Guardian Wings

Chapter 4: The Protectors Blade

Two weeks and a half weeks past, and Frostlight was considerably stronger than ever. His stature had grown and so had his physical strength. He became the designated scout and flier of his group. Solar Ray became the survivalist and team leader for his intelligence of the world around him but since he also wasn’t the strongest. Quickscorch was the combat expert, and rivaled fiercely with Frostlight and Cherry Slash in combat situations. He also was good at tactics and helped Solar Ray when it came to combat tactics. Cherry Slash was the brute strength of the group and involved himself when it came to demolitions and wherever heavy strength was needed. Frostlight took pride in his newfound abilities and was ready for advanced combat training; weapons. Each unit member was assigned a weapon with the exception of Frostlight, because Starluck had received notification of Frostlight’s visitor that would enchant his bracelet once again. Frostlight sat next to his barracks door when the intercom began to speak, “Frostlight, I repeat Frostlight, report to the Reception Room, you have a visitor. Frostlight took off using his wings and landed promptly at the front door of the Reception Room. He walked in and saw the purple Unicorn who helped him get here in the first place, Twilight. “Hello again.” Twilight said smiling. “I hear you’ve been doing excellent here.” She continued. “Yeah I have, so I hear you’re here to enchant this bracelet again?” Frostlight said. “Of course, for your weapons training, if you could please steady yourself so I can focus my magic.” Twilight said. “Of course.” Frostlight said eagerly and began to tense himself so he wouldn’t move. A purple spark began to form and her horn began to glow as it did four weeks ago. A bright purple light filled the room and with a small crackle and bang, everything reverted to normal. “My work here is done, and I wish you luck!” Twilight said as she smiled, and exited out the door and into the carriage waiting for her.

Frostlight was a little confused, what exactly did she do to his bracelet? He wanted to experiment but he had to go to the weapons range and train with the others. He quickly sprinted out the door and with a jump; he took off into the air to get to the range. The range was fitted with a long to medium ranged weapons range, and several training dummies that lined up around the edge of the range itself. Another enclosed area was nearby and was fitted with a magical barrier that protected every pony from the blast, and the noise. Frostlight got into the line with his Unit members. “So, you’re all here to practice your ranged and CQC or as or know it, close quarters combat skills.” Scar began. “Above all, safety is cherished here and I don’t want any of you to endanger yourself, or any pony else you hear?!” Scar said impatiently. “Yes sir!” The ninth Unit said in unison. “Alright, you may start with the course that attains to what your weapon is, so begin!” Scar said. Solar Ray headed to the ranged weapons course, Cherry Slash headed to the Bomb range, and Quickscorch headed to the CQC area. Frostlight didn’t know where to go. “And what about you mister?” Scar said impatiently. “Sir, I got this enchantment for this bracelet that’s a weapon but I’m not sure how it’s activated, I wasn’t told how.” Frostlight said. Scar sighed. “Then figure it out, you might as well just experiment around with it, but BE CAREFUL!” Scar said, and began to supervise the bomb range first. Frostlight examined the bracelet he wore, it didn’t seem very changed at all, so he headed to the CQC range. Frostlight approached the dummy, it had a yielding expression and it seemed very passive. Frostlight focused himself and started to concentrate, nothing happened. He jumped, trotted, bucked, and many other things but nothing seemed to work.

Quickscorch looked over, “What in the hay are you doing Frostlight?” He said skeptically. “I’m trying to figure this thing out.” Frostlight said promptly. “Well could you try to look any less foolish while you’re at it?” Quickscorch said while raising an eyebrow. Frostlight sighed, he waved away at Quickscorch with his wing when suddenly, the bracelet sparked with a teal bolt of mist. Frostlight froze, what was that? Then suddenly it hit him, it was a blade that he activated by swiping with his wing. Frostlight peered at the training dummy, and with focus, he swiped his wing at it. A double edged ice blade seemed to manifest before his eye and with a single blow, he shattered the dummy as it simultaneously froze, then broke it. Quickscorch’s jaw dropped, he was completely awestruck as he saw the whole thing before his very eyes. The blade simmered as it protruded from the base of Frostlight’s wing, and just as quickly as it manifested, it dissipated. “By Celestia…” Frostlight whispered. And with that, Scar approached Frostlight from behind, “What in the hay was that? He asked stricken with confusion. “I don’t know sir, but I’ll make the best use of it.” Frostlight said breathless.

