I'm only a simply colt, but today I feel like the best one in Equestria, because tomorrow, I can show Commander Life Blood how good I am In a real combat situation! Well at least a realistic one...
"Crimson!" Miss Chipper, the school teacher calls out, "start studying, or do I have to send you a tutor everyday?" she asks, adjusting her large round glasses
"Yeah, they'll definitely have to send you a special tutor, your mind is as absent as your cutie mark!" Iron Hoof jeers
I flinch at the remark, but recover with a witty comeback "Shut it Iron, your mouth is as loose as your mom's v-"
"Enough!" Miss Chipper yells at us, making the whole class flinch "I shall not tolerate such speech in the classroom, or anywhere!" she huffs "Now Crimson, Iron, to my office, NOW!"
jeez, what got her so uptight today? I wonder as I set down my pencil and follow Iron down the hall and into Miss Chipper's office.
We stare at each other furiously until Miss Chipper walks in, sits down behind her desk and ruffles her curly teal mane.
"Whatever will I do with you two?" she asks nopony in particular, setting down her glasses and staring at us flatly.
I am smart enough to keep my mouth shut, but Iron Hoof foolishly speaks up "You could expel me" he says, a sly smile working its way onto his face.
"No, you will have twice as much homework this week, as well as six hours of community service, and you Crimson" she says poking a hoof at me, my poker face allowing only the tiniest of frowns "Will help Miss Smith pack up her wagons-" I let out a small sigh "-and" I immediately tense "You will help Iron Hoof with his community service." Miss Chipper puts her glasses back on "If you don't comply you won't be going to Fort Solar with Commander Blood"
I frown grimly, I had prepared to go for months, there is no way I am going to miss out on this.
Without missing a beat I reply "Yes ma'am" my eye twitching as what my task entails burns its way into my mind.
Iron Hoof smirks at me, I promise to beat his shit in for that.
Chipper looks down at her papers, Iron takes that as his cue to leave. I turn to leave also, but Miss Chipper cuts us off "Stop! did I say you could leave yet?" I freeze, quickly turn back around and stand at attention, Iron merely stops and looks over his shoulder.
Miss Chipper continues "Princess Celestia will be there, I want you two to be the most respectable students there, do you understand?"
I quickly nod my head, a small grin threatening to break free, A chance to prove myself in front of the princess! and the commander of the royal guard!, My heart does a backflip in my chest.
As I expected, Iron only lets out a small snort and walks down the hall. I follow him, a small smirk pushing its way onto my face. By the time we get back the school has already been dismissed. I grab my homework and stuff it into my denim saddlebag, one of the toughest fabrics out there. I sigh as the door squeaks while I pushed it open, one of the constant problems with this school, nobody fixes anything unless it's life threatening. I quickly glance around, spotting Lightwing, the pastel green Pegasi. She waves to me excitedly. I walk over to her and pick up her saddlebags.
"That was scary, you started telling Iron Hoof who's boss, then Miss Chipper was all like 'INTO MY OFFICE NOW!' and then she dismissed us and walked back there, I heard the screams all the way out here!" she blurts out
I stare at her dumbfounded, then I perform a slow, exaggerated facehoof, dragging it down my face dramatically. I look into her blue and gold eyes "No, the screams were from the children over there." I say pointing to the swing set where the younger fillies and colts are squealing happily. "But I do have some work to do for trying to insult Iron like that."
"But he deserved it!" she exclaims, frowning at her forehooves
I sigh, lifting her chin so I can look into her eyes "He did, and he still does, but insulting him, especially in the open like that, won't help."
"but-"
"No, he must come down slowly, behind the scenes, where no one can easily stop us." I reply as she takes my hoof into her own, I absently check for a cutie mark on my deep indigo fur
"Don't worry Crimson, you'll get it sooner or later!" she says laughing, "I got mine only last month, remember?"
"Yes, I remember" I say, thinking of the time when she ran out of the bakery to tell her parents, flashing the winged gear on her flank around. She had claimed it was an aeronautical engineering cutie mark, I still think it's telling her to make all of her technic sets fly away forever, but, whatever.
