Author's Notes:

BOOK 1: PART 2: DUTY

“Alright recruits. I am Lieutenant Marble Falls. Don't let the name fool you or the uniform. I am a Wonderbolt and that is more than you can understand.”

“Yes Ma'am!” They responded in together.

Being a Wonderbolt explained the dark brown flight jacket the blue Pegasus was wearing. Although it didn’t bear their lightning bolt and wings symbol. Her black mane was cropped short, but with enough length she could still style it. The gray streaks were natural, not a sign of any aging.

“Five of you are bucking for aerial teams. A surprising number from Black. Usually they are all in Blue. Good for you. But that also means I am going to be working you extra hard for their sakes. If you pass with exceptional skill you might get a new choice for your service to the Pegasus Race.”

“You all will need to fly and fly well. Flying and combat is much different. You have to watch out from everywhere. Above, Below, to your rear, and in front. And you have to be steady shots. Now is the time to fix any accuracy issues.”

Shadow's heart skipped a beat. He was not prepared for shooting while flying. He should have seen it coming, but should was in the past.

“I am toast,” He whispered to Cardinal Spitfire.

“Excuse me recruit… Filly Fooler,” Lieutenant Marble Falls said after looking at his name tag.

“Sorry Ma'am. Nothing Ma'am,” Shadow responded.

“I still would like to hear what you said.”

“I said I am toast Ma'am. Shooting is not my strong point.”

“I am well aware of your inability to shoot straight,” Lieutenant Marble Falls stated to everypony. “If you don't learn, I have failed in my job. Your Barracks Master… and that Lieutenant, are not with you for the next three weeks.”

“That is why you brought your half of the tent. You will be sleeping outdoors with your battle buddy, here by the flight deck. That is, until I am done with you. Your food will be field rations. As good and admirable as it is, you will not need to keep watch at night while here. All of us are impressed with your initiative to immediately take up watch without needing to be told.”

“There will be no major PT. Just some warm ups at dawn. You will get plenty of physical fitness training under my watch. To start, we will be working with battle buddies. Both in lead and wing positions. We will add on your equipment once I am satisfied you can handle it.”

They went over safety on and around the flight deck, the different flags they would use for signaling and how to properly take off and land. Armor changed a lot when it came to flying. After that was taught, Lieutenant Marble Falls sent Majesty and his battle buddy, Blue Wings, to do a lap. Majesty was given lead.

“Pull it in tighter Blue Wings! Drop back a bit. You don't want to be hit by spent brass. It is hot enough to burn you and will block your vision! Too far back! Why are you slowing down Majesty! I never told you to slow down!”

Lieutenant Marble Falls seemed easy enough at the start, but she quickly turned out to be the most ridged instructor they had ever been put under. Everything had to be perfect. If it was, she didn’t bother you.

She could give commands to every battle buddy team while she worked them non stop through the laps. The single teams were not the optimal position for drafting so there was little break, even when they switched roles. After lunch it was the same, except they switched which side their wing mate was on.

When they stopped for dinner, they began to compare what they saw the other colors do. Red was slow and struggling to work together. Blue had armor and weapons on by the end of the day. Green and Yellow were out of sight.

“Don't worry about what the others are doing,” Lieutenant Marble Falls addressed them after awhile. “Focus on you and your Barracks. Remember, Barracks are groups of Pegasi who have similar strengths and weaknesses. Help each other get stronger. All recruits have to pass the same tests with the same standards, but we all train you according to your general abilities. Five minutes until we launch again.”

Lieutenant Marble Falls ignore the several involuntary groans as she walked away. A moan were fine with her as long as you worked as hard as you could and met her approval. So far they had for the day. They flew well into the night and were forced to set up their tents with only starlight.

“How am I going to learn to shoot and fly?” Shadow asked Cardinal Spitfire.

