Nay, what you have shall be sufficient, we're quite sure our human will see to his table manners,” she says with a slight smirk in my direction, I just stare at the plate still held in the servant's magic, my curiosity piqued.

The servant nods and sets the plate down in front of me, lifting the lid off, my suspicions are confirmed. Meat, glorious meat, a large side of the ribs from some poor critter sits before me, steam still rising from it. I raise my hand to grab the provided fork, then stop and rest it on the table. My training coming to the fore, I simply settle for a whimper as I stare at the food sitting in front of me as thoughts run through my head.

Meat means a job, meat means I get to kill. Meat means my queen wants someone dead, quietly, and how better, than by human? No one suspects the human, oh no, humans are stupid creatures, if a human did it, it'd be messy and crude, there would be blood everywhere or like mess. Part of me is happy to get to kill again. But the new part, the part that was born when I realized I was that much closer to being free and needed to adapt to a peaceful environment, worries. 'Does this mean I'm to be nothing but a pawn again?' I wonder, I feel a small trace of betrayal, but the older part of me just revels in the coming kill.

I look up at Luna who's watching me slightly confusedly. The servant just tilts her head. “He's very well trained,” the servant states. “What did he do to get such a treat, anyway?” she asks. Luna just smiles benignly for her benefit.

“Oh, he's in a new and very stressful environment, but he's still been very well behaved, his handlers are exceedingly happy with his progress,” Luna says, suppressing a laugh, the servant misses this as she's too busy watching me watch Luna.

Shaking her head, the servant bows to Luna again before taking her leave.

Once she's gone, Luna opens her mouth, but I speak out first. “Who am I to kill, my queen?” I ask, staring at the food in front of me longingly.

“What?” she asks, I suppress another whimper, why does she have to play it coy?

“Who am I to cleanse?” I rephrase myself, my hands clenching and shaking, I want the meat so bad I can taste it already, but I know what happens if I move before I have permission.

“What are thou talking about?” my queen asks once more, I can't stop the whimper this time, I'm too focused on not crying.

“Please,” I beg “Just give me their name, I'll take care of them, don't tease me, my Queen.” I want it, I need it.

She's silent a moment before drawing in breath sharply. “Redemit!” Luna thunders, I flinch, but raise my eyes to look at her, my train of thought derailed. She just smiles at me sadly. “Just eat it, I have no name for you, it's okay,” She all but whispers, I duck my head as I feel her pity. I don't want pity, I want to feed, I want to kill.

Raising my hands hesitantly, I take hold of the utensils and slowly liberate a piece of meat. Pausing a moment, I glance at Luna, who nods her head holding back tears. Raising it to my mouth, I bite it off my fork and slowly masticate the chunk of meat as tears of joy run down my face. I flinch when I feel a hoof rest on my shoulder, I touched the meat without permission and now I'll lose it, but Luna just smiles before she slowly rubs my shoulder.

“It's okay,” she whispers, I nod my head and go back to the food before me as Luna whispers encouragements soothingly.

All too quickly, the only thing on my plate is several rib bones. I push them around a bit to ensure my plate is clean before sitting back, my thoughts is conflict. 'You'll always be a monster, you'll always be a killer!' the older part of me, the . . . beast claims. 'Maybe, but not here, not with her, I'm not a pawn anymore, I'm her friend, her servant, her shield.' I reply. I feel strangely better after my internal debate, my body tells me it enjoyed the protein, I feel better now than I have in days.

“Thank you,” I say quietly. Luna chokes back a sob, I just hang my head. I don't like causing her pain, but I don't know how to stop it right now.

“Nay, it's alright, Redemit, everything's OK.” Luna says soothingly, I raise my head to look at her with a small smile which she returns. Then, almost hesitantly, she opens her mouth. “Your queen, she had you kill for meat?”

I nod my head mutely.

Luna sighs and rubs her brow with a hoof. “We shall not have any such jobs for thou, we are afraid that meat will not be a regular occurrence, we just had some on hand due to the gryphon ambassador's upcoming visit, and we heard the report on your tests, we felt some congratulations were in order,” She says chuckling, I return a weak smile.

