The Dark Pony: Origin
Chapter Six: A Thorn in the Wind
Previous ChapterChapter Six: A Thorn in the Wind
A week has passed and everything in Canterlot has been peaceful. While the memory of that fateful first day still haunted the minds of a few, most have moved on and continue to create a new life for themselves and their families.
Raintree and Scion stood just past the town’s Western gate as they addressed the new recruits.
Raintree’s full suit of armor gleamed in the sunlight as he pointed toward the dark Everfree Forest “Do you see that?”
The recruits looked at the distant tree line; the gnarled, twisted trees gave the forest a cursed visage that sent shivers down the spine of even the bravest recruit.
Raintree’s commanding voice seized their attention “That is where your enemy lives, that is where they will come from when they attack this town, not if, when.” Raintree stepped in front of the recruits and stared them down. His powerful stance inspired a frightful awe that demanded respect “Do you understand your duties? You are sentries; you are to keep a close watch on the forest. You will be working in teams of two. One team will have the morning shift the other will have the evening.”
Wave’s gaze slowly drifted off the forest. Her soft voice is barely heard above the breeze “W-what do we do if we see something?”
Scion stepped up “Report it immediately, if it is just a small monster or a small group of monsters, find a superior such as Raintree or a councilor such as myself. If you see large monster or a large group, ring the clock tower’s bell and we shall all come running.”
Silver Pear looked to Scion and saluted. “Sir! If it is just a small monster, can’t we fight it ourselves?”
Raintree answered sternly “No! Under no circumstance will you be allowed to fight until we feel you are ready.”
Shiver Vein stood up straight with a proud grin “I am ready. I can take down a goblin blindfolded.”
Raintree flashed a disapproving stare “Never underestimate them! A goblin’s body may be frail but their claws are more than sharp enough to peel your flesh from your bones.”
Vein’s grin grew as he stared back at Raintree “They’d have to hit me first.”
Raintree took a stomping step towards him and stared down at the young stallion “You may be fast enough to dodge three claws but do you think you are fast enough to dodge nine, fifteen, or maybe even thirty claws? Goblins never fight alone, remember that young vein.”
“Y-yes, sir.” Vein stammered as he took a step back
Cross Bolt glanced at Vein and lashed with her harsh tongue “You’re an overconfident fool.” She looked to Raintree before, Vein could respond “Sir, aren't the goblins the least of our worries?”
Raintree nodded his head “That is correct, lady Bolt. Timber wolfs, Ogres, Brontaurs, Crocodines, Vespids, and Grimalkins. They are what you should worry about, they would gladly devour you, if you give them a chance.”
Wave felt a shiver course through her body “I-I had no idea there are so…many.”
“That is only the beginning.” Said Cross “He didn’t even mention Elementals, Lianas or Vilethorns.”
Scion smiled as he looked to Cross “My, my, quite impressive, Cross.”
Cross adjusted her glasses as she turned to, Scion “Thank you, sir. Though such knowledge should be mandatory for those who will be defending this town.”
Scion nodded “You are quite welcome and I could not agree more. I did not expect any of you to have such knowledge. However, there is much more to learn and all of you will be trained appropriately. Today you will learn about various weapon types and tomorrow, Ashen will teach you about the different species and how best to deal with them.”
Cross grinned slightly “I'm looking forward to it, sir. I can’t wait to see what Ashen Flair has to teach.”
Scion grinned with a nod “I am glad we have willing recruits. Be sure to get here early tomorrow to learn from Ashen, he may act like a fool but he is brilliant.” Scion chuckled and mumbled quietly “Supposedly.” He stepped up and addressed the whole group “Now, Ashen and I will train your minds. Raintree and Midnight will train your bodies. If you follow our directions and do not falter, then you will surely become great knights one day.”
Wave timidly looked up to Scion “You really think so, sir?”
Scion nodded with a gentle smile “I do, I believe you all show great potential and look forward to seeing where it takes you.”
Raintree stepped up “As do I, but for now, let’s start today’s drills.”
Raintree ran the recruits through their daily exercises, sprints, push-ups, sit-ups and others. He made sure to challenge them without pushing them into a state of exhaustion.
In the meantime, Ashen, Midnight, Skylark and Terra were off preparing the recruits weapon training. The four of them set up various weapons in an open field, just past the farms on the Eastern side of town. The weapons were all training versions, ranging from wooden wing blades to bows with blunted arrows.