“You will. Lieutenant Marble Falls isn't going to let you fail. It is a mark against her if you do. You improved greatly over the exercises. Just relax and aim. And now relax and shut up so we can both sleep.”

“And don't fool around you two,” Lieutenant Marble Falls said surprising them from outside their tent. “I don't need the Filly Foolers team working together like that and messing up my training.”

“I think she really thinks you are a mare,” Cardinal Spitfire whispered.

“As long as that is my only concern, I am happy.” Shadow said. He fell to sleep in minutes.

It was a much lighter PT in the morning. Leagues less than they had to test on. The Lieutenant had better plans in store.

“You did well enough yesterday to justify putting your armor on. GO!”

They raced to throw it on and assemble along the flight deck. There was no breather. As soon as the last team arrived they were immediately sent to launch. This time in the opposite direct.

“We can't let you get used to flying in one direction can we?” Lieutenant Marble Falls laughed.

“This sucks,” Shadow said as they flew in endless laps.

“Pull in a bit tighter,” Cardinal Spitfire ordered. “Adjust to the lead pegasus. It is part of my job to make sure I don't out fly you. The faster we master this, the sooner aerial combat begins and the longer you have to learn.”

“Right,” Shadow nodded.

“RECRUITS! ASSEMBLE!” The Lieutenant called over the loud speaker.

They all turned and headed immediately back to the flight deck. They stayed in their flight positions getting back.

“No bad. There is a lot of potential in all of you. Keep up the good work. While the crew reorganizes the flight path, get some water.”

They took their break and reassembled.

“At ease,” The Lieutenant ordered. “They still have plenty to do on the course. So time for constructive criticism. To start, Filly Fooler Team. Cardinal Spitfire, you are bucking for a spot on the aerial teams. Specifically the Wonderbolts. You are going to have to move faster than that if you ever hope to achieve a sonic rainboom. Without that, you can't make the Wonderbolts.”

“Shadow Flare, you are in line for the nonexistent scout or recon. You have good endurance. The best endurance I have ever seen. You look like your flight skills will be enough to pass the requirements they had when active. But passing and getting chosen are two different things. You better pick up the pace if you want my stamp of approval, especially since you are paired with Cardinal Spitfire.”

“Thank you Ma'am!” Shadow responded.

Shadow looked over at Cardinal Spitfire. He could see the dread in her eyes.

“I have never actually tested my speed,” He said. “So lets see how much wing power I actually have.”

Cardinal Spitfire just smiled back as she schemed.

“Alright recruits,” The Lieutenant said wrapping the talk up. “They should be done by now. Your goal is to stay together and move through the course. This is no longer a simple loop. There are turns and obstacles to avoid. At times, you will be forced to fly low to the laid out track. For now, just follow the red clouds. Weather training will come later.”

She launched Cardinal Spitfire and Shadow first with Cardinal in the lead.

“Lets do this Cardinal,” Shadow said. “Hold nothing back.”

Cardinal Spitfire began to increase her speed and Shadow kept up. So far it was a simple track with smooth curves. Halfway through it charged to a more aggressive situation. Their line of sight was blocked as they were forced to zig zag through several columns and then duck low, skimming the surface of the track into a sharp turn. Shadow shifted to the other side as they came out of the turn and were forced straight up and then into a roll and twist upside down to speed back around to the flight deck.

The red flag was up so they dropped to a stop and stepped off the flight deck.

“Much better Cardinal Spitfire,” Lieutenant Marble Falls said. “Why did you switch wing positions?”

“Going into the low turn it gave me a better angle to see what was ahead,” Shadow stated. “I was able to let Cardinal Spitfire know the next move would be up. Several seconds before she could see.”

“Not bad recruits. Now get back to it and do not be afraid to pass.”

Shadow took the lead as they sped off. They met up with the last team in the low ceiling area. Shadow Shifted to an aggressive inside position going into the curve. It was exhilarating jetting out of the low hang and then into the sharp turn up. They had to dodge those who had not been able to adjust and gotten stuck in the clouds.