“Thank you, Ma'am, I don't know why, but I've been taking twice the recommended dose of the supplements you use to replace meat in your human's diets, and I've still been craving it,” I remark. “And when you placed it before me, I . . . I guess I flashed back. Food was scarce, and meat even more so, so when my Queen offered it in exchange for some dissenter or other pony who stood in the way of her attempts to keep as many of her subjects alive as possible . . . I sprang at the chance to kill nobles, I hated them, and others . . . well, my Queen said they should die, so they died,” I elaborate, Luna nods sadly then cocks her head.

“Where did she get meat from?” Luna asks hesitantly, I look away.

“I didn't ask Ma'am, even I have things I won't do knowingly,” I say, I don't know anything, but I didn't ask, and meat is meat.

Luna looks like she's not sure whether she should be sick or not, but waves a hoof. “About the first part, thou art taking twice the dosage?” she asks incredulously, I nod my head. “Hast thou been to see a physician?” she asks, I shake my head. “Thou shalt visit one the first opportunity thou gets,” she orders sternly, I bow my head in acknowledgment, and she gives me a happy smile.

From there, conversation turns to the dream-realm, and my idea for training Pahnzer's squad.

“I can make and hold a world for them to practice in, keeping time accelerated will be the biggest issue, I'll have five minds all trying to run at their own pace. Scenarios won't be an issue, except the flying part, I don't have much experience in the air.” I say thoughtfully, trying to consider all the angles.

“We can assist in that,” Luna says, tilting her head to the side. “But why wouldst thou have little experience in the air, with wings such as yours we would expect you'd be . . . Redemit?” She asks quietly, I look at her inquisitively. “We can see your wings,” she says slowly.

I blink a few times as I try to figure that out, then I remember. Glancing at the door guards, I call out. “Hey, can you see my wings right now?”

After a few seconds, I receive two affirmative answers, which leave me more confused than when I started. Luna just shakes her head, not touching the subject obviously.

“As we were saying, we would expect thou to be one of thine armed force's aerial combatants,” Luna says questioningly.

I shake my head. “The Swarm spawned so fast, we lost control of the air, my Queen's power allowed us to shut the sky down for both sides, most engagements happened within 15 to 30 feet of the ground, which didn't stop aerial maneuvers, it just had to be carefully choreographed and required my Queen's personal attention to open a path through the storm walls, that sort of thing was left to civilized beings, not one such as I.”

Luna blinks a few times, probably trying to envision that scenario, I just shake my head.

“Don't worry about it, I can show you later if you assist us.” I state with a wistful chuckle. “Vines been enjoying herself since we got here, it took awhile to get used to the lack of storm cover, but she's been flying since the first day after we got out of the hospital,” I remark with a tender smile, thoughts of Vine bringing a ray of joy to my otherwise . . . odd day.

“Didst thou take to the skies as well?” Luna asks with a small grin, which falters and disappears when I shake my head. “Why wouldst thou deny thyself something so wondrous?” she asks incredulously.

I give a wry smile. “Because I didn't have my wings, to better blend in while I was with the Element Bearers, and ever since I got here, I've been avoiding strangers,” I answer with a shrug, Luna just shakes her head.

“We will not order you too, but we would suggest you take advantage of your new-found freedom, at least around the palace, during the night hours, we go to quite a bit of trouble to make our nights a sight to behold, we trust you shant be disappointed,” she says with no small amount of pride, to which I give a smile and nod my head.

“I always enjoyed the sight of your moon, too often it was one of the few accepting friends I had aside from my Alpha, I shall always treasure the opportunity to gaze upon it once more,” I reply, Luna just gives a bittersweet smile in response.

“Very well, thou hast given us much to think upon, we shall consider thy words, and thou art due upon the training field tomorrow, we shall let thee get back to thy business, fare the well, Redemit,” Luna states solemnly, with what is arguably a twinkle in her eye, I just stand and salute before moving towards the door.

Stopping at the door, I turn to the rightmost guard. “May I have my weapon back, please?” I ask politely, if the answers no, they won't enjoy the results, but hey, best behavior and all that.

To my surprise, and no little chagrin, the unicorn gives me a slight bow and levitates my knife over with a smile of thanks, and I get the impression it's not for asking politely. I return a salute and grasp my knife slipping it into my sheath as I step through the door.

