4 Old Friends still have to kick your ass.

“Yards?” Starfall called out. It was the first time he'd seen her without her uniform. Her bangs were flat and hung halfway across her eyes. The rest of her mane reached to her jawline, where it curled inwardly. There was some sort of swirl like effect in the mane, but Yards didn't have enough color vision with his helmet on to be able to see it. With that voluptuous tail that just reached the ground and those amazingly large wings Yards wondered how she had trouble finding a stallion.

“Yeah?” he whispered back.

“Uh, I'm sorry I put you on the spot, there, again.”

He nodded, getting up on his hooves. “It's okay.”

“So, you knew they were elements?”

“Not at first. I think the Princess suspected that another Apple would become one. The geomantic principles of Ponyville is actually pretty incredible when you look at the ley maps. It's almost like Celestia purposefully built this town to absorb trouble for the rest of the Empire.”

“So, after you found out...you put your relationships on hold?” She was purposefully avoiding his attempt at dodging the conversation.

“They're very important ponies. It's important that they, well, you all work well together. I'd rather not have the Elements of Harmony fail because they're fighting over something stupid like a stallion. What they represent is too important.”

“So you're going to sacrifice everypony's happiness for the mission?”

“The mission makes sure everypony's happiness can happen. Somepony has to bring Harmony back to Equestria, otherwise we're all going to keep killing each other.”

“But without happiness, what are they-we fighting for?”

“Aren't you motivated by the money?”

She glared at him. “No. Wow, that made me sound bad, huh? The money just...well...It'd let me live.”

“Why not one of the factories?”

She shuddered. “I used to work there. Do you know how many snowflakes are in a blizzard? They've all got to be hoof made. Do you know how long that takes? Know what happens when you try to do both? You've got about ninety seconds to come up with a new flake. All year long. I made it about 6 months before it crushed my soul and I was fired. I'm much happier in a job like the one now where I get to help ponies, but, well, it's really hard to have close friends when you're not around, you know?”

He nodded, not really knowing, but allowing her to continue her story.

“If I had a couple of foals, then they'd pay me enough that I wouldn't have to work there, either. I could do something local that would be more for good than profit. Understand?”

That he did. “They say before the war it wasn't uncommon for that sort of thing to go on.”

She smiled at him. “And, I think I'd like a family. I watch Apple when I'm around. She's busy, yeah, but she has a home and a family. It's really nice coming in from a long shift to a home. I'd really like to be able to share that with somepony else. I guess I'm just tired of always running around and want to put roots down.”

“So, then I'm-why me?”

“Oh, you and your modesty,” came a reverberating voice. The couple looked over as a green flash revealed another Starfall. “You need somepony.”

Yards scoffed. “Everypony needs somepony.”

“Not like you do. You'd be miserable living the life of a hermit. Where you'd just grow your food, come in, do housework, then go to bed. You have to have somepony to make it all worth your while.” She sauntered over to him, pressing a hoof against his armored chest. “Look at this. If I asked you why you still have this, somewhere in your answer would be the real reason. It's a symbol of protection. What use is a protector without someone to protect?”

“So you mares want somepony that's protective?”

Delta snorted and walked away. “You stallions don't understand anything. You two go on, I'll take the next watch. I can change into something with night vision, or better.” She turned her head to look over at her double. “Go ahead and take him for a spin if you want, but remember, he comes home with me.”

Yards headed over to the ramp and waited at the foot for Starfall. “And that is why I don't want to pursue anything with any of you mares.” He lifted his flight pack off his back and set it on top of the construction supplies. Slowly he stripped off his armor while Apple Rhubarb sleepily raised her head. Starfall walked past him and lay down in the middle of the floor, which was technically beside the supplies. Apple moved over next to the wall while Toffee slept along the far wall. The girls had made a “U” shaped outline with their bodies where he could sleep inside, next to all of them. Oh great. Quietly he walked in and lay down, resting his head on Toffee's side. Starfall extended those magnificent wings of hers over him. Apple snuggled into him. Well, if they were going to be caught and killed while he slept, he could think of worse places to die.

