Chapter 11

Swift woke up with a grunt. He felt terrible and could barely breathe.
"Good morning, sergeant." came a familiar voice from his left.
"Private. Is it you?" he asked weakly.
"Yes sir." said Amethyst, "Welcome to my little room."
"Ah ... the infirmary ..." Swift said and tried to sit up, but then grabbed his chest and grunted again.
"Yeeez, Sergeant, one day I'm not there and you're badly injured?" Amethyst asked in a friendly tone.
Swift laughed briefly, then took a sharp breath and uttered a small "ow", "please don't make me laugh Amy ..." he lay back weakly.
"Amy? Is that my callsign or my nickname now?" she asked smiling, then saw that Swift was really bad, "Uh, everything alright, sir? should I alert the nurse?"
"No not necessary, thanks ... where is Electric?" he began to tremble a little.
What if she didn't make it?
"Take a look at your side." Amethyst said softly.
When Swift looked up he could see the sleeping figure from Electric lying on the wing.
Swift felt at ease and gently touched her shoulder.

Electric startled, looked at him with big, teary eyes, said softly: "Swift! You're awake again!"
"Yes, I am awake. What is your name?" Swift asked with a weak smile.
She gave him a playful slap on the shoulder, which made Swift wince in pain.
"Oh sorry ..." Electric said, embarrassed, then leaned over him to look into his eyes.
"Never mind, I deserve it. I'm sorry that you had to worry about me." said Swift
"What exactly happened? Arctic couldn't tell exactly what happened. If you're feeling better we need an answer to that question." she caressed his forehead, "but as I said, only when you feel better. One or two ribs are broken, you have bruises in the chest area and a few veins in your lungs seem to have broken, which is why you spit blood."
Swift thought, then his eyes went wide and he almost jumped up, only the pain and electric on his wing holding him back when he said. "I need to speak to Captain Armor and Commander Dash immediately!" he looked at her, "it's urgent! bring them both here!"
Electric was a bit shocked, but she could see in his eyes that he was downright scared.
"o-okay ... immediately ..." she said and galloped off.
"What's wrong sir?" Amethyst asked worriedly.
"We have a very strong opponent ..." replied Swift

"and she just pulled you out of the air with her magic?" Commander Dash asked a little uncertainly, "That shouldn't actually be possible because of the enchants in our armor."
"Exactly. That can't be." Shining Armor said, "If that's the case, our air superiority is at risk."
"Well ..." said Twilight, who had also gone into the room to help Electric examine Swift's wings, "with enough strength it is possible to break or bypass any enchantment. I could examine Swift's armor if necessary, BBBFF. "
Swift, Dash and Electric looked at each other questioningly, but then ignored it as Shining Armor cleared his throat, then said: "Yes, that would be helpful. After all, you're the one with the most experience in magic. But there is time. First of all It's back to Canterlor. The hospital ships need escorts, even if we are overloaded with civilians ourselves. "
"If this Amber Gem is really that strong at magic, then we should look for countermeasures." Dash said and she and Captain Armor left the small room while talking.
"Everything is fine with the wings." Electric said very quietly.
"You don't have to pretend .." Swift said back just as softly, taking her hoof in his, "I'm glad you're here. Thank you."
"Swift ... you could have died!" Electric said and the tears began to flow, "Why didn't you just tell her your name? What's so bad about that?"
"It would have been weak." said Amethyst, who was also still in the room, "We soldiers don't want to be weak in front of the enemy if it can be avoided."
"This is stupid!" Electric said angrily, "What's weak about that?"
Swift pulled her down to him, looked deeply in her eyes, not accusatory, not angry, but full of worry and love: "If we show our enemies weakness, they will attack us more often. They will hit us harder and we will fail. Everypony has to be ready to endure pain. And death is always a possibility, we Soldiers don't fool ourself. " He kissed her gently on the lips, "But I have to be strong to protect those who matter to me, those who I ... I ..." he couldn't tell. something in him told him that otherwise it would only end in tears and Pain.
He didn't have to say it either, Electric pressed her lips to his again and continued kissing him, deeper this time.

On the way several other airships met the small convoy of hospital ships and the airship on which the elements of harmony were. As it turned out, after the invasion of the enemy in Manehattan, the entire front had collapsed in the east and had moved several kilometers in favor of the Crystal Empire.

