A Group of Stellar Friends

by NightSugar pone

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Drama, Comedy, Random
Length: 3422

the Lunar guard needed some new recruits, and that's just what they got.

watch what happens as a strange group of mares change what it means to be a part of the guard. it's only a matter of time before word gets out about these new recruits.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2016-11-18 22:14:12 UTC

chapter 2 arrival

Chapter-2 training

It was a long flight to Canterlot, but the moment she got there she was more than ready for her first day of training. The only thing was, when she got to the guard training grounds she was met with an array of strange looking ponies. Most of them were bat ponies but none them looked like they had wing membranes like hers, and a lot of the other ponies seemed to look exhausted and even more strange than her. One in particular was staring at her as she landed, and walked over to her as soon as she had gotten settled.

“hey, you must be the bat pony I've been hearing so much about,”

The mare said, well, she looked a lot like a pony but her spire horn and translucent wings said otherwise.

“my name is Daisy by the way, what's yours?”

She said politely, holding a hoof out to Stellar to shake.

“my name is Stellar, and it's really nice to meet you Daisy,”

She shook the mare's hoof and smiled, there was something about her that seemed so welcoming and it made her wonder why she looked the way she did.

“can I ask you something? And I promise it's not as rude as it sounds but um….what are you exactly?”

Stellar said, in a kind yet inquisitive tone.

“oh, I'm a changeling pony, it's a long story but I'm sure there will be time to tell you the whole thing later on,”

Daisy smiled a pleasant smile, and a warm feeling filled the air.

“now, if you don't mind me asking, why do you look more bat than pony? I've never seen anyone who looked like you before and I'm curious about what made you like this,”

“well,”

Stellar said,

“I'm actually one of the few bat ponies with a more bat like gene, it skips two generations so I guess I was just lucky to turn out like this,”

She shifted her large wings a little bit and felt like Daisy was examining her with surgical precision.

“cool, I wish I had wings like that,”

Daisy said, and she looked back at her wings and buzzed them before sighing with a bit of wonder in her eyes. Just before they flicked open once more, and she turned back to Stellar with another question.

“what made you want to join Luna's guard? You could probably be a better wonderbolt with those powerful wings,”

Stellar giggled nervously and looked away from Daisy's excited, pink, compound eyes for a moment.

“oh no, I have horrible stage fright, and to answer your question I just figured I'd be more useful as a guard than a pony admired for her flight and wings,”

At this, Stellar opened one of her wings and turned to the side to show Daisy her cutie mark. It was an image of a bright blue wing and two front hooves tucked under it, will two clouds around them.

“Oooooo,”

Daisy said with a small smile, before it turned to a look of confusion,

“um what does it mean?”

She said, clearly trying to sound as nice as possible.

“I'm good at in flight attacks, or just flying really,”

Stellar shrugged a bit when she said the second part,

“I worked hard to get it but I'm not sure if I'm really that good yet, I train every morning though,”

Stellar smiled with pride, and Daisy smiled back at her.

“I have a feeling we're going to be good friends here,”

After she said that they both smiled, but soon after they did the chatter behind them quieted down. And as they both looked up at the star studded night sky, they saw princess Luna depending from the high tower of the castle with two bat pony guards in purple Armour.

In an instant they all stiffened and formed a line as she approached them, and Stellar felt her heartbeat race.

Oh pony feathers, don't look at me first, don't look at me first, don't look at me first!

She shouted to herself in her head.

“hello and welcome to your first day of training, at the moment, we'd simply like to see your skills in what you are good at. One by one you will show us, and furthermore, something you believe nopony else can do. We will start with you, and go from there,”

Luna said, as she pointed to a mare at the other side of the long line of ponies, and when she stepped forward Stellar noticed something odd about her appearance too.

She looked like a super bulky, tall and brightly coloured bat pony mare, which wasn't the only unusual thing about her. Her entire underbelly looked like it was plated with scales, and her hooves looked like flames had been painted on them as well.