_____________________________________________________________________________

It was an hour or so before dawn. Yards had walked to a clearing near the Everfree. He didn't want to take off from the clubhouse or otherwise give away the girl's position. Just time for one quick fly over to try and see what was happening at the farm. With a short gallop he kicked on the engines. Quickly he pulled up his legs and took to the air. Higher and higher he climbed, trying to get out of auditory range. Toffee or Starfall could have done it quieter and closer, be he wasn't willing to risk a civilian unless he had too. He flew high and through the clouds to make it as difficult as possible to be seen.

Taking notes of guards, movements, zones of control, and hoping for sight of a little lost foal he began to circle. He watched for a good half hour until the sun started to rise. He had to leave now. Soon Celestia would be watching. As the first rays of sunlight broke, an odd shine caught his attention. Quickly looping around for a closer look he saw a pegasus in a sky blue uniform with metal wings. Oh no. He didn't need to see a cutie mark to know who that was. Those weren't a flight pack. Those were actual wings, made of metal. Kicking in the scramjets, he flew as fast as he could back to the clearing.

Back at the clubhouse he found the mares waiting for him, chewing on some alfalfa bars. Delta was in her unicorn form.

“Did you see Rhu?” Apple was beside herself with worry.

Yards could only shake his head. “We've got even bigger problems. Messer is here.” The mares gave him a puzzled look.

“Messer!” Yards yelped. “You know, he's kinda famous. Hero of the Solari.”

“The one who flew without wings?” Toffee asked.

“Yeah. I've got no idea why he's here.”

“Probably because you killed those inquisitors.” Toffee answered.

“I don't know what we're going to do now.”

“We could talk to them,” offered Starfall.

Yards dismissed the idea. “We tried that yesterday.”

“No, you fought the High Inquisitor with words, you never tried to just sit down and talk.”

“It's a worthwhile plan,” came a baritone voice behind them. They turned to the stallion behind them. He was a dark grey pegasus in Lunari armor. His large yellow eyes were slitted and looking at them. His frame was lithe, but had a solid musculature. They all ratcheted up their fear levels several notches.

“Luna sent you to help us?” Yards tentatively hoped this was a good sign.

“Well, not really...” He looked at him. “You don't recognize me? Sure, recognize half the legend, but when it comes to me-”

“Shadowmaker? But...”

He grinned at his former comrade in arms. “What's up Shady Mark?” Yards glared back.

Toffee looked at the two confusedly. “I thought the Lunari pegasus that saved Messer was Astro Rey?”

The strange pony bowed to her. “It is, but somepony wants to get cute with call signs.”

“So what are you doing here?” Yards pressed.

“I'm here to try and talk you into shutting down that P0NY you've got lining up a shot on me, come in peaceably, and try and resolve this without anypony else getting hurt.”

“Where's my daughter?” Apple Rhubarb planted herself in front of him, forehead to forehead.

He met her gaze, but returned it with a soft look. “She's safe. They've put her on the train for Canterlot.”

Apple's glare only intensified. “Yards, we've got to get to the train.”

Yards nodded.

“Yards, you are directly ordered from Princess Luna herself to allow Rhubarb Salad to go to Canterlot.”

“Why would the Princess command that?”

“Because she's going to be safe at Canterlot Form and Finish.”

“Why is the Princess doing this in this way?” Yards couldn't understand. A simple letter would have sufficed.

Astro sighed, blinking. “There's so many things going on. I don't even know them all.”

“Yards, where's my baby going?”

“To Rarity's school. He's right; she should be safe there.”

“So, what's going to happen to us?” Starfall asked.

Astro inhaled, going into a well rehearsed speech. “Toffee Chips, for providing information and not lifting a hoof against Inquisition forces, shall be paid the sum of 4,000 bits. Starfall will be charged with one count willful evasion of the law, one count knowingly harboring a changeling. These charges will be dropped in lieu of your assistance in saving the life of the High Inquisitor Trixie Lunamoon. For Apple Rhubarb, for one count willful evasion of the law, one count knowingly harboring a changeling, and one count assault on High Inquisitor Trixie Lunamoon, we are prepared to dismiss the first two charges, and accept a plea bargain of temporary insanity punished by one year imprisonment and damages. For you, a private court martial, the details I can't discuss with you in front of them.”

