EPISODE 10: LIFETIME GRUDGE

There was much to celebrate, and much to abhor. Unfortunately for Windchaser, his mind couldn't settle on one feeling or the other for long. It felt a bit like a speedy Ferris wheel, violently swinging up then suddenly falling down, but despite the mental motion sickness he managed to keep it all inside his head, save for a small misstep or two as he paced the dormitory corridors. Otherwise, on the outside, there was nothing more than an expressionless gaze. His platinum eyes moved about every few seconds or so in their usual observational manner.

The way to his room was a trek occupied nothing more than Windchaser’s containing of his thoughts. None looked at him as though anything were escaping into a snarl or strange twitches as the stallion had seen in the others from Ponyville. Starlight tended to fidget in his anxiety, whereas Lyra was either bouncing off the walls in joy or had her muzzle glued to the floor in depression. Though he felt safe for the time being, Windchaser couldn’t help but see himself headed for such a state of emotional ruin given the thought of what he knew he would be facing in the next few weeks – if he were even to survive that long – embodied within the mare named Bonfire.

Of all the ponies, she had to be one.

“There ye are!” came a bellow from a room nearby.

When Windchaser stopped, he noticed a head sticking out from the door that was, in fact, to his own suite; however, thanks to his occupied mind, he had already passed by.

Backtracking a few steps, Windchaser made his way back to where the blue stallion stood waiting. As he entered the familiar abode, his eyes went up and down the strange pony that stood before him. He had an eye-patch over one eye and a cutie mark of a ship at sea. His blue colors were much like Colgate’s, but the stallion’s were much more vibrant like the demeanor he displayed through a funny grin.

“Nice to see another classmate o' mine; at least yer a familiar face,” said the blue pony. “What was it, now, Will-o'-the-Wisp?”

“Windchaser.”

“Ah, close enough,” the stallion mumbled. “The name's-”

“Seven Seas.”

“Ah! So ye do know me, do ye?” the blue stallion exclaimed. “Arr, it seems me fame has ever-increased as the weeks have gone by. Why, I certainly ain't one to complain-”

“You have a strange accent,” Windchaser stated, unsure of how else to put it. “It’s how everypony knows you. We’re also in the same class.”

He had heard it discussed in various circles when Seven Seas passed by. Such a distinctive identity had not been something that Windchaser envied.

“Well, good to know I'll be with a bit o' an honest one!” Seven Seas laughed as he pulled Windchaser close for a brotherly embrace. “And of course I know we’re in the same class, how could I forget? Speaking of forgettin’, between you and I, the last kooky I ended up with was a bit o' a strange one, he was, and I can’t quite forget the likes o’ him.”

For the sake of small talk – Windchaser figured he had nothing else to do – he gave in to curiosity. “Who was it?”

Seven Seas’ eyes lit up briefly. “Oh, he was a strange one! He was... er... well, it started with a ‘J’, or was it ‘Q’..?”

His voice trailed off, and soon Windchaser wondered if he could even remember his question, or even if he had heard it clearly the first time. The blue stallion stood on his hind legs suddenly and separated his front hoofs and began nodding as his eyes grew tremendously.

“This long,” he remarked, drawing out his words as far as his reach, then twisted his hooves to signal a vertical length. “This tall. Big land-lubber, he was.”

“Giant Geode?”

“That's the feller! Yer a good one with names, aren't ye?”

“I keep my ears open,” Windchaser replied succinctly.

But Seven Seas' eyes narrowed. “Ye got a good memory, too, it seems - like me! Good fer when yer in large groups-” He paused for a moment, letting go of Windchaser. Before the stallion could slip free of the grip, though, it returned. “Speaking of groups, what d'ye make of the mares in ours?”

This time Windchaser lifted the hoof of his acquaintance off of his shoulder and stepped back to gain back his individual space. He kept his emotionless stare in tact as Seven Seas stared for a second, then raised an eyebrow and patted his muzzle.

“Not too fond, eh? Either it's one of the three or all of 'em, I’m guessin’,” the sailor added. “Where are you from again? Yer not from Canterlot, are ye? No, Manehattan-?”

“Ponyville.”

“Arr, next on me list, naturally,” he coughed. “So, you must know Vinyl Scratch, yes?”

How does he know where she’s from and not me..?

“Yes.”

