Chapter 1: A Life is not Important...
“Number 34. You’re up.”
Flight Path took a deep breath and let it out in a slightly panicked sigh. Of course, now was the perfect time for nerves to set in. Not when he had to argue his way into the locker room. Not when he had to ignore the stares. Now. When all he needed to do was take a few steps forward.
Truly, this was how legends were made. It was something he’d tell his grandfoals, in the unlikely event that he had any.
“That’s right. I stood there like a spooked deer for a few hours. Couldn’t even step outside to face failure.”
What an inspiration he would be. The first changeling washout…
He blinked as he realized something. When did he become concerned about being an inspiration? Sure, it was important that so many others looked up to him. He was taking the first step towards something great, and the next generation of changelings would follow in his hoofsteps. Yet, that wouldn’t affect how he did on the field today. In that moment, the outside world didn’t matter.
And this doubt, where did that come from? He knew his limits. He knew how much work he’d put into training for this day. He knew that he was going to step through that curtain and awe the ponies out there.
“Come on! We don’t have all day.”
All he had to do was step forward. Any moment now. He just needed a second to psyche himself up.
“If you aren’t out there in the next 10 seconds, you forfeit your spot immediately.”
Screaming, inwardly, he jogged outside. His ears flattening as he was nearly deafened by the noise of the crowd. He noticed a dip in the sound as ponies turned their attention, from the finishing pegasus, to the new changeling that stepped forward.
To their credit, they didn’t start jeering him. Unfortunately, that fact didn’t stop his heart from fluttering in fear. What was he doing here again?
Oh yeah. He gazed at the Wonderbolts, seated directly in the middle of the course. They were still watching the previous pegasus finish off his audition. That’s why, he thought as he flared his insect like wings.
Even in their usual attire, he couldn’t miss that brief look of dubiousness that crossed some muzzles when they turned his way. Fiery pride welled up inside of him, burning away the fear. This was his course, and he was going to own it.
He began revving his wings, slowly building up the speed until he was using about half of his maximum. He didn’t want to burn himself out before it had even begun. Lucky Clover raised the flag beside him, a stopwatch in his other hoof.
There was a tense, nerve wracking, second before the flag dropped and Flight launched himself from the cloud balcony. Darting forward like a large black dart. The buzz of his wings just barely louder than the roar of the wind in his ears.
The first obstacle, the cloud rings. Designed to force the contestant to fly in a tight and controlled stream.
The first thing he’d ever worked on was control. He didn’t like the way he hovered, always rising and lowering with what felt like the smallest shifts in wing speed. He set targets, slowly decreasing the distance between them and himself, and forced himself to fly without touching them.
The only difference between that and this was the path itself. The clouds curved upwards, meaning he would be shifting from horizontal to a near vertical flight. Nothing too difficult, but not something he had specifically trained in.
The first three rings were wide enough for him to showboat a bit. This was a performance after all. Quick spins as he passed each ring were enough to wow a few of the spectators. But he stopped well before he got to any of the tighter rings. Choosing to build up his speed to compensate for the smaller wing beats he’d soon be forced to perform.
He tucked his legs in and brought his head down. His wings buzzed in tighter circles, but he kept his speed as he lifted. He tensed up as each ring got smaller, trying to make himself as small as possible. He kept himself level hooves just barely skimming the cloud rings. It was then that he realized he was a hair too low. No time to correct it now, he simply hoped he wouldn’t crash through the next ring.
He made it through while clipping the very edge of the circle. Small cloud puffs spilled behind him as he leveled off.
Keep moving, he told himself sternly. His eyes locked on the floating platform several feet below him. This would test both his instincts, power, and his knowledge of his own limits. Something he was well acquainted with, having pushed himself to, and over, his limit much too often when he had first begun training. That was back when he had no idea what he was doing. Before his coach had taken him under her wing.
He dived. Completely vertical in his drop. This time the wind was louder than his buzzing, nearly deafening him. As much as it burned, he forced his eyes to stay open. Only blinking when it became absolutely necessary. He counted out the closing distance in his head.
