Guardian Wings

Chapter 3: Higher Wings

Frostlight lie still in his bed for the next day, anticipating his eventual release from the hospital. The white wash walls seemed to even be taunting him to go outside and begin to fly again, but he knew better. A nurse walked in the room, “You have visitors Frostlight.” She said. Cross Sticks walked in with a serious expression. “So I’ve heard the results, and I’m here to let you know that all your friends send you their love, but they can’t take seeing you like this.” Cross Sticks said with a grim tone. Frostlight smiled joyfully. Cross Sticks noticed this and couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you smiling?” He asked feeling annoyed. “Well Sticks, I’ve been put through a test for a prototype invention that was invented recently. And well…it allows me to fly again!” Frostlight finished with excitement. Cross Sticks was awestricken, “But the-…they told us you wouldn’t be able to fly again!” He shouted with tears forming in his eyes. “As long as I wear this enchanted bracelet, I can fly again, but not when I take it off.” Frostlight said. Cross Sticks quickly leaped onto the bed and hugged Frostlight while crying, “This ought to be the greatest news EVER!” He said trying to hold back the tears. “I’m being released tomorrow morning, so we’ll get to spend some time together, but not much for I have to leave for initiation soon.” Frostlight said. Cross Sticks frowned, “So you can’t stay with us a little while longer?” He asked. “I’m afraid not.” Frostlight said quietly. “Well then, I wish you good luck in your initiation. We’ll send our support.” Cross Sticks said, and then quietly exited the room.

The next morning Frostlight was up bright and early, despite yesterday’s disappointment, but he wouldn’t let that get in the way of his performance. He wanted this job badly, and this was his one and only chance. Bloodguard entered the room smiling, “Well I’m here to check you out of the hospital and into the Royal Guard eh?” he said still grinning. “Finally, I’ve got to get out of here and into the tests!” Frostlight said excitedly. Bloodguard escorted him down the hallway and into the reception room, and quickly checked him out. “Thank you doc, for everything you’ve given me.” Frostlight said. “I haven’t given you anything.” He shot back. “Oh but you have, you’ve given me hope. Good luck saving patients.” Frostlight said thankfully, and with that he flew out of the city, and back to Sky Wind to pack his things for initiation.

He arrived to his house, and he was happy it was raining. He still loved the rain very much. He quickly contacted the Mail Mares of the area and sent his letter of request for pick up so he could be picked up for his tests. They quickly flew away and he returned to his house to continue packing. As he packed, a knock came to his door. He trotted over to the door to see the face of his longtime friend, Nightwind. “So I hear you’re packing for initiation…” He said trailing off. “Yeah, I guess I am.” Frostlight replied. “How long will you be gone?” Nightwind asked gloomily. “About three weeks I guess, so it’ll be awhile…Oh! Have you heard?” Frostlight said. “About your flight? Of course, I’m very happy for you, but I wish you didn’t have to go so soon…” Nightwind said sadly. “Still, I wish you luck in your tests, I’ll see you in three weeks.” “You too.” Frostlight said, and a carriage arrived outside and with that, Frostlight left.

The carriage carrying Frostlight seemed very robust, with several braces on the hull, and the craftsmanship of the vehicle was excellent, covered in intricate designs that seemed almost divine. In the distance, he saw Canterlot, but he was on the farther side of the city, and saw the training camp for the Royal Guard. He sighed in awe, seeing the courses they had. He felt confident, and he was ready for this, to prove that even a Pegasus could pass initiation. They pulled up in front of the main building, which was most likely for the new recruits to get registered into the roster. He would get a Unit, and be training for the worst for three weeks. Despite of all the discouragements, he was ready.