The next and last days of Frostlight’s training were amazing; he learned that the enchantment that Twilight used was related to his personality. It was a blade of cold, one that froze, then shattered his opponents it a direct blow. It practiced rigorously and found out glancing blows lacerated his opponents as well as gave them frostbite wherever the blow landed. But because of this deadly weapon, Frostlight was forced to use a wooden replica crafted by Scar to spar with his fellow Unit members in fear that Frostlight might injured or possibly kill one of them. Soon enough, it was graduation day at the initiation camp. They were known as Unit Nine, and were going to be put in the recon and special operations division also known as RSO. The four Unit members stood on the stage next to the podium at attention. Starluck began her small speech she used for all the Units she trained and graduated. She cleared her voice, “Today we are here for the graduation of Units Eleven, Twenty Seven, and Nine. These three Units have served their three weeks of training and have succeeded where other had failed. We all wish them good luck in our Princess’s service, and that they value the Princess’s life, more than their own. Good luck Unit Eleven, good luck Unit Twenty Seven, and good luck to you, Unit Nine!” Starluck said. She turned to the three Units and gave a solemn salute. “Thank you ma’am!” All three Unit’s said valiantly. And as quickly as it began, it ended and each squad was addressed by the Head of Training and Initiation. “You all will be assigned a task to start you all off, and then you will be used according to how you preform, as for Unit Nine, the Princess has a special assignment for you all. You will be escorted to the palace for briefing by Celestia herself.” He said. The whole unit gasped. “I’ve never seen the Princess before!” Solar Ray said. “It must be something very specific for our Unit.” Cherry Slash said. “No matter what, we’ll handle it.” Quickscorch said bravely. “So it begins, creature of the Everfree Forest…” Frostlight said under his breath. “What was that?” Cherry Slash asked Frostlight. “Nothing, let’s just head to the carriage.” Frostlight said, and they all trotted over to the Reception Building, to board the carriage, that was parked in front of it.

The ride to the Canterlot Palace was a smooth one, Solar Ray adored the luxury that the carriage provided including the many desserts and other foods it carried. “Quit stuffing yourself Ray, you’ll get sick before we even get there.” Quickscorch said irritated. “Calm down, I haven’t eaten anything this good in three weeks! I’m going to enjoy myself!” Solar Ray said as he continued with his eating. “I wonder what assignment we’re getting, it must be important…” Cherry Slash inquired. “Yeah it is…” Frostlight said as he peered out the window. “How do you know that?” Quickscorch said as the other two leered at Frostlight. “I uhh…well you’ll find out eventually.” Frostlight said. “Hey, what are you keeping from us!?” Quickscorch said angrily “I said you’ll find out, just wait for the briefing.” Frostlight said and looked back out the window. The other three scowled in unison and continued with their own doings.

The carriage arrived in front of the palace and all four of the Unit members wowed in awe. The palace itself was grand and very luxurious, the walls were lined with gold, red, blue, and other spectacular colors, and the glass was decorated with stained colors making intricate patterns on them. The four were escorted by the highest of the Royal Guard who had excelled in their service and were promoted to the highest position possible. The four eventually arrived in the Briefing Room, in which Princess Celestia was already there seated with a very serious expression. “Hello again Frostlight.” Celestia said. “Wait, you know her?!” Quickscorch said. “Yes I do, and you’ll find more out later.” Frostlight said still with an unyielding expression. “Now that I’ve made it through initiation, how can I help with the Incident?” Frostlight asked Celestia. “Yes, I’ve been sending team after team to conduct any recon on the creature, and several teams have come back with deathly information, and some haven’t come back at all.” Celestia said. “Wait, what in the hay is going on?” Solar Ray said nervously. “You see, four weeks ago I encountered a black fog-like creature in the Everfree Forest, and I got permission from the Princess to get a chance to join the Royal Guard and as you can see, I made it.” Frostlight explained. “Oh, so that explain why you were there to begin with! Only Alicorns get into training. Frostlight scowled at him but continued to talk. “The Princess here has been doing reconnaissance on the matter while I’ve been training, and now I’m ready for the job.” Frostlight said.

