Memories of Midnight

Chapters

Chapter 1: Patrol
Chapter 2: Meetings, Secret and Overt
Chapter 3: Say Cheese!
Chapter 4: Darkness Rises
Chapter 5: Midnight Falls

Chapter 1: Patrol

“Midnight…”

Something was bothering her, but she could not put her hoof on it. A feeling of...inevitability. As if time was precious, a finite thing that was quickly running out.

“Midnight…?”

She almost felt like she could hear the sands of an hourglass slowly running through the divide, but the source of this feeling illuded her, as it had the entire time she had been sitting eating her lunch.

“Midnight, seriously, have you heard anything I’ve said?”

The voice finally gets through as the dark blue mare realizes somepony has been talking to her almost the entire time she has been off in whatever little world she had been catapulted into. Looking up and smiling sheepishly, a pancake hanging out of her mouth, Midnight does her best to not look like she had completely missed the entire conversation, even if her ears fold back in embarrassment.

“Sorry, Captain,” a light chuckle escaping her as she rubs the back of her head, “I...must have spaced out. You were saying about our patrol today…?” Her Captain, a light red mare with short cropped black mane, shakes her head and sighs.

“You weren’t paying attention, were you?” The annoyance is clear, this isn’t the first time in the past few days, “First; Don’t talk with your mouth full, you know better.” Midnight quickly eats the pancake with an embarrassed smile and blush, “Second; We’ve been scheduled to patrol part of Canterlot, near the lower class districts.” The Captain goes takes a bite from her breakfast and a sip of her drink - an omelet and a mug of tea - before continuing, “We’ll likely be out until lunch, so you’d better eat. Don’t want you getting hungry halfway through and proposing we stop at Rusty’s mid-patrol.”

Midnight aims a smile at her Captain, “Aww, but Mama Tide, I have to have my morning snack if I am to keep up my strength!” Captain Riptide simply rolls her eyes and ignores it, “Besides, I figure the other two will want to stop by Rusty’s anyway for lunch.” She leans over towards her Captain, “I hear they’re serving tacos for lunch here, today.” Riptide’s ears perk up, “And I know you just can’t resist them, but they just don’t agree with you.”

Riptide blushes and mutters into her tea, her ears perked forward in annoyance, “Perhaps I can put up with that...annoying old Stallion for one meal.” Midnight smile warmly as she finishes the last of her food, going so far as to wink at her Wingmate.

“That’s the spirit, Tide!” she says with a content sigh, “Besides, I know you enjoy Rusty’s hijinx. The way he makes the foals smile!” Riptide mutters more as she finishes off the last of her tea before standing heading over to place her tray in the collection bin, Midnight in tow. Making their way from the Mess, Midnight keeping her smile as they walk, comments of what she’ll order from Rusty being pointedly ignored by Tide. Passing Wonderbolts only smile at this routine show, the sight being a common occurrence whenever Six has to patrol.

Before too long they’re in the lobby and looking for their wingmates.

The first, and most obvious one, is a Stallion pacing back and forth in the middle of the lobby, starting from the corridor to the West Wing and traveling over to the one leading to the East. This Stallion is just a bit bigger than average, but not by much, and is the medium grey color of forming stormclouds with a mane the dark brown of freshly wet earth after a rainstorm. He is wearing his Wonderbolt Uniform, a few spiderweb-like scars are visible extending up his neck from beneath his uniform. His gate is even, though stiff speaking to other old injuries beneath the uniform, perhaps even related to the ones on his neck. There is a content, friendly smile on his face, as if the pure motion of his pacing is relaxing to him.

Walking up to him, and off to one side of his path, Midnight and Riptide sit down and wait to be noticed. After a few more passes the Stallion stops and turns, his smile growing and reaching his dark blue eyes. He trots over and stands next to them, “Morning Captain,” He salutes his Riptide, “Midnight.” he inclines his head to Midnight, “Ready to get out and patrol.”

Tide smiles slightly and returns the salute, “At ease, Storm Dancer,” She says in a professional voice, “And good, I’d rather not have any delays. We’re on a schedule, after all.” She looks around, “And where is your young partner in crime?”

“He isn’t that much younger than me, Captain,” Dancer says with mock exasperation, his smile remaining, “He is checking his mail.” The Grey Wonderbolt nods his head towards the mail counter, specifically at an off-white pony wearing a Wonderbolt uniform, his charcoal-grey mane tied back and out of his face. He is learning on the counter, a smile on his face as he talks with the mail pony behind the desk with an enthusiastic tone, “He is expecting a package from home. Could hardly keep up with him he wanted to get down here and check so badly.”

Nodding Riptide stands, “Well, we better go save the poor Stallion from Clear so we can get on with our Patrol.” There others likewise stand and follow after her.

Upon reaching the mail counter Tide clears her throat and nods to the Mail Stallion, who returns the greeting, before fixing her eyes on her excited wingmate, “Clear Sky, you ready to go, or am I going to have to have Dancer drag you out the door. Again.”

The Stallion turns and offers a quick salute before turning back to the mail counter as he speaks, “Almost, Captain,” He says the title in a somewhat sardonic, but excited, tone, “I am just waiting for our friend here to hand over the package that was delivered for me.” The Mail Stallion looks up from behind the counter, having had knelt down to pick some stray mail that had fallen on the floor.

“I was just telling him it is in the back,” The Mail Stallion says with a professional smile, “But if he is required for something right now, I can hold onto it.” Sky gives him a clearly disappointed pout, to which the Stallion simply laughs, “Sorry, but your Captain trumps you.” Captain Riptide nods to the Stallion and puts a hoof on Sky’s shoulder.

“Sorry, but orders are orders. And right now our orders are to go out on patrol.” Her tone is stern, unwavering, but not without some sympathy, “You can pick it up when we get back before lunch.” Sky sighs dejectedly and puts his head against the counter.

“Yes, mother.” He says in a tone of mock defeat, which quickly turns into a chuckle as Tide raises an eyebrow at him.

“I mean, yes ma’am.” He says, standing at attention and saluting, “Commander Clear Sky reporting for patrol duty, ma’am.”

“That is what I thought you said,” her reply slightly exasperated, but clearly used to this sort of disrespect. She motions with her head towards the doors, “Right, Squad Six, let's move out.” The squad, including Clear who is smiling happily at not being reprimanded, follows in the wake of their Captain, the few other Wonderbolts who are crossing the lobby nodding at them or offering passing greetings as the four head out the front doors. Once outside, they get into a loose Flying-V formation, Riptide and Midnight side by side with Clear Sky to Midnight’s right and Storm Dancer to Riptide’s left. They raise their hoods, lower their flight goggles, and take off at the same time in a well practiced and oiled maneuver. They quickly gain some altitude before heading out over the high-class district and towards the lower-class districts.

The change between the high-walled estates and white stone walkways of the High-Class district -- where the Wonderbolt Compound is located -- to the well-off Middle-Class district with its single family homes, and even apartment buildings, is a mostly smooth transition. Both are well kept and patrolled regularly by the police, with the Royal Guard tossed in nearer to the Palace in the High-Class district. The change between even the Middle to the Lower-Class districts was like walking, or in this case flying, into a whole new world. The buildings are far from well kept. Nor could many, if any, of the ramshackle old buildings be called anything remotely close to a ‘single family home’. The majority were apartment buildings, some even perhaps classified as tenements.

It was an environment Midnight had been in before; not by choice, but rather by birth. having been born into a family that had not been well off, she had been raised for the better part of her childhood in a single-room studio apartment. In fact, if she really searched, Midnight is sure she could find it during this patrol.

No, she had no time for that, she needed for focus.

Shaking her head and trying to see everything at once, like she was trained to do. They’re looking for Shadowbolts, and with their dark uniforms they’re going to be hard to spot.

But, at least this wasn’t a combat patrol, at least she hoped it wasn't. Last time they had fought the Shadowbolts -- it felt like about a year ago now -- they had nearly been dealt a sound defeat at the hands of the dark-uniformed Pegisi. If not for the fact that Soarin and a few others had fought their leader, and caused her to apparently explode, the battle could have turned out much worse.

The image of that...creature that had taken the form of a Mare, for Midnight could not find it within herself to call the ‘captain’ of the Shadowbolts a pony, exploding had stayed burned into Midnight’s mind for weeks after the event. She had woken up in a cold sweat more than once to find herself safe and sound, not back in that battle. She had apparently caused a commotion a few of those times, as he roommate had been awake when she had risen from the grips of her nightmares.

The feeling of a wing gently poking her side stirs her from her deep thoughts, and she looks over to see Tide raising an eyebrow at her. The silent question of where he attention is clear on the Captain’s face. Shaking her head she looks forward again, doing her best to keep on task.

The patrol continues mostly in silence, a few times Tide uses hoof or wing signals to have the squad fly lower and investigate a particular area. More than once she asks Midnight her opinion on places to investigate, as even though Riptide also grew up in Canterlot, she had stuck mostly to the higher class areas.

Looking back once or twice, Midnight notices that she is really the only one having any trouble focusing. Even, surprisingly, Sky is on task and focusing, which is something that Midnight has only seen him do on occasion when they’ve been sent on patrols.

Though, as they pass over Rusty’s on their way back through the middle class area, the entire squad except for Riptide stares at it as they pass over, one or two stomachs grumbling for Rusty Stove’s food.

“Eyes up, everyone. No time to stop yet.” Tide’s business tone cuts through their hunger, and the squad flies on, albeit hungrier than a few moments before. Thankfully the trip back to the compound is a short one, sped by a tailwind springs up in their wake, as well of thoughts of Rusty’s being in their near future.

The moment they touch down on the front lawn of the Wonderbolt Compound, they’re through the door at a brisk trot and heading for the stairs to shed their flight apparel. The majority of the squad is talking about heading to Rusty’s, a topic brought up by Midnight as they landed, and the other two are more than willing to agree that they should go there for lunch.

As they reach the top of the stairs leading to the offices and administrative wing Tide starts off towards her office, and is stopped by Midnight putting a hoof on her shoulder.

“Captain, you’re joining us, aren't you?” Midnight says with a smile, “I mean, you were the one who said she didn’t want to eat the tacos here on base.” Tide rolls her eyes and sighs at the comment, attempting to remove the hoof.

“I need to write my report on the patrol before Captain Spitfire returns.” She again tries to get away, but Midnight keeps with her, “Midnight, I need to go write the report.”

Midnight responds by wrapping an arm around her Captain’s neck and smiling, “Oh, no miss Captain. You’re coming with us to lunch.” She points to Sky, “I mean, Sky wants to spend more time with you!” Sky raises an eyebrow and rolls his eyes, but Midnight continues, “Besides, Spitfire shouldn’t be back for a while, we can at least eat lunch and be back in more than enough time to write the report!” Tide opens her mouth to shoot a retort, but her stomach loudly voices its opinion, causing the Captain to narrow her eyes.

“Clearly I am going to lose this argument.” Riptide says in an almost a growl. She then sighs and throws her wings up in exasperation as she rolls her eyes, “Right, let's just get going so you all can watch Rusty have his fun.” Midnight smiles warmly starts pulling the Captain towards the stairs that the Elite Wonderbolt’s have their rooms on, followed by the rest of their squad.

A few minutes, and much more of Midnight keeping Riptide on track, the group is once more in the air and off towards the diner. Midnight, Dancer, and Sky are all casual, with their Captain wearing her officer’s uniform. Tide gets a raised eyebrows from her squad, except Midnight, upon spotting the uniform, but she ignores them and just heads to the front door.

The flight to Rusty’s is short, since they are not performing a sweeping patrol, and just past the midway-point of noon they step through the door of the diner. They are quickly greeted by the familiar voice of the namesake coming from the kitchen.

“Well, look who has decided to grace my humble diner!” The old cook’s voice comes from where he is cooking as the group goes and takes a seat at the counter. The place was, for the most part, still empty as the lunch rush had not yet started.

“Yes, we have come down from aloft to grace your fine establishment,” Midnight says in an overly dramatic voice, a warm smile on her face, “For we have heard the food is beyond compare!”

Rolling up in front of Midnight Rusty offers Midnight a smile and a hearty laugh, “Flattery will get you everywhere, as always.” He pulls the pencil out from behind his ear, “Usual, Midnight?” Midnight nods, and Rusty heads down the line, “And you?”

“Grill cheese and soup, Rusty.” Sky says with a smile, “And I do mean tomato, not cheese soup.” he adds as Rusty chuckles and slides down to the next in the line.

“And you, Mister Lighting Bug?” He asks Dancer.

“Salad, with some apples and strawberries?” He says the last as a question as he leans forward onto the counter and looks at Rusty who strokes his stubble.

“Hm, you always seem to come in when I’ve just gotten a fresh batch of apples from Sweet Apple Aches.” He narrows his eyes, “All that lighting you’ve absorbed given you premonitions?”

“I don’t know Rusty.” Dancer says, returning the eye narrow, a smirk on his face, “If it had, why do I keep running into doors?” Rusty laughs and shrugs as he writes down the order.

“Good point!” He then rolls down to the last, which is a visibly unhappy Riptide. As soon as Rusty reaches her, he dusts his apron off, stands up straight and snaps a to attention. “And what are you orders, Captain my captain?” his voice is now very military like. Tide just rolls her eyes and puts a hoof to her forehead.

“Salad with grilled chicken.” She says curtly.

“Sir yes sir.” Rusty says, before breaking down into chuckles as he rolls around to fill the orders. The rest of the squad is holding back their own laughter, which only makes Tide’s expression grow a little more annoyed.

Dancer looks to Midnight, then back to Tide and smiles a little.

“Say, Midnight, why don’t we trade seats.” His voice just loud enough to be heard over the din of the kitchen not that far off, “Captain here looks like she is ready to chew a hole in someone, you’re immune to it, and I’d like to keep my ears attached to my body.” Tide just glares, but Midnight chuckles and stands up as Dancer does.

“Of course. Can’t let that pretty face of yours get anymore scars!” She says with a wink before trotting over and sitting down next to Tide. As soon as she is situated Rusty rushes past, and suddenly they all have their food. Midnight picks the sandwich up with one hoof, the other she sneaks around Tide’s neck and pulls the annoyed Captain closer.

“M’on ‘ide.” She says around her BLT, “s’not like ‘usty ‘s ‘oing it outta spite.” Tide just folds her ears back and levels a glare at Midnight.

“Midnight. Don’t speak with your mouth full. I know you weren’t raised in a barn.” Midnight just shrugs and swallows her food.

“As usual, Rusty, best BLT I’ve ever had!” Rusty just offers a salute with his spatula from behind the stove as Midnight looks over to Riptide, “And some of the places I lived could have been a barn, Tide.” She leans over and rests her head on her Captain’s shoulder, yellow mane flowing down Tide’s back, and blinks her amber eyes up at the other mare. “Can’t you just relax and enjoy one meal, for me?” Riptide’s face turns a little deeper shade of red, though the look in her eyes does not lend it being out of embarrassment.

“Last I checked, Midnight, I was the Captain,” Tide says as she picks up a fork that had been delivered with the salad, “And you were not in a position to give me orders.” She looks back over and finds Midnight’s head still against her shoulder, with the addition of a sandwich in her mouth, her eyes large and puppy dog-like. Tide’s ears fold back and she sighs, “Fine,” she says, admitting defeat, “I will try and relax. No guarantees.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it!” Rusty says as he zips behind them to deliver an order to a family that had come in shortly after Squad Six. Tide grits her teeth and growls slightly at the comment, then takes a deep breath and lets it go.

“See! You can relax!” Midnight declares as she sits back up and returns to eating her sandwich, her faced propped up on one hoof, her eyes fixed on Tide as if there is no one else in the room, a small small barely reaching her eyes.

Looking over at her wingmate, a deep red once more rises on Tide’s cheeks once more, her ears flopping back against her skull.

This time, to everyone present, it’s clear it’s not because she is annoyed.

Author's Note

Well, I might as well say I've never written in this universe, or the MLP fandom, ever. So, if you spot any mistakes in terminology or anything please let me know and I will do my best to fix it! Other than that I hope you all enjoy this, the first chapter in what will be a five (Or six, depending on some things) chapter story-set.

And while I am sure you all know where this is going with Midnight (Though if you don't remember re-read Chapter 92 of Calm Wind's "Piercing the Heavens" and if you've not gotten there yet I won't spoil anything :derpytongue2: ), I felt like exploring Squad Six and its members would be fun! Even if I had to make up 3 out of the 4 squad members!

Chapter 2: Meetings, Secret and Overt

The flight back to the Wonderbolt Compound was one of quiet contemplation for Captain Riptide. Her wings working on autopilot, her ears barely hearing the laughter and comments from the rest of her squad as they fly over the High-Class District of Canterlot. Yet, she saw none of the brightly lit stone houses, nor felt the warmth of the sun on her wings, the wind in her mane.

No, all she saw were those eyes. Those amber stars amidst a field of blue as dark as the clearest night. All she felt was the warmth of the smile, her heart filling with a feeling she had felt no other place than vague memories of her long passed mother. It confused her. But it also made her feel so...light. Almost as if her wings were being lifted by an unseen force, her body suspended by this feeling causing her weight to mean nothing. But, as pleasant as it is, it is an unknown, and Tide does her best to press it down into the depths of her mind so it does not interfere with her duty as a Captain.

It is her duty to deal with the unknown, but something like this is beyond her training, beyond the scope of what she feels...comfortable dealing with. She had never really dealt with matters regarding her own feelings on another pony in years. Least of all her feelings towards anypony in regards to actually liking them. Not since her last coltfriend when she was in primary school.

And now?

Now, not only was her mind actually forcing her to contemplate something like this, it was actually making her think that having a marefriend would be something she’d enjoy. Something she wanted, perhaps even needed. If she had been a lesser pony, she might actually admit that these feelings might actually frighten her.

Landing swiftly beside her wingmates as they arrive at the Wonderbolt Compound -- at home -- a grimace on her face, Tide is jarred from her thoughts by the sight of others briskly trotting in through the front door. She recognized at least Squad Seven, as well as surprisingly Squad Two, in full flight gear going in through the front door. But, if they were home, that meant…

“Captain Riptide!” Lead Captain Spitfire’s voice cut through her embattled thoughts like a hot blade to butter, “Good, you are here.”