Ashen and Midnight were setting up goblin shaped targets made from hay. Midnight looked over to Ashen and watched him as he struggled to set up two poles in a cross shape and tie a bale of hay to them, all without using his magic.
Midnight finished her target then turned to Ashen “Ashen, can I ask you something?”
Ashen pulled the final string taut “Sure, go right ahead.”
“Why aren’t you using your magic?” asked Midnight.
Ashen grinned “Because I don’t want to.”
Midnight let out a small sigh “Why not, wouldn’t it be faster if you did?”
Ashen wiped his forehead “Yes, it would, but I believe if I don’t need to use my magic then I shouldn’t and I don’t need to use it to make a target.”
Midnight let out a small chuckle “That’s a strange thing for a unicorn to believe.”
Ashen smiled “I never claimed to be normal.”
Midnight shook her head with a small smile “No, you’re certainly not normal.”
“And what's that supposed to mean?” laughed Ashen “Are you saying I'm weird or something?”
Midnight looked away with a smile “Or something.”
Ashen walked up beside her and flashed his striking smile “So uh…what am I then?”
A voice yelled out from behind “A bloody fool!” Terra walked up with a grin “That’s exactly what ya are.”
“Hello, Terra.” sighed Ashen
Midnight instantly tensed up “Um…h-hello, Terra.”
Terra smiled at Midnight “Hey, there gorgeous. So, ah what ya’ll talkin’ bout?”
Midnight hesitantly glanced at Terra “Uh…um, well.”
Ashen answered for her “Midnight was asking me why I don’t use my magic that often.”
Terra laughed loudly “I already answered that one. You don’t use yer magic cause yer a bloody fool.” She walked up to a pile of material “Here, watch this.” Her horn glowed blue as she used her magic to lift up two poles, a bale of hay and several pieces of rope. Within seconds, she assembled the materials into a perfect target, complete with a red bull’s-eye and a helmet on top. She laughed with a boastful grin “There, ya see? I just did in five seconds what takes ya five minutes.”
Midnight looked at the perfect target “My, quite impressive.”
Ashen nodded “Yeah, yeah, you did it faster and better than I did but you use your magic for every little thing, if you ever lost it you would be helpless.”
Terra grinned at him “Well I ain't bout ta lose ma magic.”
Ashen shook his head “No, but you could lose your horn. Then what would you do? No horn, no magic.”
“Is that true?” asked Midnight.
Ashen nodded “A pegasus without wings can’t fly and a unicorn without a horn can’t cast spells. More than halve of our horn has to be broken though and it does regrow in time.”
“I didn’t know that” said Midnight.
Terra laughed as she drapes her hoof over Midnight’s neck “Yep that’s our weakness.”
Midnight gasped. She shoved Terra away and quickly stepped back.
Terra looked up at Midnight with a raised eyebrow “Uhh, somthin’ wrong, Night?”
Midnight looked away feeling instant regret for her actions “N-no it’s…it's nothing.”
Ashen looked at Midnight and saw how tense her body is “Midnight, what's wrong?”
Midnight quickly shook her head “N-nothing, I'm fine.”
Terra moved to look Midnight in the eye.
Midnight looked away and took another step back.
Terra looked at her with an intense stares “Ya gotta problem wit me!?”
Midnight answered quickly “N-no, of-of course not.”
“That’s bull!” yelled Terra “If ya gotta a problem wit me then just say it!”
Skylark walked up with a worried look after he heard Terra yelling. His concern grew when he saw Midnight. He walked up to her and put his hoof on her shoulder. He lays his ears back as he looked into her eyes with a sad, caring stare.
Midnight held his hoof “I'm fine, everything’s ok, Skylark.”
“Like hell it is!” Terra yelled again “I wanna know what ya gotta against me.”
“N-nothing!” yelled Midnight
Ashen shook his head “She’s not going to give up, Midnight.”
Terra grinned “That’s right, I ain't! So I reckon ya might as well just spit it out!”
Midnight hesitantly looked at Terra “Well…um it's…it's just, I…I've never been around a…a um…m-mare who um, l-likes mares before and-.”
A furious scowl crossed Terra’s face “So that’s it, huh? You got some kinda problem with marians?”
Midnight looked away “N-no, not really. It's just, since we’ve met you have been calling me gorgeous and staring at me. It makes me feel…uncomfortable.”
Ashen nodded at Terra “You can come on a little strong.”
