Backstory

The life of Noble Shield was...rather hard early on. In fact almost every day of his young life was a struggle.The family he was born into was lost to him when he was only four years old when wild out of control storm suddenly hit his family on their way to Cloudsdale. Within the violent winds the two parents lost control of themselves and the young Noble was flung from his mother's hooves.The young four year old colt opened up his eyes to find himself in a rather dimly lit place. The area and surrounding structures were made up of pure cloud and despite this they looked deteriorated and unmanaged. The only light was from a small gap in the clouds behind him which even his young mind could piece together that that was where he got in from. As he wandered further into the seemingly abandoned street he saw a sign hanging off of one of the buildings. He was barely able to read anything at the time but he was able to make out the word "Cloudsdale" on the severely weathered sign,

The young colt wandered for hours, what little sunlight that was hitting the streets was fading fast as night time approached. He had no idea where his parents were and at this point the sobbing young colt could only think of finding them. He continued to wander, no signs of life along the abandoned buildings he was surrounded by. That is until he came upon a slightly new looking stairway which looked to lead up to a break in the the clouds overhead. He was about to make his way up it when he finally saw another pony. They were much bigger than him and also much scarier. They all wore red coats, some of them even had some scars on their faces. The young Noble quickly hid behind the broken pillar of an old cloud home as he watched the scary looking ponies. He waited until he was sure he wouldn't be spotted before running away further into the scary looking slum with no way out..he was trapped.


For four years he wandered the abandoned streets, scrounging up what little food he could from various locations. He was much taller now but still puny compared to the ponies back at the stairway to the upper world. He avoided that area whenever he could however curiosity got the better of him one day and he returned to his old hiding spot behind the ruined pillar. For the past four years he had to eat whatever he found out there i the abandoned streets which wasn't much at all, but what he did find was not very pleasant and probably wasn't very healthy. That's why when he saw these ponies coming down the stairway with a whole sack full of fruit, bread, and other food items his stomach began growling madly, he knew he needed this. He saw them place the bag within what looked like an old warehouse which he easily snuck into through a hole in the roof. He saw the food sitting on a table off in the corner..but he saw something else.


A small group of younger foals were being held captive by one of the thugs, one of them holding a piece of the fruit. Noble felt conflicted, he was hungry and needed some real food and these younger foals distracting the guard was perfect for him to come in and snag the bag for himself. On the other hoof there was something inside him..something screaming for him to save these foals..and in doing so reveal himself to these ponies after all these years and put himself in danger. His eyes darted back and forth between the two before making his choice. He leapt down and grabbed hold of an apple that lay on top of the sack. He tossed the apple at the back of the thugs head, forcing him away from the captured foals. As soon as the older thug was far enough away from the foals he screamed at them to run and they did just that. They ran through a small hole in the wall just big enough for their small bodies. Seeing these foals escape made a small feeling of pride go through Noble but that was short lived as he was thrown against the very angry thug. Noble was much smaller and weaker than this pony. However just before this pony got close enough to severely hurt him he noticed the sac of food right next to him on the table he was underneath. He grabbed the table and tossed it at the thug, spilling the food everywhere and knocking him back, causing him to fall over. Noble used this opportunity to make his escape back through the hole in the ceiling. He ran and ran until he could no longer hear his pursuers behind him.

Noble had taken cover inside an abandoned home, leaning up against the wall and panting heavily. What was worse, his stomach was growling even more violently now. Having given up the food for the sake of those foals he was ready to give up all hope...but he didn't regret what he did. Something about..giving those foals a chance to survive. He could feel his hunger begin to take over him but he let a smile creep over his face as he mentally cheered them on. However before he let his fate claim him he felt a small nudge on his leg. He slowly opened his eyes to see the small group of foals surrounding him, hoofing over a couple of apples his way.
Noble didn't know what to do or think at first. For a moment his hunger took him and he snagged the apples and ate them aggressively, choking slightly from how fast he was eating. Once he finished them however his eyes met the smiling faces...the first friendly faces he has ever really seen. So many foreign feelings washed over him which caused him to tear up. The foals snuggled up close to him, his wings now wrapped around them as they slept in the abandoned building. He didn't know where these foals came from...why they were here..where their families were...but he knew one thing, he had to protect them...from those thugs...from hunger..from anything. As they slept and these thoughts crept over him, a small flash could be seen in the house. A blue colored shield, crossed over by two feathers could be seen now on Nobles flank, along with the realisation of what he must do.


For the next five years Noble remain in the abandoned slum of cloudsdale, constant run ins with the gang now known as the Cloud Kickers left Noble with almost constant wounds. He had heard that the Cloud Kickers got all this food from various stores and vendors across the upper city. This food Noble would then steal from them, which often lead the injuries Noble would receive. Thankfully these thugs weren't all that smart and whatever new ways of hiding the food were not very successful. However with the constant thievery the Cloud Kickers suffered as well as them getting much older and therefore much more bolder, they began taking much bigger risks up above. They began stealing during the day when ponies were around which showed just how desperate they were..but also how foolish they were. It wasn't long before authorities caught on to them and were traced back to the hidden hatch that led down below to the slums. The size of the cloud Kickers was actually much more massive than they had originally believed and it wasn't long before some guards from Canterlot itself delved down into the hatch.

