It had nearly been a year of solitude in this forest, well I could only guess it had been that long as the warm breeze of spring shifted through the slowly blooming trees, snow melting into the ground with the last of the sun's rays as it fell below the horizon, howls of the Timber wolves that roamed the area rose in unison as they prepared for the evening's hunt and allowed my own vocals to join in. Yes a pony was singing along with one of the most fearsome predators to their kind but it had been the only company I've had since fleeing the Royals, apart from Sweet Insanity who resided inside most of the time, only emerging if danger became present. We had grown closer as a being over the last few months here. The first few remained in silence then a couple of non-stop fighting for control. It had only been recently that we learned how to work together to ensure our survival. She had been trying to protect me since the start and I never knew about her until SteelBit had unleashed her rage. That damn stallion! I almost wish it had been me that finished him but Sweet Insanity was right, I had been in a far too fragile mind to deal with that and even if he did cause Aki's death I would of regretted it instantly.
Darkness of night fell over the forest as I gracefully descended from the safety of the trees, hooves landing with little more than a rustle as the disturbed the fallen debris and I walked the path that I had made for myself. Anypony would have called me crazy for taking this little stroll at possibly the most dangerous time for any herbivore but I had found that if you show yourself strong and confident most predators would be deterred from any possible fight and find another weaker prey, unless they were cocky adolescents trying to test themselves against anything that moved, though a few well aimed kicks to the ribs usually sent them running with tails between their legs.
The moon hung low through the trees as I continued my stroll, ears twisting at all sounds just to be on the safe side. The sounds of creatures scurrying through the night were strangely absent from my walk tonight, even the chirps from the crickets or the croaking of frogs that usually forbade my sleep did not make a peep. This I did not like. I remained wary my entire trip to the pond that I had found during one of my scouts, it was the freshest one that was available to me as I had witness many other animals come to quench their thirst here. As I drunk, the feeling of being watched loomed over me, that dreaded feeling of immediate danger, though I would not move, would not give away the advantage I had of knowing that something was there as my wings gently tightened around the cases that hugged my frame, ready to use.
Finishing, I turned to go back to my camp, selecting one of the more visible routes with a wider, more winding path. This one would take me longer to get back but would also confuse whoever was following me. Keeping my steady pace, I continued my walk, ears acting as radars at every sound that was heard.
*They are still behind us. We can lose them at the next bend. The trees get dense there.*
My paced picked up, only slightly as I rounded the bend. Wings unfurled and I launched myself into the branches above, barely ruffling the leaves as I hid. Carefully, I peered out, eyes concentrated on the dirt path as a figure emerged. A young timberwolf, perhaps only just reaching the end of its puppyhood. Glowing eyes scanned the area and it's barked nose sniffed around for any indication of a scent. If it found me, it would be difficult to fight it off. Where there is one timberwolf, especially one this young, there are bound to be more.
I kept low to the branch, slowly easing my way along to the trunk where more branches were accessible, ears still listening to the predator that occupied the path. Silently, I navigated through different trees, close enough to still see the path but hidden so I wouldn't attract to much attention. The rummaging of the timberwolf had stopped and I assumed that it had either found another unfortunate creature to feast upon or it had simply given up but yet I still remained in the trees, just to be sure. It was only when I could see the familiar discrete markings that I had left to indicate I was close to my camp, that I dropped from my leafy camouflage back onto the trail. Exhaling, my hooves moved in autopilot along the road I had walked many times in the past year and for a second I had let my guard down. Next thing I knew I was on the ground, disorientated and covered in a cloud of dust. It took a second to find my hooves and my knives were primed in my wings, aimed at the other figure that lay across from me.
Another pony, a stallion, slowly rose from the ground. Coughing to expel the dust that had intruded into his lungs, he shook himself from the fall. He was a dark blue colouration, almost like the nights sky with a blaze of white streaking from his forehead down to underneath his chin, like a shooting star sailing upwards. White, sock like markings rode up his back legs as well as his front left that nearly reached his shoulder. Mane and tail consisted of a lighter pale blue with a mid grey to contrast against it and a blazing comet cutie mark was adorned on his flank. The last thing that caught my attention were his eyes. A deep amethyst with hints of a just lighter purple. He had caught me staring at him, weapons raised and instantly he fell back.