They were waved on and Cardinal Spitfire came up beside him. “Lets see if you can handle my speed.”

“We know the track. That is our advantage.”

“Any advantage is an advantage!”

Cardinal Spitfire burst ahead into the lead as they crossed back onto the track. Shadow kept up easily. They passed the others with ease, sometimes being forced to split to make the move, but they came back around with the fastest paces set out of the other teams. With no flags showing, they stayed in their positions.

“That was Lieutenant Autumn Leaf talking to Lieutenant Marble Falls,” Shadow said.

“I am not surprised,” Cardinal Spitfire responded. “The Battle of the Lieutenants has begun.”

They could not increase their pace any more due to the track's design. Shadow took lead when Cardinal Spitfire had to dodge another team more than she could have expected. They stayed with Shadow in lead for several more laps until they were called to a halt. Shadow hadn't dropped his speed at all during that time.

“Good job everypegasus,” The Lieutenant greeted them. “Lieutenant Autumn Leaf will be joining us. As an observer only. For now, go grab chow and take a well earned break.

When they were done and assembled Lieutenant Marble Falls had a few new changes.

“Filly Fooler team, you will be heading out to follow the red cloud rings. I need to see your speed.”

Four other teams were set up to run the rings. Cardinal was given the lead.

“Calm down Cardinal,” Shadow said. “Breath. Remember my Cutie Mark. Its lighting bolts. I know you can't see it, but remember it represents speed, power and agility.”

“We know your power and agility,” Cardinal Spitfire smiled. “So I guess we really need to find out your speed.”

She launch from where she was at and Shadow bolted off after her. The others took off after them using normal flight trot they had been taught.

Shadow was keeping up with a pretty tight pattern. The course was not flat. It did have plenty of twists, turns a climb and a fall, and surprisingly a few rolls. It was a long course though, taking them past all of the other flight decks. Often they were sent to go through the other Barrack's courses for fun.

The Red Flag was up and they skidded to a stop. Shadow tripped and fell face fist into the deck before sliding another yard. Lieutenant Marble Falls was right by his side to help him up.

“I am fine Ma'am. Fine enough,” He said as they helped him up.

“Well, a nice scrape and probably a black eye, but nothing serious,” The Lieutenant said as she examined him. “Still, go get to the clinic in our Squad Barracks and get some ice on that eye. We want the swelling to stop before you can't see. You need every training day you can get. Cardinal Spitfire, help him to there.”

“Yes Ma'am!” Cardinal Spitfire said as she began to walk Shadow there.

“You lost a bit of hair on your cheek,” She giggled. “A nice battle scar for a few days.”

They chuckled.

“You kept up with me,” She continued. “Easily.”

“It still isn't a flat out sprint,” Shadow replied.

“True, but it is in a formation and a fast track. I was the fastest flier in my flight school, but they never had us work this hard or long, and the tracks were not this tough.”

“Flight school?” Shadow asked.

“You never spent time at a school to learn how to fly?”

“I was doing farm work before I could fly,” Shadow replied. “And the obstacle courses. We had no time for some formal training. My parents taught me, and then like the other fillies and colts, I was not allowed to touch the ground for hours. Often all day. My introduction to flying was being kicked off a low cloud by my Dad. It wasn’t gently.”

“You kept up with me without any actual flight training?”

“I guess so,” Shadow said as he applied ice to his eye. “But you should get out there are see what you can do solo.”

“I do not know if I would be allowed. Besides, I am not leaving my battle buddy behind. It isn't like you will be out for long.”

Shadow wasn't allowed back on the track and Cardinal Spitfire never even asked if she could go solo for the practice. They stayed on the sidelines talking while Shadow rotated icing his eye.

The red flag was put up and they all assembled as they flew in.

“Filly Fooler, front and center,” Lieutenant Marble Falls ordered.

