Trailblazing
Storm Wing felt the rays of the early morning sun fall onto his face through a gap in the curtains. Not soon after, the infernal blaring of the alarm clock next to his bed arrived right on time. It was half past five and the sun had well cleared the horizon line. One of the curses of living on such a high mountain. Storm groggily moved his body off the bed, his face being dragged along for the short ride off the edge of the mattress. Stumbling through to the bathroom, Storm stopped in the mirror to admire what a night of sleep had done to his body. Tufts of turquoise fur stuck up at weird angles and his grey mane looked like it had been nested in for an entire summer by some negligent birds.
There was only one way to remedy the situation and he knew it. Storm felt himself automatically walk to the shower and turn on the water. Without feeling the temperature, he stepped in and promptly lost his dreariness at the ice-cold water blasting at him. Summer evenings in Canterlot were chilly and the water reflected that. And the fact that the wrong knob was turned did not help.
One very unsatisfying shower later, Storm stepped out and dried himself, returning to the mirror to retrieve his brush to straighten his fur and hair. Storm made sure that every offending tuft of fur and mane that was out of place was bent to his will. He took one last look at himself through the mirror and gave a tired smile of satisfaction. Completely immaculate. It wasn’t every day that Storm made sure he looked immaculate but today was the day.
Storm made his way into the kitchen, where the pieces his golden standard issue guard armour issued to him yesterday lay on the sofa. He checked if they were polished to the high standards asked of him and surely enough, they were. Unless something catastrophic happened during the night between when he polished the pieces to this morning, the expected result of observing the said objects would have certainly led to the conclusion that they were polished enough. Storm gingerly put on the pieces of amour as he had only worn the set once during fitting the day before. While on the way out of the small apartment (Storm would’ve preferred quaint as a more suitable adjective), Storm tightened the straps on the breastplate and grabbed an apple out of the fruit bowl.
The walk to the castle wasn’t a long one. In fact, it was right down the road from Storm’s apartment. The straight road leading to the castle was lined with cosy rustic cafes and antique stores. Every time Storm walked down the road, he would be met with a unique smell of ground coffee and ageing wood, not the rotting smell but a perfumed one which many decades of polishing and being used creates.
Storm finally trotted up to the front gates of the castle grounds, which were wide open, and walked onto the palace green. To his surprise, he saw his class of guards already formed up into ranks on the lawn with Captain Armour standing to the side. He trotted over briskly and stood to attention on the last rank of guards which was still filling up. Not a second later, the Captain marched to the front of the formation and stood to attention, facing to the right. Tracing the Captain’s eyes, Storm saw the two Princesses gracefully making their way over. The whole class was briefed on this just yesterday to not stare but Storm couldn’t help himself. Most ponies never saw the princesses in person but only on pictures in the newspaper. The experience of meeting those who literally controlled celestial bodies was simply unimaginable. Snapping back to attention, Storm realised that most of his class were entranced just like he was.
“Carry on, Captain,” Princess Celestia said as she stood to face the to-be royal guards.
“Thank you, princess,” he replied. “I know it has been a long road for all of you to get to where you are. You are unquestionably the most elite soldiers in Equestria and with that achievement, you will receive the honour of bring inducted into the Palace Guard. However, there were a few pieces of information that some of you would like to know before you officially join due to either your lineage or your family. Princess Luna will speak to you first.”
Everypony looked at each other. They knew what was going to be asked. “Mine fellow ponies,” Luna started, “We know how hard ye must have toiled to arrive at this point. Might we remind ye that no pony serendipitously arrives at the guard. Thus, we must choose from this pool of new blood to fill both mine and mine dear sister’s house guards. Might any volunteers step forward?”
Right away, a few ponies stepped forward. Among them, Storm recognised Sunny Days, a cheery mare who excelled in getting cheerfully drunk on Friday nights, and Midnight Blossom, a threstral who excelled at getting cheerfully drunk on Friday nights. What? Did you think that guards in training didn’t drink? Well, you’re right when they’re training which is basically the whole week.
“Those who have volunteered; thank you. Please step aside while we commence,” Luna said.
Storm caught Sunny eyeing him as she stepped aside and gathered in a small group with the other volunteers. Celestia now stepped forward.
“Thank you all for volunteering for the house guards,” Celestia said as she addressed the volunteers, “Now that’s out of the way, I have an opportunity to present to all of you interested. The Equestrian Navy and the Guard have come together to create a new task force primarily for guards who want to involve themselves further in the greater going-ons around Equestria. This branch will specialise in scouting for both the Equestrian Navy and the Army through the use of a newly developed class of airship. It will be named the Equestrian Trailblazers. If you are interested, please step forward. If not, I’ll give you time to contemplate on your decision. More details will be given after you apply.”
