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Change of Flight Patterns

by PhieryPhoenix

Chapters

Prologue

It was a dark and stormy night in the Changeling Empire. Chrysalis sat on her throne, weak and tired from her last battle. Celestia did a number on her. They were starving. No food, no energy to power their magic or wings. They had to eat pony food like fresh bread and ripe apples. They were the most disgusting things she and her kingdom had ever had, but it barely kept them alive. Just barely. They needed good feelings from other ponies. An idea formed in her mind. She smiled evilly. She had a plan. The best plan she had had in years.....

Chapter One: The Accident

If it hadn't been for the random Changeling Brightwing never would have had robotic wings. It all started when he went to clear the sleet clouds. He flew up and kicked all the clouds out of the way but on his last one, he noticed something odd. A blue shell-like thing with holes in it was barely below the cloud. He kicked it in curiosity and from the cloud came a loud hiss and ice blue eyes glared back. The cloud burst apart and a Changeling flew at him. His friend Rainbow Dash was nearby, getting rid of some rain clouds and when she heard the unnatural clicking sound of the Changeling's wings she looked over and her eyes widened. She called his name and shot towards the Changeling, smacking it with her hoof. The thing seemed unaffected as it was wearing armor. It's horn glowed green and two blades appeared on his hooves. In two quick slices Brightwing went hurtling towards the ground, vision blurry and pain where his wings were. She yelled his name and broke the Changeling's neck. It let out a disgusting wail. Rainbow shot towards the ground, calling the nearest unicorn. She had a white coat, a spiky blue mane, and black rimmed shades with purple lenses sitting at a table at Sugar Cube Corner. She looked up and saw the situation immediately. Her horn glowed blue and he slowed down. Rainbow Dash managed to catch him. The unicorn kept her magic going but strain was clear in her face. Rainbow and the unicorn waited until Brightwing was three feet off the ground and let him drop, being careful not to let his back touch the dirt road. He blacked out from pain.

When he woke Rainbow Dash and the unicorn were standing over him, as well as a nurse pony.

"What happened to him?! He's been out for three days!" the unicorn and nurse asked at the same time.

Rainbow Dash replied with "If Brightwing is conscious and able to talk, maybe he can tell you." Saber's eyes shot open, and his head immediately flared in pain.

"Bright, are you okay?"

"Yeah," he said "I mean I think so- What happened to my wings?! What the hell did the Changeling do to me?!" he yelled. Rainbow looked down at him, worry in her eyes. "It all happened so fast, but I'm sorry to say, your wings are gone." Saber looked around at his back, his flaming red eyes filled with fear. There were two red splotches where his wings had been on his pitch-black coat. No wings. Just bandages.

"I-I-I d-don't understand," he said his voice breaking "W-why the h-hell did this h-happen to m-me?" The unicorn had taken of her shades and her caring eyes were a deep reddish-violet color.

"Changelings have been attacking different ponies all over Equestria. You, for some reason, they wanted to kill. Nopony knows why. But you were the main target. Do you have any idea why?" "How do you know all this?" Brightwing asked, suddenly suspicious.

"Because I was another target like you. I'm a Unicorn so I just teleported away."

"Who are you anyways?" Brightwing demanded

"She's Vinyl Scratch," Rainbow said, "famous for her dubstep music or, if you want to call her by her stage name DJ-PON3. She is the reason you didn't hit the ground and she will help with your new wings."

"Sorry," Brightwing apologized, "What's this about new wings?"  

"The race of the Pegasi are enraged at the Changelings," Rainbow said, her voice breaking, "But they still must resort to the Pegasi law. No wings, no reason to live. So me, Vinyl, and my friends are going to make you bladed robotic wings."

Chapter Two: The New Wings

Brightwing had never heard of a pony with robotic wings. He was still digesting the thought of him being a rouge in the Pegasi law, and that they might try to kill him, wings or not............. Well, he didn't want to dwell on the thought.

"So, how are you going to help?" he asked Rainbow Dash,

"I'm the model for the wings. Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy will help too." Brightwing had so many questions but he selected two.

"What are they made out of and why are they bladed?"

"Uh, the metal is an unknown, we think its adamantine or mythril. The reason for the blades is you are joining the Equestrian army. You, me, Vinyl, Applejack, and Rarity are all joining up." she said, ignoring the shocked look on Brightwing's face, " Now let's get to work. Since me, Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy are going to build the wings, it's going to be faster than just me and Twilight, but they're sure as hell not going to be done in ten seconds flat. It's gonna take a bit longer than it is for you to heal which, well quite honestly I don't know how long it will take to heal but they should be done maybe a day or two after your recovery." Just recovering from his shock, Saber said,

"Can you bring me a bit of the metal the wings are going to be built out of? One talent I have in a skill with blades is that I can discern all types of metal. The only reason I can do this because I need to know what a sword is made out of."

"Um, okay I'll get you some," she said, "Vinyl, could you watch over Bright while I go and get some?"

"Of course," Vinyl replied, "I'll do my best."

"Good 'cause Bright's gonna need some help healing and recovering." Rainbow Dash flew out a window towards the tree house library that the Alicorn Princess Twilight Sparkle lived.

"So, uh, Vinyl, thank you for saving me. I take it that it was not easy?" Brightwing asked. It was a stupid question but he couldn't think of anything else to say. It was not that Vinyl was pretty or anything (although she was kinda cute, although he didn't say that) he just didn't know what to say 'Hey you saved my life thank you?" that just didn't work.

"Well, I have to carry large speakers to all my concerts but sometimes I have help," she replied, "but a guy like you? I'll admit, it wasn't easy." Right at that moment Rainbow Dash flew in, holding a chunk of metal that gleamed like starlight. Brightwing put a hoof on the metal and was shocked at the results.

"According to my senses," he said, astonished, "This stuff is called starsteel. Incredibly light, doesn't dull or stain." "Hmm..." Rainbow pondered, "Twilight would know about this more than I do. Can he walk?" she asked the nurse "Of course he can. Just because he has wings doesn't mean he can't walk.

" Okay," Rainbow said, "Let's go. Vinyl are you coming too?"

"Of course I will," Vinyl said, putting on her shades, "Let's go."

The walk to Twilight's was not that long. A few turns and they were there in front of the door. Rainbow Dash knocked three times

"Twilight, it's me!" A purple pony opened the door.

"Ah this is Brightwing?" she asked. Saber and Vinyl bowed saying

"Your Highness." Twilight smiled

"There's no need for that. Honestly. You guys are not in the presence of royalty, well you sort of are but I don't prefer others bowing to me. Only standing with me."

"Sorry." Saber apologized

"So you're the one who needs wings?" she asked,

"Um, yes. I was attacked by a Changeling and it cut off my wings." A stab of pain shot up his back. Bright grunted in pain.

"Oohh," Twilight said, "Let's get you inside. that looks bad." she said "Fluttershy can you come here? I need your help!" of yellow Pegasus with a long pink mane and tail walked out. She took one look at him and immediately blushed.

"Um, Twilight, can I talk to you, privately?" the Pegasus whispered, barely audible.

"Fluttershy, this is no time to be this shy! This Pegasus has lost his wings to a Changeling and is in a lot of pain. We need to get him inside!"

"Um, O-okay." the grabbed Brightwing's arms and flew him to the top where two cyan curved frames with seven slots rested on a table, along with multiple strips of what looked like starsteel.

"I got the frames right, but a cannot get the bladed feathers right!" Twilight said, frustrated.

"Uh, Twilight, can you make me a Medieval Times sharpener?" Brightwing asked

"Of course!"

"Good. We'll need it." Twilight concentrated and her horn glowed purple and a stone wheel on an axel appeared. In a few quick sharpens, fourteen metal feathers a pair of each size, smaller to bigger.

"Uh, Twilight, you need a very good eye for this. Do you know anypony...."

"I got it." then she ran off without a word.

"Whaaaa...." Saber said confused.

"Oh she'll be back....probably with Rarity..." Fluttershy whispered. Sure enough she came back with a white unicorn that had a purple fancy mane and blue eyes.