"Woah, woah. Cool it. I don't mean any harm."
My muscles tensed up and Sweet was growling in my mind. He didn't look like much of a threat and with the way one of his wings was hanging painfully by his side, possibly injured, but that could be all be deceiving. My glare moved slightly to his side where a shotgun lay discarded then back to him.
"Kick it over. Now. If you even think about using it, I will gut you faster than you could pull the trigger."
Sweet Insanity's influence took over my speech and I assumed my right eye had turned into a deep crimson because of it, judging by the stallions reaction. He quickly kicked over the weapon and within an instant I disarmed it, the bullets falling to the ground and rolling in different directions. I held it by the shoulder strap that was attached to it and flung it around my neck, positioning it to sit on my back between my wings. I almost cringed at the feeling of the steel touching my flesh, memories flashing back.
"The pouch as well. Give it here."
An almost annoyed sigh escaped him as he pulled the satchel over his head and tossed it. An apple rolled out as it landed as well as extra ammo and a small dagger. I chucked back the apple but kept the rest of the remains, slinging it over my back with the gun.
"Please, dude. I don't want trouble. I'm injured and was only looking for a way out of the forest."
His voice sounded young yet mature, perhaps around my age and I studied him from my position once again. He still left his 'injured' wing hanging which I eyed carefully. It didn't look broken from what I could see, if anything one of the main support bones would have a crack in it and at worst maybe a hairline fracture. Easily repaired if he got to a medic before it got any more damaged.
"What happened?" Cautiously, I approached his side, holding out a hoof in a simple 'let me look' gesture. "May I?"
He nodded.
"Timberwolf. But like dude, you should had seen this thing. It was like the size of a dragon! The damn thing nearly tore my wing off. Luckily I got away."
I felt Sweet Insanity roll her eyes as I inspected the injured wing, my hoof reached out to touch it and the stallion hissed in pain. I hadn't even touched the damn wing yet. My counterpart laughed mentally as I carefully extended the appendage, checking to see if any bones were broken or muscles torn. There was nothing apart from a few punctures where teeth had hit flesh that would have been made by a young timberwolf that was only trying to be playful, perhaps the one that had been stalking me beforehand. The stallion would only be grounded for a day or so at most if he rested, so why make such a fuss?
*Maybe he wants to impress you…Wanna have a bit of fun with it?*
Her smile widened beneath and a chuckle echoed around in my head as the plan hatched inside. I pulled my hoof from his wing, which he slowly put back to his side, wailing in agony as he did so. My face fell deadpan as I tried to keep myself from laughing.
"Oh, this looks serious. It's totally ripped through your central birical." He gave me this confused look. "It affects your ability to fly and if not looked at soon, it could end up paralysing your spine."
Oh, that look of panic in his eyes. He had lapped it up like a dog on a hot day. I didn't know shit about complicated anatomy, only the differences between basic and life threatening injuries, heck, birical isn't even a word that I know of. Sweet Insanity was rolling in a fit of laughter and I'd even admit it was slightly satisfying to watch him squirm a little after trying to boast about taking down a full grown timberwolf.
"N-no... It's fine. See? I can totally still fly."
He started to back up a few paces and unfurled his wings slowly, trying not to show the pain that just coursed through, then took off in a gallop. Flapping his wings, he jumped….then crashed face first into the dirt. That was it. Seeing him basically parade his ass for all to see in a failed attempt to fly pushed me overboard as I fell down laughing. Inside, Sweet Insanity was in hysterics, almost hyperventilating to get air into our lungs. God, it had been so long since I...we laughed like that. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I made my way over to the male who was still in an indecent pose and held out a hoof to him.
"Come on. I was only playing. Your wing will be fine if we get a splint on it."
His white hoof fell in mine as I hoisted him to his hooves, amethyst eyes still filled with fear and hurt.
"I never got your name."
"Comet Blaze"
"NightSong. Now lets see to that wing"
Trotting over to a nearby tree, I managed to break off some branches and vines. Carefully, I placed the pieces of wood in place and wrapped the vines around to secure his wing to his side. It wasn't the best medical aid but it was decent enough to ensure that the wing wouldn't become too deformed to heal properly.