Snapping to attention with the rest of her Squad, Riptide turns and stays in salute as the Captain walks up. She stays that way as watches Spitfire stop briefly and continue to address them. “At ease, Squad Six.” Spitfire all but snaps, her mood clearly not a good one, “Captain Riptide, come with me.” She starts off and continues without looking back, “Emergency meeting, Captains only.”

“Yes ma’am!” Tide replies without pause, starting off with a nod of her head for her squad to follow. As they catch up, she speaks without turning, “Midnight, take the rest of the Squad and run some practice drills in one of the gyms. Dancer and Sky could use some practice in their part of the show. You can work with them, or work on whatever you wish. Just make sure they put some work into that lighting catching trick.”

Midnight nods, a smile on her face as she salutes with one wing while splitting from Tide’s side, where she had been the entire time Riptide realizes, “Right away, my Captain.” The emphasis on the word ‘my’ causes Tide’s ears to flick back and her eyes to shoot to Spitfire, but as luck would have it the Lead Captain’s attention is elsewhere, primarily on shouting at another Captain to get their plot to the meeting room and to pass it on to any other squad leads they see.

Looking back to where Midnight had been a moment before Tide finds that that particular problem in her life has vanished along with the rest of her Squad. Breathing a sigh of relief she breaks into a quick trot to catch up to Spitfire who is already mounting the steps to the second story of the Compound.

Something had to have happened in Cloudsdale, or Spitfire wouldn’t be this worked up. Tide does not know her all that well, but she knows her superior officer well enough to know that when she became agitated or deeply troubled about something she fell into her ‘I am the Lead Captain!’ mode. And, clearly, this was one of those moments.

Upon reaching the second floor they turn down towards the administrative wing, Captains from many of the squads in the wake of their leader. Riptide herself was right behind the Captain of Squad Ten, an older Stallion who had been a Captain longer than Riptide, and had the Captain from Squads Nineteen and Twenty right behind her.

Moving into the room swiftly, Riptide makes her way to her chair, which is across the table from the Captain of Squad Seven, and between Squads Four and Eight. Standing beside her chair she looks around, attempting to gage the mood of the other Captains, perhaps get a feeling for what is going on. However, everyone, with the exception of Fleetfoot -- who had walked in sometime in the time it took Tide to get to her chair -- who was in conversation with Captain Spitfire. They’re conversation was, to say the least, animated, and the look on Fleetfoot’s face could only been called gossipy. Knowing her, and the look on Spitfire’s face, Fleet was likely teasing her Captain about Wave Chill or something.

Thinking of Wave and Spitfire’s relationship only causes Tide to think back to lunch -- which brings her back to Midnight -- her mind suddenly once more becoming consumed by the image of her wingmate’s eyes. Her heart actually skips a beat remembering them, the feeling of warmth and weightlessness returning unbidden.

Luckily the sound of voices from the doorway return her to the present before she can swoon. Blinking a few times Tide looks over towards the entrance to the meeting room and raises an eyebrow at yet another couple. This time, it is Soarin and the new Recruit Captain Rainbow Dash standing in the entranceway, Silver Lining behind her waiting for her and the Lead Squad Commander to move out of the way. They were, truthfully, an odd couple in Tide’s book, the two of them having met during one of Soarin’s ‘vacations’ away from the Wonderbolt Compound. She could not fault him, however, for falling for the mare. From what she understood, and from what she had seen during the recruitment and later during the training under Silver, Dash was a very spirited and determined pony.

The two of them seemed to almost feed off of each other’s enthusiasm and determination. It made them stronger, from what Riptide had observed.

The way she helped him, too, as he seemed injured -- yet another thing that needed to be explained -- there was a deep connection there.

And, then once more, her mind kicked her in the teeth and she imagined Midnight beside her, Tide’s wing draped over her with both of them laughing and enjoying themselves and…

No. Focus. She needed to focus, she was in a meeting. In fact, Spitfire had said something.

Looking over a cold, embarrassed sweat forms between Tide’s shoulder blades as Spitfire had told them all to sit while Tide was off in the land of useless personal fantasies. Taking her seat quickly and hoping no pony had noticed her getting lost in thought she looks towards Spitfire as she takes her own seat, Soarin and Fleetfoot taking a seat on each side of their Captain.

With everyone seated, the lone exception behind the young ‘Captain’ of Squad Zero -- Spitfire’s pet special forces project, which Tide did not know how to feel about -- who was lingering off to one side of Spitfire. A small apologetic smile crosses Tide’s face, as she can not help but feel sorry for the young mare who has no place really to sit. The smile, though, quickly vanishes when Air Mach, the most annoying Stallion in the world -- perhaps even the universe -- stands up and offers Shine his seat in his usual verbose over the top grandstanding way. But, at least it was only a single sentence, instead of his usual paragraph of ‘true stallion’ crap.

Spitfire’s voice, calling for order and everyone to listen up, catches and drags Tide’s attention to the Lead Captain. She explains how she wants to explain what just happened, as in today, to Squads One, Two, Three, and Seven in Cloudsdale. Tide cannot help herself and leans forward, hooves on the table and ears perked forward. What in Celestia and Luna’s name was four Elite Tier Squads doing in Cloudsdale? She had known that One and Seven had a show in Cloudsdale, and had actually taken Squad Foxtrot now that she thought about it, but why were Fire and Silver’s squads doing there too? For that matter, when had they left?

Spitfire’s explanation doesn’t lend any more answers than it raises questions, too. Shadowbolts, in broad daylight? Appearing out of nowhere, and also being so brazen as to actually sneak -- quietly and skillfully -- into a room with an entire Recruit Squad, as well as an Elite, with Squad One outside?

And the battle. The description of it makes Tide’s ears go back against her head in both worry and fear. Though she won’t admit the last one, the Shadowbolts defeated all four of the Elite Squads, and the Recruit Squad, without even fighting back! That last part makes her growl, causing the two Captains on both sides of her to give her worried looks. How dare the Shadowbolts taunt them like this. Was it revenge for the destruction their fortress? Was it their leader, Nightshade, getting even? Or had some new up and coming Shadowbolt commander gathering together the broken and disorganized remnants and giving them a common foe to solidify their spot as leader?

Whatever the case, it spelled ill for the Wonderbolts, that much Tide knew. They would need to be prepared, need to be ready for an assault from anywhere if the Shadowbolts were this arrogant.

She barely hears the last part -- the order to ease up on the training along with the increased security and patrols -- as her thoughts swirling and twisting with not only the implications of this new information, but a desire to make sure her squad was ready, was able to defend themselves. Midnight included.

No. Especially Midnight.

That thought, above all else steeled her resolve, she had to protect the things she cared about, and she cared for her Squad. Some more than others if the way her heart and head kept blitzing her was any indication. She would need to ease up on a few things, but she would make sure that her Squad would be able to fight when the time came.

The dismissal is met on autopilot, Tide standing and offering salute to Spitfire before turning and walking from the room at a brisk trot, a few of the other Captains actually getting out of her way, a determined scowl fixed to her face causing them pause.

She’ll need to talk to her Squad soon, but right now she had a report to write. Duty, her mind stated, before pleasure.

The crackle of electricity hums and whips through the air, causing the hair on Sky’s mane to stand up on end. Not from fright, he trusts Dancer to keep the lighting under control, but rather from a mixture of anticipation and awe. They had practiced this particular part of Squad Six’s show a few times in the past, and were slowly getting it down even if Bliss down in the training room had seen more than her fair share of Sky when things had gotten out of control.

At the moment, though, they were standing on opposite ends of one of the large gyms, a small crowd of Wonderbolts and support staff -- who had set up one of Soarin’s suicidal obstacle course from during the recruitment -- who were all watching the pair of ponies with rapt interest. Dancer currently had a small thunder cloud floating level with his lightning-scarred body, a determined look in his eyes. Above them was a large white cloud that Sky and formed and split the smaller cloud that had become the thunder-cloud out of. The trick was, if all went well, to have Dancer ‘pass’ the lighting from where he was standing a few yards away to Sky, who would then redirect it up towards the cloud where if it was at full power would hopefully light it up before shooting to the ground between the two of them with a loud thunderclap.

At least, that was the plan. So far, the end result had been Sky getting shocked, thus the visits to Bliss, and that was only at half power. They had been slowly working it up to full power, and had almost made it last time before Sky had gotten shocked from being inattentive.

Kind of like right now, actually. Shaking his head Sky focuses on Dancer who had been talking during Sky’s boredom induced jaunt through his own thoughts. He wanted to be in on the action of that Captain meeting, and it made everything else look dull…

Nope, he was doing it again. At this rate, Dancer was likely to shock him on the plot again to get him to pay attention.

“What’d y’say old timer?” Sky shouts over to his partner with a sly smirk, “You’ll have to speak up, or is your voice fading in your twilight years?”

“I’m not that much older than you, you young whipper snapper!” Dancer shouts back in a fake ‘old stallion’ voice, “I asked if you’re ready?”

Sky pats his chest with one hoof, “Lets see if your aim is still as good as your comebacks!”

Without further preamble Dancer stands up on his back legs, spreading them out along with his wings in preparation to control the lighting next to him. Sky mimics the stance, though not as expertly or even as practiced as Dancer, and fixes his eyes on his friend as he reaches for the cloud with his free hoof. Time seems to slow down a little, Sky’s heartbeat echoing in his head as he focuses on Dancer’s hoof which suddenly crackles with electricity.

And then, with a sound akin to rushing water time flows forward again as Dancer steps forward once hard enough to echo across the suddenly silent gym as he grounds himself. He thrusts his off-hoof forward, his body moving like he is about to punch Sky from across the room.

And as the motion ends, with a crack loud enough to make everyone in the room flinch, the lighting shoots forward like a bullet from a gun.

To Sky, it is almost like all the light in the room goes out, like the bolt has absorbed all of it into itself to add to its intensity. He steps forward in a manner that suggests he is going to ‘catch’ the bolt, planting both rear hooves into the mat beneath him and extending his right forehoof forward. The bolt impacts his hoof with a feeling akin to being slammed into by a freight train -- it takes all of Sky’s control to not be blown backwards into a wall -- and travels up and around his arm with the pin-prick and feeling that always warns that he needs to buckle down or get shocked.

Taking a step forward like Dancer, but twisting with his off-hoof extended like he is going to back-hand somepony, he ‘flicks’ the charge of electricity skyward and towards the cloud above. As the lighting bolt leaves, though, it gives him a love bite and Sky flinches with a loud yelp causing the bolt to veer off course and strike a the ceiling.

Falling to back down to all his hooves, save for the one that got ‘bit’ by the lighting, Sky shivers a little as a few stray volts from the shock travel through him.

“You okay, Sky?” Dancer’s voice comes from right in front of Sky who quickly looks up to find Dancer in front of him with a worried look, “That was close to full power, and it looked like you got nicked on the toss-off.”

“You know how it is,” Sky chuckles weakly, “Me and Lighting have a love-hate relationship. As in, it loves to bite me, and I hate to see her go.” he winks as Dancer rolls his eyes and sighs.

“Right, well, that is the third time this hour.” Dancer says with a sigh as he places a hoof on Sky’s head and ruffles his mane, “I think we should break for now, lest Bliss give me a glare worthy of legend.” He then sits down and points towards the obstacle course, “Besides, it looks like Midnight is putting on a good show on her own.” Following Dancer’s hoof Sky watches as Midnight makes a hard landing at the end of the course, her hooves striking the landing pad with a resounding boom.

She breaths heavily for a few seconds before turning around and flying back to the start. She stretches a little, wings fluttering a few times, before she takes off from the starting line. She weaves through the obstacles deftly, her wings carrying her through even the tightest of spaces with the same ease one would walk down an empty hallway. But, halfway down the track her back hoof nicks a pendulum sending her into an obstacle with a loud thud. She growls as she heads towards the floor, snapping her wings back out and going back to the start where she begins again.

She shoots through the course much like before -- a slightly more determined look beneath her flight goggles -- and manages to make it further before she smacks into a moving obstacle and stopping dead in her tracks. She goes again, and again, and again. On her fifth try she makes it through without smacking into anything too hard, and lands wearily.

By now, the crowd has dispersed and it is just Sky and Dancer watching their wingmate being her usual masochistic self. Sky, however, really doesn't want to watch Midnight beat herself into a pulp and be sent to Bliss to be treated, so he looks to Dancer who looks over with a sigh and a shrug before nodding to Sky. Returning the nod Sky jumps up and flies up to Midnight before she can get herself together enough to attempt the next run.

“Hey, so, Midnight,” Sky says as he lands next to her, a mischievous smile on his face, “I saw the look you gave Captain Dulltide.” He nudges his friend’s shoulder as Midnight’s eyes open wide in surprise, “You teaching the Captain the meaning of ‘fun’, if you catch my drift?”

“You know she’d never let me,” Midnight mutters as she blushes, pretending to preen a wing to hide her face, “Besides. What if I...do...like the Captain.” she says into her wing, “She is a very...pretty mare after all...once you get past her ridged shell.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know she is caring, and all. Dancer and I see it all the time,” He says as he sits down, waving a hoof dismissively, “And, sure she has some looks. But I mean, she is so stiff about everything. Almost reminds me of Wave Chill, honestly.” He taps the end of his snout absently, “I almost wonder if they’re related sometimes…”

Midnight lowers her wing, blush fully visible and opens her mouth to give a retort in defense of Tide, but Dancer lands next to Sky and swats him on the face with his wing, “Right, that is enough of that.” He gives Midnight an apologetic look, “Sorry, I sent him up here thinking he’d tell you that we should take a break, not hound you like Fleetfoot hunting for gossip.” He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, “Anyway, we should go check on Tide, see if the meeting is over.”

Midnight’s blush vanishes as she nods, “Yeah, yeah a break might be good.” She stretches her wings, a few loud pops echoing from them, “Aw, Bliss is going to really get on my case…” she groans as the stiffness sets in as the adrenalin wears off. She sighs and starts forward, “Might as well, I am sure Sky is just about ready to explode from the need to know what Captain Spitfire needed Tide for.”

“I’m not that obvious, am I?” Sky asks as he bounces, not trots, past the two of them as Dancer falls in next to Midnight, “I mean, I want to know, but explode might be a little drastic!”

“No,” Dancer says with a smirk, “You look like Surprise waiting to unleash a new joke or something.” Sky falls in next to them, looking around suddenly as if expecting somepony to jump out of nowhere.

“Don’t say her name so loud, she might hear you!” Sky replies in a forced whisper, “I was washing confetti out of my mane for a week after the last time she jumped us.”

“At least it wasn’t pie! I swear to Celestia,” Midnight says with a chuckle, “I felt so sorry for the Recruits during that test!”

“Right, yeah, me too…” Sky says as he quickens his pace, “Lets just get out of here before she shows up!” he then rushes to the door, the other two laughing behind him as he opens the door slightly, peers out, then rushes out.

Walking through the lobby, Midnight can’t help but blush again now that Sky wasn't looking her direction. He had read her like an open book back in the gym, and it made her feel a little self-conscious. Even though Midnight knew he meant no harm, she just felt very vulnerable for some reason when it came to her feelings for Tide. Sure, it might be because Tide was the equivalent of a High-Class Pony, whereas Midnight grew up in the dust and dirt of the outskirts. She had always seen the Royal Guard, the Princess’ they guarded, and the High-Class citizens of Canterlot as a sort of...different breed of Pony. And they had done nothing to dissuade her of that notion, acting high and mighty beyond even the point that good manners were broken.

They were, essentially, of higher or equal rank as the High-Class now, being of the Wonderbolts, but even then Midnight still felt like the scared little filly watching the clean and well groomed High Class Ponies walk around with their noses up and their smug attitudes drifting around their heads so thick she likely could’ve asked Sky to form thunderclouds from them!

Shaking her head she focuses on going up the steps to the next level of the compound without tripping. If she got lost in thoughts of Tide and missed a step or something, she’d never hear the end of it from Sky, let alone if Commander Fleetfoot caught wind of it! Well, okay, Fleet wouldn’t be so bad, Midnight could handle her, but she had to interact with Sky on a daily basis.

Mounting the last few steps in the time it takes her to think those thoughts she picks up the pace slightly so she is up next to the other two of Squad Six, not wanting them to get to Tide before her and have Sky go and run his mouth.

“Hey!” Sky says suddenly, causing Midnight to stop and look around, “There you are Captain.” About a yard away Tide is just exiting Spitfire’s office, in fact they can see the Lead Captain through the door, her attention currently on a few pieces of paper on her desk.

“Clear Sky,” Tide says as she closes the door to Spitfire’s office and walks over, “Aren’t you supposed to be training?” She raises an eyebrow and looks between the three of them, “I gave you orders to be in a gym training, so unless someone else told you otherwise…”

“I stopped the training, Captain,” Dancer says in a serious tone, “Sky was losing focus and shocking himself, and Midnight had already taken a good beating on the course she had selected.” For a moment, it looks like Tide is going to reprimand them, but then her eyes turn to Midnight and soften. Midnight leans her head to one side and raises an eyebrow at this, doing her best to keep her heartbeat from fluttering too hard under the gaze.

“I see,” Riptide says, her eyes turning back to Dancer almost...reluctantly, “That is good, Spitfire has ordered us to take it easy for the foreseeable future.” She nods her head towards the stairs and starts walking, “In fact, Captain Spitfire imparted quite a few things onto us, some of which I do need to share with you, for your safety and the safety of your fellow Wonderbolts.” Midnight could almost hear Sky’s head snap to stare at Tide excitedly.

“What happened, Tide!” He asks hurriedly, dropping the title when addressing the Captain, “Something happened, didn’t it!? In Cloudsdale? And why was Squad Two and Three with them…” he is cut off as Tide sticks a hoof against his face, an annoyed look in her eyes.

“One of these days, I swear you’re going to forget to breath and we’re going to have to drag you to Bliss so she can slap you back awake.” Her tone is not harsh, or even its usual clipped commanding, its just slightly annoyed, “As for what happened. I will tell you, if you just shut your snout long enough for me to get a word in.” Sky nods slowly and Tide removes her hoof from his mouth, “Good. Now, there was an...attack in Cloudsdale by the Shadowbolts.”