Celestia began her briefing from the beginning, starting with Frostlight’s encounter with the creature, and continued on with the other encounter events and what her recon teams could find out. “I need you all to go on a recovery mission; I sent a recon team out to some ruins that were built in the forest before it fully developed. They haven’t returned and they’re long overdue” Celestia said still in a serious tone. “We’ll get it done.” Frostlight said “Just give us a means of transport and we’ll head there immediately.” He continued. “I’m afraid you can’t go just yet, this is a dangerous mission and we are finalizing details on the plan, you all can return home and visit with loved ones, but you can’t speak about this mission, we don’t want to start a panic.” Celestia said. “Dismissed.” Frostlight’s heart sank, but then it rose again, he forgot all about his friends! It was time to see them once again. When each member exited the palace, there was four carriages ready for transport, each one designated to each member, and would take the destination order of each member. Frostlight opened his up and sat down in the seat. “Sky Wind please.” Frostlight said, and then the carriage took off. Frostlight took one more look at the Palace, and then passed out into darkness.

Frostlight awoke hours later, and the day was just dawning. The golden sun started to peek over the mountains and the clouds hung lazily in the sky, just waiting to be altered by the Pegasus Weather Team. Frostlight opened his drowsy eyes and looked out the window to see his hometown, Sky Wind just sitting nearby around a small valley of green. Frostlight was happy to be home, to see his house, his bed, and his friends. The carriage slowly made its descent down into the town and Frostlight felt his stomach drop. He wasn’t used to flying unless it was him doing it in the first place. The carriage landed softly but suddenly as they touched down onto the soft valley grass. Frostlight exited the carriage, “We’ll send you a letter when the Princess has finalized the details on the mission, but for now enjoy yourself!” The carriage pony said, and with that she took off. Frostlight looked at the façade of the town, it was still beautiful. He spread his wings and hovered above the ground, and flew into town.

Frostlight arrived home and found it was untouched from the day he left it, lucky for him Nightwind hadn’t tried to break in for anything of that matter, and he heaved himself onto the bed he loved so very much. Then a noise came from the door, and a sharp series of knocks came from it. “Hello? Frostlight please tell me that was you!” A voice said. It sounded like Static Sound, Frostlight leaped to his feet disregarding his drowsiness and rushed to the door. He swung it open to see his three best friends, waiting for his presence with a big smile.

“Hey guys! How’ve you been?” Frostlight shouted in greeting. Nightwind swerved around Static who was in front, and tackled Frostlight. “We missed you so much!” Nightwind began. “Hey, don’t break any of my wings; I’d like to keep them working!” Frostlight said out of breath from the tackle he just received. Cross Stick came next, “How did your training go? And something seems different his your bracelet you had at the hospital.” Cross Sticks said. Frostlight peered at his wing bracelet and noticed it appeared to glow a soft teal and it had his cutie mark of three snowflakes engraved upon it. “Yeah I’m fine, I graduated from initiation.” Frostlight said. “That’s great! You must be one of the few who ever graduated from Initiation and was a Pegasi!” Static Sound said unable to contain herself. “Yeah, I’m here on break, I have a mission soon and I get to stay here and hang with you guys while they finalize the details and plan.” Frostlight said. “Oh, so you won’t be here long…” Nightwind said gloomily. “No, I don’t know how long it will take for them to do that, but for now it’s time for me to catch up on what I missed around here!” Frostlight said trying to raise the mood again. “Yeah, I’d rather do that than discuss when you’re leaving!” Static said, and with that the four friends went into the market of Sky Wind.