"Done. Now where did you come from? No pony comes this far into these woods."
"I'm actually on a scouting mission, to test my abilities. Guess I kinda failed at it huh?"
My eyes grew wide for a second but quickly gathered myself before he had noticed.
"Scouting mission? What do you mean by that? What are you looking for?"
"Oh, umm, that's classified information for someone that's not apart of the Elite Gua-anyway, I'm looking for a flag"
"Wait. The Elite? I thought that was just a myth. A simple tale told to keep ponies in line."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I said nothing of the Elite Guard, nor that I was a trainee in the system."
I don't think I've ever seen a hoof move that fast as he covered his mouth.
"So, they really do exist. Well, as a symbol of good gesture, I will take you to the forest's edge. But in return, you must forget that we ever met. Speak not a word about our encounter. Got it?"
"Why? You seem like you would fit right into the programs."
"It's…..complicated. Look, I don't have to explain myself to you. I've been fine out here on my own and I would rather it stay that way."
I backed away from him, facing away.
"Which direction do we need to head?"
"I don't know without seeing any visible landmarks. I know it's North-East of a boulder shaped like a manticore."
*I didn't realise how close we were from a sectioned area designed for scouting. They must be good.*
Well. Duh. The Elites were the best of the best. As
the story goes anyway. Only a selected few get accepted into it and majority are never heard from again. Turning, I begun to head back south, toward the path we had just walked on, ears listening to him quickly scurry after me as he realised I was leaving. The boulder he was talking about was only about an hours flight from my camp, it was one of the landmarks that I regularly pass on my early morning patrols of my surroundings. However with Comet Blaze grounded with his wing it would add an extra hour to our journey. For the majority of the quest, the stallion had kept quiet. It would have been fine, if he didn't look like he wanted to continuously ask something. After about an hour and twenty minutes, I was fed up with it.
"If you want to ask something, just do it. I can't guarantee an answer but it's better than hearing you fidgeting and scraping your hooves against the ground."
*Five bits it's about your eye.*
"What happened to your eye? I mean, I know there is a condition that makes ponies have two different coloured iris', but yours is different isn't it?"
"It's complicated to explain. All I remember is that it happened when I was a foal and that I would rather not talk about it with a complete stranger."
"Oh"
Silence filled the air between us and it was suffocating me, the tension thick in my throat that it refused to be swallowed. My blue eye rolled towards him, words ready to escape my lips but Comets voice filled the void.
"My mother had it. The same thing you have. It wasn't as noticeable, her right eye was only a hue or two darker than her left but it was still there. She taught me to appreciate everyponies differences, no matter how odd. She was a good mare."
"What happened to her?"
"Brain tumour. That's what the doctors said anyway. She was crazy by the time they had diagnosed her. But I don't think that was really it, it was like something was driving her crazy. Little voices whispering into her ear. It's the same with you, isn't it? That's why you're out here. To save the ones you love from the heartache."
*If only he knew*
Sweet Insanity's voice loomed but sadness resonated in it and the visions of Aki played in my mind. I quickly blinked back the tears that had already begun to swell. I refused to cry in front of a stranger, to show weakness, but it didn't stop the visible drop in my attitude.
"I already lost the one I loved."
It was a hushed whisper, barely audible as I pushed ahead of the stallion, continuing on the path. Whether he had heard me or not, Comet had stayed quiet for the remainder of our journey, only gentle coughs were heard from him. Not that I was really paying attention. My thoughts were elsewhere, back to the day Aki and I had first met. Strider had to go out on a mission, leaving me without a guardian to watch me. Nopony else was othered to watch such a young filly except Smith. His coat was covered in coal dust, even back then and he always had his goofy smile. The second stallion I had learned to trust and my foster grandfather. That lazy sunday I met her, hidden behind all the mountains of scraps away from prying eyes. Smith was her uncle. Her own parents had abandoned her for unknown reasons, and he had no way of contacting them to ever find out why. So he raised her himself, away from all the stallions that roamed the grounds. I think he was relieved the day they found me. I was somepony for her to play with, to play like a proper foal. We use to chase each other for hours around that forge, always finding new hiding spots, sharing everything with one another.