“I assume yer the best of friends, then. That leaves the beautiful Lemon Hearts and the sporty Bonfire. I can't imagine why ye'd not like either one-”

“There's more to them than meets the eye,” Windchaser said, then covered his mouth quickly.

No. Stop talking. Saying more will only make it worse-

“Well, what do ye mean by that, Stormchaser-?”

“Windchaser,” the stallion corrected, then sealed his own lips shut. He peeped, “I meant nothing. Really.”

Seven Seas cocked his head. “Yer a strange one. Not much fer talking, are ye?”

Windchaser merely nodded.

“Proves me theory straightaway!” he exclaimed with a laugh. “Well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see fer meself when the group meets next – sometime this evenin', methinks.”

“This evening?” the silver stallion gulped.

Seven Seas gave a devilish smile. “Oh come on now, don't be so shy. Yer one of those ponies who doesn't do well in large group settings, aren't ye? Well, not to fear, there's only five of us including you, so-”

“It's not the group,” Windchaser remarked, to which Seven Seas paused.

“Oh, it's not, eh?” The blue stallion's eyes suddenly lit up like fireworks. “Ah, I see what yer gettin' at. It's just the females we'll be crossing paths with. You afraid of the mares? They really are something to fear at times, like sirens at sea.”

Seven Seas laughed with his eyes closed and head held high. Windchaser laughed nervously and nodded.

“He he, yeah, mares are pretty... scary.”

Windchaser barely convinced himself of feeling any trace of embarrassment, but the sailor-speaking stallion didn't seem to notice in the slightest as he carried on waltzing about the room. His steps seemed somewhat strange, as though he were wobbling, as he constantly murmured to himself as though no one were watching him. Windchaser couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Does this guy really think he's a pirate or something..?

Before Windchaser could ask aloud, the door suddenly flew open with a bang. In pranced a familiar figure whose blazing colors could have been spotted from miles away, even at night; the very sight burned Windchaser's eyes; that is, he wished that he would be blinded. Nothing was worse than the sight of the gold coat and wild mane and tail of the mare that trotted into their suite.

“Well well well, look who we have here,” came the voice of Bonfire, whose figure swayed into the room with the greatest of pride.

“Bonfire,” Windchaser muttered as a greeting, fighting back a scowl.

Seven Seas' eyes shot between the two before a giant grin came slipping across his face. “Seven Seas! Say now, do you two... know each other?”

“Why of course we do,” Bonfire confirmed with a devilish grin. “Ain't that right, Windchaser?”

“Unfortuna-” The stallion didn't permit himself to finish, but instead replied with a simple, “Right.”

“Isn't it just a lucky coincidence that we end up in the same group?” Bonfire added. “You must be overjoyed.” She added a devious laugh before continuing. The sound of it served as an enraging reminder of the many times Windchaser had heard it before. “I just thought I'd stop by and say hello since, you know, you've been avoiding me the entire time we've been here at the academy.”

Windchaser had made a point of it, but couldn't tell if Bonfire had in fact failed to notice until recently. He knew the mare able to accomplish whatever she put her mind to; if she had wanted to come face-to-face with him earlier, to poke her usual fun at him as she always did, Windchaser had no doubts that she would have. Given her typical teasing and spunk, he merely wondered then what had taken the mare so long.

“Old friends, eh?” Seven Seas asked, sailing above the undertones. “Well, hoist the anchor and-!”

“Acquaintances,” Windchaser said. “Nothing more.”

“Aw, why so cold there, Windy?” Bonfire teased. “Tsk, tsk, always the chilly one. I thought it was my job to have a fiery temper. Growing up, I did get in more trouble than you. What ever happened to your little bottled-up fury? You always tried to play the hero at school-”

“Mine comes and goes with the wind,” the silver stallion replied. “Speaking of which, I think you should get on with the 'going' part.”

Bonfire sat right where she stood like a stubborn filly refusing to leave a toy store. Her previously crafty expression shifted quickly into a tempered pair of furrowed eyebrows curved over goldenrod eyes.

“What makes you think I'm going to leave so easily? I haven’t been able to speak with you until now, and we have so much to catch up on, I’m sure-”

“Unfortunately, Miss Bonfire, this is not the time,” came a strong voice from the doorway.

Windchaser had spotted the dark figure of Princess Luna the second she began standing in the entryway. Because she had not yet entered, Bonfire hadn’t the chance to spot her even from her peripheral vision. The cocky young mare sprung onto her hooves in a shocked manner Windchaser had not seen in a long time, and it reminded him of many of their past encounters. The smug look only disappeared for a moment, though, as the paleness quickly faded like fog around a fire, and the golden color of Bonfire's face returned after a polite nod.

