As the doors to the throne room ease open once again, Mooncrescent perks up from where he had been lying in wait. "Hey, Bzey! I think 'Lestia is done holding court, maybe we can go find out why they called us up..." Mooncrescent's enthusiastic tone and expression falters upon seeing who actually struts out of the throne room, and the momentarily ago optimistic tone of the colt gives way to a groan of dismay.

  "Oh. It's just father. I guess that expins it." Mooncrescent sighs heavily as Ptinum Legacy catches sight of the two of them, strutting towards the pair with characteristic disdain for his surroundings, not so much as affording the other attendants and guardsponies a gnce.

  "Mooncrescent. Starbze. Follow." Ptinum Legacy instructs authoritatively, not so much as giving a gnce back to make sure his sons are doing as he asked, while he makes his way to the pace gardens; likely the only pce on pace grounds where a conversation can achieve anything resembling privacy.

  Mooncrescent and Starbze exchange an unsure gnce before trotting along after their father. As usual, it is quite impossible to estimate his mood while he is making any effort to conceal it. But as the two colts follow their father outside, Ptinum Legacy wheels on the two of them with irritation no longer hidden now that nopony else was around to see.

  "What, precisely, have you two been doing since you came here?" Ptinum Legacy spits out, eyelid twitching with irritation.

  "Uh, training?" Mooncrescent starts responding dismissively, before Starbze steps in front of him, protectively.

  "My apologies, Father." Starbze lowers his head deferentially. "I received an injury a few days ago, which confined me to the hospital for some time. Is there something I may have neglected to do while I was there?"

  Ptinum Legacy snorts. "Quite! Two of my own sons right here in Celestia's court, and yet I didn't hear of these tax code changes any sooner than the rest of the nobility. This could have been a prime opportunity to exploit if either of you were doing your jobs."

  "Hey! Bzey and I have been working really hard, alright?" Mooncrescent protests, stamping a hoof indignantly.

  "At what? Parading around in uniform? combat drills?" Ptinum's voice is drenched in sarcasm. "I fail to see what could possibly be so important to warrant missing out on what could be vital intelligence for our family."

  "Of course, Father. I will endeavor to keep my ear closer to the ground in the future." Starbze promises, head bowed. This seems to at least partially ameliorate his father's misgivings, as Ptinum Legacy does seem to rex somewhat.

  "See that you do. While you're at it, I believe you two are near Celestia, correct? See if you can't dissuade the princess from these ludicrous new tax ws." Ptinum Legacy groans. "I will need to act quickly to ensure our families position is not threatened by this. All of our holdings are going to need to be re-evaluated... Heavens, it's going to be such a hassle." The stallion's attention snaps back to his two sons once again, evaluating them with an icy stare. "See that you do. I've allowed you to pursue this calling only because our family needed a presence in Celestia's court. If you continue to shirk in your duties, then I will have no choice but to recall you and assign somepony with more diligence to this task."

  Starbze gnces back at his younger brother, noticing the characteristic look of fuming that usually precipitated a heated debate. Before Mooncrescent can say anything to aggravate the situation, Starbze holds him back with one leg. "Of course, Father, we understand."

  Ptinum Legacy stares at Starbze for a long moment, before eventually nodding. "Good. I had best get back to our estate and run some damage control, try to figure out how these new ws will affect our position. Keep me informed, and you won't have to see as much of me."

  Mooncrescent gres at the retreating figure of his father as Ptinum Legacy departs back for the aristocratic dwellings on the upper terraces of Canterlot. "You know, for as much as he talks about family, he sure doesn't ask us how we've been doing." Mooncrescent states sullenly.

  Starbze turns to Mooncrescent, letting out a deep breath. "I know, Crescy. But you really need to let me do the talking when he comes around, you don't want us to get recalled back home."

  Mooncrescent looks away, face twitching in irritation. "Hmph. Celestia wouldn't let him take us back just like that. They like us."

  "Do you really want to risk it?" Starbze pleads. "You know how father can be when he wants his way about something."

  Mooncrescent gaze goes down to the ground, grumbling. "I know... I'm sorry. I'll try and reign it in better, next time." Mooncrescent promises. quirking his mouth in frustration. "I just... He acts like what we're doing has no value! Equestria still needs defenders, right?" Mooncrescent pleads, looking up at Starbze as if seeking confirmation.

  Starbze nods. "Of course, Crescy. Don't let him get to you. He's just the same as he's always been." Starbze's lip curls into a derisive grimace for a moment, before he turns back to Mooncrescent. "C'mon, let's go get a bite to eat, then we can get back to training." Starbze offers, jerking back with his head.

  Mooncrescent nods, looking a little glum, and the pair trot off to the pace kitchens.

  [...]