A sad smile danced its way gently on my lips as I stopped. Comet, not paying attention to where he was going, ran fair into my flank which provoked a growl to rumble through Sweet Insanity. He stammered out an apology before I shushed him and pointed towards the boulder that lay a few hundred meters away, just before the cover of the forest ended.
"This is where we part ways."
"You sure you don't want to join us? I'm sure they'll let you in."
"Heh, if you knew my past, you'd understand why they wouldn't. Well, see you around kid."
Turning, I walked into the foliage. I didn't want to take the risk of somepony seeing me this close to the ponies that were meant to be tracking me down. It had already been risk enough escorting Comet this close to the forest's edge.
"Wait. NightSong!"
I stopped at the sound of my name but forced my hooves to resume their intended path. It had been nice to actually be able to talk to somepony, but I was still a wanted pony. A menace that needed to be caught and placed in a cell. He called my name again but his warning went unnoticed until I felt the body of another drop from above. In a defensive action I began bucking in hopes to throw off my attacker until I heard a second noise come from my right. A lasso emerged from the bushes, it's intent clear as I only just managed to dodge it by rolling, not caring about the being still attached to my back. In that motion, I managed to get them off and my wings went to the pressure point on my casings to dispel my knives. My wings brushed against nothing but fur and flesh as I panicked. Where was my weapon?
A whistle answered as the pony that had been previously on my back levitated it in front of him, taunting me with the fact that he had so easily disarmed me.
I should have know this was going to be a trap. Mismatched eyes shot daggers at Comet who just stood there dumbfounded about what had happened as the attackers began to tie my wings down to ensure that I wouldn't fly off. They had also handed Comet back his pouch and shotgun before they pushed me forward to the place that would hold my fate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They had lead me a fair way, through gates disguised as trees and small shrubbery and through, what I could only explain as the training grounds. A maze of winding hallways and a few ridiculously high flights of stairs, they finally stopped before an oak door. Knocking on it's surface summoned a voice within.
"Come in"
The charcoal pony that had been in the Chiefs office a year previous, now sat in front of me.
"So...You managed to evade our top scouts, whom had been scouring that forest everyday since your disappearance. Yet a simple trainee was able to find you. Maybe you weren't as good as the Chief lead us to believe."
"The fact still remains that I evaded you for a year."
A chuckle escaped his muzzle and a simple wave of his hoof made the weapons that were pointed at me disappear along with the ponies that wielded them as they left the room, leaving me, Comet and The Serpent alone.
"Sir. I don't know of her past, but she helped me when she could have just as easily left me for the timberwolves."
"Thank you Blaze, I am aware of her deed towards you and I thank her for it. It would have been a shame to lose such a promising young Basilisk. Which is why I have a proposition for her. If, that is, she'll hear me out."
Both heads turned towards me and my stance automatically stood tall, head held high.
"And what would that be?"
"You can be gracefully escorted back to the Royal Guards to face your punishment." This cause a laugh to escape, that was a death wish already. The Serpent raised an eye before continuing."Or you join us. Use the skills you've already learned and improve yourself. I know you have so much more potential in you that what those 'Guards' have to offer."
A simple nod of my head was all he needed as he called back in the ponies from before.
"Show our little Taipan to the barracks. Blaze. I entrust you with giving her the rundown of this place, seeing as you seem so fond of her."
"Wh-Yes Sir"
Another wave of his hoof and we found ourselves being ushered out into the hall, the door closing behind us with a heavy thunk. A breath I didn't know I was holding slowly left my lungs and it seemed that Comet was the same. His gaze met mine and his lips spread in a large smile.
"Welcome to the Elite, Taipan."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Over the following weeks, Comet taught me what it meant to be apart of this organization, if you could call it that. I learned the different classes that ponies were sectioned in. There were the Vipers that handle anything technical, where a problem and what it was. Once that's found out, they send the Basilisks, the scouts. Then there are the Boa's, whose main job was crowd control and ensuring that the situation remained calm and well handled. Next was the Rattlers, tasked with diversions. If the Boa's are unsuccessful with keeping the peace then the Rattlers step in to change their focus, also good at keeping an enemy or target distracted. Then finally there are the Adders. They are the ones who subdue any targets they are given, and in an extreme case, terminate them.