“Very well, Princess Luna,” Bonfire said politely. “I'll be back later then.”

But the second she finished her slight bow and stood behind Princess Luna, she stuck a tongue out at Windchaser and flicked her tail before promptly exiting the room wearing a rather childish smile.

Windchaser watched the obnoxious character exit, only to quickly find himself staring eye-to-eye with Princess Luna. Her teal eyes held a powerful but urgent sensation, which quickly brought the stallion to apologize as he realized how ruffled he felt. The anger had begun to spring a leak in his jar of sentiments.

“I'm sorry you had to see that, Headmare-”

“Think nothing of it,” Princess Luna stated. “I trust that things will not get out of hoof between you two.”

“I think I'll manage,” Windchaser replied, though he felt she could sense the lie. “Did you want to see me? Or Seven Seas?”

The princess did not hesitate one second, “Both, actually. I have come to see what thou might think in regards to aiding in a scouting assignment. It concerns the recent attack that happened not hours ago.”

Windchaser felt his blood go cold, far colder than when he had seen Bonfire burst into his suite. It was a strange couple of words to hear, especially from Princess Luna, but he didn’t mind too much since it got his mind off more touchy subjects.

The headmare continued, “I may need you two to join a faculty member in inspecting a part of the island. It is of utmost importance and could ultimately save everypony on this island.”

Seven Seas, though not spoken to, spoke up himself. “I don't mean to be rude, Princess Luna, but with all this danger and these here storms, isn't that a task a more powerful mare should do? Like you? We're only attending the school here-”

Princess Luna nodded in acknowledgement, but the intensity in her gaze hardly seemed forgiving or understanding. “This last incident was a result of my absence. If my presence is not at the academy, then I fear that something of equal or worse consequence may occur. We are dealing with a very powerful entity, one that may very well be limited to the bounds of this island. If I may be frank, Seven Seas, the matters of school have been far outweighed by this dire situation.”

The two stallions gulped as the severity of the situation started to seep into their minds. Windchaser felt a strange sensation emerging at the image of the island being overcome by a single being, whatever it was. Things were feeling less as though he were at school and more as though he were in military service of some sort.

“If the 'entity' overlooks the entire island, isn't it a risk for normal students – or whatever we are now – to go on our own?” Windchaser asked. “Even if with a faculty member?”

“Thy professors hold far more power than you may think,” Princess Luna stated. “I have merely required that they not leap beyond certain bounds of casting or methods so far as the safety of you students was of utmost priority. However, given the state that we are presently in, I feel that your instructors are well aware of emergency protocol; any kind of escape from the evil being's clutches is a step towards safety, even if it means casting powerful - even dangerous - spells.”

“What's the task, then?” Windchaser asked, barely believing what he was hearing. The last thing he had expected attending a magic school was being sent on some secret mission by the headmare. “Where would we be heading?”

Princess Luna approached the large window in the suite and looked westward. Accompanying the sight of the academy buildings was the pathway leading to the rocky beach where Windchaser had been dragged before.

Colgate...

“Facing westward is a cave that holds something of grave importance. The professor I hope thou shalt readily accompany is planning on searching the grotto for a clue of sorts.”

“A clue?”

“Yes, one that may point towards a way of defeating the monster of the storms,” Princess Luna remarked. “I have asked thee specifically because I know of thy capabilities. Thou art very fast and could serve as an effective scout with thy ability to hover. Having pegasus parents has granted thee this gift.”

“Right,” Windchaser said, still not sure of what all he was hearing. “What about this rule with sticking with our groups?”

“You won't be the only one assisting the professor, Windchaser,” Princess Luna explained. “I have asked thee first as I saw possible reluctance given your demeanor. Thou art very quiet and generally uninvolved, and therefore I was not sure if thou wouldst be willing to help.” She turned and faced Seven Seas. “Now, Seven Seas, thou may also be of assistance...”

From then on Windchaser didn't listen to the others as they talked. Instead, his mind was a flurry of wonder as thought after thought pitter-pattered in his mind concerning such a dangerous trip.

Princess Luna is really asking this of me? Who are the others involved, if only those from our group? Just when will we be going, anyway?