Nopony budged. The silence was deafening. Then almost uncontrollably, Storm felt himself step out of formation. His class stared at him. For some reason, the idea resonated with his subconscious and it just felt right. He looked around nervously at the staring eyes glued to him, seemingly asking why he would choose to follow such a path. He had been selected to be trained as a guard because he graduated top of his class of cadets. Being a guard was paid well, and probably the most cushy position in the two three branches of the military.
Celestia turned to address Storm. “Thank you for volunteering. I know it may not be what you were training for, but this task force is extremely important in the defence of Equestria and all those who reside within. May I get your name, brave one?”
“S-Storm Wing, at your service ma’am,” Storm stuttered.
“Thank you Storm. Please step aside. I’ll meet you after this briefing.”
Storm stepped out of formation and trotted over to where the house guard volunteers were standing around.
“I thought you said you were going to volunteer for the house guard?” Sunny Days asked.
“I guess I changed my mind. Being a house guard is great and all but you spend your time coordinating security details and standing around some doors,” Storm replied, “Besides, for some reason, this new task force just called to me. I can’t explain it.”
“Good luck then, I guess,” Sunny sighed dejectedly, “I’m not sure how often I will be able to see you around now. It feels as though all my friends are going on different paths now.”
“Hey, it’s not that bad, I’ll make time for you when I can Sunny,” Storm said, “I better get to the princess, looks like the briefing is over. I’ll see you when I do.”
Storm rushed over to the princess as the new palace guards dispersed. As he approached, he saw Captain Armour walking alongside the princess as they made their way back to the castle. The Captain noticed him and turned to face him.
“Hello again. Storm, is it?” Captain Armour asked.
“Yes sir,” Storm replied.
“Good,” the Captain said, “I’m currently headed off to the dining hall to breakfast with the princesses to arrange all the new recruits to various positions. Would you like to join us? It’s probably a good time to discuss the new task force with you.”
“Thank you, sir,” Storm replied as he matched the Captain’s stride.
Storm found himself seated in the royal dining hall next to Captain Armour facing across the two princesses, a position he never dreamed he would be in. Well, maybe he is doing something right, he thought.
“So, Storm,” the Captain began, “Do you know anything about airships?”
“Uh. They float with large helium frames sir?” Storm replied, unsure of what to say.
“No need to be so formal, Storm, just call me Shining. And yes, airships do ‘float’ with the use of helium. You’ve got a lot more to learn, buddy.”
Princess Celestia glanced over at the two, “While we are waiting for our food, maybe we shall begin discussing what this new task force does and what is required of you.”
“Okay, princess,” Storm replied.
“As you already know, this task force will be named Trailblazers. This is because you will be scouting specific objectives across Equestria and beyond to all corners of this planet. You will be trained in operating airships in general, where you learn the terms related to airships and theory required to pilot them. Then, you will spend some time being taught by Rusty Rivet, head of the royal engineers how to fly this specific build of airship. Along with piloting, you will also be taught basic diplomacy by Luna. It would be a useful skill as you may find yourself in contact with higherups elsewhere. That’s the basic outline of what you will be doing. More will be revealed at a later date but our current scientists and geographers are still working on getting more concrete data. If you have any questions, ask away. Luna and I will always be around to help.”
“Thank you, princess, when do I start?” Storm asked eagerly. This actually sounded quite exciting.
“Probably in a few days’ time. Unfortunately, our airship instructor is currently ill. Currently, feel free to look around the castle or follow the Captain around. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind,” Celestia said with a mischievous grin.
“You know I have piles of paperwork to get on top of, princess,” Shining whined, “Why are you punishing me for looking out for you by cutting the cake budget out of this year’s spending plan?”
“You know I like my cake, Shining,” Celestia growled, “And I will not allow my cake budget to be cut.”
“Ah, our food has arrived,” Shining announced, attempting to change the subject.
A platter of toast was placed in the centre of the table between us and the princesses along with a bowl of fruit and various jars of fruit preserves were laid out.
“Oh, and also, Storm?” Celestia said as Storm was buttering a piece of toast, “You can stay in the castle for the duration of your training if you’d like.”
Author's Note
Hello. Any critical feedback is really appreciated. I can't write these stories without you guys. Additionally, this story is probably going to be updated anywhere from 1-5 times a month. Depends on if I have time and inspiration or not. Thanks for reading.
Storm was lying on his back atop the comfortable guest suite bed, staring into the distance. The view was breath-taking from the castle. He could see as far as the distant fog, which clouded the far-away foothills, allowed him. Firstly, the Canterlot streets and houses that lined the roads with shiny glazed roof tiles, then the sheer drop down the cliff face to sprawling green fields and welcoming homesteads. A lurking uncomfortableness washed over Storm as he stared blankly out of the window. He felt like being idle was somehow wrong and disrespectful to the position he had been granted; it was a feeling that was hard to put down to paper. Storm consequently stood up and, bed mane and all, briskly walked out of his room into the hallway.
