Ch. 1 Homebound

Edit: I am NOT good with pony ages so bare with me a little bit in this story. If I need to change them to be more in line then I will but please don't spam PM's or reviews with age-related comments. Other than that, constructive criticsm is always welcome. Enjoy your Christmas and I will see you all next week for Dovahkiin and Dragonesses shortly afterwards.

Pale green eyes stared at the passing snow-filled countryside with reverence as the train rolled through slicked tracks towards its destination. The light from the early morning sun bathing it in an other worldly glow as silence hung around the train car. Many other warriors from different towns and city's, all together under one purpose: Protect what they all hold dear.

He was no different, he was from a long line of warriors; dating back to the land's founding from what he was told when he was young. Every generation had at least one to carry the tradition and he followed silently. It wasn't his first choice…...but he did feel some sense of pride in doing what does.

Giving a small sigh, he glanced away from the rolling countryside and at his own hooves that had been through more than anyone would ever see. Pale green eyes met the soft mellow yellow coloring of his coat as the mellow and white-streaked mane on his head and tail completed his otherwise unremarkable form. On his hindquarters was the picture of a dark cloud being propelled by three windy lines with a smaller lighter cloud trailing behind.

On his body was a simple brown leather and metal chestplate with the sigil of the 60th Legion and a simple metal helm rested at his side; slung across his back was a small sheath carrying a short sword to finish out his look. A sword that learned to use at just 12 when he enlisted…...a sword that at the same age had claimed it's first life. A sword that was worn from use and stained despite it's clean and polished appearance.

He saw things on that field over the last three years….he did things that few ever had to do. He took lives over the last three years and it never got any easier. A glance back at the left side of his barrel told the rest, under the brown leather was a scar stretching across his rib cage; short yet deep enough that it moved three ribs dangerously close to his lungs.

It still pained him after three years.

"Alright, we're 20 minutes from Canterlot Legionnaires! Get up and start getting your gear squared away for final inspection!" A stern and unyielding voice arose from the front of the carriage as Wind was brought from his self-conscious thoughts. Looking up he saw other members grumble about being out a good sleep but following orders as a white colored Pegasus with amber eyes and a yellow and silver streaked mane and tail walked the aisle complete with a mark of a black and silver sword in a silvery blue shield with two shooting stars crisscrossing over top of it.

-Commander Starstrike-

Commander Starstrike already had her Royal Guard chestplate on with her helm flitting loosely across her back as she moved down the aisle with a keen eye on every little detail of her soldiers as they went about the carriage grabbing gear and changing. This was the last inspection they would get for a while and she wanted them to go out perfectly. Then her eyes caught Wind's slowly moving form and she closed her eyes with a sigh.

Whoever signed his orders was going to have the ass chewing of their lives when they got back to the barracks. Only 12 and barely out of training and he was sent to her legion just as they were set to re-deploy to the border wars.

-Short Flashback-

She saw him that first day when they all stepped off the train at the Griffon/Equestria border and she almost had a heart attack right then and there. It didn't help when she spent a good 10 minutes staring at him while nopony else moved a muscle and Wind Wave took an involuntary step back and averted her eyes after 5. After that she only snorted and went on with her first inspection and Wind just wanted to run away as tears formed at the corners of his eyes.

Then they were attacked not even a few hours later; then she spent that night with Wind Wave under her wing….literally. She brought him in to talk and ended up with his small frame sleeping under her wing as griffon blood dried and matted his coat. He didn't stop shaking until the early hours of the next morning.

Ever since then she made it her mission to get Wind Wave where he needed to be as a member of the 60th Legion and despite his youth and hesitance, he was a quick learner with the sword and that gave her all she needed to train him to Legion standard.

It should've been a long and arduous process but it wasn't, Wind Wave became a complete natural with his blade in a very short amount of time, to the point that she had to start making him hold back a bit in his spar's with the other Legion members.

He was a prodigy and that caused some concern to start forming in her mind.

-End Flashback-

After a moment she opened her eyes and saw him changing out his leather armor; her gaze tracing the short scar marring his otherwise clean coat. It stood as a testament to his growth but it also didn't look right on his body. She would get her own ass chewing after she found the one who signed his orders…...how else would two ponies in the Princesses Guard take it when they find out their son was permanently maimed?

With a soft sigh she moved on with her walk.

-Canterlot-

"Boring…..." Rainbow Dash said as she sunk to the ground in boredom. "Why did we have to be here when there's hundreds of other things we could be doing right now."

"Rainbow, show some respect. The Princesses asked us to be here with them so stand up." Twilight hissed at her friend as Dash just rolled her magenta eyes.

"And they never mentioned why because?"

"It must be something important if there's this many ponies here." Twilight responded as she glanced at the filled to the brim station, reporters and photographers lined the upper decks while numerous mares and stallions crowded the walkways with little foals ad fillies trying to get a better view. She knew the station could fit quite the crowd but this had to be maximum amount that could be crammed around a few platforms.

"What if it's a new dignitary from a new land? Maybe a handsome prince that would make many mares swoon." Rarity said wistfully as the other five just gave her a deadpan look.