“Shut it Ash!” yelled Terra “I ain't talkin’ ta you!” She looked at Midnight “Now listen here! If it bothers ya I’ll lay off, alright but I am who I am and I ain't gonna change for nopony! If ya don’t like that then that’s just too damn bad!” Terra took an aggressive stance “Now if ya still got a problem wit me, we can settle it the old fashion way!”
Skylark stepped in front of Midnight. He puffed up his chest, stood tall and stared down at Terra.
Terra growls “Outta my way ya two ton tank! This is between me and her!”
Skylark stood still and stared intently at Terra.
Ashen walked up and put his hoof on Skylark’s side “She’s right this is between them. Come on, Skylark, let’s go.”
Skylark looked at Ashen with a glare and shook his head no.
Ashen looked at him with a calm stare “They need to talk this out. We’d just get in the way.”
Skylark looked at Midnight.
“It’s ok, Skylark, I’ll be fine.” said Midnight
Skylark hesitantly turned and walked away.
Ashen looked over his shoulder “Oh Terra, no yelling. Just try to talk to her.”
Terra looked away with a “Tch.”
Ashen smiled “Please, for me.”
Terra sighed “Fine, no yellin’.”
Ashen nodded at her before he turned to walk away. Skylark followed Ashen but kept looking back as he took hesitant steps forward. The two of them rounded a distant barn.
Ashen sat down “This should do.”
Skylark looked in the direction of the girls then looked at the ground as his eyes darted back and forth.
“You worried?” asked Ashen.
Skylark nodded his head.
“Don’t be.” Ashen said with a smile “I know how this is going to go. I’ll bet you anything that in ten minutes those two will walk around that barn the best of friends, bruises and all.”
When Skylark gasped when he heard the word bruises. He quickly turned and prepared to take flight.
“Hey wait!” yelled Ashen “It won’t work if you go charging in there.”
Skylark turned to Ashen. His brow lowered, his teeth bore and an intense fury in his eyes.
Ashen showed a confident, calm smile “Relax, everything’s gonna be alright.”
Skylark turned back and prepared to leap into the air.
“Uh, I swear it to you!” Ashen hastily yelled
Skylark quickly looked back at him with wide eyes and an open mouth.
“That’s what Midnight says right?” asked Ashen “Midnight, will be alright, I swear it to you.”
Skylark stood up straight and hesitantly folded his wings back to his sides.
Ashen grinned “If I'm wrong, then you can strike me down yourself.” His grin turned into a kind smile “I’d deserve it if I let either one of them get hurt.”
Skylark turned toward Ashen then sat on the ground.
“That’s better.” Ashen smiled at Skylark “You really care about her, huh?”
Skylark nodded his head then moved his forelegs as if rocking a baby.
Ashen stared at him quizzically “Uh, she's your daughter?”
Skylark shook his head. He pointed to himself then his head then he mimicked rocking a baby.
Ashen guessed again “Uhh, you know her baby?”
Skylark put his hoof to his forehead and sighs.
Ashen held his chin “Hmm…you, know, baby.” His eyes opened wide “Oh! You’ve known her since she was a baby.”
Skylark smiled and nodded.
Ashen wiped his head with a laugh “Phew. You ever consider carrying around a chalkboard or something?”
Skylark smiled and shrugged.
Ashen shook his head with a small smile “Anyway, now for the fun part” He sighed “Waiting.”
After a moment Skylark’s eyes lit up. He gestured to Ashen to call him over.
Ashen walked up “What is it?”
Skylark put his hoof in the dirt and drew out a tic-tac-toe board.
“Tic-tac-toe?” laughed Ashen. He showed a wide grin “you’re on! Just to let you know, I never lose.”
Skylark slammed his hoof down in the center of the board and drew an X while wearing a grin.
Terra and Midnight are having a difficult conversation while the boys played.
“I'm sorry, Terra.” sighed Midnight “I don’t mean to offend you.”
Terra stared at her “Kinda hard not to be offended when ya shove me away like that.”
Midnight looked away “I-I'm sorry, that was just a reaction.”
Terra sat down and crossed her forelegs “Just cause I'm a marian. Ya wouldn’t have done that to Ash.”
Midnight slowly shook her head “No, I wouldn’t have. I'm sorry.”
“So just what is yer problem?” asked Terra.
Midnight looked up “Well, you’re always staring at me, every time I see you in town you stare, you’re always calling me gorgeous and two days ago when we were in line at the market, you groped my flank.”
Terra stood up “I already told ya, that was an accident!”