Storm didn’t know what to do in the castle. It’s not like a shopping mall, where there were multiple places to be visited. Every move he made in the castle must be done with a goal in mind. Thinking to himself, he realised that he probably wouldn’t be spending much time around his friends much longer after his training starts. He remembered his promise to make some time for his friends in his schedule so he set off like a stallion on a mission. First, it was to the Lunar wing to find Midnight.
He knew the night guard generally had flipped timetables. Breakfast at six in the evening and dinner in the early hours of the morning. He doubted that Midnight would still be awake at late morning but he thought it wouldn’t hurt to check. Trotting into the Lunar wing was quite a unique experience. The usual gold accents on the walls and white stone was replaced with a darker more porous stone which was still polished smooth. The windows were stained a very dark shade of blue, nearing purple. The carpets and tapestries on the walls were of the same deep blue and only dim white torches burned on the walls.
“Can I help you?” came a smooth voice from behind Storm.
Jumping slightly as he turned, Storm replied, “Yes, uh, do you know if a pony by the name of Midnight Blossom is around?”
“I walked through the barracks a couple minutes ago. All the recruits are asleep at the moment. Only the day guards are awake. I hope that answers your question, young one,” the thestral replied.
“Okay. Thank you,” said Storm as he turned to leave.
“I’m expecting to see more of you around these parts?” the thestral inquired as Storm was turning the corner.
“Yes ma’am,” Storm replied as he rounded the corner and started heading for the Solar wing. He didn’t even realise how expansive the castle was from his basic layout training. Only by walking it could he truly marvel at its size.
As he crossed into the Solar wing, Storm didn’t even notice until he saw a guard wearing the Solar house guard armour trot by. The transition from the castle core and the Solar wing was completely seamless. It wasn’t surprising as the castle was built after Nightmare Moon terrorised Equestria and a new wing was added after her reformation into Princess Luna. Storm soon found himself in an intersection between two corridors and utterly lost. When the walls all looked generally similar, it was quite easy to lose your bearings.
“You look lost, Storm,” a familiar voice said from behind.
Storm jumped and turned around to the source of the voice. There he saw Sunny in full house guard armour.
“For the love of the Creator, Sunny, don’t scare me like that!” Storm sighed in exasperation.
“As I said, you looked a little lost, Storm. Maybe I can show you around a little? I still need to unpack my things into my room,” Sunny said, hopefully.
“Yeah, I don’t have much else to do in the next little while. The airship instructor is off work right now,” Storm answered.
“Then why are you at the castle today?” Sunny asked.
“It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got time.”
As the pair trotted towards Sunny’s room, Storm explained his current situation to Sunny and what he was going to be doing in the days to come.
“So, you get to stay in a guest suite in the castle?” Sunny asked.
“I guess so,” Storm replied
“And you get to dine in the dining hall with the expense covered?”
“Yes. Speaking of which, it’s almost noon. How about I take you to lunch. I didn’t have breakfast so I’m starving,” Storm suggested, “That, and the fact that I’ll probably see you very scarcely over the next few months.”
“Well, did we just walk all that way to my room for nothing?” Sunny moaned, “My bunk buddy will be pissed if I don’t make short work of these boxes crowding the room. Tell you what, I unpack for thirty minutes and then we’ll go.”
Sunny had completed most of her unpacking in the allotted thirty minutes. Her spare uniforms were tucked away neatly in her footlocker along with a few other personal bits and pieces like small booklets and photo albums. The rest of her belongings were arranged neatly on her desk giving the room a less empty and more homey touch.
‘Let’s go!” Storm said from the door excitedly.
Sunny chucked at his enthusiasm and followed him out.
“I just realised, shouldn’t you be on duty today?” Storm asked, “I completely forgot.”
“No, all the new recruits get two days to acclimate to castle life and to get used to the schedule. I’ll be free for the rest of today and tomorrow.”
“Cool,” Storm replied.
After leaving the Solar wing, Storm trotted towards the dining hall.
“Storm?” Sunny called.
“Yes?”
“You’re going the wrong way; the castle gates are on the left.”
“What are you talking about?” Storm asked, “We are going to the dining hall, aren’t we?”
“What?” Sunny replied in shock, “I didn’t agree to this! This isn’t proper. Although I have today off, I’m technically ‘on duty’ right now but I just don’t have to wear my armour. What would the princesses think? I thought we were going out to Canterlot.”
By the time Sunny finished her spiel of complaints, Storm had already dragged her by hoof down the corridor to the dining hall. “Listen Sunny. It’s. Fine,” Storm assured her, “You’re my friend and I probably won’t see you very much in the future. I’m sure that’s a good enough excuse; friendship is magic and all that jazz. Besides, the Captain’s a nice lad.”