“As you can see, Filly Fooler took a face plant trying to land quickly after coming in very hot. This is why we take off and land in like we do. This would have been prevented if he was wearing a standard combat helmet. Many of you will wear different helmets once you move to training and depending on your jobs. But for now it separate pieces. Land properly. Fall out for a break. I am getting dizzy watching all of you wobble uselessly around out there.”

“Nice job,” Deke said poking Shadow. “Let onto the other track and you do that.”

“I had to help you guys look better,” Shadow replied.

“How fast were you guys going?” Golden Dawn asked.

“Faster than I ever went in flight school, on a much more difficult track. We passed every other barracks and still had most of the track to go. I think we were supposed to find out our time, but Filly Fooler face planted. Filly Fooler also didn't go to a flight school.”

“We have an untrained flier here!” Olive Pit exclaimed. “Isn't that extremely dangerous? That is why we go to flight school so we are not a danger while flying!”

“I heard danger,” Lieutenant Marble Falls said rushing over.

“Shadow Flare didn't go to flight school,” Cardinal Spitfire explained. “Nor did he know about it until we were talking on the way to the medic.”

The Lieutenant pulled out a file and read it. “Interesting,” She said. “He obviously can handle himself. I was surprised nopegasus else fell earlier. The armor usually crashes my recruits all day on the landings. That is why I have you spend the first day flying without it. But carry on.”

They had over an hour to relax before they were ordered to eat and then back on the tracks, including Filly Fooler team. Spitfire kept them fast, but slowed down a bit. They worked on landing every time they got back to the flight deck. When twilight hit, the five side teams were put back on the first track to work on night flying. Most teams had to drastically slow down. The five others kept close to the max speed the track allowed.

With the light gone, pegasi were making bad landings and slamming into each other on the course. Shadow got slammed multiple times, even as the lead.

Lieutenant Marble Falls loved to laugh at the crashes on the flight deck. More than once teams overshot the crowded deck and tumbled to the base clouds below. The landings got inventive and usually funny to watch. Outside of a little banging up, nopony got hurt worse than a good bruise, ignoring Shadow. His eye was hurting, but the swelling was minimal.

“Well done today,” Lieutenant Marble Falls said. “I didn't expect to see this progress until day four. I do not know if my expectations have dropped, or if you are all around good fliers.”

Everypony chuckled.

“Still, tomorrow means we will be working on recovering from spin offs and anything else that suddenly separates you from your formation. For the sake of everypegasus, you will not have breakfast. Better safe than sorry. And you will be sorry.”

“Your agility should help you there,” Cardinal Spitfire said to Shadow as they crawled into their tent. “If you can flip like you have been teaching me, then you should be exceptional.”

“You have gotten good too,” Shadow replied. “Control in the air is one thing. Controlling your mind is the key to it all.”

The morning brought the launching machines used to force spin offs. All day long they were shot into the air from different angles and speeds. The better you got, the harder they made it. Shadow never lost his stomach, but was slower than they hoped for to recover. He kept his head screwed on tightly the entire day and was soon being asked for advice.

The machines were gone the next day. Off to other Barracks to toss more recruits. The track angles became sharper, turns quicker and line of sight less. At times it felt like Shadow was dancing rather than flying.

“Was that just two holes we were forced to go through?” Cardinal Spitfire asked Shadow.

“Yeah. Out of nowhere, they changed the course since last pass to force us apart. Keep your eyes peeled for more.”

“Right,” Cardinal Spitfire said as they came into a really tight turn and then were forced apart again. This time they were separated for a few seconds until they were in open air to recover the formation.

“Day five is sprints,” Lieutenant Marble Falls announced. “The simplest thing you will do in the aerial training. But the hardest to impress me at. You will be racing against your battle buddy, but you will be timed separately.”