"You are Brightwing, the uh-"

"Yes the wingless Pegasus." Rarity had a accent. British maybe?

"Well what do you need?"

"Rarity you have a good eye, can you put in the feathers in these frames? Smallest at the bottom and go up in size as you go up the frame." Within seconds she was done.

"Now we have to get these in and connect them to your nerves. Let's go back to the hospital."

Brightwing was sick of the hospital but it was for new and improved wings. Twilight, Rarity, and two nurse ponies were there. Twilight brought in the wings, gave him some anesthetic and he fell into a deep, painless sleep.

When he woke, he looked around and there, on his back, were two black and cyan wings. He tried to lift a wing. It responded beautifully. he cut at a curtain. it sliced through like a sword through paper. His red eyes were filled with joy.

"Thank you," he whispered "Thank you."

Chapter Three: The Secret and Confession

It was great to have wings. The few hours Brightwing didn't have wings were terrible. The new bladed wings cut through steel like a hot knife through butter. He flew fast and straight. One time, he even bumped into Fluttershy once. Or, he thought maybe she tried to bump into me.

"Omigosh! I'm so sorry!" she had said, "I wasn't looking."

"It's okay," he had replied "I wasn't either." she had also blushed. She blushed whenever he was around and she talked to him very shyly, more shy than she talked anypony else. He  had a suspicion that she had a crush on him, but nah that couldn't be the case. Little did he know how wrong he was.

One day he was clearing hail clouds when a voice said

"Brightwing!" He looked down and saw Twilight. "Yeah?"

"Can you come down once you're done? If it's not too much trouble?"

"Sure," he called down, "Hold on a sec." He sliced the last cloud with his black iridescent starsteel wing and flew down. Twilight looked side to side as if making sure nopony was watching or hearing. She cast a spell and nodded in satisfaction when it was finished.

"Look, Brightwing, I shouldn't be telling you this, but Fluttershy, she um, she uh, kinda has....well.." She took a deep breath and then blurted "Fluttershy has a crush on you." Bright wasn't sure he had heard right.

"Wait what?"

"She likes you. A lot. And by a lot I mean-"

"Okay! I get it!" he interjected "But why?"

"She just does. I don't know why. I think that's why she ran into you yesterday. Either a) She is waiting for you to make a move or b) she's trying to get your attention. I really have no idea. I don't know anything about love but, maybe you should go talk to her?"

"Um, okay," he said uncertainly "That's her house over there right?" he then pointed his hoof in the direction of a cottage,

"Just the one," Twilight replied "Don't tell her how you found out." she was about to leave when Bright stopped her.

"Wait, how do you know this?"

"Oh well...." Twilight looked very nervous "She told me, hoping I'd understand. I sort of did, I mean well I do have a crush but..."  

"Okay. I'll go talk to her."

"Good luck." Twilight called as Brightwing flew to the cottage.

Saber landed in front of a cottage with animals of all kinds in the yard. He knocked on the door. A rabbit stuck it's head out with a professional look of a Canterlot Guard.

"Uh, I'm here to see Fluttershy." It's look stayed the same he was about to say it again, not sure the rabbit understood him when Fluttershy's voice floated out

"Angel, who is it?"

"It's me Brightwing. Uh, I would like to talk to you." he called then added "If I'm not interrupting anything." he heard hoofsteps and the rearranging of items.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked,

"Oh of course not! I just need to uh, pick up."

"We can talk out here if you want to." The commotion stopped and Fluttershy opened the door. Bright looked down at Angel "This is a private conversation, if you don't mind." the rabbit looked suspiciously at the bladed starsteel wings folded at Bright's sides. "I-it's okay Angel I trust him." The rabbit sighed and hopped back into the house.

"So you wanted to talk?" she said nervously. Brightwing took a deep breath

"I know how you feel about me. I don't know how I feel about you. You're kind, caring, pretty, and a good pony. You deserve to be the Element of Kindness." it just slipped out. Just like that. Fluttershy looked down, cheeks bright red, tears coming from her eyes and she seemed ashamed of herself.

"O-o-oh y-your j-j-just saying that."

"Hey, it's okay, I'm not saying this just to compliment you. It's true for me. It's true to everypony." he turned the feathers on his wings so the blades would not cut and so they looked like normal Pegasus wings and he put a one around her and hugged her, wiping the tears from her eyes. Then something unexpected (although Brightwing should have expected it coming in this situation) happened. She kissed him. Full. Right there. On the lips. He thought even his pure black cheeks turned red.

"Ahem." said a voice with a British accent. As if on impulse, the wing not holding Fluttershy flipped around to blade mode and pointed at Rarity and quivered within an inch of her face. "Um, very well then. I see that you are busy right now. Come over to Carsol Boutique when you are not busy. Goodbye then!" and Rarity trotted off nervously, scared of the bladed feathers. She stumbled across Twilight. "Twilight, dear, I just 'walked in' if you will, on Fluttershy and Brightwing. They were uh, um, well, to put it simply they were kissing. I tried to interrupt to tell Fluttershy her dress for the Gala was ready, I nearly got a bladed feather to the face."

"Oh dear," Twilight said, "He must've said something."

"Whatever do you mean Twilight?" Rarity. asked

"Well Rarity, when I called Fluttershy to help me carry Saber inside the library, she immediately had a crush on him. How do I know? She told me right after we got him in and we were out of earshot. he must have told her something, I don't know what and well, we'd better go see them. I can try to talk to him"

Meanwhile, in front of Fluttershy's cottage, the two had stopped and were leisurely talking by the time Twilight and Rarity came by.

"Uh, Fluttershy, we don't mean to pry but what happened?" Twilight asked.

"Me and Fluttershy had a private conversation. Saber explained "I told her that I know how she feels about me and how I feel about her and................. " He put the non blade wing around Fluttershy, pulled her closer and kissed her on the cheek, which made her blush furiously

"Terribly sorry Fluttershy and Saber," Rarity apologized, "I don't know how it could have been avoided but I'll try my best next time."

"Sorry about nearly impaling you with my wing. It was a involuntary impulse. I don't know why it happened. I just.........." He stopped talking. His black cheeks were tinted red and he looked down, embarrassed. "I don't know what to do. If the Changelings are coming for me, and I'm with Fluttershy, will they go after her?" Twilight and Rarity looked at Saber and saw concern for Fluttershy in his eyes, and that he really cared for her. They looked into Fluttershy's eyes. They saw what they always saw. Caring for everything that could be cared for but something new. Pure happiness. The hadn't seen Fluttershy this happy in a while.

"Er, Fluttershy, did you know that Saber is becoming a soldier in the Equestria army?"

"Oh my goodness, no I didn't! When does he leave?" she said startled

"We don't know. But me Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, a unicorn named Vinyl Scratch and, SaberStar are all preparing for war. That's why the wings are bladed and reversible. All we know about the shipping out date is that it is after the Grand Galloping Gala. So we'll all be able to go. Naturally all six of us can go but each one of us can bring one guest. Fluttershy....."

"Oh of course I'll bring Saber! I mean, that is if you want to..."

"Of course I'll come. Anywhere with you."

Chapter Four: At the Gala

Going to the Grand Galloping Gala with SaberStar? This was probably the best moment of her life! Last time she went to the Gala, it had not ended well for anypony. She wasn't sure if Saber knew, but she'd had a crush on him ever since she saw him. His black coat, protective red eyes, and spiky white and cyan mane, his determined expression, and his personality. She hadn't meant to kiss him, it was a voluntary impulse. She'd wanted to kiss him, but she couldn't risk it because she thought he was with the unicorn going to the battle with him, Vinyl Scratch. She was happy that wasn't so. She was to shy to make a move. But that was behind her. She had just got her new dress for the Gala and it was magnificent. She had no idea what Saber was wearing but she was sure it would catch a lot of attention.

It was the day of the Gala. She was looking for Saber, when she spotted him in Carsol Boutique wearing black crystal armor, she trotted into the doorway

"Is that your battle armor?" she asked

"No and yes" he replied, "It's what I'm wearing to the Gala. Since I'm a soldier, it's traditional." There were glowing red glyphs on the armor. One was three squiggly horizontal lines, each on top of the other.