And why is it everypony thinks I'm some dark character? Even Princess Luna thinks I'm some mysterious-

“Have I made myself clear?” Princess Luna asked. “Are you two willing to help in this manner?”

Windchaser felt the voice being directly aimed toward him, and his eyes shot immediately up from the ground.

Out of reflex he replied, “Yes.”

But out of the corner of his eyes he saw a spark of surprise electrify the gaze he received from his fellow roommate. Windchaser suddenly felt shocked as he went still in wonder as to what he could have possibly misunderstood or missed in Princess Luna and Seven Seas' conversation.

“Good,” Princess Luna stated. “Be prepared any time when the sky is clear. That may very well be the safest time to go and observe the cavern, or at least provide the clearest time for when clouds are approaching. Thank you both for your compliance and understanding.”

With a brisk turn and chilly silence, she headed for the door and exited. Windchaser felt frozen from the rush of whatever storm he had just missed thanks to his daydreaming.

Seven Seas, however, seemed hardly concerned anymore as he bounced on over to his new friend.

“So, Bonfire?” the blue stallion asked with a nudge.

Windchaser turned away. “I'd rather not talk about her.”

Seven Seas shrugged. “Suit yerself. Sometimes I've seen it, though, that it's better to talk these things out. A sailor’s secrets can sink a ship-” A faint ring brought the pair's ears up. “Ah, the sweet sound of the dinner bell. No better thing like some good food after a hard day's work!”

“Work..?” Windchaser tried to ask, but the skipper had already made his way out the door, leaving Windchaser shaking his head and smiling.

If only it weren’t for her... I’d be that carefree.

---

Carefree was about the most inaccurate adjective that could describe Windchaser as time passed by. His teeth nearly broke day after day from clenching so tightly, and his eyes grew weary after days of torment, looking around to see who all could hear that mare’s voice. He even discovered a trick of shutting his ears all on their own, no hooves needed.

“What, Windchaser's never told you about his first year at magic kindergarten before?” Bonfire roared with laughter. “Oh he was such a crybaby! You think after years of noticing that your parents are pegasi and you're a unicorn, that it wouldn't be a big deal anymore, right? I mean, come on, I had the exact same thing going on, but of course my mother-”

The yapping had never ceased. Day after day after the icy incident Windchaser had dealt with story after story of himself being told, and by the likes of Bonfire, nonetheless. He tried to change the subject every mealtime, but typical Bonfire did what her mind was set to do, and for the time Windchaser saw her as only bent on making a fool of him, just like she had years ago, back when their so-called rivalry had started.

Vinyl suddenly nudged him, but even her jabs couldn't get him out of his morning slump, which after days of conditioning seemed rather permanent.

“I never knew your parents were both pegasi,” Vinyl remarked with a smirk. “Guess I shoulda known with your flyin' and all, huh?”

As though it were the final straw, Windchaser plunked his head down on the table and groaned. Bonfire's constant talking kept the attention of those at the table away from him except Vinyl, who had been constantly watching him our of the corner of her eye. She laughed and lowered her head and she poked Windchaser’s head.

“Come on, she's just tryin’ to carry on conversation,” Vinyl said, rolling her eyes. “Granted, it’s at your expense, but there’s no need to get worked up or whatever. It's keeping our minds off the scary stuff and classes and stuff.”

“I don't care that she's telling these stories,” Windchaser murmured. “It's that she's telling these stories.”

“Well, what do you expect? You’re the only ones with real history here, and nothing else is happening but classes. I like childhood stories, and you two seem to have a lot together. The bonus is that she’s telling us stuff about you we’ve never even asked.” She paused. “Now that I think about it, that might not be such a good thing. Still, you've been so quiet and mysterious all this time, especially towards her; you've barely spoken to anypony at this place.”

“And why do you think that is?”

Vinyl lowered her voice, “What, about Bonfire in specific, or you not talking to-?”

“I've talked with other ponies before, obviously, you just haven't seen it,” Windchaser grumbled, then clenched his teeth. “I'm talking about avoiding you-know-who over there.”

“I dunno, dude, she seems pretty funny to me,” Vinyl said with a grin. “Lighten up, I don't think anypony's opinions of you have changed; not that much, at least. Really, the only thing that surprises me is that a feather-hoofed stallion like yourself has never beaten that big-headed babbler in a race-”

“Three days, Vinyl, three days,” Windchaser begged. “Please, make it- And wait just a minute, I have beaten her in a race-”

“What's that, Windy? You remember another story?” Bonfire inquired. “I can’t tell them all, you know. Why not share yourself?”