15.
12.
9.
7!
He began lifting his upper body as he spread his wings wide. The strain it put on his thin, membrane wings was painful, but bearable. He buzzed at a breakneck speed, launching himself forward, horizontally, even as he continued to descend. Unfortunately, It wasn’t enough, and he had to take an extra few seconds to stabilize just a few inches above the ground. He grunted and pushed himself, intent on making up for lost time.
The last, and arguably most important, test. Creativity. The Wonderbolts were performers as much as they were military. One needed a mind that could see the possibilities if they wanted to be a valuable member the team.
And of course, he’d need to prove his skills as a competent flyer. Pulling out of a bad move was just as important as pulling off a good one. Staying alert to his surroundings was necessary.
These thoughts raced through Flight’s mind as he zipped forward, passing over the Wonderbolt judges with hardly a second glance. A plan was already forming in his head. He wanted to show off his agility. His best trait. He formed the path in his mind. Tight turns, quick spin, push off of one cloud column into another, and from there he looped back around.
He was hardly aware that he had even started. In his mind he was still processing what his plan was, while his body was only a step behind in his actions. There were a few mistakes. He had to make a tight swerve to pull out of a botched flip. Not to mention his wing clipping the side of the arena, the resulting spin-out was hard to recover from.
His finish was simple. He tucked his wings mid-flight and threw his upper body forwards. He closed his eyes as he rolled in the air, opening them only when he felt his hooves slam into the final cloud platform.
Then, it was over.
Talon’s face fell as he read the letter.
“Flight,” he said, sadly. “I’m so sorry…”
Trying not to let his disappointment show, Flight simply smiled and turned away.
"I know it's hard..." His husband continued. The gryphon reached out to take Flight's hoof, and squeezed it comfortingly "And I know how upset you are. But you're going to have to get over it. You can’t be too busy missing me if you don't want the Wonderbolts kicking you out on your first day!"
As the changeling realized he had been played, Talon leaped across the table and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Why you little!" Flight growled as his shock dissipated. He squirmed in the hug, trying to get a hoof free to throttle the hybrid. The avian, cackling like a howlite hyena, simply tilted his beak and whispered into the ear of the changeling. As he spoke Flight stopped struggling. His eyes widened in surprise and he felt a blush color his cheeks. As he nodded, wordlessly, his husband grinned and flicked at the bugs muzzle with his tail before slinking past. Flight stayed in the kitchen for a moment longer before following to the bedroom.
“Don’t tell me that’s all you got, Buggie!” Spitfire yelled as Flight sped past at his top speed. “Come on, let’s pick up the pace here!”
He gave a shuddering sigh before pushing his wings even further, his eyes fixed ahead and trying to ignore the glances he got from the other Wonderbolts.
“Kick your legs up a bit more, straighten your back,” a voice advised. Following the instructions, without turning his head, he felt his drag lessen immensely. Flight breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thanks, Soarin’” Flight Path panted. “You know I used to think you guys just flew in circles all day?”
The pegasus laughed as they rounded the corner at the far end of the track. “Not sure where you got that impression. Ovals work best.”
“It gets easier as the days go by,” he assured as Flight began to lag behind. He moved in front of the changeling and let him fly in his slipstream. “Soon you’ll probably be outstripping even me.”
“Soarin’ get your flank in gear! Double time, let’s go!”
The pegasus mumbled something under his breath before turning away. “Keep your head up, brother!” he shouted, giving one last encouraging grin before he sped off.
Unfortunately, what little encouragement he garnered from his fellow Wonderbolt was offset by how quickly he was left behind. Flight sighed again and, despite the burning pain in his wings, kicked his speed up one more notch. His body screamed at him.
If I’m going to crash, he thought. I’m going to be completely spent when I do.
He buzzed harder, earning a few impressed looks from the pegasi surrounding him as his speed went beyond what even he thought was possible for his body. He knew he’d pay for it later, but that was a price could accept.