The carriage stopped abruptly, and Frostlight was guided out of the doors, and into the reception building. He quickly was looked over and he signed a waiver stating that if anything went wrong during training, they wouldn’t be held responsible. Then he was entered into the system and was assigned Unit nine of the thirty that were being trained at the base. At that point, Frostlight was escorted over to his Unit Barracks, at which he met three other Alicorns, Cherry Slash, Quickscorch, and Solar Ray. “So what’s makes you all special?” Frostlight asked. “I’ve been known and I will admit it, for my quick temper and my special ability for making hot weather quicker than you could blink!” Quickscorch said smugly. “I used to work on a cherry farm, but I transferred to the Royal Guard in hopes of achieving honor for my family.” Cherry Slash said, “Though I was really good when it came to harvesting the crop” He continued. “I’ve been known for my uncanny ability for light spells, such as creating artificial light, or even using magic to move clouds to clear the sky.” Solar Ray said hesitantly. The four had a small barracks of their own in the field of a total of thirty barracks. Their barracks had a number nine painted above their door, and the room was fitted for six, but only four beds were now occupied. “So how long have you been here?” Frostlight asked. “We’ve been here as long as you, it’s four minimum to a Unit so we couldn’t start our initiation until we got a new addition. I’ve been in waiting to start for a week now. I’m glad we get to start training.” Quickscorch said reluctantly. A siren in the distance began to ring, and the intercom came on. “All to bed!” A voice said sternly. Frostlight walked over to his bed and checked it for pranks, you never know when you’ll get pranked, and Frostlight didn’t know what to expect. “Hey rookie, what are you doing?” Quickscorch said. “Nothing, just checking my bed I guess…” Frostlight replied timidly. Quickscorch flew up to his top bunk of the three bunk beds in the barracks. “Is the Royal Guard letting anypony in nowadays?” Solar Ray asked. Frostlight frowned. “Well actually, I’m an exception of the Princess for your information, and that’s also offensive. I don’t take kindly to bullies either.” Frostlight said with a raised eyebrow. “Well SORRY!” Solar Ray returned. And with that the four went to bed without a comment from Cherry Slash either.

Another siren went off the next morning around 4:00 AM. With that came the groans of annoyance from the four roommates except Frostlight, he was always an early bird. He quickly sprang out of bed and got into his training gear which was comprised of several weights attached to his hind and forelegs, and the material lining his back was weighted as well, all with a heavy, yet flexible metal. Frostlight was unsure about what it was called, and it intrigued him to feel it bend and keep in form with his body. The other three just got out of bed when Frostlight had finished gearing up, “Where do we go now?” Frostlight asked the three. “I’m…not sure to be frank…” Cherry Slash said groggily. “Maybe you should ask the sergeant at the reception building…” He added as he continued to yawn heavily. Frostlight opened the door only to be greeted by a mare in uniform. She seemed shocked to see Frostlight already in gear, but she grimaced when she saw the other three. “Attention!” She shouted. The three other roommates jumped a mile in their beds. “I’m a lieutenant Starluck! And I’m here to train you scrawny recruits how to succeed and operate in the Royal Guard!” She continued. “I see that at least ONE of you has geared up! And I don’t think you want him to show all of you up!” She ranted on. “Now, all of you finish gearing up and head down to the obstacle course marked with the number 9 ASAP!” Frostlight took that to heart and started sprinting to the obstacle course field.

Frostlight kept a steady pace and continued down the aisle of buildings that led down to the Obstacle Course Field. He followed the worn wooden signs that seemed to be withered with age, but even so it was clearly readable. He trotted by the last of the half-moon shaped barracks huts and saw a series of courses. Each had a number printed beside it on a metal sign that bore it. A series of forks in the path were worn as well and it seemed this was in fact, a very old training ground. “I see you’ve made your way here already.” A voice said behind him. Frostlight jumped from the startling voice and turned to see a stallion of a huge proportion. He had many scars lined up and down his body, and his cutie mark was covered by bandages. “You new here kid?” the stallion said. “Y-yeah…Who are you?” Frostlight said timidly. “You can call me Scar, that’s what I’m known for and what every pony else calls me. Frostlight put himself at ease now that he wasn’t startled anymore. “What do you do here?” Frostlight asked. “Anything hazardous, from testing new courses to handling chemicals. I do it all here.” He said. “What’s your real name? Frostlight asked. Scar sighed, “That name died long ago, hay I don’t even remember it. It’s probably locked in the permanent record files in the Record Room.” Scar said glumly. It seemed his gray coat and olive green mane matched his attitude. Unyielding yet moveable, and it started to unsettle Frostlight internally. “So rookie, you ready?” Starluck said coming from behind Scar.