“So what’s with your wing bracelet?” Nightwind asked. “Oh, I got it enchanted so that I can fly again, and I have a weapon I can use from it.” Frostlight said cautiously “Really?! Can we see it?” Static asked. “I would, but it’s extremely dangerous, I don’t want to hurt any pony by using it…” Frostlight said, aware of their fore coming persistence. “Really? What’s it going to do? Cut us?” Cross Sticks interjected. “No, it’ll only simultaneously freeze and then shatter your body, or possibly lacerate you and give you a nasty frost bite…” Frostlight said. “Oh…Well that’s understandable…” Static Sound said disappointedly. “Well what’s new here?” Frostlight asked. “The town got extra money from the government so we used it to construct our very own park here in Sky Wind!” Nightwind said happily. “Isn’t that great! Now we don’t have to go near that Everfree Forest ever again!” Static Sound said. Frostlight remembered his mission first, then his briefing, never tell any pony… “Yeah, it is…” Frostlight said lowly. “What was that Frostlight?” Cross Sticks asked. “Nothing really, I’m just shocked Sky Wind got some bits…” Frostlight said. The four went down the road continuously, “Did the Diner get changed at all?” Frostlight asked. “Nope, but some new staff got hired.” Static Sound said. “Ah, anything else I miss?” Frostlight asked. “Nope, just those two, and well of course you!” Nightwind said happily. “Will we ever be able to see your weapon? Even if we stay at a safe distance?” Cross Sticks asked. “I guess you guys could, but you can’t come near me, I nearly killed or seriously injured one of my Unit members…” Frostlight said hesitantly. “Or course! But we still need to meet them don’t we?” Nightwind inquired. “Yeah! What’s their names?” Static asked. “It’s Quickscorch, Cherry Slash, and Solar Ray.” Frostlight said. “What are they like?” Cross Sticks asked. “They’re good ponies, they have their flaws but they’re still good.” Frostlight said. “But tell us in detail! We want to know about your whole experience in Canterlot Initiation!” Static Sound said.

Frostlight sighed, then he started to tell them about Quickscorch’s quick temper, Cherry Slash’s strength, and Solar Ray’s intelligence, and then about his whole experience in training. The weapons training, their letters they sent, and much more. “Wow, it must of hard but fun at training!” Static Sound said. “It was, but it’s worth it, I achieved my dream job and I’ll continue to do it as long as I can.” Frostlight said. “We’re very proud of you Frostlight, so very proud…” Static Sound said as a tear formed in her eye. “And I’m thankful for your letters; they served my motivation very well in training.” Frostlight returned. They all looked at each other, and hugged in happiness that they were together once again in four weeks. “So you said you were going to help with getting rid of that monster in the Everfree Forest?” Cross Sticks asked. “Yeah, the Princess is thinking of ways to get me to help.” Frostlight said. “So that’s what your mission is about?” Nightwind said. “No not really, it’s just a starting mission to get my Unit started.” Frostlight lied. “But don’t worry, that thing will be gone before you know it!” he continued. They all smiled, “Let’s see this weapon of yours!” Nightwind said in excitement. “Okay, let’s find somewhere discreet, you know I don’t like to be the center of attention, and especially with a weapon of this magnitude.” Frostlight said and the four friends looked around for a place that was well hidden.

The four friends search around town for a suitable spot for Frostlight to show off his sword, and eventually found a small patch of forest with a clearing inside, similar to which of an ape atoll but with a forest. They gathered around Frostlight in the clearing, and the sun was starting to set. It’s golden brilliance shone over the mountains in columns of beautiful light and the animals around began to settle down in their homes, which created a silenced effect as the moments of Frostlight’s reveal began. He flicked his wing and the sword manifested before his friends’ eyes. “Please don’t come near, I don’t want to accidentally hurt you guys…” Frostlight said nervously. “Wow…It’s beautiful…” Static Sound said breathless. Frostlight’s sword glimmered in the fading sunlight and a soft teal aura surrounded it. “So that’s the weapon you were issued? What can it do?” Nightwind asked. “That’s easy Nightwind, it protects.” Frostlight said with a grin.