Shadow and Cardinal Spitfire were last to go. It was a short sprint to begin. Cardinal Spitfire left Shadow well behind, but he was still in the top half for the times. As the day grew, so did the lengths. By the end of the day, they were doing marathons rather than sprints. Shadow's endurance raised him to the top 5 for the marathons.

“Not bad,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “Only battle Buddy team in the top ten. Still isn't flying and shooting though.”

“Don't remind me,” Shadow groaned as he pulled his blanked over his head.

“Do you think this… us will last after training?” Cardinal Spitfire asked.

“I am the only pony who calls you Cardinal. We may be headed to two very different places, and it does not sound like either of us will have much time to talk and see each other after, but it will if we want it to. Friendships only die when somepony wants it to.”

“Before the war there was a special group of friends Princess Celestia trusted greatly,” Shadow continued. “Heroes of Equestria. When the war came, they were tasked with unique jobs, Ministries they were called. The great Rainbow Dash was the Pegasus who was in charge of the Ministry of Awesome. The other Pegasus was Fluttershy, the head over Ministry of Peace. There were two unicorns and two earth ponies in their heroic team as well.”

“All six were thrown into their roles and often didn't see each other. But they still were known to say 'friendship is magic.' If they could hold out through that bloody war, then we can outlast separate trainings.”

“You have a very different history than we do,” Cardinal Spitfire stated. “I hope your words to General Red River at the start of training do not bite you in the ass. I hope your community can keep that history alive if the Enclave comes to enforce our standards. I have a feeling you have a better picture of war history than we are taught.”

“That is odd,” Shadow replied. “I know they teach the history we need to know to keep us alive and remind us just how much the Enclave does for us. That is what matters.”

“They might replace your textbooks,” Cardinal Spitfire stated. “I am not sure how I feel about that.”

“Don't worry. I do not know what a textbook is which means we do not have any. Most of this history are legends of the war and prewar, which are passed down as stories.”

“I wish you had time to tell me more. I know at least Deke, Olive Pit and Golden Dawn would be interested.”

“I don't want to push that. I still say pony instead of pegasus. I know they are just waiting for me to grow out of it, and I probably will. But its safest if I keep the mannerisms of home, home.”

“That scares me. I do not want disunity. I do not know if your minor differences are okay, or are actually detrimental to all of our safety. Somep… are questioning the Enclave. It could be used to fuel the fire.”

“Rest easy Card,” Shadow said as a yawn took over. “nal. My community is loyal to a fault and will not cause harm. Even our gripe about taxes are small gripes and not taken seriously. We give a huge amount and we have more than enough food for the year and we help each other out for wedding food and such.”

“We get our weekly food… tickets that we use at the market. Its like a point system. Say we have 100 points, and each item takes off a certain number of points. We have to make the best choices to feed our family for the week. The price of food changes depending on supplies.”

“My mom would get a small stockpile of oats started each fall. By the end of summer, prices would constrict how much we could get since the supplies are lowest before the harvest, but duh, you know that personally from farming. The oats were never needed, but she kept them as a safety net. Just in case. But we never shared food like that and rarely entertained. When family visited, they would bring their points to cover food.”

“That does not sound like fun,” Shadow replied. “But I thought you were farmers too?”

“We are. But close to a city, so it all went to the Enclave and exchanged for points. Almost all. We got to keep a bushel or two.”

“Did you make jams or can any of it?”

“No. If we wanted apple jam, we had to go to the market and buy some. Pegasi work in factories that do most of the jamming. You do your own?”

“The farms that had fruit to jam did. There were only a few in my general area. We never learned until my sister started that cherry farm. And an apple farm was within a hard day's flight, but my dad only went once to help out because of the distance.”

Shadow and Cardinal Spitfire almost jumped with fright when Lieutenant Marble Falls spoke. “You two will want to shut up and get some sleep. And you will definitely want to keep that stuff quiet Shadow Flare. And your questions Cardinal Spitfire, you are learning to think for yourself and understand, but if you speak, do so cautiously and wisely.”