  It is about the usual lunch break for the cadets in training, and so predictably, the kitchen is rather stuffed with a variety of guardsponies, most of whom are part of the Pace Guard rather than the Royal Companions like the brothers. Pulling up a couple seats, Mooncrescent and Starbze sit down next to a couple fellow cadets; Pearl Glow and Shining Armor.

  "Your old stallion give you much trouble?" Shining Armor asks the pair, propping up his head on one hoof leaning over the table.

  Starbze just groans in response, leaving Mooncrescent to answer. "He's just bugging us about not getting him enough information again, and threatening to pull us out of cadet school if we don't work on it."

  Shining Armor's eyes dart around a little in response. "You might want to keep that down. If Blueblood hears you say that out loud, he'll probably try to bckmail you with it." Shining Armor hisses out. After all, if their father discovered how loose the two colts were with their supposed 'mission', it would not go well for them.

  "It's fine. He's over there harassing some poor soul." Mooncrescent justifies, jerking a hoof over to the center of the room.

  "Wait, isn't that...?" Shining Armor starts, raising a brow, watching as the Prince stalks around their quarry; a rather out-of-pce looking, prismatically-maned pegasus filly, currently trying to put on a brave face.

  "What a sad state of affairs." Blueblood was saying, wrinkling his nose at the filly as if she smelled bad. "To think, they'll let just anypony into the royal guard these days. Even unwashed commoners without any sense of proper etiquette like yourself." The noble's words are filled to bursting with contempt, as his disapproving gaze sweeps over the filly's unkempt mane and casual demeanor.

  Rainbow Dash fres out her wings, taking up a defensive posture with an expression to match. "I performed a sonic Rainboom and was invited here by Princess Celestia themself! I'm not 'just anypony'!" She postures, while Blueblood simply rolls his eyes.

  "Oh, please, I'm sure you did. Celestia is just showboating, picking some gutter rat up and elevating them to our esteemed organization to look good for the presses. I'm sure once she's done milking you for all the good publicity your worth, you'll be dropped back off in... Whatever backwater dump they fished you out of." Blueblood replies dismissively. "In the meantime, know your pce, commoner. And heavens, try to show some css when you make your mane in the morning!"

  Rainbow Dash growls and stretches upright. "I earned my pce here, I wouldn't be here otherwise! And I come from a perfectly nice city, Cloudsdale doesnt even need gutters!" The pegasus filly protests loudly. "You take that back before I make you!"

  Blueblood smirks in response. "Oh my, well if you'd care to defend the supposed honor of whatever nameless family you come from, you could always challenge me to a duel. Of course, a lowborn like you wouldn't stand a chance against my talents."

  Rainbow Dash looks ready to commit the admittedly foolish decision of taking up Blueblood on the offer, but before she can, their conversation is interrupted. "That's enough, Blueblood!" Starbze calls out, marching over to the older aristocrat. "If you keep this up, I'll be the one you're dueling, and I don't know if your family could bear the shame of losing yet another bout. Don't you have better things to be doing than harassing the princesses new student?"

  Blueblood stiffens at the sound of Starbze's voice, eyeing up the unicorn with easily discerned loathing. "Princesses new student or not, she'll never be more than a wretched commoner as far I care. I suppose I have no need to waste more of my precious time on such a lowlife." Blueblood announces, stalking off with as much of his dignity intact as he can.

  Rainbow Dash puffs out a cheek, pouting. "I coulda taken care of him myself..." She protests, mumbling under her breathe. it was hardly the first time she had to deal with bullies; though, granted, this bully in particur had a noteworthy size advantage over her.

  Starbze just chuckles. That attitude was one he was well acquainted with, from dealing with Mooncrescent. "Course you could've, but then you'd have gotten in trouble with your teacher. C'mon, sit with us, we'll make sure nopony else bugs you." Starbze trots over back to where Mooncrescent and Starbze were sitting without gncing back to see if Rainbow Dash followed. The pegasus filly frowns, gnces this way and that, and being met with only hostile gazes from the rest of the aristocrats present, reluctantly follows after Starbze.

  "Hey there, Rainbow!" Mooncrescent greets the filly with a sunny smile as she sits down beside him. "Celestia already put you in cadet school huh? I guess that means we'll be seeing more of eachother from now on." The colt offers in an encouraging tone, trying to put the pegasus at ease in the unfamiliar environs.

  Rainbow dash looks up at the unicorn, recognizing the Royal Companion who had helped her find Celestia the other day but not remembering his name. "Hey, uh... um..." Rainbow scratches the back of her head with her hoof, wincing as she tries to remember the guardsponies name.

  "Mooncrescent." Shining Armor offers from Rainbow Dash's other side. "And his brother is Starbze."

