"To take that leap of faith is only the beginning."

                                                                                     Princess Mi Amore Cadenza

Flash Sentry marveled at the cliff-side city that was Las Pegasus. The city hung off the side of the cliff, whole buildings carved into the rock face of the cliff. Cloud buildings ran off the side making up the pegasus side of the city. Each cloud building was a marvel in and of itself. Soarin' chuckled at the orange Pegasus's wide eyed stare.

"Never been here before huh?" he said as he flew next to Flash.

"Yeah," Flash said," I never would have guessed it was this impressive."

"Yeah I remember my first time here. Man what a night."

They angled themselves down to a large landing strip on the cliff, the army of pegasi following close to the Commander and General. Once they landed a forest green pegasus mare trotted up to Soarin'.

"Sir we were not expecting you so soon," she said.

"Meadow, Cloudsdale has fallen," Soarin' said," Has there been any reports of an army moving this way?"

The mare gasped before composing herself, "No sir."

"Good. See to it these ponies are given a warm bed and a hot meal," he looked to Flash," All of them."

"Right away sir," Meadow said before turning to the main group," Alright ponies follow me if ya wanna eat!"

The army of exhausted pegasi followed her with an urgency leaving Soarin' and Flash behind.

"C'mon my office has some brandy in it we can talk there," Soarin' said as he started toward the airbase's main building.

Flash nodded and followed him. Inside ponies saluted Soarin' to which he offered a polite nod. Each showed the light blue stallion the utmost respect. The pair made their way through the halls in silence. When they arrived at Soarin's office he opened the door and allowed Flash to step inside. Soarin' followed after and grabbed a dusty bottle for above his shelf of old Wonderbolt trophies. Flash looked at them while Saorin' poured two glasses of the brandy.

"That's an impressive amount of trophies," Flash said, taking the glass that Soarin' offered him.

Soarin' took a sip of his drink and sat down on his chair," Yep. Those were the days I tell ya. Heh that one on the far end was an accident if you can believe it."

"Really?" Flash asked as he took a closer look at the trophy in question. It was small but had a plaque that read, ' Highest Altitude on Record.'

"Yeah that was an interesting day," Soarin' said with a blush," I was caught in a wicked updraft that carried me a lot farther than I wanted to be."

"Huh nice."

"Not really almost pissed myself."

Flash gave him an 'are you serious ' look.

"Hey it was high as hell alright. I'm lucky to be alive."

Flash laughed at Soarin's expression, to which Soarin' rolled his eyes.

"So what did you do before... you know?"

Flash took a drink," I was part of the Royal Guard, just starting out too."

"Really," Saorin's whistled," That's tough work."

"Yeah it was pretty rough but worth it. They said I had promise."

Flash went silent and Soarin' understood why," It was tough huh? To cut yourself off when Moon and Stars took over."

"Yeah,' Flash shuddered when he relived the experience. When Moon and Stars took over the Royal Guard had been ordered to round up all earth ponies and pegasi for branding. He still had nightmares about that day. The screams, the blood, and the deaths.

"Sorry fro bringing up old scars."

"It's ok," I think everyone looks back at those days with a shudder," Flash downed his drink and placed the glass on the desk," Where were you when it all went down?"

Saorin' refilled Flash's glass," I was here actually with the rest of the team. When we heard about what happened in Canterlot and Stalliongrad Spitfire had decided then to join Stormwing."

"And you followed her."

Soarin' nodded and downed his own drink," All of us did. So how did you end up in this House Brightflame?"

"They came to me a couple of months ago," Flash said as a small smile formed on his muzzle," Pyrequill needed a general and he had heard of me from a friend of mine. Let me tell you I was surprised when I met the guy."

"I bet," Soarin' looked at his glass then back at Flash," So what do you plan to do now?"

"I was hoping thatyou and your ponies would join Brightflame's cause," Flash said as he brought his glass to his lips. He had been mulling this idea over since the night before. He knew he ws taking a chance here but in his months of dealing with Moondancer he did learn one thing form the mare, to take a chance.

Soarin' stared at his glass before looking up," Do you really believe this Pyrequill can end the war?"

"No," Flash said," I believe all of us can end this war."

Soarin' couldn't help but chuckle at the corny statement," Well if you honestly believe that then I guess..."

The light blue stallion fell silent. He was tron at what to do. He believed Flash when he said they could end this war but he didn't want to betray Spitfire or Rainbow Dash. They had changed he knew but... Soarin' steeled his resolve and looked Flash dead in the eye.

"I'll join you."  

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