Empire of Mercy
Copyright© 2025 by Daelyx Len Auphydas
Chapter 11: Impetuous
In the weeks to come, Rainbow Dash and Twilight both settle into their respective new routines. Normal classes at the Canterlot Cadet Academy or Celestia’s School of Magic, together with tutoring from Celestia whenever the princess can make time; usually, early in the mornings. Twilight gets to go home on the weekends, while Rainbow Dash simply has to stay at the palace full time.
That is not to say that studying is all they do, of course. Even if Twilight may have preferred it that way, circumstances had come to grant the unicorn certain responsibilities; most of her free time ends up being spent on taking care of Spike and researching as much as she can about dragons.
For Rainbow Dash’s part, the combination of Silent Serpent’s exercises and Celestia’s flight lessons work her to a point of exhaustion that she almost doesn’t mind the distinctly civil nature of all of her classes. Almost. But even as tired as Rainbow Dash is from the much harsher training regimen than she is used to, the memory of a promise to teach her survival and fighting skills remains at the forefront of her mind.
Despite attending classes at a military school, Rainbow Dash finds to her great disappointment that it really is not that different from normal school, most of the time. Celestia even has her attend some classes at the School of Magic, as apparently the academics there are second to none even outside of the schools primary focus.
Rainbow Dash groans in dismay, staring down at the worksheet before her and wondering, not for the first time, if she had made a mistake coming here. I got here for my flight skills, not my test taking abilities! What gives? Rainbow Dash rubs her face, groaning. To be fair, it isn’t like she can learn new flying techniques much faster than she already is, without risking athletic injury. But shouldn’t she be able to just rest and chillax, then?
“Can you keep it down over there? You’ll wake up Spike.” Twilight complains from the other side of the table, not even glancing up at Rainbow Dash as her eyes remain glued to the manuscript below her, her body tightly coiled around the young dragon. Rainbow Dash just blinks at her incredulously; the unicorn filly had finished all of her homework in about twenty minutes, and then went right back into studying. Meanwhile, Rainbow can barely bear to stay still long enough to even read the worksheets. All the words just seem to float around in her jumbled mess of a brain, she can’t even parse what it is talking about.
Before Rainbow can reply to the unicorn with something suitably snarky, the doors to the library open with a faint clicking sound. The two students generally have the space to themselves, which is good because if she went back to her own room, Rainbow Dash knows she would just start napping instead of studying almost immediately. So if somepony is entering, then it’s most likely...
“Princess Celestia!” Twilight hastily gets up to her hooves and bows her head, while Rainbow Dash instead makes a move to cover her worksheets in embarrassment.
“Greetings, my two students. I had a moment to spare, so I thought I would check up on you. How go your studies?” Celestia asks in an egregiously casual tone as she ducks her head to enter the chamber.
“E-excellent, your highness! Better than excellent!” Twilight blusters. “The palace’s archives are simply fascinating!” The anxiousness of the unicorn’s voice quickly gives way once she starts talking about her studies, and she opens her book to show Celestia. “For instance, did you know that tuatara have a sort of third eye on their forehead? Its a photoreceptor used to discern day-night cycles, but it can’t actually form images, its located under the skin, and its called a ‘parietal’ eye!”
Rainbow Dash groans and smacks a hoof into her face. “Precisely why would anypony need to know that?” Rainbow Dash asks, pointedly.
Twilight bristles in response, looking offended. “Knowledge is valuable for its own sake!” She protests, looking up to Celestia as if for confirmation.
Celestia nods. “Of course, Twilight Sparkle. I assume you completed your assigned work, before you began reading up on reptilian biology?”
Twilight nods again. “Of course! I just thought that maybe information on reptiles could help me understand how to help this little guy.” Twilight squeezes the sleeping dragon curled up between her legs. “But the more I learn, the less it seems like dragons have anything in common with reptiles. I think they’re actually closer to birds, despite appearances.”