Midnight looked away “I doubt it.”
Terra stepped forward “It was! That guy behind me shoved me right into ya!”
Midnight sighed “E-even if that was true, you still call me gorgeous and stare at me all the time.”
Terra laughed “Don’t know if ya noticed but a lot of ponies stare at ya and I call ya gorgeous cause ya are.”
Midnight quickly looked at her “Well, please stop it! It makes me feel…uncomfortable.”
“I've only been teasin’ ya.” sighed Terra “but I it bothers ya that much, I’ll stop.”
Midnight showed a small smile “Thank you.”
“So, uh we good now?” asked Terra.
“I…I guess so” said Midnight.
Terra smiled and walked up to Midnight “Good ta hear.” She held out her hoof “put er there.”
Midnight shied away from her.
Terra looked at her for a second then lowered her brow as her anger built.
Midnight stammered as she took a step back “Uh…I-I'm.”
Terra growled “What the hell is yer problem!?”
Midnight felt an odd sensation in her chest, a nervousness akin to fear “I…I don’t know, I'm sorry. I-I don’t know what's wrong with me.”
Terra took a step forward “Well that makes two of us!” she yelled “I ain’t contagious and I ain’t gonna do nothin’ to ya!”
Midnight lowered her head with a miserable sigh “I-I know, I'm…I'm sorry.”
“Stop sayin’ that!” Terra quickly shouted
Midnight cringed down “I-I'm sorry. I…I don’t know what else to say.”
Terra realized she has been yelling and looked at the ground with a sigh “Sorry, I don’t mean ta be yellin’ at ya.”
Midnight shook her head “No, you shouldn’t be apologizing. I know I’m the one in the wrong. I just don’t know why I feel the way that I do.” Midnight bit her bottom lip and looked down at the ground “I wish I did. I really do.”
Terra’s mind raced as she tried to think of something, anything to say. Coming up blank, she kicked the ground “Dammit, Ash! Why’d you have ta go and leave like that.” She sighed “I'm…I’m no good at this kinda stuff.”
Midnight looked up “I know how you feel. I just can’t seem to find the words I need.” Midnight’s eyes began to wonder around the field as she tried to understand the unnerving malaise that grew in her chest. Suddenly the cache of training weapons caught her eye. Midnight turned to Terra “Ashen told me you’re a good fighter.”
Terra looked up with a grin “Well, he weren’t lyin’. I can scrap with the best of em.”
Midnight smiled as she flew over to the training weapons. She strapped on a pair of wooden wing blades then picked up two staffs before she flew back to Terra and dropped the staffs on the ground in front of her
Midnight smiled “Those should make good substitutes for your weapons.”
Terra looked down at the staffs “What? Ya wanna fight?”
Midnight shook her head “No, I want to talk to you.”
Terra looked up with a laugh “Ya wanna talk…with weapons?”
Midnight looked at Terra with calm eyes “I can’t find the words to explain what I feel. I am a warrior, a fighter, that is what I do and I believe you are the same.” Midnight bent her knees, spread her wings wide and gave Terra a fearsome stare “If there is something I cannot convey with words, then I say it with my wings!”
Terra used her magic to spin the staffs to her sides with a laugh “Hoo yeah! Now yer talkin’ mah language. Guessin’ we’re goin with spar rules then?”
Midnight nodded “Yes, no blows to the face or other sensitive areas and we fight until one surrenders.”
“Alright then, let’s talk!” Terra said as she dropped her head low, her deep blue eyes glowed with fearsome intent as she stared at Midnight “Ya ready?”
Midnight grinned and returned Terra’s stare “Anytime!”
Both mares charged toward each other. Zealous-vigor fueled every step they took. The sound of wood smashing against wood echoed out as Terra blocked Midnights wing strike with her staff. Terra swung her second staff overhead. A wooden thud rang out as Midnight blocked the staff with her wing. They shove into each other and tried to push the other back.
They stared into each other’s eyes as they pushed and shoved. Their eyes didn’t glow with the fury or hatred one might expect from two warriors locked in combat. Instead, their eyes shined with an intense excitement and vitality, created by a passionate spirit that burned deep within their hearts.
Both mares used every muscle, every ounce of strength they had, but it was to no avail. Neither one was able to drive the other back so much as an inch.
Midnight spun back and broke the deadlock. She lashed out with a high sweeping back kick. Terra stepped back. She could feel the wind surging from Midnight’s hoof as she barely dodged the kick. Terra lifted both staffs and brought them straight down towards Midnight. Midnight folded both wings in front of her to block the strike.