  Rainbow Dash's gaze drifts over to the pony who had rescued her, eyes lighting up with recognition. "Oh, I remember you! you were the unicorn who was in the infirmary with me! So, you two are brothers? I guess I can see the resembnce." Rainbow Dash notes, observing the duo's white mane's and bluish coats, though Starbze's is a deep dark blue dappled with white spots while Mooncrescents is a far paler blue, almost white. Both of the colts do, however, have the same golden eyes.

  Starbze nods, sitting on the far side from Mooncrescent. "Yup! Do you have any family back home? I know you flew out here alone, after Celestia scouted you out."

  Rainbow Dash nods. "Um, my mom and dad are back in Cloudsdale. I have an uncle too, though I don't really know him. That's about it, I'm an only child."

  Starbze gives Rainbow dash a wistful expression for a moment. "That's a shame. Do you get along with your parents at least?"

  Rainbow dash hesitates for only a second before nodding. "Yeah. Though, they can be a bit much sometimes. But they're very supportive."

  "Well you got that over us, at least. Father's a pain, and mother's been dead for years." Mooncrescent groans. "How about you, Shining? C'mon, tell the academies test member about your family!"

  Shining Armor leans in at the prompting. "Huh? Oh, I'm the only son of House Twilight. You've met my little sis, Twilight Sparkle. The first daughter of every generation in our family is named Twilight."

  Rainbow Dash grimaces. "Yeah, I have. Is she... Always that neurotic?" The pegasus filly asks.

  Shining Armor giggles, cracking a smile at Rainbow Dash. "Try and cut her some sck, she's really nervous after getting to be Celestia's new student. She's really a great filly, once you get to know her. I promise."

  Rainbow Dash shrugs. "I guess I'll try to keep that in mind." The pegasus pauses, cocking her head while looking at Shining Armor. "What did you hear about me from her?" Rainbow Dash asks, curiously.

  Shining Armor ughs more, putting on a coy smirk. "Mostly that you're an insufferable braggart who won't stop talking about how cool she is."

  Rainbow Dash's cheeks heat up to bright cherry red. "Hey! I didn't brag that much, and I am awesome!"

  Shining Armor shrugs. "I'll tell ya what. You promise to give Twilight a chance, and I'll get Twilight to promise to give you a chance, too. Deal?" Shining Armor asks, extending a hoof.

  Rainbow Dash hoofbumps the older colt and nods. "Alright, deal. I'll show her just how cool I am, just you wait." The pegasus puffs out her chest pointedly, swelling up to her full height.

  Mooncrescent giggles on the other side. "I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing what you're capable of. If you caught Celestia's eye, you must really be something special. They are, after all, a very busy pony." he pyfully bumps Rainbow Dash from the side. "Looking forward to training with ya. How's the academy treating you so far?"

  The edges of Rainbow Dash's mouth tilt just slightly downwards. "I dunno. Everypony keeps looking at me. I don't think it's because of my flying or fighting, though. I get the feeling a lot of them don't like me."

  Starbze nods. "I wouldn't think anything of it. Most of us aristocrats are snobby dastards." Starbze growls and shakes his head, sighing. "The Princess invited you here, so you belong here every bit as much as any of us. I'm sure you'll meet somepony you get along with soon enough." Starbze gives Rainbow Dash what he hopes is an encouraging smile.

  Rainbow Dash nods. "Yeah, you know it! I'm sure somepony around here will start to appreciate how awesome I am." The filly rears her head up proudly.

  Mooncrescent giggles in response and ruffles the fillies mane. "Easy there, little filly. For now, why don't you try and get some food in your system before you get to start training again." Mooncrescent suggests, gaze drifting over to Rainbow Dash's meal. "Your... Uhm... Alright, what exactly is that abomination?"

  The 'abomination' in question is, of course, none other than Rainbow Dash's chosen lunch; A heaping pte of pasta and sourdough bread with a decided ck of what Mooncrescent would consider appropriate seasoning.

  "Free energy is what it is!" Rainbow Dash announces, before chomping down on the concoction. The three companions of the filly stare on in something resembling awe and horror at the same time.

  "That's even harder to watch than what the other pegasi usually eat..." Shining Armor utters. Rainbow Dash looks up at the older colt, cocking her head to the side curiously.

  "Huh? What do they normally eat?" Rainbow Dash's brow furrows inquisitively.

  Shining Armor just smirks, and shakes his head. "Ha, you'll learn in good time. For now, just eat up. Lunchtime's almost over."

  [...]

  Before long, the bell signalling the cadets to proceed to the training field rings, and Rainbow Dash follows the small crowd out to the courtyard, a particur undercurrent of excitement thrumming inside her chest. The csses of earlier that day had rgely been introductions and, even worse, academic tests to see where she pced. But now it is time for something that excites her; She's going to meet her military drill instructor, responsible for her combat and flight training! The unicorn nobles who formed most of the pace guard file off to their own training exercises, leaving only the other fliers with Rainbow Dash.