"You up for lunch?" she asks, her stomach grumbling
I pause, noticing the absence of food in my belly, "I guess so, I'm starting to feel a bit hungry myself"
We turn to leave, only to be stopped by Iron Hoof and his gang of cronies, Iron holds a camera.
"Leaving so soon?" he asks with a devilish smirk, "we would hate for you to have your tender, loving moment interrupted by something as mundane as, lunch."
I audibly groan "what do you want Iron?" I ask, stepping in front of Lightwing
"Just some pictures, for when you and your special sompony get married" I hear a snort behind me, Iron puts on a victorious smile.
"We just though you would want it for your honeymoon, when you buck her silly. Not that you would last very long." he says, his evil little smirk growing
I backhoof him so hard he spits out teeth.
"Why you little bi-" Lightwing pounces him, knocking him to the ground, but she's knocked back by Irons' back hooves, she flies back several meters, obviously unconscious
My smiles instantly turns into a snarl, I quit the lawful good technique...
I send my hoof down into his eye, curbstomping him, blood and a clear liquid shoot from his eye as he screams in pain, writhing on the ground, trying to caress his face.
All three of his cronies hesitate before attacking, then they jump at me simultaneously, I catch the first one in the collar, using his own weight to break his collarbone, the other two barrel into me unhindered. I feel some of my ribs break and my left foreleg goes numb as I topple onto the ground, making me scream in pain. I painstakingly beat one in the face with my right hoof, the other bucks me in the side of the head with his hind legs, great, I probably have a concussion now, they snort as they see me struggle for consciousness, one raises his hoof to put me out, but Iron stops him.
"Wait!" he yells, obviously in pain "If we want to hurt him, we have to do it indirectly" he smirks painfully, his eye still leaking clear fluid, my mind tries to grasp at what he's saying, but fails to do so, the pain being to much of a distraction. Slowly he walks over to Lightwing, I lose any remorse for him. My horn sparks to life, I draw in a breath before I blast his three cronies away from me, he stops looking back. He only has time to gasp as I pull him toward me. I lower my horn as he flies back, only to be impaled by its semi sharp tip, he screams in agony, trying to squirm away from my deep indigo aura, but I'm not finished with him yet. I throw him into the air and slam him back down, a wet crunch emitting as he screams in agony again, I slowly stand up and stumble towards Lightwing, but Iron grabs my hind leg. I pause for a moment and kick out at his leg, hearing a loud crack satisfies me. I drop next to Lightwing and groan in pain, I see her eyelids flutter for a moment, but she remains unconscious, I shyly kiss her cheek where Iron hit her before I enter into the dark confines of my mind.
My head aches, and I hear a Celestia forsaken beeping, my dreams run rampant, I feel a slight throbbing in my side, and my left foreleg aches as well, my head swims...
Beep... Beep... Beep...
I try to pull myself out of sleep, all my limbs struggle to respond.
Beep... Beep... Beep...
I feel blood slowly returning to my extremities, I draw in a deep breath.
Beep... Beep... Beep...
My eyelids flutter open enough to catch a glimpse of a pastel green color.
Beep... Beep... Beep...
I take another deep breath, this time through my nose, I smell grass... and, autumn leaves, definitely Lightwing. I smile, pulling her into my hooves, her chestnut mane tickling my nose.
Beep... Beep... Beep...
What is that infernal beeping noise? I ask myself, This is pleasantly surreal... even for my dreams. But why is that beeping noise here?, I try to remember what the beeping noise is, sounds like a heart monitor, but why would that be here?, I mused. Probably because of the fight, ha, I guess I'm in a hospital, my heart skips a beat... Oh dear Celestia... this isn't a dream!, I do a double take, Shit shit shit! morning wood is a positive, and rubbing against her flank!... aagh, welp, I'm fucked... My eyes fly open, I don't move, I don't want to wake her in this... predicament, but fate seems to hate me today.
"Crimson..." she snuggles in "your sooo warm" she lets out a contented snort, her wings pushing out from her sides a small blush forming on her cheeks.