The other three roommates of Frostlight came five minutes later. It was now Frostlight decided to examine their physical features. Quickscorch had an orange coat with a scarlet and yellow streaked mane and he had a heavy physical build. Cherry Slash had a whitish pink coat and a crimson mane that had tips of sage green at the end. She had a medium build with very strong hind legs. Solar Ray of course, he had a light build but was very swift for his size, and he had an amber colored coat with a golden mane that curled up at the end. I was a medium build with a white coat and teal mane and tail, so I’d most likely be a rival with Cherry Slash especially because we both had strength and a weakness. My flight and speed versus his brute strength and precision. He most likely was able to fly well since he was an Alicorn like the rest but he didn’t seem like the flying type despite his wings. I had a medium wing spread and my wings were very fit, but my body was indeed fit, but not as much as Cherry Slash’s. Frostlight looked over to Starluck and Scar, they both were indeed physically built, and Frostlight wouldn’t doubt that he would have to do some assignment with them at some point in his training so he thought it best that he examine them too. Starluck had an olive colored coat with a green mane and tail which both had streaks of gold lining through them. She had a medium heavy build and her wings looked powerful. Scar had his gray coat and olive green mane and tail, and his body was covered from place to place with bandages, and his size told all about his build, and it was very hefty. He looked as if he could buck a boulder hard enough to shatter it. “Alright recruits, time for your first course!” Starluck began.

The obstacle course was a three part course. First it started with several pillars you had to jump from to get to each one, the bottom was lined with shock absorbing pads that saved you if you fell. The course continued into the second part, which was made up of several walls you had to climb over. The individual walls were lined with rungs you stuck your hoof into and it made the wall be as if you had to run up it even though it was vertically set. After the series of 10 walls, each one with less and less rungs to use, in flowed into the third and final part. A spiral set of a ramp that coiled around itself, and by the ever helpful use of magic, it had a series of logs and other spherical objects rolling down it at which you either jumped over or dodged until you reached the top. The top was marked with a gold colored platform and a zip line in which you used to exit the course. “Alright, who’s first?” Starluck announced. Each member of our unit stood deathly still, and Frostlight thought he should take the initiative to make a second impression for Starluck. “I will.” Frostlight said mustering a courageous voice. Starluck raised an eyebrow, “Well, good luck to you and lucky you that these courses are made for all three species.” Starluck said with an edge to her voice. Frostlight approached the silver starting line and began to think the course out. “No wings or magic allowed!” Starluck announced to every pony. “Okay,” Frostlight began to think, “I’m the first one to go so every pony will be watching to find the best strategy to complete the course. So I should make a good impression for not only Starluck, but for my fellow Unit members.”

Frostlight stood at the silver line, waiting for his cue to start, Starluck readied her whistle, and with the whole world seeming to be on edge for Frostlight, sheer anticipation gripped his emotions tightly. Starluck blew the whistle, and Frostlight was off. He quickly ran down the ramp leading to the pillars of the first section. He leaped from pillar to pillar with ease, but in his haste he lost his balance and teetered on the fourth to last pillar, his sweat formed in beads as he struggled to maintain himself. Frostlight slowly and painfully edged himself back onto the pillar, and recovered. Next he quickly leaped from the pillar then to the next, swiftly but more cautiously. Frostlight cleared the first stage and moved the next hastily. The series of walls seemed even more intimidating up close, but Frostlight wouldn’t let it faze him. He examined the wall, he could either go up it cautiously, or he could go up it faster for a better result, but that could possibly ensue hazard to his health. Frostlight decided for the faster approach. He placed one hoof in the first rung, and used his hind legs as a kick start. He propelled himself forward and using all the dexterity he could muster, he used each rung he could reach and launched himself over the first wall. The second, third, and all the way to the eighth weren’t as easy, but they were manageable. The ninth wall posed much more of a challenge, and he still needed to get over the tenth. The rings were placed in a rhombus shape, and Frostlight needed momentum, but not too much or else he’d fall of the side of the wall. He began his start again, but reminded himself for not too much or too little momentum on the push-off. He launched himself forward, and as he reached the first corner of the rungs, he used his front hoof as leverage to wing up and used his hind legs to push off and climb to the top. Out of breathe he walked exhaustedly toward the tenth wall. He examined the wall as he regained his breath. All the rungs were scattered in the shape of a constellation, and it looked familiar to Frostlight, but he didn’t have time for this. He heaved his front hoof into the first of the iron rungs, and shot himself forward once again. He made it halfway but then he noticed the rungs were to his left and right, one had more rungs, but were in awkward positions. The other sides had fewer rungs, but were farther apart.