"What is that supposed to be?" she asked "Is it a scratch?"

"No," he replied "It's known as the Mark of Oomara. In other words, 'Sometimes' in the language of the dragons. But it's also my war armor. I don't mean to scare you, but there's always a chance of attack. I've been training with my wings so in case of an attack, the rest of the guards will fight them off. My job is to protect you and your friends. I will die protecting you if I have to." Fluttershy didn't want him to die protecting her. She'd rather die with him, but this was the Grand Galloping Gala. She was supposed to have fun, not think of her friend dying protecting her. She might as well see what Rainbow Dash was up to. Her Pegasus friend always cheered her up.

"I'm going to go visit Rainbow Dash." she said,

"Be careful," Saber warned "Don't want to get attacked."

"I won't"

When she saw Rainbow Dash, she was napping on a cloud.

"Rainbow Dash," she called "Are you awake?"

"Just woke up. Why?" was Rainbow Dash's reply

"I need your help." Fluttershy said

"Sure. What with?"

"I'm just scared" Rainbow Dash flew down and said

"Why are you scared?"

"D-did you h-hear what happened between me and Saber?" Fluttershy stuttered.

"Uh no, what happened?"

"E-ever since I met him I had a crush on him. One d-day he found out somehow, a-and he told me that he knew ho I felt and then told me how he felt. T-t-t-then I k-k-k-k-kissed h-him. And now well.............." she replied

"Oh Fluttershy, did you get rejected?" Rainbow Dash said in shock

"What? No! He likes me and the reason I'm scared is that he said that there is a possibility of an attack a-and he s-said t-t-that he would d-die protecting me if he had to...." Fluttershy trailed off under Rainbow Dash's glare

"Hold it. You are dating SaberStar?!" Rainbow said. Fluttershy detected a rage in her voice

"Oh. Are you mad?"

"I'm beyond mad! I'm-"  Rainbow stopped abruptly

"Why are you mad?" Fluttershy asked almost quaking

"Why am I mad? Why am I mad? Because I was the one who saved him, I was his friend! And now he turns his back on me for-for you?! Why the hell would he do this?! This isn't fair!" Fluttershy was now sobbing

"I-I-I-I-I'm s-s-s-s-sorry. I d-didn't m-m-m-mean to h-hurt a-anypony! I d-didn't w-want to h-hurt a-anypony! Wh-what d-d-did I do w-wrong?" Rainbow Dash noticed this and stopped yelling.

"Hey Fluttershy, I'm sorry. It's just, When we first met, we were just friends but that grew over the years and I started to see him as more than a friend. If you two are happy, then I want you two to be happy."

Once they were at the Gala, SaberStar immediately felt threatened. He passed a pony and their eyes glowed momentarily sky-blue when they saw his wings. Even with Vinyl at his left and Fluttershy at his right he didn't feel safe. Fluttershy gave him a peck on the cheek and whispered in his ear

"Should we dance?" Saber was about to reply when something tackled him. Fortunately, he was prepared, he unfolded his wings and smacked his attacker. He switched to flight mode and whirled around. Two Changelings faced him. Strangely, they could talk.

"Time to crash this damn party," one said, he then pointed to his friend and said "pick which mare you want." Unfortunately, it went for Fluttershy. He dived to stop the Changeling but the other blocked him. He quickly formulated a plan. He just hoped it worked. He switched one wing and in a quick slash, injured the Changeling and dove for Fluttershy.

He got there just in time, right as the Changeling was about grab Fluttershy, Saber switched both wings and cut horizontally in the shape of an x. The Changeling's head fell to the floor and blood splattered on the ground. Fluttershy hugged him in relief but the relief was short lived. The other Changeling flew at Saber's back.

"Look out!" she said. He whipped around and killed the Changeling in the same manner.

"What the hell are Changelings doing at the Gala?"

"I bet we are all asking ourselves that," said a voice. A white unicorn with a navy-blue mane and cyan eyes was in the middle of the room, next to Saber.

"Adamant Shadow. Haven't seen you since the attack on Cloudsdale." replied Saber "Thought you were dead."

"Things change, old friend. We have an even more important and dangerous situation that could mean the fall of Canterlot."

Chapter Five: The Begining of the War

SaberStar didn't want to leave Fluttershy alone and without protection. He didn't know what to do. So the night before he left, he visited her. He knocked on the door three times

"Fluttershy?"

"Come in." said her soft voice. When he walked into the room, she was reading a book on gardening. She looked up and said, "I don't want you to leave any more than you do. But there's nothing we can change about it."

"That's not it." he said taking off his helmet

"Then what is it?"

"I can't leave you unguarded. I'm the best at reading movement and detecting Changeling presence. Without me, it would be hard to protect you, maybe even impossible."

"Saber, you know I can take care of myself."

"Not against the Changelings."

"Me and my friends did."

"That was different."

"How so?"

"You had a powerful unicorn to discern the Changelings from the other ponies. Now you don't. And now she can't help you. She must put her royal duties first."

"But she can still help me."

"Not forever."

"But we defeated them last time. I saw them being blasted away."

"But Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor are in the Crystal Empire. They can't come here now."

"Then I'll come to battle with you."

"No."

"But I'll hide as a tree- "

"No."

"Bu-"

"I said no."

"I'm just scared for you," Fluttershy said, "I want you to come back." she wrapped her wings around him and kissed him. He kissed her back on the forehead.

"I will make it back. I promise." He switched the blades on his wings to flight mode, wrapped them around her and they kissed.

Adamant Shadow trotted towards SaberStar's room in the Canterlot Castle. The place had an extraordinary laboratory. But that wasn't what mattered right now. Saber seemed very distressed. He knocked on Saber's door.

"Come in." came Saber's voice. It sounded tired, sad, and depressed. Adamant opened the door. The room was as unkempt as his laboratory and that was saying something. A lamp was shattered, his scimitar (which he didn't use) was broken in pieces on the floor. Aqua had seen him use those wings and he would not want to be the pony being at the other end of the bladed feathers. His helm was on the floor tilted but not cracked. The training dummy was on it's side. Saber was just as unkempt as his room. His normal spiky glacier mane was messed up. There were circles under his red eyes. His once bright and alert eyes were now dull and tired.

"Oh. Hello Adamant."

"What's wrong with you? You seem...........distressed."

"Well I'm just tired from worry. I just wish there was a safer option for me to protect Fluttershy. She wanted to go with me to war."

"Yeah, no that's not going to work." Adamant replied

"It's just I don't want to leave her. She'll be in danger as soon as I leave."

"You're damn right about that," Adamant said, "We- no you must protect her." Saber stared at Aqua. The scientist never swore.

"Well do you have any ideas?" the scientist thought for a moment, then replied "I got nothing. Nothing safe at least." Saber thought for a while.

"Nothing."

"And why did you break your scimitar? I know they're not your weapon of choice, but a weapon's a weapon."

"I was mad at the moment and if you look, it's not sliced. It's bent. I-I broke it with my hooves." Aqua stared

"But that's impossible! That sword is made from pure diamond!"

"I just bent and well.." he waved at the remains of the sword.

"Alright. We need to get some rest if we're going to leave tomorrow."

Saber didn't sleep much that night. He couldn't. Not with the prospect of Fluttershy being captured by the Changelings. Even with the Pinkie promise of Pinkie pie to keep her safe, he still didn't want to leave. It wasn't only because he wanted to protect her. It was because he would miss her more than anything in Equestria. The most disturbing part was when he actually slept. He saw a shadowy figure with blood-red eyes, unlike his flame colored ones. It was holding a long knife and was over another pony. He couldn't see who they were, but he could see the rounded muzzle of a mare. The dream ended. He woke up and got ready for battle. he styled his mane in the usual Mohawk that most guards had and put on his armor. When he got to the group of soldiers. something was different. Not in a-Changeling's-going-to-attack but more like all the guards seemed to salute to him and him only. So when he met up with Vinyl, Rainbow, Rarity, Twilight, and Applejack, he asked Twilight

"Why are all the soldiers saluting to me and me only?"