Oh Celestia no, she's getting- I'm interrupted by her pulling me closer, I curse under my breath, a certain two parts rubbed together. Lightwing freezes, I bite my lip. She gets out of bed in blink of an eye, I think quickly, grabbing her tail as she dashes for the door, the sudden movement hurts my neck. I wait till she calms down, her wings settling back down at her sides, then I let go of her tail.
"Where do you think your going?" I ask, blushing
"I - I- umm... wasn't supposed to stay over, mommy and daddy wanted me back last night..."
"Really?" I ask "If that were the case they would have come to get you" my smile refused to die, so I'm stuck grinning like an idiot... great...
She blushes extra hard
"It's okay, here, sit down" I say, patting the bed beside me, getting up to a sitting position, she hesitates before rejoining me on the bed.
"I was so worried about you, you kept screaming in your sleep, well, until the princess showed up and did a healing spell on you. It made you feel allot better, well, that is, you stopped screaming at least..." she looked rather teary at this point
"It's okay Lightwing, I feel better now. But why did the princess come?"
"I don't know, she was just like 'POP!' and she appeared there, and was all like 'would somepony show me to this colt, Crimson Eon I pre.. ah.. pres.. um...' that word" she said, stumbling over it. Her strong point never really was grammar.
"You can ask her though, she said she wanted to meet you next week, during the tour"
My mouth hangs agape, the princess wanted to meet me? me!? "By the night! she wants to meet me?" I exclaim, my eyes widening
"Yes silly, you!" she said, punching me lightly on the left shoulder
"Ow!" I exclaim rubbing the offended shoulder
"Sorry, that one was.. dislocated." she says, eyeing me apologetically
"No harm done." I say with a mock injured look
We sit there for several minutes, pressing against each other before she speaks again. "I really have to thank you though, I heard what you did when Iron Hoof was coming for me, I think it was heroic" she blushes yet again.
"I couldn't let anything happen to you, no friend should let that happen to another" I pause for a moment "Where are the nurses? or doctors, we're in the hospital, right?"
"Nurse Gray said she wouldn't let anypony disturb us, not until I let them in" she replies
I look at her, amused "You know what she meant right?" She'll definitely fall for that.
It takes her a second, "ew, ew, ew!" her blush returns, I hold a hoof up to my mouth, trying to hide my smile.
"You should probably let her in now, I'm definitely feeling much better. How long was I out?" I ask, huffing
She jumps off the bed and heads to the door "You've been asleep for four days now" she opens the door "I'll be right back" she tells me as I watch her exit the room. It suddenly feels empty without her. I chide myself for being over possessive of her, she's only a filly, and I'm only a colt, we both have lives to live, but that doesn't mean- I try to think of something else, not wanting to have to argue with myself.
"Oh good, you're awake" nurse Gray says as she walks in, Lightwing following beside her "I think it would of taken even longer if it hadn't been for Princess Celestia coming to heal you."
"Did she really come for me?" I ask my pride welling up in me for no good reason.
"Mostly, she wanted to talk to witnesses to see the situation." Gray replies smiling at me "Are feeling okay? because if you are, your parents should be waiting for you."
"How bad were my injuries?"
She sighs, "You dislocated your left shoulder, two ribs were broken, one cracked, and the other... stabbed into your lumbar nerve cluster, your skull was cracked under your right eye, and you have a cracked hoof, surprisingly you didn't lose any teeth. You should really stay out of fights or you'll have to hire a bodyguard."
"And look like a weakling? Not a chance!"
"Are you ready to go then? You appear to be fine, at least the doctor says so."
"Yep, I'll see you later." I say sighing
Nurse Gray chuckles lightly, "Hopefully not, but knowing you, it's mostly likely."
I glare at Lightwing as she chuckles to herself.
I walk into our living room with my dad, Ember, on my right, and my mom, Darkshade, on my left.
"Are you sure you didn't want it to happen?" my mom asks me again.
"I told you a thousand times, it was a complete accident" I say rolling my eyes, my dad chuckles to himself.
"Oh come on Darkie, he won't tell you any different" Ember says, reaching over me and kissing her on the cheek, I flinch at their antics, my ears going flat against my head.