The journey back would take longer as many of the ships that joined the convoy were damaged, others overloaded with injured and refugees. One of the ships burned for days before being abandoned.
Swift was on deck looking at this unconventional fleet, bandages wrapped around his chest.
"Painkillers are nice." Night said from behind him and joined him, the brand new badge of rank pawed on his shoulder.
"You're right, corporal. I wish I had a few. But I refused. I can still fly so I'll be on standby. Should it come to the extreme." replied Swift, lifting his hoof up, "Congratulations on the promotion by the way. It has its advantages when a captain of the Royal Guard is on board. Then it goes quite quickly."
"Yes. But I think it only happened so quickly so that I could officially lead the squadron." Night smiled slightly, "But that also means that the night shift is no longer applicable for me. I have to be awake with the others."
"Everything has its advantages and disadvantages, corporal ... everything ..." replied Swift.

a few days later the airships were at Canterlor, but in order not to break morale in the city all ships were diverted to a nearby airfield and unloaded there. Swift was taken to one of Canterlot's hospitals with other injured soldiers, but it was quickly decided that there was no room for anyone like him. His wound could not be treated any further except for painkillers and others needed more attention. Private Amethyst was also expelled from hospital to save space.
"So then." said Swift and pulled his duffel bag into a more comfortable position on his back, "we both have a month or two of R&R ..."
"Yes, sir. Do you already know where you are staying?" Amethyst asked with a smile.
"Oh yes. Since my apartment in Cloudsdale is accompanied by a lot of flying and pain, Electric has offered me that I can stay in her apartment." replied Swift, smiling, "how about you, Amy?"
Amethyst beamed broadly when she replied: "I am also staying with my special somepony. She will certainly be very excited."
Swift looked at Amethyst, then smiled, "Oh I see. Well where the love goes, right?"
Amethyst nodded with a broad smile, then gave Swift another quick salute and then happily trotted over to a unicorn mare to cuddle up to her.
Swift smiled slightly, trotted off himself, then winced in pain. He had to take it slower.

about ten meters further he heard a voice behind him: "Swift!" When he turned around he could see Electric breaking through the crowds, apologizing in all directions.
Swift was afraid Electric would fall around his neck and already slit his eyes in preparation for the pain
Electric knew about it and stopped in front of him, but giggled.
"Excuse me." Swift said, blushing slightly, "But it looked like you were about to fall around my neck and hug me."
"Silly Filly." Electric said, "I'll give you a hug, but not so stormy."
She put her head to his chest and closed her eyes, "I don't want to hurt you."
Swift looked at her, smiled, then closed his eyes and enjoyed her closeness.

Electric led Swift back to her apartment, only this time he was allowed to enter freely.
"Please excuse the mess here. I ... didn't come to clean up before we left." Electric said apologetically.
Swift laughed, leaned against her and said, "I forgot how we met us. All I saw was a field of rubble, not unlike a battlefield in the laboratory, and your plot stretched wide in the air."
Electric flushed a little when she remembered.
Swift put his duffel bag next to the sofa and sat on it, giving a loud sigh of relief when he could just close his eyes.
Not long after that, he could feel Electric sit down beside him and gently rest her head on his shoulder, sighing.

When he woke up, Swift was in an unknown place and it was dark. When he looked back he could see that he had no wings.
well he seemed to be dreaming.
But this dream landscape was completely unknown to him. It looked like he imagined Tarterus.
Lakes of fire, mountains that spat magmar, a sky in flames, a blood-red moon ...
And a dark one in front of him, with leather-like wings similar to Corporal Night, but also with a long horn like Celestia, and almost as big. He remembered having dreamed of this gestallt before, but this time it was different. It felt like talking to Death for a few days.
Very real.
"Who are you?" he asked after drawing up all his courage.
"I," replied the figure, "am Nightmare Moon. Kneel down, for I am the Queen of Eternal Night."
Swift's legs shook a little but he stood.
"Do you dare to face me?" Nightmare Moon asked, walking towards him. She seemed to get bigger.
When the nightmare came before him, he had to look up and she looked down at him with her head held high. "You are worthless, and yet ..." she turned her head and looked at him directly, "I feel that there is something about you that can be dangerous to me and my revenge."
Swift thought and remembered something, then said, more confidently than before, "Your sister Destiny has put me on a path that can defeat you and save Princess Luna."
Nightmare Moon looked at him in surprise, then laughed an unnatural laugh that seemed to come from all directions before dissolving into black mist. "So that is the reason why I have felt more and more influence from my sister for some time." the fog enveloped Swift completely, "I can tell you that you are in a losing position, little pony. Destiny may decide a fate, but she also works against herself and the fate she decides for others. Who says your fate worth more than someone else's? what if your story ends tomorrow? "
Swift could feel something touch his legs, how thousands of spiders climbed it, but he didn't move.