At the mention of the Shadowbolts Midnight stiffens, as does Dancer and Sky though not with the same intensity.

Noting her Squad’s reaction Tide continues, “Squads Two and Three were called in, by the Captain without telling anyone else, to back Squad One, Seven, and Foxtrot up in the event that a Shadowbolt showed.” She starts pacing in front of them, the others sitting down and simply watching her, “They were soundly defeated by not one, but nine Shadowbolts who were wearing uniforms unlike those seen during the assault on their Fortress.” She stops and looks each of her wingmates in their eyes, lingering a half-second longer than needed on Midnight’s, before continuing, “They did this without, and I cannot even stress this enough, attacking a single time outside of one attempting to use lighting,” She looks to Dancer who narrows his eyes in thought, “But otherwise they took great pains to not injure any of the Wonderbolts who were attacking them.” She sighs and shakes her head, “Disgraceful, honestly, to hear that three Elite Squads and the Recruit Squad ever to defeat The Test getting beaten so badly.” The others nod slowly in agreement, Midnight can’t help but feel a chill down her spine as the news continues.

“Because of this, Spitfire has ordered that we take it easy from now on, like I told you. She is also increasing patrols, and assigning lookout positions.” She starts pacing again, looking at the three before her from the corner of one eye, “You can guess already that I’ve signed us up for patrols, each day, without fail.” She stops as Sky groans loudly, “As a...concession...we’ll go to Rusty’s at least one of those days, each week.” Sky instantly perks up, as does Midnight and Dancer, “But, I am also going to insist that we work on combat training more often.” She looks at all of them, her expression growing concerned, “I don’t want any of you to be caught off guard and unable to defend yourselves,” She looks at each of them, this time she lingers on Midnight long enough that Midnight is sure the other two have taken notice, “Because we are not just a squad, we are a family.” She sighs and shakes her head, “The loss of even one Wonderbolt to this foe would be horrible.” She frowns, her eyes averting from the three, “Losing one of you, especially, would be beyond words.” She snaps her eyes back up, “So, we’re all going to watch each other’s plots out there, no matter what. Understood?”

All three nod with Dancer and Sky offering the usual, ‘Yes Ma’am.’

Midnight, on the other hand smiles warmly, and goes so far as to wink at Tide, “I’d watch your plot any day, Captain.” She blushes, and looks down as she realizes she had said that aloud, she has to finish the thought though, “With or without the high alert status.” She can all but hear Sky’s ears shoot upward and a smile spread across his face, though Dancer is between them so she can’t see him. She can however see Tide’s ears shoot up and her eyes widen slightly. Before anything can happen, though, Dancer clears his throat.

“So, who is hungry?” He turns to Sky who is staring at his two female wingmates with a look that can only be called ‘fleetfoot-like’, “Why, Sky! You look absolutely starving!” He grabs Sky by his tail and starts dragging him, “ Y’re coming t’dinner then.” He says as Sky yelps and tries to find traction on the floor, fails, and ends up being dragged away.

“But papa-Dancer! I wanna see them kiss!” Sky whines as he crosses his hooves and pouts when he realizes Dancer isn’t stopping, “Fine, but you better let me get a custom sandwich to make up for missing this!”

Letting go of Sky’s tail Dancer points down the stairs, “Yeah, sure. Just so long as it isn’t full of jalapenos. You do that and you’re sleeping in the hallway. Again.” Sky sticks his tongue out at Dancer and hops down the stairs like a little colt.

Once they’re out of sight, leaving Midnight and Tide alone, Midnight looks up to see Tide starting to turn. She can see a very pronounced blush on her Captain’s face, though, and smiles slightly. Even with all the difference in upbringing, all the proof she needs to see is slowly turning away to hide the confused look and blush.

Standing up and clearing her own throat Midnight walks up to stand beside Tide, slowly and gently leaning over so their flanks are touching. The sudden touch makes Tide flinch, but she doesn’t try to move away, only keeps her face hidden by raising one wing and pretending to look it over as if something was attached to it.

“Hey. So, lets go get some dinner.” Midnight says slowly, “Before your face catches fire.” She hesitantly leans over and nuzzles the side of Tide’s neck, “And before Fleetfoot happens by. I don’t think your or I could handle her brand of raunchy comments right now.”

Tide just stands there, she hadn’t pulled away from the touch on her neck, but she had lowered her wing to expose her face. Her naturally red fur is right now almost glowing with a blush and her eyes are downcast as if she is -- for once in her life -- unsure of herself.

“I…” Tide starts, her voice soft and shaking, but before she can continue Midnight puts a hoof to her Captain, no her friend’s mouth.

“We can talk about why we’re both blushing harder than a pair of fillies talking to their first coltfriend later.” She chuckles, “First, lets go get some dinner and when we’re both not so flustered we can have a straight, honest, conversation. Okay?” Tide nods slowly, and starts walking, pausing slightly so that Midnight can match her pace.

And so, shoulder to shoulder, they start down the stairs to go to the mess hall.

After they have passed out of sight, the sound of chuckling echoes from inside Spitfire’s office. The door, which had been slightly ajar the entire time, opens and Fleetfoot sticks her head out, a very wide, very mischievous smile on her face.

“They are sooo cute! Just like you and Chill!”

“Leave them alone, Fleet, that’s an Order.”

Author's Note

Sweet Gods, what have I done.

I mean, Chapter Two! Yay! Arn't you all excited that I am slowly ripping your hearts out :pinkiecrazy:

Truthfully, that last scene was longer and a little more involved than I had originally planned, but hey I got to justify the Fleetfoot tag! And with the photoshoot coming up...hmm...what could possibly happen there that Fleetfoot could engineer :moustache: ?

Time shall tell. But, I hope you all enjoy this, it was written on breaks during my work week, finished last night, and edited (With no small amount of English Breakfast Tea sacrificed to do so :ajsleepy: ) all so it could be given to you all to pick apart and tell me where I went wrong :applejackunsure:

Also, before anyone goes "Oh, look, another girl/girl relationship" yeah, okay, so y'guessed it in chapter one. Originally I had planed to dance around it until at least chapter 3, if not 4, but decided to make it more obvious, then have them dance around the issue the next few chapters. I hope it doesn't turn anyone away from the story, because it isn't the prime focus, its a side-plot that is there to enhance what is going to happen, since loss is felt most deeply, and measured most accurately, by those who are left behind with the holes in their hearts.

Also, who could pass up having Fleetfoot listen in :rainbowdetermined2:

So, enjoy, or don't!

~Sylvian

Chapter 3: Say Cheese!

“Midnight!” Riptide shouts as she tosses a punch at the other mare, “Stop defending and hit me!” she aims another punch at Midnight who deftly sweeps the punch aside and steps out of Tide’s effective range. “Why won’t you hit me!?” she lashes out blindly and Midnight uses the opportunity to counter and deliver a strike to Tide’s gut, knocking the wind out of her.

“Because, Captain,” Midnight says as she takes a few steps back, “I don’t want to fight you.” She eyes Tide warily as she starts to circle, “Besides, we’ve been at this for two hours now.” She comes up behind Tide as she attempts to turn and get back into a more defensive stance instead of the aggressive one she had been using.

“We need to be ready, the Shadowbolts…” Tide starts but is cut off as Midnight jumps her from behind, latching her front legs around her, knocking Tide from her hooves and to the ground.

“No, we need to be able to fight without sore bodies,” She says, leaning over and nuzzling Tide’s neck from behind, the training armor slightly dampening the effect, “Besides, you’ve been training with me almost exclusively for two days now.” She chuckles as Tide struggles to get out of the grapple, “If you wanted to wrestle with me, all you had to do was ask.” She whispers into Tide’s ear, “We both have beds for that sort of thing, after all.” Beneath her Tide stiffens, her ears going straight up and her eyes going wide. Chuckling Midnight taps her hoof against the side of Tide’s face, “Surrender, O’ Mighty Captain?”

“No fair.” Tide mumbles, “You promised not to do that to me.” Tide attempts to get out from under Midnight, but ends up rolling and ending up on her back, face to face with Midnight ontop.

“I promised I wouldn’t hold back, too.” She says as she leans down, “And didn’t Silver always tell us to use our opponents weaknesses against them?”

“I…” Tide starts, but once more she is cut off, this time by another voice nearby.

“Are Mommy-Tide and Mommy-Midnight going to kiss now, Dancer?” Sky says from where him and Dancer had been resting after their own spar. “Because I kind of ho...Oof!” as if on cue, Dancer’s wing flies out and swats Sky in the face hard enough to send him backwards.

“Sorry about that, Ladies.” Dancer says with a smirk, “Go ahead, don’t mind me.” The two mares sigh and Midnight rolls off of Tide, the moment ruined.

“Kind of hard to kiss in front of the Stallion you consider your brother,” Midnight says, sticking her tongue out at Dancer, who smiles and laughs. Sky, from where he is laying on his back also bursts into laughter.

Tide, on the other hoof, just stands up and walks a short distance away, her face turning a few shades closer to scarlet. Midnight makes to go after her, but Dancer steps up next to her and taps her shoulder. She looks over at him and he looks to Tide.

“Have you had any luck on what we talked about?” He whispers to Midnight, his eyes never leaving Tide.

“I’ve tried to broach the topic a few times,” Midnight replies as she sits down and sighs, “She seems driven on taking the heightened alert seriously, which I agree with, but she also seems Tartarus bent on taking us through our paces in combat training to make sure we’re ready for whatever is thrown our way.” She shakes her head sadly, “And I can’t find any way to make her stop working us this hard.” She instinctively reaches out with her right hoof and puts it against Sky’s mouth since he had come up on her other side and opened his mouth to say something doubtlessly raunchy, “No. Sky. That wouldn’t work.”

“Mffft!” Sky says with narrowed eyes causing Midnight to lower her hoof, “You’re hooves taste like sweat and cooties,” he says as he sticks tongue out, “Besides, you didn’t even know what I was going to say!”

“You want me to bed her.” Midnight says without missing a beat, “And no, I am not going to do that.” She sighs again and stands, “I’d best go check on her, make sure I didn’t break her.”

“You do that.” Dancer says, “I’ll resume beating some sense into Sky.” He looks to his male wingmate with a smile as he cracks his neck, “I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me, I think.” Sky smiles weakly and starts backing up as Dancer starts advancing.

“Now...Dancer...you know we’re under orders to take it easy…!” Sky says as his plot runs into a wall, “We..don’t want to be sore for tomorrow's patrol…”

Shaking her head at her two companions she trots over to Tide who is still standing and staring, a slight glare on her face to mask the bright scarlet on her cheeks as anger, at a wall. Coming up beside her Midnight instinctively puts a wing over Tide’s shoulder, pulling her close and smiling warmly.

“Being a sore loser, Tide?” Midnight’s voice is soft as she steals a few glances around at the door to the small private gym they had scheduled to used.

“No.” Tide replies, the pout clear in her voice, “I am angry you got me flustered so easily. I’ve never been tossed off balance like that before.” her glare hardens a little more as Midnight winks to her and continues to smile, “You don’t have to look so proud you know.”

Leaning over and kissing Tide on the cheek, which causes the other mare to stiffen again in embarrassment, Midnight chuckles, “I am not proud that I was able to pin you,” She says softly, “I am proud with how I was able to.” She chuckles and sighs trotting around to sit in front of Riptide’s face, “But, on a serious note. Tide, it's time for a break.” Tide’s face instantly becomes serious and she sits down, raising an eyebrow and actually glaring, though it’s softer than the glare she’d have given Sky or Dancer.

“Midnight, we’ve been over this.” She says, her voice low, “You all need to be in peak fighting shape if the Shadowbolts make a play.” She gestures a hoof over her shoulder towards Sky who is currently under Dancer and pleading to be let up, “Sky can fight, but he goofs off too much. Dancer I know can hold his own, but he is too soft on everypony.” She points to Midnight, “You...you I…”

“I can hold my own,” Midnight says as she reaches up and places a hoof on the side of Tide’s face, “I get it, you’re worried for us.” She smiles seductively, “For me, especially.” She shrugs, “And you’re falling into the habits your father instilled into you. ‘Be prepared for the worst, because your foe will always be,’ kind of stuff is his mantra.” She lowers her hoof and continues to smile, “But, you are our Captain, not him. And, you’ve trained us well.”

Tide sighs and nods slowly, “You’re right.” She pokes Midnight with a hoof as a small smile graces her features, “As usual.” She turns to Sky, still beneath Dancer and sorely losing, and Dancer. She whistles once and the two stop what they’re doing instantly, Dancer letting Sky up and both going to attention.

“We’re stopping for lunch, Commanders.” Tide’s voice is back to its usual hard-edged command, both of the Stallions to flinch a little before walking over to join Midnight and Tide as they both start towards the door.

Going down the hallway and to the lobby Tide gets ahead of everyone while Midnight slips back to speak with Dancer and Sky.

“So, I think she’ll settle down for a bit,” Midnight says softly, “Or, at the very least not rush us out of lunch.” Dancer nods and Sky smiles warmly.

“I get to eat my lunch in peace?!” He whispers excitedly, all but bouncing as he walks, “Yes! At last! I can take my time and not inhale an entire bowl of salad!” Dancer shakes his head and pokes Sky in the side lightly.

“You always inhale it anyway, Sky.” Dancer shrugs as he looks to Midnight, “Its a start, I guess. Now we just need something to really distract her.”

And, as if on cue, they catch up to Tide who is standing and glaring at a mixed group of ponies, unicorns and earth ponies, walking into the the compound through the front door.

“Those better not be who I think those are.” Tide growls, her eyes narrows and ears back against her head.

“Oh, no those are totally who you think they are!” Sky declares in a giddy voice before leaning over to Dancer and whispering, “Who are they?” Dancer puts a hoof to his face and shakes his head.

“How the hell did you ever get nominated to be a Commander?” He replies before pointing at the group that is -still- coming in, “They are photographers, Sky!” He sighs and deflates a little, “Which means….”

“Wunderbar!” A very excited voice comes from the entrance, quickly followed by Photo Finish herself, “Let us get to ze weight room!” Dancer shivers as the professional photographer and her staff walk by.

“Why, of all times, is she here?” Dancer moans, his ears flicking back in annoyance, “Of all the times, a high alert has to be the worst time to li…” he trails off and looks over at Midnight who is smiling widely, “Oh.” He shakes his head, “No, I know what you’re thinking.”

“Dancer, its perfect!” Midnight says with a mischievous smile. “This way, we can get Tide to loosen up!”

“What about me loosening up?” Tide asks from beside Midnight, her eyes narrows, “Is this about me training you three so hard?” She looks ready to continue and Midnight reaches over and hooks an arm around Tide’s neck and starts pulling her towards the weight room.

“No time to explain! We’ve got a photo shoot to watch!” Midnight declares in a voice that leaves no room to argue, even for Tide who is glaring daggers at her beloved. The rest of the Squad follows behind, Sky -- for once -- pulling Dancer along as the larger pony grumbles and mutters under his breath.

Crossing the threshold of the weight room Squad Six is witness to the confused, yet somehow also controlled, chaos that is the photographers setting up. It takes a few moments for a path to clear, but once it does Midnight drags her squad over to linger near the cameras, but off to one side so they can see who is having their photos taken. Which, at the moment, is no pony as it seems Photo Finish is still setting up while at the same time asking where Fleetfoot is.

Looking around, an arm still around Tide to keep her in place, Midnight looks for the Commander of Squad One, but does not see her lurking around anywhere as is her usual want. But then, for the amount of space that the photographers are taking up, its going to be more than just Fleet in the photoshoot, so perhaps the mischievous Commander is seeking more victims.

“Why are we here?” Tide grumbles from under Midnight’s arm, though she doesn’t seem to be trying to escape, in fact she is drawing closer to Midnight almost...protectively, “Photo never asks us to be in any of the pictures, and I doubt whatever poor pony Fleet convinces to be in it with her will want a large audience.”

“Aw, I don’t know, Tide!” Sky says from where he is sitting next to a very disgruntled Dancer, “I know I want to watch Fleet pose, and whoever she ropes into this will doubtlessly be good looking!” He winks and nudges Dancer in the side, “And I know despite Mr. Glum here’s attitude I know Dancer wants to see Fleet pose.” Beside him Dancer only grunts, but his face lights up in a light blush.

“I...just don’t like big crowds...you know that.” Dancer mutters, “I prefer to...see her in pictures...less ponies around to crowd around her.” Sky smiles warmly and wraps a hoof around his friend’s neck, pulling him close as Dancer grunts again, “Personal space, Sky.”

“Yeah...sorry Dancer,” Sky says as he lets go and scoots over slightly, “Forgot how you get when you’ve not had time to prepare for all the noise and ponies.” He lightly puts a hoof on Dancer’s shoulder, “Going to be alright, big guy?” Dancer nods and takes a few deep breaths.

“So long as no one tries to take my picture in the next ten minutes.” he cracks a small smile and shrugs a little, “I’ll be fine.”

Midnight smiles at the exchange. For all his acting Sky could be very mature and look out for his squadmates, especially Dancer, when it counted. Its how he became a Commander instead of her, he was dogged in his defense of his fellows and would lay down his life to protect any one of them.

“Well, looks like Fleet has arrived.” Tide says from beside Midnight, causing the other Mare to look around. She spots Fleetfoot, with Rainbow Dash -- who is the new Recruit Squad’s Captain -- along with three other recruits and the brand new Elite Storm Front. They had stopped not far from where Squad Zero, or at least the three Stallions of the squad, were lifting weights to harass poor Calm Wind. The large light blue Stallion was turning a few shades of red while nervously shuffling around, his two compatriots attempting in vain to get him to move and apparently join Fleet in the photoshoot.

“Looks like she is up to her usual antics” Midnight says with a chuckle as she glances over her and Tide’s shoulders to look at Dancer and Sky once more. Both of Squad Six’s Stallions were watching Fleet with rapt interest, Dancer especially having a particular look in his eyes. Midnight could not put her finger on it, but if she was a betting pony -- which she wasn’t -- she’d say that Dancer had a small crush on the Commander.