  'Fliers' had to be specified, because to Rainbow Dash's surprise, that category did not exclusively include Pegasi. A handful of chiropterans with their bat-like wings and oddly rge irises that completely obscured the sclera are present, as well as, to Rainbow Dash's great surprise, a solitary gryphon. The oldest one present, a chiropteran with vibrant blue eyes and ash-grey coat, steps to the front of the pack and wheels around to address the rest.

  "Greetings, cadets. I am Captain Silent Serpent, and I have been assigned as your drill instructor by Celestia themself." The pony's voice and demeanor is not at all what Rainbow Dash had expected; There is none of the bluster that a Wonderbolts captain had, instead she speaks in a clear, calm tone which nonetheless has a particur steely edge behind its apparent gentleness. "To begin, all of you drop and give me twenty-five wingups. Then, we will fly a dozen ps around the pace. On my mark, begin." There is only a brief pause before a whistle sounds. "Mark!"

  [...]

  Rainbow Dash struggles to keep up with the pack of older fliers, wings burning from exertion as she strains to squeeze more energy from them. She is a fast flier, that much is for sure, but her endurance does not hold up in comparison, and dozens of ps around Canterlot had the effect of pushing her energy reserves to their uttermost limit.

  How does she do it..? Rainbow Dash wonders, watching the captain at the head of the pack enviously. The Chiropteran's wings beat the air rhythmically in perfect silence, contrasting the noisy struggling of the rest of the fliers.

  And so it is, that when Captain Silent Serpent finally whistles and calls a halt to the ps, Rainbow Dash is relieved to touch down in the field, cheeks flushing with shame at being the second to st pony to finish, ahead of only one other pegasus. "Take ten to recuperate." The captain announces, turning back to the fliers impassively, sitting down with a rigid, upright posture with the appearance of perfect patience.

  Not really what I expected... Rainbow Dash sighs, breathing heavily, and flops onto the ground. Most of the other cadets are collected in small groups, clearly already knowing eachother, leaving Rainbow Dash as the odd one out.

  Well, not the only odd one out; The gryphon is also alone. No surprise there. If she's anything like Gilda, she's probably having a hard time fitting in. Making up her mind, Rainbow Dash trots over to the gryphon cadet and colpses next to her to rest her tired wings.

  "Good... Flying out there." Rainbow Dash gets out between breaths. The gryphon looks at the pegasus filly, surprised to be spoken to, and nods.

  "Thanks. You, too. I'm surprised to see a pegasus as young as you at cadet school. You from a military family?" The gryphon asks, eliciting a shake of the head from Rainbow Dash.

  "Nah. Actually, Celestia themself came all the way to Cloudsdale to ask me to be their student, after I did the sonic rainboom!" Rainbow Dash brags. That's never going to get old, ha. "But I'm just as surprised as you. I didn't think there were any gryphons in the pace guard."

  The gryphon stiffens for a moment, analyzing Rainbow Dash carefully as if trying to see if she should take offense from the statement, but visibly rexes once she notices that Rainbow Dash's statement is made out of only curiosity and not malice. "Hrm. You must be Rainbow Dash, then. Expins the mane. I'm Glyndwr, I was raised outside of Gryphonstone so I'm a bit of an outlier anywhere I go." The gryphon winces "I don't think the Canterlot types like having me around."

  'Glyndwr', huh? Mare, gryphon names are something else. Rainbow Dash thinks, smiling and bumping the gryphon's shoulder with her hoof. "Ha, me neither. I think they're jealous that a pegasus from Cloudsdale got picked up by the princess instead of them." Rainbow Dash gives a cocky grin. "What do you say we stick around eachother, watch eachother's backs?"

  Glyndwr makes a face with her beak which Rainbow Dash knows from experience with Gilda is the closest that a gryphon gets to smiling. "Hm, I think you've got yourself a deal." The beaked face of the gryphon appraises Rainbow Dash curiously. "You sure are casual. Most ponies think I'm going to try to eat them when I see them."

  Rainbow Dash shrugs. "I had a gryphon friend, back in Cloudsdale, so it's nothing new to me." Rainbow Dash's eyes fsh further open in arm. "Oh, shoot! I just realized, I got here like a week ago and I haven't written her once! Grah..." Her hoof finds its way up to her forehead, groaning.

  "Breaks up. Everypony, at attention." The captain's voice cuts through the chatter eerily well considering how retively soft it is. "To start with, we're going to learn the basics of flying in formation. Get those wings ready."

  Rainbow Dash groans, stretching out her still-sore wings, and stands up, exchanging a gnce with Glyndwr before falling in line with the rest of the fliers present.