“Ms Spitfire, I thank you for taking the time to see me. Though I’m afraid I can’t claim to bring good news…”
“I’ve had my ears out for a while, I’ve heard the complaints.”
“Then you understand the gravity of the situation?”
“...Not entirely.”
“Pardon?”
Spitfire turned away from the window and sat down behind her desk. Removing her sunglasses slowly, she crossed the legs before placing them directly in the middle of her desk. She put her hooves together and sighed, not liking what she was about to do, but liking the alternative even less.
“Perhaps you can help a tired old mare understand? Explain to me exactly what the concerns of the public are.”
The politician blinked before rubbing at his neck awkwardly. “Well, it’s rather simple. Some ponies fear that the changeling may have cheated his way through testing.”
“And why exactly?” She asked, raising eyebrow.
“Well,” the stallion coughed. “He is a magic user. And there is no guarantee that an inhibitor spell would work on him.”
“And why is that?”
“Well… it’s because he’s a changeling, so far we don’t know how much an inhibitor prevents his magic.”
Spitfire was silent for a moment, then she breathed a sigh and placed her hooves on her desk.
“Let me ask you a question, Mr. Interests. If Twilight Sparkle wanted to compete for the chance to be a Wonderbolt, do you think the public would have a problem with it?”
The chocolate brown stallion blinked. “Of course not. After all she’s done for Equestria—”
“What about Discord?” Spitfire interrupted.
The politician paused. “Well, it would be hard for most ponies to be receptive to the idea at first, but given time…” He trailed off. An inkling of understanding was just out of reach.
“Let me explain something to you, Senator.” Spitfire said, harshly. She stood and leaned forward on her desk. “And you can quote me with that camera you’re hiding in your pocket for the press.”
“Twilight Sparkle, Discord, and the member of my squad, currently on the field, all have something in common, magic that is either above, or on another level than, that of unicorns. Who the inhibitor spell was designed for.”
“All I meant was that the spell might not completely block the magic of the changeling. And, if he wanted, he could find a way around it.”
“That would be true whether the spell works on him or not!” Spitfire growled. “And no pony seemed to question the effectiveness of the suppression charms they used to wear.”
The tension was palpable as both parties glared at each other. But the politician couldn’t hold the stare.
“Let me make something clear," she said coldly as she seated herself. "That changeling, the one who’s name you refuse to use. The one who is out there, right now, doing extra training to prove to me, and to himself, that he belongs here.”
“He stays,” she continued. Her tone brooked no argument. “I don’t care what the public says about my team or about me, as long as we keep doing our jobs."
"Now, I have quite a bit of paperwork to get through." She grabbed a stack and lowered her eyes, effectively making her guest feel invisible. "I assume you know the way to the door.”
And with a loud slam, her office was empty.
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The Discord example was bad. Let me guess the couple is a different one from last fic? If so... again gay... meh :P
5782788 No offense, but if you don't like it....
It's just, it gets kind of annoying when someone points it out like it's something new or extremely important. It's a side element to this story, as I'm not focusing on the romantic element.
5783226 No No I mean... is there something you like about tackling the subject? Because it can easily stretch to being angsty woobie very easily. We get it... you're trying to say they go through tough shit... Do you have to add insult to injury? Wait... that's not a good phrase. I mean as a writer if you're not going to delve into it why did you choose it? Why did you show it at all? Humor me... allow me into your mind.
5783242
You seem to do this thing where you judge a work way too early on, instead of assuming this is going to be " angsty woobie" can you let me make it through more than one chapter first? That doesn't "Don't comment until I'm past the first chapter" It just means don't assume the story is going to go a certain way. That said, I appreciate the comments. As I've said, it helps me to think about and question what I'm writing.
Romance exists in LOTS of fics that don't spend ten chapters talking about the romance. It allows for character development and it helps to advance the plot in some cases, or to evoke emotion from a reader. If my character has someone waiting at home for him, how does that affect how he reacts to certain situations? How does the reader see him? Etc.