What she did know, is that she wished she could get Tide to look at her like that more often. She had caught glimpses -- small peeks through the cracks of her Captain’s armor -- when Tide thought no one was looking. The inner light of her deepest and most true thoughts and feelings for Midnight flowing forth in the way her eyes changed when they fell upon the mare of her affection.

Those moments made her heart swell with pride, with an unbridled joy that made her body feel as if it was weightless. As if all the world was right, was on its correct path, because Tide loved her so deeply that even her thick, straight laced and drilled, exterior could not hide her feelings.

Draping a wing over Tide’s body Midnight pulls her close, nuzzling into her neck and whispering, almost too softly to be heard over the noise in the room, “I love you.” Tide’s ears stick straight up in confusion at the wing, and at the words she lowers her face to Midnight, a full blush on her face. Her eyes, oh her eyes, Midnight cannot get enough of the look in those eyes. The confused, yet truly and deeply consumed by the feelings Tide has for the mare she is pulled up against. It takes all of Midnight’s strength to not be pulled in and become lost in them, even if that is all she wants to do right now.

“I…” Tide starts, her voice trailing off forcing her to clear her throat, “I...love you too…” the blush grows deeper and Tide looks down at the floor, one hoof scuffing against the floor beneath them as Midnight’s heart soars to new, almost unimaginable, heights. She pulls Tide closer and just basks in the warm feelings.

And there she stays for the majority of the first part of the photoshoot, Tide continuing to look like she is going to melt into a puddle beside Midnight. Dancer and Sky eventually settle down, having done a few whistles at Dash and Fleet when they were getting their pictures taken, Dancer especially when Fleet was up there. Eventually the two Stallions got their turn in the spotlight, and Midnight had to admit the Fleet had chosen her victims well as usual.

The new Elite, Storm Front, was quite a handsome Stallion to be sure. He seemed to radiate charisma and always looked sure of himself even if Midnight had seen what had happened at the end of the Graduation Ceremony.

Yet, even as all the ponies in the shoot gathered for a group set, they were not the group Midnight was looking at. Off to one side and behind the photographers, a group had gathered and was talking in hushed whispers. Those who made up the group made her chuckle under her breath, as it was all high ranking Elites like her Squad, with Commander Soarin of the Lead Squad even joining them in whatever chaos they were planning.

Though, if they were planning what she thinks they’re planning, she’ll get a chance to do something she’d really been wanting to do for a few days. Sending a silent prayer to Celestia and Luna, tartarus even Discord since he is the God of Chaos, she snuggles against Tide again and watches the group of Elites as they finalize their plan. Her amber eyes watch as they break and start towards the photographers, their progress the most interesting thing in the room to her right now.

And then they strike. Soarin latching onto the legs of one of the Earth Stallions that had been taking pictures, pulling him down as the camera was taken from above by Lighting Streak who tosses it to Surprise.

As Surprise starts flying around and snapping pictures Midnight steels her resolve and whistles sharply to Surprise, who looks over. She waves a hoof as Tide raises an eyebrow, her eyes quickly widening as she realizes Midnight is about to do something. However, before she can say anything, or even attempt to get away, Midnight has a hoof on her cheek and pulls Tide’s face over to look at her.

“Midnight what are yo…” Tide starts, and is cut off as Midnight leans in and plants a passionate kiss on Tide’s lips as Surprise cheers loudly and takes pictures. Tide’s face quickly turns a few shades of red, her eyes wide and ears back against her head as her mind clearly races a thousand miles a minute.

“Aww, look at that, Dancer!” Sky says from behind them with an exaggerated sniffle, “Our little Midnight is all grown up and kissing her marefriend!” And for once, Dancer doesn’t bap him in the face or reprimand him. Instead he is sitting there next to Sky, a look on his face that can only be described as the kind that a proud older brother would wear watching his sister find love. Sad, but above all proud and happy for her.

Eventually -- what feels like hours and yet is only moments -- the kiss ends. Surprise giggles and says how ‘cute you two are!’ before rushing off to go take pictures of ‘Serious Squad’ which is being herded by the other elites. As she leans back Midnight sees Tide narrowing her eyes, which she had expected, and settles herself down to be berated by her commanding officer.

“Midnight,” Tide says, her voice cracking slightly as she does her best to sound serious, “You...kissed me i...in pu…” She trails off and looks down at the floor her face growing more crimson by the moment, “Now everyone knows…” She says softly, “What will the Lead Captain think of me…”

Gently placing a hoof under her love’s chin Midnight gently pulls Tide’s face up so her eyes are level with hers again before gently kissing her forehead, “She’d tell you that it’s about time.” She gives tide a loving smile and continues as she brushes a hoof over Tide’s cheek, “And besides, you cheered just as loudly as the rest of us the day after the party. When Spitfire and Wave Chill were found in bed together.” Tide shakes her head and looks down again, her eyes lidded.

“That was different.” Tide’s voice is soft and unsure, “She was having problems...they were impacting her ability to lead.” She shivers a little, leaning in closer to Midnight instead of away, “I...its the opposite for me. I can do my duty...but...now…” she trails off and looks Midnight in the eyes, the mist of forming tears in Tide’s eyes, “The thought of losing you…” She looks like she wants to say more, but just trails off as if ashamed, which prompts Midnight to pull Tide close and wrap her arms around her.

“You won’t.” Midnight whispers into Tide’s ear, “I won’t be going anywhere for a very, very long time.” Tide’s ears stand up at the comment, but Midnight continues, “Trust me, it’d take something truly disastrous to pull me away from this.” She releases Tide and smiles, “Now, put those worries from your mind, let’s watch the havoc.” She points up to where Dancer and Sky are -- already hovering with other Wonderbolts -- just outside the reach of the frantic photographers and the enraged Photo Finish.

Sighing and reluctantly stepping away from Midnight Tide spreads her wings and jumps up to join her wingmates up above the fray, Midnight joining her a moment later with a smile.

The photoshoot lasted a while longer, eventually the cameras being given back to the photographers who give the Wonderbolts annoyed but resigned looks at this latest in the long line of shenanigans. Squad Six watches, and even participates in some of the goofing off, from the safety of the air and the cloud of fellow Wonderbolts who are just as eager to let loose some of the tension that has gathered. Midnight, of course, stays close to Tide the entire time, and Tide eventually stops blushing, even taking part in some of the fun!

Yet, for it all, Midnight could see that there was still a deep, profound, worry in Tide’s eyes. It was a heavy expression reflected in the way she carried herself. She had always been proud, sure of herself, but Midnight could see her shoulders slumping and her wings working harder, as if a great unimaginable weight had been dropped onto her shoulders.

And for all the smiles, all the laughs, and all the warm feelings that Midnight felt radiating from all the Wonderbolts around her having fun. She could not shake the feeling that the look in Tide’s eyes was her fault.

The time between the photoshoot and dinner was an awkward one for Squad Six. For starters, they had lunch in mostly silence -- Tide and Midnight were the only ones not talking or laughing in the entire room -- with Dancer and Sky doing their best to lighten the mood and keep them from having to return to combat training right after.

Luckily, or not depending on your point of view, combat training did not happen again after lunch. Instead, it was weight training, with Pec Bounce. This, like many other training sessions with the Wonderbolt’s trainer, was mostly the others watching Pec pick on poor Sky who, while not out of shape, was not exactly a very muscular pony. Of course, there were others in the weight room still, mostly those who had gotten their routine interrupted by Fleet’s photoshoot. Not that anyone was complaining, it had been a fun distraction from the feeling of danger that had been looking just over all their heads for the longest time.

During all of this, Tide and Midnight kept close, yet there was still some distance between them as if they had something on their mind that they both felt they needed to work out. What that is, though, is anypony’s guess.

Or, rather, one very specific one.

Tide stirs the salad on her plate for what seemed like the fifth time in ten minutes she had been sitting down at dinner. Beside her, and a good pony length away, sat Midnight who had been staring into her bowl of chicken noodle soup for about the same amount of time. Across from them Sky and Dancer are laughing joking like any normal night, the topic of choice tonight being the photoshoot.

“Seriously, Dancer, you face was the color of Tide’s fur!” Sky is proclaiming for the fifth time, “I had no idea you liked Fleet that much!” He gently punches Dancer’s shoulder as the older Wonderbolt blushes a little but doesn’t lose his edge.

“Oh, well I wasn’t the only one!” He says winking at Sky, “I swear, if your jaw unhinged anymore when she started flexing to the camera Bliss would have to wrap your head in sports tape so it wouldn’t fall off!” Sky laughs at that, a fork worth of food falling back to his plate with a clatter as he tries not to fall out of his seat. Regaining his seat and his breath, Sky looks over towards the two mares of the Squad and smiles widely.

“Well, speaking of jaws that just about fell off of faces.” He says, Tide’s eyes snapping up and narrowing, but Sky just keeps going, “I just about thought our dear Captain here was about to die of shock earlier.” His tone is very smooth and he leans over towards his Captain, “I mean, I am surprised the entire thing didn’t just stop and cheer!” Dancer places a hoof on Sky’s shoulder, eyeing Tide grinding her teeth in rising ire.

“Sky, I think we’d best leave that topic alone.” Dancer cautions.

“Oh, come on Dancer!” Sky persists, “I mean, Midnight looks like she could use a reminder of what she scored!” Midnight doesn’t even react, she just keeps staring at her soup. “Our dear sister looks like she has a very bad case of down in the dumps!” He looks back to Tide, his smile staying, “So. O’ Mighty and Powerful Captain of ours. What was it like? Hm?” Tide starts growling, her hooves on the table which groans as she slowly presses down, “From the blush you had on your face I dare say you were enjoying yourself.” He continues to smile, resting his weight on one elbow, “So, when can we expect some foals?”

Midnight’s eyes had looked up at that one, and a blush spreading across her face. That, if not anything else, made Tide mad for some reason. Very mad. With a roar she rears up and slaps her hooves against the table, breathing hard. And if her day couldn’t get any worse, another voice chimes in.

“Oh, you should have seen them in the hallway a few days ago! I swear, if Spitfire hadn’t have told me not to, I would have gone out and declared them the cutest couple!” Fleet says from behind Tide, “Next to perhaps Dash and the prettiest Princess Soarin.”

Turning with another roar Tide raise a hoof to strike the owner of the voice, only to pale and stop as she realizes it’s Fleetfoot.

“C...Commander Fleetfoot...I…” Tide sputters as she snaps to attention, “I...did...wasn’t going to…”

Fleet waves a hoof at Tide, as well as a couple of other Wonderbolts who had risen when they had seen had seen Fleet and Tide about to get into a fight. Fleet then just waits a few very tense moments before sighing and looking over her shoulder, “Right, I’ll leave this to you,” She then smile to Midnight who is looking at Fleet with an embarrassed look, “I meant what I said, Midnight, you two are really cute.” She winks, “And, Tide here has quite a temper, you’re very brave.” Fleet then starts walking off, “Which, I would love to talk to you two about, but I fear my duty to my Princess outweighs my desire to gossip!” She chuckles and trots away.

In her place, standing with a very concerned look, is a grey pony with a blue mane wearing sapphire rimmed glasses. Tide spots her, and instantly deflates.

“It would be you.” Tide says as she takes her seat, “Might as well take a seat, Doc.” Tide pats the seat between her and Midnight who is smiling at the grey pony.

“I’m just worried, Tide.” The pony says as she sits down, “I swear I could feel the tension from where I was sitting with Bliss!” The grey pony chuckles as she looks to Midnight, “Evening, Midnight!”

“Hi Witchy,” Midnight replies with a less than enthusiastic smile, “How are you doing?”

“I am doing alright,” Witch replies, her own smile reflecting her concern, “So, I heard about the photoshoot.” Tide visibly flinches at the mention of the earlier event, and Witch turns to look over at her, “Something wrong, Tide?” Tide shakes her head and goes back to stirring her salad. Rolling her eyes and shaking her own head Witch looks over to Midnight, “Right, so what is going on Midnight?” Midnight opens her mouth and closes it again, “Oh, no, not you too. Midnight what is wrong?” Witch says in her professional tone, “If you don’t tell me, I’m not talking you out to tea tomorrow.”

Midnight sighs and focuses on her soup again, “You heard about the photoshoot?” Witch nods, “Then you know that Tide and I kissed, and Surprise got a picture.” again Witch nods, “Tide was worried about her professional standing.”

“That is ridiculous.” Witch says with a sigh, “Just because you like someone in your squad doesn’t mean you’ll get in trouble.” Witch looks to Tide and smiles reassuringly, “I mean, look at Blaze and High Wind!” She gestures over in the direction of Spitfire’s half-sister and her narcoleptic marefriend. Currently the two are eating dinner with their squad, or rather Blaze is. High Wind is asleep in what looks to be a bowl of soup. “If anyone were to get in trouble for that sort of thing, it would be them.”

Tide continues to stir her salad, but she mutters something quietly. Witch shakes her head and pokes Tide in the side with one hoof.

“Hey, is this Captain Riptide I am talking to? Or am I talking to Calm Wind with Fleetfoot ontop of him?” Witch says with raised eyebrow.

“I said, she is Spitfire’s sister.” Tide says, her eyes never leaving her salad.

“You think that matters to Spitfire?” Witch demands, leaning over and pulling Tide’s face up. Tide looks anywhere but Witch as she continues, “Spitfire is the Lead Captain, she wouldn’t let her half-sister get away with anything that was against the rules. You know how strict she can be.” Tide continues to avoid her gaze, and Witch sighs, “But that isn’t want is bothering you, is it, Tide?”

“She…” Midnight starts but Witch holds a hoof up to stop her.

“I want to hear it from her.” Witch says, her tone professional, “Besides, she needs to admit it to herself it seems.”

Tide sighs and looks up and beyond Witch, her eyes locking onto Midnight’s. All the tensions of the day, all the annoyances -- especially Sky -- melt when she meets those eyes. Yet, in their place rises the fear, made worse by the high alert. It wasn’t a few of being chewed out by Spitfire. No, it goes deeper, radiating from her very core, her very being.

She is afraid of…

“I...don’t want to lose her.” Tide whispers, half to herself and half to Witch, “I..with all the talk of Shadowbolts, and how badly they almost beat us last time…” She wants to lower her eyes, but Midnight’s keep her focus. She just wants to get lost in them, forget all the stupid fears, but Witch presses her forward.

“You’re afraid that when the Shadowbolts attack, she might not come back.” Witch says, a sad smile forming on her face as she pats Tide on the cheek, “Tide, she isn’t going -anywhere-.” She leans back and looks at Midnight who is staring at Tide with a look of pure love mixed with worry, “I mean, if love was magical armor, I’d say Midnight here would be beyond harm.” She stands up and nods to her seat, “Now, trade seats with me and sit next to your mare, or I swear I am going to go get Fleet and Soarin and they’ll make sure you sit next to her.”

Tide sighs and slides her tray over, then takes the seat that Witch just vacated, with Witch taking the seat Tide left empty. It takes a few minutes, but Tide eventually reaches over and gently hooks her left arm around Midnight’s right. Nothing is said, both of them simply eating their dinner in silence. Yet, at least to Witch Hour, something had changed. Tide was calmed down now, even if she herself couldn’t see it, and Midnight was smiling widely as she ate.

Nodding Witch stands up and looks around, spotting Fleet sitting with Soarin and Spitfire. The Lead Squad Commander looks up and Witch winks and nods her head, Fleet returns the gesture with a wide smile and goes back to eating.

“Well, Ladies,” She says to Tide and Midnight, “Dancer and Sky.” She nods to the two Stallions who have been sitting in somewhat shocked silence the entire time, “I’ll catch you all later.” She starts off, then stops, “Just, not as patients, okay? Come in too much more and Bliss will have to make up a code just for your Squad.” She turns and regards the squad, as well as the two lovers who are quietly eating, “And I’ll see you tomorrow Midnight. Should bring Tide, too. I am sure my mother would just love to meet her.” Tide’s ears go up at that, but Midnight pulls her closer and looks over her shoulder, simply nodding with a soft smile that says ‘thank you’. Witch inclines her head and goes back to where she had been sitting before Fleet had found her, her job complete.

Midnight could almost not contain the happiness that was inside her right now. If not for being so tired she would likely be bouncing around like Sky, or even Surprise, right now. But, it was late, and what Midnight wanted right now -- beside perhaps to be in Tide’s arms -- was a shower.

Tide had gone ahead already and was likely already pacing their room. Fretting over something or another. If nothing else, she was going to get her shower and then help Tide settle down from all the stuff that had happened today.

Turning the corner towards her room Midnight stops as she nearly runs into somepony. She takes a few steps back and lowers her ears in embarrassment as she sees she has nearly run down Misty Fly. Smiling warmly, though really embarrassed, Midnight does her best to sign ‘sorry’ to the deaf Wonderbolt.

‘It’s Okay’ Misty replies back, her signs much more practiced and quick, though she has slowed down from her usual pace due to Midnight’s inexperience, ‘You okay?’

Midnight nods and signs back slowly, ‘Yes. Distracted.’ Misty leans her head to one side at that and makes a few signs that Midnight doesn’t quite catch, or know. ‘Sorry. What did you say?’

Misty looks around and spots Fire Streak walking down the hallway, actually right towards them, and gestures for him to join them. He does so with a smile and inclines his head to Midnight, “Miss Midnight. What can I do for you?”

“I fear I didn’t catch what Misty asked me,” She says with an apologetic smile, “I...really need more practice with signing.” Fire smiles warmly and nods.

“Well, you are trying, Midnight. That counts for a lot.” He looks to Misty who repeats her signs, “She says she saw you two at the photoshoot.” Misty makes a few more signs, “She wants to know how things went at dinner, as Captain Tide seemed off.”

Midnight sighs and chews her bottom lip as she thinks, concluding she doesn’t have the proper knowledge to answer Misty directly. She looks to Fire and smiles, “Well, it was a little rocky. But...well Commander Fleetfoot stepped in, and me and Tide are doing well.” She blushes a little, which causes Misty to lean her head to one side in curiosity, “Better than alright, really.” Fire smiles warmly and nods.