"Don't worry son, it will happen to you too someday" she says softly to me.
I ignore her, walk past them, down the hall, and into my bedroom upstairs. I glance at the mirror on my way to my bed, I pause. Something is very different, I look again, a scar runs a few inches down my left shoulder, A little more than dislocated, I think. It takes a second for me to accept, but I decide to make the best of it. I strike a pose, flashing a devious smile at my mirror image. I make several poses more, trying to come up with an epic victory phrase. I give up. I grabb a vinyl from my bookshelf and place it onto the record player. I frown at my setup, Sorry, maybe later beautiful, I think caressing the mixer, I sigh, hitting the play button, the song Serenity gently coming to life in my room. I flop down onto my bed, All the Celestia forsaken homework! I resolve to catch up tomorrow, I want to be up to speed by the time I meet the princess.
Chapter 1 - The Brightest Light
I sit in bed reading my fathers' combat magic manual. He never knows I take them, They just sit in the library gathering dust. He's only in the reserves, so he never has to study, they never use the reserves anyways, they just pay him to be part of it. I plan to join them full time, I hope he lets me go, I've always wanted to join, to stand beside Commander Blood, protecting the princess, fighting evil.
I pull off my headphones, my lust for trance music being thoroughly sated for the day. I mark my spot in the book and close it as well, I feel like doing absolutely nothing today. I can't practice combat magic in the park anymore, not after mister Charcoal found out I incinerated the rose garden, and especially after I cast a spell of poisoning on his favorite tree. I can't play my music either, mom banned me from using my speaker system inside, and my neighbors hate it when I use it out back. Lightwing is on a trip with her family, and I can't go to 'friendly' hoof to hoof combat practice with Iron anymore, not since last week. I sigh, Ever since last week I've been looked at like I'm a monster, or like I'm some prince charming. I look through my bookshelf for anything that might be of use tomorrow, when they put us in the big combat simulation at the fort, Commander Blood decided I should go, despite not being able to attend the preliminary test, he said 'my fight with Iron Hoof was enough to show that I'm made of the right material', I think I still get to go just because Princess Celestia wants to meet me.
I slide out of bed, making sure my headphones are secure around my neck before heading downstairs.
"Is there anything to eat yet?" I ask as I step into the kitchen, where my mom, Darkshade is sitting, drinking her tea.
"Not yet, I still have to go get the tomatoes for the salad" She states quietly.
"Ha! petty fool, my appetite will not be sated with such empty excuses!" I exclaim empirically.
Darkshade giggles "Oh, but my lord, I would never give you empty remark, not even if the price be death!" she exclaims, playing my game.
I hang my head, she always knows how to make me feel foolish, even when I pretend I rule the world. I leave the kitchen, my mom chuckling to herself. I go back to my bedroom and lay down, wishing it would be tommorow already.
A full ten minutes pass before something happens other than me blowing spit bubbles and making fart sounds. I hear a firm knocking on the front door downstairs, then the soft clopping of hooves, telling me that my mom is going to answer the door. I flick my ears in the general direction of the door, trying to hear whatever conversation that will be had.
I hear a deep, gruff voice from downstairs, "Hello madam Darkshade. I hate to inform you on such short notice, but Princess Celestia wishes you to meet her at the palace tonight, and possibly stay for a few days"
"Oh, well in that case, I need to wait for Ember, and get Crimson all packed up." she says gently to the stallion at the door.
"Your husband has already been informed, and do not worry about packing, everything will be supplied at the palace."
"In that case, let me go get Crimson"
"I'll wait here"
I stand up, push my blue and red mane out of my eyes, and adjust my headphones, Celestia wants to talk to me before tomorrow! more princess points! I hoof pump and walk out of my room before Darkshade can enter into my domain.
"Okay, I'm ready, lets go!" I say excitedly to my mom.
"Oh, good, lets go" she says, giving me a heartwarming smile
The ride there was almost completely uneventful, other than the weather, those pegasus really need to step up their game sometimes.
