The Wounded Soldier

“Alright, listen up!” A bat pony guard stepped out into view, looking over everypony before locking his eyes on the younger pony. “Why, look at this little one.” She said with a chuckle, walking up to her and picking her head up so she would look at him in the eyes. “What is your name, young one?” He asked rather politely. “Mmm… Lila, sir.” She said and lowered her ears slightly out of nervousness. “Lila Nightstar.” After introducing herself, the guard chuckled and grabbed her hoof, shaking it. “Well, Lila, I’m quite surprised to see somepony here like you. I don’t think Luna has ever chosen a young one to join.” He said before losing grip of the filly’s hoof, climbing up onto the podium and clearing his throat.

“Right, let’s get to work.” He said more strictly. “You have obstacles to get through, challenges to face. Let’s see how many of you pass.” He said, signaling ponies to pull the rope. The curtain raised, revealing a deadly obstacle course. Some caught prisoners were holding weapons and growling, then there were some jumps to get past. Then there were timed lasers and finally at the end, Princess Luna awaited to tire the ponies out with her battle skills. The filly gasped and started to slightly tremble. The guard had seen her and smiled lightly. “You don’t have to do this, little one. We can set someth-” His words were cut off when the filly shook her head. “N-no! I can do it!” She said, blushing heavily and looking at the other guards. Moments of silence followed before they all laughed. “Now come on, all of you. Every one of you has a chance.” The stallion snapped before a unicorn mare passed each pony a sword, though she had given Lila a slightly lighter and smaller sword. “Ready? The remaining five will be chosen to sign up to be Princess Luna’s guard.” He said. He stayed silent for a few moments before slamming his hoof. “GO!”

Everypony but Lila bolted off into the courses. She instead took deep breaths, praying in her mind before she followed after the far ahead mares and stallions. She seen some ponies back off at the first course who were obviously afraid and ran back to the start, returning their swords and running out the door. She however stopped in front of the prisoners. “Come get me!” She said, backing up and digging her hooves into the ground, holding the sword in her front left hoof. The ponies laughed and approached her, and one already swung at her with his weapon. There was no telling of what it was, but it was something sharp to cut the filly’s cheek. She winced and backed up more, holding her cheek and backing off. Though it didn’t harm her for long. She sighed and ran at the ponies, running until she was inches away. Once she was close enough she would fall onto her side, sliding under the ponies and continuing to run.

Luna who was watching wasn’t too happy with the older and more cowardly ponies, though when she sees Lila she smiled to herself. “One who’s so young and doesn’t fear such tough things has a heart of a warrior.” She told herself, seeing ponies getting close to ending the third course already. “So be it. Thou ponies will see who’s the true hero tonight.” She said as she got up, levitating her sword and awaiting for the ponies to approach her. Lila on the other hand was halfway through the course of the lasers. She would time them and measure it’s seconds of movement, when the time was right she would go for it. She soon finished off the second course and looked over the third. Ponies were stuck and hanging onto the ledge of the jumps, trying their hardest not to fall in water. It was pretty silly to see all these bat ponies not being able to fly, though it could be a rule.

Lila smiled with courage and took the sword handle into her mouth, jumping and hanging onto the edge of the objects. She would struggle for a few moments, though eventually she gotten up and over it. She would then run and jump, continuing to hang onto the edge of the objects before she struggled and climbed up. Once she was finished passing the last course, she looked onto the tired and sore ponies on the ground. She then looked back, only four ponies. She could make it. She dropped the sword and panted lightly, already tired. “Well, young one. Are you going to finish your test?” The calm and rather deep voice asked. Lila looked up and seen the princess, causing her to gasp and tense up. “P-princess Luna!” She stuttered before quickly picking her sword up and nodding. “Yes ma’am!” She said, forcing a energetic smile on her face.

They stood silently before the Alicorn smiled. She set the sword by her seat, levitating the filly onto her seat and patting her head. “Now now, dear child. You don’t have to do such a thing, I seen your progress well enough to say I’m rather impressed.” She told the filly with a light smile. “Now, relax. You done so much already tonight.” Was all she said before turning to the approaching tired ponies. Lila had smiled and rested her eyes, soon dozing off surprisingly with all the clashing noises. A good half hour passed before she had woken up. “She is an amazing strong filly, if I have to say so myself.” A voice said quietly.

“Oh, thank you so much.” A familiar voice said. “I’m just proud of my little Lila.” A mare spoke. “Mmm…. mommy?” Lila mumbled, looking over to two figures. It was her parents, or rather her proud parents. A mare with yellow slit eyes, gray coat and dark blue mane smiled at the filly and nuzzled her cheek. “Looks my little champion is awake.” The stallion said. His coat was dark blue, eyes ruby red and his mane was black. “Well, I must be off now. It is night and I have duties to attend to.” The Alicorn said politely, levitating the filly into her mother’s arms. “I will see you for Flight and Training Monday, Lila.” She told her before flying off and into the moonlit sky.

“Come now, my sweet. It is time for you to rest.” The mare softly spoke before she and the stallion flew into their home. The mare would then fly up to her room and rest her in bed, covering her up and kissing her cheek. “Goodnight, Lila.” She said softly, slowly trotting to the door and turning the lights off. Once that was done, she would leave the door cracked open and left the room quietly. The filly sighed happily and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, Mommy.”

“...Goodnight, Mother. May your spirit roam freely with Father. I will find out who ended your happy life.” The guard whispered, tears coming off her cheeks as cold rain hit her body. She was going to give that pony the same fate as her parents. Except, with a purpose.

                                                                                                          Revenge.