Frostlight decided he would need to take a risk and go for the side with more rungs, therefore he would have more rungs to use. He exerted the last reserve of his leg strength and propelled himself only on pure adrenaline and will to push on and with shaking hoofs, grabbed the needed rungs to pull himself over the wall and collapse onto the ground on the other side. Frostlight struggled back to his hooves, and breathed heavily and all the while he cursed at himself under his breath, he needed to do better and Frostlight knew it all too well. The final stage lay before him, the spiral ramp leading to the top. Frostlight knew it was going to be a challenge, especially since even if he made if, how would he get through the zip line. He examined the logs and balls rolling down the ramp. Then Frostlight noticed a pattern, it was two logs, then three balls, the one in the middle was on the left and the first and last were on the right. Frostlight felt determined, he would get this course finished, even if he passed out in the end. Frostlight trotted up the ramp slowly, and sped up as the real obstacles came his way. He sprang over the first log, then the second, the logs weren’t that thick thankfully, but they were long enough to cover the entire pathway so you had to jump over them. Next came the trio of balls. He quickly dodged left, right, then left again. And he continued this pattern on and on and with each exasperated breath, he jumped over each log with determination. Finally he reached the top, and he felt on the verge of collapse. How would he reach the bottom? He examined the zip line, it was fitted with the dreaded iron rungs, he would need some ingenuity to get down even though this was as straightforward as it gets. An idea began to form in his mind, and he put it into action. Frostlight used his wings to grip the two rungs, he may not be able to fly, but who said he couldn’t use his wings at all? Thankfully he never used his wings and with great ease, he enjoyed the ride down the zip line and gratefully heaved himself onto the ground and lie there silently in exhaustion.

Frostlight woke up from a blinding darkness that consumed his thoughts and dreams. He was in his bed in the barracks. Frostlight wondered what happened but then he realized that he must have passed out after finishing the course. Frostlight looked around the room and began to feel disappointed; he missed seeing his other roommates do the course! Then as his vision adjusted he saw each of his Unit members still asleep in their beds. Frostlight got up and trotted over to the door. Was it nighttime? Frostlight thought to himself. Frostlight opened the door and found out it was plenty day time and quickly ran out the door in haste and shut it as quietly as possible to avoid waking his Unit members. It was really bright outside and Frostlight heard the chirping of the birds somewhere out in the nearby ridges of the mountains. “Ah! I see you’re awake!” Starluck said to Frostlight’s left. Frostlight jumped but quickly recovered himself. “Why are we all asleep in there?” Frostlight asked. “You all passed out, you see the courses are created for that effect, so that you push yourself to your limit.” Starluck said happily. “So…How’d I do on the course?” Frostlight asked. “You’ll know as soon as I announce it all to your Unit once they wake up.” Starluck inquired. “So what do I do now that I’m awake and waiting for the rest of my member to wake up?” Frostlight asked. Starluck went to a modest expression, “Well, you can eat over in the café’ over there.” Starluck said as she pointed over toward a medium sized building that smelled of several aromas. “Alright then, I am starving!” Frostlight said, and with a quick wink, he trotted happily but tiredly over to the café.