Anyone new to the Elites go through a strict training regime to determine where their abilities would best be beneficial, then they are given codenames to be called when out on a mission. He explained that it was rare for the Serpent to give a new pony a codename before training unless he sees something within them. I called bullshit. Though he had been around the Guard a lot while I was in training.
"So what about you? He keeps calling you Blaze."
"Well Blaze is actually my name. I added Comet to it because of my cutie mark." He lifted his wing to show the blazing comet the trailed down his leg. "But he said Blaze suits me because of my speed so that's what he decided mine would be."
"Ah"
I mean, I guess it makes sense. In a way. But why would I be called Taipan? I know they strike fast and can be rather reclusive.
*They are also apart of the Adder family. Adder being one of the classes. Maybe he's been watching you longer than you think.*
My alter twin floated to existence in my mind. I've begun making a habit of pretending she had a physical body next to me instead of just a disembodied voice in my head. She seemed to like it even though it wasn't a real body that she could control. Comet would sometimes look at me weirdly when I try to audibly speak to her, forgetting that nopony else could see her. But Sweet Insanity could sometimes see things that my naked eye would and had definitely widened my peripheral vision.
*Night. Come look at this.*
I turned my head toward her as she floated through the river of ponies that were currently using the corridor towards the other side. Instantly, I followed.
Comet tried to keep pace with me as I broke through the crowd, eyes widened at the framed image that hung upon the wall. A gentle white mare was pictured, her mane decorated with baby blue and moonkissed silver. Silver eyes stared emptily out from the portrait and I heard Comet speak.
"The Elites most renowned Boa. She could control a crowd quicker than anypony that's been in here, apart from the Serpent himself. Apparently she left to start her own family with a stallion of esteemed lineage and became reclusive after that. I heard she came back a few years later seeking help, something about her filly but when the Basilisks arrived they only found her husband sulking in the corner of the bathroom muttering something about ghosts. They never found the filly and presumed she had been killed."
"Where is he now?"
"He was locked up in the mental ward on the other side of the grounds. But escaped when we had a power fault during a large storm, before I came here. Why?"
I couldn't answer him. What was I meant to say? That I'm that child that was supposively killed all those years ago?
"Sounds like a story from a bad horror movie. Though I wish I had met her."
"Oh. You can. When she gets back from her mission. I think she'd like you. Actually, I think that would be her returning now." He pointed his head in the direction of the gates where a crowd had begun to gather. "The Serpent said something about her giving a speech to the newbies. You wanna come join me in welcoming them back?"
My jaw dropped and already my mind was cast into chaos. Mother was alive? After all these years? And she's been here all this time?
He took my silence as a no and had already gotten lost in the mass bodies of ponies that had already gathered. I watched from the corridor as more joined in the pile. Ponies from different specialties came together to welcome home the ones that had been away for so long. The Guards never did anything like this, the most you'd get was a pat on the back and a 'Looks like you weren't eaten this time' before shoving you up to the Chiefs office for reports. It was strange to see so many ponies with varying differences care for another that wasn't even apart of there class. But still, it made me smile.
I spotted Comet in the middle of the crowd, hovering slightly above the rest before another Pegasus pulled him down by his tail to ground him. Everypony was equal here, treated equally. They were one big group that could do anything.
A smaller group of ponies emerged in the crowd and everypony else stood back to give them space as the walked through the main ground. The larger crowd slowly broke off as the excitement simmered down. It was only then I was able to catch a small glimpse of one of the most unforgettable cutie marks I had learned. A blue heart with 3 silver swirls around it, the same colours that adorn my mane and tail. I had no doubt that it was her as my hooves moved themselves forward, dragging me to the archway that they would enter to go to The Serpents office. She was so close, but every time there was a chance to take a look, the sun decided to be blinding and filter through the corridor, flooding it with light. It took a few seconds to regain my vision and tried to glance back down the corridor. Instead I was met with the white mare standing in front of me, those silver eyes carefully looking me over.
"Mom?"
A.N (AHHHHHH this took way too much effort to try and type! And all the talking! OMG! Anyway, the next chapter may be a little while. But I'll try and get it up within a decent time. If this seems rushed, it's because it is. I just really wanted to get it done)