The three ponies admired the sword in all it’s brilliance. The sunlight had died down and the four decided it was time to go home. They started to make their way over to the edge of the clearing, when a rustling noise came from the other side of the clearing. They turned on their hooves and looked in the direction whence it came from. “Hello? Is some pony there?” Cross Sticks asked hesitantly. A pair of red eyes appeared and stared down the group of four. “No…not again…” Cross Sticks said with his breathing rate increasing rapidly. “Guys…I need you go…NOW.” Frostlight said with his eyes focused on the red pair of eyes. Cross Sticks didn’t need the memo, and turned and bolted in the other direction. Static Sound followed him, but Nightwind stood still. “Nightwind! You need to go now!” Frostlight yelled. The black fog creature began to emerge from the bushes, and slowly heaved itself toward them. “So this…is the thing that broke your wing…and took your flight?” Nightwind said with emotion leaving his voice. Tears began to form in his eyes. “To tell you the truth Frostlight…when I saw you running in the forest with Sticks…It looked like you were running from something, but it didn’t know what, it was like you were running from a ghost but…I can’t believe this.” He continued on, still with a blank expression. “Nightwind! You need to leave now! I’m the only one who can handle this at the moment!” Frostlight yelled. Nightwind’s expression turned from blank, to frustrated, then anger. “IT WILL PAY FOR TAKING MY FRIENDS FLIGHT!!!” Nightwind screamed. He charged at the creature full force with his wings in a battering ram position, covering his face. Frostlight saw him take off, and propelled himself forward with his wings and knocked Nightwind aside. Nightwind exhaled deeply upon Frostlight impact. The breath got knocked out of him, and the creature continued trudging toward them, with gaining speed. “Nightwind! I need you to get the Guard, or any pony who can help! You need to contact the Princess and tell her the creature is not only contained to the Everfree Forest!” Frostlight shouted. “But...that thing..” Nightwind stuttered. “It doesn’t matter now, I’m going to delay it, but I need you to warn the town and the Guard, this is serious!” Frostlight continued. Nightwind’s expression went dark, he surrendered to Frostlight’s command, and took off in the direction of Sky Wind.

Frostlight faced down the monster, as it charged toward him. The monster seemed to remember him and eagerly charged at him. Frostlight stood still and looked around, he had readied himself for his first move. The monster drew closer, and Frostlight readied his wings in a flaring position. As the monster was a mere ten meters away, Frostlight made his move. He used his hind legs to propel himself forward, and his wings to keep him in the air. He swerved to the right side of the monster and manifested his sword. It ripped through the monster’s side and it roared in pain. Frostlight planted his hooves on the ground and slid across the ground and slowed to a stop and turned. The monster’s blackened side shone with a translucent blue-white color. It writhed in its pain, and turned to Frostlight, its eyes burning in an everlasting red. It started to pull apart itself, forming a small, and new creature. Like before, it took on the form of a Pegasus. The fog Pegasus charged forward while in flight, Frostlight was ready. He arched his wing, and with a swift motion, swung upwards with his sword into the flight path of the Pegasus. The momentum did half the work for Frostlight, as the fog Pegasus crashed into his sword, simultaneously freezing and shattering upon impact. The shard of the slain foe lay on the ground, and began to simmer, then dissipate into the air. Frostlight turned quickly to the creature, only to be bashed by its mass and flung into a tree trunk with a THUD! Frostlight gasped out of breath upon impact, his body felt white hot with pain. He hadn’t hit the tree with his wings, but hit it with the dorsal side of his body.

Frostlight got to his feet, still unsteady. The creature drudged toward him once more, its eyes shone not red anymore, but amber. It was smaller than before, and Frostlight quickly realized that he actually had destroyed part of the creature! He knew now what he had to do, but could he last in a fight with this creature? The monster threw part of itself onto Frostlight pinning him before he could react. The creature seemed to enjoy this, and quite sadistically so. Frostlight felt weaker, and weaker, and wanted to drift into a deep, black, sleep. Then he remembered Princess Celestia’s reports. It was sucking the life force out of him! His struggled and writhed, trying to push off the monster, but it was too strong. He flicked his wing the best he could, but there wasn’t enough room for his wing to flick so he could unsheathe his sword once more. His vision went gray, his breathing went slow, and everything seemed lifeless to Frostlight. He was done, it was over. He wouldn’t be able to save the lost squad on his fist mission, he wouldn’t stop the monster, and he wouldn’t be able to see his friends anymore. Frostlight surrendered, and slowly closed his eyes, drifting away from consciousness. “Oh Frostlight, I didn’t think you’d give up that easily.” A voice said. A bright light that spoke of one thousand suns shone at the monster. It screamed in pain and dissipated into thin air. Only embers and ash remain strangely, of the black fog monster. Frostlight drifted away into blackness, letting himself go.