Celestia smiles. “Quite the dutiful caretaker you are, Twilight. And how is your young charge faring?”
“I... Think they’re doing well.” Twilight offers, cautiously. “They sure sleep alot. But whenever they’re awake, they’re very well behaved. We’ve been feeding them a diet of gemstones and carnivore feedstock.” Twilight winces, trying not to think too much about what exactly went into carnivore feed. The little dragon is, after all, not the only meat-eater that ponies kept as pets. “It seems to be working, they shed their scales for the first time a few days ago and the new coat is really shiny and healthy looking.”
Rainbow Dash sighs, mind blanking out again. She guesses she can’t give Twilight too much of a bad time for that, taking care of a little dragon is a big responsibility and learning all she can about it does seem warranted. Just as she is ready to completely mentally check out, however, Celestia turns to her. “And how about you, Rainbow Dash? You look troubled.”
“Uh, Troubled? I guess you could say that.” Rainbow Dash motions at her worksheets in consternation. “I thought I came out here to learn how to fly, fight, and navigate with the best of them! Not learn math!”
“I know you may not be interested in these subjects, but I promise you, having a wider breadth of knowledge will open up many doors to you in the future.” Celestia states, choosing her words carefully. “You may find yourself thankful you learned these things, one day.”
“Doors, schmoors! What does an awesome flier like me need with all this carp?” Rainbow Dash blusters, triggering a gasp of horror from Twilight at the outright insubordination of the other filly. “I should be out there giving threats to Equestria what-for and inspiring ponies with my flight skills!”
“Oh? So what you’re saying is, you believe that you are too good for studying?” Celestia gives Rainbow Dash a sly smile. “I’ll tell you what. If you can prove that you’re as awesome as you say, then I will allow you to focus only on your athletics. Shouldn’t be a problem for a pony of your talents, I’m sure?”
Rainbow Dash blinks in surprise, not expecting to actually get her way. Hopping up out of her chair, she looks up at Celestia, suspiciously. “And, what exactly do I have to do to prove it?” She questions.
Celestia’s smirk only grows. “Just land a single hit on me. If you can do that, then I will relent, and acknowledge that such a brave warrior has no need for academics.” Twilight shoots Celestia a horrified look at that suggestion, while Rainbow Dash just grins, cracking her front hooves.
“That’s all? Oh, this’ll be too easy! Just you watch!” Rainbow Dash narrows her eyes. I’m the fastest pony there is, all I have to do is strike at full speed and she won’t know what hit her!
“Not in here!” Twilight shouts, startling Spike awake and Rainbow Dash out of her focused stance, as Twilight dives to cover her precious books as well as possible. “If you’re really going to do this, go do it somewhere that won’t destroy all the books!”
Celestia giggles, horn lighting up. “Relax, Twilight. I will shield the books from harm. Well, Rainbow Dash?” She offers to the pegasus.
Rainbow Dash makes a concerted effort to relax her muscles, appearing as though she isn’t going to make a go at it, before diving full bodily through the air at Celestia, bolting from the ground with every single ounce of speed she can muster. Much to her surprise, she ends up flying straight through an empty space before colliding with the dim yellow pulse of a shield over the books. She hadn’t even seen Celestia move, and she certainly hadn’t teleported; Rainbow Dash would have heard it.
Thinking quickly on her hooves, Rainbow Dash sprinboards from the shield spell-it somewhat reminds her of how clouds feel, slightly spongey and elastic-back towards Celestia’s new position. The alicorn princess simply yawns and shifts the bare minimum amount required to not be clipped by Rainbow Dash’s wing, the alicorn’s own broad white wing stretching out casually above the hurtling pegasus. Rainbow Dash growls in frustration and twists in midair, bringing her hoof down from above, only for Celestia to lean back out of reach.