She looks even stranger than me, I wonder what she'll be good at,

Stellar thought, as she watched the mare salute to Luna and stand in place as she awaited further instructions.

“what is your name miss?”

Luna said, her regal tone firm and unreadable

“enferno ma’am, enferno with an ‘E’,”

As she said this she barely moved, she didn't even put her hoof down and her militant appearance was firm.

“very well, Enferno, you may begin with your talent,”

When Luna was finished she shot off like a bullet, flying directly to a tree that was growing below a rocky ledge.

And as she took a deep breath and Stellar could feel her body tense up as well, until Enferno had let go of her breath and set the entire tree on fire within seconds. Everyone gasped at once as the tree began to droop and almost fell, but not before Enferno kicked in away with her hind hooves and it flew away from the group. And as Enferno landed she saluted again, this time Luna had a genuine face of curiosity and interest as she stared at the yellow coated, fire breathing mare.

“that was quite the sight, I'd love to discuss your skills further after this session,”

Enferno nodded and put her hoof down, and one by one each pony demonstrated their skills to Luna and her guards.

Most of them wowed the crowd while some choked out of nervousness and failed to complete their skill properly. When it came to Daisy she trotted right up to Luna and turned in to her, then nightmare moon and one of her guards before saying something a guard would say in a masculine tone. This seemed to please her, as luna had smiled and gave her a gentle nod.

“having a changeling in the guard could prove to be very useful, thank you Daisy,”

Daisy went back to Stellar’s side and smiled at her.

“you there, you are the last one of the night, step forth and demonstrate your skill,”

Stellar felt like she was going to faint but built up the courage to walk up to her and salute.

“what is your name?”

Luna asked

“my name is Stellar ma’am,”

She said, and her voice cracked slightly

“please, show us your talent,”

Luna said in a calm tone, and she quietly complied as she stepped back and opened her large wings and took off.

When she felt she was high enough she stopped and held her wings out before letting gravity pull her back down to earth, and she tucked her wings in as she spiraled and swooped over everyone's heads. As she shot up again she kept a tight spiral all the way up to a very high cloud, and fiercely kicked it and hit every little puff of cloud that broke off of it. Before stopping and gliding down as gracefully as she could, landing near the princesses as everyone stared at her.

“young mare, aren't you exhausted after all that flying?”

she shook her head, and smiled as she folded her wings in

“I haven't been tired after a few little tricks like that in a while, ma’am,”

Luna looked astonished, and more than a little intrigued as her guards looked to be shocked.

“well, I will talk to you all tomorrow night, but for now you will be going to the barracks to-”

Before she could finish her sentence, a feminine cry off alarm cut her off. And before anyone could respond a light blue and beige Hippogriff crashed in front of her, and took a moment to get up and right herself.

Who the hay is that? And why did she arrive so late?

It confused Stellar but she didn't voice her confusion, but she did feel sorry for her when she had noticed the distaste on Luna's face.

“what is your name young mare?

Luna said, her voice had grown more cold as she spoke and the Hippogriff cowered slightly as she answered.

“Hocklift your highness,”

She said in a quiet tone, and Luna's expression only grew more bored.

“Hocklift, do to your lateness and lack of control when trying to get here you will have to discuss things with me. Everyone else go down to the barracks,”

Luna flicked a wing towards a guard, and he turned and started to lead everyone else into the castle.

Everyone but Stellar and Daisy, they had decided to stay behind as Luna talked to her about her disapproval before she flew off. When she was gone the two of them walked over to her and gently nudged her.

“we know it probably wasn't easy to adjust to  these hours, tell you what, we'll help you train to get better at flying and be here for you if you need us.”