"We didn't tell you? you've ranked up. You are now their commander,"

"What? You mean to say I lead a group of about one-hundred soldiers?"

"Toldja he react this way," Applejack said "Mighty amount o soldiers even fer you."

"Oh Applejack, be quiet! Saber is very stressed about Fluttershy right now, and he's probably thinking that however many of soldiers die, that it's his fault they died!"

"Wait on minute," Applejack replied "Now why on Earth would he be stressed about Fluttershy?"

"We didn't tell you?" Twilight said "She and Saber are kind of a couple."

"Well I'm happy fer her. Does she seem happy?" Saber noticed that Rainbow's expression hardened to steel at the mention of him and Fluttershy. She hadn't talked to him since he arrived which was weird for her. She wasn't even flying. He could not understand why. He walked over to Rainbow and when he got close, she said,

"Go away from me. You ditched me for her."

"What do you mean?" he said confused.

"You abandoned me for Fluttershy." Now it made sense. Rainbow had liked him. Over the years, the feeling must've grown.

"She's lucky she's my friend or else-" before she could react, both wings were in blade mode and centimeters away from her face.

"You lay one hoof on her and I will kill you. I don't care who you are." he saw her reach for her spear. He waited until she had it pointed at him.

"Looks like we're at an impasse." she said.

"I would agree," Saber said "If it weren't for this!" and in two quick movements, he switched one feather on each side and cut her spear of pure steel in three pieces and knocked the other two parts out of her hooves "Like I said. You lay one hoof-"

"Stop it you two!" Twilight yelled "What is the matter?"

"This is a private conversation" one wing folded and the other stayed pointed at Rainbow "How long until we leave?" He asked.

"About two hours."

"Good." And with that he flew off without a word.

SaberStar flew in silence. Not thinking at all. He landed on a balcony and stormed through the library not caring who stared at his glowing armor or his spread wings in blade mode. The glowing runes reflected on his emotions. Right not they were blood-red which meant pure anger. He flung open the door to his room. He sliced a training dummy in half and then kicked it at the wall. There was a knock on the door. He maintained his anger and put on a calm voice and face but his armor was still blood-red "Come in." to his surprise Princess Luna opened the door

"Your Majesty," he said bowing, "With all due respect, why are you here?"

"I saw you storming through the library. Could your name possibly be SaberStar?"

"Yes that's me." Saber replied.

"You do not seem the happiest. Is this the wrong time?"

"No of course not it's just-how do you know my name?"

"Twilight Sparkle has told me and my sister about you. Is it true about the robotic wings?

"Yes." he said unfolding his wings. Unfortunately they were in blade mode. "Sorry, Your Highness. I'm just stressed out. And scared for a few ponies. Well one in particular...."

"Who is it?"  Luna asked cautiously as the blades were still out

"Fluttershy," he said miserably as his armor turned from red to purple. Dark, dark purple. The color of misery.

"Your armor is changing color. Why is that?"

"Princess Twilight made it so the color of the runes reflected my mood. Dark red is anger, blue is sadness, dark purple is misery, sea green is fear, and gold is happiness. I have yet to find out about the rest."

"But why are you so miserable? You may be going to war but with your fighting abilities, you will make it back to see Fluttershy."

"It's not that. I know I'll make it back. I promised her that. In person. But when we were at the Grand Galloping Gala, two Changelings attacked us. One of them tried to kidnap her. Something tells me she still isn't safe."

"What makes you say that?"

"Ever since a Changeling cut off my wings, I've been able to discern Changelings from other ponies and sense their movement better than anypony else. If I leave, who will protect her?"

"I'll send Discord in to protect her then."

"No."

"But she knows Discord."

"But that doesn't mean she's not scared of him."

"What do you mean?" Luna asked.

"Fluttershy still has nightmares about that monster. If he were to lay a hoof on her, he would die, reformed or not. I'm not letting him anywhere near her."

"It may be the only way."

"I'd rather get eaten by a Timber Wolf." he growled, his armor turning dark red.

"Maybe you should go visit her." Luna suggested.

"Hm. Probably." and he left without a word.

When Saber got there, forty-five minutes had passed. He was about to knock on the door when a voice said,

"You won't find her there." Saber whirled and Adamant Shadow was standing behind him. "Hey now," he said as a wing flipped up to his chin "Let's try not to kill me."

"Adamant," Saber sighed, his wings changing to flight mode "Your lucky I saw you before I attacked. What did you mean by 'I wouldn't find Fluttershy here'?"

"She's at the palace gardens. I'd get there fast. There's a guard who keeps stealing glances at her. Glances that sense he likes her." Saber's armor changed from dark red to bright red. Embarrassed.

"How did you...?"

"I saw you two together at the Gala."

"Oh." Then he remembered the guard and his armor turned blood-red again. "Are you coming? He asked Adamant,

"Oh might as well. I have a feeling this will be very........interesting."

SaberStar and Adamant Shadow galloped to the palace gardens.

"Watch to the side until I clear everything up," Saber whispered when they arrived, "I don't want you involved."

"Won't even notice me." he said smiling.

"Okay. Who's the guard you were talking about?"

"He's blue, with a red mane and green eyes. I don't see him. Hurry! you must find him!"

"Agreed." Saber ran into the garden. He concentrated and the lights on his armor dimmed. He kept his wings in flight mode. He walked, well more like ran, into the forest. He saw a flash of yellow and pink behind a bush. He walked backwards and peeked over the bush. There was a guard talking with Fluttershy, making her blush, smile and stare at the ground. Saber caught parts of the conversation.

"How about we talk about this, over dinner maybe?" Fluttershy's blush and smile disappeared instantly and she looked the guard in the eye. She replied with a sharp

"I'm spoken for."

"Don't see him."

"He is preparing for war."

"So he's a soldier. Well he may be a soldier, but I command twenty-five other soldiers." he was about put a hoof under her chin. That was past the line. His armor glowed dark red, along with the Fire Ruby in the shape of a star in the center of the chest as he jumped out.

"You put one hoof on her, I'll remove both your front hooves." The blades on his wings flipped to attack mode and for some reason glowed dark red too.

"SaberStar?!" Fluttershy said in shock. The guard laughed

"She's 'spoken for' so don't try." Fluttershy said later that his eyes glowed completely red.

"I'm the one she's 'spoken for'. You make a move, it will not end well for you." as if to make a point, the wings shot forward and hovered unmoving, a centimeter from the guard's face. The guard backed away and made a signal with his hoof. Five other guards came out, spears in hand. From the guard's wrists two blades appeared and he tried to stab Saber but he cut both of them in half, smacked the guard with unnatural speed and strength and he went flying. Then the guards charged Saber. While he was busy, Saber hadn't noticed that the first guard had gotten up and was walking towards Fluttershy. Saber knocked down a guard and saw him walking towards her. He slashed a guard and the guard screamed with pain. Saber didn't understand why. Then one of his wings touched the ground and the grass burned up. Somehow, a metal fire had started on his wings. He charged towards the first guard. But he was too late. The guard grabbed Fluttershy and kissed her on the lips. Rage filled Saber and his tail and plume became fire. In two lightning quick cuts, the guard was writhing in pain. Fluttershy was frozen in fear. Saber's eyes glowed even brighter. He picked up the guard and tried to get his wings to cool down. They obeyed. He jabbed the guard in the side and then slashed at his stomach. The guard wasn't to badly injured, but he was unconscious. Saber looked at the other guards and said,

"Go. Take him to a damn hospital. Go away before I change my mind on sparing you." The guards looked at him in terror, picked up the unconscious guard and ran. Fluttershy started to sob. Saber flipped his wings around, wrapped one around her and pulled her closer. He was still energized from his fight.

"Adamant, you come out now. The situation's taken care of." A white unicorn with a navy blue mane and a lab coat walked out from the bushes.

"That was interesting. I had no idea your wings could light a metal fire on themselves."