This happened to occur at the same time as one of Nobles many food heists on the gang and it wasn't going as well as other heists had gone. A dummy food sack had been placed, leading Noble right into a trap. He was surrounded on all sides by full grown, angry and slightly armed gang members and this looked to be his end until the guards arrived from above. They were lead by a large middle aged looking bat bony. It wasn't long before the Cloud Kickers were overpowered and arrested. Noble was hesitant to trust these ponies from up above but eventually told the bat pony whom he found out was named Grim Wing about how he got there..and the foals he spent the past five years protecting. Grim Wing saw the spirit in Nobles deep blue eyes, and of all he's gone through down in this forgotten section of Cloudsdale. The foals were found in the small abandoned home that they had been hold up in and were taken to much more livable and homey conditions. This made Noble feel conflicted, he didn't want to see the only friends..the only family he had, taken away from him, but..deep down he knew it was for the best, he had protected them, he had saved them and lead them to hopefully better lives.

AS for Nobles own fate the spirit in his eyes as well as his bravery greatly impressed Grim Wing and so he offered Noble a deal. To come with him back to the Equestrian capital of Canterlot and train with him to hone his talents..to be able to protect those he cared about better than he could before..or be shipped off to an orphanage somewhere. Noble watched as his friends were taken up the long inaccessible staircase to the outside world and let out a sigh, along with an acception of the bat ponies offer.

Noble had been the last one to ascend the stairs to the outside...something he never would have believed to happen. The sunlight from the cloud door opening blinded him at first as he entered. Before his eyes even adjusted to the bright light he noticed one thing...the air was so..clean. It was an amazing feeling..to breath this air..this welcoming inviting air after spending his whole young foal life breathing the bitter ait down below.

His eyes eventually adjusted to the sunlight and he saw what could only be described as beauty incarnate. The happy faces all trotting about..bright blue sky, the chatter amongst ponies as they went about their business. But the most breathtaking view of all..were the rainbow waterfalls he could see fall from the upper levels of the city.

Grim Wing took the overly excited young teen towards the edge of the city where Nobles heart would seem to just stop. He could see the wide world of Equestria off in the distance, the city hanging on top of a mountain which he learned to be Canterlot..his new home. From what he saw in cloudsdale..and from gazing out upon the landscape Noble knew one thing...he loved this land...and it was worth giving anything to protect.

Grim Wing took the giddy teen onto his carriage and one breathtaking flight later, they arrived in the city of Canterlot where Noble was shown into his new home. Grim Wings home was not far from the royal palace itself and it came with all sorts of luxurious, such as hot showers, home cooked meals, fresh water, and soft comfy beds to sleep in.

Noble spent the first month settling into his new home but after that was when it began. Grim Wing began personally training young Noble to fight. Nobles time in the Cloudsdale Slum had taught him endurance and speed but he lacked in fully on physical strength and nimbleness. It took two years but Noble became skilled in hoof to hoof combat, even found his own style in using his hooves, his flight and his wings in unison with one another, turning his fighting into somewhat of a dance. However Noble would soon learn that this was the easy part.

Grim Wing was pleased with Nobles progress and decided he was ready for his real training...ready to find out what he was truly capable of. Grim Wing had reached into an old trunk and pulled out two blue colored blades made to strap to a pegasi's wings. Not only this but they were custom made to be able to fold in on themselves for concealment even when they were equipped and with the proper wing movement, could unfold in an instant when needed. Nobles training with these blades was..not pleasant, as he had to train his wings to be able to bend and turn in places that most pegasi wouldn't even think twice of trying. But his persistence to be the best he could be pulled through an within five years, he had his blades were like one.

Noble was done..there was nothing more Grim Wing could teach him..so he was left with two options. With Grim Wings personal recommendation he could receive a high ranking position within the royal guard. But Noble had another option. During his time in the slums his memory of his parents had faded away from him..but after leaving he began having dreams...dreams of two figures beside him..radiating such love and warmth. He also dreamt of the amazing view of Equestria he had seen after leaving the Cloudsdale Slums and his decision had already been made. With his skills he would travel Equestria...protect the land and the ideals it represented..as well as learning even more about the ponies that inhabit it. And a much more personal goal...to hopefully one day..find the family he had lost so long ago..Noble couldn't say how..but he knew they were alive out there somewhere...and he had to find them. With one final salute from Grim Wing..as well as reassurance that he can always call this place home, Noble set out to the land of Equestria. Many travels would await him..and many friends will be made as he leaves the city gates.