She smirked, and all three of them trotted to catch up with the rest of the group.

chapter 3 in the barracks

Chapter-3 in the barracks

Once they got to the barracks they all noticed something interesting, the large room looked a lot like the inside of a summer camp cabin. It was full of bunk beds with just enough room to put luggage, and pretty much all of them were already filled. So they naturally went to the last empty one and set down their things, Daisy called the bottom bunk while Stellar flew up to the top one. And unfortunately, the only place left for Hocklift was the bunk under Enferno, who seemed to be reading a dictionary rather intently.

“so, what do you think will be our first task? I bet it'll be a cool one,”

Daisy said, once she had gotten comfortable in her new bed.

“I hope it has something to do with flying, I need lots of practice with that,”

Hocklift said, with a nervous giggle.

“I could teach how to control your own flight, it shouldn't be too hard if you get help,”

Stellar offered, which made her smile.

“thanks Stellar, it means a lot,”

She smiled up at the bat pony and was about to say something else, but before the words could leave her lips she was cut off by a gruff voice above her.

“Stellar huh? Your that strange looking bat pony right? What exactly is up with your tail and wings?”

Enferno said, leaning over the edge of her bunk to face her.

“well, apparently there's a gene that causes bat ponies look more bat like on my father's side. And he told me it skips two generations so I got it,”

She pointed a hoof to herself as she finished explaining, and smiled a calm smile.

“and you're a changeling that just happens to look a lot like a pony?”

Enferno said, as she directed her attention down to the bunk under Stellar and met Daisy's pink eyes.

“half pony actually, I just look more like a pony now because of the cure for our kind’s hunger problem,”

She said with a shrug, before remembering her manners and saying.

“my name is Daisy by the way, that trick you did with that fire was really cool by the way. You wouldn't happen to be part dragon would you?”

“you sure catch on quick, I am part dragon,”

She smiled, and her pride radiated off her like warm sunrays.

“hi, my name's Hocklift, and I hope you don't mind me asking but why are you reading a dictionary?”

Hocklift said, jumping into the conversation and making her presence known.

“oh, I'm a Hippogriff by the way,”

“oh this? I'm just trying to educate myself with the Equestrian language, we only speak draconic where I'm from,”

Enferno said, looking at the dictionary again before sighing and setting it down beside her.

“not much help to be honest,”

They all fell silent until Daisy said something, it wasn't understandable to Stellar and Hocklift though.

However, Enferno nodded with a shocked expression on her face, and responded in the same reptilian noises that Daisy had just made.

“how did you do that?”

Hocklift said, her eyes wide as they were glued to Daisy, who just shrugged it off as if it was nothing.

“it's a changeling gift, we get taught foreign languages at a young age so manipulation is easier,”

Enferno sat up, her interest now peaked as her red eyes didn't leave the changeling pony in front of them.

“you wouldn't happen to be able teach me proper Equestrian, would you?”

Her question was met with a bright smile, which made the air feel thick with warmth once again.

“why of course, it would be an honour,”

Enferno smiled back, and in that moment of silence they noticed that the once active and loud barracks was now filled with the sounds of quiet snoring. And the four mare's looked around for a moment before giggling to themselves.

“I guess we should be getting to sleep as well,”

Daisy said, before laying her head down on a pillow and saying a quiet goodnight to them.

And one by one they each said goodnight, leaving Stellar alone to look out the window near her bed.

It's been good so far, I promise I'll come home a guard mom and dad, I'll make you two proud. And with a soft sigh, she herself began to give in to her own tiredness as she shut her eyes.

chapter 4 first day of training

Chapter-4 first day

When Stellar had woken up again, it was nightfall once again. And she immediately noticed that her newly made acquaintances were getting up as well, all except for Hocklift. She was still sleeping in her bed, softly snoring with the occasional twitch. So being the kind mare that she was, she glided down and nudged her gently. She uttered a small groan and pulled her sheet over her head.

“it's time to get up, you'll be late again if you aren't,”

Stellar said, her voice smooth and calming, but almost immediately after her words left her lips Hocklift went ridged.

She whirled around and flailed at the air with her talons as she kept her eyes closed, and said in a slightly gurgled and sleepy tone said.