Frostlight walked into the café with a smile, it was time for him to rest and eat and maybe make some friends, because he would need them throughout these next three weeks. Frostlight looked around the café, it had many light strung up on the ceiling, and the walls were of a soft but durable wood. Several motivational poster were framed on the walls encouraging recruits to never give up and try harder, Frostlight took at each to heart and trotted over to the bar stools at the counter. A bartender stood on the other side and smiled warmly to Frostlight, “Are you new here kid? Oh wait, of course you are!” he said. Frostlight smiled, he felt very welcome here. “Say, what’s your name kid?” He said. “It’s Frostlight, what’s yours?” Frostlight said. “Why Frostlight, my name’s Fizzy Smile, remarking about my bubbly and happy attitude, I work here cause I love cheering up the new recruit, and helping the discouraged back to their hooves!” Fizzy Smile said. “But a bit of advice kid, you can just call me Fiz.” Fizzy Smile said. “So what do you have for sale here?” Frostlight asked. Fiz smirked, “We don’t sell anything here, you have five credits a day here, so you spend them accordingly to what you want, and no they don’t stack up if you use them!” Fiz said. “So I could just buy anything for one credit and I get five a day?” Frostlight said. “Yep that’s correct, as long as you don’t abuse it, you know if comes straight out of the governments money.” Fiz said still with a smile on his face. Frostlight smiled back again, “Can I get some hay fries?” Frostlight asked. “Sure thing Frost, let me go get it started, you are the first to come here today.” Fiz said, and happily trotted into the back of the kitchen and started giving orders to the staff back there.

Frostlight continued to examine the room he was in, there were several tables spread out in the room, all set up with a cloth to cover it. Each table was lined up in three distinct rows and columns. Otherwise the place seemed rather plain, but it was nice. “Alright, here your hay fries!” Fiz shouted to Frostlight. “Thanks, but by the way, why do you work here and from where?” Frostlight asked. Fiz continued to smiled, “I’m from a small town south of here called Meadow Hope, and it’s very nice town and a hot spot for Alicorns like me.” Fiz said. “Ah, very interesting.” Frostlight replied. “What town are you from kid? And how in the hay did you get recruited to here?” Fiz asked curiously. “I’m from Sky Wind, it’s mostly a Pegasus town established to show the peace between the Earth ponies and the Pegasi. As for why I’m here, well I’m here because of a certain event that I’m not sure I can talk about quite yet, and I got permission from Princess Celestia to be recruited.” Frostlight said quietly. Fiz raised an eyebrow, “Hmmm, interesting, and what about that fancy bracelet around your left wing?” Fiz inquired. “Oh, that’s a piece of a prototype technology invented by the Canterlot scientists; it’s enchanted to make me be able to fly.” Frostlight said. “You mean you couldn’t fly before? Fiz asked. Frostlight forgot that no one really knew about the incident. “Well, in the certain event I went through that got me here, I fractured my wing in several places so that I couldn’t fly anymore and this bracelet is my only option.” Frostlight said gloomily. “Ah Frost, I didn’t mean to bring you down, I’m sorry I brought back bad memories…forgive me?” Fiz said solemnly. “Yeah…It isn’t your fault, you didn’t know, I forgive you.” Frostlight said. “But in any case, am I allowed to fly in my free time as long as I stay within the compound?” Frostlight asked. “Yeah anytime you’re free that is…” Fiz said. “Then I’m off!” Frostlight said, and happily cleaned up and trotted outside to test his wings once more.

Frostlight opened the exit doors from the café to be blinded by a bright light. Frostlight didn’t expect this, and it wasn’t too bright when he entered the café beforehand. As the light died down, he was greeted of the sight of Solar Ray, and his sunbeam cutie mark seemed to glow on its own. “What’s with the light Solar?” Frostlight asked. “Oh the light, sorry I thought no pony was around so I decided to exercise my magic because I haven’t used it in a while…” Solar Ray said somewhat nervously. “So how’d you do in the course?” Frostlight asked. “Fine…I did fine I guess…” Solar Ray trailed off. “You know what; I’ve got to check up on the others, to se if they’re awake yet. And with that, Solar Ray ran away towards the barracks. Frostlight felt confused, what had made him so nervous, he seemed so confident yesterday evening. Frostlight trotted over to a medium sized field and began to stretch his wings, it was time. Frostlight got in a pouncing position, and launched himself into the air with a force that made the grass wildly blow around his takeoff spot. Frostlight felt very alive at that point, to feel the air rush past his mane and seep into his coat as he soared throughout the limited sky he could fly through. He looped around and tested his enchanted wing to see if it was in working order. As he raised his elevation, he heard a faint shout come from the ground, and he quickly dive bombed down and as he reached lower heights, he slowed his descent.
A mail mare in a green uniform and an envelope shaped emblem on his side had appeared in the field where he took off into the skies. As Frostlight landed, he wondered what he was here for. “What is it?” Frostlight asked slightly impatiently, wanting to get back to the skies. “You’ve got mail from Sky Wind, and Starluck requires your presence at your barracks along with your other Unit members. Please return to her and read the message later.” He said and left in a hurry without another word. Frostlight felt confused once again, but shook the feeling and took off again, but only to go to the barracks to see what Starluck wanted.