“And for Delta?” Yards was stone faced, slipping into his thousand yard stare.

“Test subject Delta's original execution order stands, no debate.” He turned and looked at the unicorn. “For what it's worth, I am sorry.”

Apple snorted. “No deal!”

Astro looked over with a grin. “Messer would say the same thing. It's not a package deal. It stands for each pony individually. So...if anypony wants to, not all of you have to.”

“He's right. Toffee, Starfall, you two should definitely go with him. Apple, you probably should, too.”

Delta walked over behind Yards. Apple moved in between those two. The pegasi looked at each other, torn on what to do.

“Momma Rhu, this isn't your fight. Don't throw away Little Rhu's life for me.” Yards could hear the tears in Delta's voice.

She snorted. “You keep saying things like that and I'm only going to stand here more.”

“I-I-I,” stammered Toffee.

“I surrender,” finished Yards.

“I'm sorry, Delta, I'm so sorry, I didn't know-” Toffee started again, then heard what Yards had said. She stopped and looked at Yards. They all did.

“You know first I'm going to have to fight you though, right?” Yards looked square at his opponent.

“Probably in the air?” The pegasi offered. “Give your pet plenty of time for a good head start?”

Yards charged, jumping over Apple and taking to the air. “She's not a pet, she's my friend!” His turbines spun to speed and he took off into the air. The former Shadowbolt took off after him. Astro wasn't as fast, bur Yards knew the legendary hero had endurance on him. That didn't matter. He didn't have to win, only keep him busy long enough to cover Delta's flank. Yards pulled into a steep climb, his pack letting slip a thick smoke, intended to blind his pursuer. Astro had trained against this, though, and flew in a corkscrew around the smoke. It slowed him down but he never lost sight of his opponent. Yards rolled into a whifferdill.

The sunlight was playing havoc on both of their eyes, adapted for the night as they were. Yards blinked as his rotations quickly gave him an eyeful of sun. It was the mistake Asto needed. His hoof connected solidly with Yard's leg. It was only a glancing blow, but it still hurt. Yards fired off a burst of energy from his pack's weapon towards where he thought he saw Astro fly to. It didn't contact, but it bought him time to level his flight plane.

Yards may have had speed, but Astro had maneuverability and experience. The unicorn began to juke in an effort to pull his pursuer in front of him. There was a quick sighting of a streak in his twelve and he took his shot.

Astro's bat wings temporally faltered, but he flew into a nearby cloud. Excellent. Yards refused the bait, however, and didn't follow him in.

Slowly the unicorn twisted in a series of holding loops. Waiting for the pegasus to strike. He didn't have to wait long. His opponent came in as Yards completed a loop, passing closest to the cloud with his back turned. Yards knew that would be his time, so he swerved. Still, Yards wasn't quite quick enough and Astro did a flying tackle into his back.

Astro moved to release the five point safety harness on Yard's chest that secured the pack to the unicorn. Yards was having none of that and triggered the electrical deterrent, shocking the pegasus into letting go.

Yards did a barrel roll to get around behind him and shot another beam. It was textbook. Unfortunately for the unicorn, textbook is very predictable and the pegasus's muscles knew the counter. Astro corkscrewed around the attack and slammed into the unicorn again. The impact tore Yard's helmet off his head. His neck was yanked viciously back and whipped immediately foreword. The unicorn blacked out, his magic stopped feeding the flight systems, triggering emergency controls. The engines shut off and the levitation field began to softly bring him down, using the stored magic in the system.

Yards landed in a heap with Astro Rey close behind. Delta was nowhere to be seen.

The pegasus gathered up his comrade and tossed him over his back. “Are you mares willing to surrender too?” Slowly the three remaining members nodded.

Astro smiled. “Good, there's been enough violence today.” The hero ushered the mares back to Sweet Apple Acres.