Once a Soldier always a soldier

The loss of one’s self and the gaining of another.

I sat up gasping and began to cough. That made the young mare squeak in fright and almost curl up in a ball. “I’m sorry.” I said while forcing a smile. I did not feel like smiling or doing anything. I feel nothing at all.

“It’s alright. This is just how I am.” she said sitting on a pillow with a cute smile. Did I just say ’Cute’?  This world is messing with me. I sighed. “Is something wrong?” she said in a sincere voice fuel of kindness and loving warming. It almost made me smile a little just her speaking.

“No, it is just…” I paused not knowing what I was going to say next. I took a deep breath. “how is Zecora?”

She smiled again. “She is doing good, her wounds from the timber wolfs were major but, not too sever. She is resting in the next room. But, when you get some more rest then, you can go back to the princess to report back for duty.” I froze at that.

“How do you know that I’m going to report back to the princess?”

“Oh, went you collapsed in my yard I saw your rifles and armaments. But, when I undress you to see your wounds I saw two sets of dog tags. A pair from the Solar empire and another I don’t recognized. It says US ARMY Giles, Parker S#31262559 but, the religion part was scratched off. But, confuses me the most is where your Cutie Mark is?” Great she doesn’t know I am not from this world. Luck you are a fickle bitch. Wait? What?

“What is a Cutie Mark?” I said raising an eyebrow.

“A Cutie Mark is mark that everypony gets when they figure out what they are good at.” she said with a smile.

“Well, I don’t exactly know. All I know is rifles, pistols, combat and…” I paused. “That… is all I know.”

“That’s alright. Everypony gets their Cutie Mark at different times in their lives.”

Great add the Cutie Mark to the ever growing list of moral dilemmas.

Great she doesn’t know I am not from this world. Luck you are a fickle bitch.

“What is your name?”

“Fluttershy and your name is either Parker, or Nightwing?” she said as she changed my bandages on my shoulder. “You are not from around here are you?”

I chuckled a little. “What gave that way?”

“Nothing, it was just obvious and plus I hear a lot from everypony. Being the quiet one makes for listening on somepony really easy. You are from another world full of war and hatred. I could tell from your journal and recorder in your pack. Sorry, I get curious sometimes.” she tightened the knot on the bandages. “There now get some rest, the guards should be here tomorrow. From what I hear from your sleep talking.”

“Ok, I do not sleep talk.” I said interrupting her.

She chuckled a little. “Yes, you do but, I…” She paused. “I’m sorry about your losses. I’m sorry about Shield.” I froze. The memory of him knowing his own death stuck with me. It wants to make me cry but, I have to earn the rest of those tears. But, how I will earn those tears is what worries me to most.  “Now, get to rest while I check on Zecora.” She said with another smile. I sighed as I laid back down on the bed. My life here has been crappy, well not just here but, on earth too. I need a drink. I rolled to my good shoulder. Just before I went back to sleep the image of flash smiling just before the bullet struck stuck with me. Screw one drink, I need two.

[three hours later]

I woke up, sweat was dripping off of me and soaking the blanket and bed. I sighed and began trying to move out of my bed but I realized I can’t feel anything. Nothing at all, not mentally but, physically. I look around were my eyes could. I looked to my right to see that the cabin was trashed, most of the windows were broken, what seemed to be birdhouses and couches were smashed and some were on fire. I saw something pink right next to my bed. I strained to look and saw that it was Fluttershy unconscious and bloody but, still breathing.  Who did this? “Fluttershy…” I said weakly just barely able to talk.

“Don’t waste your breath. She can’t hear you.” I stopped cold to see that a Changeling was standing right next to me looking down at Fluttershy. “I have to admit she can be a good fighter when she wants to protect somepony. Your zebra friend ran away when she saw us but, you on the other hoof are stuck here. Plus, if you are wondering why you can‘t move, Changeling magic can do wonders.” he turned smiling to another changeling right next to him. “Alright, get ready to transport him and tell discord that he is on his way.” Discord? Who in the hell is that?

“Yes, sir.” the other changeling said.

He turned and left out the door to only get knocked back in along with the sound of a shotgun. It made my ears ring a little, I turned my head toward the door to see that Zecora had a hunting shotgun in her hoofs, and next to her was a orange mare with blazing blond mane with a shotgun in her hoofs as well. Five more shot rang out, five more Changelings went down. The commander Changeling pulled a knife and put it to my throat. “Get any closer or I will slit his throat.” I felt the cold sharp edge of the knife, the pressure of the knife was getting greater by the second. He was going to kill me anyways. Fuck me. Then, a memory of Shield came to mind. Don’t back down and keep on fighting. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Slowly I began to feel my body again. I opened my eyes, taking the knife out of the changeling’s magic and elbowed him in the side. I jumped out of my bed, taking the knife in my teeth and smashing the knife in the back of the Changeling’s neck. Killing him dead.

I shoved to body away from Fluttershy. Without saying a word I picked her up. That moment the orange mare aimed her shotgun at my head. But, before she could do anything Zecora made her lower the shotgun and silently shake her head. They moved to the side as I passed with Fluttershy on my back. Rest in Peace Shield, may I see you again someday. But, not now. I still need to fight. May my enemies tremble in fear just at the mention of my name but, I need to rest.

There was a chariot outside with a small squad of Solar guards. They looked at me with concern. They knew who I was, Water came from the squad. Before he could speak I said “He didn’t make. A Sniper got him but, I got this off of the bastard.” I threw the dog tags.  He nodded as he told the guards to get Fluttershy to the nearest hospital. They left with her  and I got on the small chariot. “Lets go.” but, before we left I turned to Zecora. “Hey, why don’t you come along, Celestia would like to hear what you have to say. Besides, I would like to have some company besides this asshole.” I said forcing a smile and pointing to Water.

“You’re calling me an asshole? Let me tell you why that’s bulls-” I shoved my hoof in his mouth before he could finish.

She smiled and gave a small chuckle . “I would love to Nightwing.”

The orange mare came up from behind her and from what I could hear she said “Yeah, you would.”

Zecora immediately started blushing. I wanted to face hoof so hard right then but, I fought the urge.  “Lets go, Zecora. We can’t keep the princess waiting.” I handed a hoof out and she took it. Water nodded at the drivers and we were off.