@Kujamih
[Castle of Friendship]
“You did all what you can princess. I have that mind during when my enemies used to wear the crown and my kind are hiding behind trees for survival, my stallion lead the survivors while I bring hope. Sometimes, I wished I could have done more for the survivors, as well for those who have been captured, and for those who perished. So much innocent culled, so many families burn because of lies and paranoia. But the proverb of an elder told me to vanquish my guilt and regrets to disallow them from clouding my heart and mind with guilt so i can stay strong with courage and hope.”
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[Fortification Wall]
Buckshot raised her shotgun, cautious of the unknown creature that swiftly for a bush. Thunder slightly raised a wing and gestured at the ex-raider to hold her fire. Whatever just moved, it was smaller than foals, sentience is unlikely but not impossible; chances of intelligence has her torn between attempting to communicate to it or subdue it which is already a difficult task and requires good decision-making too.
She is not in the wasteland, she is not in Cloudhaven; but neither the little unknown creature is a native to this world. Thunder has to choose her decisions wisely.
She landed on the other side of the bush a few meters away, prepared in case the creature is spooked.
...
At the walls, Nimbus gave the two mares on the ground a quick glance before speaking to Bonbon “I don't think it's wise to send otherwordly creatures who aren't getting along with each other. While one of them claims to be a soldier, she also told us her companion is a raider.“
——•¤•——
She must have been staring at her for too long, Stormlight noticed, as Iffy gave her an odd look. The earth pony spoke before she could muster up an diffident apology “Wow you have pointed teeth, i have never seen a pony have pointed teeth before!”
Spring, as if noticing just now, inquires Stormlight about her strange feature “Those are fangs, seen mostly in the mouth of wild animals; the thestrals also have fangs. I find it curious how you were born with those.”
“I'm a pegasus-thestral hybrid.” Stormlight told them, blushing, “Doctors claimed my mother was a pegasus while my father is a thestral. I never got to see them since they left me in the Frozen North years before re-emergence of the Crystal Empire.” Spring's eyes widened and her mouth parted for a silent gasp. Iffy cocked her head, not understanding to context of Stormlight's statement.
“They abandoned you out in the cold? Barbaric! they shouldn't have done that to their foal!” understadably, Spring was enraged by the abandonment, what kind of parents would do that to their foal?
But as they were conversing, it noticed another presence, powerful and with authority just a like nobility but lesser. It wasn't too poweful but that doesn't mean it would make the same mistake it have done at the school. Stormlight recognized the mare as Starlight Glimmer.
Spring stepped aside as Starlight approached them but Iffy only watched the headmare as she spoke to Stormlight. Her piercing gaze came noticed but it held, glaring through Stormlight's eyes.
“Um, yes, Starlight?” Stormlight spoke wearily.
After a lengthy and interesting explanation, a touch from Starlight gave Stormlight a surge of magic gave her energy.
When the headmare spoke to her, Spring nodded curtly “Yes, headmare.” She was taken aback when said headmare wrapped Iffy in a hug.
“I'm fine, uh...Headmare? but i thought your name is Starlight?” Iffy spoke, genuinely confused.