As for why the characters are gay, that's just the way some of my characters are. It has nothing to do with gay rights, honestly I could have made Flight straight with a gryphon or a pony, or even another changeling, as his mate. It wouldn't impact what I have planned. This specific character was someone I had planned out already and I wasn't about to change him.
5783307 The thing is if you were using it to make your point stronger it would be bad. That is all and while me assuming was wrong the fear is still there. That is all.
meh, i liked it.
hopefully we can see more of this
5783454 What point? What point would I be trying to make stronger?
5784616 That they are you know... "prosecuted" and chased and stuff.
5784657 ...
You realize the other story had nothing to do with gay rights? It was about race and prejudice.
5783496 Grazi, more shall be seen!
5785065 *sigh* You know what I mean... Just don't get it to be too much drama.
5785077 Honestly? I have no idea what you mean. TAE isn't about gay rights. Hell, the only character to die wasn't even gay. It was about race, and it parallels to things that have happened, and are still happening, in America. I honestly have no idea why you think the characters being gay impacts the story so much, it doesn't. Nothing any of the characters have gone through is because of sexual orientation. I'm honestly not seeing the connection you are making between the prosecution/prejudice and the fact that two of the characters were romantically involved.
5785085 I am talking about characters specifically made to invoke dramatic situations. Race wars, Gender wars e.t.c. they all are in one category... drama. All I am saying is that you be careful because said characteristics you give to these OCs are highly likely to seem like you are trying too hard to make me care about the character by invoking more drama than needed.
I am not against the fic. I like it really. Can't favorite it yet though. Although I have a question.
I get that Gilda was in the wonderbolts Academy but this isn't many years after Chrysalis has been overthrown right? The way I see it the Wonderbolts are like some national unit that serves Equestria like the Elite Fliers of Equestria both as a show of pride and skill in actual war. Your description according to what I see is the same... isn't that right? So... isn't it like too early for them to be joining? Just saying... I guess one should do the start.
I've seen similar stuff happening in my country when an Albanian student a second generation immigrant ((as opposed to first gen immigrant you are suggesting right?)). https://dgap.org/en/article/getFullPDF/26129
Read it... it might teach you a few good things in regards to acceptance and might even help you with the fic. Keep in mind the main point it says that these cases were decided over the character of the community being "altered", or "threatened" as I'd like to say.
5785131 Okay, let me ask you a question. What is the purpose of writing a story?
5785547 pm me
5785131 Let me answer said question. To evoke emotion. I understand that I get very drama heavy. That might as well be a staple of my stories. And I apologize if that is not your cup of tea, but the way you are expressing concern is completely wrong. I'm not worried about my fic being to drama heavy as that is simply the way I write my fics. If I am that type of author, telling me I get too heavy is kind of useless, and more hurtful than it is criticism
This story is actually set a few years after the events of the prequel. Which I will be explaining in a later chapter.
Sometimes my characters will be created simply to invoke a certain emotion, however I ask that you keep grievances about TAE on THAT fic and not bring it up here. This is a completely different story, a clean slate. That was my entire purpose of writing this fic, so I could begin anew but in the same world.
5785600 No, if I'm gonna talk about my fic, I'd rather do it here, on said fic.
5785973 These are not grievances about TAE. You are spot on the fact that drama staple is a thing I don't like. ((especially when it is the same kind of drama)) However I'm not against drama. I am against blown out of proportions drama. You are also spot on the fact that I don't express myself too good often. I am Greek and I'm working on my speech skills really. However I said
not that it IS angsty. Do not paraphrase what I say. My worries and my paranoia are one thing but I don't assume as you said.
However you said that...
When I said...
It wasn't important to me. Not so much and I was willing to let it slide. You on the other hand wanted an explanation as to why. We have talked about this... in mlpforums I believe. Also if it bothered me so much being gay in itself I wouldn't write about lesbian couples...
However since you have understood the point I was trying to make all I can say is that this point is now void.