"Neither did I." he looked down at Fluttershy who was sobbing even harder.

"Shhh.....it's okay.........it's okay." She looked up.

"Y-y-y-y-your w-w-wings..... th-they were on f-f-fire a-and y-y-your eyes........."

"What about my eyes?" he asked,

"Th-they w-were c-c-completely r-r-red...."

"But my eyes are always red."

"She means completely red. Iris, pupil, everything."

"Y-y-y-your m-m-mane and t-t-t-tail were m-m-made of f-f-f-fire."

"I just don't know how it happened. The guard just kissed her and I attacked.

"Metal fire," Adamant mused "A fire that not event water can put out."

"Wh-what does that mean?" Fluttershy asked. She had stopped crying and now she was leaning on Saber.

"It means that the fire is so hot, it uses the oxygen in water to fuel itself. It's that damn hot." Fluttershy looked up at him. This was the second time he had cursed in front of her but she didn't seem to mind. He looked into her blue eyes and saw fear, shock, and even misery.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"It's just that.............I feel like I'm betraying you and Rainbow Dash. I know that she liked you too, and I know I wasn't the one who kissed that guard it's just........." she shuddered and looked like she was on verge of tears.

"Hey it's okay. You're not betraying me. I don't know what Rainbow thinks. But as long as your happy, I'm happy." he said. She smiled at him and they both walked towards the castle.

Saber paced his room, Fluttershy and Adamant with him.

"I still don't know how to protect you," he addressed Fluttershy, "Adamant you're the genius. Any ideas?"

"Well she could come with you..."

"Okay scratch that. You are the mad genius. Are you CRAZY?! She'd be safer with a pack of Timber Wolves!" his armor glowed ice blue. He guessed that meant 'protective'

"You mention 'being with the Timber Wolves a lot.' why?" Adamant questioned,

"I hate Timber Wolves. I have no parents because of them. They are evil. I don't know where the hell they come from but wherever it is, I hope they go back and never come here again." he replied sharp as a razor blade.

"They're MONSTERS!" He was breathing heavily. Fluttershy stared a Saber in shock. "Sorry Fluttershy. I just.." he inhaled deeply "I hate the Timber Wolves more than anything. More than the Changelings even."

"Wow, that's a strong hate." Adamant replied.

"They gave me this too," he pointed to his belly. A long scar marked his underside. "We'd better get going." Saber and Adamant were about to walk out the door when Fluttershy said

"Wait!" she galloped up to him, "I'm going with you."

"If it was safe, I would agree. But it's not!"

"I don't care! I want to be with you!" she looked him in the eye. He saw that she really wanted to come.

"She makes a valid point." Adamant pointed out, "You didn't want to leave her either."

"I know it's just that-" he was interrupted by a messenger guard who was looking very nervous.

"Uh, message for SaberStar!"

"Yes?" Saber asked.

"I am to tell you that you and the soldiers going to war must be prepared by tomorrow because the Changelings are going to attack first and their first target is Canterlot." Saber's eyes widened.

"How long until they attack?"

"About twenty-four hours." "Thank you for the message. You may go now." the guard galloped away.

"Changelings?! Here in Canterlot?!" Adamant exclaimed, looking surprised, "Didn't they learn their lesson last time they came here?!"

"We need to prepare. Fluttershy, Adamant come with me. We need to get you ready for battle."

When they got to the armory, even Adamant was impressed. Blades that came from a mechanism strapped to the pony's wrist, armor that had spells cast on them to light up and only the pony wearing them.

"Hey uh, Adamant. Did that robotic wings powered by your magic thing ever work?"

"Not quite yet. Lyra is trying to find a solution to make them lighter."

"Oh." Saber searched for a light enough and small enough suit of armor for Fluttershy. While Saber was looking for certain pieces, an unexpected visitor came in.

"S-saber?" Adamant stammered "Look behind you." Saber turned around to see the spirit of chaos, Discord himself.

"What are you doing here?" Saber growled.

"Why I came here to ask Fluttershy something of course." the draconequus said, in his best gentlemanly voice. "Fluttershy," Discord asked, "Would you be my very-special somepony?" Saber saw fear in her eyes.

"I don't know," she mumbled. Discord was about to put his eagle claw around her when the blades on Saber's wings flipped around to full out rage and his armor matched them.

"If you put on claw or paw around her or make a move, you will be a lot more uncomfortable than a stone statue. Imagine you with no head, then you become a statue." he growled, his wings flipping back to normal. "Now if you would excuse us, we have to get ready."

"Fine," Discord sighed "I guess being headless would be very uncomfortable." he snapped his fingers and disappeared.

The trio stayed up all night, planning, thinking and training. Saber taught Fluttershy some defense tactics just in case the Changelings found her in her hiding place that him and Adamant discovered. That morning they were all tired. Saber escorted Fluttershy personally to the hidden room they had found. He flipped one wing to blade mode and placed it on imprint of a wing just like his. The outline of the shape glowed silver. Fluttershy walked in to the room. A bed, kitchen, and cabinets filled with food.

"I will make it back safely."

"I know you will." She replied. "But what if he comes?"

"Take this," Saber said, handing her a reflective gem. "If he comes, say 'help' into the gem and it'll teleport me to you."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"No. Not for me. I'd better leave or I'll be late." then: "Stay safe." he said it like a soldier going to his doom. Saber was about to leave. "Oh! I almost forgot!" he pulled out a box and handed it to Fluttershy. She opened it and gasped, putting a hoof over her mouth. A silver necklace with a sapphire flower glittered in it Saber put it around Fluttershy's neck and said, "I promise." He kissed her on the cheek and flew away.

When he got there, Adamant was already there. "How much longer until they attack?" "Ten minutes I would guess at the least." he replied,

"Everypony, can I have y'all's attention please?" shouted Applejack. She stood on a tall rock and called out "Soldiers of Equestria! I seen y'all's eyes the fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the kindness of ponies fails. When we forsake our friends and break all bonds of loyalty, but it ain't this day. In an hour of haters and broken hearts, when the day of ponies comes crashing down, but it ain't this day! This day we fight for our friends and family, by all that you hold dear in Equestria! I bid you stand, the Guardians of Equestria!" All the soldiers cheered and raised their spears. Saber flipped his wings to attack mode and spread them. He walked towards his group of soldiers. He noticed that one of the guards was the one that had kissed Fluttershy. The guard's eyes widened when he saw them.

"You." the guard said.

"Me." Saber replied coldly . "You are court-martialed to the lowest rank for what you did. Don't think I will forgive you."

"You can't do that! You're not even the commander of us!" He protested,

"Actually, he has every right. He is your commander and you would do well to listen to him." Adamant replied, walking up to Saber, "Or else. Your lucky this war is coming up. If not, Saber would kick you out faster than you could react." The guard looked scared. He had been on the other side of Saber's wings and it had not ended well.

"What's your name soldier?" Saber demanded.

"LunarSun." the guard replied,

"Well LunarSun, I hope you like the mess you've gotten yourself into. Now go back to work!"

"Yes sir." the guard trotted away.

"Nice use of your rank." Adamant chuckled. Saber sighed.

"I'm not used to being in charge like this," he said "commander of one hundred soldiers?! If any one of them dies, it's my fault!"

"Look Saber, nopony can guarantee that there will be no casualties, only hope that they will be low." Adamant replied, "Now let's go meet Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity, and Vinyl at the front formation." they walked towards what was the front lines of the army. Tents, wooden stakes and trenches crisscrossed the entire camp. "Here." the scientist said, walking towards the biggest tent. Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity, Vinyl, and a small purple and green dragon were looking at a map, pointing out locations, and murmuring. "We're here." Adamant said.

"Good, SaberStar, you're here." Twilight replied, addressed Saber.

"So what are we looking at?" He asked.

"Here are where the Changelings are camping out." Rainbow said, pointing at a group of caves on the other said of Canterlot. "We've got good news and bad news. Good news: the Changelings are tired, and exhausted. They haven't fed on emotions for ten years. Bad news: Chrysalis is leading them and all Changelings are all in full armor."