"Not fer this big a' crowd surgarcube, not many nobles here to greet anyone of that standing." Applejack replied as pointed to the crowd. "Ah don't think there's any nobles here at all."

"Maybe it's surprise party for a reunion!" Pinkie said excitedly. "Family from all over Equestria gathering for food and games and dancing and-" She found her mouth covered by an orange hoof, courtesy of Applejack.

"No pony has a family this big sugarcube, even Apple family reunions aren't a quarter the size." Applejack responded as Pinkie shook her head to remove the appendage.

"Maybe it's a special party for somepony then….oooo maybe the Princesses are getting married!" Pinkie shouted as the entire station turned to face the six ponies. Showing off varying degrees of red, Twilight nervously laughed.

"Sorry, Pinkie's just being herself." Twilight said as Pinkie was chuckling while being wrestled to the ground by Applejack. The rest of station merely went back to talking amongst themselves after a moment and Twilight let out a sigh of relief before turning back to her friends. "Fluttershy, you can come out now." she said as a yellow Pegasus was doing her best to hide behind a bench.

"O-oh if it's ok then." Fluttershy spoke timidly before slowly making her way back to her friends. "What if it is for the Princesses?"

"They would have said something about it already if it was. It's not like Princess Celestia to keep secrets from me." Twilight said worriedly as the thought of her mentor keeping something this big was horrifying to her.

"Keep secrets from who Twilight?" A soft and caring voice said as Twilight nearly jumped out her violet fur.

"P-Princess!" Twilight shouted as the whole station turned to their monarchs and went wide-eyed and bowed as one. Before her was a white mare with both wings and a horn on her head, soft purple eyes and a wavy blue, green and purple mane and tail and a mark of the sun adorning her flanks. A gold crown and slippers adorned her head and tail with a gold necklace with a purple gem in the center around her neck.

Next to her stood a dark blue mare with the same wings and horn, light blue eyes and a dark blue misty mane and tail with the mark of a almost full moon with a black background on her flanks. A black crown and silver slippers were on her head and hooves while a black necklace with a moon adorned her neck.

Princesses Celestia and Luna stood in front of Twilight with smiles as the purple Alicorn stuttered and awkwardly bowed as Celestia only chuckled at her students antics. "My dear student, there is no secret here, what we have is a special gathering for some very important pony's."

"Aha! I knew it was a party! Which of you is the lucky one getting married?!" Pinkie exclaimed excitedly as Celestia and Luna began to laugh.

"Neither of us my dear pink friend." Luna said after she wiped some tears from her eyes. "Is it wrong for us to welcome back those that had been away for so long?" Now Twilight was really confused and she let it show.

"Welcome who back-" A train whistle in the distance interrupted her as both Princesses gazed towards a plume of smoke steadily approaching the city.

-The Train-

"5 minutes Legionnaires! All bags should be packed and tightly secure for inspection!" Starstrike ordered as the Legionnaires assembled in the aisle-way, all armored in the Royal Guard regalia. Once they were all set she gave a sigh and began her speech. "I know that last three years have been difficult on all of us. When we left, we all knew nothing would be the same and being so far away for so long means a lot has changed. Some of you had little ones that are older, some have probably passed from being little fillies and colts to young mares and stallions themselves.

"Make no mistake that even though we were gone, they never forgot us or what we did. The moment we step onto the platform, know that we will always be brothers and sisters in arms and even though our long journey is over our next journey is equally challenging. Some of you will remain home for a bit to rest and recover while others might put in for their next assignment but no matter what happens, the 60th Legion will always be ready to rise up. Wherever you go next, whatever city guard you move to; know that Legion will always be your home regardless of where we go.

"I am honored to have been able to lead a fine group of warriors and I wish you all the best for whatever comes next."

She looked at the assembled Legionnaires and smiled. "With Courage and Bravery!"

"We Defend Eternally!" They all shouted back with pride as Starstrike nodded as they felt the train slow.

-With Wind Wave-

Wind couldn't help but smile at his Commanders last speech and the resulting motto salute. He felt like he was really at home even after the last three years were the hardest he ever endured, the Legion was really a home and the pony's around him were family. A very mismashed family to be sure but a family nonetheless and one he was proud to be a part of. Commander Starstrike made her way to him with a smile still on her face.

"It's been a long ride hasn't it Recruit?" she asked with a smile as Wind looked at the station and the crowded platform outside the window.

"I'm glad it's over ma'am…..." Wind replied as he collected his bag and slung it over his back. "I'm really glad this nightmare is finally over."

"You and I both Recruit, despite how everything started I am glad you were with us." Starstrike said as Wind glanced back at her.

"Thank you…...for everything ma'am." he said lowly as Starstrike nodded before moving towards the back of the carriage while he went back to the window one more, missing her gaze as she turned back to him one more time before giving another unheard sigh as she kept walking.

The telltale sound of engaging brakes made everypony flood the aisle with their bags in anticipation of the crowd outside.

The moment the doors were opened, the sound of cheers almost took them all off their feet as they stepped out onto the platform and into the waiting arms of loved ones.

They were finally home.