- "If this city has a thousand trials behind it I believe it will overcome the thousand and first."
- — Glaive to Captain Orbit
Glaive is a vigilante and member of the Maretropolis branch of the Justice League of Equestria.
Origin[]
Glaive was a young Trothamite orphan when a shrouded stallion took him under his own care; this figure would turn out to be the elusive head of Thrush, one of Trotham's most dangerous and unpredictable criminal groups. He raised the colt, training him as an agent to pursue his own nefarious goals.
Bloodwing, a quiet but resourceful colt, named himself at a young age. By the time he had grown to young stallionhood, he had a place among Trotham's most lethal hopefuls for villainy. But his adoptive father was secretly developing a techno-organic virus strain, and he kept this project hidden from all, including Bloodwing. Anypony infected with the virus would quickly begin to mutate, becoming partially metallic; the intense pain of the transformation would drive the infected to violent insanity. Unbeknownst to all others, the criminal mastermind planned to release the virus all over Trotham, and he infected his own adopted son as a test subject. Bloodwing found himself transforming into something different as his whole right foreleg mutated to become seemingly encased with a greyish-silver metal. He had a salvation from insanity, however, in the form of a rare genetic defect leaving him with the inability to feel pain. Because of this disorder, Bloodwing was able to remain in control. Overwhelmed by feelings of betrayal, he destroyed his father, crippled the villain's organization from the inside, and turned away from evil, taking a small group of like-minded fellow agents with him.
Bloodwing's reputation as a vigilante grew quickly in the wake of his life change. It was enough to catch the eye of the Masked Matter-Horn, then-captain of the Justice League of Equestria, who sought Bloodwing out for Maretropolis's next generation of heroes as her own team split to protect other cities. Glaive's conflicting circumstances prevented his membership at the time; they have since changed.
Personality[]
Glaive is disciplined and cool on the job, trusting others but depending on himself. He takes both initiative and advice, communicates well, and expects the same of his fellow League members.
Off-the-clock, he is levelheaded and earnest, observing thoughtfully before he makes suggestions and keeping a polite demeanor. He concerns himself with his fellow heroes' wellbeing but remains guarded or even openly suspicious around those few who don't enjoy his faith, as he perceives a liability in those upon whom he, the rest of the League, and many other Equestrians by extension cannot depend. He himself is not exempt from this appraisal: during the first few weeks he spent with Inari and his new powers, he grappled with the fear that he wouldn't be able to control them and so might eventually let the team down.
Lately Glaive has had the time to enjoy simpler things. He appreciates the occasional contemplative loneliness, cultivating such hobbies as reading, journaling, and flower gardening.
Powers and abilities[]
- "I feel genuinely sorry for anypony who has the misfortune of opposing Bloodwing in his mission."
- — Bounty hunter Tall Order, Thrush training log BW-24
Following his near-death in Hollow Shades and subsequent rescue, Glaive unhesitantly accepted Inari's offer to grant him new abilities that he could use in thwarting evil. Now with four normal legs, Glaive exercises a degree of hydrokinetic control over the phase and shape of water in his environment, able to accomplish such feats as fashioning icy tri-blades and armor (these being as strong as steel) or misting up a room to blind his foes. Though this is an ability as potentially useful as Glaive can think creatively, it is demanding of his mental faculties and can drain him to the point of drowsiness, especially at his current state of relative inexperience with it. Additionally, Glaive is at an obvious disadvantage in dry environments or places where the water is excessively dirtied, meaning that he now carries a small supply of pure water on his person for emergency use.
Glaive's almost complete inability to feel pain is another one of his strengths, but it is somewhat of a two-edged sword, as for a long time he had no way of feeling when his body was being too physically harmed. Thanks to Inari's spellweaving, he now perceives at least a manageable tingling upon injury.
As a practical addition to his vigilante look, Glaive keeps a wardrobe of hooded cloaks. Apart from providing armor-like protection and a disguise, these typically conceal an arsenal of mission-appropriate gear and his water skin.
Relationships[]
Inari[]
Glaive met Inari during the conflict with Rat Trap and immediately took interest in her. Drawn by her abilities, focus, and arcane character, he also noted her relative coldness toward most of her allies. For some time after Mt. Everhoof, his sparing interactions with her came in the form of theater outings and brief walks.
Following his near-death, rescue, and subsequent months in Inari's sole company, Glaive has developed a strong attachment and loyalty to his host. Beyond the fact that he owes her his life, his restored limb, and his newfound, voluntarily chosen abilities—and even as she remains almost as mysterious to him as ever—Glaive trusts her and regards her as his friend. He has made various commitments to try and understand her more deeply, such as learning her kind's written language and studying history out of her library in the hopes of uncovering some forgotten legacy.