"The Queen is here. Why is that bad news?" Saber asked.

"She wouldn't come to battle unless she was sure she and her subjects would be victorious." Rainbow replied. She and the others were in black battle armor so that the armor wouldn't glint in the sunlight or moonlight. All of a sudden, an hideous sounding horn sounded from the top of a hill. A tall, gangly shape with holes in the hooves. Queen Chrysalis.

"Inhabitants of Canterlot! Surrender now and you will not be killed! We will spare you if you cooperate, you will be happy beyond measure!" She called. Saber didn't believe her one bit.

"Yeah right," Rainbow yelled back while flying up, "You won't kill us, you'll torture us!" all the soldiers murmured in agreement.

"We will give you an hour to surrender. If you have not, we will destroy you." Chrysalis called back. She walked down the other side of the hill and left.

"We won't let them take us, will we?" Saber said, confidence in his voice. "Course not," Rainbow replied, grinning at him for the first time in a while, "You think we would let the likes of them take us or even Fluttershy?"

"Then let's get in formation." Saber said, standing tall as a true guard.

They all galloped towards their groups of soldiers. When Saber arrived at his, they were practicing fighting by training with each other.  

"Attention!" he yelled. The soldiers stopped and stood up straight, saluted him and stayed in that pose. Even LunarSun did it (although he was very reluctant). Saber walked in front of all one-hundred. "Today, we battle to defend our homes and loved ones. Nopony can promise that there will be no deaths, only to hope that they will be very low. You must fight to defend. Dying in battle is honorable when you are defending those you care about. If a Changeling captures you, do everything in your power to escape. if you are weaponless, well you won't unless they find these, which is very unlikely." He tossed the hidden blades that he had found in the armory. There was barely enough for everypony, but he managed. 'Strap these around your wrists. When you need to use them, there is a button on the wrist. Press it and the blade will come out. Now let's get in formation and send the Changelings back to their wasteland of a home!" all the soldiers cheered and shouted and raised their spears. The got in formation and started marching towards the hill.

When the large group of soldiers approached the hill, Saber saw the other leaders or 'Centurions' with their groups of one-hundred soldiers. Saber flew up and saw spears, horns, wings and banners. The markings of an army. He, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity, Vinyl, and the small purple and green dragon who was now clad in armor holding a spear his size were standing in front of their groups.

"They'll rue the day they messed with us," the dragon said,

"Agreed Spike," Twilight replied, "but would you stand a chance against a Changeling?"

"Probably not." Spike sighed.

"What are we waiting for?" Rainbow called, "Let's kick some Changeling rear!" As if on cue, the Changeling horn blew. Chrysalis flew over the hill with her bug-like wings.

"What is your choice?" she called to the army of Unicorns and Pegasi. "We would never surrender to you disgusting creatures!" Twilight yelled, "Very well then! You will not survive this!" Chrysalis replied, her gnarled black horn glowing green. And with that, the two armies charged and clashed

Chapter Six: The War

Saber charged into the fray, slashing Changelings, his wings alight with metal fire. The Changelings shrieked in pain, and fled before his wings and flaming plume and tail. He saw Twilight fighting Chrysalis, horn to horn, blasting spells at each other. He saw Rainbow, kicking and stabbing and (for some reason) Pinkie Pie, zipping around, tapping, tagging Changelings and causing general havoc. Rarity was armed with shards of diamond in which case she launched at the Changelings, stabbing them in all sorts of places. Vinyl was fighting with a strange speaker that appeared to be powered by her magic. Whenever she used her magic, It shot out a sound wave that knocked Changelings out and even killing a few. A cry echoed across the valley. Saber saw Twilight, her shoulder soaked in blood, on the ground, not moving. Chrysalis stood over Twilight, her horn glowing brighter by the minute. Saber stabbed the Changeling in front of him. Come on Saber, show these creatures that you can use a little slash, he flew at Chrysalis, armor glowing ice-blue, but his flames extinguished so that he didn't hurt Twilight. The color of protection. Saber sliced the shell on her back and she growled in pain. Whirling around Chrysalis's horn glowed again. A beam of green magic shot towards him. He put his wings in front of himself and the they absorbed it. Somehow, he could absorb certain kinds of magic. The wings glowed green and the spell was released in a puff of turquoise smoke.

"What?!" Chrysalis shrieked, "How is this possible?!" Saber didn't understand either, but he didn't let himself be distracted by the thought. He rolled under a boulder she had thrown at him and slashed one of her gangly hooves. Her gnarled horn glowed again and two magic blades appeared on her wings. "You will die slowly and very painfully." She promised. Saber knew a lot about swordplay. He remembered fighting using fake swords with his uncle. "If your enemy is bigger than you or has a longer reach, you have to get in closer." his uncle's battle training flashed through his head. He charged her and narrowly avoided her right insect wing and slashed her again in the side .She shrieked in pain and managed to land a hit on his leg where the breastplate and boots did not protect him. Pain shot up his arm. He tried to land but his knee buckled under him and he fell. Chrysalis saw her chance and slashed down. He raised his wing just in time. Her blade clashed with his.

"Surrender you foal!"

"Never!" Chrysalis slashed down with her other wing. He rolled over and jabbed her in the stomach, barely avoiding her other wing. While she was still recovering, Saber ran to Twilight, who was unconscious. He took a piece of cloth from a fallen soldier and wrapped it around her shoulder. He shoved her into the hands of the nearest Pegasus guard from his group and said, "Get her to a hospital. Now."  

"Yes sir." and he flew off. Chrysalis had recovered and was looking at him murderously.

"Give up! I am a queen! You are a lowly soldier!"

"You are a queen of monsters. I don't bow down to you." His wings lit up and he charged her again. This time, she conjured up a globe of water and soaked his wings. The fire burned even brighter. "Ever heard of a metal fire before, Chrysalis? It's when metal lights on fire. Not hot enough to melt it but hot enough so not even ice cold water can put it out." Chrysalis looked at him in fear. He made his last attack in the whole battle. He flew straight at the evil queen and slashed her with a flaming wing. She collapsed and was shivering on the ground. Three Changelings lifted her up and called out in their language (which Saber didn't understand at all) but from the reaction, he guessed it meant retreat. A Changeling cursed at him and flew off.

They all celebrated their victory that night but mourned the loss of the soldiers who had died in the battle. Five of them were Saber's own. He felt responsible for them passing into the void. He didn't join the celebration feast with the others, including Fluttershy, who had no need to use the gem he gave her. She must've noticed he wasn't at the table. He was leaning on a pillar, staring at the feast with sad eyes. He felt different. He wasn't wearing his armor for once and he was limping where Chrysalis had cut his leg. It was not that deep, but it hurt a lot. Fluttershy snuck off from the table to follow Saber and went after him. He was hiding in the shadows when she found him. For some reason, his eyes glowed in the dark.

"Saber," She whispered into the darkness, "What's wrong?" his voice matched his eyes. Tired, sad, and cautious.

"Five of the soldiers that died today were my responsibility and they...." his voice cracked. "Five ponies I won't forge-" his knee buckled and he sank to the ground, grimacing in pain. Fluttershy sat next to him, looking worried. She put a wing around him and kissed him on the cheek.

"We need to get you to a doctor." She said.

"I'm fine." he replied, although he didn't look or sound okay. He had a bandage on his left hoof, and was covered in nicks and scratches like he had jumped through a window. His eyes were dull and tired, not alert and bright. His voice was raspy, low, and tired. Circles ringed his eyes and a bruise was on the leg that wasn't bandaged and his wings were folded limply instead of spread out. He was usually easygoing and active. Not anymore. It was like he was a robot pony and he was low on power. Fluttershy tried to cheer him up, but she couldn't think of anything to say. "I can't get the image out of my head." he said, shaking.

"What image?"

"The night I visited you, I saw a nightmarish image. A dark figure was standing over what looked like a mare, and it was holding a long knife. Its eyes were blood-red. I can't get it out of my mind." He shuddered and cringed. Another emotion flooded his eyes. One she didn't see very often. Fear. He tried to stand, but fell down again. Fluttershy helped him get up and supported him. "Thank you Fluttershy." he said, unfolding one wing and wrapped it around her as they walked towards his room.