Once outside the door, I find two of Luna's Night-guard facing me with blank faces, to each side I can feel additional ponies watching, but they seem content to stay to the shadows. I put my back to the doors and watch the two before me wearily, only to boggle at them as they bow their heads. “We hear what you said,” The one on the left says softly. Then the right one speaks out. “Thank you, our Princess hasn't said anything, but the lack of activity in Her Night-Court was affecting her, you brought her joy, and for that we are grateful, but if you ever harm her . . .”

“Then I would hand you the knife,” I state flatly, clenching my fists. “I don't know how much you know about me, but your Princess walks a very fine line, I won't just die for her, I'll kill as well, no matter the target. I have no sense of honor, I know no pity, I will not stop, I will never quit, for what time I have left in this world, my blades belong to your monarchs,” I state coldly, advancing until I kneel to face the two Guards-ponies at eye level, meeting their yellow eyes with my own. “Should they ever desire it, my still-beating heart would rest in their hooves, simply because I know they'll never do so except for the most dire of circumstances.”

“A version of your Princess took me from a slavering beast to a monster on the battlefield and a loyal servant, I won't say how she did it was right, but I still loved her for it,” I elaborate, causing the two to twitch their heads slightly, obviously the rumors have been going around. “The things I loved in my Queen are present in your Princess, besides, she gave me meat,” I state with a grin, causing the two to flinch, whether at the thought of meat or a grinning human, I can't really say. “I assume you know this should go no further than the appropriate ears,” I state standing up, I receive another pair of nods and bow slightly in thanks.

Stepping to the side, I walk around the two without a backwards glance. My awesome performance is somewhat hampered upon reaching the first branching. I stop, glance down the various paths I could take, and face-palm. Turning around to the two guards who are staring at me with stolid faces, probably hiding their confusion, I open my mouth. “Ah, which way to the barracks?” I ask, the one on the left steps forward and starts giving directions . . . a lot of directions, this place is too big.

Shaking my head in thanks, I move down the corridor, taking a number of turns and twists, including several flights of stairs. Apparently the gardens are quite large, that's nice. If I had to spend every day for a large number of years in a palace presiding over a court of children, I'd want my creature comforts in extra large too.

That slightly humorous thought kept most of my nervousness at bay until I managed to reach my room, at which point I closed and locked the door, put my knife on the bedside dresser, and stripped down to shower once more, the various 'encounters' having left their mark with more sweat buildup, it was getting rather annoying actually.

Once I was clean, I toweled off and considered getting dressed again in preparation for tomorrow. Shaking my head, I settled for getting into bed and pulling the sheets over me, the knife I placed under my pillow close at hand.

My preparations complete, I lay back on my bed close my eyes. Sadly, this does nothing to dispel my paranoia, or thoughts of the . . . eventful day I'd just had. I was still forming an opinion on Pahnzer and his squad, even Fairy Dancer. She disliked me because I was hot-headed and didn't respect their authority, not because I was a human hybrid, and you know, I can live with that, maybe even better my teamwork, it'd probably give me a better shot at getting to kill something. A life spent in a garrison was NOT something I wanted.

But I digressed, it was time for sleep, closing my eyes, I readied myself for sleep. Or tried too anyway, sleep was a long time coming.

I'm awoken by a knocking on my door, this of course causes a mild panic attack and me to rocket out bed still naked with dagger in hand. Sweeping the dark room for threats as I hyperventilate, I slowly calm down as whoever is outside knocks again.

I walk to the door and throw it open, narrowing my eyes as light floods my room from the hall. Sargent Cloud Burst puts her hoof down and slowly raises her gaze to meet my eyes. “Umm... Right! Time for PT, Private!” She barks, probably to cover her first reaction, I just nod stolidly and shut the door. Rubbing my face with my off hand, I shuffle to the shower.

Stepping out of the shower, rubbing myself down with the provided towel, I look up to see Sargent Cloud trying not to stumble around in the comfortable gloom of my room. “You can turn the light on, if you wish,” I state with a sigh.

“I'm fine! No worries!” Sargent Cloud Burst replies . . . she can't find the lights to turn them on.

Shaking my head, I walk over to the door and thump the light switch. Narrowing my eyes as my irises adjust I glance at Sargent Cloud as she stands in place blinking owlishly. “Not that I really care, but why are you in here? I'm not exactly safe to be around at the best of times,” I query as I move to gather my gear together, throwing on first clothes and then start buckling my armor on.