After the short chariot flight to Canterlot we were promptly escorted by a white pegusus to our rooms. Mine was definitely larger than our whole living room, and possibly the kitchen as well, it even had a desk with some DJing equipment on it, then there were even copies of the posters I had in my room on the walls, although they were arranged more artistically then mine. Still, it was awesome to know that they would take the time to customize it to my taste palette without even asking, Celestia must be the coolest pony ever, she takes the time to make sure those little details are taken care of.
"By the way, what's your name?" I ask the white colt.
He smooths back his black mohawk and replies "I'm cadet Bright Light, thirty first generation of Umbral guard applicants, designation ucp376, part of the second class flier regiment!" His reply obviously is something he has been wanting to tell somepony for awhile.
"Wow, why are you acting as an escort then?"
"I'm just a squire for now, preforming daily duties of a servant is part of my training." His face is shouting all kinds of pride right now, but he keeps his speech in a 'matter of fact' tone.
I smile, "How did you get in?! did you like save somepony or something and get recognized for it and get an invite to the Umbral guard academy?!" My question is very rushed, but he smiles knowingly.
"I was in the normal academy, but with my exceptional behavior was recognized and I received an invite from Sir Watcher himself, it really was worth it though, there's only five others, but they got in because of rich politicians." he says shrugging, probably used to allot of excited colts asking him all about it.
"Wow, do you think I could get in like that?" I ask, nearly bouncing on my hooves.
"Possibly, you'll need to keep your grades up though, it shows diligence, if not, then it shows you've got a brain. One of which you will need if you expect to be doing anything involving 'Umbral guard stuff' but you should know that, you look like you're not an idiot, so I assume you'll have a chance."
"That, I can do!"
"Wait, are you the pony that was in that fight in Larktown?"
"Yeah, what about it?" I say, trying to conceal the fact that I was excited that an Umbral cadet would notice me.
"What about it?! That was awesome! fighting a off a horde of bullies to save a beautiful young filly who became your special somepony not long after!" He says jumping a couple of times in excitement.
"What, ew, no, not quite, it was only four, and she's not my special somepony, just a good friend." I say momentarily confused
"Oh... I guess every story gets taller every time it's told. But still, that's awesome!" He bounces again "you were all like Pow! Bam! Smack! Pow!... and then BOOM!" He says demonstrating some of his professional ninja-pony moves.
I laugh, "Not quite like that, it was more like Smack! Opmf! Squish. Crack! Argh! Smack!"
"Squish?"
"Yes, squish" I say pointing to my eye.
"Ew, that's... gross, but still cool!"
"I know right, and I got a cool scar!" I say pointing to my left shoulder.
"Wow, real battle scars!" He exclaims "I've got one on my neck, from a stray bolt of telekinetic bladeshot during training!" He lifts his head so I can see a long scar under his chin. "It went into the bone, so it won't ever fade."
"Cooool!" I say looking at the scar. "What's your talent?" I ask, looking for a cutie mark, but his flank is covered with a long cape.
He lifts the cape so I can see his cutie mark, as well as the several combat knives hidden in the cloak. His cutie mark is a white candle. "I'm really good at making candles, and I know how to infuse them with magic so they can have different effects and moods on the environment or ponies within the range of its' light." He says, hinting at tons of knowledge on the subject.
"Wow, that could actually be, useful. I would of never of thought of that"
"It's come in really handy, in case I want to read late at night, or cast a blinding spell on my enemies"
My jaw drops "A candle that can make it dark?"
"Only for your enemies."
"Wow, what else can you do?"
"I can make candles of confusion, clarity, energy, sleep. And I can make ones that make ponies angry, sad, happy, or even scared, but emotions are harder to evoke with a simple candle, sometimes to get the proper effect you have to use up a hundred, but it still only works if the light is touching the intended target"
"I wish I could do that!"
He glances at my flank "Who knows, you might get a talent like it someday"
"Yeah, I might" I say, frowning slightly.
"Hey, give it time, it will come eventually. I do have to go though, squire duties and all"
"Okay then, good luck!" I call to him as he turns to leave.
"You too, Crimson" He says before walking off, his cape billowing behind him as a light breeze floats down the hall.