Midnight burst through and shoved both staffs aside. She rushed at Terra with a strike from her wing. Terra dropped low to the ground under the strike. She leapt forward and landed at Midnight’s side. Terra smashed into Midnight’s side with all her weight. Terra slammed into Midnight with enough force to knock her off clean off her hooves and send her rolling to the ground.
Midnight recovered quickly. She was back to her hooves and ready to charge in again within a fraction of a second. A barrage of staff blows met Midnight before she could take a single step. The strikes rained down upon her like a torrent that came from every direction. Midnight was barely able to keep up with the unrelenting assault. As soon as she dodged or blocks one blow, another was already coming at her. Midnight stepped backwards as she fended off what seemed like half a dozen whirling staffs.
Terra used her superior range to her advantage and pushed Midnight backward. She pulled one staff back and thrusted it straight for Midnights chest. Midnight stepped to her left and dodged the attack, exactly how Terra wanted her to. Midnight landed in a patch of loose gravel that threw her off balance.
Terra aimed at Midnights front legs and swept one of her staffs’ low. Midnight reared up and dodged the attack. Terra brought her other staff spinning down from the sky, aimed at Midnights front shoulder. Midnight saw the staff coming down and tried to block it but her angle was off. The staff struck her wing, slid off its tip and struck Midnight on the mouth with enough force to knock her to the ground.
Terra immediately stopped her assault and quickly ran up to Midnight.
Midnight slowly rose from the ground with heavy breaths. She shook her head in a daze as blood dripped from her lip.
Terra took a step back “Oh, sorry bout that Night. You alright?”
Midnight’s eyes widened as she gazed at Terra She showed neither pain nor anger. Instead, her face brimmed with elation as she showed a bloody smile. Her smile widened as she spread her wings and lowered her body to the ground. Midnight’s fixated her gaze on Terra. She dug her hooves into the dirt as she grinned.
Terra jumped back with a laugh “Woo yeah! Bring it on, girl!”
Midnight flew forward at an incredible speed with just a single beat of her wings. She headed straight towards Terra. Terra held her staffs in front of her and prepared to block and counter. Midnight’s wing struck with much more force than Terra expected and slammed her staff back into her shoulder.
Midnight struck with her other wing. Terra ducked down and just barely dodged the blow. Midnight spun using the momentum of her missed swing. She delivered a hard kick to one of Terra’s staffs. The kick sent the staff flying across the field. Terra tried to pull the staff back but another wing was flying towards her. Terra stepped back just in time to dodge the strike.
Midnight’s flurry pushed Terra back, now that she’s fighting with a single staff. Strike, spin, kick, strike, spin, kick, Midnight unleashed her power and gained speed every second until she became a blur of hoofs, wings and feathers that seemed to come from every angle. Terra kept her composure under the blinding assault as she blocked and dodged what she could. Terra showed her prowess by angling her body to deflect the blow whenever a strike managed to makes it past her defenses. She made sure no strike hit flush.
Terra saw an opening after she dodged one of Midnight’s kicks and brought her staff down towards Midnight. However, the opening was only there because Midnight wanted it to be. Midnight easily sidestepped Terra’s strike. She dove forward and delivered the first clean blow of the match. A rush of pain poured into Terra’s body as Midnight’s wing slammed into her chest. Before Terra could react, another strike hit her shoulder and rolled her to the ground.
Midnight stopped her assault and took several steps back as she folded her wings. Terra rose from the ground as her heavy breath rapidly filled her aching chest.
Terra laughed and looked at Midnight with a smile, once she caught her breath “Damn, girl. I ain’t had a fight like this in a long time.”
Midnight returned her smile “Neither have I. Do you want to continue?”
Terra grinned and quickly answers “Hell yeah! I'm just startin’ to have fun.”
Midnight nodded her head toward the staff lying across the ground “Then you might want to rearm.”
Terra looked at the staff. She used her magic to lift it off the ground and spin it to her side.
Midnight dropped into an aggressive stance “Are you ready?”
Terra spun her staffs in front of herself “Oh, yeah! This is gonna be good.”