Twilight just watches from the sidelines, wincing and tensing up every time it seems like Rainbow Dash might land a blow on either Celestia or the books around her. Celestia’s casual show of making every blow just barely miss is interrupted when Rainbow Dash launches a flying kick right after feinting with her right forehoof, forcing Celestia to spring sidewards with remarkable agility, landing on her hooves. Finally, as Rainbow Dash surges forwards once again, swinging her left wing down towards Celestia, the alicorn catches the pegasus’s wing and, ducking beneath it, hurls Rainbow Dash all the way across the room, swiftly catching her in their magic before she can get hurt, and lightly setting the exhausted pegasus down on the ground.
“Well, I am suitably impressed.” Celestia admits. “You made me actually dodge. Still, a deal is a deal, and I don’t believe you managed to land a strike on me.”
“Figures...” Rainbow Dash complains, in between panting breaths. “Nopony has ... Given me any ... Combat lessons ... Yet.”
Celestia cocks her head to the side, appraising the young pegasus. “You wish to learn how to fight already? Hrm. I was planning to wait until you were older but, if you are so eager, perhaps we can see about starting lessons.” Celestia gives the pegasus a pointed look. “After you finish your existing work. If we are to begin combat training, I will be certain it won’t impede your civil classes first.”
Rainbow Dash bolts up eagerly. “Really? You mean it? When can we start?” Seemingly the pegasus had not heard anything past ‘starting lessons’. Celestia holds up a hoof, patiently.
“We may start once you have completed your schoolwork. Today, if you are able to manage it by then. But only once I am satisfied that you understand it.” Celestia instructs, firmly.
Rainbow Dash wilts, glancing back at the worksheet. “Might as well be a year from now, then...” Rainbow Dash mumbles. The pegasid’s stupor is interrupted by the feeling of a wing draped over her, and she looks up in surprise to see that Celestia has sat down next to her, smiling encouragingly.
“I believe that, given proper motivation and guidance, you may surprise yourself. From what I have seen, you possess a remarkably detailed memory, you just lack focus. Allow me to see if I may remedy that.” Celestia delicately brushes Rainbow Dash’s hooves from the mostly empty worksheet, revealing the various doodles and scribbles which had filled the margins.
Other than a smirk of amusement, Celestia resists reacting to the haphazard ‘artwork’, and focuses only on the pegasid’s unfinished work. “And if you ever need help focusing when I am not around, I am sure Twilight would be eager to assist. But, since I can see that you are struggling, I shall see about giving you more tutoring time. Now, if you look at this problem here...”
“I still don’t understand why I’m here.” Twilight complains, disgruntled. Much to her great dismay, just before Celestia had left the library to return to her duties, the princess had informed her that she would be joining Rainbow Dash for combat lessons.
“I thought you liked learning new things, what gives?” Rainbow Dash asks, flicking a glance backwards at Twilight as she leads the way towards the barracks. She had assured Celestia that she could find the way there herself, so Celestia had left ahead of them to arrange for a tutor to meet them.
“I do! And I was perfectly content learning things in my nice, cozy library.” Twilight grumbles.
“C’mon, you gotta be more adventurous than that! We’re going to learn how to fight!” Rainbow Dash grins broadly, stopping before the door leading out to the barracks, turning back to wink at Twilight before prancing on outside. Thankfully, her hooves are all healed now, such that one would not be able to tell they were ever injured at all, so she is able to move to her full capability once again.
The faces of their tutors are, to Rainbow Dash, unexpectedly familiar. Mooncrescent and his brother, Starblaze, are busy preparing the clearing set aside for the princesses two students, placing out training dummies, weapon racks, and more. Rainbow Dash blinks in surprise at the two colts only a few years older than herself. “H-huh? What are you two doing here?”
Mooncrescent waves cheerfully at Rainbow Dash and smiles. “Celestia told us you were getting antsy with your studies, and asked us to help give you a break with some combat training! I hope you’re ready.”
Rainbow Dash shakes her head in consternation. “I ... No, why would she assign you two? You’re still cadets yourselves! Not to mention, you’re not even pegasi. Where’s Silent Serpent?” Rainbow Dash asks, notwithstanding the fact that Silent Serpent is also not technically a pegasus.