“That is good to hear,” He relays the information to Misty, whose eyes brighten instantly. The older Wonderbolt actually pulls Midnight into a tight hug for a few seconds, which Midnight returns, before she breaks away and signs to Fire. “Misty says she is very happy for you.” He pats Midnight on the shoulder, “For both of you.” Misty makes a few more signs and Fire translates, “She says she hopes you two are happy for a long time.” Misty then makes a few more signs, followed by a clear shooing motion, “She says go to your marefriend, Midnight, she doesn't want to keep her from you.”

Midnight nods and signs to Misty ‘thank you’ before trotting off down the hall. Glancing over her shoulder once she smiles as she sees Misty and Fire walking closely, one of Fire’s wings draped over Misty and holding her close. The sight put a warm feeling in Midnight’s heart, causing her to make haste to the room she shares with Tide.

Once back she finds, as she expected, Tide pacing back and forth on her side of the room. She stops as she spots Midnight, a worried look back in her eyes. Shaking her head Midnight comes right up to Tide and wraps her arms around her neck, the neck of her marefriend, and pulling her into a tight hug. Midnight holds onto Tide as if she is the only important thing in the world, and slowly Tide reaches up and wraps her own arms around Midnight to return the gesture.

“I love you,” Midnight whispers into Tide’s ear softly before pulling back and kissing Tide’s forehead, “And, after a shower, I am not going anywhere else than to my bed. So don’t worry about me going anywhere any time soon.” Tide nods, her face turning a slightly darker shade of her natural fur color.

Midnight then goes about her business, taking a quick shower to wash off what was left of the day’s grime as well as to relax. Once done she towels herself dry, making sure to take extra care around her wings, and walks to her bed. She grabs a comb she keeps on the bedside table, and does her best to work some of the knots in her mane and tail out.

She spies Tide watching her in the bathroom mirror as she brushes her teeth. Midnight slows down the brushing and hides her face partially behind her mane, color rising on her cheeks.
After a while, and a little preening on her wings, Midnight slips beneath the covers of her bed, facing Tide as she gets into her bed. She waits for Tide to get settled, and smiles as she props herself up on one arm, “You look as beat as I feel.” Tide snorts, but chuckles warmly.

“I blame you and that stunt you pulled at the photoshoot.” Tide replies with a good natured smirk, “I swear, I was walking on eggshells the rest of the day…” she trails off and sighs, “I am sorry for dinner, though.”

“Its okay,” Midnight says with a shrug, “We were both out of sorts.” She reaches over to the lamp on the bed side table next to her, “You can make it up to me later.” She says with a wink before clicking the light off.

“Yeah…” Tide says as her own light clicks off, “I really should make it up to you…” Midnight just chuckles and rolls over so she is facing the wall, finding her right side more comfortable to sleep on.

Then, suddenly, she hears Tide’s bed creak and hooves come over to her bed. For a moment Midnight is confused, but then the covers on her bed get picked up a little, and she feels Tide get into bed with her and snuggle close, one arm wrapping around her and pulling Midnight close with a surprised squeak. And, once she is against Tide, Midnight just melts into strong embrace and body that is suddenly wrapping her in its presence. She feels Tide rest her head on her shoulder and nuzzle her ear before, softly as if afraid speaking loudly will ruin the moment.

“I love you, Midnight.”

And with those four words, Midnight knew. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is where she belonged.

Author's Note

*Sighs and slumps over* So, there is Chapter Three! Felt like it took forever!

Anyway, please everyone give a warm thank you to Witching Hour! Who not only helped me edit this beast of a chapter, but also allowed me to borrow her OC! She was a big help with this!

Edit: Added new art by Witching Hour to the chapter!
I hope you all enjoy this update! Because I fear it is the last real happy 'normal' thing that is going to happen in this. :pinkiesad2:

If you see anything that we missed please tell me and I shall do my best to edit it! Until then, I shall go drown my sorrows in soda in prep for the next chapter.

Chapter 4: Darkness Rises

Midnight smiles warmly as she wakes slowly from a deep and restful sleep. The day before had been eventful -- in quite a few ways -- and had been rather tiring, but overall very good. It had started out with the pleasant surprise of Squad Six having been rotated off the patrol list for the day -- Sky had just about flown laps around the Compound in sheer joy -- and when Tide asked why she was given the response of ‘Squad Six has earned a day of rest’, which would have flown if not for the fact that Fleetfoot had gone by and wished the two of them fun at the lunch date they had with Witching Hour at her mother’s tea store.

Tide had gone stiff as a board, and it was clear that Spitfire had attempted to hide a smile at the reaction.

Midnight had promised they would, and guided the stricken Riptide from the office and back to their room to get ready. Tide, of course, insisted on wearing her officer’s uniform -- to which Midnight did not object too much, as the sight of her marefriend in uniform was honestly really hot -- and instead focused on getting herself ready. Midnight herself donning a nice dress, though not too nice as most of her closet was taken up by Wonderbolt uniforms, and she spent a lot of her bits on more important things.

Once dressed they had left and gone to Fine Brew’s Teahouse to meet with Witching. It was a good lunch, but it was unfortunately cut short when Dancer arrived and informed them that the Compound had been put into lockdown, they were required to return immediately.

Once back, and through the door which required them to show their identification at the door, Tide went to speak with Spitfire and Midnight went to suit up before she went with the rest of Squad Six to await orders.

The rest of the day was spent being on call the event the Shadowbolts attacked. An attack which never came, and they were eventually relieved of duty and allowed to go to bed.

And once they were in bed, Midnight had been pleasantly surprised that Tide had crawled into bed with her, holding her close as if to protect her. That, perhaps, above all else had driven home how much Riptide really did care for her, but also just how real the threat of the Shadowbolts really was. Really is.

But, the Shadowbolts could wait, right now Midnight needed to stop daydreaming about the previous day and get to the one that is underway. To that effect it was time to wake her sleeping companion up, even if Midnight hated to disturb her as the soft and steady rise and fall of Tide’s breath behind her makes her heart soar with joy.

Slowly turning over and pulling slightly away from Tide, Midnight reaches up and places a hoof on the side of her marefriend’s cheek, then leans in and kisses her, “Time for the Captain to report for duty.” Tide’s eyes open slowly, and a smile spreads over her face.

“That time already?” Tide says with a yawn as she pulls Midnight in close again.

“Yeah,” Midnight says as she snuggles up against Tide’s chest as she nuzzles her marefriend’s neck, “I am sure Spitfire wouldn’t mind if we stayed in bed a while longer, though. I mean, it’s so warm, and you smell so good.” Tide chuckles and rests her chin on top of Midnight’s head.

“I won’t lie, it is tempting. But we’re on high alert, Spitfire will want us out there in uniform on time, ready to fight should it come to that.” Tide’s voice softly trails off at the end, and she pulls Midnight closer, taking a deep breath. She is scared, Midnight can tell, of the conflict looming over their heads. Scared of losing her.

And so is Midnight. But she takes comfort from Tide being there, being hers and hers alone.

“Oh, alright.” Midnight says softly into Tide’s neck, “Let’s get dressed.” She then rolls over and untangles herself from the sheets so she can get out of bed. Behind her Tide does the same thing, though much quicker and with less reluctance. It takes them but a moment to head to their closets and don their uniforms.

Midnight gets hers on first, and waits by the door with a warm smile as she watches Tide fight with her uniform’s zipper as she usually does in the morning. After a few moments of watching in amusement Midnight goes over and helps Tide, who accepts the help with a blush and a few grumbles. Once they’re both properly dressed Midnight puts an arm around Tide’s neck and smiles, “Lets go get some breakfast, I am sure Dancer and Sky have already found a table and devoured half the place.”

“We can only hope.” Tide says with a chuckle, “I’d hate to hear Sky complain about being hungry while on guard duty.” Midnight adds a chuckle of her own as she opens the door and gestures through it.
“After you, my Captain.” Midnight says in a feigned professional voice that gets an amused smirk from Tide.

“Thank you, Midnight.” Tide says in her own professional voice, even if it is tinted with affection and pride.

The two of them make their way from the third story of the Wonderbolt Compound and towards the mess hall, greeting those they pass with nods of their heads of a few brief words. They fall in a few paces behind Squad One, just far enough out of range to hear what they are talking about, but close enough that Midnight can tell they were discussing something. Her curiosity would have to wait though as Spitfire led her squad over to her office, while Midnight and Tide continued down the stairs to the mess.

Midnight is not surprised to see security pick up when they hit the bottom floor, multiple teams of both Wonderbolts and the Security Staff patrolling along with guards at the front door and at all the entrances. She had expected it, but the reality of it chills Midnight to her core. They really are at war, or if not that they were close to it. The prospect scared her, she had heard Silver speak of the war he had been in, between the Gryphons and the Drakes, and all those he had lost. It weighed heavily on him, she could see it in his eyes whenever he spoke of his friends. Midnight prayed to Celestia that she would never have to see her friends torn from her as Silver had seen, especially Tide. She could not live with herself if Tide got killed, or injured so badly she could not continue to be a Wonderbolt.

She’d likely retire if that happened, spend the rest of her days with Tide. Perhaps adopt a nice little foal like Witching had with Tricks. The thought of having a family with Tide had warmed her heart when she had brought it up yesterday, more so since Tide hadn’t exactly protested.

Yes, that would be nice.

Tide clearing her throat brings Midnight back to reality, and she finds herself standing at the door to the mess hall, one door held open by Tide as the Security Guards on both sides just stand at attention.

“I know it is a lot of stuff, Midnight, but try to keep your head out of the clouds?” Tide says in a professional voice now that they’re among their fellow Wonderbolts, “We need to get to eat and see if Sky or Dancer checked the duty roster.” Midnight nods and walks through the door and into the mess hall.

Inside is not as populated as it usually is, due mostly to the increase in security, but also due to everypony eating quickly and getting back out to do whatever they were assigned at the moment.

In fact, as Tide and Midnight walk in, they are passed by Recruit Squad Foxtrot. Midnight smiles and inclines her head in greeting, Tide steps out of their way and nods to Rainbow Dash, both greetings are returned and the Recruits walk out of the Mess Hall to whatever it is they are needed to do.

Walking to the somewhat shorter than usual line to get food, they’re joined by Commander Soarin lining up behind them with an eager smile and a hungry look in his eyes.

“Spitfire have you patrolling early, Soarin?” Midnight says with an apologetic look.

“Oh, yeah.” Soarin says as he returns the smile as they advance down the line, “She is taking this all very seriously, as she should, but a few of us had to go without food in favor of guarding the hallways.” He sighs and shrugs.

“Sacrifices have to be made to keep everyone safe, Sir.” Tide speaks up from in front of Midnight, “But, I am sorry you missed breakfast.” She smiles just a little, and nods forward, “You can get in front of me, you look like Sky waiting to get his order taken by Rusty.” Soarin lets out a hearty chuckle and winks.

“Oh, I know how that feels.” He moves around to stand in front of Tide, “Thanks, Riptide.”

“You are welcome, Commander.” Tide replies with a smile.

It does not take them long after that to get their food and find their way over to Dancer and Sky who are both eating at a table on the other side of the room. Both of them greet their wingmates eagerly, but only briefly as they’re both eating their food at a good pace so as to not be in the Mess Hall too much longer.

“So, what took you two so long?” Dancer asks as he pauses from eating to get a drink, “We expected you two down here a while ago.”

“We were occupied, Dancer,” Midnight replies as she takes a bite of eggs, swallowing before continuing, “I mean, just because we’re in the midst of a conflict does not mean we shouldn’t try to spend as much time with those we care for.” Dancer nods slowly and smiles at the response.

“I’d say it is even more reason.” He says looking to Tide, “We checked the duty roster, Captain. We’re on schedule for a patrol today shortly before lunch, we are to return promptly and report our findings as soon as we can. After that we’re assigned emergency response duty in case someone enters the grounds.” Tide nods as she eats a piece of toast and washes it down with some orange juice.

“Very well. We are not assigned anything before then?” Tide asks getting right down to business. Dancer shakes his head and Tide nods, “Right, until the patrol then we are free, so I guess we can go to the rec room.” She looks to Sky who visibly perks up at the mention of going to the rec room, “If we are lucky, we might get to see a rematch between Midnight and Misty.”

Midnight chuckles around her own toast, and shrugs, “Misty is better,” She gets out around the toast, “I’m a foal learning to walk next to her.”

“Then we’re all but Foals compared to both of you,” Sky says dejectedly, “Watching you to play is like watching Spitfire and Silver spar. Amazing and more than slightly scary in how you two are able to move those balls.” Dancer snorts and shakes his head, doing his best not to choke on his own orange juice which he just took a sip of.

“Moving on from that lovely image.” Midnight says with a chuckle as Sky pats Dancer on the back, “Did the support staff ever go home last night? I thought I heard one of the cooks complaining about having to bunk in one of the spare recruit barracks.” Sky shrugs and Dancer shakes his head.

“I’ve heard some of the others talking about it,” Sky says slowly, “With the lockdown, no one went home last night.” He smiles slightly, “I heard from Bliss that her and her husband just slept on a pallet next to her desk last night.”

“When did you talk to Bliss?” Midnight asks with a raised eyebrow, “You get injured or something?”

“No,” Sky says with a sly smirk, “I wanted to see if Witchy was in! You know, to ask her all about the tea party you all had yesterday!” Tide narrows her eyes at him, and Midnight just rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

“Dare I ask,” Tide says slowly, “But was Doctor Witch there?”

“No,” Sky says with an over-dramatic sigh, “She wasn’t. She might be at the Castle, but the guards at the door to the passageway told me I couldn’t go see.” He pouts after declaring that last one. Midnight reaches over and ruffles Sky’s mane with a chuckle.

“Tell you what. Tonight, at dinner, if we’re not being marched around or something, I’ll tell you about our little tea party, okay?” Sky brightens up visibly at that, and nods.

“Deal, Midnight.” He says as he goes back to eating. Tide gives both of them a flat look as she finishes her own breakfast and waits for the others.

Dancer had also already finished, and Sky just barely beats Midnight, as he all but shovels his food into his mouth. Once Midnight is finished they all stand and take their trays over to the proper place, thanking the chefs profusely for their service -- seeing as none of them had gone home last night -- and headed for the door.

Midnight’s warm smile melted the instant she turned the corner towards the lobby. In fact, she ran right into the back of Dancer, who -- as if Midnight’s impact had broken him loose -- sprinted forward right on the heels of Tide, leaving Sky and Midnight standing next to the doors of the training room as a Guard burst out with Bliss and a couple trainers right behind him. Something was wrong, something was terribly wrong.

Tide’s hoofbeats are loud in her ears as she overtakes Dancer, her pace taking her from the East Hallway to the West quickly. Sliding to a halt just short of the growing crowd she starts shoving her way through.

“Captain of Squad Six, move!” Her voice leaves no room for argument as those who had gathered shuffled aside slightly, even the Security Ponies. Once she is at the front -- just behind the members of the the top three Squads -- her breath catches in her chest. The entirety of the Lead Squad are all standing guard in front of a group of Security Guards, some sobbing and some barely moving. All covered in horrendous bruises with their uniforms torn in multiple places.

Tide doesn't try to go further, she just plants her plot on the tile beneath her and waits, watches, with narrowed eyes and a barely suppressed growl. The rest of her squad joins her in a few moments, barely beaten by Bliss and the medical team. Dancer reaches her first and stands on her left side, his own eyes narrowed and his ears back against his head. Midnight and Sky are not far behind, with Sky just staring wide eyed next to Dancer and Midnight sitting down next to Tide, leaning against her with her ears back and eyes full of worry.

Tide puts a wing around Midnight and pulls her close, leaning her head against her loves without ever taking her eyes from the scene unfolding in front of them. Midnight cringes against her as Bliss describes the injuries, but when Tide looks down it is not fear in the mare’s eyes, but rather pure rage shining out behind tears. Tide puts an arm around her love, whispering in her ear softly.

“They won’t get away with this, Midnight.” She continues to look at the scene as Spitfire orders Bliss to just help them and not describe the injuries, “I promise we’ll make them pay.”

Midnight nods as Bliss and Mahogany take one of the injured guards away, Tide watches Midnight whose eyes never leave the injured guards.

Motion bringing Tide’s attention elsewhere she watches as Spitfire and the rest of the Lead Squad walk through the crowd towards where Foxtrot had been sitting away from everypony else. Doubtlessly, Foxtrot had seen something, or at the very least Spitfire was going to go check on them. She is curious, but not curious enough to separate from Midnight right now, the prospect of a Shadowbolt inside the Compound makes Tide less than eager to move away from the love of her life, let alone her Squad.

“Captain!” A voice, which Tide quickly identified as Sundance of Squad Ten, comes from the stairwell, “Captain! Up on the second floor! Two security guards were found brutally beaten in the board room!”

Tide’s ears go straight up and Midnight stiffens next to her.

“THAT… RGH! I’m sick of this!” Spitfire’s voice echos across the entire hallway, everypony instantly reacting, “EVERYPONY LISTEN UP! I want all the security guards back to their posts NOW and for Celestia’s sakel WATCH YOUR BACKS! MOVE ON THE DOUBLE!”

The guards instantly scatter and return to their posts, all with worried but determined looks on their faces.

“Wonderbolts!” Spitifre continued, every single Wonderbolt who is present instantly facing their Lead Captain and going to attention, “Starting right now EVERYTHING is on lockdown, I want every single one of you to gather up your squads and start a compound-wide search for whoever is responsible for this! Leave no stone unturned, no nook or cranny unchecked! If you find anything, report immediately, if you find a Shadowbolt, I don’t care what you do to get our attention, pull a fire alarm if you have to, just WARN US! GO! GO! GO!”

Spitfire didn’t have to say it twice, as soon as the first ‘GO’ was out of her mouth, Tide had gathered up Squad Six, who is already all there, and point down the hallway, “Right, Squad Six! Follow me!”

Midnight was right behind her, with Sky and Dancer just behind her as they pulled up the hoods on their suits. Behind them is Squad Twelve, with Captain Moonbow nodding to Tide as she turns down the hallway into the weight training room, the rest of Squad Twelve following without a single word.