They opened his door and Fluttershy settled him on his bed. He lay down and fell into a deep sleep. When he woke, Adamant Shadow was in his room, reading a book about space.

"Adamant?" Saber mumbled, "Wha-what time is it?"

"Two in the morning." Adamant replied. Saber looked outside. It was still dark. "Wh-where's Fluttershy?" he yawned, "Asleep, considering the time." Saber got out of bed. He yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"I'm going to the library to find more about swordplay." he said and walked out of the room.

The Canterlot Castle was almost endless. Banners, Stained glass windows, and library wings. Saber found his way to Starswirl the Bearded wing of the Canterlot Archives. He wasn't a unicorn, but the different kinds of spells the could use fascinated him. Plus, he wanted to see if he could find the spell that the Changeling used to cut off his wings. Saber searched the shelves for something that might give him a clue to why he was gaining these powers. He found nothing. He eventually gave up and made his way to his room. Saber heard hoofsteps near him. He lit his wings up for light. Vinyl was standing a ways away. She gave a start when his wings lit up. Vinyl sighed when she realized it was him.

"Saber, what are you doing here this late?"

"I was just about to ask you that." Saber replied.  He willed his wings to extinguish themselves. "Why weren't you at the feast?" she asked. "Five of the soldiers that died today were my men. Men that I could've saved. But they died." he said,

"Saber, it wasn't your fault. They were too far away from you for you to help." she replied.

"I could've saved them. I could've flown to their aid." he bowed his head. an walked away.

When Saber got to his room, he was shocked to see that the sun was out. He opened the door and of course, Adamant Shadow was still there. Saber looked at his clock. Eight o' clock. He had been out for six hours?!

"Ah, finally, you're here," Adamant said, looking up. "Today is a break for all the guards. You get a day off. How to spend it is your choice. Maybe-"

"Alright! I get it! I need to take a day off." he interrupted. "I don't know what I'm going to do. First I need some sleep."

"Well I know a certain somepony who is up and about." Adamant raised an eyebrow. "Maybe, spend your day with her once you wake up?" Saber shot a glare at Adamant. "Now, I need to sleep." Adamant left the room and closed the door.

"Find me when you wake up." Adamant replied.

"Okay." Saber said. He closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.

Chapter Seven: The Day Off

SaberStar had no dreams or nightmares when he slept. He slept peacefully and quietly. When he woke, went to go find Adamant. He was in the lab, working on a spear that didn't dull.

"Where is she?" Saber asked "

The ballroom." Adamant replied. "Don't worry. Nopony else is there." Saber thanked him and flew to the ballroom. A guard was standing by the door and looked at Saber cautiously. Saber opened the door, but the guard didn't stop him. Fluttershy was looking out the window where the palace gardens were. Where it had all happened. She had a sad, hurt, and scared look on her face. Saber approached her and put a hoof on her shoulder. She jumped and whirled around to face him.

"Oh, you startled me." she said.

"Sorry," Saber apologized, "I didn't mean to. I have a day off today, and I don't know what to do. Adamant told me you were here and I decided that the best way to spend would be with you."

"Oh," she said, blushing. Fluttershy was wearing the necklace he had given her before the battle and she was wearing a silver charm bracelet on her left hoof. Saber folded his left wing and put his right one around her. She seemed...... off .This wasn't like her. She usually was easygoing and happy. Not cautious and sad.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She looked away, but didn't respond.

"It's just that before we left for the Gala, I told you I was going to see Rainbow Dash. I did, but she got mad. She said that she was the one who should be with you. I just didn't want to hurt anypony. I never wanted to hurt anypony." She didn't start crying, but she did look on the verge of tears. "And then the incident with that guard and Discord, I just don't feel safe here." Saber never really felt safe at any time at all, but Fluttershy should feel safe most of the time. Canterlot was very safe unless it was under attack. He suspected something had happened when Saber was gone. He noticed something scribbled on a pillar. He couldn't make out the letters. Taking Fluttershy with him, he examined the wording. He didn't recognize the glyphs but they looked a bit like English lettering. It said: ΣαβεrΣταr: Πεαcβrιngεr, βυτ αlσο θε Βrιnγεr Οf Δεαθ. "What are you looking at?" Fluttershy asked, squinting at the lettering.

"Something in a different language. I can't decipher it. Maybe Adamant can. He can read every ancient language there is."

Saber knocked on the Canterlot Laboratory door. He knew that Adamant would be in here. Sure enough, Adamant stuck his head out.

"Saber?" he inquired, "Aren't you spending your day with Fluttershy?"

"Well, I'm going to, but first I need you to help me decipher something." When they got to the ballroom, Saber found the pillar after some searching. He pointed to the lettering on it. "This is what we need help with." Adamant peered at the runes, read them and stepped back in shock. He looked startled, scared even. "What did it say?" Saber asked.

"This says in Ancient Greek: SaberStar, Peacebringer, but also the Bringer of Death." Adamant and Fluttershy stared at Saber, their eyes unreadable. What worried Saber was that the lettering was faded and weathered, not recently carved. They looked as if they were carved maybe a hundred years after the defeat of Nightmare Moon. A scrawled prophecy maybe?

"Let's not worry about these carved runes. We all have a day off. I suggest we get to what we wanted to do." Saber suggested. They all agreed. Adamant trotted towards the lab where he was working previously. Saber looked down at Fluttershy who was at his side. She leaned into him and smiled. He smiled back at her and pulled her closer. Kissing her on the cheek, he said, "I want to show you something."

Saber took Fluttershy to the palace gardens. She hesitated when she saw where they were going. Putting a hoof on her shoulder, he said,

"Don't worry. We're not going anywhere near that place." Saber led her to a section of the gardens where a circular clearing was. In the middle of the clearing, a statue of the Elements of Harmony stood. He didn't mention that a carving was in the middle. A prophecy was etched in the middle. When the battle has lasted thirty years, a warrior will come. When the land is soaked in pain and tears, a savior will come. A bringer of Peace and Death, fighter of Fire and Shadow as well, will banish the monsters from the gates of hell. He will save the one he cares for the most but lose those close to him. He will wash the land clear of sin. The Sword That Will Give Peace in Equestria is here. Saber didn't want to pressure him or Fluttershy with these runes carved on stone. He flew up, formed a cloud big enough for him and Fluttershy. He lowered it down and helped her onto it. She settled down on it and smiled at him, a bit of her old self returning. Saber pushed up the cloud and flew up onto it and sat next to Fluttershy. She leaned into him and he kissed her forehead. Her cheeks turned slightly red. She kissed him on the cheek and said, "Where are we going?" "You'll see." Saber replied. Fluttershy closed her eyes and put her head on his shoulder. Saber flew the cloud towards an odd light show near the north. Streams of light spread out and shimmered.

"What is that?" Fluttershy asked.

"The Aurora Borealis," Saber replied, "Or the Northern Lights as some ponies call them." A red streak and a yellow streak crossed and disappeared. Saber wrapped his other wing around Fluttershy, kissed her and she kissed him.

They watched the lights for hours until eventually, the lights faded. He flew Fluttershy back to the castle just in time for dinner. Saber seated himself next to her and she next to Applejack. Saber was feeling better and went to dinner that night unlike yesterday. Twilight was limping on her leg where Chrysalis had jabbed her shoulder. One soldier, a guard by the name of Flash Sentry was in attendance. Saber suspected Twilight liked him because when he sat down next to her, she blushed furiously. He remembered back to when Twilight had told him about Fluttershy, she had mentioned a crush. Saber guessed this was the pony she had one on. The feast was lively but was only Twilight, Flash, Pinkie, Rarity, Rainbow, Applejack, Vinyl, Adamant, Saber and Fluttershy there. Nopony else, so it was casual. Flash Sentry was impressed by Saber's victory.