Goldenheart[]
Glaive regards Goldenheart with caution, as it was she who nearly ended him in Hollow Shades. He finds her to be dangerously compulsive and suspects that her vulnerabilities are a façade. He tolerates her proximity for now, mainly for the reasons that her potionmaking skills are critical and she landed him in Inari’s care, which has resulted in an overall improvement to his life.
Ironworks[]
Glaive met Ironworks early upon his arrival at the League. The two came close through conversation, and they gained in respect for each other after Glaive assisted Ironworks with patching up an injured Dazzling Light. While the armor-clad stallion's peculiar habits prove concerning at times, Glaive is fond for him and has made arrangements for his family’s peaceful retirement to Trottingham.
Captain Orbit[]
Glaive was aware of Captain Orbit's reputation well before joining the League. While he still respects the gravity-bending hero, a closer working relationship has made the vigilante wonder about Orbit's long-leashed leadership. Glaive still questions Orbit's decision to place Goldfin on leave after Bayne's probable death. It is a sacrifice, he feels, that the Power Ponies cannot afford to make.
Goldfin[]
Glaive respects Goldfin for her veteran status and verve around the Power Ponies—not her competence at co-leading them. Unlike some others, however, Glaive is willing to watch out for the aqua-heroine. When Goldfin took it on herself to track down Chance at a convention, Glaive volunteered to be her eye in the sky; when Captain Orbit placed her on leave for finishing off Bayne, he protested. Goldfin may be unaware of it at times, but when she is otherwise on her own, Glaive is usually keeping tabs on her.
The divide between Orbit and Goldfin continues to be Glaive's primary disappointment with the League.
Butler[]
Glaive appreciates the League's own Alfredo Whinnyworth and makes frequent small talk with him. Given the Butler's constant proximity to the JLE's base of operations, unflappable character, and undoubtable trustworthiness, Glaive finds in him the perfect confidant for certain secrets that may yet aid the Power Ponies.
Decibelle[]
Glaive and Decibelle are on good terms. Decibelle has found respect in Glaive for her caring ways and sense of cohesion, which the vigilante recognizes is often what pulls the team together when they really need it.
Flashfire[]
Glaive respects Flashfire's young enthusiasm for her duty and that she's resourceful enough to survive it. Impressed by her power and readiness to communicate, he recognizes that she may be a finer "Power Pony" than he will ever be.
Force Filly[]
Glaive enjoys working with Force Filly, whose uncomplicated outlook tends to be in welcome contrast to Goldfin and Orbit’s bickering or the uneasy aura of Goldenheart. To him, the super-mare's entirely probable ability to smash whatever villainy throws against them far makes up for any moment she has to produce her dictionary during conversation.
Polter[]
Glaive is unfamiliar with the League's newest addition, but finds him pleasant enough and his powers very impressive.
Kick, Lucid, and Vega[]
Fellow agents from a time less honorable, Kick, Lucid, and Vega are Glaive's most trusted assets. They are the closest thing he has to a family, and when the Justice League team is spread far and thin, Glaive has no qualms with calling on this trio for assistance that he knows won't falter.
Nycto[]
Bonds so strong between ponies and phoenixes are rare, but Glaive nevertheless managed to win the trust of a blue-hued chick during a trek through the mountains. Nycto is a loyal companion of Glaive and proves eager to be called upon. Whether Glaive is oblivous to his avian friend's occasional mischief or simply permits it out of amusement remains unclear.
Princesses Luna and Celestia[]
Before arriving in Maretropolis to join the Power Ponies, Glaive journeyed to Canterlot to mourn the death of Princess Celestia during the Omega Z disaster. As he has personally borne witness to the royal sisters' service and their suffering at the hooves of villainy, Glaive has come since his own reformation to appreciate them as a beacon of hope for Equestria and the ponifications of why he too must serve. He openly volunteers for Justice League assignments that directly assist them—in another world, he might even have joined their royal guard.
Trivia[]
- Glaive regularly takes evening flights over Maretropolis to stretch his wings, keep an eye on the alleys, and listen to the water in Horseshoe Bay.
- He wished to ask Goldfin for a diving tour of the Bay's shipwrecks before she moved to Manehattan.
- Hanging over his bed at JLE Headquarters was a larger-than-life portrait of Glaive himself sleeping, given to him by Ironworks during a visit to Discord's domain. Of all the possessions he lost when Nightmare Moon scuttled HQ, he misses this most.
- His favorite food is tomato-and-cheese panini. His favorite drink is piña colada.
- He attended three months of culinary school during his pre-JLE days as part of a deep cover operation.
- The League's hardlight training chamber intrigued Glaive, who used to spend much of his free time testing the limits of its custom scenario-creating capabilities.
- Glaive maintains safe houses in several major Equestrian cities, ranging from hideaways disguised as shipping crates to at least one self-sustaining underground bunker in Manehattan, which Goldfin's current crew is putting to use.
- He has a latent irrational fear of mirrors, and has long ago learned to trim his own mane and ear tufts without one.