Terra held her ground as Midnight charged. Terra’s gaze dropped to the ground in front of herself as Midnight closed in. Her horn began to glow with a blue light. A square foot of earth suddenly erupted from the ground in front of Midnight. The pillar shoot into the sky and created a column of stone six feet tall. Midnight was moving too fast to stop. she tried to step to the side but she was too close to clear it. Her shoulder clipped the column and threw her off balance. Terra’s staffs greeted Midnight as soon as she stumbled around the column. One staff swept low. It took Midnight’s legs out from under her and flipped her sideways into the air. The other came crashing down on Midnight’s exposed side and slammed her out of the air.
Midnight hit the ground then rolled onto her back and gasped for the wind that was knocked out of her. Both of Terra’s staffs spun in and struck Midnight’s forelegs. They pushed her legs above her head, pressed them to the ground and pinning her in place. Terra walked to Midnight, stood over her and looked her straight in the eyes with a big grin “Bet ya didn’t see that one comin’.”
Midnight struggled to free her front legs but it was no use. The magic that held the staffs to the ground was too strong.
Terra laughed “Gotta admit it, yer good, girl.” She leaned in just an inch away from Midnight’s face and whispering to her “But not good enough. I win this one.”
Midnight stopped struggling. A smile flashed across her face “Not yet.”
Midnight rolled her back legs up underneath Terra and planted her hooves on Terra’s chest. She kicked Terra into the air with all the strength she could gather. Midnight easily freed herself with the spell on the staffs broken. She quickly rolled to her hooves and flew backwards.
Terra got up from the ground and shook off the dust. She spun her staffs up and back to her sides with a laugh
Midnight landed some distance away and yelled with a smile “I bet you didn’t see that coming!”
Terra laughed loudly and yelled back “Ya got lucky! I got distracted by them gorgeous eyes ah yers.”
Midnight smiled with a giggle “Shall we continue?”
Terra yelled “I ain’t beaten yet!”
“Very well.” Midnight said to herself before she stood up straight. Terra rushed in at full power, determined to end this battle. Midnight cleared her mind. She closed her eyes and took a in a deep breath. She listened to the sound of Terra’s hoof steps. The steps beat the ground like a drum. The rhythm grew louder as she approached but they also grew slower and slower. Midnight opened her eyes and slowly exhaled as she focused on Terra. Terra seemed to slow with every step as the world around her began to blur and dissolve before it faded away to black.
All Midnight could see in this world, in her world was the unicorn charging towards her. She could see the muscles in Terra’s legs as they expanded and contracted to power her every step. She could see her short blonde mane being blown back by the air rushed past and she could see Terra’s smile slowly widen as she brought her staffs to her sides.
Terra stuck when she reached Midnight. She swung both staffs horizontally one low from the left one high from the right. Midnight barrel rolled into the air and narrowly slipped in-between the staffs. She could feel the wind rushing off the staff as it blew through her feathers. Midnight could feel the impact of the ground as it slowly traveled from her hooves into her shoulders as she landed. She could feel the calm breeze blow through her mane and the gentle brush of the grass on her legs as she lunged forward, straight at Terra.
Midnight struck with lightning speed, first with her right wing then her left. She spun and delivered a powerful kick to Terra’s side that rolled her to the ground. Terra managed to recover quickly in spite of the force from the blow. She rolled up and onto her hooves before she pulled her staffs in front of herself. Midnight wasted no time as she sprinted towards Terra. She saw Terra’s gaze drop to the ground. Midnight timed her next move perfectly. She leapt into the air and flipped forward. A column of earth shot skyward. Midnight could feel the column as it rose at her back, just close enough to graze the hair on her coat. Midnight completed her flip and planted her back hooves on the column. She kicked off and exploded towards Terra at an incredible speed with her left wing pulled back, ready to strike. Terra did the only thing she could with so little time. She held both staffs in front of her and poured her magic into them.
Midnight’s wing crashed into the staffs with enormous power. The staffs bent, cracked then shattered into pieces. Midnight’s wing flowed through the splintered wood and struck Terra‘s shoulder. Though it lost force from hitting the staffs, the strike was still strong enough to shove Terra to the side. Midnight followed through and hit Terra’s chest with an uppercut to from her right wing. The strike lifted Terra’s front hooves off the ground. Midnight ducked under Terra and leapt up slamming her shoulder into Terra’s chest. The blow lifted her into the air before Midnight brought her crashing to the ground.
The slam knocked the wind out of Terra. She gasped and coughed as she tried to catch her breath but before she could, she felt a wing gently press against her throat.