"How did you win?" he asked, "Nopony has beaten the queen hoof to hoof." Saber explained his wings and the certain powers he had gained after it had happened. When he was about to tell Flash about the incident guard, LunarSun, he hesitated.

"What did happened that night to make you court-martial one o your best soldiers? That's what Ah want to know." Applejack said aloud. Saber's expression darkened and he didn't respond.

"That's a story for another time." he said in a low voice.

"Not to prod Saber, but we all want to know what happened." Twilight said and winced as Saber glared at her.

"I don't." Adamant voiced. Saber shot him a dirty look.

"No offense but NOT HELPING!" Everypony in the room noticed that Saber's eyes glowed ice blue and he put a wing around Fluttershy protectively. Twilight suspected it had involved SaberStar, Fluttershy and the guard he had court-martialed. They all sensed this was not going to end well if they pressed any further. Saber's eyes were glowing brighter. Not like a Changeling's eyes. Like his armor had made a connection between him and his eyes. His wings were steaming and his eyes were blood-red instead of their normal flame red. Saber's eyes returned to their normal color. His wing folded against his side but he kept the other around Fluttershy.

"But seriously," Rainbow said, "What happened?" Saber's ears were and cheeks were tinted red.

"Ask Adamant. He can tell you later. We have other problems. Today me and Fluttershy found ancient lettering on a pillar. They said in Grecian letters, 'SaberStar, Peacebringer, but also the Bringer of Death.' and a while back, I found a prophecy carved in the center of a statue. It said, 'When the battle has lasted thirty years, a warrior will come. When the land is soaked in pain and tears, a savior will come. A bringer of Peace and Death, fighter of Fire and Shadow as well, will banish the monsters from the gates of hell. He will save the one he cares for the most but lose those close to him. He will wash the land clear of sin. The Sword That Will Give Peace in Equestria is here.'" Everypony stared at Saber. His eyes went through a multitude of colors. White, black, sea-green, ice blue and finally yellow. Confusion. He was very confused. A prophecy about him? If the Changeling hadn't cut off his wings, he'd be normal. Not a powerful Pegasus soldier with strange powers and robotic wings. He felt up to his neck in problems. Wounds, LunarSun, Changelings, and now these prophecies. Nothing he wanted to deal with. But these worries had good effects. If the Changeling hadn't cut off his wings, he wouldn't have met Fluttershy and he wouldn't have stopped Chrysalis from invading Canterlot. He was happy about those things. His eyes glowed gold. Happiness.

"We need to figure out what this means." Twilight said, sipping her drink. "If we can figure what it means, we can maybe stop some of the death described in it."

"Agreed," Flash replied, "If we can, we can still bring peace to Equestria like it says. But who is it about?"

"It said a 'Sword'. A saber is a kind of sword." Pinkie Pie interjected. Now Saber felt uncomfortable. This prophecy might really be about him. His eyes glowed a color nopony saw very often. It was one he didn't let his eyes be. Sea-green. Fear. This was terrifying. He couldn't lose more soldiers or friends. He wouldn't. He needed a break. Some time alone. He silently got down from the table and walked out. But he didn't go unnoticed. Rainbow saw him leave and was curious. She excused herself and followed him.

When she found him walking glumly in the palace gardens, his eyes were black. Rainbow didn't know what that meant but she knew it wasn't a happy feeling. She tapped him on the shoulder softly. Saber whirled around flipping one wing up to her chin. He sighed and lowered it down.

"Dash, what on Earth are you doing?" he asked,

"You left the table and without Fluttershy. That's unlike you." Saber's eyes turned purple. Misery. He sat down, but still no reply. Rainbow sat next to him. She pecked him on the cheek and put his wing around her. Saber's ears and cheeks blushed. His eyes flashed cherry red and then gray as a raincloud. Shame. Rainbow looked upset or sad.

"What's wrong?" he asked.  

"The same reason why I got mad at you. I know that you and Fluttershy are together and that this may make you uncomfortable. I don't want to interfere with you guys. But-" her voice broke and she cried into his shoulder.

"Shh, shh, it's okay." he said, awkwardly patting her back. Then, Rainbow kissed him.

Saber liked to think of himself of a victim of circumstance. Wrong place, wrong time. Right as she kissed him, Fluttershy walked out into the garden. She looked at the two in surprise. Betrayal filled her eyes. Fluttershy ran off, sobbing. A brown Earth Pony stallion stepped out of the bushes along with a grey and blonde Pegasus mare.

"Busted." the Earth Pony said. Saber glared at the pony.

"Shut up!" he yelled.

"You can't talk to the Doctor like that! He's a time-traveling pony! He's saved the world hundreds of times and you haven't saved it once" the mare yelled.

"Well, just saved it from the Changelings! Doctor, as you can see I am NOT IN A GOOD MOOD. If you could go back in time and stop this, it would help." Saber snapped.

"Don't talk to my companion like that! And I can't do that. It would cause a catalyst and we don't want that." the Doctor replied.

"Fine. Just leave me alone." and he stormed off.

"Bit of a grump." the Doctor whispered. Him and his assistant opened the door to an old time police box. It whirred and disappeared.  Saber had had enough. He flew up to the top of the cloud level. He made a indent and burrowed in the cloud. Saber felt torn. His eyes were two different colors. One gray, one blood-red. He lapsed into a dreamless sleep.

Saber woke to an angry Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Flash, and even angry Pinkie Pie.

"Explain yourself." Flash said sharply.

"I don't know what happened last night but it wasn't my fault." Saber tried to explain.

"Yeah right."  said, Flash, kicking him in the side. Saber grunted but didn't fight back. His eyes flashed white. Pain "I swear I'm telling the truth." he said. They turned to Applejack.

"Is he lying?" Twilight asked.

"No." Applejack replied, "Not yet." Saber had no reaction.

"Rainbow just kissed me. I kinda want to be left alone or with somepony who doesn't hate me." Saber said softly. So they left and Saber lay thinking. He didn't understand. Why was all this happening to him? He lay there for an hour when a certain cyan Pegasus . Saber's eyes turned the color of blood. Now he was normally a peaceful pony, but when someone made him angry, he wasn't all nice and happy. Saber glared at Rainbow. He turned around and faced the other direction. His eyes turned completely blood red. Rainbow stepped off the balloon and landed with a soft thump. He whirled around and flicked his wing up to her chin and this time, he didn't put the wing down.

"What do you want?" he said anger in his voice. Rainbow looked down at her hooves.

"I'm sorry Saber. I really am. I came to tell you a message. The message is 'It's over.' Saber's eyes went white. She guessed that meant shock or pain. He sank to the ground.

"Who sent you this message?" he asked quietly.

"Discord." Vinyl replied. Saber's eyes turned sea-green.

"Then we have to hurry." he grabbed Rainbow and flew down towards the castle as fast as he could. When he got there, a guard was blocking Fluttershy's room. Ironically, it was LunarSun.

"Oh it's you," he said, "She's not happy. And I don't think she wants to see you."

"I suspected as much," Saber muttered, "Then give her a message. Tell her I'm sorry. Oh and promotion to General." and he walked away, leaving Vinyl and the confused guard.

Vinyl trotted to catch up to him. His eyes were the darkest blue she had ever seen. She started to cry. "I did this," she whispered, "I did this." Saber looked over at Vinyl. He didn't disagree with her but he wasn't cruel. He put his wing around her and comforted her. His side and leg flared and he collapsed. His eyes turned white. Rainbow came down with him. He lit his wing on fire and touched his leg with it. She tried to stop him but she was too late. She expected his hoof to burn off. Instead, it burned off the bandage. No cut. His eyes returned to dark blue, but for a moment, they flashed gold. He stood up, tall and strong. Rainbow stood up with him. His eyes turned steely gray. Determination. A guard came running. He was so beat up that Saber didn't recognize him. It was LunarSun,

"Sir! The Changelings have captured Princess Twilight, Adamant Shadow, Vinyl and Applejack! They're about to escape!" Saber's eyes turned blood-red.

"We need to catch them!" Saber and Rainbow galloped towards the entrance. Little did Saber know what he was getting himself into.

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