Squad Six takes the two classrooms that follow just after the first hallway, Tide opening the first with Midnight on the other side of the doorway, Dancer the second with Sky mirroring the position Midnight is in with Tide. Both rooms are empty, the Guards outside them nodding to the Squad as they close the doors and proceed down the hallway. They checked each room, including the laundry cages, in the hallway before heading into the Auxiliary Gym. Tide and Dancer went in with Sky and Midnight going down the storage hallway and checking it and its guard compliment. They all met back up inside the Gym, which had been empty, and then headed to the stairs to the basement.

They wasted no time getting down into the basement and opening doors. Quite a few of the researchers gave them startled looks, Vellum Trace actually yelled at them until Tide informed him they had an intruder. The old Unicorn starts to ask questions, but is cut off by the klaxon blaring from the alarm on the wall, the lights flashing.

“What in the name of Celestia?” Sky shouts as he covers his ears with his hooves, “Do you think they found the bastard?” Tide shakes her head and motions her head towards the stairs, words next to useless in the inclosed space with the alarm blaring. No pony hesitates as the entirety of Squad Six dashes from the room and down the hallway until they’re at the stairs.

They pause briefly at the stairs to put their goggles over their eyes, not knowing what they’re about to walk into, and then go up the stairs single file.

Tide was the last one up, trusting in her squadmates to deal with any danger at the top of the stairs, and found Dancer and Sky at a window, their goggles up on their foreheads as they stared wide-eyed out the window. Midnight walking up behind them, and as she reached the window pushed her goggles up and blinked a few times before turning to look at Tide.

“Dear...we’ve got a problem….”

“ATTENTION ALL WONDERBOLTS” Spitfire’s voice came through the PA system, instantly taking Midnight’s attention from the mass of advancing Shadowbolts and to the speaker in the hallway, “THIS IS NOT A DRILL. ANY AND ALL WONDERBOLTS, REPORT TO THE LOBBY FOR IMMEDIATE DISPATCH TO INTERCEPT INCOMING HOSTILES.” Midnight grabs Sky by his shoulder and pushes him towards the lobby, Dancer and Tide already moving, “REPEAT, THIS IS NOT A DRILL,” Midnight’s hoofbeats loud in her ears as she draws up next to Tide, Dancer on her right with Sky lagging slightly behind, “ALL WONDERBOLT STAFF ASIDE FROM SECURITY ARE TO REPORT TO THE BASEMENT FOR SHELTER! I WANT…” Squad Six reaches the lobby as Spitfire continues on, assigning the last two Elite Squads, Nineteen and Twenty the duty of aiding her with the internal staff.

Tide stops just short of the already amassing Wonderbolts, Midnight coming to a half next to her. Dancer and Sky overshoot them, and stop to look back at their Captain and Midnight.

Midnight looks to Tide, who is looking at the ground as if thinking about something, which strikes Midnight as odd, Tide never hesitated when it came to this stuff. Then Tide looks up at her, her eyes determined, but not hard and not unkind. She reaches over and gently puts a hoof on Midnight’s hooded cheek, then leans over and kisses her. A few passing Wonderbolts stop and blink, seeing two of their fellows kissing -right- before going into battle is not a sight that is regularly seen.

Releasing her from the kiss, Tide smiles slightly as Midnight blushes beneath her mask as her ears go back against her head, a goofy smile plastered on her face.

“W…” Midnight starts, clearing her throat as her voice is a little shrill, “What was that for?”

“Good luck,” Tide says flatly, though not without a warm note to it, “And also so I could give you some personal orders.” She puts a hoof against Midnight’s chest, her eyes becoming hard as steel and strictly business, “Survive this, and come back to me in one piece.”

“Ma’am, yes ma’am!” Midnight replies as she winks and then motions to the formation that is starting to form, “After that kiss, those Shadowbolts better watch out! I feel as powerful as Soarin and as unpredictable as Surprise! They don’t stand a chance!”

Nodding Tide starts forward, Midnight right behind her. They gather up the other two in their Squad, both of which smile approvingly at their Captain, and get into formation next to Squad Ten, with Squad Eight in front of them and Squad Nine behind them. It didn’t take long for the area to fill up to capacity, with Soarin of the Lead Squad at the head with Fleetfoot and Air Mach next to him.

“ALL SQUADS READY!?” Soarin shouted singling everypony to lower their goggles.

“AYE!” came the response, a shiver going down Midnight’s spine.

“ALL PONIES SET!?” Once more Soarin shouted, all gathered opening their wings as if on command.

“AYE!” once more came the response, Midnight’s teeth on edge as the anticipation for the battle, to get payback, made her heart drum in her ears.

“WONDERBOLTS! GO! GO! GO!” the command to take off came, the Lead Squad launching themselves skyward.

“HOO-RAH!” Came the response as the first row took flight. Squad Six was in the fifth row back, and when it came time for them to launch none of them hesitated to follow their fellow Wonderbolts out the hanger window.

Once outside they continued forward in full formation, a few of them faltering at the sight of their foe.

Midnight could hardly blame them, before their very eyes the Shadowbolts were multiplying. Their numbers swelling until it was well over Eight Hundred purple and black clad figures flying full tilt towards them. Distantly, she could hear Soarin shouting encouragement, giving them orders to disperse on his mark. Her body followed the orders robotically, her brain attempting to process the sight she was seeing. They drew closer, and closer, and then the order to disperse came.

Midnight shot out in a random direction, a battle cry on her lips as she slammed into a Shadowbolt mare, the impact driving the wind from her foe and causing her wings to collapse back onto her body and put her into a freefall. Not letting her foe get the upper hoof or stabilize, Midnight dives down towards her, weaving between fights like a needle, wings plastered to her sides, eyes locked on her target. She catches up quickly, driving a hoof into the mare’s head with enough force to dislodge the goggles over her eyes. What is beneath them causes Midnight to snap her wings open in shock as the eyeless glowing...holes beneath the goggles stare out at her as the Shadowbolt falls the last few yards to the ground, exploding in a flash of pink light.

Shaking her head Midnight looks around, quickly spotting Tide and Dancer already back to back as they fend off multiple Shadowbolts, Sky is not that far off fighting to rejoin them as he weaves between Shadowbolts while punching and kicking them as best he can in places that cause them to falter in flight or even tumble from the air.

“Group up! Squad Tactics!” She hears Soarin shouting as he flies around the battle at high speed. He didn’t have to say it twice, Midnight was already flying as hard as she could towards Tide, towards safety. She reaches Tide and puts her back against hers, Dancer and Sky doing the same thing off to one side.

“So, any of this make any sense?” Midnight shouts over the din of battle as she strikes an incoming Stallion in the face, followed by a rapid follow up to his side causing his wing to retract violently, “Because, at this point, this is almost the level of a Surprise course!”

“No idea,” Tide replies as she punches a Shadowbolt in the stomach, then spins them around, wraps an arm around its neck, and jerks hard to one side before releasing the limp creature, which explodes a yard below them in a flash of light, “But, at this point, I’d rather focus on beating them to a pulp!” Midnight laughs behind Tide as she strikes another Shadowbolt.

“I can agree with that!” Midnight agrees, “Watch out Dancer!” She calls out to her friend and wingmate as a Shadowbolt comes from above. The older Wonderbolt doesn’t even flinch as he reaches up with one hoof, catches the mare coming at him with it, and flings her down into one of his knees hard enough to send a loud ‘CRACK’ over to where Midnight and Tide are fighting.

“What I wouldn’t give for some Lighting!” Dancer shouts as he pushes the gasping Shadowbolt into another incoming one, deviating the Stallion coming at him just enough to let him get an opening to strike hard in the middle of the Stallion’s head. The Shadowbolt starts into a freefall, dazed, and is quickly taken out by a passing member of Squad Eight.

The battle continues on like this for what seems like an eternity. Midnight quickly losing track of how many of these strange Shadowbolts she has downed, and gives up completely as the swarm simply continues to batter at them ceaselessly. All of them are forced to move more than once, large attacks of Shadowbolts nearly bowling them over and catapulting them to the ground, and they quickly find themselves being herded away from each other.

One particularly large wave of Shadowbolt -- numbering at least twenty, fifty at most -- charges them, forcing Midnight and Tide to split in a desperate attempt to get out of the way. Midnight herself weaving once more between Shadowbolt and Wonderbolt fights, though not as skillfully as earlier, the fatigue of constantly fighting and a number of hits she has taken slowing her, but she is able to do it.

Turning to see if the Shadowbolts are still following her she finds a Stallion nearly upon her, she readies her guard while flying backwards, eyes locked onto the Stallion. Suddenly, she is struck from behind, and she takes her attention off the Shadowbolt long enough to register that she has flown into the Captain of Foxtrot, the rainbow mane giving her away like a bright light in a dark room. The collision, though sends her forward...and into the waiting arms of the Shadowbolt Stallion. Instantly, as if it had been his plan the entire time, he tips towards the ground and locks his wings against his side, dividing them both towards the walkway a good forty feet beneath them.

Midnight struggles desperately, a growl escaping her as she is able to pull one arm free of the death grip the Shadowbolt has on her. She plants a solid, bone breaking, blow against the Shadowbolt’s head, and he instantly falters before exploding into a bright pink light.

Blinded, Midnight instinctively turns, her wings flaring out. She had not see how far she was from the ground, surely she was far enough to stop…

Suddenly, the tip of her wing strikes something hard, pulling her to her left and ramming her shoulder straight into the ground. Then, her ears are filled with the sickening sound of bone snapping, a pain flaring right where her neck joins her shoulders. All the breath in her body suddenly flees her as she slides to a stop, neck bent in such a way that she instantly knows…

And as the world dims, a tear escapes her as the last thing on her mind is Riptide. The beautiful, wonderful Mare who had stolen her heart.

And then, all too soon, the darkness takes Midnight.

Author's Note

*Removes goggles and places them on the ground*

And so ends the life of a Wonderbolt. :fluttercry:

Chapter 5: Midnight Falls

“Commander!” A voice comes from nearby causing the head of a honey-colored pegasus stallion to snap up and look around from beneath the helmet of his Royal Guard armor. “Commander, we’ve been able to evacuate the houses and shops directly bordering the battle, but we’re having some problems getting civilians out of some of the mansions a few streets down. They’re reluctant to leave their… lives behind in fear that whoever the Wonderbolts are fighting will plunder it.” Growling in annoyance, the Commander shakes his head.

“Get a team together, some of the stronger unicorns in Bravo preferably, and get them out of their houses. They’re pretty to look at, but they won’t stand up to whatever the hell those...freaks are throwing.” The Commander says as he turns back to the task he had been doing before the other pony had come in.

“Right away, Commander Amber Dawn,” the guard says as he salutes and rushes off. Dawn sighs and shakes his head as he goes back to helping two other guards -- a dark-grey earth pony stallion and a cream colored unicorn mare -- move a large slab of what had once been the upper floor of the building they were in three streets back from the battle still raging outside. It had fallen down in front of a doorway when the Shadowbolts had started to toss magic.

Magic, Pegasi using magic.

Dawn does not even start to assume he understands what in Celestia’s name is going on with that, but he knows that no matter how much you aim, when you toss something at a moving target, it might miss. And so, whatever they were throwing had indeed missed a few times, though not badly yet. A few buildings had been hit during their evacuation, mostly store fronts and a the street.

Grunting as he puts his shoulder into the large chunk of floor and mortar, Dawn does his best to avoid letting his helmet slip and disturb the bloody bandage beneath. His face had been an unfortunate casualty of a glass window and him getting into an argument when it had been shattered by a stray bolt of magic. It has not effected his duty yet, but if he had to listen to the medics under him tell him to sit down again, they might have their duty effected.

The slab starts to shift in front of them, and before too long, they push it out of the way. Beneath it, cowering under a pair of crossed beams that had thankfully supported the weight of the slab, is a young pegasus and his mother. Smiling brightly at them Dawn gets down and offers a hoof to the mare.

“Ma’am,” he says in his best professional voice before looking to the young colt, “Heya Gust, I see my favorite Royal Guard recruit is following my orders and protecting his mother!” The mare accepts the hoof and Dawn helps her out from beneath the rubble. Quick Gust walks out, albeit on shaking hooves, and offers a salute to Dawn.

“Sir, yes sir,” Gust says, his voice soft from fear and dust. “Private Quick Gust has followed you and Princess Luna’s Orders to the letter, sir.” Dawn ruffles Gust’s mane and smiles.

“Good, now I have a new mission for you, Private.” Dawn says in a serious tone, “I need you, along with Corporal Summer Sunset to escort your mother and the other refugees to the Castle, alright?” Gust salutes and goes over to his mother, who thankfully looks no worse for wear than her son. Corporal Sunset, a unicorn mare wearing the uniform of a Guard Medic, quickly goes over to them and starts them out the door. Sighing loudly Dawn sits down against the wall across from the cleared rubble, his shoulders slumping.

“Sir, we should get moving,” the earth pony guard he had been helping says as he walks over. “The battle may yet still rage, and you are not safe here.”

“Lieutenant Dusk Chaser,” Dawn says as he looks up at the other pony with his good eye. “I am well aware of that, but we are safer inside.” The building suddenly rocks with a near miss. “For the moment, at least.” Chaser shakes his head and takes a seat next to Dawn, sighing as he rolls his shoulders, then his neck.

“Sir, with all due respect, but we really can handle things from here,” Chaser says as he looks to Dawn. “You are injured, and I will not be the one to report to Princess Luna that you’ve put yourself into Canterlot General with your stubborn pride.” Dawn raises an eyebrow at Chaser, which he returns in kind, “Dawn, I am serious. As your friend, and your second in command, don’t make me relieve you of duty.”

“You’ve got me there, Chaser,” Dawn sighs, he then stands and nods. “Right, well then you’re in Command. Lieutenant, see to it that everyone is evacuated within the hour.” He then walks towards the door, or at least what had once been a door -- they had kicked it in when they’d found it jammed shut -- before stopping and gathering his strength.

Taking a running start, Dawn kicks off into the air from the middle of the street, circling until he is just above the rooftops of the shops and houses. Beneath him, his Guards are almost done clearing the block, confused and scared citizens grabbing what they find most precious -- be it an item, or their loved ones -- and departing the area in groups escorted by a collection of the Day and Night Guard.

Dawn feels bad for having kicked Luna’s Night Guard awake, but they were needed. All hooves had to be on the ground for this to avoid civilian casualties. He had called in special backup as a reward, though it cost him a favor he had been saving, and none of the Night Guard had complained too much due to it, but then their Commander, Moonlight Knight, was a good pony and kept his troops in line.

Circling once more, he spots Gust and his mother -- an amber-colored mare with a green and gold mane named Autumn Breeze -- along with Sunset slowly making their way along back alleys and side-streets with their group of about twenty terrified citizens on their way to the designated evacuation point. His worry for them put to rest, Dawn turns towards the Castle.

Towards Ground Zero.

The battle still rages around the Wonderbolt Compound, but it seems Luna had at least unleashed the ace up her sleeve, the Renegades clearly distinguishable from their honorless counterparts. Dawn does not know what to make of them, though. Descent, their Captain, was a pony of standards -- albeit a mercenary for the highest bidder -- and Dawn could respect him. More so, he can understand the reason he had gone rogue, the reason he was now fighting for Luna and helping to protect those who had not too many moons past been his foe. Those who followed him were still up in the air respect wise, but Dawn would gladly call them allies if they were defending the Wonderbolts.

Defending his daughter.

Shaking his head, Dawn corrects his course, as he had without thinking made his destination the Compound and not the Castle, his desire to help protect his daughter very nearly outweighing his sense of duty.

Landing in the courtyard of the Castle, Dawn looks up to see Princess Luna standing on the balcony. He cannot tell with the distance between them, but the way she is standing, the way she is staring out towards the Wonderbolt Compound, he can tell she is regretting holding back so long. The Royal Guard is assembled, in full save for those out on the streets evacuating citizens, their ranks standing at attention. The Black armor of the Night Guard and the Gold Armor of the Day Guard glinting in the sunlight.

Standing up tall, and walking as if he did not feel like he’d been wrestling with a dragon, Dawn walks down the rows, head held high. In front of each squad of Guards is a Lieutenant, alternating Day and Night. As he passes, the first one, a Day Guard, snaps to attention and shouts.

“Officer on the field!” as one the entire compliment of Guards snaps to attention, their clang of their armor and the stamp of their hooves ringing through the entire courtyard.

“Royal Guard, At Ease!” Dawn says as he stands in front of them, the Captain busy elsewhere he was the ranking officer on the field. The Guards all go to ease and Dawn nods as he walks towards the large doors into the Castle. The Guards at the door snap to attention, and Dawn simply waves them to ease in stead of wasting breath again.

They’d soon be deployed, to Canterlot or right to the Wonderbolt Compound, Dawn does not know. What he does know is that Luna and the Captain will never let him onto the field again today. Not even if a dragon attacked and started drinking all the beer in Canterlot.

Then again, the Captain just might for that last one…

The Guard is soon deployed to the Wonderbolt Compound, Commander Moonlight Knight -- a pure white bat pony with a black mane and tail -- of the Night Guard leading them through the worst of the wreckage in the streets directly bordering the Compound. Luna already present now that the Shadowbolts had fled the scene.

Their orders were simple; assist in the recovery and tending of wounded Wonderbolts assess casualties, and do their best to make sure the Wonderbolts were able to get back on their hooves as quickly as possible.

Stepping around a large large chunk of what had likely been the walkway not too long ago, Moonlight stops as he spots a dark blue form on the ground. He whistles for one of his flyers, a Night Guard bat pony, to grab a medic or trainer if they were outside yet. Walking over, Moonlight stops, his ears going down against his helmet as he digs at the ground.

Its a Wonderbolt...but...her neck…

“There’s no hurry with this one…” he says softly. “We’re already too late…” Sitting down beside the fallen Wonderbolt, he removes his helmet and shakes his black mane out before turning his dark red eyes skyward. In the distance, he can see three figures flying as fast as they can towards where he and the body are. Looking down at the fallen, Moonlight sighs.

“Your friends are almost here, you’ll be home soon.”