Mooncrescent shakes his head. “Celestia asked us, not her.” He states, firmly. “Most of the old guard were trained in the old ways of combat from before the recent reforms. We’re the star pupils of our generation, so nopony else has mastered the new styles as well as us! Trust me, you’re in good hooves.” The colts disarming smile makes it hard to doubt him.
“And, I think you forgot that your friend here isn’t a pegasus either.” Starblaze points out behind his brother. “I’m sure Celestia will ask the captain to show you flying combat techniques eventually, but everyponies gotta start with the basics. No matter if they’re an earth pony, unicorn, pegasus, chiropteran, or whatever else.”
Rainbow Dash quirks her mouth, feeling perhaps a little unsatisfied. But she can’t complain too much; she is getting her way, after all. “Alright, then. So, can we get this show on the road?” Rainbow Dash asks impatiently.
“Hold on!” Twilight interjects. Rainbow Dash glances over at the filly and groans; She has the face she gets whenever her curiosity is piqued, meaning she is probably in for a dramatic delay to actually getting started. “What do you mean by ‘old ways’ and ‘new styles’, precisely?” And why haven’t I heard about this from Shining Armor, for that matter? Twilight silently adds the last part to herself.
Starblaze smiles at the filly while he sits to explain. “Until recently, most of the guard was equipped almost exclusively with spears and shields, despite centuries of development in technology and military tactics since the last major conflict. But Equestrian Intelligence shed some details on foreign weapons development and trends in recent conflicts in Prance and Skyterra which spooked Celestia right and proper, and lead them to adopt a series of military reforms. Most of them are still getting pushed through, since outside of Canterlot its much more difficult for Celestia to rapidly change things around. Drill sergeants need to get rotated around, equipment needs to be swapped out or mothballed ... But here in the palace, at least the Royal Companions are already equipped in the new style.”
While Starblaze explains, Mooncrescent went to the armory to fetch equipment, and he is now returning with a veritable mountain of odd-looking weapons the likes of which Rainbow Dash has never seen before held in his magic. “Here, put these on! Watch me, I’ll show you how.” Mooncrescent demonstrates, sliding a vambrace with a mechanical assembly onto his hooves before tightening the straps. Two blades protrude from the vambrace, one on either side of his hoof, but they are currently folded back to rest parallel to his leg, meaning they don’t obstruct his freedom of movement.
With a flick of his hoof, Mooncrescent demonstrates the mechanism, the folding assembly snapping down to place the two blade parallel to the hooves where they curve slightly like a predators claws. And then, equally as quickly, Mooncrescent presses the blades against the ground and twists his hoof at an angle, resulting in the blades folding back up against his leg once more. “They’re not as well suited for formation combat as the old spear and shield lines, but these weapons allow much more mobility and better individual combat capability, things which Celestia emphasizes are more important in modern warfare.”
Rainbow Dash tries to imitate Mooncrescent, with some difficulty fitting her hoof into the vambrace before flailing it around trying to get the blades to extend. Her tutor giggles and pulls her aside. “No, see, like this. The motion has to be pretty fast or it won’t get past the springs in order to snap into place.” He explains to the struggling pegasus.
“What about the rest of these? What are they all for?” Twilight asks, motioning towards the variety of other bits and bobs Mooncrescent had brought out. A couple are obvious enough; Bows and hornblades. But others resemble nothing so much as long blades with oddly sinuous curving lines and no apparent grips or straps.
Lifting one in his own levitation, Starblaze twirls a long, double-edged, S-shaped blade embedded with diamonds into the air. “This is a spellblade, its a weapon for unicorns. Once attuned to its wielder, it becomes remarkably easy to control with levitation for you, and very hard for anypony else. I’m personally something of an expert in its use, while my brother generally prefers the use of hoofclaws and hornblades.”
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