Celestia knows you haven’t been telling them all faithfully.

Windchaser lifted his head and felt his face grow hot. Normally he could stand teasing. He didn't care about embarrassing stories or speaking of his earlier years, but hearing it all come from the lousy mouth of Bonfire was the activity that set the volcano off. It was like hearing the enemy share war stories of their victories - if not more - emphasizing the loss of those defeated seated right before them. Actually, that was almost exactly what was happening.

“I remember a story, Bonfire,” Windchaser said, his smile an obviously forced one, with rage clearly twitching between the seams. “How about the one you're afraid to tell-” He immediately saw Bonfire's face grow pale as it had when Luna walked in a couple days ago. He continued, “-the story where you and my mother-”

“Good morning, students!” came a voice from behind the fuming stallion, who abruptly turned to see a face he had rarely seen on the grounds.

The table fell silent. All eyes were on the older pony, whose white complexion bore a cutie mark of a red, curvy set of letters Windchaser could not initially make out. He guessed that none of the others could, either, as none spoke up with knowledge of who the strange character standing before them was. A minute of silence passed at the table, though the background sounds of the dining hall droned on.

“Quiet bunch, I see,” the elderly stallion - whose light blue mane and tail seemed very well kept - added. “Strange, you were happily chatting a second ago. No matter! Princess Luna has informed me that several of you are going to be heading with me to the cave.”

Windchaser suddenly remembered having previously agreed to the assignment. He looked to Seven Seas, who nodded, and then back to the stallion before them. His own slightly confused expression – as well as those he spotted on the others' faces – made it apparent to the newcomer that he had not been somepony they were expecting.

“Several from this group had agreed to join a faculty member on a venture to the western cave, correct?” the character laughed enthusiastically. “Well, speak up!”

Seven Seas finally did, “Well, I was under the impression we'd, er, be spendin' this time with a professor.”

“Well, technically I am,” came the response as the individual struck a dashing pose. “The name's Dramatico... Doctor Dramatico. Though you may not have seen me much, my name and cutie mark say it all, I'm sure.”

Vinyl then spoke up, “Are you the... theatre instructor?”

“What? No, I'm-”

“Makes sense,” Lemon Hearts added. “Dramatico, dramatic, though I'm not sure what that cutie mark is-”

“Some kind of fancy scribbles,” Seven Seas remarked. “Perhaps the writing professor?”

“We have one of those..?”

“Enough!” Dramatico barked. “I'm the school doctor, and I also am teaching a curative spell course now in the light magic track.” A collective ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ rounded the table, and the doctor did a bow. “Yes, the school doctor, now you know. These 'scribbles', as you called them, are the letters 'Rx'. See?”

“That makes sense,” Windchaser murmured as the squiggly lines turned into understandable letters in his mind.

But Seven Seas continued to scratch his head. “Gar, I still don't understand-”

“No matter! I'm the professor leading this adventure, and we’ll be heading out shortly,” Dramatico stated. “We’d best be on our way right as soon as you're done eating – though exercise immediately after eating is not generally advised – and get to the bottom of this while the sky's still blue as a bottle of...” He paused, then eyed the student before him. “Well, blue as it usually is. I believe three of you are joining me, yes?”

Windchaser was a bit surprised; he knew that he and Seven Seas had been asked, but thought that they were the only ones as the stallions in the group.

“Right,” said Bonfire, looking to Seven Seas and then Windchaser with a wink.

And the one word and motion was all Windchaser needed to hear before suddenly realizing just what was about to go down. He looked to Seven Seas in his shock, but the stallion shrugged as though had known the entire time.

“Right then! Meet me outside the dining hall at the foyer doors and we'll be on our way when you three are ready,” Dramatico said cheerily. “A pleasure meeting you all. Until then!”

And with a quick turn he darted out and into the foyer, out of sight, leaving nothing but his quirky personality imprinted in the minds of those at the group's table. Windchaser's mind included him, but the doctor was not front and center in his mind.

Him, Seven Seas, myself... and Bonfire.

He glanced over at the mare, whose golden eyes flashed as her characteristic impish grin showed again.

Celestia help me through this day.

Next Chapter: Chapter 38 (Episode 10): Remembering Past Conflicts Estimated time remaining: 58 Minutes