“Curiosity mainly,” Sargent Cloud replies frankly, I nod my head at the complete sincerity in her statement. Shrugging my shoulders, I decide why not, I have to work with these ponies anyway, I can give them a chance.

“Alright, what would you like to know, Sargent?” I ask offhandedly as I slip my chest-piece on and start sealing clasps as I start toggling various runes to ensure complete functionality.

“Most anything, we don't know much about you,” Sargent Cloud replies, glancing through my open chest curiously, I shrug my shoulders.

“That's a pretty open subject, would you like to be more specific, Sargent?” I ask, settling my dust cloak over my shoulders to cover my wings, no need to draw any more attention than I need to. After a few days, most of the Night-Guard should know me on sight, the rumor mill being what it is, but still.

“Okay, your name, do you know what it means in ancient equestrian?” Sargent Cloud asks, I nod my head.

“It means 'Redeemed', it was the name my Queen gave me upon my induction into the Night-Guard,” I state flexing my limbs to ensure my armor is settled appropriately before I sheath my knife and pick of the sword and socket it on the right side of my spine, listening to the click of the runes as they lock onto each other.

I turn around to find her hovering right behind me, I give no reaction beyond narrowing my eyes at the proximity, for her part, she just stares at my face.

“I'm not a vet or anything, but you don't look too good there, Private, you sleep okay last night?” Sargent Cloud asks, I just laugh.

“Ha ha, no. I decided to try and visit the library, figured out it was a little late for that, ran into a noble, ran FROM said noble, met the princess's body-guard, did a security check, then I had a late night dinner with Princess Luna, it was nice, found out for some reason at times my wings are hard to notice, and then I dang near got lost in this massive city you call a palace.” I state with a hint of exasperation. “Then, to top it all off, I have to go visit a doctor at some point today,” I state with naked dread, Cloud just blinks.

“It can't be all that ba-” Sargent Cloud starts but stops as I narrow my eyes and clench my fists. “Hey, Calm down Private! No one's going to hurt you here!” She exclaims, taking a step back.

“If only you knew,” I state rubbing my forehead and waving a hand to placate her fears. “Sorry, that wasn't aimed at you, just trust me when I say: I don't like doctors, just another word for butcher in my mind,”

Sargent Cloud looks at me rather askance but lets the matter drop in favor of another matter I brought up. “Wait, you ran into a noble? Was it Prince Blueblood?” she asks with a smirk. “AND you ate with the princess? I didn't hear about that one, what happened?” she continues, I just shake my head.

I didn't stop to introduce myself. And yes, yes I did. No, I won't tell you what happened, that is between myself and your monarchs, ask them if you wish,” I say turning to the door. “Shouldn't we be going?” I ask with a smirk, Sargent Cloud grimaces before shooting for the door.

“Buck, they're waiting on us, lets go!” She says over her shoulder as she shoots out the door and down the hall, I jog out after her and resealing my helm, then break into a run as I go, hurtling the occasional earth pony and unicorn, and ducking under any pegusai flying down the hall.

Arriving at an enclosed field, I'm met with the sight of a number of ponies performing various activities ranging from sparring to running, even a bout of swimming as I watch a group of ponies run into a small pit of water and swim across only to resume running on the far side. Following Sargent Cloud we soon come up to the rest of her squad mates and Captain Pahnzer.

“Glad you could make it, Private,” Pahnzer states evenly, glancing at Sargent Cloud who grimaces slightly before saluting. “Now that you're here, shall we begin?” he asks, turning around and walking away without a second glance.

…

An hour later, I'm feeling pretty good, and the poor ponies look like they're being hazed, Rock seems to be taking it well enough, as is Pahnzer and the two pegusai who spent most of their time in the air. But Poor Fairy Dancer looks ready to collapse.

I stretch my arms and stomp my feet to settle everything as the ponies perform various stretches to cool off and avoid immanent collapse. I suppress an unrepentant grin, I'd decided to see how good their physical regimen was, and found it lacking, probably something to do with the lack of thurmatogically enhanced armor.

“Hit the showers, then assemble back at the-” Pahnzer starts, but I cut in.