Tide grunts as the inept Guardspony they had helping the trainers patch her up tightens the bandages around her midsection.

“Sorry,” the guard says, “but I have to stop the bleeding, Captain.”

“Compass, I swear to Celestia, apologize or tighten my bandages again, I am going to bite your head off,” Tide replies, a deep growl in her voice. “I can’t spend any more time in this damned room. Too many wounded need your attention, and I need to get out there and find Midnight!”

“Well, then hold still so I can finish! I doubt this Midnight would want you bleeding out on her!” Compass replies, looking over her bandages one last time. “Besides, I am sure she is fine, as I’ve not tended to anyone by that name, and I’ve been bouncing all over the place in here.” Compass pats Tide on the back gently, and nods, “Right, you’re good.”

Tide shoots him a glare and slides off the table, grunting as her hooves touch the ground and her bandages stretch a little. She inclines her head to Compass in thanks, then starts towards the door, gently pushing aside or doing her best to weave between her fellow Wonderbolts, the Renegades that saved them, and the Guards who are assisting Bliss.

She doesn’t make it far, though, because suddenly the mood in the room changes, shifting from busy to dead still and so silent she can hear the clipboard drop a few feet away. Looking up, Tide spots a Night Guard wearing the silver strips of a Commander and one of Bliss’ trainers carrying a stretcher with a veiled body on it. Tide’s heart all but stops, a cold sweat forming between her wings.

A Wonderbolt, killed? This was horrible!

Suddenly, Witch detaches herself from the crowd, having pushed her way through from a nearby examination table. She rushes over to the stretcher, nodding in greeting to the Night Guard, and uses her magic to pull the sheet back so she can see who it is.

The sight beneath it makes Tide’s heart stop.

Midnight. Midnight is on the stretcher, still and silent. Time seems to slow down, her vision focusing on her love’s face, every single detail from the dirt right down to the scratches burning themselves into her brain like a hot brand. Next to Midnight, Tide vaguely sees Witch scan Midnight, her eyes showing the Doctor knows it is a futile thing, but she has to try.

Time speeds up again with a sound akin to rushing water as Witch shakes her head.

Tide stares blankly at the trio around the prone form of Midnight. One of them is their friend. Yet, right now, despite her being her friend, all Tide can feel is rage, BETRAYAL, as she watches her FRIEND shake her head sadly and point towards the Emergency Room door. It is clear, from the expression on Witch's face, that she won't help Midnight! And that, that infuriates her. Yet it isn't until the first loud *CLACK* of goggles hitting the tile beneath her that she moves, suddenly finding her voice, "Help her!" She cries, bandages around her middle restricting her breath, "DO SOMETHING!" She starts forward, only to be grabbed by a member of Squad Twelve and a Trainer as both realize what is about to happen. "Witch! HELP HER!" She struggles desperately in her attempt to reach Midnight, but the two restraining her hold their ground.

Witch turns towards the clearly distraught Tide, her eyes full of conflicting emotions that shine out from behind her cobalt blue frames. She is clearly barely maintaining her professionalism, the grief in her eyes near to overwhelming her with all the injured friends around her, with one now dead and beyond her ability to heal added in.

“I can’t” she says softly, a stark contrast to Tide’s raised voice, “There’s...there’s nothing….I can do…” Witch stammers, looking to the floor in a clear attempt to not meet Tide’s eyes, the sudden sound of tears striking the tile beneath Witch clearly heard in the silent room.

Tide shakes her head, her own tears starting to cloud her eyes, "You can't?!" She demands, "What do you mean, 'you can't'?!" She struggles harder against the two restraining her, by now all eyes on her, but no one is stepping up to silence her. "She is your friend!" Tide shouts. "I am your friend!?" She looks at Witch with pleading, desperate eyes, "Please! You're Luna's student! Surely she taught you something? Anything! PLEASE!"

“She is,” Witch replies, her face streaked with tears, “and you are my friends…” The effort of keeping her voice even shows, though, as her body tenses with each word. “But… She’s gone, Tide,” she adds in a forced tone, the unspoken now spoken. “She’s gone…” Witch repeats in barely a whisper as she shakes with the effort of repressing her crying.

"Gone...?" Tide says, her voice suddenly weak and breathless, as if the words Witch had spoken had driven all the air from her lungs. "No...NO! SHE CAN'T BE GONE!" She starts struggling harder, the two holding her back now joined by Compass who does his best to get a hold of her around her neck. She glares daggers at Witch as she continues to struggle. "YOU CAN SAVE HER!" she accuses, the words almost spat at the Doctor, "SAVE HER!" She rears back then forward sharply, Compass flying forward and over and landing on his back, but he does not get seriously injured. The other two tackle the distraught captain to the ground, no longer content to hold her back. She still struggles, tears in her eyes, "SAVE HER! Please, I beg of you! YOU ARE HER FRIEND! WHY WON'T YOU SAVE HER!?"

"I can't save her!" Witch cries, suddenly wobbling unsteadily on her hooves, her professional composure crumbling from the strain. "Not even the Celestial Sisters could bring her back!" She struggles to speak through her sobs. "I'm sorry, Tide... There's nothing I can do..." Witch says, a brief spell of calm detachment allowing coherent speech, before her legs buckle and she collapses to the floor.

Tide breaks down into a sobbing fit, weakly trying to break free as the two holding her down look over at Witch in worry. For her part, Tide stops struggling as the two carrying the stretcher stop at the door to the Emergency Room, open it, and go inside. The Captain of Squad Six just lays there when the door closes, sobbing. "Someone, please...do...something...she can't be gone..." At that point, Cinna puts down the supply clipboard she had been holding, and helps Witch off to one side, shooting a protective glare at Tide who doesn't see nor acknowledge it.

A few moments later, the bat pony comes back out of the room, and walks over to Compass who is looking between Tide and in the direction he last saw Witch. The bat pony stops, and puts a hoof on Compass’s shoulder. “Son, go to Doctor Hour, she’ll need you right now.” Compass looks like he wants to argue, a sudden blush rising on his face, but the bat pony just walks off and vanishes into the crowd without another word. Compass hesitates for only a moment before he rushes off, or at the very least quickly weaves between ponies, to go join Witch.

For her part, Tide is eventually haunt to her hooves and led over to the non-critical part of Triage, and put down on a bed so she can cry herself out. Her mind is shattered, all she can see is Midnight smiling at her before the battle, hear her voice, feel the soft touch of her lips on her own. She can smell her, feel the warmth of her body against her as they had snuggled in bed that very morning, not many hours past now.

And she’s gone…

Witch does her best to not let the tears flow again as she slowly pulls the sheet off of Midnight, off of the body of a friend she had shared laughs over tea not a day past. She could still see, still hear, her teasing Tide about starting a family. She could still feel the love that had almost physically radiated between the two Wonderbolts.

And now, she’s lifeless on the table before her.

Shaking her head, shaking the tears from her eyes, she holds the sheet out. Compass takes it without a word, the only other one in the room with her right now, and folds it neatly before placing it off to one side.

Wordlessly, her hooves numb with grief, Witch grabs gauze and disinfectant, and sets about the task of cleaning the cuts and scrapes that mar Midnight’s coat. It is an automatic task, something to fill the time she needs to recover her composure. It is also something she needs to do. Something she’ll do without her magic.

She cannot save Midnight, but she can at least patch her up, and perhaps give her some of her dignity back in death.

“I am so sorry,” Witch forces out as she gently wipes dirt from a cut on Midnight’s face. There is no blood though. “I failed you…” A tear falls against Midnight’s face. “I’m so sorry…”

As she works, Compass just stands behind Witch silently. A calm and quiet sentinel to provide a measure of much needed comfort for the doctor.

Tide stands at the door to the room they had taken Midnight into, her goggles hanging around her neck, head bowed. She had calmed down a little, the occasional sobbing breath escaping her mouth causing her entire body to shake. Beside her, on the other side of the door, is Sky and Dancer both looking as if they had been hit by a freight train emotionally.

Sky sits with his head against Dancer, and Dancer has a wing and an arm around Sky, his head resting on top of Sky’s head. Both had been crying, Sky is still crying, and neither of them had moved from that spot since they had sat down.

The door opening beside them causes Dancer and Tide’s faces to turn towards it as Witch steps out, followed closely by Compass. Witch looks at Sky and Dancer, her eyes filled with profound sorrow.

“Thanks for trying, Witchy,” Sky says from where he is sitting against Dancer, not even looking up. “I know you would have done everything in your power to save her.”

“You did what you could, Doc,” Dancer says softly with a nod. “Go see to the others, Midnight would want you to make sure no one else joins her.”

“Thanks, you two,” Witch says with a soft, somber smile before giving Tide an almost unreadable look before she steps away to return to work. Compass stops next to Tide and looks to Witch for a moment before focusing on Tide.

“I am sorry for your loss, Captain,” he says as he gently reaches over with one hoof as if to offer something. Tide looks up at him and reaches out to accept whatever it is he is giving her. He drops a piece of fabric onto her hoof and then departs.

Looking down at it, Tide starts to cry again, the fabric reading, “Upper Tier, Elite Squad Six, Midnight”. It’s the tag from her flight suit. Dancer walks over and pulls Tide into a hug as she presses the strip of fabric to her chest. He wraps his arms around her and gently rubs the back of her head with one hoof.

“Let it all out, Tide,” he whisper softly into her ear. “Sky and I have lost a sister, but you have lost everything today. Feel no shame in the tears, the world weeps with you.” And Tide cries, and cries, all around them Wonderbolts, Renegades, and Guards giving them a clear space to grieve.

Those who had been out searching, or had been unable to stand to salute when Midnight had come in, stop by one by one, and offer the salute to the fallen. Not a single one of them leaves without their faces stained with tears, their own sorrow made manifest at having to listen to Tide sob into Dancer’s shoulder.

Eventually, Tide cries herself out, her face resting against her wingmate’s welcoming shoulder.

“Go to her,” Dancer whispers softly. “She would be at your side if you were in there,” he says, only loud enough for Tide to hear, no one else. “And you need to say goodbye… there is no telling when you’ll get another chance.” He pulls back from Tide and gently places a hoof on her face. “Sky and I will stand guard out here, but we’ll be in there with you, as we have been in there with Midnight, in spirit.” Tide nods slowly, sniffling weakly as she stands slowly.

She goes to the door and reaches for the handle, stopping right before touching it as if to do so would cause her great pain. She starts to lower her hoof, when the doorknob is enveloped in magic, and the door opens. Looking over her shoulder, Bliss stands, looking at Tide with an expression of understanding, but also of determination.

Tide sighs, her shoulders slumping as she walks inside, each step echoing in her head as if she is walking down a long and empty hallway. Once inside, the door closes behind her, the sound of it latching echoing in the silent room.

Captain Riptide of Squad Six stands quietly inside the Wonderbolt’s small Emergency Room, the door behind her closed tightly. The room is dark, save for the examination light above the table upon which the shroud-covered body that holds Tide’s complete attention.

She had been standing there for nearly five minutes, but whenever she had attempted to take a step forward, the lump in her throat would grow larger, the pain in her chest sharper. Somehow, she felt that if she simply did not remove the sheet, did not draw close to it, the body would not be Midnight’s. Her love would still be alive, well and smiling somewhere out there with the rest of her Squad, playing off this attack as a victory. She’d come in any moment, and tell Tide to stop crying, to smile and that everything would be alright.

Yet the part of her that was the military Captain knew. It berates her for her hesitation, for the lack of willpower, the inability to take those steps forward. She needs to move on, needs to see that it is indeed Midnight on that table so she could focus on the real matter at hand. She would lose wingmates, she knows this in her mind, and she has to continue on and do her duty.

But this, this is different. No matter how much she had told herself that she’d lose others in this career, she had never anticipated, never dreamed, never dared hoped that she would…

Fall in love?

Her training had never prepared her for this, the admission to herself silencing even the harsh voice that chastises her for the weakness she shows right now. It gives her strength, even if it was a sad, empty, lonely strength.

Taking a few hesitant, shaking, steps forward, Tide slowly builds up her resolve until she is able to go to the table. She once more stands there, breathing shakily, as she looks at the outline of the pony on the table. Reaching forward and grabbing the sheet in her teeth, Tide pulls it down as her heart both beats heavily and does its best to stop dead in its tracks at the same time.

Beneath the sheet is her worst fear made manifest. The pure shock of it making her drop the sheet and sit down as her eyes fill with tears once more.

Facing her, eyes closed and seeming to sleep as peacefully as when Tide had held her that very morning, is Midnight. Reaching up a shaking hoof, Tide brushes some of Midnight’s mane out of her face before resting her hoof on her love’s cheek. It’s still warm, perhaps from the light above her, perhaps because she had not been… dead long.

Tide finds her eyes slowly filling with tears, the urge to look away and deny what is in front of her almost overwhelming. Yet still, she holds on, forcing herself to keep looking, to take in the sight. It is beyond painful, and, before she knows it, her resolve falters and she reaches over with both arms and scoops the lifeless body up and holds Midnight’s limp head against her chest, the tears freely flowing as she sobs uncontrollably.

If any hear her wails beyond the room, no one comes in to check.

After an eternity, the tears stop, the sobbing fades, and Tide finds herself gently running a hoof along the back of Midnight’s head, whispering softly to her as if she could hear her.

“I should be angry at you,” Tide chokes out, “for not following my orders... For not coming out of this battle alive for me to hold in my arms again...” She stops as her voice gives out, the lump in her throat becoming too much to talk around. Instead she goes back to just holding onto Midnight, tears falling onto the fallen Wonderbolt’s peaceful face. She shakes her head, forcing her voice past the lump. “But all I can think to say is how sorry I am. Tell you how much I loved you, how much you lit up my life.”

Vaguely, on the edge of her grief-marred awareness, the sound of the door opening registers and is pushed away, a wing extending slowly out of instinct to cover Midnight protectively. With her back to the door, Tide doesn’t know who it is, nor does she care, but now that there is another pony in the room, Tide finds herself wanting to leave and be alone again.

Gently putting Midnight’s head down, Tide retracts her wing and leans down, gently kissing Midnight on the forehead like she always used do to Tide. “I love you, with all my heart, Midnight.” She stands and pulls the sheet back up over Midnight’s silent visage, her eyes never leaving Midnight’s face until the last moment. She then takes a step back before placing a hoof over her heart and extending her wings skyward in the traditional Wonderbolt salute to the fallen. She closes her eyes and lowers her head, though, and whispers softly, “Good bye, dear heart. May you sleep beyond pain, beyond sorrow, beyond all earthly things. Someday, far into the future, I shall join you, but until then let not your heart weep as mine does, instead smile for both of us, and let me cry enough for both of us.”

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Tide turns and stops dead in her tracks as she realizes who had been standing behind her.

“We are sorry if we disturbed you, Captain Riptide.” Princess Luna’s voice is quiet and respectful. “We had known you had come in here after… speaking with our student, but we did not know of your personal connection to the fallen.” Tide takes a step back, her wings flaring outward as she narrows her bloodshot eyes.

“Are you here to chastise me for how I spoke to Witch?” Tide all but growls out. “Add insult to my injury?” She stamps a hoof on the tiled floor. “And leave Midnight out of this, haven’t you done enough to her already?”

“We did not strike your love down, Captain,” Luna starts, “but we offe…”

“Keep your condolences!” Tide yells. “Keep your empty sympathies! You may as well have killed her!” Tide points a hoof at the Princess who just stands there, “You must have seen us from the Castle. Watched us getting beat into the ground, get herded towards slaughter like animals!” Tears start welling in Tide’s eyes again. “Where were you? Why stand and watch as some of your most faithful, most dedicated, subjects and soldiers get SLAUGHTERED?! Why wouldn’t you help us?”

“I unde…” Luna again tries to interject, this time actually dropping her Royal Pronouns, but Tide stamps it out.

“You understand? YOU UNDERSTAND!?” Tide continues yelling, “HOW? How can you understand how much this hurts!” She puts a hoof to her chest, tears starting to roll down her face. “How can you understand how much I am going to miss her smile? The joyful look in her amber eyes each time she looked at me. The pure, innocent way she loved everyone equally. How can you even start to understand how much you’ve taken from me?” She points at Luna, her hoof shaking as she fights back the urge to sob. “You and your sister, wherever she is, are all but Gods! How can you even start to understand the loss of someone who meant everything to you? Who, in just existing, made your life worth living? You’ll never have to experience this feeling, the deep endless and empty hole that fills my heart at having her TORN from me!” Tide lowers her hoof and stares at the princess, almost begging Luna to stop her. “You’ll never know what it is to wake up. Ever. Single. Day. To look for them, to find them gone. To yearn to hold them when you feel sad, and only be able to do so in memory. To cry yourself to sleep, because your bed now feels vastly empty….” Tide trails off as the tears win out, and she sits down and hangs her head, waiting for the Princess to yell at her, to loudly explain how one should never speak to a Princess like she just had.

The moments pass, and it never comes.

Instead, when Tide looks up the Princess is sitting in front of her, looking down at Tide with crushing sorrow and regret.

“You are wrong,” Luna says softly. “I have felt it more times than I wish to ever count.” She looks beyond Tide towards the shrouded form of Midnight. “I have seen friends, some closer to my heart than others, on tables like this. Laid out for viewing, or veiled by blood stained sheets when they’ve fallen in battles now too far past to even remember.” Luna looks back to Tide who is looking up at the Princess with a grief stricken look. “I’ve sat right where you sit now. Looking for something, anything, to blame. If only I had been stronger, faster, more skilled, would they be alive now?” She shakes her head and closes her eyes. “I even pleaded with my sister, once. Begged her to bring somepony back from death. I could not do it, but Celestia was, is, more powerful than I… yet it is beyond even her.” Luna opens her eyes and looks to Tide, the sadness growing. “If you wish to hate me, do so. I know I cannot help you, I know the pain in your heart. I hated my sister for an age when she told me she could do nothing.”

For a moment Tide and Luna just stare at each other, both their eyes holding profound sorrow. Tide looks away first, her eyes drifting behind her to Midnight as she breaths a shaky sigh before looking back to Luna.