Terra looked up to Midnight who’s wore a confident smile. Terra weighed her options, with her staffs broken and her chest throbbing she decided she only had one choice “Alright, alright, ya got me. I surrender.” She said reluctantly
Midnight pulled her wing back and stuck out her hoof with a friendly smile. Terra smiled back as she grabbed Midnight’s hoof.
Terra stood up and stretched out her chest “I reckon ya win fair and square.”
Midnight smiled “Actually, I’d give that win to you.”
Terra laughed “Are you crazy?! I was the one layin’ on the ground”
Midnight nodded “Yes, but If it was a real fight, you would have won.”
Terra raised an eyebrow “Just how do ya figure that?”
Midnight pointed to her mouth “The blow to my mouth. If you were using your halberds, it would have been lethal.”
Terra stared at her “Uh…yeah but I weren’t usin’ mah halberds. Ya won that match when ya broke those staffs.”
Midnight shook her head “But that would not have happened in a real fight. I could never have broken you halberds. So you win this round.”
Terra scratched her head “But it weren’t a real fight, so you won.”
Midnight smiled “I always judge sparring matches as if they were real, so you win.”
Terra growled “No! You won!”
Midnight giggled “No, you did.”
Terra paused for a second then smiles “No! You won.”
Midnight laughed lightly and showed a big smile “No. You won.”
Terra shook her head then stuck out her hoof “How bout we call it a draw.”
Midnight shook her hoof “Deal.” They both looked at each other with a smile and newfound respect.
Terra felt a twinge of pain in her chest as she pulled back her hoof “Ah” she held her hoof to her chest.
“Are you ok?” asked Midnight.
Terra looked up at her with a smile “Think ya mighta’ cracked one of ma ribs.”
Midnight covered her mouth “Oh my goodness, really? I am so, so sorry.”
Terra laughed “Aw it’s alright. It ain't really broken, just hurts a bit.”
Midnight bowed “I'm so sorry, truly I am. I should not have hit you so hard.”
Terra shook her head “Relax, girl. It’s just part of the game.”
Midnight stood and looked Terra in the eye “Terra, I lost control and put too much force into my strike.” Midnight bowed again “I should never have used so much force in a sparring match, I am truly sorry.”
“It ain’t nothin’ but if you’re feelin that bad about it.” A grin crossed Terra’s face “I know how ya can make it up to me.”
Midnight stands up and looked warily at Terra “Um…how?”
Terra laughed “Easy.” She walked up and draped her hoof around Midnight’s neck with a smile “Buy me a drink tonight.”
To Midnight’s surprise, the anxiety that used to grip her chest when Terra was near was completely gone. She looked at Terra and smiled “I’ll buy you two.”
Terra gave Midnight a shake with an excited laugh “Alright! Now yer talkin’!” Her smile faded as she hesitated “So…uhh, we good now?”
Midnight nodded “Yes.” She put her hoof on Terra’s shoulder “We’re good now. I think we said all we needed too.”
Terra’s smile quickly returned “Glad ta hear it. Come er, Night.” She pulled Midnight closer and gave her a tight hug.
Midnight let out a nervous laugh “Uhh…a-although, I would be uncomfortable this close to ahh…a-anypony.”
Terra looked up to Midnight “Not much of a hugger are ya?”
Midnight looked away “N-not really.”
Terra let go of Midnight “Well ain’t that a shame.” She turned and gave Midnight a wink “And I just love givin’ hugs too.”
Midnight put her hoof to her head and let out a sigh “Are you and Ashen related or something?”
Terra shook her head with a laugh “Nope, I’ve just known the guy since I was fourteen.”
Midnight looked up with a probing stare “How did a fourteen year old meet a military tactician?”
Terra shook her head “It’s a long story. Maybe I’ll tell ya tonight.”
Midnight walked up to her “Alright, well, I guess we better go find them then.”
Terra nodded “Yeah, guess yer right.” She pointed towards the distant barn “They went that-a-way.” Terra looks at Midnight with a grin as they walked towards the barn “Ya know, I gotta give it to ya girl, flippin’ over ma pillar like that. I didn’t see that one comin’.”
Midnight returned her grin “I didn’t think you could use a spell like that.”
Terra laughed “What, ya thought makin’ things float was all I could do?
Midnight let out a small giggle “Well, kind of. I don’t really know much about magic.”
Terra sighed “Really, girl? I can do all sorts’a tricks.”
“Can you teleport?” asked Midnight.
Terra shook her head “Nah, I ain’t never been too good at that one. Ash can though; he’s really good at that sorta thing.”
