I'm sorry if this story seems slow. To the reviews!

bluecatcinema: Honestly, I don't know how long it would take to forgive someone in this situation. *throws cake at you*

To the story!

(Eclipse's P.O.V)

"Hey."

I turned away from the window, half hoping that the pony trying to get my attention was Luna. A twinge of disappointment caused my shoulders to droop slightly. It wasn't her, it was Coldfire.

I could tell he was waiting for a response, so I swallowed and cleared my throat. "What?"

His eyes narrowed. "Come with me."

Dread formed in the pit of my stomach. "W-why?"

"Just hurry up!" He snapped, leading me out of the room. We went down the halls, his pace outstretching mine. This forced me to nearly run to keep up with him.

"Where are we going?" I asked, attempting to grab his shoulder.

"Shut up."

My ears flattened against my head and the corners of my mouth curled into a snarl. "Excuse me?"

Instead of answering, he pushed open a set of double doors. I tensed, expecting somepony to leap out at me. He led me further into the room, seeming perfectly at peace. He stopped near the wall, which I soon realized was lined with weapons. My eyes widened, my breath quickened and I shifted nervously from hoof to hoof. My instincts were screaming at me to run and I was starting to regret not doing so earlier.

The stallion pulled two wooden swords off the wall, turning to me. His eyes were cold, his face a mask of serenity. After a moment, he lifted one sword and tossed it. I caught it, confusion adding to the dread. "What is this for?"

Coldfire held his out to me in the normal fighting stance. "I'm getting bored, just watching you stare at the walls all night."

I blinked and held my weapon out as well. A smirk rose to my face and I tried not to laugh. "Well I hope you know what you're getting yourself into. In the Crystal Empire, if you don't progress in your training fast enough, you die."

"Well, if that's not motivation, I don't know what is."

"Are you mocking me?"

"Not at all." he replied, smirking at me. "Shall we begin?"

We sparred, trading insults back and forth. We continued in this fashion until Coldfire misstepped and ended up with my sword at his throat. "You know, you're lucky this isn't like how we train in the empire."

As I pulled my sword away, he grabbed his and took a step away from me. "What, do you train with real weapons there or something?"

I nodded. "What else would I have meant when I said if you didn't progress quickly enough, you would die?" I coughed, pain shooting through my side. "It's been too long since I've done this."

The stallion didn't seem impressed. "Look at this. Big bad Eclipse failing during training It's a good thing you're not part of the royal guard. You'd be torn to pieces within seconds."

"You wanna bet?" I growled before leaping at him. His eyes widened and he dodged, evidently not expecting the retaliation.

"At least I don't come from a place where death is more honorable than defending the innocent!" he said a few minutes later, after my fury had died down a bit.

"At least I don't stand around all day, doing nothing but watch ponies sleep!" I hissed back, my vision momentarily obscured as my mane fell in my eyes. I stumbled, attempting to get my mane out of my face. Suddenly, I felt the tip of a sword press against my throat and I backed up, my breath hitching even though I knew I wasn't actually in danger.

That damned condescending laugh of his rang out. "This is why all of us in the guard keep our manes short."

I grit my teeth, brushed my mane back into its proper place and glared at him. "Well, as you said," I pushed him away, holding my stupid branch of a practice sword out. "I'm not part of the royal guard. And if it consists of ponies such as you, I'm glad I'm not."

He blinked, his eyes filling with surprise. "Maybe you belong in the empire." His wings unfolded and his eyes narrowed at me. "You act just like that King of yours."

Distantly, I heard the door open behind, but decided not to risk looking to see who was coming in. Probably more members of the guard to back him up. "Do not compare me to him!" I shrieked, my wings unfolding, my pupils going to slits and my mane darkening. "I'm nothing like him!"

Coldfire threw his sword at me. I dodged it, but heard somepony gasp. I finally turned to see who was at the door and my heart nearly stopped. Luna was staring at the sword as it sailed toward her. She looked exhausted, her eyes were bloodshot like the last time I'd seen her and there were dark bags under them.

Her horn was glowing softly with blue light, but the sword hadn't slowed down. I ran toward her, jumped and grabbed the sword. Landing, I crushed the sword under a hoof, a snap echoing around the room.

I looked away from the sword to Coldfire. "You idiot!" I yelled at him. "I thought the royal guard was supposed to protect innocent ponies! How is throwing swords around protecting them?"

But he wasn't listening to me. He was staring at Luna in horror. "I'm sorry Princess!" He bowed, trembling.

It occurred to me that I should probably bow too, but instead I turned to the alicorn. She was looking at Coldfire. "It's alright."

"But-"

Luna cut him off, holding up a hoof. "I can take care of myself. A sword -especially a wooden one- is nothing. Now," she turned to me. "I need to speak with you."

My heart started pounding and I wasn't sure if it was out of excitement or dread. "Alright."