Sunny stopped at the entrance of the dining hall. “Look, Storm,” she said in a panicked whisper, “I don’t want to lose my job over lunch.”
“Who’s losing their job?” a voice from behind said.
Sunny whipped her head around like a crazed mare to see the Captain standing before her. “Nopony, s-sir,” Sunny replied with a fake smile.
“Sir, I invited Sunny Days for lunch. Would that be alright?” Storm asked from behind her.
“Ah, Storm. I didn’t see you there. You don’t need to ask me if you can take your marefriend to lunch! You might have to take it up with the Princess though, I’m not sure if she appreciates you stealing her house guards,” Shining winked. “Did I mention yesterday that you will receive officer training along with your airship training? Since you are the only pony in this unit task force combined with the fact that it is volunteer only, you’ll have to be promoted to lieutenant. That means getting your commission.”
“That’s… quite the promotion, sir,” Storm responded.
“You will be just fine, Storm. I shouldn’t be holding you and your marefriend up though, I was about to go have lunch too.”
“She’s not my marefriend, Captain,” Storm said uncomfortably.
“Ah… You two do look cute together though,” Shining suggested as he wiped his brow internally as he salvaged the conversation. “Anyway, I won’t hold you two up any longer. After you, ma’am.”
“Y-yes sir,” Sunny said awkwardly as she walked in.
Before Storm could walk in, the Captain pulled him aside. “After lunch, meet me at my office. I’m sure you know where it is?”
“Yes sir,” Storm replied.
“Good. You’re not getting reprimanded but the nature of the topic discussed will to confidential. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” Storm replied again.
Storm entered the dining hall followed shortly by the Captain. He saw Sunny standing uncomfortably waiting for them. Only when the Captain and Storm took their seats on the bench did Sunny take hers. The Captain waved a waitress over to take the small group’s orders.
After the waitress had taken their orders, the Captain attempted to strike up some conversation to shatter the deathly silence. “So, uh, Storm.”
Storm raised his eyes from the table to look at his Captain, “Yes Captain?”
“You’ve never told me why you wanted to join the guard.”
“Oh,” Storm replied. “Um, well… I was eleven. We were living in a small military town up north named Stable Meadow and-”
“The Stable Meadow?” Shining asked.
“Yes. The one that got overrun by bandits up north. So, as I was saying, I used to live in that town with my parents. My father was a Pathfinder and my mother a blacksmith’s assistant. It was a cold winter that year. Much colder than usual. The roads from which supplies like food and drinking water were imported were sealed shut by avalanches and heavy snowfall but our town did have enough food to survive until the roads opened up again. With no outside contact, we waited for the long winter to pass in our homes.
“It was very quiet in the winter. It was always quiet in those winters. I remember so vividly that day. I was staring out of the window at the mountains outside. They were truly grand mountains – not like the peaks in the Unicorn Range. I’m talking about their powerful stature and rough look, yet they held an air of ancient wisdom and tranquillity around them. I remember listening to the fire crackle pleasantly behind me while staring out of that window.
“It was then that I heard the smashing of a window outside. The calamity startled me and the entire town. Curious heads peaked out of doors and windows to see shadowy figures draped in woollen cloaks roaming the streets. Then we saw their weapons concealed under their winter clothing, and then the blood that stained their ghostly white cloaks. Bandits were common up in the north. The winter tended to bring out the worst of them.
“I remember dad going out of the door with his giant coat and his sword...”
Storm paused, staring down at the table in front of him. He swallowed hard. He remembered the screams of pain of the brave stallions outside. The shrill clang of the swords. The crackle of the fire magic conjured by the village wizard burning the live bodies of the bandits. All of it, imprinted.
“That was the last I ever saw of him.”
Storm looked up at the Captain with a stare that would make the creator tremble.
“This is why I joined the royal guard. I will serve my fellow ponies as my father did. I will devote my life to a noble cause as my father before me did. It is my duty to ensure his sacrifice was not in vain. I would serve so that if he came back right now, I would be able to hold my head high and say to him that I too served as valiantly as he had.”
The Captain looked at Storm sympathetically. Sunny simply put a foreleg around him.
“I had no idea, Storm,” said the Captain softly. “I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t know,” Storm replied.
The food arrived at the table and the Captain, trailblazer and guard ate in silence with Storm’s words echoing in the air around them.
Author's Note
Sorry for the delay guys. At least I made the deadline by a day of posting once a month? Anyway, I was quite stuck figuring out some of the technicalities of the story and the preparations for my deployment up north next to Geminate in my alliance wasn't helping either.
The next chapter should be up for the 27th of next month (or earlier depending on how things go).
By the way, I'm looking for an editor who can do ~2000-6000 words a month.