Frostlight arrived at the porch of the barracks to see the other three Unit members lined up in a straight formation, “Get in line recruit!” Starluck shouted at Frostlight. Frostlight quickly landed and got in line. Frostlight looked at the rest of his Unit members and then himself and quickly realized no pony was wearing their gear. “You all are to gear up, and head over to the designated course in fifteen minutes…NOW!” Starluck shouted, and the four unit members quickly rushed into the barracks to change. As they geared up Cherry Slash broke the silence, “So yes if you’re wondering, I did pass out…” He said glumly “So did I” Every pony said in unison, and quickly looked at each other. “Were we meant to pass out?” Frostlight asked. “I don’t know, but those walls, they were awful…” Solar Ray said suddenly. “Did you all finish the course? “I did” Frostlight said and every pony else raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I believe you…” Quickscorch said sarcastically. Frostlight finished gearing up and trotted outside and took off to fly over to the course so he could make it on time or hopefully early.
Frostlight arrived not a minute too soon, and saw the others arrived almost a minute later.

Starluck dismissed her displeasure and began talking, “I will give you all the results by how far you made it and at what stage.” Starluck said. She began with the one who was closer to the start, and so on till the last stage. They were named: Solar Ray, Cherry Slash, Quickscorch, and then Frostlight. Quickscorch grimaced after hearing he wasn’t first, Cherry Slash seemed disappointed, and Solar Ray was at a loss for words. “You all will be here for the next three weeks, and I don’t expect disappointment! You all may return to your barracks and sleep for the day is getting late.” Frostlight peered in the direction of the sun, it was sunset, and he was ready for the challenges to come. “Excuse me Starluck, miss, but why did we need to gear up?” Cherry Slash asked. “Well now that you ask, it was because I needed to see how fast you all would get here, and three of you were late, so all but Frostlight, run around the edge of this compound twice!” Starluck announced.

The three members groaned, and began to run toward the edge of the compound to start while Frostlight took off to the barracks. He settled into his cot, and opened the package carefully to avoid ripping the contents, perhaps and letter than was inside. Two separate pieces of paper were contained by the envelope, and Frostlight started with the first one. It read: Dear Frostlight, I hope you are doing well in Initiation and Sticks, Static, and I wish you the best in your training. We all hope you make some friends and introduce them to us, we miss you. And the letter was signed in three signatures which read: Static Sound, Cross Sticks, and Nightwind. Frostlight felt emotions stirred inside him, and he felt sad. He quickly shook the feeling wanting to feel happy again. He reached for the other envelope that was wrapped in a bright white wrapping. He tore the wrapping and revealed the letter inside, it was from Celestia. Shocked, Frostlight quickly started reading it. It read: Dear Frostlight, I’m sending you this letter with news of the creature in the Everfree Forest, there has been three more encounters in this week, so you aren’t the only one. One of the encounters a witness said there was a death involved in which a life essence of some sort was sucked out of the victim. This is the only recorded death so far, so keep training in the Guard; I know you’ll make it. Once you start the combat training which is toward the last week of your training, you will be sent one of my faithful students to enchant your bracelet once more to fit your needs. Good luck! Signed; Princess Celestia. Reading this letter gave Frostlight a bitter-sweet feeling, he was happy she had faith in him, but there was more than one incident? This had to be stopped, and Frostlight would use this as motivation for the next two and a half weeks.