“She would not want me to hate you,” Tide says softly, “but I do not know if I can forgive you.” She stands and starts to walk around Luna. “With your permission, Princess, I shall take my leave.”

“I understand,” Luna replies, still speaking informally. “You have my permission, Captain.” Tide inclines her head, then walks from the room.

As the door closes Luna hangs her head again, a tear rolling down her cheek. “I understand more than you know, Captain.” She stands and walks over to Midnight, lightly placing a hoof on the sheet over Midnight’s face. “You owe me nothing, Midnight, but I am going to tell you some names… and I… would be in your debt if you could tell them how much I miss them.”

And with that, Luna sits down and whispers to the fallen Wonderbolt, tears in her eyes as she speaks of friends, of family, she had lost to time, to war, to life.

Tide strides from the ER, tears still fresh in her eyes as she goes blindly towards the stairs. She can hear Dancer and Sky behind her, doing their best to keep pace, but Tide doesn’t want to be with them. A part of her feels slightly betrayed they let Luna into the room with her, and part of her knows they could not have stopped her.

All around her, Wonderbolts, their Staff, and their new allies in the Renegades, are all moving around with purpose, doing their best to make the compound ready for whatever comes next, but not her, and not her Squad. Everypony gives them space, a large island forming in the sea of ponies as they pass, salutes and even condolences are given to them, but Tide responds to none of them. What is the point? Midnight is gone. The light of her life, her heart and her soul in this world. Gone.

Starting up the stairs Tide misses the second riser and trips, almost falling face first into the steps. She is caught by Dancer and Sky who had rushed forward and grabbed her. She tries to get out of their grasp, but, in her current state, all she accomplishes is clocking Dancer in the face with an elbow.

“Easy there, Captain,” Sky says as Dancer places a hoof over his nose, which begins bleed. “We’re trying to help you.” Tide settles down and slumps back into Sky’s arms, nearly knocking him off his hooves and onto his plot.

“Yah,” Dancer says in a nasal tone, “W’re trying t’ help you! W’ve already lost one sister t’day, ‘m not ‘bout to lose the ‘ther one!” He nods up the stairs, “ ‘ow, lets g’ya up t’ your room.” He puts one of Tide’s arms around his neck, the same done by Sky on the other side, and both of them pick their fallen sister up and help her walk up the stairs. Tide simply slumps against them, her legs working on autopilot as her brain just shuts down, the reality of the day having ground it down well past its limit.

They lead up the stairs, past the second floor and up onto the third. She barely takes notice of the Wonderbolts they pass, all of repeating the show of respect on the first floor by lowering their heads or offering salute. They make it to Tide and Midnight’s room, Sky opening the door with a grunt, and the two take Tide inside and towards her bed.

“N...no.” Tide says softly, the two holding her up stopping and letting her go. As soon as her hooves touch the ground she wobbles, but takes a deep breath and steels herself. She walks past her bed, and over to Midnight’s. She gets on top of the sheets and buries her face in one of Midnight’s pillows, taking a deep, long breath.

Tears once more form in her eyes; she can still smell her.

Clutching the pillow to her body, Tide just holds onto it, as if holding it hard enough will impart her lost love’s scent onto her, make it so she can carry with her a small piece of Midnight.

Behind her, Dancer looks to Sky and nods to the door, “Lets go, kid. Big sis needs her time alone.” He puts an arm around his friend, his brother’s, neck. “Lets go see the cooks, I think they keep a stash of beer hidden in the back of the walk in coolers. One of them owes me, I think we should go offer Midnight a farewell of our own.” Sky nods and the two of them leave the room, closing the door behind them.

Tide doesn’t even hear them go, her eyes fixed on the window, which is open just enough to show that the sun has since set. The dark amber of the the Sunset reminding her so much of Midnight’s eyes…

Closing her eyes to block out the world, she grips the pillow tighter, and cries herself to sleep as she feels her heart continue the long, painful process of breaking.

Dawn stands at the entrance to the Wonderbolts’ tunnel in back of the Throne in the Castle, his good eye staring at the entrance. Beside him, wearing Dawn’s helmet, Gust does his best to stand at attention as well, though he smiles at Dawn from beneath the helmet every few seconds, breaking the traditional neutral expression.

They are waiting for Luna. A few minutes before, a defeated and run-ragged Golden Compass had come through the tunnel with Moonlight Knight to inform them that Luna was making her way to the castle by way of the tunnel after setting the sun from the front lawn of the Wonderbolts’ Compound.

Compass had not smiled, he had simply nodded and sighed before walking off towards the hallway, likely intent on going to the barracks. Moonlight had inclined his head to Dawn and asked him to make sure Luna was alright before departing, likely go find himself some coffee to stay awake during the night shift.

He likely had not gotten too far, as Dawn can see Rusty -- the old Stallion had just shown up at the Castle wearing pots and pans as armor and refusing to evacuate -- coming out of the hallway Moonlight had just gone down carrying a large soup pot with the help of a guardpony. From here, Dawn can smell the thick aroma of coffee coming from the steaming pot, and he gives an involuntary yawn.

Quicker than lightning, Rusty is over next to Dawn and Gust, a cup of hot coffee in his hooves. “Say there, Commander, you’re looking like…”

“Tartarus warmed over?” Dawn finishes with a tired smirk. “I’ve been getting that a lot, Rusty.”

“That’s Quartermaster Rusty!” Rusty says with a grin. “Your Captain figured I was useful in keeping your sorry plots awake.” Dawn chuckles and takes the cup with a nod as Rusty looks to Gust. “Say there, aren't you a little young to be in the Guard?”

“No!” Gust says with enthusiasm, “Dawn here made me a Private under his command! I’m waiting here with him for Luna!” Rusty smiles and reaches behind him, quickly pulling a cup of hot chocolate out, complete with whip cream and what looks like rainbow sprinkles. “Trying to bribe a guardpony?” Gust says slowly, his eyes narrowing before he reaches out and takes it, taking a sip of it and gaining a whipped cream mustache. “Well, it’s working, Quartermaster.” Rusty chuckles and winks as he goes off to patrol for more sleepy guards.

“He is a real tricky one, that Rusty.” Dawn says as he looks down at Gust who is holding his mug in both hooves, a mirror image of Dawn holding his coffee. “I dare say he got the better of both of us.”

“Perhaps he got the best of you, Commander,” Gust says as he takes another sip of his hot cocoa, a few sprinkles added to his mustache, “but I am an upstanding Guard Pony, and would never take a bribe from him.”

“Of course not, little Gust.” A voice comes from the entrance to the passageway, shortly followed by Luna. “You are one of our most honorable and upstanding Royal Guard Ponies.”

“Luna!” Gust exclaims happily, putting his mug down and rushes over to hug Luna, “Me and Dawn have been waiting for you!” he says happily. “it was hard staying up, especially for Dawn, but we really wanted to be here to greet you.” Luna returns the gesture, embracing her young friend warmly, her wings wrapping around him.

“We thank you, little Gust,” Luna says, her tone betraying how hard she is working to keep an even tone. “We appreciate the gesture.” She releases him and looks to Dawn, “Commander, there is something we wish to discuss with you.” She points with a wing towards the hallway that leads towards the Royal Quarters. “It is about thy daughter.”

Dawn stiffens, and drains the remainder of his coffee. “Alright, Princess,” he says as he stands. “Lead the way.” Luna nods simply and starts off towards the hallway. Gust follows after them, mug of hot cocoa in one hoof as he tries to keep pace with the adults.

As soon as they are out of earshot of the Guards, Luna drops the royal pronouns and speaks plainly. “Your daughter is safe, Dawn,” she starts, instantly knowing what to say to put his fears to rest on that matter, “but she is distraught.” Dawn looks over at the Princess with his good eye.

“What happened at the Compound, Luna?” Dawn asks slowly, worry clear in his voice. “What happened to Tide?”

“She lost Midnight,” Luna says, stopping and looking out a window towards her Moon, “Your daughter rightfully blames me.”

Dawn sighs and goes to stand in front of Luna, Gust stops right next to the Princess and looks up at her as he continues to sip from his mug.

“She lost a squadmate, then?” Dawn says slowly. “I knew it would happen eventually, given her line of work, but I had hoped to spare her that special kind of pain only we leaders know.”

“It is more than that, Dawn.” Luna says with a sorrowful sigh as she looks back to her friend. “Midnight was more to her than just a Squadmate, more than just someone who she led into battle.” Dawn looks to Luna, his head leaning to one side, ears back against his head.

“Surely you don’t mean…?” he asks in a soft voice.

“Your daughter has just experienced a profound loss, Dawn,” Luna replies, looking back out the window. “Even now, I can feel the turmoil, the pain and suffering, she is experiencing through her dreams.”

“I should go to her, I should…” Dawn says as he stands, making to move around Luna but she puts a wing out and stops him. “Luna, I should go comfort my daughter.”

“No,” Luna says softly, “Not tonight.” She lowers her wing as Dawn goes and resumes his place in front of her. “I will visit her tonight, and do what I can for her.” She sighs closing her eyes. “Perhaps I can help bring her some peace, some closure. I owe her that much.” She looks to Dawn, then to Gust who has by now finished his mug and is looking up at Luna from beneath his helmet with concern. “Would you two stay with me, while I visit her? Dreams such as these are never...easy on me, and I would like to return to friends and not an empty room.”

Dawn nods. “It would be our honor, to attend you, my lady.”

Tide is in a dark room, the only light coming from a single harsh source above a steel surgical table. Upon the table lays the bloodied and battered form of Midnight, her eyes staring out at Tide accusingly as if to ask her why she did not save her. Tide attempts to close her eyes and turn away, but when she opens them again it is in the center of her vision.

She cannot escape it, she has tried to run from it, tried to hide, tried to close her eyes. Nothing is working! Always Midnight stares at her, blood leaking from her nose and mouth, silently accusing her of not doing enough to save her. Tide wishes to cry, but no tears will come, nor can she find her voice to wail her sorrows into the inky blackness that surrounds her.

The weight of her guilt, of her sorrow, threatens to crush her, threatens to extinguish the little life she clings to in the wake of Midnight’s passing. She can feel it, like tight binding ropes encircling her heart and her throat, choking the air from her lungs and the blood from her veins.

Right before her final breath, right before the final echoing drumbeat of her heart, something changes.

It is subtle at first, but grows steadily. A comfortable warm feeling, like a pair of arms and wings wrapped around her, washing away her sorrow and breathing life back into her. Light suddenly floods her vision, and she looks to find the source of it, of the comfort.

There are indeed arms around her, dark blue and wearing the sleeves of a Wonderbolt Pilot Uniform. Then a soft, loving voice whispers in her ear, Tide’s heart thumping back to life at the sound.

“I’m sorry I went away, dear.” Midnight says softly into Tide’s left ear, “I am so sorry, but I am here now.”

“M...Midnight?” Tide chokes out, turning her head to look at her love’s face, “H...how are you here? I...I…” Tide can’t complete the sentence, fresh tears threatening to pull her under again.

“Shhh, no more tears, my sweet Captain.” Midnight says, gently brushing a hoof through Tide’s mane, “You asked me to let you cry for the both of us, but I cannot stand to see your eyes made sad on my part.” She gently kisses Tide’s cheek as a tear rolls down it, “So dry your eyes, dear heart, and let me hold you.” Tide complies, surrendering into Midnight’s embrace, sniffling and letting her love flow over her like a warm blanket. As she does, the room grows bright, and the table vanishes. Soon, Tide finds herself sitting in a room she knows well.

The room is spacious, large enough for many ponies to sit in without feeling cramped, with wooden floors polished to a smooth glossy surface by generations of hooves walking over it. There is a single couch flanked by a couple chairs in front of a large stone fireplace, large curtained windows flank it, soft light filtering through and filling the room with soothing afternoon light. The walls are full of pictures showcasing moments in the lives of Tide’s family, and of Tide herself. They sit side-by-side with awards, many of the family having served in not only the Royal Guard but even the Wonderbolts over the years.

Yet above all others, one picture captures Tide’s attention. It is a new addition to the room and sits on the mantel of the fireplace in a place of honor.

In it, Midnight has Tide by the face as she kisses her, Tide’s eyes wide and startled.

“That was, perhaps, the happiest day of my life,” Midnight says, still hugging Tide from behind, “I had proof, real physical proof in that picture, that no one could deny.” She kisses Tide’s neck, the sensation sending shivers down Tide’s spine. “I wanted to hang that in our house, show it to our kids and say ‘that is when mommy knew that your other mom loved her,’ point to it whenever we had our fellow Wonderbolts over and laugh as we remember our glory days.”

“Glory days?” Tide says softly, “Every day with you was glorious.” She looks over at Midnight, a soft smile on her face and tears forming in her eyes again. “We all fear the day when Spitfire tells us to retire. But, with you, I wouldn’t have been afraid.” She leans against Midnght’s face. “I would have turned in my wings with a smile, knowing you were there beside me.” Midnight gently puts a hoof against Tide’s cheek, her own eyes filling with tears.

“I know.” She smiles and motions with a hoof at the wall of pictures, framed pictures coming into existence. “And I would not have regretted a single moment of it.” Tide sits there and watches the pictures as they appear. They show everything from her and Midnight holding young foals in their arms, birthday cakes with candles being blown out, even a picture of them in wedding dresses standing in front of Princess Luna. “We would have lived a life together that many would envy.” She then sighs and hugs Tide a little tighter, “But, then that was another life,” She leans against Tide, tears falling from her eyes, “I am sorry, for disobeying orders., for not coming home to you.” She kisses Tide on the cheek. “For missing the life you are about to live without me. But I do not regret my love for you, nor should you.” She puts a hoof against Tide’s heart, Tide placing hers on top of Midnight’s. “I’ll always be right here, though. So no matter where life takes you, I will always be by your side.”

“Do you have to go now?” Tide asks in a choked voice, somehow knowing what is about to happen, “Can’t you stay with me a little longer?” Midnight smiles warmly and shakes her head.

“I have lingered long enough,” she says softly as she leans around and looks Tide in the eyes, “but, before I go, there is something I need to do.” She then leans in and kisses Tide, who reaches up and places a hoof on the back of Midnight’s head. The two of them get lost in it, time in that moment meaningless, the near departure seeming as distant as if to be at the end of the universe.

Eventually, it ends, and Midnight pulls back, tears in her eyes and a loving smile on her face. She places a hoof once more against Tide’s chest, “Goodbye, dear heart. May your pain pass swiftly, may your life as full of joy as if I was still beside you, and may your heart know no more sorrow, only my love.”

And with that Midnight releases Tide as she slowly vanishes. their eyes never leaving each others until Midnight has passed into the next world. Tide places a hoof over her heart where Midnight’s had been moments before. She feels better now, still sad, but no longer like it was weighing her down. She feels free.

Most importantly, although it feels like she is still missing something important in her life, she knows that all she had to do to find it was place her hoof over her heart and think of Midnight, because she’d always be there.

Looking skyward, tears in her eyes she whispers softly.

“Thank you.”

Returning to her own body, Luna’s eyes fill with tears. It was always hard, entering those dreams. However, that dream was important. The Wonderbolts would need everyone in the coming days, and Luna owed it to them to make sure that she did all she could to make them ready.

The feeling of arms suddenly around one of her front legs pulls her attention down, where she finds Gust hugging her tightly. He says nothing, just holds onto her. Luna then turns to look to her other side, where Dawn has been standing the entire time, as he shuffles over and draps a wing over her silently, adding his own presence to comfort his friend.

Reaching up with her free hoof, Luna wipes the tears from her eyes, the sorrow in them quickly replaced by a look of determination.

“Thank you both,” she says softly. “I need to go now, and prepare for tomorrow.” She looks to Dawn. “Go ahead of me, and wake the armorer. I’ll need him, my armor needs to be checked over.” Dawn pulls his wing back and nods, a knowing smile on his face.

“As you wish, Luna.” He starts walking off and stops. “Gust, I’ll need my right hand pony with me. The armorer will want to fit you with some armor of your own.” Gust looks over at Dawn, then up at Luna who nods with a soft smile. He hugs her one last time before running over to Dawn, the both of them departing without another word.

When the door closes, Luna looks out over Canterlot, her mind turning to what must be done in the coming hours. And in the days to come.

She would protect them, the Wonderbolts, make up for her failure.

She owed Midnight’s memory that much.

Author's Note

The worth of a life is not measured in deeds preformed, wealth amassed, or even perhaps achievements and medals earned. The worth of a life is measured in the lives it has touched, the hearts it has warmed, the love it has given freely and without reservation.

To know the worth of a life lost, you need not look farther than those who shed their tears for the fallen, point to their picture and laugh as they recall the good days, and the bad, with equal enthusiasm. You can measure the worth by counting those who stand around the grave, saying their goodbyes, and promising that when they join them to have lived a life worthy of their memory.

Well enough of my late night philosophical junk. I want to thank everyone who read this story, especially those who have given it praise, and those who have stayed silent yet have given it a thumbs up.

I especially wish to thank my friend Witching Hour for allowing me to use her characters: Witching Hour, Golden Compass, and Moonlight Knight, in my story! I also wish to thank her profusely for letting me bounce ideas off of her, and for helping me edit this chapter!

I also wish to thank Calm Wind for being such an awesome writer, and for opining his world up for people to write in! Truly, it is a wonderful world to write in, and I hope to continue doing so for as long as he allows us to!

And last, but surely and certainly not least, I wish to thank Foxenawolf who drew the lovely art I put into the chapter! She is an amazing artist and person, so if you ever want or need art I'd go see about getting it form her!

Anyway, there is one more, ONE MORE, chapter after this one. It is an Epilogue that I will write a little while down the road, after a break and after Calm updates Piercing the Heavens a bit more. Until then, I will be working on other things and this story goes into Hiatus. So, I hope you all enjoyed it! I know I enjoyed writing it (Even if I almost went through an entire tissue box...it was raining...in my room...I swear.) and I look forward to providing more stories for you all to enjoy in the future!

July 13th 2016 Edit: Added new artwork by my good friend, and fellow Troll Squad member, Penumbra!

Aug 30th 2016 Edit: NOW YOU CAN SEE TIDE'S HEART BREAK IN FULL COLOR! :fluttercry: