Chapter 13

Glimpses of the Truth

The Next Day-

Miss Twilight Sparkle-

My name is Flowing Script, and I'm the head symbologist at the University of Stalliongrad. One of my colleagues passed along your letter inquiring as to whether we have any information on the Elements of Harmony or their corresponding Symbols.

I've good news for you: I know the Symbol of Loyalty. I normally wouldn't volunteer this information; however, I've spoken with the head of my clan, and as you are the Bearer of Magic, the Princess's personal student and are pursuing an academic goal, we've decided to make an exception.

You see, my ancestral grandfather served during the War of the Sun and Moon, and had the honor of belonging to a prestigious group of knights called the Order of the Zodiac. I know that the Canterlot history records are woefully lacking from that time period, so it's understandable if you haven't heard of them. These stallions were skilled, courageous, versatile, and led countless battles to victory against Nightmare Moon's soldiers.

After the War, each of the Zodiac Knights was granted a boon from Princess Celestia in recognition for the services. My ancestor requested that he be allowed to use the Symbol of Loyalty as the crest for his new clan. The Princess denied this, as she saw danger in such a thing becoming common knowledge. So she crafted a new Symbol for him, one that is not the true thing, but holds faint traces of its magic.

While my ancestor understood the Princess's reasoning, he didn't want the origins of our crest to be forgotten. And so he committed its image to memory, and passed the knowledge and story down through the generations.

You can be assured that there is no danger in this. We've zealously guarded this secret over the centuries, for we too understand the potential danger the Symbol poses. The Princess is aware of my grandfather's actions, or at least, she was at one time. It's likely that she's forgotten, and is why she didn't tell you herself.

Hidden on the back of this parchment is the true Symbol of Loyalty. You'll need to use a Greater Revealing spell to see it. I apologize for such a measure, we feel it is necessary in the slim chance in this letter is lost or intercepted. I've heard that you're an accomplished Abjurer, so I assume you won't have a problem with even such advanced magic.

I wish you luck in your thesis spell.

Flowing Script, Professor of Symbology

P.S. The Ares clan sends the Bearer of Loyalty their regards.

Twilight sucked on her teeth as she finished reading. She stared at the back of the beige parchment, which was blank and nondescript. She snorted and shook her head as she set down the Professor's letter.

"What's so funny?"

She glanced up at Spike, who was sitting up in the loft with Blair. Both of them were holding small carving knives, and beside them was a collection of files, hammers, and chisels. Two blocks of wood sat on small pedestals before them that looked like the beginnings of a multifaceted gem and a lotus.

"Let's just say that some ponies are overly cautious," Twilight replied. She walked over to the Arcana section of the library and perused it, looking for a particular book.

Blair had been carving petals out of his block of wood, which was a shade darker than Spike's. He watched her pull out a narrow tome with a violet bookmark in its spine. "In what way?"

"Like concealing the Symbol of Loyalty with an Illusion spell so powerful, you need a Greater Revealing spell to see it." Twilight rolled her eyes as she opened the book and browsed the table of contents. "I may as well use Truesight while I'm at it."

He gave no reaction to her words. Suddenly, his carving snapped in two.

"Would you look at that," Blair said in a completely normal tone. "I really was using too hard of a wood. I should've listened to you, Spike."

"I told you not to use maple." He looked at the ruined carving and shook his head. "If you're gonna do something fine and detailed like a flower, you need something softer. Try balsa wood or cork."

"Lesson learned, I suppose." Blair looked down at Twilight. "I'm going to get some more wood from the basement. Be right back."

He vanished in a teal flash before she could say anything. She shrugged and returned to the book, finding the entry for Greater Revealing. As she prepared to cast a spell, a thought struck her. She looked back up at Spike.

"Do you want to run an errand?"

Spike looked up from his carving. "What do you need?"

"Not what," Twilight said with a smile. "Who."

( * * * )

Rainbow Dash stood at the outdoor pegasus track at Ponyville Fitness Center. It was windy today with a mild chill, the last remnants of summer finally giving way to the more comfortable, albeit temperamental weather of autumn. The cloudless sky was turning dull as the sun finished its descent, and the grounds were almost deserted. The only ponies around were the diehards that frequented the place like clockwork. Rainbow stood on the grass inside the oval track wearing a Wonderbolts cap and a silver whistle, and beside her was a device that looked like a fan with a meter on the side.

She looked down the track to see Esra and Tastar, the latter of which was in a crouching position at the starting point for the five hundred meter dash. She couldn't see the details of his form at this distance; however, she trusted that he was as ready as her.

All right, I remembered the anemometer today. Let's see what they can do. Rainbow took a deep breath and blew the whistle as hard as she could.

Tastar took off down the track in response. She watched as he blasted towards her, the grasses blown back by the force of his acceleration. The disturbance increased as he picked up speed. She watched now as he came into focus, gritting his teeth as he flapped his wings as hard as he could. Rainbow braced herself as he sped past, and following his wake was a faint roar that resonated in her eardrums. She looked down at the spinning anemometer, which slowly came to a stop.

Fourteen point-nine. Not bad, not bad at all. She turned to see him panting for breath and circling around back to her. As he approached, he stuck his head over her shoulder to see if he could catch a glimpse of the reading. She covered it with one hoof and cleared it, making a reproachful tsk-ing sound.

"No peeking."

Tastar squinted as a mischievous grin formed on his lips. "I will see it one of these times."

Rainbow winked at him. "Low numbers like this are nothing. I'll let you see it when you get out of the teens."

He gave a short, incredulous laugh. "You know, most ponies consider ten wingpower to be the ultimate goal."

"Most ponies aren't supposed to be protecting me." Rainbow hovered in the air and crossed her hooves. "Answer me this: if something happened right now, would you be able to handle it better than I could?"

Tastar put a hoof to his chin, looking up in mock contemplation.

Rainbow laughed as she landed and gave him an earnest smile. "I'm not expecting you to do what I can. I just want you to be the best you can be. And believe me when I say you both still have room for improvement."

Tastar flicked his eyes down the track, where the light red dot that was Esra was now waiting at the starting line. "Speaking of which..."

Rainbow sighed and followed his gaze. "Yeah, I suppose we should bring him down here."

"I'm sorry you guys can't get along," Tastar said. "You're a lot alike, to be honest."

"I think that's the problem," Rainbow said dryly. "If somepony showed up that blew me out of the water in everything I thought I was good at, I wouldn't like them much, either."

Tastar's reply was drowned out by Rainbow's whistle.

Esra took off like a bullet. They watched as he zoomed towards them, the grass blowing back in reaction to his speed much as it had for Tastar. The wind flickered at the halfway point, and his features gained definition as he approached. They could now see his mouth was open in a scream. Rainbow dug in her hooves as Esra shot past the both of them, the roar accompanying him an instant later. They winced and covered their ears.

Rainbow remembered herself and shooed Tastar away, who was lingering around with a peculiar look in his eyes. His ears drooped as he realized his plan had been foiled. When she was sure he was away, she looked down at the anemometer, which had already recorded the reading.

Fifteen point-four. These guys are improving faster than I thought! I suppose it makes sense; they say that amateurs soak up the exertion like a sponge during the first six months of working out. Heh, if they're showing this kind of improvement after only three weeks they might actually get to be half as good as me! Too bad that still musses up my plans… oh well, one thing at a time, I suppose.

Esra was standing in the middle of the track some distance away from them. Rainbow motioned to Tastar and flew over to him. Esra looked up as they approached, but was too winded to say anything.

Rainbow fought to keep down the condescending smirk that she found herself wearing so often when she was around him. It's not like I want to flaunt the fact I'm better. He's just so plothurt, I can't help but give him grief. If he just accepted it and looked to me for guidance like Tastar, we'd get along fine.

Tastar flew in behind her. She hid her emotions behind a stoic mask and addressed both of them. "You're getting better. Nowhere near where I want you to be, but definitely a good start."

Esra had regained his breath enough to make a derisive snort. "And where exactly would you like us to be?"

Rainbow's lips twitched. "In a perfect world, I'd want you to do everything I can. Since that's not going to happen though, I want you to get as close as your bodies will allow."

Esra scoffed. "You expect us to climb a mountain with the full knowledge that we'll never get to the top. It's not easy to stay motivated."

Tastar nudged him. "I thought you liked a challenge. There's no reason to stop if we haven't hit our limits."

"It's not easy holding back for you either," Rainbow shot back at Esra. "You have no idea what I'm sacrificing to work with you like this."

"Sacrificing?" Tastar blinked. "Sacrificing what?"

She regarded him with contemplative eyes. You know? I'd tell him. He's been a good sport, and recognizes a superior when he sees one. Esra, though? He's done nothing but moan and complain the entire time. I'd rather confide in a rock over him; at least the rock wouldn't talk back. Although, is that more punishing to him or me? If I hold back just for the sake of snubbing Esra, I don't get to hear Tastar's opinion. Not like I'm gonna change my plans at this point, but I'm kinda curious to see what he thinks.

Rainbow cleared her throat. "I'm not satisfied with being a weatherpony. Truth be told, I never wanted to do this in the first place. I've had some long-term plans set in motion for a while now, and you guys coming here has set them back."

"In what way?" Esra asked. "What other professions are there for pegasi around here?"

Rainbow took off her Wonderbolts cap and held it up to her eyes."None that I'm interested in. That's why I'm going to bring the profession to me."

Tastar tilted his head to look at the cap. His lips parted as a slow smile started to build on his face. "What're you insinuating?"

A hungry look appeared in Rainbow eyes. "I'm going to —"

"Rainbow!"

All three of them turned to see Spike running towards them from the direction of the Fitness Center. He waved to them as he approached.

Esra did a double take. "Is that what I think it is?!"

Tastar put a hoof on his shoulder. "It's fine. He lives with the Bearer of Magic."

"She has a dragon familiar?" Esra cringed and took a step closer to his partner, lowering his voice. "Are you okay?"

Tastar leaned to the side and spoke out of the corner of his mouth. "Of course I am. Not even Sagittarius would've had a problem with a wyrmling. I've known about Spike since he hatched in Canterlot ten years ag—"

"What are you two whispering about?"

Rainbow's chin was lowered as she looked at them through her eyelashes. She glanced at Spike, who was almost to them. "You got a problem with him or something?"

Tastar winced. "It's not—"

"I was hoping I'd find you here!" Spike ran around Esra and Tastar and went to over Rainbow. He stopped a moment to catch his breath.

She swished her tail as her gaze lingered on the two guards. She then reluctantly shifted her attention to Spike. "Hey, sport. What'cha need?"

Spike straightened and grinned. "Twilight thinks she's found the Symbol of Loyalty. She wants you to come over so you can check it."

Oh, really? This oughta be good. I'm surprised, though; she sounded really unsure when she told me and Pinkie about this last Sunday. Maybe she got a lucky break. Rainbow raised her eyebrows. "I'll be right over. You want a ride back?"

Spike's pupils filled his eyes in response. His posture slackened as he gave her a look of pure, innocent longing.

Rainbow chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes." She put a gentle hoof on his shoulder, turning him around so she could examine his scaly back. It was still smooth and flat, interrupted only by his spines.

Spike lowered his head. "Still nothing, I know."

Poor kid. Too bad we have no idea when his wings are gonna come in. They will, though. It's just a matter of time. She rotated him back around and crouched so he could get on her back. "Don't worry; you'll get 'em. And then you'll get to learn the joys of proper wing maintenance."

"You're still gonna give me flying lessons, right?" Spike asked as he climbed aboard and got settled.

"Either me or Fluttershy," Rainbow replied as she put her cap on Spike's head. "Depends on what kind of wings you have."

"We're going to the library?" Tastar interrupted.

"Yeah." She trotted towards the both of them, spreading her wings for take-off. "Don't think you're off the hook, though."

( * * * )

Twilight was writing out a complex calculation for her array on the chalkboard when the door slammed open with a bang. She jerked and turned to see Spike, leaning against the doorframe wearing a Wonderbolts cap with his eyes half-closed and jaw slack. On his face was the goofiest smile she'd ever seen.

"Found… Rainbow." He staggered in like he was drunk.

Twilight dropped the chalk and sprinted over to him, looking him up and down as he wobbled forward. "Are you all right?! What happened?!"

Spike's glazed eyes slowly met hers. "Gave me… ride." His eyes crept up to the ceiling. "So much sky…"

She picked him up in her aura and set him on the table. He swayed back and forth, continuing to gaze upward with a look of awe. "Not enough… more... want wings…"

Twilight got goosebumps as she beheld his dazed state. She put a hoof on his shoulder and shook him. "Snap out of it!"

"Freedom..." Spike's eyes rolled into the back of his head as he fell onto her shoulder; the hat fluttering to the floor.

Twilight stood stock still as she supported his limp form. She pushed him back and laid him down on the table. It was then that she heard the sounds of other ponies at the door. She turned to see Rainbow, who was holding a hoof to her face to suppress her snickering. Her two guards stood just behind her.

Twilight stared at her as she pointed at Spike. "What did you do to him?!"

Rainbow flexed her wings and smirked. "I gave him a taste of things to come."

"You took him flying?!" Twilight opened Spike's eyes to see if they were dilated. "How much did you do?"

"I was gonna go easy, honest." She walked in and over to Twilight. "The minute we took off though, he got giddy and started egging me on. His excitement was kinda contagious, and I might've gone a little overboard."

"A little?!" Twilight gestured to Spike's unconscious form. "He looks like he's been drugged!"

"Drugged on euphoria, maybe." She snorted as she examined Spike, who was still wearing the same goofy smile as he lay spread-eagled on the table.

Twilight stepped away from Spike and spoke in a sharp tone. "I really wish you hadn't done this. Now he's going to be begging to go flying every chance he gets."

Rainbow met her friend's eyes. "Like it or not Twi, Spike's got the sky in his blood. He wouldn't be acting like this if he didn't."

"I know that," Twilight said. "He should get his wings in a few years; I just don't want him trying to go out in the hot air balloon by himself, or even worse, bugging you or Fluttershy for rides."

Rainbow picked up her hat and set it on the table. "I've already promised I'll teach him when his wings grow in. I don't see the harm in giving him a sneak peek."

Twilight turned back to Spike, who was still out cold. She levitated him up to the loft and placed him in his basket. "I guess we'll have to see when he wakes up."

Rainbow turned back to see Esra and Tastar, who were looking around the library. She motioned at them to Twilight. "You've met them, haven't you?"

Twilight searched her memory as she looked at the guards. "Tastar, was it? I haven't met the other one."

Rainbow grimaced and leaned in close. "You're better off that way."

"Is Blair around?"

Tastar was looking around the library, searching for the guard in question.

"Up here," Blair said. He was sitting in his usual spot up in the loft, watching the events unfold.

Tastar gave him a casual salute, then turned to Rainbow and jerked up at the loft. "We'll be up there."

She nodded and watched him walk up the stairs. Esra politely bowed to Twilght before following him.

Rainbow turned back to Twilight. "So Spike said you found my Symbol."

Twilight was clearing a stack of books off the table to make room. She set them beside a shelf and rolled her neck. "Pretty sure, anyway."

"Where'd you find it?"

"A professor at Stalliongrad University happened to know it," Twilight replied. She motioned to a piece of parchment on the table. On it was a drawing of a backwards 'Z' with two dots and a diagonal slash like a lightning bolt through the center.

Rainbow picked up the parchment and examined it, titling it back and forth. "Looks pretty cool. I'm not feeling anything, though."

"I didn't feel anything with the Symbol of Magic until I cast a spell on it," Twilight took a few steps away from Rainbow and stood beside the chalkboard. "I'm going to do that now."

"Gotcha." The paper became encased in Twilight's magic and hovered in midair just before Rainbow.

"You ready?" Twilight asked.

Rainbow took a deep breath as she steadied herself. "Yep."

"Here we go." Twilight cast the Identification spell.

The lines of the Symbol of Loyalty flickered. Rainbow squinted and leaned forward, and the Symbol turned bright red in response. It gave a faint pulse, causing her to jolt as a match was ignited in her core.

What the—I know this feeling… where from, though?

It was like the Symbol was calling to her in a faint, undeniable voice. The burning sensation inside her didn't get any stronger, but it was still there, familiar and tantalizing. Rainbow took a step forward.

That's right; it was at the castle in the Everfree. I was running up the stairs with the others, and Twilight was alone with Nightmare Moon.

Rainbow felt like she was being drawn forward by a magnet. She took another step towards the Symbol, her lips parting as the memories continued.

There was a loud cracking sound. We ran into a big room and saw Nightmare Moon had destroyed the Elements. We all ran to Twilight, trying to help her. As we did, I started to feel hot, like I was running a fever. I thought Nightmare Moon was doing something, so I tried to resist it. It only got worse though, making me feel hotter and hotter. It made me feel strong, more alive. I wasn't about to question it, so I just kept running.

The Symbol of Loyalty flared brightly as its Bearer approached. Rainbow's heartbeat slowed as her eyes became unfocused.

The world slowed down as I ran. The outlines of things seemed to blend and pulse. The Element of Loyalty appeared around my neck, and the heat turned into an inferno. My vision became tinged with red, and I became aware of everything around me. The girls, the ruined castle, the forest beyond, and most of all, Nightmare Moon. I saw her for what she truly was: A poor, ravaged creature that was possessed by her own hatred, bitterness, and sorrow. It was wrong. Nopony should have to suffer like that. I pitied her. I wanted to help her. She was so far gone, though. There was only one thing that I could do.

Rainbow was now only inches away from the parchment. The light of the Symbol of Loyalty became reflected in her eyes.

Cleanse her in righteous fire.

"Rainbow!"

Rainbow blinked. She realized the tip of her nose was pressed against the parchment. She shook her head and backed away.

"I called your name three times." Twilight was bouncing on her hooves with a giant grin on her face. "You looked like you were hypnotized."

Rainbow took one more look at the Symbol before dragging herself away and turning to Twilight. "This thing's the real deal for sure."

Twilight leaned forward, her eyes glued to her friend. "Did it make you feel something?"

Rainbow's shoulders slumped as she looked at her with a deadpan expression."No, I just really like the smell of paper."

Twilight giggled. "I got a really vivid memory of when we were back in the Forest and used the Elements. Did you get something like that, too?"

The burning feeling was gone. Rainbow tossed her mane, shaking clear the remnants of the magic. "Felt like I went back in time."

"Good enough for me!" Twilight made a sketch of the Symbol of Loyalty on her chalkboard beside the Symbol of Magic. "Two down, four to go."

Rainbow's gaze shifted back over to the parchment. "So some random professor in Stalliongrad just happened to know what my Symbol was, eh? What's the deal with that?"

Twilight finished her sketch and turned back to Rainbow. "It's something like a family heirloom to his clan. From his letter, it sounded like he went through some trouble to convince them to show it to me. I'll have to send him a thank you letter."

Rainbow cocked her head. "Why wouldn't they want to show it to you?"

She opened her mouth to reply. She seemed to reconsider though, and looked up to the loft instead to see the three guards in quiet conversation.

"Hey, Blair?"

They all paused. Esra and Tastar turned their attention to the windows beyond as Blair turned to Twilight and Rainbow.

"Yes?"

"You've read about the War of the Sun and Moon, right?"

He nodded. "It's one of my favorite battles in history. I've spent more time researching it than any other."

"Have you ever heard of the Order of the Zodiac?"

Esra and Tastar had their backs turned, so she didn't see their expressions. Blair pursed his lips as he looked up at the ceiling. After a time, he clucked his tongue and looked down at her."

"Yes, I have."

Twilight sat on her haunches. "What do you know about them?"

"They were an elite group of knights that served directly under Princess Celestia during the war." Blair put away the book he was holding and walked down the stairs. "They played a key role in many victorious battles, and saved untold lives by defending the citizens of Canterlot from Nightmare Moon's forces."

Rainbow lowered her eyes for a moment before speaking up. "So they were generals?"

Blair shook his head. "More like Special Operatives. Their talents and skill sets were varied, each of them uniquely suited for different kinds of situations."

Twilight wrinked her brow. "Such as?"

"I wish I knew," Blair said with a hint of regret. He regarded the newly drawn Symbol of Loyalty on the chalkboard. "The texts I've found only say that the Princess was reluctant to use the Zodiac Knights. They don't say why."

"How many were there?" Rainbow asked.

Blair's eyes flickered. "Twelve."

"Interesting," Twilight said. "I might have to ask the Princess about them sometime."

"She could probably give you more information," Blair agreed. "What brought this up, though?"

Twilight motioned to the parchment. "Apparently, one of Zodiac Knights wanted to use the Symbol of Loyalty as the crest for his clan. The Princess made a new crest for him instead, but he wanted his line to know its origins. So he memorized the Symbol and showed it to his family, and they've passed it down in secret ever since."

Blair rubbed his chin. "Is that so? I never actually knew that. Do you happen to know the name of the clan?"

"Ares." She hovered the letter to him so he could examine the postscript.

From above, Esra began to whistle terribly off-key.

Blair's face was stoic as he looked at the letter. "I see."

Twilight studied his reaction. "Have you heard that name before?"

Blair shook his head and returned the parchment to her. "I was just curious. I don't think I'll be going to Stalliongrad any time soon, but I'll have to touch base with them sometime."

"Maybe I can ask them more about his ancestor when I write them my thank-you letter," Twilight said. "The more I hear about the War of the Sun and Moon, the more I don't like that the Canterlot records are so incomplete. Why hasn't the Princess gotten copies of the history records from other cities?"

"Maybe she just doesn't like being reminded of it." Blair suggested. "It wasn't exactly one of her greatest moments in history, remember."

Twilight looked at the floor. "This doesn't seem right. It's almost like she's hiding something."

"Not my place to say," Blair said with a shrug. "You probably know her better than me."

Twilight said nothing and stared out the entrance window. She realized with a start that the sun had set. "I forgot it's so late." She turned to Rainbow. "Thanks for stopping by to check this for me."

"No problem." Rainbow flipped her cap on her head and started for the door. Esra and Tastar noticed her movement and stepped out of sight. "You'll be at Applejack's for Granny Smith's party on Friday, right?"

"I was planning on it," Twilight said. Her ears twitched as she heard the sound of the upstairs balcony door closing. "Between you and Blair, I'm sure I'll get there."

Blair chuckled and went back up to the loft. "Hopefully without any kicking and screaming."

( * * * )

Rainbow concentrated on improving flexibility in the evenings, and she had discovered that the best way to do that was through Yoga. Esra seemed to have some experience with this and helped out Tastar, who was having trouble accepting the validity of the exercises. When both of them explained to him that it would greatly relieve the soreness of his muscles however, he did it without complaint.

The three of them now stood in Rainbow's living room. It normally was filled with three chairs and a coffee table, but those had been moved to the sides to make space. The chairs were stacked beside a small two-shelved bookcase in the corner, which was filled with books on nutrition, fitness, meteorology, and one book that looked like the title had been scratched out. Framed colorful posters of the Wonderbolts hung on the walls, each of them depicting a different championship won by the team. A massive display case stood proudly against front wall completely filled with Rainbow's impressive collection of first place trophies from various competitions.

"So Rainbow," Tastar said. He was bent down into a push-up position. "About what we were talking about before—"

"Oh, yeah." Rainbow said. She was lying on her back, raising a back leg in the air. "What's your guys' deal with Spike? You didn't seem to like him or something."

"Not that," Esra cut in, noticing Tastar grinding his teeth. "He meant about what you're sac—"

It only took Rainbow's piercing glare to silence him. She turned back to Tastar. "I said you weren't off the hook. Come on, what's the deal? He may be a dragon, but he's just a kid."

"Kid isn't the correct ter—" Tastar bit his own tongue and clamped his mouth shut.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow at him. She turned onto her stomach and pushed up the front half of her body. "Isn't the correct what now?"

"Careful, Rainbow." Esra was bent backwards in a table shape. "You have no idea what you're getting into."

And you have no idea how much I hate it when ponies hide stuff from me. Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Why don't you enlighten me, then?"

Tastar whimpered as pressed his mouth into a thin line. He went over to the wall and did a hoofstand on his elbows, his back legs twitching as he balanced.

Esra watched him through the corner of his eye. "Tastar is somewhat knowledgeable about dragons. He tries not talk about it because he understands others don't share his enthusiasm."

"You know about dragons?" Rainbow got up from her pose and walked over beside him. He was still balancing upside-down. "Maybe you can answer a question, then."

Tastar's face was turning red. She couldn't tell if it was from him trying not to say anything or from the blood rushing to his head. "I… can… try," He managed.

Rainbow looked to the ceiling. ""Well, I don't know if I have enough info. I mean, I don't even know what kind of dragon Spike is. "

"Amethy—ahh!"

Rainbow looked down at Tastar. He'd tried to cover his mouth with a hoof, and had fallen onto his face. He lay on the floor in a heap, his face still pressed against the floor.

She tried not to laugh as she helped him to his hooves. "What was that?"

Tastar looked up at met her eyes. Rainbow was staring at him unblinking with an inquisitive smile on her face. He said something in a voiceless whisper.

Rainbow leaned forward. "I didn't catch that."

Tastar's entire head shuddered as he tried to keep silent. His face turned red again, the pressure building to unstable levels. Realizing what was about to happen, Esra plugged his ears.

"Here we go…"

Tastar's head twitched like a bird. He took an enormous breath and spoke like an auctioneer.

"Spike's an Amethyst dragon halfway through the Wyrmling stage of his lifecycle. Amethysts are longer lived than most dragons, although this is speculated upon simply because the race as a whole tends to live out their early years amongst the civilized races and more of them are allowed to reach maturity. He's of normal height and weight, has above average magical ability, and his mental acuity is developing at a normal rate. He's shown no signs of any illness or birth defects known of to the magical races. Amethyst dragons are unique in that they've been used by magi for thousands of years as familiars, the reason for this being that they can become attuned to their master's magic. In doing so, the two parties form a link between their magical fonts. This has a wide variety of advantages, and Amethyst parents will often times donate at least one egg from every clutch they produce to one of the magical races. Spike was hatched ten years ago by Twilight and serves as her familiar. However, he's magically bound to Celestia so that he may transfer messages back and forth between them."

Rainbow's jaw had dropped around the third sentence. By the time Tastar had finished, she was staring at him like she was meeting him for the first time.

Mother of Celestia… he's the Twilight of dragon knowledge.

Tastar panted as he stared at the ground. "That felt good. Okay, does that answer your question?"

Rainbow shook her head clear. "Actually, no."

Tastar blinked. "Really? Because I can go into more detail—"

"By the Sun and Moon, let me talk."

Tastar's ears drooped as he clamped his mouth shut again.

Rainbow stepped back into the middle of the room and into the stretching pose she'd been in before. "You'll obviously know this. When will Spike's wings come in?"

"Amethysts develop their wings when they reach the Young Adult stage of their lifecycle," Tastar said immediately. "He'll get them in about ten years."

Rainbow nodded, maintaining a stoic expression. "Okay then, next question."

"Shoot."

She jumped up into the air, pointing both her forehooves at him. "How the bucking hay do you know all that?!"

Tastar laughed and sat on his haunches. He started to bend forward as far as he could. "It's part of my job."

Rainbow watched him with a critical eye as he did the new pose she'd taught him the previous day. She landed and gently pushed him farther forward. "What do you mean?"

Tastar maintained his posture. "I'm a Dragoon."

Rainbow paused. "Is that your rank or something?"

"It's a kind of specialist," Esra said. He sat down beside Tastar and imitated his pose. "Dragoons specialize in tactics for fighting very large enemies; such as hydras, ursas, manticores, rocs... and dragons."

Never heard of them before. Not like that's much of a surprise; I've never been interested in the military. Satisfied that they were both doing the pose right, she sat on the other side of Tastar and joined them. "So you know all that so you can fight them?"

Tastar nodded. "If there's one mantra I live by, it's 'Know Thine Enemy.'"

Rainbow was bent so far forward her head was touching the ground. Her voice was muffled as she spoke. "Wait, enemy? Do you hate dragons?"

Tastar's eyes flickered. "I only hated one, and there's no point in holding a grudge against the dead."

Rainbow leaned back and raised her legs, positioning herself into a 'V' shape. "You have my attention."

Tastar rested his head on his knee, wincing as he felt his back muscles stretch out. "I was born in a mixed race village at the foot of the Drakkenridge Mountains outside of Equestria to the northeast. When I was a yearling, a dragon named Kyneatoralqu committed an unprovoked attack against the village. Only I and a few others survived. My family wasn't among them."

I'm not even going to try to pronounce that name. Sucks about his village, though. Rainbow said nothing as she concentrated on maintaining her position.

"I was brought to Canterlot to live in an orphanage," Tastar continued, "which was where I met Esra. We got along right away, and things were pretty uneventful until I turned ten."

They're both orphans? Rainbow turned to him. "What happened then?"

"Matron told him how he lost his parents," Esra said with a sigh. "I still don't think she should've done it that early."

Tastar's voice was calm and practiced. "I had a right to know. If she hadn't told me, I would've found out on my own."

Esra lay on his left side and raised his front and back legs, looking at Rainbow as he spoke. "When Tastar learned that a dragon was responsible for the destruction of his village, he devoted himself to learning everything he could about them: their strengths, weaknesses, psychology, lifecycles, anatomy, culture, law, language, anything he could get his hooves on."

Rainbow turned to Tastar. "Why?"

Tastar was on his stomach, his body back so that it looked like a bow. "Two reasons: I always had trouble concentrating in school, but for some reason, anything to do with dragons keeps my attention and holds it in a vicegrip. I was borderline obsessed for a while."

"There was nothing borderline about it," Esra said flatly. "You learned to speak Draconic."

Tastar stiffened his neck. "Hey, that's actually proved to be useful."

"It's unnerving," Esra got to his knees and leaned back; touching his forehooves to his back ones. "Nopony should be able to make those kinds of sounds."

Rainbow gave Tastar a sidelong glance. "Can you say something?"

Tastar released his pose and lay prone on the ground, staring straight ahead. He was silent for a few seconds before making a guttural, gnashing hiss that had discernible syllables laced into it.

Creepy… Rainbow shuddered. "Okay, that's enough."

Esra chuckled. "Told you."

Rainbow balanced herself on her forehooves and lifted her back legs. "So what was the other reason?"

Tastar rolled onto his back to rest for a moment. "I wanted revenge. After school, I left Equestria and made contact with the peaceful dragons of Drakkenridge. They told me that Kyneatoralqu was an outcast that succumbed to savagery, and was why he'd committed the attack in the first place. Such a thing is rare, but still occurs from time to time.

"Since the incident happened in Drakkenridge, it was subject to Draconic law." Tastar sat back up and looked at Rainbow. "According to which, if an act of unprovoked slaughter is committed, the perpetrator's fate may be decided by the surviving kin. I invoked this law, and challenged Kyneatoralqu to one-on-one combat."

Rainbow almost lost her balance. She opened her wings to steady herself. "You challenged a full-grown dragon to a fight?!"

"Not full-grown," Tastar corrected. "As far as dragon lifecycles go, Kyneatoralqu was the equivalent of your age. Still, he was about five times my size."

"Closer to six, from what I recall," Esra said.

Rainbow released her pose. "You were there too?"

Esra's head was resting on the ground, his forehooves spread. "The law also states that there must be at least one witness present from each race involved. Tastar contacted me when he found Kyneatoralqu."

Didn't realize these guys were so close. If Esra wasn't such a pain in the flank, I might actually want to get to know him. Rainbow nodded. "So what happened?"

Tastar looked away. "I won."

That's it? He won? He tells me all the details leading up to it and nothing about the actual fight? I don't buy it. Rainbow lowered her chin. "You're hiding something."

Tastar didn't reply and stared at the wall.

Esra grunted behind them. "For Celestia's sake, you've told her this much, just tell her everything. Don't shy away from the unpleasant parts."

Tastar whirled around to him and made a dismissive noise. "Fine, you tell her."

Esra straightened and rose to his hooves, speaking in steady tone. "The fight lasted three seconds. Kyneatoralqu charged, and Tastar jumped out of the way. As he did, he drove a spear right through Kyneatoralqu's heart. Poor bastard was dead before he even hit the ground."

Three seconds?! That's gotta be some kind of record! Rainbow felt her skin tingling as she looked at Tastar. "How did you—"

"Ruby dragons won't breathe fire in their lairs because it'll consume all the oxygen and they'll suffocate," Tastar said in a monotone. "They try to take off when threatened and attack from the air instead. If they can't, they'll charge through their opponents, trampling and or crushing them as they get to a spot where they can fly away. They don't have any real weak spots, but any weapon made from Lunairium will pierce their scales. Dragons, like most warm blooded creatures, are similar to ponies in regards to location of internal organs. Kyneatoralqu was in a cramped cave. I knew he was gonna try to run me over and take to the air. The spear I used had a Lunairium tip. It was just a matter of getting out of the way in time."

"Go on," Esra said as he nudged him. "Tell her what happened after."

Tastar shot him a reproachful glare. "She doesn't need to know that."

Esra laughed. "Of course she does. It's the reason why you became a Dragoon."

And now you've piqued my curiosity. Rainbow crossed her forehooves and looked at Tastar with a wrinkled brow.

Tastar sighed and looked at the floor. "I stood there for a few seconds, waiting for him to get back up. I thought it was a trick of some kind at first. Rubies don't like to hide or use underhanded tactics, but I wasn't about to take the chance. Then I saw the pool of blood that was spreading beneath him, and the realization hit me. When it did... I blacked out. I honestly don't remember anything else."

"He started screaming in a mixture of Equestrian and Draconic," Esra said. "He ran to the body, stripped off the scales, chopped it to bits, drenched himself in its blood, then cut off the head and pulled out all the teeth."

That's… going a little far. Rainbow's stomach wobbled as her lower lip started to curl. She quickly put it back into place.

Tastar sat on his haunches. "I scared off the witness for Kyneatoralqu with my display of brutality, and he informed the other peaceful dragons of what happened. While they accepted my punishment of Kyneatoralqu, they condemned my desecration of his corpse. And so as penance for my act, they decreed that I join the Equestrian military."

So they didn't like what he did eith—wait, what? Rainbow frowned."Aren't they worried that you're going to turn around and use your skills and knowledge against them?"

Tastar gave her a funny look. "You're not much for history, are you?"

Rainbow shrugged and went back to the center of the room. "I have my hooves full enough worrying about the present and the future."

Tastar suppressed his cringe as he watched her bend all the way back, tilting her spine in the opposite direction. "The last war the Equestrian military was involved in was against itself. That was the schism that occurred during the War of the Sun and Moon, and it's been even longer since we've had an armed conflict with another country. The Dromedary Empire was the last one to pick a fight with us, and that was almost fifteen hundred years ago. Ponies and dragons haven't come to blows in millennia, although we've never exactly been buddy-buddy with each other. They saw me joining the military as kind of like doing community service."

That's about all they amount to these days, isn't it? Must be dull to be in the military during peacetime. Considering the alternative though, I guess I shouldn't complain. Rainbow tilted her head to him as she supported herself on her elbows. "One last question."

"Sure."

"Why'd you flip out after you killed Kin-ee-at—" Rainbow stuck out her tongue and tried again. "Why'd you flip out after you killed the dragon that destroyed your village?"

Esra put on the sneer she'd come to associate him with. "If you spent your entire life preparing yourself for something and it was over in three seconds, how would you feel?"

Rainbow ignored him. She unbent herself and sat on the floor, her eyes not leaving Tastar's face.

Tastar finally looked at her with lightless eyes. "I walked into that fight fully expecting to die. Revenge was everything that drove me up to that point, and I hadn't thought about anything beyond it. The more I learned about dragons, the more I respected them because it seemed like they were so powerful and deadly. I thought there was no way I'd be able to beat Kyneatoralqu, so I kept learning more and more in the hopes that I could at least put up a fight."

Tastar's voice dropped to a whisper. "I didn't mean to, but I turned myself into the perfect dragonslayer. Problem was Kyneatoralqu wasn't the perfect dragon. He was a barely-sentient, malnourished, savage beast. He didn't stand a snowball's chance in Tartarus against me with the knowledge I'd gained, and the time I'd had to prepare."

He jerked his head to the side. "I'd had my next dozen moves planned, and he goes and falls to the first strike… it was pathetic. It felt so cheap and hollow. I'd expected more, wanted more. It felt like I hadn't gotten my revenge, and so… I took it out on what was left of him."

Talk about a letdown. I don't know if I'd lose it like he did if I were in that situation, but I don't blame him for it. Sounds like the other dragons didn't really either. Then again, they might've been a little afraid of him, too. Rainbow grabbed a towel from the coffee table and wiped off her face. "Have you been around other adult dragons since?"

Tastar nodded. "I'm known amongst the dragons of Drakkenridge, and I've been asked to act as an interpreter a few times when one of them comes to Canterlot. I have no problem with Spike, either. If anything, I've kinda been keeping an eye out for him."

Rainbow thought back to the torrent of information he'd spewed at her. Now that she considered, some of it had seemed oddly… specific. She stared hard at Tastar.

"Have you been stalking him?"

"Of course not!" Tastar said. "I mean yeah, I saw him every so often when he lived in the palace, but…"

For the first time, Rainbow consulted Esra instead of Tastar. "Has he?"

Esra rubbed his eyes and turned to Tastar. "So this you why always wanted to guard the West Tower."

Tastar gave a nervous laugh and rubbed his neck.

The three of them finished the exercises and began putting Rainbow's furniture back. Tastar picked up one of her cloud chairs and set it on the wall where it had been. As he did, one of the many posters of the Wonderbolts caught his eye. He turned back to Rainbow, who had just finished moving the coffee table.

"So now will you tell us?"

Rainbow didn't look up as she gave the coffee table one final adjustment. "About my plans that are getting screwed up because of you guys?"

Tastar laughed. "Do they have to do with the Wonderbolts, by any chance?"

Rainbow straightened and looked around her living room, examining the posters on the wall. Each one was a picture of six pegasi in blue jumpsuits and goggles, flying in formation in the sky leaving trails of smoke in their wake. Below was always a stadium of some kind filled to the brim with ponies as they watched in awe from below.

She brushed her mane out of her face. "What gave you that impression?"

"I dunno," Tastar said, his eyes dancing. "Just a hunch."

Esra collapsed into one of the chairs. "Have you tried out?"

"No," Rainbow said, her eyes still focused on one of the posters. "And I'm not going to."

Tastar frowned. "Why not? You'd be a shoo-in with your abilities."

"Because I don't want to start at the bottom." Rainbow went over to her favorite chair and sat down. "I don't have a problem with being on a team, but I've never felt like that's the path I was meant to take with this. My goals are a little…loftier."

Esra raised his chin. "What's a higher honor than being a member of the Wonderbolts?"

Rainbow smirked. "Being their Captain, of course."

Both the guards blinked. They stared at her for a few seconds, checking to see if there was any indication of jest. There was none. Rainbow wore the same smirk they'd seen a few weeks previous when they'd asked her about leadership.

Tastar was the first to speak. "I—I'm sure that you don't need to go that far. If you were on the team long enough, you'd become the Captain regardless."

Rainbow laughed. "You're probably right. That's not what I want, though."

Esra leaned forward. "Why?"

She sized him up. "You know where the Wonderbolts are based out of, right?"

Esra nodded. "Manehatten."

"Do you know why?"

Esra shrugged. "Never thought there was a reason behind it."

"Of course there is," Rainbow said patiently. "You'd think that they'd be based out of Canterlot, Cloudsdale, or some other city that has importance to Equestria's government, right? That's never been the case though, and the reason why is because the Captain of the Wonderbolts gets to decide where the Headquarters is."

Tastar looked at the pony in the center of the formation in the Wonderbolts poster. "Spitfire's from Manehatten, isn't she?"

"Born and raised," Rainbow said. "Not that I blame her or anything for it."

"So you want to become Captain so you can relocate the Wonderbolts Headquarters… here?"

Rainbow nodded. "Ponyville's not so bad if you think about it. It's small, quiet, close to several major cities, right in the middle of Equestria, and most of all, the ponies are friendly and nice. The only thing I don't like about here is my job, and it's not worth it to throw away all the good things I have in an attempt to fix that. The Wonderbolts go on tour a lot, yeah, but it wouldn't be so bad if I knew I was coming back to Ponyville each time."

"So you want to have your cake and eat it too," Esra said. He put on his best sneer and gave her a mocking bow. "How noble."

Rainbow's ears flattened against her head. I don't understand him. Does he think that I'm selfish for recognizing that dealing with my job is safer than leaving everything I know and love behind and starting over? I have all the time in the world to make myself good enough for Wonderbolts ask me to be their Captain. What's wrong with trying to be as happy as you can be?

Tastar cleared his throat as he felt the tension in the air rising. "How are you gonna impress them, then?"

Rainbow stared for a moment longer at Esra before continuing. "Like I said back on the track, I've had this plan set in motion for a while now. I started with three goals: One of which I've already done, the second I'm extremely close to, and the last I haven't started.

"The first was to work on my stamina," Rainbow said. "I've only ever lived in Cloudsdale and Ponyville, and so all I've ever needed to do is sprint. I didn't realize how bad I was at long distance until a few years ago."

"What happened?" Tastar asked.

Fluttershy showed me what Hoofolulu pegasi can do, that's what. I couldn't fly for a week after that race. Rainbow looked out the window. "I'd… rather not talk about it. Let's just say somepony taught me a lesson I won't ever forget."

Tastar glanced at Rainbow's wings, which were short, angular and pointed with narrow rounded tips. While folded, they were slightly smaller than a normal pegasus's. "How long can you go for now?"

Rainbow got up and opened her left wing. "My goal was to be able to sustain thirty wingpower for a full day nonstop. I made that goal two years ago, but when I tried to move on to my next goal, it felt like it still wasn't enough. So I kept working on it, and now I can sustain thirty six wingpower."

Tastar whistled. "So what's the next thing?"

Rainbow smirked. She raised his hoof and shot it forward, making an exploding sound with her mouth.

Tastar eyed her prismatic mane. "Figured that was it. Been wondering why you keep going off early in the morning."

She slammed her hoof on the coffee table. "I'm so freaking close I can taste it. Before I did my stamina training, I could only try to do the Sonic Rainboom twice a week because it wears me out so much. Now I can try it every day. I just need to push a little harder, and that barrier is as good as broken."

Tastar chewed on his lip. "You know, the Sonic Rainboom alone might be enough for the Wonderbolts to ask you to be their Captain. It hasn't been done by anyone in centuries, and it'd faded into legend until you did it ten years ago."

"No." Rainbow got up and walked to her trophy case, her back turned to them. "The Sonic Rainboom's not enough for me, even if it's a legendary move."

"And why's that?" Esra asked.

Rainbow straightened and turned back to the two of them, an odd smirk playing on her face.

"Because I don't want to be a one-trick pony."

The guards blinked as the horrible pun sunk in. Esra slowly lowered his head in a facehoof while Tastar threw back his head in raucous laughter.

Rainbow broke out of her seriousness as she giggled. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. It's true, though. The Sonic Rainboom may hold everypony's attention for a while, but I may as well be a carnival act if it's all I have. I know other aerial stunts of course, they're just nowhere near on the same level. If I'm going to impress the Wonderbolts to the extreme, I need something more to back it up. That's where my last goal comes into play."

Tastar had regained his composure and looked back down at her. "What could be better than the Sonic Rainboom?"

Rainbow walked over to the small bookcase and grabbed the book that had the title scratched out. Esra and Tastar now saw that there was a multicolored bookmark in the spine. She opened the book and laid it out on the coffee table for them to see.

"I may not care much for history, but I am interested in certain facts and details... such as the fastest pegasus who ever lived."

Tastar's eyes widened. He leaned forward and saw that it was an old book of world records.

"The world record for wingpower is seventy eight point-four," Rainbow said, "just shy one thousand miles per hour. It was set by a pegasus named Lightning who lived four hundred and thirty-two years ago. She was also the last one who could do a Sonic Rainboom. Nopony's even come close to her since."

Tastar stared at the book in dumb awe. "So not only do you want to be the fastest pegasus in the world, you want to be the fastest pegasus in history."

Rainbow bent her knees and stretched. "You guys aren't the only ones who haven't hit their limits. I know I have it in me to break the record, but it's going to be brutal. I'll have to completely throw myself into my training, and that means I won't have time to sit around working with you guys."

"So the sacrifice you mentioned is that you can't move forward with your plan to make the Wonderbolts ask you to be their Captain because you have to work with us instead of focusing on your training." Esra rolled his eyes. "Again with the needless holding back for our sake."

Rainbow turned and spoke in a monotone as she quoted him. "You expect us to climb a mountain with the full knowledge that we'll never get to the top."

She crossed her hooves. "How's it gonna feel when that mountain starts to get higher?"

Tastar sighed and shook his head. "You don't have to do this for us."

"I'm not doing it for you," Rainbow said. "I'm doing it for the Princesses. They want you to be here to protect us, and I agreed because I feel like I owe Luna for what we did to her. You're supposed to be here to fend off something I can't handle by myself, right?"

Tastar nodded.

"Newsflash: There aren't many things I can't handle. So either I gotta get weaker, or you gotta get stronger. I'm sure as hay not going to give up everything I've worked so hard for, but the side effect of that is if something doesn't happen, you guys are gonna look like foals when I take care of it by myself."

Rainbow watched their reactions as they fell silent. Tastar was looking at the floor with pursed lips. Esra was resting his chin on his hoof, avoiding her gaze and looking out the window. She was about to say something more when Tastar looked up at Esra.

"You need to show her."

Esra exhaled out his nose. "We don't need to prove anything. Let her believe what she wants."

Tastar got up and walked over to the Wonderbolts poster. "Yes, we do. Blair won't like it if he finds out she's doing this for us."

Doing what? Holding back? What other alternative is there?Rainbow looked at both of them in turn. "Show me what?"

Neither of them seemed to hear her. Esra hadn't moved an inch, not even blinking. "There has to be some other way."

"We need to show her we're not incompetent." Tastar turned to him. "I can't do it. You have to."

"You know I don't like showing off," Esra said, finally meeting his eyes. "That's not what my skills are for."

Tastar's eyes narrowed. "And I don't like violating orders. Just do it."

Esra blinked and stared at his forehoof. "You know what happened last time."

"This is different and you know it." Tastar stamped a hoof on the cloud floor with a soft poof. "Stop hiding behind excuses."

Rainbow stepped in between them and flapped her wings, blasting them both with a powerful gust. They both jerked back.

"Stop talking like I'm not here," she said icily. "Show me what?"

Tastar shook his head from the blast and turned to her. "Rainbow, we'll admit that you're physically superior to both of us. If something happened and you could take to the air, you'd be able to get away no sweat. We're not arguing that."

Of course I could. Rainbow nodded.

"However," Tastar continued, "you won't always be able to fly. What would you do if you got caught in an enclosed space?"

"My wings aren't the only thing I train," Rainbow replied. "I'm also a second degree black belt in karate."

"Even that's not enough." Esra got up from his chair, bending his knees as he did so. "You can train all you like, but there's something Tastar and I have that you don't."

She snorted as she turned to him. "And what would that be?"

Esra's light red eyes met hers. "Experience."

"Experience with what?" Rainbow challenged.

Esra's face hardened. "War."

It was Rainbow's turn to scoff. "Oh, and you're going to tell me that just because I haven't seen glorious battle that you—"

"There's nothing glorious about it!" Esra snapped. He broke eye contact as he looked past her. "The metallic smell of blood, the sounds of ponies screaming in agony, the sickening crunch of armor and bones shattering beneath you, the unforgettable sight of your friends getting cut down and dying right before your eyes… the only way you get accustomed to it is by experiencing it for yourself."

Rainbow wouldn't have taken him seriously had she not seen the twisted shadow that had fallen over his face as he spoke. She tried to ignore the pit that had formed in her stomach. "And you have?"

He regarded her. "I suppose you want to hear my life story, as well."

Not even if you paid me. Rainbow's voice was neutral. "Answer my question."

"I'm a specialist, like Tastar." Esra said. "My talents are in unarmed combat and disarming opponents."

Oho, this might have just gotten interesting. Rainbow took a step towards him. "You want to do a little sparring?"

"No, I don't." He started to move the coffee table over to the corner again. "However, seeing as you're going to keep holding back for us if I don't, I have no choice."

Rainbow watched open mouthed as Tastar walked over and moved the chairs out of the way. "Don't tell me this is what you're worried about. You're not going to hurt me."

Esra gave the coffee table one final nudge and turned back to her. "I have one condition."

"What is it?"

Esra cracked his neck and walked into the center of the room. "Neither of us can use their wings."

Rainbow snorted. "I don't need to use my wings to beat you."

Esra took a slow, steadying breath and assumed a low crouch. "Then come."

Rainbow looked away for a moment, and then ran at him. The moment she did, Esra's eyes turned flat and focused, locking with hers. She got in range and tried to chop at his neck from above. He saw the strike and reared back, catching her hoof and pulling her forward. Rainbow was ready for it and brought up her other forehoof, trying to hit his chin. Esra rolled his head to the side, dodging the blow and stepping forward. He turned his back to her and leaned, trying to throw her over his shoulder. As he did, Rainbow pulled back and cartwheeled over him, using his back like a springboard. She wrenched her hoof out of his grip as she landed.

Esra immediately closed the distance. He stuck out a hoof as she touched the ground, knocking her off balance and pushing her back. Rainbow stumbled, but shoved Esra back in time to prevent him from making her fall. He whirled and around with the momentum, stepping to her side and aimed a punch at her neck. Rainbow ducked to avoid the strike, and as she did, felt his gaze on her. Esra's knee barely missed her face as she rolled out of the way.

Rainbow took a few steps away from him, watching as his face contorted with some kind of inner turmoil. He continued to stare at her with cold, intense eyes.

"Almost got me there," Rainbow taunted.

Esra's face remained stoic and focused. "Do you know what the difference between us is, Rainbow?"

"Besides the obvious, you mean?"

His lips twitched. "You have to try to hit a vital spot. I have to try to miss."

Rainbow charged again, this time coming in low. She did a feint to the side, and then brought her backhoof around for a kick to his head. Esra didn't fall for the trick and stepped back, allowing her attack to sail harmlessly by. Rainbow brought her other backhoof up in a second kick, hoping he would try to close. She hit nothing but air and turned back around, tensed and ready for his counterattack. He wasn't there. Rainbow looked around the room, but didn't see him.