"You are in my dream, you can't do anything to me!" Swift roared in protest, "When I wake up your threats are nothing but a bad memory and I will continue to walk my path that Destiny showed me!"
That laugh again, this time louder, as if it were in his ear, "Oh you are cute. If you are still alive when I return I'll keep you as my pet."
That's it, swift hit the fog, "Leave me alone, you monster!"
The laughter didn't stop and the pain spread in his chest. He was still hurt.
"oh you poor little pony, are you in pain?" the nightmare asked in a moking tone, "here let me help you!" the mist spiked and rammed into Swift's chest.
This pushed all the air out of his lungs and he could no longer breathe.
"I may not be able to cause you any physical damage ..." said Nightare Moon, again as Alicorn standing in front of him, "But your spirit is unprotected for me. Do not forget that."
Swift grabbed his throat, still unable to breathe.

"Swift?"
was that electric?
"Swift what is it?"
Yes she was. She sounded like she was somewhere completely different and was calling for him from a great distance. His eyes went black.
"SWIFT!"

with a loud gasp, Swift woke up and took a deep breath.
He tried to jump up and orient himself, but the jumping up sent a wave of pain through his body and he hit the floor. It was dark, someone ... something ... reached out for him and he hit it.
"Ouch!" Electrics' voice tore him out of his panic.
"Electric?" he asked breathlessly, "what? where?"
Electric held her cheek and looked at him worriedly.
"Oh Celestia, I hit you! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!" In shock, Swift hugged her tightly, even though his chest screamed and the bones felt like they were moving.
"Swift, watch out!" she pushed him away, "You only hurt yourself even more! Everything is fine, you just had a nightmare!"
She was scared. Swift had sounded like he was talking to someone while he slept. Then he started to fight and all attempts by Electric to wake him up had failed.
And then he stopped breathing.
She was so worried about him.
"I'm so sorry, Electric ..." repeated Swift with tears in his eyes, "so very sorry."
"Ssssh, it's okay." Electric said and held him closer again, this time more gently so as not to hurt him, "Everything is fine. It was just a nightmare."
"no ... no it wasn't." Swift said, sniffing and looking at her, "That was a warning. I need to talk to Princess Celestia."

early in the morning Swift and Electric made their way to the palace. After inquiring at the gates, both were invited in and escorted into the throne room.
"Sergeant Swift Specter,Engineer Electric Swing." said the princess and nodded to both of them, "What brings you to me so early?"
Swift looked around, looked at the guards before speaking, "My mission, your highness." he bowed, but winced in pain.
"Get up, sergeant. You are hurt and I should release you from your duty to bow to me until you are healed."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Swift said, nodding his head in gratitude
"You said that your mission brought you here. Follow me." Celestia got up and walked over to them, then past them.
"I'll be back later. All day court visitors should be advised of a later date." said princess Celestia as she walked out of a side entrance that was invisible, as long as the door was not pointed out.
"Yes your Highness." A guard called and saluted.

Swift followed the princess and felt how electric gently pressed against him as he walked. She seemed to be a little worried. Then on a long corridor the princess turned left laughing and opened a door with her magic, and let the two enter.
"Welcome to my private rooms." said the princess. It was a very nicely decorated room with a lot of space and everything that swift d could imagine in a princess.
"It is an honor, your highness." said Swift, and Electric bowed deeply.
"So what is it?" Celestia asked and instructed both of them to take a seat in a sitting area.
Swift took a deep breath and sat down before saying, "I think Nightmare Moon haunted my dreams tonight."
Celestia's eyes widened in disbelief and shock

Author's Note

Enchantment of the armor of the common soldiers:

There are a few different enchantments a soldier can choose from. In addition to standard protective spells, a soldier can also have more special enchantments, if these are justifiable.
For example, one of the standard spells on air armor is usually a telikinesis defense spell. In order to be stronger, ground troops have illusion spells so that they look like a larger unit and gaps are less noticeable.
Unicorn soldiers sometimes improve or modify the enchants on their own armor to support their own skills, such as building protective fields. To prevent misuse of the armor by the enemy, it is also bewitched so that it can only be worn by a handful of ponies, and others will be shocked if they want to put it on.

High-ranged soldiers receive a variety of enchantments.
Better protection, more resistance to enemy spells, some even get teleportation spells incorporated, which they can be teleported away quickly and safely if an ally says a certain pharse correctly.