“late must no…..need up...help?”

She kept grappling around, until Stellar grabbed them gently and helped her out of bed.

This must be due to her warped sleep schedule, I hope she can get used to it sooner. Soon after helping Hocklift get back into the right state of mind they both went to the training grounds, which were now adorned with various sets of workout equipment and dug out sand pits.

Things are about to get really interesting.

Just as she thought that a pod of guards flew down from the castle, one wearing  Armour while the rest weren't wearing anything at all.

“hello there, I shall be training instructor today, these other guards will be assisting in teaching you hoof to hoof combat,”

As he said this he stepped forward, while the rest of his guards stayed back and stayed in a military style line.

As the lead guard stepped ahead and began to scan the line of new recruits, and he circled them cryptically.

Please don't choose me, please don't choose me.

“you there, how about you give us a demonstration of what it takes to beat a royal guard,”

When guard spoke she was  hoping that it would be someone else, but sadly it was her he was talking.

“are you sure it's me you're asking for?”

She folded her ears back reflectively, but the guard didn't falter.

“I am calling on you, and you will not  turn down a direct order. Now, Snap whip will be your training partner,”

A bulky male Pegasus guard tensed, and in an instant Stellar did as well. And with deep breath she brought out as much determination as she could.

“where shall we train sir?”

She said as she lifted her head and ears, and the guard is front of her grinned as he stepped aside.

And as Snap whip stepped forward, she did as well until they were in the middle of both the recruits and other guards, and she stared deep into  the tall stallion’s eyes. The guard lifted a hoof to take hers but she didn't budge, and she stayed in place as she lowered herself to the ground and began to flick her tail wildly. When the guard lunged at her she ducked and bucked him in the chin, and he stumbled back a little bit. When he had backed away she jumped up and grabbed his open wings, before bringing herself around and slamming her hind hooves into his back. She flapped her wings harshly as held him down, and had a grim look as she watched his every movement.

“stay down, you failed to best me so technically you're dead in this little fight,”

The stallion didn't budge, and the lead guard signaled for her to off of him and she did wordlessly.

And helped the guard to his hooves before heading back to her place in line.

“good, each of you will be assigned to a guard and when the time is up you will rotate, your training begins now,”

When the guard was done speaking everyone began to be paired up, and the training finally began.

chapter 1 introduction

Chapter - 1 introduction

Stellar woke up bright and early, like she always did, and snuck outside to practice her flying. From a young age she had always struggled with her wings, not because of its size, but because of the membrane that connected to her body and tail. This small difference wasn't the only troublesome thing about her appearance though, her tail also proved to be hard to fly with at first, since it looked to be a pony sized bat tail. So naturally this meant that getting her cutie mark took a lot more time to earn, but after years of this routine she finally got it.

Aerial fighting, quite the strange cutie mark, it does look cool though,

Was her initial thought towards it, and being a bat pony made it more understandable as well. So as she had grown up she had prepared herself to be a part of Luna's night guard, and hoped that her marathoning glides would win her a place.

So after her morning flight she began to pack her things for the trip to Canterlot, silently saying a quick goodbye to her room. But upon going back down to the kitchen to fix herself a meal before she left, she saw both her parents rushing about and packing a separate bag.

“hey guys, what's going on? Are you guys going on a trip too?”

She asked in a joking tone as she walked into the kitchen and picked up and picked up an apple.

“not at all dear, we're packing you a lunch for your journey,”

Her mother said, hurrying about and strapping the bag of food to her other side.

“so you're not too hungry on your way there, just have a snack whenever you want,”

Her mother hugged her tightly as her father came in to join them, and she had to fight the urge to cry.

“I love you guys, I'm going to miss you so much,”

She let go of them and headed to to front door  with her parents watched her go, and held each other in a loving embrace.

And as she leapt up into the sky, she began to glide toward Canterlot in hopes that her birth defect could be of some in the field of battle.