She felt a presence behind her. Rainbow ducked as a hoof appeared where her head had been. She felt the wind of his strike brush her mane. She stepped away and tried to put distance between them again, but Esra didn't allow it. He closed with her, entangling his hooves with hers. She yelped as they both fell to the floor in a mass.

Rainbow tried to push him away, and realized that he had both hooves around her throat in a stranglehold. She felt her breath cut off as he squeezed her windpipe. She kicked and struggled, trying to get free, but his grip was like iron. Rainbow tried to raise herself up, but he had his rear hooves wrapped around her lower body, preventing her from moving.
Lights started to flash in front of her eyes, her vision dimming in the corners.

If there was one thing Rainbow hated most of all, it was losing. It didn't matter what it was about, or what the circumstances were, it was the very concept that enraged her. There was only one place she ever belonged, and it was at the top. It was all she'd ever known, and she refused to settle for anything less. And while she always tried to play by the rules, when failure threatened to rear its ugly head, a very loud, irrational angry voice echoed in her mind that overrode everything else.

That voice usually only said two words.

Screw this!

Rainbow opened her wings and caught Esra in the gut. He gasped and released his hold, coughing as he rolled away. Rainbow did much the same as the air returned to her lungs. Tastar, who had been watching the entire fight in the corner, stepped forward and separated them.

"I think that's enough. You go much farther and one of you is gonna wind up in the emergency room."

Rainbow regained her breath and watched Esra, who was still fighting for air. A red spot was already visible where she had hit him.

"I guess I lost," she said dryly.

"Technically," Tastar agreed. "Although it's probably a good thing you did that. Esra tends to get caught up in the moment. It's a side effect of his training."

"Sifu… would've killed me… for pulling punches… like that." Esra managed.

Rainbow furrowed her eyebrows. "What discipline was that?"

"Esra knows more than one," Tastar said as he looked at his partner "I forget how many, exactly."

"Five," Esra said with a wince. He gave the bruise one final inspection as his breathing went back to normal.

Rainbow gave a short laugh. "You're a martial artist and you've been sore from flight training?"

"I don't train my wings for what I do any more than you train your legs to fly," Esra snapped. "If you went through some of the leg exercises I know, you'd be sore too."

Rainbow glared at him, but said nothing.

The two guards looked at each other for a moment. Tastar looked at her and spoke in a stern tone. "Rainbow, you don't need to be helping us train our wings. We have different kinds of skills and strengths that are just as well suited, more so in a lot of ways, to protecting you. Esra and I are tactical fighters, and we apply strategy and terrain to overcome our opponents instead of brute force. Your speed is amazing, but it's not going to help you fight off a dragon, disable multiple enemies at once—"

"—or steel your heart to take a life," Esra finished.

Tastar nodded. "We didn't want to expose you to this, but I think you need to hear it. There's nothing you can do to fully prepare yourself for war. You can think and believe whatever you choose: if the time ever comes that you have to kill another living, breathing, thinking creature, you will hesitate."

"I really hope you're not just saying that because I'm a mare," Rainbow said.

"War doesn't discriminate," Esra said. "Everypony does their first time, and hesitation means death in battle. We aren't some greenhorns fresh out of Basic Rainbow; we're elite seasoned soldiers that serve directly under Celestia herself. You and the other Bearers have been given some of the best. Just because we can't fly as fast you doesn't mean we're useless."

Tastar moved the chairs back into place. "I know how to fight large enemies, and Esra knows how to fight groups of opponents. Between the two of us, there's very little we can't handle. You shouldn't compare us to yourself and think that we don't have the skills necessary to protect you."

Rainbow eyes widened as the words struck a chord in her memory. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. I haven't changed at all, have I? It's the same thing with Fluttershy all over again. Here I am, spouting all this grandeur about how ponies shouldn't be comparing themselves to me, and I'm doing the exact same thing and looking down on them for it. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Esra started to limp out of the living room. "I've shown you what I wanted. I'm going up to the tents. Are you coming, Tastar?"

Tastar nodded and followed, turning back to Rainbow as he did. "I'm sorry. If it's any consolation, I think you have what it takes to accomplish your goals. You're not gonna get there if you keep acting like this, though. And if you're still really that set on us doing flight training, you've shown us enough that we can keep going on our own."

Rainbow walked over to her chair and sat down, avoiding his gaze. He bowed and walked out of the room.

A few minutes after they left, she sighed and spoke into the empty room.

"I think I'm the one who should be sorry."

( * * * )

An hour later, Rainbow was lying in her bed, staring up at the fluffy ceiling. Despite her physical fatigue from the day's exertions, her mind was alive with the revelations of the day. She gingerly rubbed her neck as her thoughts wandered.

As much as I hate to admit it, Esra's got a point. I should've realized Celestia wouldn't stick us with a bunch of inexperienced mooks. Best soldiers she's got, eh? I suppose it makes sense. Although, if they're specialists, that would mean that they only get used for unique situations.

Rainbow rolled onto her side and stared out into the darkness.

That look in Esra's eyes… I've never seen anything like it. I don't doubt that he's been in combat after that, but where though? Didn't they say that there hasn't been a war with Equestria since…

Tastar's words came back to her. Since the War of the Sun and Moon. That was against Nightmare Moon though, right? How can they be seasoned veterans?

The discussion with Twilight's bodyguard floated up from her memory.

…elite group of knights that served directly under Princess Celestia during the war…

Esra's words followed immediately after.

…we're elite seasoned soldiers that serve directly under Celestia herself…

Rainbow sat up. What was the name of those knights again? Order of the… Z-something? Not even Twilight knew about them.

More of Blair's words came unbidden to her.

'Their talents and skill sets were varied, each of them uniquely suited for different kinds of situations.'

Rainbow shook her head and laid back down.

I'm sure Esra and Tastar aren't the only ponies who specialize in the military. Heh, what else is there to do? We're a peaceful nation and the ponies they're supposed to guard are immortal!

Her eyelids began to feel heavy as she drifted off.

Esra… Ares…

Rainbow jolted wide awake.

Okay, that's just weird.

She got up out of bed, pacing back and forth as the thoughts of the day came forth.

'As far as dragon lifecycles go, Kyneatoralqu was the equivalent of your age.'

'How many of them were there?'

'Twelve.'

Seasoned veterans, haven't had a war in one thousand years, War of the Sun and Moon, different specialists, twelve knights. That's a heck of a lot of coinci —wait, what am I talking about? We have thirteen guards, counting Twilight's extra.

Rainbow chuckled at her paranoia. She started to head back to bed.

'Not part of my platoon…'

Blair's words from the picnic echoed in her ears. They're all from the same platoon except for one. Could it be that they're—

Rainbow's jaw dropped as she fell on her haunches.

A second later though, she burst out laughing at the ridiculous notion, putting a hoof to her head.

You're thinking waaaaaay too much into this. What you're proposing is impossible, and you're just looking for an excuse to not like Esra. Those ponies lived one thousand years ago; there's no way they have anything to do with them! Come on, don't lose sleep over this. It's bad enough your neck's going to be sore tomorrow.

With one last chuckle, Rainbow hopped back into bed. She fluffed her pillow and relaxed, drifting off into dreams of prismatic barriers and building the new Wonderbolt Headquarters on the outskirts of town. She was just being paranoid and silly; an aftereffect of the day's revelations. It was all just a coincidence; there was no connection between their guards and ancient order of knights from a one thousand year-old war.

Right?