“Uh-uh, those two aren't done yet,” I state, pointing at the two Pegusai, Sargent Scatter Shot gives me an affronted look, Sargent Cloud just groans while hanging her head in an adorable display of faux-exhaustion.

Pahnzer looks at me in appraisal, then nods his head. “Alright, Private, what do you think?” he asks.

I shake my head. “They spend too much time in the air,” I state bluntly. “You want to learn to use the mobility gear? Fine, but that stuff throws you around, you need a lot more stamina in your limbs than you might think, especially for tight quarters. You need, as my handler is fond of saying, to practice running around like a demented earth pony, no offense, Staff Sargent,” I elaborate, Staff Sargent Rock just gives a tired wave.

Sargent Cloud groans again. “Running?” she asks in a voice laced with dread.

I nod my head. “Running, and it's time for me to get some air time in, which, I need some dead-weight, that will be you, Master Sargent,” I say with an inner smirk at my innuendo.

For her part Master Sargent Fairy Dancer looks a lot more energetic and ready to kill me. I just give a lazy smile and spread my wings in a 'preparatory stretch', she flinches every so slightly, but otherwise still looks ready to kill, I just shake my head.

“I did it in practice, Ma'am. I need some way to work my arms, I can't exactly run on them like you can, so I had to drag stuff with my constantly, and air dropping Unicorns or Earth ponies in hard to reach locations is incredibly useful, you'll love heavy armor and its strength rune,” I state gently, I had my fun, now it's time for work.

Master Sargent Fairy Dancer stares up at me awhile then nods slightly. She's still angry, but she's also willing to work with me, I can live with that. I step to her side and kneel, I look at her questioningly one last time to make sure she's okay with what I'm about to do. She stares at me a few more seconds then nods slightly, I nod in return and wrap my arms around her chest and flank, cradling her to my chest, I move back to the track.

“I'm not going at all high, but my launch is a little rough,” I warn as I flex my wings, Master Sargent Fairy just looks up at me quietly. I nod my head and bend my legs. Straightening them out explosively, I launch myself into the air and trigger my jets, launching myself forward into the air. While slightly shaky, my launch still gets me airborne, I leave my legs stretched out behind me as I power along with slow flaps of my wings, my bodies arrangement points my face at the ground, which leaves me vulnerable to attack from high and behind me but I will hopefully have someone to watch my back in an airborne fight.

Glancing down at Master Sargent Fairy, I find her rather tight lipped, but otherwise unaffected, just past her, I see the two pegusai starting their own run. Bringing my gaze forward, I focus on the path infront of me, without the strength rune, this still isn't as easy as it should be, I am way out of practice.

“I'm not on top of my game right now, I'm afraid,” I warn. “But if anything happens, try to stay calm and loose, my fault, my fall, I'll cushion you as much as I can,” I state making the first loop around the track.

“Understood, Private,” Master Sargent Fairy states, I just nod my head.

“Ma'am, we need to talk,” I decide to deal with this problem right here and now if at all possible.

“Yes, Private?” she asks warily, I just smile mirthlessly.

“You don't like me, and I understand why, I'd also like your help in changing that,” I say, flapping harder to bring myself a little farther from the ground, and any ears that might want to listen in, we're not exactly alone after all. “I wasn't treated very well in my world, I know this, and I even understand why. But the same reasons don't apply here, and I'll be the first to admit it kind of hurts. However, your dislike I'm sure is entirely reasonable,” I continue, she remains thankfully quiet. “I'm horridly untrained by your standards, little more than a loose grenade, waiting to go off in someone's face, friend or foe. While I could argue that, most of my time was indeed spent as little more than a glorified attack human or pack mule,” I flex my arms slightly to emphasize my point.

“So you say, Private,” Master Sargent Fairy says with an impartial nod, she's willing to listen, good.

“I want your help in fixing that. I don't want your friendship, your love, or any of that. All I want is a chance, your help, and maybe, just maybe, your respect. Anything that makes me better is something that will let me serve the Princesses better. And I intend to do as much as I can in whatever life this frail mortal coil has remaining to take even a thousandth of the load they bear off their shoulders, will you help me?” I ask quietly and sincerely, glancing down at Master Sargent Fairy, who in turn is looking up at me with new-found respect.

“I think I can do that, Private” she says with an equally quiet and sincere voice. “I think I can.”