Patchfeather tensed her muscles, ready to spring forward. Part of Patchfeather's battle mare training was to be able to go at top speed in both land and air, so to do that Patchfeather and her training partner Lakefir were required to run races on both land and in the air.

Aspenflight, one of Patchfeather's mentors, was standing a few wing lengths away. The flea bitten gray mare had one of her gray wings raised.

"Ready?" asked Aspenflight, but before either Patchfeather or Lakefir had time to respond, Aspenflight flapped her wing signaling the start of the race.

Patchfeather shot ahead, her hooves pounding the ground. Patchfeather zigzagged around spindly looking spruce trees, and prickle bushes. She ducked under low hanging bushes.

Patchfeather could hear Lakefir close behind her, and gaining. Through the trees Patchfeather could make out the white shape Aspenflight's mate, Beanwind, he was the finish line. Patchfeather gritted her teeth and dug her hooves further into the ground, and with final leap Patchfeather raced past Beanwind.

Lakefir raced up a second later, "How do you always win?" panted Lakefir.

"Guess I'm just lucky." said Patchfeather out of breath.

A shadow fell over the out of breath pegasi, and Aspenflight landed, "Good job both of you!" she said "I think that was the closest race yet."

"Yeah," agreed Beanwind, "Head back to the herd, and remember not to mention this training session to your friends."

Patchfeather rolled her eyes, "So you keep reminding us." she muttered.

Beanwind glared at her, "I heard that you know." he said dryly.

Patchfeather sighed as she spared her wing and headed back to where Snow Herd was grazing.

Last spring Patchfeather and Lakefir had been selected to join a secret elite unit in Snow Herd's army code named "Legends in the makings". Since then they had both been on a relentless training schedule, and neither Patchfeather or Lakefir could talk their friends about it.

"Patchfeather!" called Lakefir's voice coming form some were behind her.

Patchfeather paused just long enough for the buckskin pinto stallion to catch up, "I hate that he's still babying us." said Patchfeather.

"Beanwind is just making sure we don't let classified information out." said Lakefir.

Patchfeather snorted, "Well he doesn't have to remind up every ten seconds."

The pair flew in silence the rest of the way back to the herd.

When they landed, Patchfeather and Lakefir were greeted by Dragonfrost, Smokemoon, and Dragonfrost's little half-sister Pebblefrost.

"How's your secret training going?" asked Smokemoon.

Patchfeather glared at Lakefir, and he flashed her a look that said "I didn't do it." But before Patchfeather could call him out on it, Smokemoon said "I'm joking."

Patchfeather sighed, "It was fine."

"Dragonfrost!" complained Pebblefrost, "You promised to show me how to do that cool trick you've been working on."

"In a minuet Pebblefrost," said Dragonfrost, "I'm still stretching."

Patchfeather winced, last winter she and Dragonfrost had been attacked by a grizzly that had woken up for hibernation early. Patchfeather had received a few minor injuries, but one of Dragonfrost's wings had been broken.

The two had recovered, and Dragonfrost's wing had healed, but he had to stretch before flying so it didn't cramp

Suddenly, Patchfeather noticed a steel gray stallion looking at her, then she saw him signal for her to follow him. Patchfeather recognized the stallion as Smokeleaf, one of the toon leaders for "Legends in the making".

Patchfeather bumped Lakefir with her wing, and gave a slight nod in Smokeleaf's direction.

Lakefir nodded, "Uh... Patchfeather and I have to... umm... go... uh... check on... uh something."

Patchfeather rolled her eyes, "We'll be right back." Then she and Lakefir headed off after Smokeleaf.