Midnight stopped “Really? I-I’ve always wanted to try that.”
Terra stopped and looked at her “You can fly anywhere ya want. Why would ya want ta teleport?
Midnight looked off in the distance “I don’t know, I’ve just always wondered what it feels like to disappear, then instantly be somewhere else.”
Terra chuckled “Well it ain’t nothin’ special, but if ya really want ta do it, ask, Ash I'm sure he wouldn’t mind teleportin’ ya sometime.”
Midnight started walking again “M-maybe I will…sometime.”
Terra smiled mischievously “Hey I got an idear. Ya wanna’ mess with Ash’s head?”
Midnight smiled back “What do you have in mind?”
Terra winked as they rounded the barn “Just follow my lead.”
Midnight giggled excitedly “Alright, this will be fun.”
They hear Ashen yell as they got near “Oh, come on! That’s twenty three ties in a row!” Ashen crossed his forelegs “That’s just ridiculous.”
Skylark smiled as he pointed to a mark on the ground that showed an S with a one underneath it and an A with a zero.
Ashen groaned “Yes, I know, you won the first game.” He turned away with a snort “You don’t have to remind me every time we tie.”
Skylark’s smile grew as he laughed a silent laugh.
Ashen rolled his eyes and turned away. He saw Midnight and Terra walking towards him and he pointed to them “Hey, Skylark, look, there back.”
Skylark jumped up and quickly flew towards Midnight. He looked down with a big smile after he landed in front of her. His smile quickly disappeared when he saw her busted lip. Skylark lifted Midnight’s chin. He turned towards Terra and spread his wings while he bared his teeth with a scowl.
Midnight grabbed his shoulder “Skylark, no!”
Skylark turned back to Midnight as his golden eyes glowed with anger.
Midnight shook her head “It’s not her fault, it was mine, we were sparring and I missed a block.”
Skylark looked at Terra then back to Midnight then back to Terra again.
Midnight smiled “Skylark, thank you, but please stop.”
Skylark folded his wings to his sides and turned to Midnight. He slowly exhaled and gently lowered his brow with a small frown.
Midnight’s smile grew “It’s alright, you don’t have to apologize.”
Skylark turned to Terra and gave the same look.
Terra smiled “Don’t worry bout it big guy, I can’t blame ya.” She walked up to Midnight and draped her hoof over her neck “If somepony busted up ma girl here, I’d go after em myself.”
Ashen walked up with his normal smile “Glad to see you two getting along so well.”
Terra grinned “Yeah, we kissed and made up. Let me tell ya, this girl is one helluva kisser.”
Ashen laughed “Yeah, I’ve seen her fight a bit and it was impressive.”
Terra turned to Midnight with a wink then turned back to Ashen “Yeah, she’s a pretty good fighter but that ain’t what I'm talkin’ bout. This girl here can lock lips wit the best of em.”
Ashen paused and looked between the two of them.
Terra bumped Midnight with her elbow.
Midnight looked at Terra who nodded at Ashen. Midnight grinned “Oh, um, you’re not too bad yourself, Terra. I especially liked it when you kissed down my neck.”
Ashen’s jaw dropped in an instant “W-wait…what?” He smiled “Oh, I get it, you’re kidding.” He turned and bumped Skylark with his elbow “Their just kidding.” He looked back at the girls “You’re just kidding…uh, right?”
Terra pulled Midnight in close. Midnight put her hoof around Terra and they both smiled at Ashen.
Ashen’s smile slowly faded as his eyes darted back and forth between the two. He looked at Skylark “They are kidding…right?”
Skylark smiled, shrugged then turned away.
Ashen looked back to the girls with a smile “Come on, y-you two can’t fool me. I know you didn’t really…I mean you wouldn’t…Right?”
Midnight let go of Terra and turns away “Believe what you want, Ashen.” She looked over at Terra “So, are we still on for tonight?”
Terra turned to walk with her “Ya better believe we are. You still gonna give’em ta me?”
Midnight smiled as she held back a laugh “Yes, tonight they're both yours to enjoy.”
Ashen’s eyes opened wide. He quickly ran up to them “So, uhh, ladies.” he stood in-between them and draped a hoof around both their necks with a big grin “What two things are we talking about here?”
Midnight and Terra looked at each other with a grin as they tried not to laugh. Terra started to speak but a sudden loud noise interrupted her. Fear struck their hearts as they heard the frantic ringing of the clock tower’s bell.