Bottom line this isn't so much about me not liking said fic but more about this possibly leading into... "bad stuff". I am still here to read a good story and I think that despite whatever worries are there I'm still gonna get it.
All I said about pming is that I'd rather continue it on a pm than clog the comments ((too late for that)) with a conversation that shouldn't look so much as a fight.
5786097
It wasn't a response to your "Meh" it was a response to you choosing that one thing to comment on out of the entire chapter. By commenting on that one thing, it seemed as if that was the one thing that stuck out to you, so much so that you had to comment on it.
The reason I've been getting slightly upset is because you seem to think the story will go bad. I understand that that is not your intention, but when you continuously warn against a story going bad, or express concern that a story will go bad, it's the readers way of saying they don't trust the writer enough to make a good story. I don't want anyone to tell me to be careful. I don't want any warnings unless I explicitly do something that people question, or view as wrong. One chapter in and I'm already hearing sirens? How am I supposed to take that?
I can't function if everyone is telling me that I need to be careful, that what I'm doing might be seen as bad, or that some people will view it the wrong way. I KNOW THAT. THAT IS A GIVEN. I CAN'T POSSIBLY MAKE IT AS A WRITER AND NOT UNDERSTAND THAT SOME PEOPLE WON'T LIKE WHAT I WRITE. I DON'T NEED TO BE WARNED LIKE A CHILD. I understand your intentions are noble, but please. PLEASE. Don't tell me the million ways I can go wrong when I'm already stressing about them.
5786583 I also said that the Discord example was pretty bad. I also asked on how you see the Wonderbolts. Lastly i also said that i can get behind the case of the changeling seeing as i have seen first hand reactions to real life events when a community allows immigrants in them.
Lets try talking about them for a change.
Just to be honest you tackle big subjects bro. Dont worry nones gonna bat you. Dont stress over a hobby. You shall get better.
Hey I havent followed you or kept talking to you for nothing now have I? Take a deep breath... You're gonna be fine.
TAE is also fine as a whole. Its an interesting experience to say the least. And personally though I understand some of my friends concerns against the fic I've been mostly supporting it. I may not "like" it ((as in the burning alive a changeling wasnt exactly pleasant and it baffled me a bit)) but i cannot deny you tackle interesting subjects and that i keep reading them for a reason.
Im confused, how is there a sequel if the first story isnt finished?
5796181 This one won't have spoilers or anything for the prequels story, though it will have some of the characters and use the rules/logic of the same universe. I plan on mostly just continuing where I left off, or will leave off, with where I left the other characters. Very few "big" characters though.
Mostly I felt I needed a new start, the other story is getting a tad of a bother to keep finding inspiration for, and I find myself worrying about what I'm posting instead of enjoying writing.
5796232 not to be rude but you didnt answer my question. You arent making a whole lot of sense. Is the original story going to be continued? Because if this new story is a rewrite than why does it say its a sequel?
You should announce when you are cancelling a story and starting over from scratch.
Though It would be a mistake to cancel the original story.
This new story you have here is good, I like it but it feels rushed. Just gonna throw that out there.
I like the story with Mask and Wolfe more.
5796351 OH,
Nonononononononono.
The original is going to be finished for sure. I have at least one more chapter planned for that one and, what I hope, will be a nice close to it.
This isn't really a rewrite so much as...
I want to say reboot but that doesn't really feel right. I want to take characters and stories, that I didn't get the chance to expand, and use them in another story. Give them something new to work off of.
The reason I didn't finish the first story before doing this is simply because I was feeling too stressed by forcing myself to only work on that story.
Does that clear things up better?
Geez, it took me a while to get to this.
It's off to a great start, though, I think. Truth be told, I'm a big fan of pieces like this; taking a single event — in the case, the social integration of changelings — and then exploring not the event itself, but the individuals that it impacts and how they react in its wake.
Go Spitfire!
We would think Flight's shape-shifting could be put to use now he's actually training. Having great familiarity and comfort doing things disguised and not could hold a significant tactical advantage.
Keep going! ;)