I am giddy with glee, I get to meet the princess, and I have an Umbral squire as an escort!
I quickly close my door and trot over to the mirror.
"Why hello m'lady." Nope, to flirty.
"Your highness! what a pleasure to have your audience!" Nope, she invited me, not the other way around.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person!" Again, nope, sounds like a villain from a power pony comic.
"M'lady, it fills my heart with joy to be in audience of a prestigious being such as yourself!" Also nope.
I give up, I will make it up as I go along, there is no point of trying to over-charm the princess, it will almost definitely end up with me embarrassed.
What do I do? I've got everything here, but I still feel as if I shouldn't just fall back on the same stuff, not while I'm in Canterlot.
My reverie is broken as I hear a knocking on the door.
"Yes?" I ask
The voice is soft, feminine "Mr. Eon, Lieutenant Punch wishes to speak with you."
I walk over to the door and open it, a yellow earth pony stands in front of me, she smiles at me.
"Uh, take me to him, I guess/" I say putting on my 'tough' pose.
She giggles "Okay, follow me young sir."
I definitely commend the ponies here for the formalities, I got called sir....
The walk was brief, it only took her five minutes to get us to Lieutenant Punch's office. She knocks lightly on the door three times, the standard form for military.
"Come in." He says flatly
The yellow pony opens the door and motions for me to go inside, I hesitate, but step in promptly. A buff earth pony sits behind the desk in the middle of the spartan office.
"I would like to speak with you for a few minutes, Crimson" His gaze is chilling, I try not to think about it though.
"Yes sir"
He continues to speak, but stops, takes off his helmet and continues, "I need you to know a few things, Crimson, I do hope you listen"
"Yes sir" I say again
"Good. First off, I can't have you running around the palace without an escort, you are a guest, but still a civilian"
"Does being a civilian mean I'm immediately an idiot?"
"Good, we're clear on that one, and no, not all civilians are idiots" He says, motioning to a chair across from the desk.
I sit down, he pours himself some cider.
"Do you know why you're here?"
"Yeah, to talk to the princess"
"Not quite" He offers me a glass, I shake my head.
"Why then?"
"A lawsuit Crimson, life isn't all about showing off to princesses"
I blink, Why would I be sued, or anyone else?, "Why would I be sued?"
"Not you, your father. The're suing because your fight, Iron Hoofs' family is upset that he was injured, as well as the families of his accomplices."
"But I wasn't attacking him, I was defending Lightwing!"
"I know, the princess knows, they know, we all know. The fact is, Iron Hoof was injured, de-eyed and stabbed to be exact, and even though you meant well, and even though he was healed, they want recompense."
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh. I don't mean to sound harsh, but watch it young stallion, any carrier options could be damaged by a lawsuit, and your case could be damaged if you turn out to be anything other than what your intentions were when you were in your fight."
"what?"
"Meaning, if you show yourself to be anything other than a kind loving protector of your special somepony."
"She's not my-"
"I know, society doesn't, this is a very public case, it happened right in front of a school, when parents were picking up their children, gossip is a force to be reckoned with. If you expect this to go well, you-" he says pointing a hoof at me for emphasis "-need to be extra vigilant in the public eye, especially tomorrow, during the young warrior championship. If they even let you in."
"Yes sir"
"I do not mean to ruin your visit with troubles, I just felt the need to warn you of this, especially since you're a civilian."
"I thought you said civilians aren't idiots."
He facehoofs "No, it's just that, ugh, nevermind. civi's..."
"Okay then..."
"Anyways, other than that, don't do nothin' stupid. And goodbye Crimson."
"Thank you sir" I say getting off the chair and standing at attention.
Lieutenant Punch raises an eyebrow, but stands at attention as well. I salute, he dismisses me and I promptly step back, about face, and march off. I hear chuckling from the officer as I close the door. That... went, well.
My mind wanders I am led back to my room, Why would anypony start a lawsuit? It's just so ridiculous.
The servant lets me into my room and walks away, I wonder if I can get into the young warriors competition now?
These are the questions that bother me for the rest of the day.